So you just got your brand new iLiad, or maybe you've had it for a while but have grown comfortable enough that you'd like to install one of the community applications. Below, I'll detail a step by step guide on how to setup your iLiad to install a new application to it.

First, a few notes: You've paid a lot for your iLiad and you don't want to break it. This fact alone prevents a lot of people from trying out new programs. There is good news though. If something should happen while installing or running an application. You should be able to restore your iLiad. You will need a compact flash (CF) card. I recommend anyone who's planning to install community applications to buy a CF card. You can pick up a 1 Gigabyte card at any electronics store for under $30 US. You should place all of your applications, along with the files needed to do a reflash should anything go wrong.

This guide is extremely detailed. It's actually a lot easier than it looks.

With that out of the way, lets get started:

The first thing you will need to do is connect to IDS. To do this, you will need either a wired, or wireless network connection.
Create an IDS profile here: https://myirex.irexnet.com/user.php/createuser
Fill in your e-mail address in the field and click on 'Send'.
You will receive an automatic e-mail with a password in your e-mail inbox.
Take your iLiad and enter your e-mail address and the password you received into the 'iLiad Settings'.
Create a (wired or wireless) network profile on your iLiad using the Wizard.
You can now connect to the iDS by pressing the connect key on your iLiad for 2 seconds.
Once you see your iLiad connect, it should tell you that there's either nothing to download, or it will install any updates it finds.
Now you will need to sign up for the developer package. This will give you the ability to run programs, and will also program your iLiad with what you need to reflash it from a CF card in case something goes wrong.
To sign up for the developer package visit this page: https://myirex.irexnet.com/user.php/developer
If you've successfully connected to IDS in the past, your MAC address should appear in the "Select MAC Address" drop down box.
If it does not appear, verify your email address and password in the settings screen on your iLiad, and connect to the IDS again.
After you have selected your MAC address, click "Send Developer Package".
This link does not work in Safari! If you are on a Mac, you will need to use Firefox or IE
Now, connect to the IDS on your iLiad. You should see a message saying "Downloading Developer Package".
After it installs, your iLiad should automatically reboot.
Now that your iLiad has rebooted, it should start up like normal, but you won't see anything different. You'll need to try to install an application to make sure it worked.
The first program you should try to install is mrxvt.
This is a terminal application. Simlar to a DOS prompt on a windows computer.
I like to test with this program because it doesn't require anything special other than the developer package to run.
Download mrxvt in this thread (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=46943&postcount=1).
You will need to unzip the download on your computer. Windows XP and up has zip functionality built in. If you need an unzipping program, I suggest 7zip.
Once you have unzipped the program, you should see a folder called "mrxvt".
Simply copy this folder to the internal memory or CF card on your iLiad.
Browse to the correct directory from your iLiad, and select the line that says "mrxvt: Command Shell".
If all went well, it should open up a terminal along with your keyboard. If you don't know anything about linux, I suggest you click the "X" to close it, or type "exit" and hit enter.


So now you have shell access, and you've run your first application. Many apps use the unzip and run process of installing. However, others are more complicated and include an installer. This is the case with a popular 3rd party viewer I've ported called FBReader. I will walk you through the installation of this.

Download FBReader from this thread (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=72966&postcount=1).
Unzip it, and copy the folder called "fbreaderinst" to the Compact Flash (or other flash memory) card on your iLiad.
For FBReader, and other installers, it's important to use a CF card, USB key, or MMC card. If you install it to the main memory of the iLiad, you may run into problems with the screen refresh.
On your iLiad, browse to where you have copied the installer. You should see an item called "Install FBReader". Select it.
It will take a little bit of time to install. At that time, you will see the green light flash, and the bars moving across the bottom. After it is installed it will tell you "FBReader has been installed".
You can safely delete the "fbreaderinst" folder on your iLiad.
Now, to run FBReader, browse to the "Programs" directory that the installer created on your memory card. Inside there, you will see a launcher for FBReader. Simply select it, and it will start.
Here, you can use the FBReader library to add books, or if your prefer, install the FBReader Registry Modifications to open books directly from the contentlister (aka the way you open PDF's and Mobipocket books).

