Hello there,

I am reading and reading and got quite lost with all the movement around the Universal Flasher, the clock hack and all this.

Can someone put it all in order (say what they do), add the attachments and explain it so us mere readers can apply them successfully?

Check this thread for an automated way to do all this below, courtesy of Jeff Elkins
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27177

Check this thread for another great utility to move/erase files to and from the SD and the Reader, courtesy of llasram
http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21636

Thanx

Well the first step is to get the new firmware upgrade which can be found from Sony's Reader support site. The next step is to download the Universal Flasher 2.0 from here:

http://www.mobileread.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14635&d=1216947954

You'll want to unzip this to a (preferably blank) SD card. The key step here is that you don't have a folder called Universal Flasher. The contents of THAT folder need to be the top directory of the card, as in, from the moment you open the card the readme.tx should be available. The readme tells you what to do from here, but I can recap that for you too:

"Usage

1) Extract the zip onto a flash card, keeping the directory structure. It's
best to use a card with not many files on it so that Reader can scan it quickly.
N.B. readme.txt should be in the root of the card, not in any subdirectory!
2) Insert the card in Reader.
3) Wait until the "Run Script" screen appears.
4) Press 5. Wait for the success message (the process will take about one to
two minutes).
5) Press 6. Wait for the success message.
6) Press 9 to reboot.
7) Extract the card.

* Using the clock display

To set the correct time on PRS-500, you need to connect it to
the PC and run the eBook Library software after each reset.
It should also be possible with libprs500 or Calibre.
For PRS-505, you can set the time in Settings or connect to PC with
the eBook Library software running.

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)."

Now if you want the enter key to shutdown and the unified font throughout you'll have to make some of the more complex manual edits those previous threads were discussing. The custom icons have yet to be integrated into the latest incarnation of this hack, unfortunately, but I'm sure it is only a matter of time.

Good luck! Let us know if you need more help.


-Jake

Thanks Jake!

Regretfully that is the part I had grasped. It is all the little fixes and the base font changing I didn't get (even after reading the reame in the Universal Flasher) :(

Your guide comes handy here, though:2thumbsup

Now if you want the enter key to shutdown and the unified font throughout you'll have to make some of the more complex manual edits those previous threads were discussing. The custom icons have yet to be integrated into the latest incarnation of this hack, unfortunately, but I'm sure it is only a matter of time.

Good luck! Let us know if you need more help.


-Jake

Would you mind posting links to these manual edits? I've been trying to find a method that does not include "Russifying" my menu or fonts, but get unified font support and the custom icons.

Expand (or expand & copy) the Universal Flasher kit to an SD card as above, then choose from the list...


Unified fonts - replace the main.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\ on the SD card with the attached one.
New icons - place the attached kBookIcon.png alongside the main.xml in the folder above on the SD.
One-key shutdown - replace the applicationStart.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\ on the SD card with the attached one.


Then proceed as in the standard instructions, i.e. build the image & flash it.

Expand (or expand & copy) the Universal Flasher kit to an SD card as above, then choose from the list...


Unified fonts - replace the main.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\ on the SD card with the attached one.
New icons - place the attached kBookIcon.png alongside the main.xml in the folder above on the SD.
One-key shutdown - replace the applicationStart.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\ on the SD card with the attached one.


Then proceed as in the standard instructions, i.e. build the image & flash it.

Woha!:2thumbsup

What are the unified fonts? Is this the same as the smaller font in the menu?

All titles same size.

Expand (or expand & copy) the Universal Flasher kit to an SD card as above, then choose from the list...


Unified fonts - replace the main.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\ on the SD card with the attached one.
New icons - place the attached kBookIcon.png alongside the main.xml in the folder above on the SD.
One-key shutdown - replace the applicationStart.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\ on the SD card with the attached one.


Then proceed as in the standard instructions, i.e. build the image & flash it.

Thank you very much, exactly what I was looking for!

Thanks for this guide, I'm going to try it. I was missing all those "hack" features.

After browsing this XML code:
<boolean key="0x27-hold" do="doDeviceShutdown"/>
I wonder if you could change the One-key-shutdown key to be used while holding the Slider (the one used to go to sleep mode).
Would it be possible to have: <boolean key="kSleep-hold" do="doDeviceShutdown"/>
(I think it makes more sense to have complete-shutdown and go-to-sleep features on the same key/slider.)

