Bricks are a lovely red color, but I still don't want one
October 1, 2011 6:19 PM Subscribe
I just got a Nook Color for my birthday. It appears to be running v1.1.0 of the Nook software (which is old, n'est pas?). I want to root it, but I'm a complete newb at rooting. I need some handholding and a whole lot of information.
(pardon the babbling, the joy of having the complete works of Agatha Christie at the touch of a finger has turned me into a gibbering idiot)
So, I got a Nook Color today. Woohoo! I suspected I was getting one, and so I've already done enough research to convince me that I probably want to root this device and turn it into an Android tablet, but I have a whole lot of questions about how to do it and what I'll be left with. Hope it's ok for me to mush them all into one AskMe. Let's start with the questions that pertain to whether I want to do this in the first place:
1) If I root and install an, er, rooted OS, will I still have access to B&N software, such that I can download books through B&N? Will I have access to a pretty "library" of my books, or will I be accessing them as files from a list post-rooting? What about things like the (surprisingly fun!) crossword app that comes bundled with the Nook software? Will I still be able to use my local library's e-book lending service, which uses fancy Adobe software? Basically, what functionality am I losing by rooting, if any?
2) What's the worst-case scenario, technically, if I attempt to root and screw it up? Could I completely brick the device, to the point where it's unrecoverable? Is the rooting reversible if I do it and then decide I'd rather go back to the Nook OS?
Ok, assuming I satisfy myself with answers to those questions, now comes the technical bit. I've googled, and found quite a lot of ways to root. What's the easiest method/software for someone who has no experience with this sort of thing? I'm aware of something called AutoNooter, and the standard CyanogenMod, but I really need a breakdown for what type of effort/expertise each method involves. Ideally, I'd like
3) a breakdown of "here are the pros and cons of [method]" for each possibility, and
4) a complete walkthrough of the process, from "open the packaging of your micro SD card" to "congratulations, you now have a working, rooted Nook!" I know these exist - I found one by ArsTechnica for AutoNooter, for example - but I'd like to be pointed to the best of the best
What else do I need to know? Do I need to update the version of my Nook software before setting off on a root adventure? How realistic is the possibility of dual-booting Nook OS/stock Android?
So, I got a Nook Color today. Woohoo! I suspected I was getting one, and so I've already done enough research to convince me that I probably want to root this device and turn it into an Android tablet, but I have a whole lot of questions about how to do it and what I'll be left with. Hope it's ok for me to mush them all into one AskMe. Let's start with the questions that pertain to whether I want to do this in the first place:
1) If I root and install an, er, rooted OS, will I still have access to B&N software, such that I can download books through B&N? Will I have access to a pretty "library" of my books, or will I be accessing them as files from a list post-rooting? What about things like the (surprisingly fun!) crossword app that comes bundled with the Nook software? Will I still be able to use my local library's e-book lending service, which uses fancy Adobe software? Basically, what functionality am I losing by rooting, if any?
2) What's the worst-case scenario, technically, if I attempt to root and screw it up? Could I completely brick the device, to the point where it's unrecoverable? Is the rooting reversible if I do it and then decide I'd rather go back to the Nook OS?
Ok, assuming I satisfy myself with answers to those questions, now comes the technical bit. I've googled, and found quite a lot of ways to root. What's the easiest method/software for someone who has no experience with this sort of thing? I'm aware of something called AutoNooter, and the standard CyanogenMod, but I really need a breakdown for what type of effort/expertise each method involves. Ideally, I'd like
3) a breakdown of "here are the pros and cons of [method]" for each possibility, and
4) a complete walkthrough of the process, from "open the packaging of your micro SD card" to "congratulations, you now have a working, rooted Nook!" I know these exist - I found one by ArsTechnica for AutoNooter, for example - but I'd like to be pointed to the best of the best
What else do I need to know? Do I need to update the version of my Nook software before setting off on a root adventure? How realistic is the possibility of dual-booting Nook OS/stock Android?
Response by poster: Oh, another question I forgot to ask - I've already loaded a whole bunch of (un-DRMed) epub books onto the device. If I root now, will I lose those and need to re-download them? Or will the data remain intact when I flash the OS?