Hopefully you now understand how to install 3rd party programs on your iLiad. You can read this post (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17343) where I cover reflashing your iLiad in case something goes wrong and your iLiad won't boot.

Feel free to comment, and let me know if there are any confusing areas or things that need to be improved upon.

Thanks again!

Great work Adam,

Just what I needed to give it a try.

Very timely post for me (just got an iLiad...). Very helpful for the n00bs like me who worry about their new gadget yet want it hacked...

One additional question: I assume that the installed content is "blind" to the CF card on which it is. Ie. if I install a number of applications on my current CF card, all what I need is an exact copy of that content on another CF card (ex. newer, bigger and faster one) and everything will work properly when I use that card instead... Am I correct?

Thanks!

One additional question: I assume that the installed content is "blind" to the CF card on which it is. Ie. if I install a number of applications on my current CF card, all what I need is an exact copy of that content on another CF card (ex. newer, bigger and faster one) and everything will work properly when I use that card instead... Am I correct?

That's exactly correct. As long as you copy the contents over to another card with the same file structure, all should work.

I've followed your instructions and loaded FBReader and the registry modifications. mrxvt didn't work but I went ahead anyway. Now I'd like to tell FBreader that it is to open .html documents and not Mobipocket. How do I do that?
Also, can I delete the entry notification that FBReader Registry has been installed?
I'm happy with FBReader and I wouldn't have loaded it without your step by step so thanks again.

Another interesting question is er_registry.txt file. I came to need to change it in order to be able to read DJVU files. However, I can't even find it (no such file in /etc or in /mnt/settings).

Another interesting question is er_registry.txt file. I came to need to change it in order to be able to read DJVU files. However, I can't even find it (no such file in /etc or in /mnt/settings).

er_registry.txt doesn't exist in firmware 2.11. The registry now exists in /mnt/settings/registry/registry.xml

Thanks, I have working DJVU reader now! (Configured as advised on another thread and adapting their er_registry.txt changes to registry.xml. I'll post my changes to registry.xml on that thread).

When I click on an html document it opens with Mobipocket. How do I tell FBreader that it is to open .html documents and not Mobipocket?

When I click on an html document it opens with Mobipocket. How do I tell FBreader that it is to open .html documents and not Mobipocket?

You'll have to manually edit the registry to get it to do that. Unless you have SSH access, there's not really an easy way to do it. You could copy /mnt/settings/registry/registry.xml to a user accessable area, edit it, and replace it.

I just received my iliad. I need help. I tried to install some third party programs, and I am now at a dead end in my now unusable device. If anyone can help, I would really appreciate it. Here is what I did: I successfully created an account, and requested developer access. I created a reflash CF card. I then successfully installed mvrxt and fbreader. Then, I installed fbreader registry for running from content lister. Everything was going great. Then I installed abiword and that is when things completely went wrong. After installing abiword, it said that I must restart my device. I did this, and when it restarted, I got a black screen and a constant blinking green light. Nothing would make the green light go off except for the reset or power button. After pushing that, the device was still unresponsive. When I pressed the reset button followed by the power button, the device would restart, booting back up to the same black screen. So I decided it was time to reflash. I followed instructions to reflash, and I was able to start iliad back up normally. I noticed that internal memory was unchanged when I started back up (including abiword still saying that I needed to restart). Anyway, everything else seemed to working. I could not uninstall abiword- I assume this is because I need to request shell access again with the developer package. So, when I go the request, my MAC address is no longer present. So, I go back to my iliad to confirm connection, user name, password, etc. and it is correct. It is, so I go ahead and connect to iDS, in hopes of re-establishing my mac address online for the purposes of requesting shell access for the purpose of uninstalling abiword- the program that seemed to start this whole mess. Anyway, I connect to iDS, and it downloads "software updates-" I am not sure what because I have not yet re-requested the development package. So it downloads, installs itself, and the iliad reboots on its own. When it starts up, it comes back to the same black screen that I started with. I don't know what to do now. In summary, I can reflash. If I do not connect to iDS, I can work without shell access and turn off and on just fine, and I cannot use FBreader or uninstall Abiword. If I connect to iDS, I get my black screen. I would appreciate any advice.

