Version 2.1, 2008/11/20

Changes from 2.0:
Support for PRS-505 UK firmware (1.2.00.18050).
Updated maximum image size for PRS-505.
Fixed issue: repeated reflashing of custom image could fail.

Included xmls are modified with the clock script.
originals.zip has the original unedited xml files for reference (should be useful for hack developers).

Thank you so much. Now the thing to do is to figure out the other hacks and apply them to the new firmware once I install the new firmware. The only hack I can see maybe not working is the icons.

Will there be an option for Cyrillic fonts in the new flasher? (Please?)

JS, why do you think the modified icons might not work?

Will there be an option for Cyrillic fonts in the new flasher? (Please?)

JS, why do you think the modified icons might not work?
Without having yet flashed my 505 to the new firmware, I'm guessing that there might be new icon(s) to go along with the new firmware. And this the original modified icons would need to be recreated. So until someone who can figure this out does so, I'm not risking it.

Will there be an option for Cyrillic fonts in the new flasher? (Please?)
Why not! If you remember how the universal flasher works, all you need to do is put those Cyrillic fonts into the FONT subdirectory, and ride. :thumbsup: There is a ready-made image (http://projects.mobileread.com/reader/users/porkupan/cramfs.Fsk.PRS505.1.1.00.18040.Rus.img) with Cyrillic fonts already built-in (can be burned with the method described on the-ebook.org site, just rename to new_opt.img, or with the Universal Flasher).

Why not! If you remember how the universal flasher works, all you need to do is put those Cyrillic fonts into the FONT subdirectory, and ride. :thumbsup: There is a ready-made image (http://projects.mobileread.com/reader/users/porkupan/cramfs.Fsk.PRS505.1.1.00.18040.Rus.img) with Cyrillic fonts already built-in (can be burned with the method described on the-ebook.org site, just rename to new_opt.img, or with the Universal Flasher).
This image file, what hacks does it make besides a Russian font? And are you 100% sure it works with the new firmware version 1.1.00.18040?

This image file, what hacks does it make besides a Russian font? And are you 100% sure it works with the new firmware version 1.1.00.18040?
This image only has Russian fonts, nothing else. I am 100% sure it works on 1.1.00.18040.

Having said that, I am also 100% sure that all the old hacks will work with the new FW. Perhaps not all of them will be needed though. One should not however take the hacked XML files from the previous versions of Firmware, and put them directly into this version, without careful diffing and merging. The modded icons will need one more icon (for trash can).

This image only has Russian fonts, nothing else. I am 100% sure it works on 1.1.00.18040.
Thank you for clarifying. I'm just trying to make sure of what hacks work on the new firmware and what don't.

Just wondering, is there a size limit to the img files? I tried adding chinese unicode fonts to the img and it came up to approx 8mb, after which i got prompted with an error:

"Error creating new cramfs image. Not enough space?"

edit: found the code refering to the optimg size. Is the size a hard limit?

Yes, the size of the Fsk partition is limited. I don't remember the exact size on 505. I guess you could resize it by making some other partition smaller but that's rather complicated and risky.
However, in your case it could be the size of /tmp directory. You could try remeding it by replacing all instances of /tmp to /Data/tmp (both in .sh scripts and autorun.js).

You could try remeding it by replacing all instances of /tmp to /Data/tmp (both in .sh scripts and autorun.js).
Igor, I don't think you can. After running mkdosfs /Data no longer supports symbolic links, so rebuilding the image in there is not going to be possible. You should stick with /tmp.

Hello,

I am a little at a loss here.

What hacks go in the universal flasher?

If I want to add "futura mt light" I just need to rename it to one of the three in the readme file? How should I proceed then when producing my lrfs?

Are the extra buttons there or the universal flasher works like an OS for future hacks?

I know nothing about all this since I only used Wolf's hack. I'd appreciate some guidance or a redirection to somewhere I can read about all this.

Thanks guys, you sure are fast.:2thumbsup

The attachment contains three fonts with Cyrillic support. They are somehow different from the package used in the-ebook.org builds. tt0419m_.ttf is the same font but the name is renamed from "Courier10 Win95BT" to standard "Courier10 BT", tt0003m_.ttf leaved intact and tt0011m_.ttf contains “Constantia” Vista font as a replacement for “Times New Roman”.

Thanks so much for this, the readme helps a lot for those with questions. Going to flash with the new fonts when i get home and then get all comfy for the weekend :)

Wonderful, thanks!

Just out of curiousity, could the flasher replace the reader application with another? For instance FBreader ported to the 505 instead of the Sony reader.

Just out of curiousity, could the flasher replace the reader application with another? For instance FBreader ported to the 505 instead of the Sony reader.
The Flasher rebuilds Fsk filesystem, so in theory it can replace anything with anything. If and when the fbReader is ported to PRS-505, it doesn't have to "replace" anything, it can be added (by modding some XML files) as a viewer module for FB2 files (or some other format).

Igor, I don't think you can. After running mkdosfs /Data no longer supports symbolic links, so rebuilding the image in there is not going to be possible. You should stick with /tmp.

If my font is too big, can i make the font a symbolic link and link it to a font in /Data?

If my font is too big, can i make the font a symbolic link and link it to a font in /Data?
Probably. You will have to modify the script though, currently it can only replace files, not symlink them.

Probably. You will have to modify the script though, currently it can only replace files, not symlink them.

Ok thanks. I'll give it a try :)

If my font is too big, can i make the font a symbolic link and link it to a font in /Data?
Yes, you can, but you have to be very careful, as the /Data filesystem is normally accessible from your PC.

If you want to try something like this, you can fix up the tinyhttp.sh to check if there are some files in certain known location, and then mount them over top of your fonts. This way you can delete those files from the PC side, reset, and you will get the original fonts.

Something like this:

if [ -f /xxx/yyy ]
then
mount --bind /xxx/yyy /whereever_my_font_is
fi

Yes, you can, but you have to be very careful, as the /Data filesystem is normally accessible from your PC.

Well, I don't have much of a choice if I wanna use fonts that are 6mb in size ;)

Well, I don't have much of a choice if I wanna use fonts that are 6mb in size ;)

In this case you should mount the fonts from /Data over top of yours, but keep the original just in case (see my edited post above).

I could not get the flasher to work. I upgraded the firmware in my 505. Loaded the contents of the flasher zip file on a clean SD card. When the 505 came on I got the flasher menu. I selected 5 like the instructions say then after about 2 minutes the 505 rebooted. I did not get the menu again so I could select option 6. What am I missing here?

Thanks for your help ... just trying to get the clock back.

In this case you should mount the fonts from /Data over top of yours, but keep the original just in case (see my edited post above).

Wow, that's a cool idea. I'll work on it. Thanks a lot :)

I could not get the flasher to work. I upgraded the firmware in my 505. Loaded the contents of the flasher zip file on a clean SD card. When the 505 came on I got the flasher menu. I selected 5 like the instructions say then after about 2 minutes the 505 rebooted. I did not get the menu again so I could select option 6. What am I missing here?

Thanks for your help ... just trying to get the clock back.

I removed all of the books from my 505 and then tried the flasher again ... worked like a champ. I got the clock back. However, in am/pm mode the left character of the clock is chopped in half. I played with the xml file and could not fix it. So I modified the xml to where it does not append "am" or "pm" to the string. Oh well ... at least it works!

In this case you should mount the fonts from /Data over top of yours, but keep the original just in case (see my edited post above).