Another question. Is it possible to make the bottom black bar thinner? Or maybe turning it off?

Thanks again!

Actually, using the slider is a bad idea. Because it would actually use more battery that way and you'd have no way to put it into sleep mode other then waiting an hour without use for it to go to sleep.

Expand (or expand & copy) the Universal Flasher kit to an SD card as above, then choose from the list...


Unified fonts - replace the main.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\ on the SD card with the attached one.
New icons - place the attached kBookIcon.png alongside the main.xml in the folder above on the SD.
One-key shutdown - replace the applicationStart.xml in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\ on the SD card with the attached one.


Then proceed as in the standard instructions, i.e. build the image & flash it.

Hells yeah. I had mine all hacked out already but I was missing the new icons. Thanks!

Actually, using the slider is a bad idea. Because it would actually use more battery that way and you'd have no way to put it into sleep mode other then waiting an hour without use for it to go to sleep.

Why? Is there no difference between activating the slider and holding the slider?

I first had to reload the Sony firmware then the reflash worked. I have the new icons, the standard menu, and the time display now.

Has anyone solved the time 'truncation' problem in AM/PM mode?

I first had to reload the Sony firmware then the reflash worked. I have the new icons, the standard menu, and the time display now.

Has anyone solved the time 'truncation' problem in AM/PM mode?

I've made two quick edits to main.xml which truncates "am" to "a" and "pm" to "p." Unfortunately I'm not home to test it, but this should be the only change you need to make. Put the main.xml file in files.505.1.1.00.18040\opt\sony\ebook\application\ resources\scripts\

Good luck.

EDIT: I've been able to verify that it does in fact work. Enjoy.

Could someone upload kbookassets.png so we could edit it with our own preferred info (for instance, name and contact info)? Can't figure out how to extract it from wherever it comes from.

Could someone upload kbookassets.png so we could edit it with our own preferred info (for instance, name and contact info)? Can't figure out how to extract it from wherever it comes from.

I can give u a copy, not too sure about the legalities of it :P

I'm pretty sure at least the two of us own the readers and thus also the files inside. Your copy is just as good as the one sitting in my reader next to me. Have at it :)

Can you make it an attachment?

I know I must sound rather dumb, but what should I do if I want to add just one font in particular and make it default for my books? I know I have to replace sth, but I don't quite get the process...:deadhorse:

I'm pretty sure at least the two of us own the readers and thus also the files inside. Your copy is just as good as the one sitting in my reader next to me. Have at it :)

Can you make it an attachment?

done:2thumbsup

done:2thumbsup

Thanks!

Don't think I'm up to all the various file manipulations without the assistance of a grown up!

I'll wait and see (hope!) if some of these more talented folks here build a simply hack that works as it did for the 505 - ie just chose the ones you want from a menu!

I have the clock would like the unified fonts, nicer icons and for sure would love to customise the image with personal details.

David

Actually, using the slider is a bad idea. Because it would actually use more battery that way and you'd have no way to put it into sleep mode other then waiting an hour without use for it to go to sleep.

What I'd like to do is to have a slider that behaves in TWO different ways:
1- Normal operation: use slider to enter sleep-mode
2- Holding Slider for X seconds: use AND hold slider to shutdown completely the reader.

The question is if the slider behaves as a regular button that can be pushed or pushed-and-hold.

Don't think I'm up to all the various file manipulations without the assistance of a grown up!

If you've got the clock, you must have flashed it once, so the other changes aren't really much more that that, just putting the files in the right place - take a look at my post #5 earlier in this thread. Even changing the image is just a matter of using an image editor such as Gimp, then putting the new file in the right place before re-flashing.

OK followed the instructions in your post #5 and WOOHOOO I have the unified fonts.

Then loaded the icons file and now when I build and flash the image I get an error:

Error while flashing partition! It is recommended to switch to recovery mode and use Sony Flasher to flash a stock image.

When I remove the SD Card and switch machine back on all seems to work OK but old icons persist.

David

When I remove the SD Card and switch machine back on all seems to work OK but old icons persist.

Ah yes - there seems to be something that means that going step-by-step doesn't work with the current Universal Flasher...

Your Reader's fine, by the way, despite the message, but if you do want the new icons then I'm afraid that the way forward is to reflash back to the standard Sony 1.1 firmware, using the official updater app (http://download.sony.com/prs/prs-505/1.1.00.18040/PRS-505%20Updater%201.1.00.18040.exe).