Backup all of the files on your internal memory.

Edit your config.txt with notepad. Delete everything in it, and type "format" (without quotes). Now reflash. It will reset everything to factory settings, and you should be able to update without problems.

Thanks so much for that easy fix. I was so worried that I had fried my Christmas present, but everything was reset just like you said. I think I'll steer clear of Abiword for now and use alternate file formats.

I have tried many times, but the iLiad always says thare are nothing for download. Why?

I am in China and using Chinese interface, is this matter?

Once you have unzipped the program, you should see a folder called "mrxvt".
Simply copy this folder to the internal memory or CF card on your iLiad.
Browse to the correct directory from your iLiad, and select the line that says "mrxvt: Command Shell".
[/list][/list]



I followed all the steps and copied mrvxt to h:\ (which is my iLiad's root), then I browse the main memory from the iLiad and can see mrvxt folder, but can't execute anything.
Where am I wrong?

Has your iLiad downloaded the developer package and rebooted automatically?

Has your iLiad downloaded the developer package and rebooted automatically?

Yes, it has

I suggest trying mrxvt version 0.3 from here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=108215&postcount=37). If it actually runs, any error messages will end up in run.err (which you can view from a Desktop via USB). Note that I have only ever tried running mrxvt from a CF card.

I suggest trying mrxvt version 0.3 from here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=108215&postcount=37). If it actually runs, any error messages will end up in run.err (which you can view from a Desktop via USB). Note that I have only ever tried running mrxvt from a CF card.
Thank you, good advice, in fact, yesterday evening I downloaded and tried version 0.2 and it worked. Version 0.1 lacks manifest.
Btw, another question: I tried to create a manifest for version 0.1, except for the title and description it was the same as the 0.2 downloaded manifest, but it didn't work.
How are manifest files to be created?

Hi Adam B
Thanks for these very useful instructions. When can we read your post on "reflashing"? Given my inexperience it it a "must"

canfish

Right below this one: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17343

Thanks.
Now all that I have to do is to pluck up the courage to try.:bookworm:

Unless you are a developer, you should never need to reflash. However, the process does seem straight forward. Here is a recent example (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=143905&postcount=11). Note that the time consuming part was updating from 2.10 to 2.11.

I hit the same problem as kkttmm3 (screwing with fonts currently puts you in the developer category unfortunately), and so I prepared to reflash. However, I was able to recover by removing the CF card. Putting all new programs on the CF card is a good approach, because it can be modified if necessary in a CF reader outside the iLiad.

Hello,

I just got my iliad, and tried following these instructions. I connected to iDS, it downloaded firmware 2.12 (software build number 21201), and I downloaded the developer package and the iliad rebooted automatically. I then got mrxvt v0.1, and have tried v0.2, v0.3, v0.4. I put them on my root folder, navigate to that folder and try to execute. When I try, the progress bar at the bottom moves, and the screen refreshes after about 1 second, but nothing has happened.

Is this a problem with:
1) firmware 2.12?
2) not having the developer package installed properly?
3) mrxvt?
4) other?

How do I know if the developer package/shell access is on my system? How do I find out what the problem is? How do I get mrxvt working?

Thank you,
Ben

Hello,

I just got my iliad, and tried following these instructions. I connected to iDS, it downloaded firmware 2.12 (software build number 21201), and I downloaded the developer package and the iliad rebooted automatically. I then got mrxvt v0.1, and have tried v0.2, v0.3, v0.4. I put them on my root folder, navigate to that folder and try to execute. When I try, the progress bar at the bottom moves, and the screen refreshes after about 1 second, but nothing has happened.

Is this a problem with:
1) firmware 2.12?
2) not having the developer package installed properly?
3) mrxvt?
4) other?

How do I know if the developer package/shell access is on my system? How do I find out what the problem is? How do I get mrxvt working?

Thank you,
Ben


I'm having the same problem as Ben. I also tried running the FBReader installer with the same results.

I checked the .err files in the directory for mrxvt and they were empty.

I'm really wondering if this is a 2.12 thing... I've pushed the developer stuff to the iLliad twice, and it rebooted itself successfully both times.

