This mod is supposed to work under FW 2.6.0 to 3.18.0.
Avoid FW 3.16.10 and 3.17.0 if you can because of the sickel issue.
The Kobo Start Menu (KSM) is launched at start up and lets you
- choose between available readers and other applications
- manage FW packages (install, install and preserve the Kobo Start Menu, delete)
- download the most recent Kobo FW update as soon as it is available, if you wish so
- connect the device as usb mass storage
- enable USBNet
Spoiler:
For instructions on how to make USBNet work on windows see
these instructions. To make telnet work install
KevinShort's package. For telnet you can simply use windows's own telnet (if you are a windows user that means). On how to install and enable it on Windows 8 and 8.1 see for instance
these instructions. If vlasovsoft is available on your device you can optionally start dropbear together with USBnet.
- execute scripts from the internal and external sd
- ...
Since larger parts of the package consist of sh files, you can modify and enlarge the functions easily.
For a general overview of the KSM features please refer ot the (however partly outdated) informations in
this thread. I try to provide more updated information as soon as time permits.
First time installation (consists of 2 steps)
Spoiler:
Preparation: Make sure that your reader is fully charged and generally in a good operating state (for instance, there must not be any problems with a corrupted database etc.) Switch off Wifi. You will need ca. 26 Mb of free disk space (apart from 12 Mb of KoboRoot.tgz, which will be deleted after installation). Check that enough free disk space is available on the reader.
Download the archive KBStartMenu_07inclUp4.zip to your pc and extract the content.
Step 1
- connect the Kobo to the PC
- copy the folder kbmenupngs to the root of the device (e.g. K:\)
- eject safely and disconnect
- check that the TWO images (exit_nickel.png, switchtokoreader.png) are listed in the library and their thumbnails are displayed there, and as tiles on the home screen. Only then proceed to step two.
Step 2
- connect the Kobo device to the PC
- copy KoboRoot.tgz to the folder .kobo of the device
- eject safely and disconnect
- wait until the update is finished (do not interrupt it, even if it takes some time)
Consult also the helpful guide to
Adding alternative readers using Kobo Start Menu by Ken Maltby.
Installation on devices on which currently a version of KSM is running
Spoiler:
Step 1
- Contemplate the points Preparation and Step 1 of First time installation and apply them according to circumstances.
Step 2
- connect the Kobo device to the PC
- copy KoboRoot.tgz to the folder .kobo of the device
- eject safely and disconnect
- select in KSM "handle updates" > "install update" (do NOT select "install partial update")
- wait until the update is finished (do not interrupt it, even if it takes some time)
- delete the subfolder kbmenu of the folder .kobo
The location of KSM 07 is .adds/kbmenu. Do not copy usersettings.txt or any script files from the old KSM version to the new version!
KSM is by default configured to
run only after every second reboot, and nickel automatically runs after every other second reboot. This is a kind of security measure in case KSM does not properly run after installation (something that cannot be excluded with future firmwares or changed hardware).
After KSM has started the first time, please change this behaviour:
- select "tools" > "activate" > "set runmenu settings.msh" > "always"
Spoiler:
If there is a problem and you cannot interact with KSM, force the reader to power off (by holding the power button in the off position for 20 seconds), and power on again. Connect from nickel via usb to the pc. Change the value of "runmenu" in .adds\kbmenu\runsettings.txt to "never":
You must use a unix style editor for doing this change.
After installing KSM 07 it is advisable to install all updates, which are available from this post, immediately. Visit this post frequently for further updates!
I did not yet upload a necessary update for Glo HD that fixes the rotation problem in some situations. For the time being, please do not use the KSM functions for searching and downloading Kobo FW update files, KSM functions for backing up and restoring files, or for manipulating the database. If you have to use one of those functions, set preventPickel to true. Instead of a progress animation you will see a distorted screen, but everything else should work as expected.
Be aware that downgrading the Kobo firmware without doing a factory reset might prevent nickel from running. The reason for this is that the Kobo Start Menu tries to work with all FW versions starting with 2.6.0. In order to do this it determines the currently running FW version by looking whether specific files are available on the device. After downgrading (without factory reset), version specific files of the higher firmware version are still living on the device, and this fact may result in false identification. (Changing firmwares in the range from 3.3.0 to 3.12.1 should be okay, I guess.)
The package contains materials provided by
Sergey (Qt libraries),
Cecell3000 (modified Qt mouse/touch driver),
NiLuJe (FBGrab),
KevinShort (Frontlight control),
Lucas Malor (screen-refresh).
When editing .adds\kbmenu\usersettings or any other text/script files, it is important to use a unix style editor.
Further informations
Setting up a factory reset device (includes information on bypassing registration)
New location of KSM (concerns also Koreader, Kobo Launcher)
Night mode and Screensaver
Change options in configuration files
fmon and kbmenupngs
Display random html file
Power-off screen
pbchess 2015-05
start CoolReader from KSM main menu
fonts in KSM
add tiles of chess and other beta features to the nickle home screen
how to install kobo update packages
back up the internal sd with netcat
screen rotation issue on some models
initiate factory reset by script (only for emergency cases), read especially posts #1 and 9.
KSM 08 test version
Update packages:
You do not need update 1-4 if you have installed KBStartMenu_07inclUp4.zip. If you have installed an earlier version (with or without updates), apply update 4.
KSM07_update004 (read the install instructions in the spoiler)
Handles pbchess-2015.05, some minor changes, includes also updates 1 to 3. If there is still a problem finishing this update on Glo HD, force it to power off by pressing the on/off button for at least 25 seconds, release the button and power on after some seconds. Future updates will handle this automatically.
Uninstall KSM
USE THIS PACKAGE AT YOUR OWN RISK!