I added the following into tinyhttp.sh just before the execution of tinyhttp:


if [ -f /Data/FONT ]; then
mount --bind /Data/FONT /opt/sony/ebook/FONT
fi


It doesn't seem to work as I hope. Am I putting the code in the correct place?

Anyway, how can I output and see debugging messages using echo?

Just as a data-point, I've successfully updated to the new firmware then re-flashed after modifying the main.xml to use the 'small' title & font sizes for both '...Big...' and '...Small...' options, so I've now got the 'small' menus & the clock.

(I've not looked at what's needed to try to change icons, although I do prefer the custom ones to the stock ones, so may well try & investigate! when I have time!)

If you can pull out the icons, we can have a compare of what's there with the updated icons and then proceed to fix things if need be.

after modifying the main.xml to use the 'small' title & font sizes for both '...Big...' and '...Small...' options, so I've now got the 'small' menus

I'd love to know how to do this -- I'd forgotten how ugly the different sizes in the menus were before I updated the 505's firmware.

I've managed update the firmware of my 505 and then flash the clock, unified fonts, and holding enter shuts off the power. That worked very well.

Now what I want to do is find the image created that is then used to flash. Where is this image located once it's created? I want to have a look at the icons and see if I can do something with the replacement icons on the new firmware.

I added the following into tinyhttp.sh just before the execution of tinyhttp:


if [ -f /Data/FONT ]; then
mount --bind /Data/FONT /opt/sony/ebook/FONT
fi


It doesn't seem to work as I hope. Am I putting the code in the correct place?
The code is in the correct place, but -f checks for existence of a file, not directory. If you want to mount the whole directory:


if [ -d /Data/FONT ]; then
mount --bind /Data/FONT /opt/sony/ebook/FONT
fi


For debugging you can probably echo some messages into a log file on /Data, but you should make sure it doesn't grow forever.

Can someone explain what this does?

Now what I want to do is find the image created that is then used to flash. Where is this image located once it's created? I want to have a look at the icons and see if I can do something with the replacement icons on the new firmware.
You can extract the cramfs.Fsk.img from the firmware updater.
If you want the final created image, you will need to edit make_opt.sh. I took out the code which copied it to the card since it was crashing the Reader. In the end, before the "Image created successfully " line, add the following:
cp $W_DIR/new_opt.img /Data

You can extract the cramfs.Fsk.img from the firmware updater.
If you want the final created image, you will need to edit make_opt.sh. I took out the code which copied it to the card since it was crashing the Reader. In the end, before the "Image created successfully " line, add the following:
cp $W_DIR/new_opt.img /Data

This isn't working for me. I made the change to make_opt.sh and the #5 create image runs successfully but I don't end up with a .img file on my card. I tried:


cp $W_DIR/new_opt.img /Data
and
cp /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img /Data

/Data is the internal storage, not the card.

I'd love to know how to do this -- I'd forgotten how ugly the different sizes in the menus were before I updated the 505's firmware.

In the file Universal Flasher 2.0\files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\applicat ion\resources\scripts\main.xml, look for the three '<style id="*Big*" ...' styles & change the 'size=' value to the same as the matching "*Small*" value.

Then copy to SD, etc...

(There shouldn't be a space in 'application' but one shows up here for some reason!)

You can extract the cramfs.Fsk.img from the firmware updater.
If you want the final created image, you will need to edit make_opt.sh. I took out the code which copied it to the card since it was crashing the Reader. In the end, before the "Image created successfully " line, add the following:
cp $W_DIR/new_opt.img /Data
I tired editing it with notepad. I think I did it right. But it still didn't work. Is there any way you can attach something that will work?

/Data is the internal storage, not the card.

Thanks!

Thanks!
Did you get it to work?

If so can you attach your modified file that worked please?

look for the three '<style id="*Big*" ...' styles & change the 'size=' value to the same as the matching "*Small*" value.

Awesome. That works perfectly. It is so much more aesthetically pleasing with consistent, small menu items.

I can upload the file with the changes in it if anyone is nervous about doing it themselves. (I just don't want to step on anyone's toes...) Big thanks to igorsk and to gwynevans for the tips.

Hi...I'm trying to flash my updated 505 with the new Universal Flasher 2.0 (from the top of this thread). If I'm understanding this correctly, by successfully doing this, I'd have the clock back on my 505.

I haven't been successful, so far. When I put the SD card with the files from the zip in my reader and push the 5 button, I get the following message on my reader:

"Sorry, this firmware version is not supported: 505.1.1.00.18040".

Am I missing a step or doing something wrong?

Thanks for any help!!

dordale :)

I tired editing it with notepad. I think I did it right. But it still didn't work. Is there any way you can attach something that will work?

Here's my make_opt file (If this upload takes). I renamed it make_opt.bat for the upload, so rename it back to make_opt.sh.

I modified the About text string


<record><number name="kind" value="-1"/><string name="text" value="Portions of this software are Copyright ©2005 The FreeType Project (www.freetype.org). All rights reserved."/></record>


to display my name and contact info:


<record><number name="kind" value="-1"/><string name="text" value="This Ebook Reader Belongs to Jeffery Elkins - If found, please call XXX-XXX-XXXX."/></record>


Personalized readers for me and the wife :)

Any luck on the "enter" button quick shutdown? I really miss that. It's not already here is it? It's not working for me.

I haven't been successful, so far. When I put the SD card with the files from the zip in my reader and push the 5 button, I get the following message on my reader:

"Sorry, this firmware version is not supported: 505.1.1.00.18040".

Do you have a directory named files.505.1.1.00.18040 in the root of the card?

Any luck on the "enter" button quick shutdown? I really miss that. It's not already here is it? It's not working for me.

In applicationStart.xml I changed:


<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doCenter"/>


to:


<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doQuit"/>


to enable that function.

In applicationStart.xml I changed:


<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doCenter"/>


to:


<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doQuit"/>


to enable that function.

Actually, the correct way to do it is

<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doDeviceShutdown"/>

because then you get the 505 displaying that it is shutting down.

Actually, the correct way to do it is

<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doDeviceShutdown"/>

because then you get the 505 displaying that it is shutting down.

Thanks!

When I first installed the change as you origially posted it, I noticed that it did not display that it was shutting down like it did when I went via the menus. So I have a look to try to find out what routine was called when I used the menus to shut down. Then I found it and no I know the proper thing to have the 505 do when shutting down via the hack.

I removed all of the books from my 505 and then tried the flasher again ... worked like a champ. I got the clock back. However, in am/pm mode the left character of the clock is chopped in half. I played with the xml file and could not fix it. So I modified the xml to where it does not append "am" or "pm" to the string. Oh well ... at least it works!

I'm also having this issue and tried modifiying the C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\Universal_Flasher_2.0\Univer sal Flasher 2.0\files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\applicat ion\resources\scripts\main.xml file.

My work around was similar to yours. I deleted the 'm' from 'am' and 'pm' and deleted the following two lines:

if (hours < 10) hours = "0" + hours; line 772
if (hours < 10) hours = "0" + hours; line 850

just change both occurances of
var m = "am";
m = "pm";

to

var m = "a";
m = "p";

works like that.

I think the character was cut off because the non-showing illegal operation image (the circle with the line through it) appears to be drawn after the clock is drawn and that symbol may have been moved to the right a little in the new firmware update.

Well I can actually read PDF now (reflow is nice), and have the clock...just need the nice grayscale icons and I'll be happy!

My work around was similar to yours. I deleted the 'm' from 'am' and 'pm' and deleted the following two lines ...