More details from Device Identification:
Software version: 2.12
build number: 21200
Kernel version: 2.4.19-rmk7-pxa-irex1 #21200

Any information would be great on this.
:thanks:

In case it helps, I have no shell access problems with:

Software version: 2.12
Build: 21201
Kernel: the same as yours, except #21100

So there are differences in the build number and whatever the number is at the end of the kernel name. But my build number is the same as snowski55's.

In case it helps, I have no shell access problems with:

Software version: 2.12
Build: 21201
Kernel: the same as yours, except #21100

So there are differences in the build number and whatever the number is at the end of the kernel name. But my build number is the same as snowski55's.

Did yours ship with 2.12? I acquired 2.12 via IDS. It looks like there may be a problem with some versions of 2.12 and shell access, according to: this thread (http://forum.irexnet.com/viewtopic.php?t=2202).

I tried running the test script there, and it had no result. I also tried doing to the test to see if my iLliad could be reflashed (getting to the boot manager, etc.) and all that happens is that the screen goes "white" for a second, and the system restarts itself. I'm wondering if the Shell Access stuff just doesn't install correctly (even though I've tried about 4 times now).

Do you have spaces in the folder names in the path to your shell script? That's usually the only reason it would fail...

Do you have spaces in the folder names in the path to your shell script? That's usually the only reason it would fail...

No, I have no spaces. The folder name is always just mrxvt. It did not ship with 2.12, it downloaded via iDS. It does look like exact same problem from the thread linked by

Did yours ship with 2.12? I acquired 2.12 via IDS. It looks like there may be a problem with some versions of 2.12 and shell access, according to: this thread (http://forum.irexnet.com/viewtopic.php?t=2202).

I tried running the test script there, and it had no result. I also tried doing to the test to see if my iLliad could be reflashed (getting to the boot manager, etc.) and all that happens is that the screen goes "white" for a second, and the system restarts itself. I'm wondering if the Shell Access stuff just doesn't install correctly (even though I've tried about 4 times now).

. What is going on here? Do I need to downgrade to v2.11? If so, then how do I do it?

Did yours ship with 2.12? I acquired 2.12 via IDS. It looks like there may be a problem with some versions of 2.12 and shell access, according to: this thread (http://forum.irexnet.com/viewtopic.php?t=2202).

I tried running the test script there, and it had no result. I also tried doing to the test to see if my iLliad could be reflashed (getting to the boot manager, etc.) and all that happens is that the screen goes "white" for a second, and the system restarts itself. I'm wondering if the Shell Access stuff just doesn't install correctly (even though I've tried about 4 times now).

I feel like some type of developer stuff is being installed properly, because it recognizes that a .sh file is executable, but when I try to execute, screen just flashes briefly, but nothing else happens. Also, just to reiterate, the folder "mrxvt" is in the root of the internal memory. Definitely no spaces.
Thanks!
-Ben

Do you have spaces in the folder names in the path to your shell script? That's usually the only reason it would fail...

No spaces, I noticed that mention on the iRex forum. I generally try to run it from a USB Flash Drive, but I'm going to try running the test script, and quite possibly mrxvt, directly from the device, transferring via USB. (I generally use the flash drive because it's about 80x easier for me. I have Linux at work, and Mac at home...)

Well, there is the same situation in my case.. after the "format" option in reflash process and successful developer package downloading the .sh scripts aren't launching. Ever test.sh script isn't started... :blink:

Unzip the attached file and put it anywhere on your iLiad and run it. It should make a file in the books directory called "HelloWorld.txt". If it does not, there's a problem with your shell package install.

Unzip the attached file and put it anywhere on your iLiad and run it. It should make a file in the books directory called "HelloWorld.txt". If it does not, there's a problem with your shell package install.

Second verse, same as the first. I tried both your test script, and the script that's on the iRex forum. I tried them on USB, and directly on the iLliad (from the "Documents" folder). No matter what, it's the same result.

I guess the only option is to wait for an update from iRex? We can't exactly reflash because that requires the shell access to be working correctly. I've downloaded the shell access three times, and every time it restarts when finished, on its own. As near as I can tell, I've done everything correctly...:chinscratch:

Unzip the attached file and put it anywhere on your iLiad and run it. It should make a file in the books directory called "HelloWorld.txt". If it does not, there's a problem with your shell package install.