However, to get the official updater to work, you'll need to either unzip & edit a file inside the official flasher (see the post here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=223644&postcount=48)) to persuade it that the firmware versions are different, or set it into update mode via the Universal Flasher.

Anyway, if you do reflash it back to the original FW, you'd then be able to re-flash with the new icons too!

Ah yes - there seems to be something that means that going step-by-step doesn't work with the current Universal Flasher...

I gather there is no problem if done all at once? Being that the case I'll wait till I can customize my screen too:D

I will get down to it when I unstress a little. Last day before holidays and I had to call an ambulance:(

Done:D

Everything ok, except the png. I added the modified PNG next to main.xml, but I still got the "Reader" up there instead of my name...:chinscratch:

Done:D

Everything ok, except the png. I added the modified PNG next to main.xml, but I still got the "Reader" up there instead of my name...:chinscratch:

I'm not sure what you mean by adding kBookAssets.png to main.xml. I simply had to place kBookAssets.png in the same directory as main.xml when building and applying the image.

I'm not sure what you mean by adding kBookAssets.png to main.xml. I simply had to place kBookAssets.png in the same directory as main.xml when building and applying the image.

I just did that... I placed kBookAssets.png in the same directory as main.xml. In the SD card... Then I flashed. Didn't work.

Same thing happened to me, but it turned out mine was named "kBookAssets.PNG" .. capitalization must be exact. Try checking if there were any errors in the name of the file.

Yeah it worked fine for me. Thanks everyone! My file was named kBookAsset.png. Also make sure you're saving it as a proper png file. I love it! I'm thinking of tinkering with the rest of the file and coming up with some kind of theme system. Thoughts?

Yeah it worked fine for me. Thanks everyone! My file was named kBookAsset.png. Also make sure you're saving it as a proper png file. I love it! I'm thinking of tinkering with the rest of the file and coming up with some kind of theme system. Thoughts?

I think it is quite possible. My current hacks involves putting my "resource" and "font" directories in the /data (the accessible internal memory) portion of the device, which means that I can change my resource files and fonts and have them take effect with a hard reset of the device.

Having said that, having your resource/fonts on /data is pretty dangerous for people with butter fingers. A corrupted/missing resource file will definitely result in a brick, though it can be easily fixed using the firmware update.

Yeah it worked fine for me. Thanks everyone! My file was named kBookAsset.png. Also make sure you're saving it as a proper png file. I love it! I'm thinking of tinkering with the rest of the file and coming up with some kind of theme system. Thoughts?

I screwed up. Mixed kbookassets with kbookicons. Hadn't put the file there at all.:smack:

We only need to know how the png is divided for each image, so we know the exact surface we have for each icon. After that, piece of cake.

I added one font to the reader, replacing none (just added a font). And then loaded an ebook that used that font, but without embedding it, expecting the file to take it from the Reader. Didn't work.... I guess I am doing it all wrong, but didn't want to ask again without even trying.

What am I doing wrong? what do I have to do if I want all my Reader files to use the same font without having to embed it? Do I have to replace a certain font from the Reader?

I screwed up. Mixed kbookassets with kbookicons. Hadn't put the file there at all.:smack:

We only need to know how the png is divided for each image, so we know the exact surface we have for each icon. After that, piece of cake.

check out "mainStorage.xml" ;)

Reflashed twice, first with kBookAssets PNG file and then with kBookAssets.PNG in the same directory as kBookIcons and main..xml Still no joy:brood:

check out "mainStorage.xml" ;)

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

You are seriously overestimating me in these issues...

However, to get the official updater to work, you'll need to either unzip & edit a file inside the official flasher (see the post here) to persuade it that the firmware versions are different, or set it into update mode via the Universal Flasher.


I used Update mode from the Universal Flasher but I may have removed the SD card too soon. Now the unit starts up and gives me the message:

"Firmware update did not complete successfully. Please try again."

Tried "pin reset", switching off and on but it keeps coming up with this error regardless of whether the SD card is in or not.

When I connect it to my PC the message changes to:

"Updating firmware now" (unit shows as drive on PB with name "Protected!!") and nothing else happens.


:smack:

One small step for an intelligent person, one step too far for David!

HELP!

