Tolino Vision Color Bootloop

[015226066237]

Hello, I am at the end of my wits. I converted my Tolino Vision Color into Kobo mode according to the instructions in notmarek's github repo:
https://github.com/notmarek/KoboTolinoFindings
I installed the update.tar to activate devmode, then switched to Kobo mode in the developer settings. Then I used the downgrade firmware from the same page to downgrade to version 4.x, in order to be able to install Nickelmenu, KOReader etc.
So far everything worked fine.
Then I found this page:
https://pgaskin.net/KoboStuff/kobofirmware.html
From there I downloaded the latest 4.x firmware for Libra Color (v4.45.23697) and installed it. After installing, my Tolino is now in reboot loop. It starts, is responsive for ~1 second, then freezes and reboots after a minute or so. If I am fast enough to click the Connect button I can connect via USB. but all FWs I put into the .kobo directory did not do anything. Does anybody have a proper recovery firmware that can help me here or any other hint?
I also tried upper (and lower also) page button plus power button to get into recovery mode but that doesn't work either.
I hope I didn´t cripple the device too badly...

[Waldy]

Hi,
first, connect the Tolino to the charger for a few hours.
Then, disconnect it from the charger and try to turn the device off completely by pressing and holding the power button (this may take 5 to 40 seconds...). I realize this might be difficult in your situation, so try performing the action a few times. Once the device has turned off completely, press and hold both a page-turn button and the power button simultaneously for 5–7 seconds. Release both buttons when the indicator light goes out.
Once the restoration process is complete, the device will most likely be running firmware version 5.15.x. The Tolino will remain in Kobo mode, as you had previously switched it to that mode. Now, to revert the Tolino Vision Color to version 4.x, install this firmware: downgradeVisionColor the recovery partition will be overwritten.
The instructions in notmarek's GitHub repo worked perfectly with older firmware versions.
Starting with firmware 5.15.x (or perhaps earlier—I don't recall exactly), an issue arose regarding updates after switching to version 4.x, just as you described.

5.x to 4.x for other devices (first switch the Tolino to Kobo mode using Devmode)
for Shine Color: downgradeShineColor
for Shine5 BW: downgradeShine5BW

[015226066237]

Hi Waldy, thanks for your support here. Yesterday I tried several times to get into the recovery mode, with no success. But I didn't try it after having it on the charger for a couple of hours. So I will give it a try later today. It is interesting what having it on the charger does, as the battery is currently above 90%. Does anybody know the technical reason for that? I´m not doubting the advice, if it works for people it works, I'm just being curious.

[015226066237]

OK, I tried it again (

[015226066237]

What I did:
Kept the reader on the charger for approx. 3 hours (it powered itself on and kept rebooting during that time).
I powered it of (at least the screen said so).
I pressed the lower page-turn button and the power button.
The LED turned on for a few seconds, then turned off and blinked once 3 seconds later.
I kept pressing the buttons for more than 2 minutes, but the reader did not react otherwise. It still shows the power off screen (e-book cover and power-off textbox).

Is there any recovery firmware I could use? If I am fast enough, I can get the reader into USB file transfer mode. So I was thinking if I can get the right firmware (KoboRoot.tar) into the .kobo directory, maybe I could install another OS version...
Mind that the issue did NOT occur after the initial downgrade with the image by notmarek. After that, the reader was working fine. It occurred after installing v4.45.23697 from pgaskin.net (see my initial post).
So a pointer to the right recovery firmware would be super helpful.

BR

Stefan

[Waldy]

Originally Posted by 015226066237

Is there any recovery firmware I could use? If I am fast enough, I can get the reader into USB file transfer mode. So I was thinking if I can get the right firmware (KoboRoot.tar) into the .kobo directory, maybe I could install another OS version...

If it is possible to copy files to the device, try installing firmware version 4.40.23081 for the Kobo Libra Colour.

[015226066237]

I managed to get the reader into USB mode again, could copy the files for firmware 4.40.23081 to the reader. After disconnection, the reader rebooted and installed, but I am in the same situation as before. The only difference: Now the dialog box to activate USB doesn't appear anymore before the crash.
I found another key combo (press power button and keep tapping one of the page buttons) for some kind of fast-boot mode, but that does not work either.
Any more ideas?

BR

Stefan

[rantanplan]

I think this device has eMMc memory so reflashing isn't an option :-/