I put tester.sh in the root directory, and tried to run it. The icon shows a folder with an X in it, and the screen simply refreshed, nothing happened. Just like felonius, nothing works. I guess it's the developer package install that isn't working since I can't run scripts? Who is in charge of getting this developer package to work with this software?

Mine is:

Software version 2.12
Software build number 21201
Kernel version 2.4.19-rmk7-pxa2-irex1 #21100

Also, When I hit the top right button to go to download history, it only has "Release Notes v2.12", should it also have the developer package that it downloads listed there?

Thanks,
Ben

I put tester.sh in the root directory, and tried to run it. The icon shows a folder with an X in it, and the screen simply refreshed, nothing happened. [...]
So did you check in the books folder [clicking iLiad BOOKS button] for a HelloWorld.txt?
Without dev package you can't get a screen refresh, when you click on a .sh file in contentlister. That's why I don't understand, you got ones.

So did you check in the books folder [clicking iLiad BOOKS button] for a HelloWorld.txt?
Without dev package you can't get a screen refresh, when you click on a .sh file in contentlister. That's why I don't understand, you got ones.

Not to speak for snowski here, but I think that, whatever the problem may be, snowski and I are in the same boat.

I check in the books section in the content lister, and it was empty. I checked the "docs" section when I ran the test script from the iRex forums.

Later, when I get home, I'll try checking to see if there's a permissions issue... Since you say that it shouldn't even refresh (I didn't check behavior before installing the developer stuff on my iLiad, so I don't know what behavior should be different) there must something that's preventing it from creating files... Or maybe the issue lies elsewhere. I'm kinda grasping at straws here.

W/o dev package there should be no LED blicking, refreshing of screen or progress bar, because contentlister doesn't know a way to handle shell scripts.

So if you get any of the three 3 symptoms, you have an installed/corrupt dev package.

[EDIT] The shell script which Adam B. posted is working on my iLiad.

W/o dev package there should be no LED blicking, refreshing of screen or progress bar, because contentlister doesn't know a way to handle shell scripts.

So if you get any of the three 3 symptoms, you have an installed/corrupt dev package.

[EDIT] The shell script which Adam B. posted is working on my iLiad.

Sounds like problem is dev package then, because indeed I do get those 3 symptoms you speak of, but no created helloWorld.txt or any other result of a script. Should I be downloading the dev package wirelessly, or should I plug it in with the ethernet cord? Could this be a problem? I've been doing it wirelessly this whole time..
-Ben

Sounds like problem is dev package then, because indeed I do get those 3 symptoms you speak of, but no created helloWorld.txt or any other result of a script. Should I be downloading the dev package wirelessly, or should I plug it in with the ethernet cord? Could this be a problem? I've been doing it wirelessly this whole time..
-Ben

I just downloaded dev package again with a wired connection, still no change. I'm out of ideas.. All I can think is dev package is incompatible with the kernel I have on this thing.. Does anyone with my same kernel have their dev package working? Or, the people who it is working for, what kernel do you have?

I'm having the exact same problem as felonius and snowski... I had developer access working until I installed 2.12 a couple of days ago and pushed the developer package.

It definitely seems that the developer package is getting installed since the screen blinks on clicking, but the scripts are not running.

I reflashed (full "format") back to 2.10 and re-installed all the updates and developer package and I have the exact same problems.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the model?
I have ER0100-002
What do other people with this problem have? (and those who don't)

Everything else seems to be constant...
Software version: 2.12
Software build number: 21200
Kernel version: 2.4.19-rmk7-pxa-irex1 #21200

Hi i have a similar problem with my Iliad. I had 2.12 and shell access working properly, but i had to send it to replace the battery and now i cant run any program.
Obviously they did something that it is not compatible with the shell access. I hope they fix it soon.
My syntoms are the same, request developer package, downloads, unpacks, restarts but when i try to run any script or program the light flashes and the screen refreshes and that´s all, the program doesnt run.

Jose

I'm having the exact same problem as felonius and snowski... I had developer access working until I installed 2.12 a couple of days ago and pushed the developer package.

