Mini What is the Highest FW Version w/o Getting Bricked?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Kiwisaurus

Wait!

- 4.10.11655 is not for Mark 4 devices. How did the update work on the Mini?

- It should have either crashed or be stuck on the loading screen forever. How come it is not bricked?

- Did you patch it?

- What IS patching anyway?

- Are you sure she has a Mini?

- If that is so, what Beta Features are there on 4.9.11311 and 4.10.11655? Do they have the same Beta Features?

Most of the hardware related stuff is in the upgrades directory. Using the KoboRoot.tgz is pretty safe though there is a risk which I rated as fairly low. If the device was unable to boot, I would have had to do the manual factory reset. Since the recovery partition is rarely touched, a pretty safe bet. At worst, I would have had to remove the uSD card and restore the image I took from it a few years back.

Am I sure she has a Mini? Well, unless Kobo manufactured another 5" ereader with replaceable back covers, I'm pretty sure.

Quite a few people have upgraded to newer firmware on the Mini without bricking their device.

I did not patch it at the time of the upgrade. Possibly the next time she comes over for dinner, we may do some of the patches (see the patch threads in the Kobo Developer's Corner for more on patching.

I rarely use the beta features. Using a web browser on eInk is for masochists and I'm not a gamer. There are patches to re-enable some beta features but not my cuppa so I've never used them.

Originally Posted by Kiwisaurus

Please try to answer all questions ASAP.

ASAP? You do realize this is a hobbyist forum? The people answering your questions are doing so on their own time. I do get some satisfaction from paying forward the karma I owe for the questions that were answered for me. But ASAP? If my boss asks me why a port attached to an active/passive HA firewall configuration in the backup data centre is flapping, that gets dealt with ASAP. If I get asked a question on MobileRead, that gets answered as and when time permits.

[Kiwisaurus]

Originally Posted by issybird

Where's the fire? Seriously, what's the rush?

I don't know.

Just wanna get this update stuff over and done, so I can enjoy my new Mini with firmware 4.X.

NOTE: Sorry. I just wanted to update ASAP because right now the Mini is sitting there, after a factory reset, and I am wondering if I should or should not update to version 4.X. So sorry if I rushed you. That was so thoughtless of me.

[Kiwisaurus]

Originally Posted by Mrs_Often

Patching has nothing to do with ensuring firmware compatibility. Patching is a nice way to tweak firmware that is already installed. (For instance, removing certain parts of the home screen from view, or making advanced font settings visible for sideloaded, etc.)




They should all still be there (though they are hidden on newer devices from Glo HD onwards if I recall correctly - and they can then be unhidden with... a patch . )




Everybody here is extremely kind and helpful, as you have already experienced. They will all reply as soon as they have time. Adding a request like that won't speed up the process (indeed it might even slow it down)...

so much!

[Kiwisaurus]

PERFECT!

I updated to version 4.9.11314 and it is really good so far.

But DNSB, how do I update to version 4.10.X after this?

How did you update your niece's Mini?

4.9.11314 was the latest version for Mark 4 devices.

Which update do need I download to go any higher?

Do I download 4.10.X for Mark 6?

PS: I'm really sorry for demanding a reply "ASAP". I really am. Please forgive me. I didn't mean to upset you. I am so, so, so sorry if I offended you in any way.

for everything.

[Zorka]

@Kiwisaurus : Let me ask it again, did you read the previous answers?

First we downloaded the Mark4 4.9.11311 firmware update and applied it to her Mini (unpack the .zip file on my computer and copy both files and the directory into the .kobo directory on her Mini, safely eject it and let the firmware update happen). We then downloaded the Mark6 4.10.11655 firmware, unpacked the .zip file and copied only the KoboRoot.tgz file to the .kobo directory on her Mini. After safely ejecting, it updated

Everything you need to know is there

[Kiwisaurus]

Originally Posted by Zorka

@Kiwisaurus : Let me ask it again, did you read the previous answers?

First we downloaded the Mark4 4.9.11311 firmware update and applied it to her Mini (unpack the .zip file on my computer and copy both files and the directory into the .kobo directory on her Mini, safely eject it and let the firmware update happen). We then downloaded the Mark6 4.10.11655 firmware, unpacked the .zip file and copied only the KoboRoot.tgz file to the .kobo directory on her Mini. After safely ejecting, it updated

Everything you need to know is there

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

*moment of realisation*

*facepalm*

Now I get it!

OMG so much!

*facepalm*

*facepalm*

Now I understand. Thanks.

I finally get it after reading again.

I must have skipped over the part where it says that.

But...one thing doesn't make sense.

WHY?

Why only the KoboRoot.tgz but now the whole update?

[Zorka]

@Kiwisaurus : again, try to read carefully before asking...

Full firmware contains specific drivers etc for the Mark 4, while KoboRoot.tgz contains more general stuff.

Most of the hardware related stuff is in the upgrades directory. Using the KoboRoot.tgz is pretty safe though there is a risk which I rated as fairly low

What I make from this is : A full firmware update contains a directory with device specific files (different between the available Mark's), and koboroot.tgz containing the common bits for every Mark.

So what they did (I did it also actually), was taking the latest hardware update for their device, combining it with the latest general software release, hoping that no special hardware bit is needed by the latest software update.

Hope this makes sense.....

[Kiwisaurus]

Originally Posted by Zorka

@Kiwisaurus : again, try to read carefully before asking...

Full firmware contains specific drivers etc for the Mark 4, while KoboRoot.tgz contains more general stuff.

Most of the hardware related stuff is in the upgrades directory. Using the KoboRoot.tgz is pretty safe though there is a risk which I rated as fairly low

What I make from this is : A full firmware update contains a directory with device specific files (different between the available Mark's), and koboroot.tgz containing the common bits for every Mark.

So what they did (I did it also actually), was taking the latest hardware update for their device, combining it with the latest general software release, hoping that no special hardware bit is needed by the latest software update.

Hope this makes sense.....

Yep. It does now that you put it this way.

Yeah, I read it before (actually twice) but I didn't know what it meant, but when you put it this way, I can understand.

[Kiwisaurus]

OK, I am on version 4.10.X (the latest version ever released) and everything good so far.

Except...

I get these occasional screen distortion things. Like the old TVs, you know.

Like, the screen goes white and black random lines kind of thing.

Do you know what I mean?

But I don't get it on the whole screen. Just some parts. Especially when exiting a book and returning to Home.

Any ideas?

[Mrs_Often]

Originally Posted by Kiwisaurus

so much!

You're welcome