I was seeing this issue also after running the flash the first time to get the clock, unified title size, and JeffElkins neat About text hack. Unfortunately I am not able to get these clock changes to take effect when I flash again. I edited the XML, copied it over to the card, rebuilt the image, and applied it. Still seeing am/pm and the cropping. I have confirmed the edits in the XML, deleted everything off the memory stick and copied it over again to repeat the process.

Do I need to reapply the upgrade to my reader then flash it again? If so, how do I reapply the upgrade?

Thanks for the help!

EDIT:
Ah well, so much for verifying the edits! I had missed one instance of "am" so in the menus I was still seeing it. When it went to "pm" I was amazed it was 'working' now with "p". :)

I'm trying the process of creating a new image. I've copied the /opt within the image to my drive and used mkcramfs to build my new_opt.img. However, when I attempt to flash the image (option 4, option 6) I get the message: /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img not found. I also tried flashing the image built with option 5, with the same result. The image file is in the root of the sd card.

Edit: I think my problem is with the image file I created.

6258688: new_opt.img (original, created by make_opt.sh)
6254592: new_opt.img (created by mkcramfs, linux, ubuntu 8.04)

Note the filesize difference. I didn't pass any extra parameters to mkcramfs, just: mkcramfs new_opt/ new_opt.img.

I haven't been successful, so far. When I put the SD card with the files from the zip in my reader and push the 5 button, I get the following message on my reader:

"Sorry, this firmware version is not supported: 505.1.1.00.18040".

Am I missing a step or doing something wrong?

Thanks for any help!!

dordale :)

Do you have a directory named files.505.1.1.00.18040 in the root of the card?

Thanks Igorsk--

No, I didn't. When I originally unzipped the flasher to my card, it put everything in a directory named "Universal Flasher 2.0" So now, I tried again, putting all files and directories to the root of my SD card. Now when I try to run the flasher I get the following error: "Exception "invalid type".

Thanks for any pointers as to what I'm doing wrong.

dordale :)

Actually, the correct way to do it is

<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doDeviceShutdown"/>

because then you get the 505 displaying that it is shutting down.

You guys are awesome! Thank you.

I'm trying the process of creating a new image. I've copied the /opt within the image to my drive and used mkcramfs to build my new_opt.img. However, when I attempt to flash the image (option 4, option 6) I get the message: /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img not found.
Edit the target.doDigit4 function in autorun.js.
Change:
if (!this.copyFile(this.driveroot+"/new_opt.img","/tmp/new_opt.img"))
to

this.runCommand("mkdir /tmp/self_upgrade");
if (!this.copyFile(this.driveroot+"/new_opt.img","/tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img"))

When I originally unzipped the flasher to my card, it put everything in a directory named "Universal Flasher 2.0" So now, I tried again, putting all files and directories to the root of my SD card. Now when I try to run the flasher I get the following error: "Exception "invalid type".

That IS weird, it shouldn't be doing that... I can't offer much except "try again" solution, sorry :(
Here's the list of files and folders that should be on the card:
bin
files.500.1.0.03.07170
files.505.1.0.00.08130
files.505.1.1.00.18040
flash_opt.sh
libfskLoad.so
make_opt.sh
mcopy
mtools.conf.500
mtools.conf.505
myvm2.xml
readme.txt
script.sh
Sony Reader
bin\stat_fs
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook\application
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook\bin
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook\FONT
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\applicationStart.xml
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts
files.500.1.0.03.07170\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\main.xml
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook\application
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook\bin
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook\FONT
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\applicationStart.xml
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts
files.505.1.0.00.08130\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\main.xml
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\bin
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\FONT
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\applicationStart.xml
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\main.xml
Sony Reader\database
Sony Reader\software
Sony Reader\database\cache.xml
Sony Reader\software\autorun.js
Sony Reader\software\autorun.xml

Edit the target.doDigit4 function in autorun.js.
Change:
if (!this.copyFile(this.driveroot+"/new_opt.img","/tmp/new_opt.img"))
to

this.runCommand("mkdir /tmp/self_upgrade");
if (!this.copyFile(this.driveroot+"/new_opt.img","/tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img"))

Thanks, that fixed it for me.

That IS weird, it shouldn't be doing that... I can't offer much except "try again" solution, sorry :(


Thanks Igorsk--Appreciate your help. I will keep trying. I might be having problems with my card reader/writer. I'm sure I'll get it to work sooner or later!

dordale :)

Just wondering, where can I change the "Reader" title as specified in the image below?

Just wondering, where can I change the "Reader" title as specified in the image below?
kBookAssets.png

kBookAssets.png


You mean the word "Reader" is actually an image?

Just wondering, where can I change the "Reader" title as specified in the image below?

<fail>Nowhere I found. Hardcoded in the LRF viewer?</fail> :)

Wouldn't have guessed an image...

Nowhere I found. Hardcoded in the LRF viewer?

Well, I am actually missing the "Reader" word on my reader now :P I am now trying to find out where did the name go :P

You mean the word "Reader" is actually an image?
Yes, it's part of the background image.

Yes, it's part of the background image.

Is this impossible to edit ourselves? I think having a custom logo would be awesome.

I just tried to flash my 505 and it rebooted on me. Do you think I need to redo the firmware install?

Is this impossible to edit ourselves? I think having a custom logo would be awesome.

Yes, you can edit it. I've done it :)

That would be a great trick to put my name and contact info in. A random thief certainly wouldn't be able to fix that very easily. Where would I place my own custom kBookAssets.png in the flasher, and do you know the dimensions it should be? Thanks! :D

I'm anxiously awaiting the same information :)

That would be a great trick to put my name and contact info in. A random thief certainly wouldn't be able to fix that very easily. Where would I place my own custom kBookAssets.png in the flasher, and do you know the dimensions it should be? Thanks! :D

210x70 for the logo.

210x70 for the logo.

But where is it kept so we can replace it?

But where is it kept so we can replace it?

It's part of "kBookAssets.png". the top 210x70 pixels of it.

It's part of "kBookAssets.png". the top 210x70 pixels of it.

I think he's wondering where "kBookAssets.png" can be found, or where it needs to be placed.

I'm not sure how we find it, but I think if we find it we can just put the edited .png file into \files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application \resources\scripts and run the flasher and do 5, 6, 9. At least, so I gather from the way people replace the icons.

I think he's wondering where "kBookAssets.png" can be found, or where it needs to be placed.

you can copy it out from /opt. just edit script.sh to do it :)

Ah, thanks.

I never tried this program, but now after updating the firmware I was a bit interested.
Problem is, with all the discussions about it going around, I'm unable to find a root post where it is simply described (with screenshots it would be a must...) what the patches you're describing are able to do: I heard about clocks, fonts,... I don't know if there's other stuff around or not.

Sorry if I missed it somewhere...


alessandro

I never tried this program, but now after updating the firmware I was a bit interested.
Problem is, with all the discussions about it going around, I'm unable to find a root post where it is simply described (with screenshots it would be a must...) what the patches you're describing are able to do: I heard about clocks, fonts,... I don't know if there's other stuff around or not.

Sorry if I missed it somewhere...


alessandro

There ain't really a specific guide for what you're looking for. I guess you gotta read thru the threads we have here to get the hang of it :)

Tried to make custom image for 505.1.1.00.18040. The process terminates at copying files from SD card with:

Begin make_opt -> Tue May 29 21:42:19 UTC 2007
Card root: b: PRS version: 505.1.1.00.18040
Copying helper binaries
/tmp/self_upgrade found! Cleaning ...
/tmp/self_upgrade Created!
13103104
Free space in /tmp: 30744576, used space in /opt: 13103104
Begin copy of /opt
./
./sony/
./sony/ebook/
....{SKIP}....
./sony/ebook/bin/writescreen
/opt copied to /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt/
Begin copy of new files
init B: non DOS media
Cannot initialize 'B:'

What's wrong?

