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[FAQ] - MID V8 - Commonly Asked Questions

14K views 28 replies 15 participants last post by  robertef 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
The purpose of this thread is to start creating a one stop shop for questions that seem to be answered multiple times.
If you have any questions WITH their working solution, please let me know or post it in this thread and I will add it to the first post.
I am attempting to go through my entire history of posts, 900+, to dig out and post further questions/answers.

Thanks

Tasselhof

[hr]

I am new to Android... where do I get started?
[FAQ] - Android - General Introduction and How To Guide


[hr]
What are some suggested MUST HAVE or Default programs?
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcl0LntyrXQ

**Just One Opinion on the Topic**

Video: Rockplayer
- To change the default directory: Click the Menu Button - Setting --> Root Folder
Audio: Astro Player Nova
- To change the default directory: Click the Menu Button - Options --> General --> Audio folder
File Explorer: ES File Explorer & Root Explorer
- To change the default directory: Click the Menu Button - Settings --> Home Directory
PDF: Adobe Reader
eBook: Aldiko
Web Browser: Dolphin Browser HD
Keyboard: Better Keyboard 7
Launcher: ADW.Launcher

Widgets:
- The Weather Channel
- AudioManager Console

Random:
- WiFi Analyzer
- System App
- Apps 2 SD
- Scanner Radio
- Tapatalk

Games:
- Heavy Gunner
- Slice It
- Angry Birds
- Gem Miner: Dig Deeper
- Tank Hero
- Tiki Towers

If you have a child:
- Toddler Lock

[hr]

How do I disable 3G and Phone services to save battery life?
2 ways,

#1

open adb, type pm list packages
the type pm enable packagename

Not sure if I actually disabled anything... but let me know if after you do the second options, it still doesn't work.

AND

#2

open adb shell
cd /system/app

Run these commands to get it back to "stock":
mv Mms.apk.old Mms.apk
mv TelephonyProvider.apk.old TelephonyProvider.apk
mv Phone.apk.old Phone.apk
mv Provision.apk.old Provision.apk

ALTERNATE OPTION
Use Root Explorer and look for all the apk's changed to old and just rename them by taking out the old bit.

[hr]

My Tablet won't turn on or only shows a blank back-lit screen.
1) Ttry reseating the MicroSD card (it could have gotten jostled or loose)
2) Check all of the connections to the board to make sure they are secure.
3) You may also try re-imaging the SD card.

[hr]

Skype fails to load and force closes
Option 1:
- Search for Skype Beta as it will allow you to log in and use IM chat
Option 2:
Thanks to Maindude for this:

**MUST HAVE ROOT ACCESS**


DISCLAIMER
I/We take no responsibility if you mess up your tablet.

Open: Root Explorer (or similar app file manager with root access)
Browse to: /system
Open/Edit file: build.prop
Find this line: ro.kernel.android.checkjni=1 (found towards the end of the file)
Change to: ro.kernel.android.checkjni=0
Save & Exit the file
Reboot your tablet

Skype should now load properly and allow you to log in.
- Audio and Text chat work on the C8 - I have not tried the MID816 yet.
It still DOES NOT send nor receive video.

Now we just have to wait for an officially update/fix from Skype that will hopefully enable Video as well.

[hr]

I can't connect to my wireless network, the system just saying connecting and fails
You may have MAC Address filtering on and need to either add the device or turn it off.

[hr]

What are the partitions, sizes, and purpose?
It depends on the device but here is a general sample
System partition - 159mb
- is the system/OS files
Apps partition - 512mb
- Where programs are installed and stored
- you can use Apps to SD to move some of the programs over and make room.
Cache partition - 159mb
- temporary storage for programs and files that are running
Data partition - 2.86gb
- is the last one and is used for MP3, Movies, etc...
- should generally be the largest partition.

Please note... Modify the partition tables will cause your device to be formatted with each firmware update.
I don't believe that is the case if you only modify the FAT32 partition though.

[hr]

How, When and Where can I use ADB shell?
You need to open the command prompt (CMD) window first.
Then open/use ADB from there...

So let's say your ADB files are on a folder called Android on your Desktop.
Go to: Start --> Run
Type in: CMD
- Hit: Enter
- You should now have a black "box" open and be at a dos prompt
Type: cd Desktop\Android
- Hit: Enter
Type: adb
- Hit: Enter
- You should now see a list of commands that you can use after entering ADB

The most common one you will use is:
adb install (program name.apk)

You can also type in: adb shell
- this will give you access to a linux style prompt and commands.
 