It definitely seems that the developer package is getting installed since the screen blinks on clicking, but the scripts are not running.

I reflashed (full "format") back to 2.10 and re-installed all the updates and developer package and I have the exact same problems.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the model?
I have ER0100-002
What do other people with this problem have? (and those who don't)

Everything else seems to be constant...
Software version: 2.12
Software build number: 21200
Kernel version: 2.4.19-rmk7-pxa-irex1 #21200

daudi, in post 27, indicated his software, which was identical to snowski's in every number. daudi seems to not be having any issues. You and I have the same software, though our hardware seems to differ slightly. Product Type for me is ER0140...

Perhaps they changed something about the dev access recently. This would allow people before a certain time/date to work without issue, but people who install now will have problems?

I really feel like I keep ending up back at square one, with having to wait for iRex to change something.

It's too bad these aren't cheaper, I'd say it would be great for someone who has it working right now to try on a second iLliad and see what happens...

I'm having the exact same problem as felonius and snowski... I had developer access working until I installed 2.12 a couple of days ago and pushed the developer package.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the model?
I have ER0100-002
What do other people with this problem have? (and those who don't)



Rest of my details:
Product Type : ER0141
Language set: 002
OEM code : 000
Country code: 000
PCBA revision : 7
EPD ID: E2107620

Rest of my details:
Product Type : ER0141
Language set: 002
OEM code : 000
Country code: 000
PCBA revision : 7
EPD ID: E2107620

Product Type : ER0140
Language set: 002
OEM code : 000
Country code: 000
PCBA revision : 4
EPD ID: E2107620

Disclaimer : If you try this, don't get mad at me if it actually breaks your shell access

For people that shell access is already working for, re-request the developer package, and download to your device. If it breaks your shell access, we know it is something to do with the latest developer package, and not the hardware.

My details with similar problem (but i did get it working with 2.12 before i send it to battery replacement)

Product Type: ER0100
Language set: 002
OEM code: 000
Country code: 000
PCBA revision: 4
EPD ID: E2107520
Software version: 2.12
Software build number: 21201
Kernel version: 2.1.19-rmk7-pxa2-irex1 #21100

Disclaimer : If you try this, don't get mad at me if it actually breaks your shell access

For people that shell access is already working for, re-request the developer package, and download to your device. If it breaks your shell access, we know it is something to do with the latest developer package, and not the hardware.
Shell access working perfectly, tested it again to make sure, requested developer access, and now my iliad is in a permanent loop rebooting (it has done it more than 10 times now). So, looks like there is definitely something a little funny with it. I'm now going to interrupt the looping reboot with a reset and see what happens.

I think I might just have won an iRex Darwin award.

Shell access working perfectly, tested it again to make sure, requested developer access, and now my iliad is in a permanent loop rebooting (it has done it more than 10 times now). So, looks like there is definitely something a little funny with it. I'm now going to interrupt the looping reboot with a reset and see what happens.

I think I might just have won an iRex Darwin award.

I've reset it and restarted it. It still just keeps on booting. Bother.

Shell access working perfectly, tested it again to make sure, requested developer access, and now my iliad is in a permanent loop rebooting (it has done it more than 10 times now). So, looks like there is definitely something a little funny with it. I'm now going to interrupt the looping reboot with a reset and see what happens.

I think I might just have won an iRex Darwin award.

You may have to reflash with "format" in config.txt. It appears something's wrong with the registry entry for shell scripts.

I've reset it and restarted it. It still just keeps on booting. Bother.

Sorry about the sacrifice. But, I think this really shows clearly that it is a problem with the new developer package. I hope you can reflash and get it back to the same state the rest of us have it in at least. I've updated their tech support about this thread, hopefully they are reading it.

You may have to reflash with "format" in config.txt. It appears something's wrong with the registry entry for shell scripts.

Thanks Adam. Did anybody notice the step I missed earlier? The little one called "backup"? Argh! Oh well, most of my important stuff is backed-up.

Sorry about the sacrifice. But, I think this really shows clearly that it is a problem with the new developer package. I hope you can reflash and get it back to the same state the rest of us have it in at least. I've updated their tech support about this thread, hopefully they are reading it.