That would be a great trick to put my name and contact info in.

I outlined another method to do this:

Modify main.xml


<record><number name="kind" value="-1"/><string name="text" value="Portions of this software are Copyright ©2005 The FreeType Project (www.freetype.org). All rights reserved."/></record>



<record><number name="kind" value="-1"/><string name="text" value="This Ebook Reader Belongs to Jeffery Elkins - If found, please call XXX-XXX-XXXX."/></record>


For a personalized About screen.

Hi everybody,

I have managed to break my power switch/ slide on my 505 (description is in the troubleshooting forum) :(
i now need to map the standby modus to enter AND have the reader wake up when I press it again (or another button for that matter).
Any idea how I would do that?

Thanks,
kaas

p.s.: does anyone know whether that is possible?

I never tried this program, but now after updating the firmware I was a bit interested.
Problem is, with all the discussions about it going around, I'm unable to find a root post where it is simply described (with screenshots it would be a must...) what the patches you're describing are able to do: I heard about clocks, fonts,... I don't know if there's other stuff around or not.

Sorry if I missed it somewhere...


alessandro

Try here
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27043

Is there any chance that universal flasher 2 let me listen to my ogg/flac vorbis files ?
Since decoders and codecs are open-source… unfortunatly, I’m not able at all to code this myself.
It would be cool too avoid re-ripping my ogg/flac to mp3 files !
I don’t realy nead a full juckbox like the one for iliad (there’s rockbox on my ipod for this :D)

Indeed, thank’s a lot for the clock !

For those who want to have joystick turning pages - in: files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources
open with notepad file:
applicationStart.xml
modify there:
<boolean key="kRight" do="doRight" />
to:
<boolean key="kRight" do="doNext" />
save file (be sure that notepad is saving "applicationStart.xml", not "applicationStart.xml.txt".
Create image, flash it, enjoy.

If you do change the joypad to use it to turn the pages, you'll lose the ability to have your hstory unless you modify some other keys to do history back/forward. So don't do so unless you also modify two other keys to do the history.

This is important as I have some eBooks I've converted that have footnotes and the only ways to get bck to the page I was on is to go back by page number or use the history and history is a lot easier.

The reason we modified the joystick on the 500 was that there were no page turn buttons on the right side. But witht he 505, we have page turn on both the left and right sides now. So personally, I see no reason to modify the joypad to turn pages.

For those who want to have joystick turning pages - in: files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources
open with notepad file:
applicationStart.xml
modify there:
<boolean key="kRight" do="doRight" />
to:
<boolean key="kRight" do="doNext" />
save file (be sure that notepad is saving "applicationStart.xml", not "applicationStart.xml.txt".
Create image, flash it, enjoy.
This is exactly the wrong fix. The correct fix for joypad page turning is this:

Add a doRight() override to main.xml (for book reading only):
<kbookPage id="PAGE" left="0" right="0" top="0" bottom="30" href="x-id://bookData">
<code>
<function id="doRight">
this.bubble("doNext");
</function>

This is important as I have some eBooks I've converted that have footnotes and the only ways to get bck to the page I was on is to go back by page number or use the history and history is a lot easier.
That's why you shouldn't override the Back button, but overriding the Forward button make a lot of sense.

porkupan,
you were right - modifying main.xml is the right way to do things. For those who as dummy as I am - you need to insert:
<function id="doRight">
this.bubble("doNext");
</function>
right below the lines:
<kbookPage id="PAGE" left="0" right="0" top="0" bottom="30" href="x-id://bookData">
<code>
The good tool to edit .xml files is XML Marker from http://symbolclick.com/download.htm

So personally, I see no reason to modify the joypad to turn pages.

For me it's an issue of comfort. I like to hold the reader in such a way that the joystick is the most comfortable page turning solution. I'm glad I found porkupan's solution because I had hacked up the wrong solution a few days ago and was without an easily accessible history.

Can somebody tell me, please, which lines I shall modify in main.xml in order to get uniform fonts?

Can somebody tell me, please, which lines I shall modify in main.xml in order to get uniform fonts?

The answers to your question is actually post in this very thread earlier. Try reading through all the posts in this thread :rolleyes:

The answers to your question is actually post in this very thread earlier. Try reading through all the posts in this thread :rolleyes:
Thanks for the tip. I've red several threads and finally managed to get my reader as I wished: now it has custom logo, new modified icons, clock, joystick turning pages and uniform fonts.

In order to get custom logo I've took kBookAssets.png image from
jakewastaken message - http://www.mobileread.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14871&d=1217645658
modified the top of it and saved transparent and interlaced in
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts

Icons file I've got from surquizu message - http://www.mobileread.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14866&d=1217637398
this file I've also put into
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts

If you do not want to mess up with main.xml - here is mine file (use it at your own risk :)): http://rapidshare.com/files/134479037/main.xml.html
you also shall put it in
files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts

Ah, and always use freshly unpacked Flasher - after first flashing it writes something to the card that makes next try crashing (at least that was with mine card).
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/2529/szreaderoa5.th.jpg (http://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=szreaderoa5.jpg)

This is exactly the wrong fix. The correct fix for joypad page turning is this:

Add a doRight() override to main.xml (for book reading only):
<kbookPage id="PAGE" left="0" right="0" top="0" bottom="30" href="x-id://bookData">
<code>
<function id="doRight">
this.bubble("doNext");
</function>


Where exactly do we paste this inside main.xml?

I just added it after the first "<kbookPage id="PAGE"". That right?

But I've wrote exactly where to put it..

Your's, but not Porkupan's. I put it there and I bricked. Hacked clock, fonts, icons, unified fonts and this at the same time, so who knows. Serves me right for going beyond my depth.

Unbricked. Dunno how but I made it. I've read somewhere that the problem should be on the embedded fonts. Will try the hack again without them and without the Joystick just in case. The rest worked before.

porkupan,
you were right - modifying main.xml is the right way to do things. For those who as dummy as I am - you need to insert:
<function id="doRight">
this.bubble("doNext");
</function>
right below the lines:
<kbookPage id="PAGE" left="0" right="0" top="0" bottom="30" href="x-id://bookData">
<code>
The good tool to edit .xml files is XML Marker from http://symbolclick.com/download.htm

You were right, Stasys. I'll try this. thanks!

Going crazy here.

Unbricked, re-updated, re-flashed, got the icons, unified fonts, my name and email, joystick, fast shutdown (I guess) and 4 fine vertical lines in the menu that show whatever was in them before you returned to the menu. Have you read about anything like that? Any idea where they could come from and how to fix it?

Thanks for your patience, all.

Peto, I had same lines when put kBookAssets.png not transparent. After that made it transparent and interlaced - lines disapeared.

Peto, I had same lines when put kBookAssets.png not transparent. After that made it transparent and interlaced - lines disapeared.

Thanks for the help. What do you mean with transparent? I just copy-pasted an image on top of the reader section and flattened. Didn't change anything else (that I know).

Thanks for the help. What do you mean with transparent? I just copy-pasted an image on top of the reader section and flattened. Didn't change anything else (that I know).

I assume u are using photoshop :). Don't flatten the image, merge them(as in the layers) and you won't lose your transparency :2thumbsup

Hell I didn't even merge, I just saved it directly a png. No lines.