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 6:59 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 6:59 PM on October 1, 2011
The Manual Nooter is pretty non-destructive, your epubs should be ok. I just recently wiped my (technically my wife's) NC and re-rooted from scratch to fix some stupid Market issues. I was afraid that her hundreds of books would be lost, but they seem to be intact.
posted by Bonky Moon at 7:01 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by Bonky Moon at 7:01 PM on October 1, 2011
I highly recommend CyanogenMod over rooted stock.
The biggest thing for me is that it's implementation of soft keys works far better than anything I tried after autonooter-ing.
posted by utsutsu at 7:25 PM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
The biggest thing for me is that it's implementation of soft keys works far better than anything I tried after autonooter-ing.
posted by utsutsu at 7:25 PM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
This card might be another option to consider. It gives you a dual-boot option and carries less risk to your nook.
posted by itwasyou at 10:56 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by itwasyou at 10:56 PM on October 1, 2011
Put me down as another person who definitely recommends CyanogenMod.
You should always backup your files no matter what.
posted by autoclavicle at 1:58 AM on October 2, 2011
You should always backup your files no matter what.
posted by autoclavicle at 1:58 AM on October 2, 2011
itwasyou's suggestion... DO NOT spend money on that card. You can create it yourself for free (plus cost of card).
All it is, is CyanogenMod already set up for you. Also, running your OS off the sd card is WAY slower, even with a fast sd card, that I really recommend flashing it properly. As said upthread, it's extremely difficult, or maybe impossible, to really brick your nook into an unrecoverable state.
posted by utsutsu at 9:00 AM on October 3, 2011
All it is, is CyanogenMod already set up for you. Also, running your OS off the sd card is WAY slower, even with a fast sd card, that I really recommend flashing it properly. As said upthread, it's extremely difficult, or maybe impossible, to really brick your nook into an unrecoverable state.
posted by utsutsu at 9:00 AM on October 3, 2011
Response by poster: If I flash cyanogen mod onto the Nook, what will it overwrite that I might miss? Will I lose access to the Nook-OS type apps (the reader, library, the crosswords, etc)?
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 6:49 AM on October 4, 2011
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 6:49 AM on October 4, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks everybody. I finally rooted tonight, using manual nooter. Everything looks to be working great, and I can't wait to whip out my awesome tablet next time I'm out on the town. Woohoo!
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 3:39 PM on October 15, 2011
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 3:39 PM on October 15, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Yes, you can still buy and download books through B&N, either through the stock nook home, or through the Nook app from the Android Market.
There are essentially two different ways to go about rooting.
One will keep the stock software on there but will root it, give you access to the Android Market, and will put a new launcher on so that you can access all the stuff that the stock Nook launcher restricts.
The second method also involves rooting, but you replace the stock ROM with something like Cyanogenmod, which is basically an independent implementation of the Android OS. It's very popular and is available for practically every Android device ever made. The only big caveat with it is that on the Nook Color it has a bug where if you let it fall asleep with the wifi on, it will drain your battery completely; it's called the "sleep of death."
The first thing you'll want to do is register your Nook and let it update to the latest version of its software; it's at 1.3 currently.
Then you should go here and follow this guide very closely. As long as you're able to follow the steps as outlined, you will successfully get your Nook rooted but it will retain the original stock Nook Launcher in addition to the (ugly IMO) Zeam launcher. I recommend getting ADWLauncher from the Market to replace it.
The cons of going this route as opposed to putting CyanogenMod (CM7) is that you end up missing out on some features like built-in overclocking controls, more flexible UI options, and it does feel more like a hack; some of the system menus look odd.
The pros of doing this is that you retain the stock Nook stuff, including the games and stuff.
Unrooting is as easy as putting a stock ROM onto the Recovery sdcard that you make in the above link, wiping current system, flashing the rom, and viola.
I can't really go into full detail of the steps any better than the guide I linked to above does; it's a very step-by-step guide that is a lot more straightforward than it initially seems.
It's incredibly difficult to completely brick android devices. The fact that you can create a recovery SDcard makes this one even more difficult to brick than other devices because the Nook is designed to prioritize booting from SD.
posted by Bonky Moon at 6:48 PM on October 1, 2011 [2 favorites]