PRSCustomizer: Customize and personalize your PRS505 Reader

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by Lilly

JeffElkins, my reader battery won't hold charge and also the volume button is loose; I just spoke to Sony support and they decided to replace the reader. I'm mailing it to them tomorrow. What is the best way to remove the PRSCustomizer? I have my contact information in the setting and since the volume button is loose, I was unable to do a hard reset. I saw a Restore Defaults in the Settings menu but nothing happened when I press it and the bookmark button. Since I'm getting a new reader, I need to restore it before I send it back to Sony tomorrow.

Thanks

Use the Sony Updater to reflash your 505. Get the updater HERE. Search the forum for usage instructions. Good luck!

[Dave Berk]

Thanks a lot, Jeff, for all the hard work that went into creating PRS-Customizer (and to Igor as well). I'm about to order a 505 and I can't how many usefull stuff there is for the reader...

One request, though. In the Localization menu, could you add an option for None?

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

Thanks a lot, Jeff, for all the hard work that went into creating PRS-Customizer (and to Igor as well). I'm about to order a 505 and I can't how many usefull stuff there is for the reader...

One request, though. In the Localization menu, could you add an option for None?

Don't check the Localization checkbox. Won't that do what you're seeking?

[JeffElkins]

PRSCustomizer v1.02 is now available. This version adds support for UK firmware 1.2 and also fixes a newly discovered bug that may affect USB connections under some conditions, causing your Reader to lock up requiring a reset. Download link

[Dave Berk]

Originally Posted by JeffElkins

Don't check the Localization checkbox. Won't that do what you're seeking?

But I want to change the font...

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

But I want to change the font...

OK, I see your point.

For 1.1 (USA/Canada) you'll have to do it manually for now. I'll see about including this as an option for 1.3.

1.1 Firmware
1. Run PRSCustomizer, choosing your options.
2. Open the prsfiles/font.2 folder
3. Copy the *.ttf files to sdcard/files.505.1.1.00.18040/opt/sony/ebook/FONT/

For 1.2 (UK) firmware simply select the Unicode fonts checkbox. Localization is not an option.

[Dave Berk]

Originally Posted by JeffElkins

OK, I see your point.

For 1.1 (USA/Canada) you'll have to do it manually for now. I'll see about including this as an option for 1.3.

1.1 Firmware
1. Run PRSCustomizer, choosing your options.
2. Open the prsfiles/font.2 folder
3. Copy the *.ttf files to sdcard/files.505.1.1.00.18040/opt/sony/ebook/FONT/

For 1.2 (UK) firmware simply select the Unicode fonts checkbox. Localization is not an option.

Thanks!!

[VonBek]

Hi Jeff, I patched my UK 505 last night, and it now fails to get past the starting up page, I am asuming its because of the fonts problem.
Two questions...

1. When i try to use the Sony updater it won't because the firmware is already uptodate, how do I get round this.

2. Once I have done the Sony updater part, do I use the UK or USA part or your patcher.

Thanks for your help.

Ian.

[VonBek]

Update to my earlier message.

I have now managed to do the Sony Update.
Just edited the file 'PRSVersion.dat' to 120018051.

I take it I can now re run PRSCustomizer using the USA 1.1 option.

Thanks Ian.

[VonBek]

Well I retried PRSCustomizer using the USA 1.1 option, and without touching the Icons.

Exactly the same results as the first time. It just freezes on the starting up page !

I have redone the Sony Updater, and everyhting works fine again.

Anyone any Ideas as to why it keeps failing to start after the patching ?

Cheers Ian.

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by VonBek

Well I retried PRSCustomizer using the USA 1.1 option, and without touching the Icons.

Exactly the same results as the first time. It just freezes on the starting up page !

I have redone the Sony Updater, and everyhting works fine again.

Anyone any Ideas as to why it keeps failing to start after the patching ?

Cheers Ian.

Ian, did you back up your firmware before flashing?

[ShellShock]

Originally Posted by VonBek

Well I retried PRSCustomizer using the USA 1.1 option, and without touching the Icons.

Exactly the same results as the first time. It just freezes on the starting up page !

I have redone the Sony Updater, and everyhting works fine again.

Anyone any Ideas as to why it keeps failing to start after the patching ?

Cheers Ian.

Ian, I have had very similar problems today using PRSCustomizer on a UK PRS505 - freezing on the Starting up screen. Like you I have managed to unbrick the reader using the Sony Updater program, but if you look in the setting this means we're now running with the US firmware 1.1 and not the UK firmware 1.2. Anyone know how to get the UK firmware back onto the device?

I even tried replaced cramfs.Fsk.img and cramfs.Rootfs.img in the Sony Updater directory with versions that I have previously created from my UK device, but it still flashed the US firmware into the reader.

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by ShellShock

Ian, I have had very similar problems today using PRSCustomizer on a UK PRS505 - freezing on the Starting up screen. Like you I have managed to unbrick the reader using the Sony Updater program, but if you look in the setting this means we're now running with the US firmware 1.1 and not the UK firmware 1.2. Anyone know how to get the UK firmware back onto the device?

I even tried replaced cramfs.Fsk.img and cramfs.Rootfs.img in the Sony Updater directory with versions that I have previously created from my UK device, but it still flashed the US firmware into the reader.

OK, so obviously the UK option's not working.

To get back to square one (UK 1.2) firmware-wise, take your cramfs.Fsk.img file and copy it to the Universal Flasher SD card with the name new_opt.img - Insert the card into your Reader and from the Flasher menu choose #4, then #6.

I've placed version 1.2 on hold until I can sort this out. Thanks for your patience.

[ShellShock]

Originally Posted by JeffElkins

To get back to square one (UK 1.2) firmware-wise, take your cramfs.Fsk.img file and copy it to the Universal Flasher SD card with the name new_opt.img - Insert the card into your Reader and from the Flasher menu choose #4, then #6.

Thanks Jeff - that worked a treat! I have successfully loaded up the UK firmware and then applied my changes to applicationStart.xml (clock and page turn on joystick enter). I don't know what went wrong with the PRSCustomizer though. As far as I can remember I used the following options:

Name
Telephone
Email
Firmware 1.2
Uniform font size

VonBek - if you need the UK firmware then PM me your email address and I'll forward it to you.

It's been one of those days...

[JeffElkins]

Originally Posted by ShellShock

It's been one of those days...

You've got that right!

I reflashed to 1.2 UK firmware and PRSCustomizer promptly bricked my Reader. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I'm working on it.

Addendum: after 4 or 5 more brickings I still haven't solved the UK problem, but I did stumble across a rapid unbricking method faster than the 10-resets method:

1. You're stuck at "Reader starting up..."
2. Paperclip the reset, slide the power toggle.
3. When the screen goes blank, quickly connect the PC usb cable.

The Reader should reboot and show the USB connect in a minute or so, then you can use the US Updater.