Clara HD: Can I revert to an earlier firmware version?

Suffolk Punch · 01-03-2021, 05:27 AM

Hello,

I don't actually need to revert my Clara HD's firmware (happily). But if an update went wrong or I really didn't like it, is there a reliable way to go back to the previous working firmware version? If so, what are the steps?

Martin

ps. firmware: 4.24.15676 (9/24/20)

rashkae · 01-03-2021, 12:14 PM

the most *reliable* way is to initiate a factory reset on the device, then manually install the firmware you want. the problem is how to stop it from updating after that. I use a 'fake' registration on my Kobos, so they never connect or sync with Kobo cloud. Keeping your device on an older version is, I believe, possible with a custom patch to prevent updates, but might pose additional challenges.

Sirtel · 01-03-2021, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashkae

the most *reliable* way is to initiate a factory reset on the device, then manually install the firmware you want. the problem is how to stop it from updating after that. I use a 'fake' registration on my Kobos, so they never connect or sync with Kobo cloud. Keeping your device on an older version is, I believe, possible with a custom patch to prevent updates, but might pose additional challenges.

There's a patch to make the device ask your consent every time it wants to update. You can then just select no and go on as before.

davidfor · 01-03-2021, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashkae

the most *reliable* way is to initiate a factory reset on the device, then manually install the firmware you want. the problem is how to stop it from updating after that. I use a 'fake' registration on my Kobos, so they never connect or sync with Kobo cloud.

That isn't correct. If the device isn't updating the firmware, it is because you don't have WiFi on, or something else is blocking the check or download. While the firmware check is done during a sync, it is independent of who you logged in as.

Suffolk Punch · 01-04-2021, 06:51 AM

Thanks all.

Here's what I think I need to do to revert from firmware version 'Y' to an earlier version 'X'. Does it look ok?

Perform a factory reset (running version 'Y').
In my case this will return the ClaraHD to the version 4.8.10959 (3e8cac4976 4/19/18) it came with.
Start the kobo desktop app and sign-in to your kobo account.
Open a browser, and open the URL of Kobo Firmware Downloads: https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html
Download firmware version 'X' - a zip archive containing a KoboRoot.tgz file, manifest.md5sum file, and upgrade folder.
Connect your reader to the PC via a USB cable.
Click sync in the kobo desktop app. It will download the latest firmware (KoboRoot.tgz file, manifest.md5sum file, and upgrade folder) to the .kobo folder on the reader.
Close the Kobo desktop app.
** Leave the reader plugged-in to the PC, because when you eject it, the reader will automatically apply the firmware updates.**
Now copy the KoboRoot.tgz file, manifest.md5sum file, and upgrade folder extracted from firmware version 'X' into the reader's .kobo folder - over-writing what the kobo desktop app just did.
Eject the reader. Upgrade to firmware version 'X' will start.
Reapply any tweaks (e.g. Replace the 'Annotations' folder by a file called 'Annotations').

Martin

davidfor · 01-04-2021, 07:26 AM

That's pretty much what I do when I need to go back more than a couple of firmware versions. Though I use https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Firmware_Releases for the firmware links if I don't already have it downloaded. If I'm going back one or two firmware versions, I might not do a factory reset. It depends on the recent changes.

And the last step is no longer needed. But, I don't remember exactly which firmware version fixed the problem.

Suffolk Punch · 01-04-2021, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidfor

That's pretty much what I do when I need to go back more than a couple of firmware versions. Though I use https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Firmware_Releases for the firmware links if I don't already have it downloaded. If I'm going back one or two firmware versions, I might not do a factory reset. It depends on the recent changes.

And the last step is no longer needed. But, I don't remember exactly which firmware version fixed the problem.

Thanks!

Martin

01-03-2021, 05:27 AM	#1
Suffolk Punch Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 187210 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS T1, Kindle 4 NT, Kobo Touch, Kobo Clara HD	Clara HD: Can I revert to an earlier firmware version? Hello, I don't actually need to revert my Clara HD's firmware (happily). But if an update went wrong or I really didn't like it, is there a reliable way to go back to the previous working firmware version? If so, what are the steps? Martin ps. firmware: 4.24.15676 (9/24/20) Last edited by Suffolk Punch; 01-03-2021 at 07:34 AM.

01-04-2021, 06:51 AM	#5
Suffolk Punch Connoisseur Posts: 71 Karma: 187210 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS T1, Kindle 4 NT, Kobo Touch, Kobo Clara HD	Thanks all. Here's what I think I need to do to revert from firmware version 'Y' to an earlier version 'X'. Does it look ok? Perform a factory reset (running version 'Y'). In my case this will return the ClaraHD to the version 4.8.10959 (3e8cac4976 4/19/18) it came with. Start the kobo desktop app and sign-in to your kobo account. Open a browser, and open the URL of Kobo Firmware Downloads: https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html Download firmware version 'X' - a zip archive containing a KoboRoot.tgz file, manifest.md5sum file, and upgrade folder. Connect your reader to the PC via a USB cable. Click sync in the kobo desktop app. It will download the latest firmware (KoboRoot.tgz file, manifest.md5sum file, and upgrade folder) to the .kobo folder on the reader. Close the Kobo desktop app. Leave the reader plugged-in to the PC, because when you eject it, the reader will automatically apply the firmware updates. Now copy the KoboRoot.tgz file, manifest.md5sum file, and upgrade folder extracted from firmware version 'X' into the reader's .kobo folder - over-writing what the kobo desktop app just did. Eject the reader. Upgrade to firmware version 'X' will start. Reapply any tweaks (e.g. Replace the 'Annotations' folder by a file called 'Annotations'). Martin Last edited by Suffolk Punch; 01-04-2021 at 06:57 AM. Reason: Add step: Close the Kobo desktop app.

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01-03-2021, 12:14 PM	#2
rashkae Wizard Posts: 1,274 Karma: 5935030 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Aura HD	the most reliable way is to initiate a factory reset on the device, then manually install the firmware you want. the problem is how to stop it from updating after that. I use a 'fake' registration on my Kobos, so they never connect or sync with Kobo cloud. Keeping your device on an older version is, I believe, possible with a custom patch to prevent updates, but might pose additional challenges.

01-04-2021, 07:26 AM	#6
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	That's pretty much what I do when I need to go back more than a couple of firmware versions. Though I use https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Kobo_Firmware_Releases for the firmware links if I don't already have it downloaded. If I'm going back one or two firmware versions, I might not do a factory reset. It depends on the recent changes. And the last step is no longer needed. But, I don't remember exactly which firmware version fixed the problem.

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