Reflashed twice, first with kBookAssets PNG file and then with kBookAssets.PNG in the same directory as kBookIcons and main..xml Still no joy:brood:

Do I have to reinstall the new firmware before reflashing again?

Do I have to reinstall the new firmware before reflashing again?

the correct filename is: kBookAssets.png

You do not need to flash the default firmware before u reflash the reader :)

Here's my current logo after modding:

http://i38.tinypic.com/6qceue.png

I modded the logo to use the playstation 3 logo font :P

When I connect it to my PC the message changes to:
"Updating firmware now" (unit shows as drive on PB with name "Protected!!") and nothing else happens.

Run the Sony's firmware updater again.

How do I run the updater again? The machine just starts up and then goes to the error screen.

How do I run the updater again? The machine just starts up and then goes to the error screen.

No, run the /Sony/ Firmware Update app on your Windows PC and connect the Reader via USB.

Stupid stupid stupid boy....:smack:

Of course - run the updater on my PC!

Done it and now I have clock, unified fonts and new icons - and a calm and steady pulse...!!

Thanks Igorsk, thanks Gwyn. :thumbsup:

David.- :book2:

Well, the program itself points to Dutch801Rm Bt for the body text and Swis721 BT for the menu, and soforth. You have to name your font properly (check out the Unicode Patch thread sticked in this forum) or you have to edit the main.xml file where it says font = and replace the name with the name of your font..

I added one font to the reader, replacing none (just added a font). And then loaded an ebook that used that font, but without embedding it, expecting the file to take it from the Reader. Didn't work.... I guess I am doing it all wrong, but didn't want to ask again without even trying.

What am I doing wrong? what do I have to do if I want all my Reader files to use the same font without having to embed it? Do I have to replace a certain font from the Reader?

Well, the program itself points to Dutch801Rm Bt for the body text and Swis721 BT for the menu, and soforth. You have to name your font properly (check out the Unicode Patch thread sticked in this forum) or you have to edit the main.xml file where it says font = and replace the name with the name of your font..

Gonna try right now. Thanks!!

Grrrrrr!!

I get this:
/tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img not found.

I found this by Igorsk, but it is beyond me. Any help?


Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffElkins View Post
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:
Code:

if (!this.copyFile(this.driveroot+"/new_opt.img","/tmp/new_opt.img"))

to
Code:

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

Stupid stupid stupid boy....:smack:

Of course - run the updater on my PC!

Done it and now I have clock, unified fonts and new icons - and a calm and steady pulse...!!

Thanks Igorsk, thanks Gwyn. :thumbsup:

David.- :book2:

:eek:
I have the exact same problem as macphersondh: "Firmware update did not complete successfully.." and the message "Updating firmware now" once connected to the PC! How do you run the updater from a PC?

:eek:
I have the exact same problem as macphersondh: "Firmware update did not complete successfully.." and the message "Updating firmware now" once connected to the PC! How do you run the updater from a PC?

The offical Sony updater is a Windows app - see the link here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=225032&postcount=26).

The offical Sony updater is a Windows app - see the link here (http://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=225032&postcount=26).

:) Duh! Of course, thank you! Guess this sort of stressful situation does not help approach problems with a cool head....

Grrrrrr!!

I get this:
/tmp/self_upgrade/new_opt.img not found.

I found this by Igorsk, but it is beyond me. Any help?


Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffElkins View Post
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:
Code:

if (!this.copyFile(this.driveroot+"/new_opt.img","/tmp/new_opt.img"))

to
Code:

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

Replaced the text with notepad... rebooted... No error, no joy...

I am starting to feel seriously dumb (I was already feeling just dumb).:brood:

I also had the problem of a faulty flash. I just hit update mode, popped out the card, ran the firmware update, reflashed and now its all gravy. I think running the flasher over and over again may have been the culprit...

Here's my current logo after modding:

http://i38.tinypic.com/6qceue.png

I modded the logo to use the playstation 3 logo font :P

I just tried using this directly like an idiot and have to reflash again. All sorts of crazy things went wrong.

Fixed it with a custom version of the real image.

Updated the first post of the thread with some great goodies...

The new icons with seven changes:
-Books to author
-Date and Time
-Sleep Mode
-Format memory
-Device shutdown
-Delete book
-abc

Here's my new logo :)

It's from Lost in case you were confused.

Here's an updated version without the white square around the Dharma Initiative Logo