Thanks for the help. What do you mean with transparent? I just copy-pasted an image on top of the reader section and flattened. Didn't change anything else (that I know).
Do not flatten - just save as .png

Thanks guys :)

I thought so. I will just merge the visible layers instead of flattening the image. Another re-update and reflash and I am done.:D

Finished:rohard:

After the 2.0 flash hack is there any way to get a 24 hour clock instead of the am/pm display?

Go into Settings-About, press 0 and watch the status bar.

Go into Settings-About, press 0 and watch the status bar.

That was a quick - easy - accurate!:thanks:

After the 2.0 flash hack is there any way to get a 24 hour clock instead of the am/pm display?

From the Readme file in the flash:

"... To set up 12/24 hour format or turn off the clock, use the Settings/About
screen and the button 0 (check the status bar)..."

Hi

I have managed to get the clock and the unified fonts working by flashing with the Universal Flasher 2. I am however unable to get the russian fonts installed. I have copied the ready made image from Porkupan's post and renamed it new_opt and put in the root of the directory of the the universal flasher. The flash was successful but I still get garbage when viewing russian fonts.

I also tried the 3 fonts with cyrillic support from Avdim's post which I placed in the Font directory with same results as above.

What am I doing wrong? Please could someone point me in the right direction.
Thanks

Use not the universal flasher, but flasher from here: http://www.the-ebook.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7155

Hello Igorsk,

I followed the instructions on the readme file and added "Futura Lt Bt" with the name tt0011m_.ttf in /files.XXXX/opt/sony/ebook/FONT directory, in order to replace Dutch801 Rm BT Roman, which is the default font for books. I bricked the Reader. Now I have all the hacks but don't dare try again with the fonts.

Any suggestions? I think I did everything exactly as explained.

I think that when trying to replace fonts, you need certain elements of the font meta-data itself to match the Sony values - I don't recall the info off-hand, but it's in the forums!

You might also want to investigate using the non-flash font-replacement approach to at least verify that the fonts you're using work with the Reader without requiring a reflash if they don't, before flashing them.

I think that when trying to replace fonts, you need certain elements of the font meta-data itself to match the Sony values - I don't recall the info off-hand, but it's in the forums!

You might also want to investigate using the non-flash font-replacement approach to at least verify that the fonts you're using work with the Reader without requiring a reflash if they don't, before flashing them.

I'll try that, thanks as usual, Gwyn:2thumbsup

Well.

Learned about Font-Creator, read all that was posted in the prs 500 dev corner, renamed Futura Lt Bt to replace Dutch, including all the different tags in the naming option, erased all my books, reinstalled firmware, flashed, bricked.

I just don't know anymore if I am trying this to gain page turn speed avoiding embedded fonts or if it is just a matter of pride.

Well, all I can say is that I did in the past manage to get a new font working with the non-flash method, which still required erasing all the books, etc... before eventually deciding that I was not that unhappy with the default fonts and ending up sticking with the defaults!

:)

That's where I am now, more or less. It was harder to unbrick the Reader this time, so I will stick to embedding fonts into the LRFs and renounce to the faster page turns. For now ;)

:)

That's where I am now, more or less. It was harder to unbrick the Reader this time, so I will stick to embedding fonts into the LRFs and renounce to the faster page turns. For now ;)

I did something stupid to get my fonts working. Instead of renaming the font, i opened both the original font file and the replacement in fontcreator, deleted all the characters in the original font and copied in all the characters from the replacement font file WITH all the mappings. Worked very well for me :rofl:

I did something stupid to get my fonts working. Instead of renaming the font, i opened both the original font file and the replacement in fontcreator, deleted all the characters in the original font and copied in all the characters from the replacement font file WITH all the mappings. Worked very well for me :rofl:

:chinscratch: Damn. That's something I haven't tried... I had decided to let it be, but I will surely end up trying today or tomorrow...

Thanks, SurgE ;)

my screen customized with a photo.

I have a problem, when I run script.sh(press 3) the script does not seem to work and there is a log(script.log1) that says mkdir could not create /tmp/bin/ because it was already created. Do I have to add rm -r /tmp/bin/ before executing?

Hello igorsk.

I was hoping to use the PRSCustomizer with my new PRS 505 bought in the UK, but I understand that your Universal Flasher does not support the UK firmware (1.2.00.18050). I appreciate the work that you have done already - will you able to add this UK support? I do not know much about what is involved, but I am a professional programmer (C++/C# etc) and I am willing to learn and give any help required.

Version 2.1 with support for the UK firmware released, see first post (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26831). I also fixed the bug when trying to reflash custom image for the second time could fail.

Version 2.1 with support for the UK firmware released, see first post (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26831). I also fixed the bug when trying to reflash custom image for the second time could fail.

Excellent! Thank you.

Excellent! Thank you.
When will e get a new PRSCustomizer featuring the new Universal Flasher?

When will e get a new PRSCustomizer featuring the new Universal Flasher?

Depends, Jon. Hopefully soon, at least for the US/Canada firmware. Swapping out the current UF for the new version for US/Canada is a no-brainer. Simply unzipping the new UF zip to replace the sdcard folder in the PRSCustomizer archive should work. I'm going to test it this weekend.

Adding support for the Brit/Euro firmware is another ball of wax. I want to do diffs on all the xml files and see just what's involved with adding support for British/Euro 505s.

I understand a dump of the firmware for UK/Europe has been produced. I'd like to see if we could hack a clone of the Sony Updater for 505.1.2.00.18050. Perhaps there's more involved than I comprehend right now...I'd like to see my cousins have the same ability to restore that I do.

Version 2.1 with support for the UK firmware released, see first post (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26831). I also fixed the bug when trying to reflash custom image for the second time could fail.

Is it possible to flash a 505 from 1.1 to 1.2?

I understand it's not part of the Universal Flasher, but if a dumped image was used, do you know if it'd work? (IA very quick look suggests it's just a matter of copying the image from the SD card then flashing, but I'm not sure I'm straight with what partition's where...)

The script already includes that option, called "copy image from the card". The image should be named "new_opt.img".

Depends, Jon. Hopefully soon, at least for the US/Canada firmware. Swapping out the current UF for the new version for US/Canada is a no-brainer. Simply unzipping the new UF zip to replace the sdcard folder in the PRSCustomizer archive should work. I'm going to test it this weekend.
Thanks. I was planning on reflashing soon to get the fixed clock. But I'll wait till the fixed version is ready to rock.

Version 2.1 with support for the UK firmware released, see first post (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26831). I also fixed the bug when trying to reflash custom image for the second time could fail.

FYI, the new flasher displays 2.0 when run, not 2.1

Oops.

Thanks. I was planning on reflashing soon to get the fixed clock.

Fixed clock? What was fixed, and where?

Fixed clock? What was fixed, and where?

There was a bug in the javascript clock routine I fixed a while back. Time was thrown off between 2300-0100.

Just to confirm (having flashed my 505 to a stock 1.2 base first), that the 'basic' tweaks such as 'uniform fonts', the clock & custom icons/'Reader' logo still work as expected.

Jeff, note that the main.xml is expanded a bit in 1.2, so it's not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution! Maybe a 'Prs12Customizer' in parallel with the original might be easiest?

Just to confirm (having flashed my 505 to a stock 1.2 base first), that the 'basic' tweaks such as 'uniform fonts', the clock & custom icons/'Reader' logo still work as expected.

Jeff, note that the main.xml is expanded a bit in 1.2, so it's not going to be a one-size-fits-all solution! Maybe a 'Prs12Customizer' in parallel with the original might be easiest?

