Ok, I used the mfgtool linked here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=217771
because it is pre-configured.
Then I downloaded the latest version of the tool from here:
http://blog.csdn.net/xingyuan1hao/ar...tails/11797237
And I used the mfgtool executable in that zip folder to replace the older one in the correctly configured folder that we get from this forum.
I then followed the included instructions (start the tool, plug in the device, start it by holding down the volume - and power buttons) and the software automatically detected the device. I ran the software, and it reset my device to a usable state, but erased EVERYTHING in the process. My lesson is that I will use an SD card primarily in the future. THen I updated to the latest firmware successfully from booxtor.
ok, that's all i know. hope this helps