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#2 ·
How do I add, remove, modify, and customize the home desktop screen?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7c8--_fU3I[/media]

[hr]

Market has stopped, hangs, won't, fails to download programs and updates.
Go to Settings --> Applications --> Manage Applications --> All
- Select Market
- Clear Data
- Select Google Services Framework
- Clear Cache (if it still fails - clear data)
Wait a couple hours and then try the market again.

[hr]

How do I enable the "Full" Market?
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8toB6h6nNM0

**REQUIRES ROOT ACCESS**

Edit the build.prop file
1) Open Root Explorer
2) Browse to System
3) Click and hold on build.prop (on bottom)
- Scroll down to Edit Text
4) Click on the Text to Allow Modification
- Find this line: ro.build.fingerprint= (located about half way down)
5) Change it to the following
- ro.build.fingerprint=google/passion/passion/mahimahi:2.2/FRF91/43546:user/release-keys
- or -
- ro.build.fingerprint=generic/utv210/utv210/smdkv210:2.2/FRF91/eng.urbetter.20110301.142336:eng/test-keys
6) Save the File

Open Android Market and then Click on Home (launcher)

Go to Settings->Applications->Manage->Running
- Click Market
- Then Clear Cache (NOT CLEAR DATA!!!!)
- Then Force Stop
- Click Google Services Framework
- Click Clear Data
- Click Force Stop

Open Android Market (it will error this is GOOD!)

Shutdown and Restart the tablet
- Wait for Wireless to Kick In
- Wait for System to Finish Loading

Open Android Market
- If it opens without an error GREAT!
- If it opens with the same error... give it a couple minutes or multiple tries at opening (it will go through)

Thanks again Gushie!
 
#3 ·
How do I manually install a .APK program file?
1) Install the USB Drivers for your tablet and get the tablet recognized (copy files to your desktop - Make a folder called: Android)
2) Copy the APK files you wish to install in to the "Android" folder contain which contains the ADB files
3) Remove the external SD card from your tablet
4) Open a Command Prompt -- Start --> Run --> CMD (enter/ok)
5) Type in: cd desktop\Android
6) Type in: adb install (file name)
- ex. Angry_Birds_1.4.2.apk
- ex. com.rovio.angrybirdseasons.v1.1.1.apk
7) Hit Enter
- Program will be pushed out/installed to your device

[hr]

How do I uninstall and remove a Program or App?


Click the Menu Button
Click on Settings
Click on Applications
Click on All
Click on the program you wish to remove
Click on Uninstall
Click on OK

[hr]

How do I remove a "Default" setting for a program use. IE: ADW.Launcher, Rockplayer, etc...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaIxyRQzDqg

Go to: Settings --> Applications --> Manage Applications
Find: **Application in Question**
Scroll down below Clear Data and Clear Cache.
- You will see a button to Clear Default --> Click It

In the case of ADW.Launcher
After you clear the default, when you press the Home button you will be prompted to pick a launcher.
You can then set the original "Launcher" as your default.
 
#4 ·
How do I changed the DPI (dots per inch) on my tablet?


**MUST HAVE ROOT ACCESS**

Open Root Explorer
- Open System folder
- Press and hold the "build.prop" file until dialog pops up and scroll down to "Edit with Text Editor"
- Scroll down about halfway and change the dpi from 200 to 180 (going to 160 mucks up the notification bar)
- When finished, hit the menu button and select "Save and Exit"
Hold Power button to shutdown and restart or shut down via the dialog
Boot up the tablet, wait for everything to load up
Then hold Menu button until calibration shows up
- Calibrate normally
Reboot again
All set!

[hr]

How would I go about disabling the phone or services and programs?
I will never put a 3g card in this. I bet disabling those services could give me a couple hours extra battery life.
The easiest way is to have ROOT access.
Open Root Explorer App
Browse to /system/app

I renamed all of the following in a similar fashion... I added Old to the front to keep them together... and .old after apk to rename the file so the system couldn't use it. (ex. Bluetooth.apk = OldBluetooth.apk.old)
Bluetooth.apk
Network3gMonitor.apk
Phone.apk (will require an immediate hard shut down and reboot after being renamed)
Provision.apk
shortcut3g.apk
TelephonyProvider.apk
VpnServices.apk

Hope that helps!

Tasselhof
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
My wireless turns off after XX minutes and won't stay on


Set WiFi sleep to NEVER
Browse to: Settings --> Wireless & Networks --> Wi-Fi Settings
Click the Menu Button: Advanced --> Wi-Fi sleep policy --> Never
 
#6 ·
Saved for Future Quotes
 
#9 ·
I am still waiting to get mine.
Once I have it though, I will run some tests.