I'm not sure how I'll deal with 1.2. I want to study the xml and I'd really like a copy of the 1.2 cramfs.Fsk.img and cramfs.Rootfs.img.

Extracting the images is straightforward:

Download the file: script_dump.zip (http://projects.mobileread.com/reader/users/igorsk/script_dump.zip). Extract it to the root of an SD card or a Memory stick. The directory structure must remain intact!

Insert the card into the Reader and wait for the prompt "PRS-500/505 flasher 2.0 by igorsk"

Press 3. After a few minutes you should see a see a "Script finished" message.

Connect the 505 to your PC. The img files are in a tmp folder on its main drive.

I flashed using the Brit cramfs.Fsk.img to get 1.2 running on my 505 - Now I get the UF message "Sorry this firmare version is not supported: 505.1.2.00.18050"

Is the UF not working yet for UK?

Umm that's weird, I did test with the UK firmware. Do you have the folder files.505.1.2.00.18050 in the card's root?

Umm that's weird, I did test with the UK firmware. Do you have the folder files.505.1.2.00.18050 in the card's root?

Sorry, it was a problem here. Never mind.

So are we ready for the next PRSCustomizer to roll out soon?

igorsk

This is just to let you know that I have successfully flashed the UK firmware
(505.1.2.00.18050) with the clock hack, and one I added myself (joystick buttons as page turns), and I am very grateful to you to spending the time on this.

:thanks:

For anyone else interested in the page turn hack: in applicationStart.xml change:


<boolean key="kLeft" do="doLeft"/>
<boolean key="kRight" do="doRight"/>


to


<boolean key="kLeft" do="doPrevious"/>
<boolean key="kRight" do="doNext"/>


You lose the history function (but I never use this anyway). I know it possible to hack the volume keys to do the history instead. Probably something like this (but I have not tried this):


<boolean key="0x41" do="doQuiet"/>
<boolean key="0x41-hold" do="doMute"/>
<boolean key="0x40" do="doLoud"/>
<boolean key="0x40-hold" do="doMute"/>


change to:


<boolean key="0x41" do="doLeft"/>
<boolean key="0x41-hold" do="doQuiet"/>
<boolean key="0x40" do="doRight"/>
<boolean key="0x40-hold" do="doLoud"/>


This loses the mute ability on holding the volume button.

Hi Igorsk,
at first, thank you for your good job!

Now my question:
with the new PRSCustomizer V.1.0, which includes the new Flasher V.2.1, I have the following Problem:
Flashing works as fine as always. But after restarting, now every time the Reader hangs up after disconnecting from the USB-Wire. Only a reset helps to start it again :eek:.

Normaly (after loading the accu or moving some books to it), the Sony 505 only reinitialized it´s new contents for a few seconds (while showing the turning arrow on the screen) and voilà.
But now, every time after disconnecting, the Reader hangs up... - only showing the connection-symbol on the screen.
After reseting, everything seems to be normal again.

The older Version (PRSCustomizer V.0.8b with the Flasher 2.0) always works fine without this problem. What could be the reason?

I'm not sure... try comparing xml files generated by old version of PRSCustomizer and the new one. I did not change the xml files for old versions of PRS-505 firmware, only added the UK version and tweaked the flashing process a bit.

Now my question:
with the new PRSCustomizer V.1.0, which includes the new Flasher V.2.1, I have the following Problem:
Flashing works as fine as always. But after restarting, now every time the Reader hangs up after disconnecting from the USB-Wire. Only a reset helps to start it again :eek:.

Normaly (after loading the accu or moving some books to it), the Sony 505 only reinitialized it´s new contents for a few seconds (while showing the turning arrow on the screen) and voilà.
But now, every time after disconnecting, the Reader hangs up... - only showing the connection-symbol on the screen.
After reseting, everything seems to be normal again.



I have this exact same issue. However, since poking the reset hole fixes everything (with the flash intact) I never considered it an issue.

Plus, Igorsk -- THANK YOU for the effort you have put into this! I thoroughly read your blog and really enjoyed your hacking of the Kindle (especially the serial console -- way cool!)

That was YOU, right? I am thanking the right person?

Hi Igorsk,

your tip to compare the XML-Files was a very good tip!

main.xml, mainStorage.xml, applicationStart.xml are identical.

But the "storageStart.xml" have the following differences:

33 <string key="kLocalizatioRu" id="LOC_LOCALE"/>
34 <string key="kLocUsbConn" id="LOC_USB_CONNECTED"/>
35 <string key="kLocDontDisc" id="LOC_DONT_DISCONNECT"/>
36 <string key="kLocDevLock" id="LOC_DEV_LOCKED"/>

These lines above, which are in V.08b present, are now missing in the storageStart.xml, which is produced by the PRSCustomizer 1.0.

I have now copied the storageStart.xml of the V.08b with these lines to the sdcard-folder of the V.1.0 and flashed the image again.

Hey - now the problem is solved and everything is fine again! :)

Maybe it is a problem of PRSCustomizer 1.0 and not the Flasher 2.1? I think, Jeff ist reading this Thread too.

Hi Igorsk,

your tip to compare the XML-Files was a very good tip!

main.xml, mainStorage.xml, applicationStart.xml are identical.

But the "storageStart.xml" have the following differences:

33 <string key="kLocalizatioRu" id="LOC_LOCALE"/>
34 <string key="kLocUsbConn" id="LOC_USB_CONNECTED"/>
35 <string key="kLocDontDisc" id="LOC_DONT_DISCONNECT"/>
36 <string key="kLocDevLock" id="LOC_DEV_LOCKED"/>

These lines above, which are in V.08b present, are now missing in the storageStart.xml, which is produced by the PRSCustomizer 1.0.

I have now copied the storageStart.xml of the V.08b with these lines to the sdcard-folder of the V.1.0 and flashed the image again.

Hey - now the problem is solved and everything is fine again! :)

Maybe it is a problem of PRSCustomizer 1.0 and not the Flasher 2.1?

I'll look at this this weekend. It would help to know if you're using localization or not.

I'll look at this this weekend. It would help to know if you're using localization or not.


Hi Jeff,

yes, I use the options as shown in the picture:

Hi Jeff,

yes, I use the options as shown in the picture:

OK. Thanks.

I've confirmed this bug, and found its cause. It will be fixed in the next release.

Thanks, Thoran & Igorsk!

Thoran & xanlexian,

If you can, please re-download PRSCustomizer 1.0 (http://www.prscustomizer.com) and see if the bug is fixed.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

the new V.1.0 works perfectly! Everythink seems to be fine now!

Thank you so much für your super-fast reaction :)

Thoran from Germany

Jeff,

Works perfectly!

Odd, since my settings are MOSTLY different from Thoran's, but had the same issue with locking up on disconnect.

All fixed! Thank you for your time and effort in making the Reader much more enjoyable.

Glad it's fixed guys!

I somehow messed up the flash and my prs 505 is stuck on the Reader Starting up... pg. I've tried everything....soft reset...hard reset... 10 times soft reset, etc. I'm fully charged and I'm able to connect the reader to my computer and it shows in the Connect Software and through vista hard disk management as connected. I'm also able to move books and files over to the reader, but when I disconnect the usb it continues to show that it is connected until I do a soft reset. When I do this, it again gets stuck on the start up screen. I've tried to reload the Sony firmware, but I only get as far as it telling me that I already have this version of the firmware loaded, so it doesn't allow me to reflash the firmware.
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks folks...