No worries. Eventually I expect it will be possible to get it back to normal. I forgot to back-up one file before doing this (I wasn't expecting the infinite loop, I thought my worst case scenario would be lost shell access), but that was my mistake.

You may have to reflash with "format" in config.txt. It appears something's wrong with the registry entry for shell scripts.

Good news! A normal reflash (i.e. I didn't need the "format") has restored the OS and my files are intact. I've backed-up my files and am updating from IDS ...

And now the bad news. I get back into the infinite loop. Looks like I'll have to settle for version 2.10 for a while. Not a major problem.

It was my first time to try the reflash---nice clear instructions Adam, thank you.

Good news! A normal reflash has restored the OS and my files are intact. I've backed-up my files and updating from IDS ...

And now the bad news. I get back into the infinite loop. Looks like I'll have to settle for version 2.10 for a while. Not a major problem.

It was my first time to try the reflash---nice clear instructions Adam, thank you.

If you backup your files, remove everything in the config.txt, and type only "format" (without quotes), and reflash. It should solve the rebooting problem when you upgrade to 2.12.

If you backup your files, remove everything in the config.txt, and type only "format" (without quotes), and reflash. It should solve the rebooting problem when you upgrade to 2.12.

Cool. Back to 2.12. Thanks!

Just as confirmation,

I've had about word-for-word the same experience with a new iLiad.

iLiad Specs
Product Type: ER0141
PCBA Rev: 7
Software Version: 2.12 build 21201
Kernel: 2.4.19-rmk7-pxa2-irex1-#21100

Kind of disappointing, seeing that I bought the iLiad, after some research, for its ability to run 3rd party software. No support of course; now what?

Hope you iLiad-experienced guys & girls can figure it out.

For what is worth I also can't have shell access...

iLiad Specs
Product Type: ER0141
PCBA Rev: 4
Software Version: 2.12 build 21200
Kernel: 2.4.19-rmk7-pxa2-irex1-#21200

v2.12 came with my Irex. I Downloaded the developer software. Install goes well and it reboots itself.
Then I try to get shell access with all tools out there but nothing works. The screen blinks once and that's it.

Regards,

Kinetic.

Exactly the same problem here, no shell access. Yes, it is very disappointing.
I just received my Iliad yesterday and now I can't run 3rd party apps...considering that was the main reason I bought it.

It should now be fixed, see here: http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?p=162005

Thanks Adam for your reply and link :)

Dear Adam,
Thanks for your valuable guidline in the first post. I read your post carefully. In fact you have presented all steps in details except ONE! connecting to network!

I have a simple (as your point of view but not mine!!!) question:

I know that iLiad needs to be connected via a Wired hub or a wireless network with a router. now concern on wired network on our company. we use windows 2003 server and dns system. every computer needs an account to join to network and use the shared internet. we have some reserved IP's which doesn't need any user and password to connecto to internet. the only requirement is that you have to logon to dns with your account.

I have cleared all settings of computer name, user, password, etc. and actually I have nevere sync. my iLiad with computer. I only want to connect to the internet and upgrade my iLiad's firmware. so I have a chance to work with USB sticks and...

There are many switches in out LAN. I connected the iLiad to the 3com switch (directly) with a Ethernet cable. then I defined 4 setting in my iLiad network section:

1. Wired auto (everything left auto config.)
2. Wired auto with proxy (everything except proxy server are left auto config. the proxy is set up by info. I received from out admin)

3. Wired Static (IP's are set statically with info I received from admin. he stated that given IP needs no user and password to connect to internet. note that I can use the IP with my pc to connect to internet. the only requirement is that i need my user and account on the dns to connect to the network and after tat I have connection to the intenet automatically.

4. Wired Static with Proxy (All IP's info and dns gateway, etc. are set up using admin's info.)

When I press "test", It informs me "unsuccessful". I pressed the connection to iDS key many times , iLiad checks all 4 predefined network configs and fails to connect!!!

What is wrong with my approach?
I even used the computer name and user and password of the admin of network in the iLiad computer name settings, before. but I got the same results for all pre-mentioned configs.

What must I do?