Tasselhof
 
#10 ·
Hi all, just dwled the new v8 and did the install on my mid 7" 8650. I had no finger over the item movement.
I did install the uberoid and used the #2 option. So just did a re-do to v5 and all is well. Does anyone think i did it wrong or just f\ not for my machine? thanks all
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey guys..

@MrTasselhoff
do you have your V8 now? could you make a lil review video about it?


I am interested in it cause it's cheap and it should be enough for browsing some sites, does it run flash?
what works? what dont? what you dont like on it?

how is the wifi signal? compared to mid816r2 which i got, same? or nearly same?

do all the custom firmwares from the small brother V7 work for this one?


http://www.merimobiles.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MERI0670
 
#12 ·
Hey guys..

@MrTasselhoff
do you have your V8 now? could you make a lil review video about it?


I am interested in it cause it's cheap and it should be enough for browsing some sites, does it run flash?
what works? what dont? what you dont like on it?

how is the wifi signal? compared to mid816r2 which i got, same? or nearly same?

do all the custom firmwares from the small brother V7 work for this one?


http://www.merimobil...ctCode=MERI0670
I did get my MID V8... just haven't had time for the review yet...
I hope to do it tomorrow, but we will see.

It is essentially the exact same as the MID V7, just in an 8" form.
All of the ROMS appears to work after minor tweaks/swaps of the ENV_BOOT file and adding a Wifi.ko file.

Wifi Signal is fine... I thinkt he MID816 is probably a bit stronger, but nothing that would really matter.

Physically it is a nice little device... the thinnest tablet I have seen so far.
Only has power, volume, and a back button...
So installing a ROM with ROOT and Button Savior is helpful to have access to menu and home buttons.

Tasselhof
 
#14 ·
431g
15 1/8th ounces

Tasselhof
 
#16 ·
After you extract the files to the SD card or your desktop... you can then run changer.bat on your computer.
Select an option... then put all the files on your SD card and boot the tablet with it installed.

Tasselhof
 
#17 ·
Help i cannot access the market or the internet even though have a really strong wifi signal I have a WM8650 android version 2.2 kernel no 2.6.332.9 default.
i have no idea how to sort this it keeps asking if it is set up for data services. as you can probably tell i am new to this so be gentle with me
 
#18 ·
Try turning the WiFi radio off and then back on.
You may also try one of the ROMS.

Tasselhof
 
#19 ·
Hi, I've just bought a tablet from eBay and I've had a look at technknow's 'HOW TO IDENTIFY MY TABLET' and it looks like it's a MID V8. The 'about' screen says it's a WonderMedia WM8650, it has an 8 inch screen and has a blue LED visible through the IO port. There are no colours around the various sockets. Does it seem like a V8? This particular model has a 4GB internal memory but I'm guessing that won't affect the ROM.

ATB, Peter
 
#20 ·
While I'm waiting to get up the courage to flash the ROM, I've been copying files from the existing system in case it's useful for recovering later. I've copied the /system /lib /bin /sbin directories and the /default.prop file - is there anything else I should squirrel away before flashing?

Also is there any way to get root access without flashing the whole ROM?

ATB, Peter

WonderMedia WM8650
Android 2.2
Kernel 2.6.32.9-default
Build generic-eng2.2 Froyo Ver1.5.1-20110708.105253
 
#21 ·
Could you please confirm if I have a MID V8. This is my 1st Android Tablet and I am not 100% certain. For sure I did not purchase it from the same vendor. The specs of my machine are:

Processor: VIA MW8650 High-performance 800MHZ CPU+300MHZ DSP
Frequency: 800Mhz
OS: Android 2.2
Memory RAM: 256MB
Flash Memory: 2GB (1GB Free) (Expandable by MicroSD to 32GB)
WiFi: 802.11 b / g
3G Function:
- TD-CDMA:TD368
- WCDMA:Huawei E220/E230/E160X/E169G/E1750
- Alcatel X060S/X200

Speaker: Built-in Speaker 8/1W
Camera: Built-in 3MP
Reset hole: Hidden (reset function)

Buttons:
- Top of the key: Power Key
- Positive primary key: ESC
- Right button Volume control Keys + Menu button

Display Resolution: WVGA 800 x 480 Pixel

Thanks for your assistance and time.

JB
 

Attachments

#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
Just posted a new FAQ video
[FAQ] - Android - General Introduction and How To Guide



Hopefully this can help those that are just starting out on Android and maybe provide a couple tricks to others.
Tasselhof
 
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