I somehow messed up the flash and my prs 505 is stuck on the Reader Starting up... pg. I've tried everything....soft reset...hard reset... 10 times soft reset, etc. I'm fully charged and I'm able to connect the reader to my computer and it shows in the Connect Software and through vista hard disk management as connected. I'm also able to move books and files over to the reader, but when I disconnect the usb it continues to show that it is connected until I do a soft reset. When I do this, it again gets stuck on the start up screen. I've tried to reload the Sony firmware, but I only get as far as it telling me that I already have this version of the firmware loaded, so it doesn't allow me to reflash the firmware.
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks folks...

If you are unable to run the Sony Updater because it complains that your Reader firmware is current you have two options.

1. Run Igorsk's Universal Flasher and choose option #7. This will put your Reader into firmware update mode. Then re-run the Sony Updater.

2. Uncompress the Sony Updater (it's really a big zip file) and change the file eBookUpdater/assets/updaterAssets/PRSVersion.dat so that 110018040 reads 110018041 - once that's done, the Sony Updater work at any time.

Good luck!

Thank you so much Jeff for your kindness and patience in answering my recent inquiry about a bricked 505.

I am happy to report that I was successful getting my prs 505 back in working order by following your instructions (the instructions under #2 worked for me). Your response (Jeff) led me to these simple instructions below--which were posted by another forum member by the name of Sebastius--and which turned out to be ideal for a technophobe like me.

Thanks guys!!!
____Here are the more detailed instructions given by Sebastius:

First things first. Download the updater application.

Then open the application with WinRar or WinZip and extract everything to a folder.

Then find the file prs505/eBookUpdater/assets/updaterAssets/PRSVersion.dat

Richt click it. Choose 'Open'. When asked, choose Notepad.

Edit the number, so 110018040 reads 110018041

Then close Notepad and choose to save.

Then start the flash application, PRS505Updater.exe, should work no problemo.

I've been working with the French (1.3) firmware, and I've got it working with Igorsk's 2.1 flasher. Unzip the attached archive and move the inclosed files.505.1.3.00.22070 folder into the root directory with the other UF files. It includes a ported clock with two bug fixes, one for am/pm display being offscreen and the other for incorrect am/pm between 2400 and 0100. The default language is set for English.

One caveat: For some reason if you attempt to replace the iconset you will brick your Reader. I haven't been able to figure out why this happens, perhaps Igorsk or someone else can.

EDIT: It turns out that my iconsets were saved in indexed color mode rather than RGB. 1.1 and 1.2 didn't mind, but 1.3 choked. Saving the iconset as RGB fixes things for 1.3.

Hi.

I'm trying to customise on my UK V1.2 PRS-505 using the cool prscustomizer v1.04 software.

I've followed the instructions carefully and copied the contents of the sdcard folder to the root dir of the SD card formatted FAT.

I put it into my reader and it presents the flash options.

I select #5 to make a new image. It says it is creating a new cramfs image. After a couple of minutes the reader reboots itself.

After restarting when I press #6 it then says it cannot find the /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img file.

The flash.log file contains:
Begin flashing -> Mon May 28 00:01:41 UTC 2007
No /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img found!

My reader is a standard unit with no hacks previously installed. Any ideas as to what is going wrong? I've pretty much tried everything I can think of.

The files.505.1.2.00.18050 folder on the SD card seems to contain all the files listed in related posts.

Does there have to be a certain amount of free space on the device or something?

Many thanks!

I select #5 to make a new image. It says it is creating a new cramfs image. After a couple of minutes the reader reboots itself.


Just so it's clear, the reader shouldn't be rebooting at this point & there's something going wrong in the image creation part - it should just return you to the menu at this point. Having said that, I'm not sure what the conditions causing that are...

Maybe try re-running the #5 option after it starts up. You ask how much memory is needed - I don't know, but I think I normally had 50MB or so spare when I was doing mine - How much have you got free? How much is free on the SD card? Is there a log file other than the flash.log?

I've tried #5 again after the reboot. Same thing. It just reboots again.

I have 50.4MB free on the device and about 800MB free on the SD card. I have tried a 512MB card from another manufacturer with the same result. I have also tried copying the sdcard directory to SD on a different machine. I have tried FAT and also FAT32 formatted cards. No joy.

:(

There are no other log files. Should the /tmp directory of the device be empty?

Thanks for your help though.

I've tried #5 again after the reboot. Same thing. It just reboots again.

I have 50.4MB free on the device and about 800MB free on the SD card. I have tried a 512MB card from another manufacturer with the same result. I have also tried copying the sdcard directory to SD on a different machine. I have tried FAT and also FAT32 formatted cards. No joy.

There are no other log files.

:(

Thanks for your help though.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried a fresh download of the PRSCustomizer archive?

<<<<I select #5 to make a new image. It says it is creating a new cramfs image. After a couple of minutes the reader reboots itself.

After restarting when I press #6 it then says it cannot find the /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img file.>>>>


You misunderstood,
when your build new firmware, sometimes you need reboot by press #6, sometimes it reboots automatically,
after rebooting, all your creating will be deleted, if you press #6 it will say not found.

Check your ebook, new firmware is active.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried a fresh download of the PRSCustomizer archive?

Yes I have. No difference. The Sony just doesn't want to generate the cramfs file! Is it possible to create the cramfs image off device using the downloaded uk_new_opt.img firmware file? I could then just copy that over.

Thanks.

<<<<I select #5 to make a new image. It says it is creating a new cramfs image. After a couple of minutes the reader reboots itself.

After restarting when I press #6 it then says it cannot find the /tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img file.>>>>


You misunderstood,
when your build new firmware, sometimes you need reboot by press #6, sometimes it reboots automatically,
after rebooting, all your creating will be deleted, if you press #6 it will say not found.

Check your ebook, new firmware is active.
No, the Sony is rebooting itself when it is creating the cramfs image after I press #5. I am not manually rebooting the device. For some reason the Sony is failing to create the image and rebooting during the process.

OK. then the problem is back to cannot build the cramfs image for UK FW,
I got once when i did some wrong edit with main.xml

Now back to Jeff.

No, the Sony is rebooting itself when it is creating the cramfs image after I press #5. I am not manually rebooting the device. For some reason the Sony is failing to create the image and rebooting during the process.

No further ideas...perhaps Igorsk (creator of UF) has a clue.

Well, one further idea. Go to the first post in this thread and download Igorsk's 2.1 archive. Try that.

Well, one further idea. Go to the first post in this thread and download Igorsk's 2.1 archive. Try that.
Okay, I'll try that. Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

Hmm. Well now it just sits there on the Creating the cramfs image screen after pressing #5.
Taken 15 minutes so far. How long does it typically take?

Thanks.

Hmm. Well now it just sits there on the Creating the cramfs image screen after pressing #5.
Taken 15 minutes so far. How long does it typically take?

Thanks.

Not that long!

Not that long!
Yeah :D I reset the device and tried again. It's back to doing the reboot thing whilst creating the image again :(

I don't suppose someone could PM me a patched V1.2 UK new_opt.img I can just copy and flash from the card? All I want is the joypad page turn! This is driving me nuts!

Aha! Sorted it. I re-formatted the Sony's internal memory. I tried deleting books first and got to 71MB free, but that did not stop the problem. I then bit the bullet and reformatted the memory, tried again and it all worked!

Fragmentation issue perhaps?

Thanks for everyone's help.

Aha! Sorted it. I re-formatted the internal memory. I tried deleting books first and got to 71MB free, but that did not stop the problem. I then bit the bullet and reformatted the memory, tried again and it all worked!

Fragmentation issue perhaps?

Thanks for everyone's help.

Whew! That was a workout Mirchelln! But something to add to the WTF files :)

Whew! That was a workout Mirchelln! But something to add to the WTF files :)
Yeah, I thought I was going mad ;) I now think it is even more specific. I think it doesn't like it if you have bookmarks set.

Anyway, I have joypad page turning and the cool clock now. Very happy :)

When I tried PRSCustomizer 1.04, when I was making the image, the 505 rebooted. After that, I did it again and also was able to successfully flash. Worked quite well. Thanks Jeff and Igorsk.

I'm not sure what I did -- but I used the latest PRSCustomizer (1.04) and bricked my reader. The previous version I used was 1.02.

The only setting I changed was to NOT "deactivate" the number keys while reading a book (after finding out I can go directly to a page!!)


Jeff -- you posted the following instructions in the troubleshooting sub-forum:

2. Uncompress the Sony Updater (it's really a big zip file) and change the file eBookUpdater/assets/updaterAssets/PRSVersion.dat so that 110018040 reads 110018041 - once that's done, the Sony Updater will work at any time.

Worked PERFECTLY! I couldn't do the reset method, I could not do pretty much anything. I was stuck on the "Starting Up" screen. Soon as I was (somehow??) able to make the screen flash with a combo of the power switch, reset button, and the menu button -- soon as the little yellow LED flashed (less than a one second window to work with here) I QUICKLY plugged in the USB cable.

That got me to the USB screen -- I was able to see everything, and ran the Sony Updater (modified version, per your fantastic instructions) -- and I'm back in business.

Ran PRSCustomizer again -- and everything is back the way I previously had it -- now with the number keys working!

Not sure what happened, everything said it made the image and flashed without any issue. But for what it is worth -- I bricked, unbricked, reflashed, and all is good in my little literary world.


**EDIT** -- I should pay attention to what I'm doing. This post SHOULD have been made in the PRSCustomizer thread, not the Universal Flasher thread... Oops.

Firmware 1.3 Testing:
I would like to report some update with French Firmware 1.3.
I have updated to FW 1.3 from instruction on PRSCustomize web (Thanks Jeff)
Then using Universal Flasher 2.1 to update FONTS. (only this now)
After that testing the PDF (A4 size) Books,
Notice reflow from S ro M and to L is a lots better, smoother and some floating senetence is gone (from the same file testing on FW1.1)

I also cross-post to PRSCustomizer forum

Will Flasher be available for prs-700?

Calling the experts...any help gratefully appreciated to recover my brick!!

Have a shiny new PRS-505, UK F/W 1.2.00etc. Used the flasher successfully, to customise the buttons. Today, went one step further - TRIED to customise the 'Reader' header by editing the PNG files.... now I'm in trouble...

I hadn't spotted that I'd inadvertently cropped the kBookAssets.png file until after reflashing the PRS-505. That, plus the png file I saved was in non-interlaced format (wasn't mentioned in the instructions, I guessed which option but have subsequently found someone here advising it should be in interlaced format).

SYMPTOMS - the main page is garbled and I can't seem to complete the reflash. However, I seem able to select the various options in the flasher, although they are superimposed on the jumbled screen entries. I have now learned that the US/NA firmware upgade recovery solution doesn't work with the UK firmware - says it's a later version so just stops...no help there)

POSSIBLE SOLUTION? - I can get to choose the flasher's Firmware Update option, so I'm hoping you can advise me how to re-install the as-shipped firmware (I did make a backup before flashing originally)

Thanks!

If you can't reflash with a 'fixed' kBookAssets.png, then you can reset by reflashing with the Sony flasher by either (a) setting it into Firmware Update mode & using the official exe or unpacking the offical kit & tweaking the config file such that it does flash it.

If you do that, you'll have v1.1 & will need to reflash with a UK firmware base to get back to V1.2 (the UK 'stock' image), then you can reflash with PRSCustomiser, etc again! I'm fairly sure that all the info's either in this thread or the PRSCustomiser one though, so have a look then give it a try. (Mine's been through that process in the past & while it started as a US 1.0, is now a customised V1.2 (UK) version!)

If you can't reflash with a 'fixed' kBookAssets.png, then you can reset by reflashing with the Sony flasher by either (a) setting it into Firmware Update mode & using the official exe or unpacking the offical kit & tweaking the config file such that it does flash it.

If you do that, you'll have v1.1 & will need to reflash with a UK firmware base to get back to V1.2 (the UK 'stock' image), then you can reflash with PRSCustomiser, etc again! I'm fairly sure that all the info's either in this thread or the PRSCustomiser one though, so have a look then give it a try. (Mine's been through that process in the past & while it started as a US 1.0, is now a customised V1.2 (UK) version!)

Thanks Gwyn - this worked, I'm back up and running v1.1. Using the flasher's FW Update mode worked - it seemed to blank the reader's FW, allowing the SONY FW updater to run successfully. I'll try the 1.2 upgrade soon.

Glad to hear you're back & running, albeit with mm/dd/yyyy dates! :-) (The only real difference between 1.1 & 1.2, AFAIK!)

From memory, the next stage is to get a UK image from somewhere (not sure off-hand of the filenames you need), copy it to the SD card then use (4) to copy before it to the device using (6) to flash it (as opposed to the more normal (5) to build the image then (6) to flash).

[I could well have got 4 & 5 swapped above, so don't rely on them!]

I got my 505 today. the firmware is 1.1.01.25200 can you add this your flasher. Thank you.

Interesting - the standalone flasher on their web site is still at 1.1.00.18040 - wonder what the difference is...

Hi,

This is bound to be a newbie question (so apologies in advance), but I have successfully flashed my 505 using prscustomiser, but now it still runs the flashing script on startup rather than going straight to the menu. Have I missed something obvious (I've moved the flashing files to a subfolder in the SD card to get them "out of the way"), or is this just a side effect?

TIA.

OK, so I solved this myself by just deleting the flash content completely. I was just surprised that the launcher ran from a subfolder. :)

I guess it's a side effect of the way that the device looks for media in a folder/path-independent way.

I have a device sold in Germany with firmware 1.4.

I am willing to help getting all those hacks working on that. How would I proceed?

What changes have to be made to the flasher and how could we figure those out?

I got my 505 today. the firmware is 1.1.01.25200 can you add this your flasher. Thank you.

I also have 1.1.01.25200 and would like to customize my 505. Will this firmware version be added to the flasher, or is my best bet to downgrade to 1.1.00.18040?

Thanks,

I accidentally interrupted the installation of PRS customizer for PRS 505.
After hard reset it says' installation of new firmware incomplete, try again'.
Connect it to the PC and it says : 'Updating firmware now'. The orange light keeps blinking but it never starts. explorer does not recognize sd card anymore and the reader drive says : PROTECTED. No way to get in.
Desperate, please help
paulderooij@mail.com

Follow the 'bricked' instructions, i.e. reflash with the offical Sony Firmware updater & try again!

Is there any chance that the flasher (and PRScustomizer) will be available for the german firmware version 1.4.00.23260?

Hi !
I just got a PRS505 for my birthday and it runs the firmware version 505.1.3.00.22070, (I live in France).
Is there any chance for me to change the basic functions with extended described here above ?

BTW my son's name is Corwin !

It seems that all the new 505's comewith version 505.1.1.01.25200 in USA and Canada. No way to use the Universal flasher unless a new version is put out that supports this firmware version. Can we expect one soon? Would be GREATLY appreciated.

You can always downgrade.

How can you downgrade? I tried to flash an older firmware, but it just tells me that it won't because my firware is'already up to date'. I would be glad to downgrade!

Oh, never mind... I found the answer in these forums. Thanks.