PRS-T2 Hacking the T2

[Skinjob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't have any files pertaining to the T2. I only had a T1. Plus, I never wanted to root. You'll have to find them elsewhere. I cannot help you root.

I don't necessarily need your files. I just need to know where I can find a working download link of rupor's "AMR" ("Absolutely Minimal Root") exploit files for the Sony PRS-T2. I know it used to be on one of these threads.

Failing that, I just need the PASSWORD to Porkupan/rupor's files. (Located here.: Specifically, "minimal-root-zeam.zip" or "minimal-root.zip".

Since it seems important to do so here, I'll even justify my request, in exchange....

YES I bought a Sony PRS-T2 reader a couple of days ago. YES I know it's 2025. It's the best reader made, AFAIC. I could not care less if it doesn't have the latest Android. Why would anyone??? I don't use these things to play the latest video games. Who does?? I use them to read books.

Why not read books to read books? Because my eyes are such that I can't read regular sized print. And this is part of the reason why I need to hack the T2. To install additional fonts, and Coolreader.

The additional fonts is very important, because it includes bold fonts like Georgia, that make it easier for me to read, due to the increased contrast. The fonts that come with the Sony suck b***s, in comparison. Don't like reading anything with the default fonts.

And before anyone goes into it... YES, I am fully aware that you can use Calibre to manually inject fonts into e-pubs. I don't care about that option as I would never use it. I have hundreds of books and the last thing I want, is to shave off several years of my life, trying to inject lines of code, into books I may never read.

And YES, I already know you can do this with batch programming, and maybe save a few years in the process. Again, don't care to do that, as I don't even want to even think about erasing all the books I have on the unit and SD-card, then try to transfer them all back again, all coded up with the font coding hack.
Because I want what I've had on the Sony reader since 2014: The ability to change fonts on the fly, at will, for the book I am reading.

The other thing I require is Coolreader. For it allows kerning, hyphenation, margin customization and all kinds of such configurations, that make it much easier and more pleasant to read books on the e-reader. Both the font hack and the Coolreader require either an early firmware, or (perhaps?) it can be done with rupor's AMR.

The early firmware is out, since the T2 I bought had the latest firmware. I bought it to replace the PRS-T2 I already had, which was fully rooted. Only, it got dunked in a lake this summer, when the canoe tipped over. Now, I am looking to buy a T2 with much older and 'hackable' firmware, that may not require AMR.

But I am blocked on both fronts by

a) Unable to find and download rupor's AMR files today (after scanning Wayback, Google, this site....).

b) Unable to open the files I did find, that may allow me to crack the early firmware, without AMR.

Ok, now that you guys understand why people might actually want to root their Sony readers, just like they did in the past, are those good enough reasons to help me find the AMR files?? Enough people did this around the world already, so there has to be a copy of the files somewhere!

[Quoth]

The T2 respects embedded fonts, such as already in an ebook, or added by Calibre.

I've tried Coolreader and I gave my T2 to a family member. Coolreader is pointless & inferior to the default stock T2. I fix issues in epubs in Calibre.

The T2 is certainly OK, but it's not the best reader ever. Any 300 dpi Paperwhite is a better screen and especially any 300 dpi mono Kobo with stock reader is better if you use Calibre.

I have now over 8,000 ebooks in Calibre.

If you need a larger font then the T2 is a waste of money. A Kobo Sage would suit far better. Likely the T2 battery is near end of life.

[JSWolf]

@Skinjob there is a much easier solution to your font problem.

Create a directory called fonts in the root and copy the fonts to there.. Using the version of RMSDK that comes with the T2, you can use CSS code to access those fonts without the need to embed. With calibre, you can use the Modify ePub plugin to add the extra CSS to access those fonts. It's very easy and does not take forever to do this.

I have code that works for the T1 and code that works for RMSDK on a Kobo. The problem I have is that I am not sure which is the correct code for the T1. I'll get the code and post it you can can try it and see which works. Then you can add this code to all of your eBooks.

[Skinjob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

@Skinjob there is a much easier solution to your font problem.

Create a directory called fonts in the root and copy the fonts to there.. Using the version of RMSDK that comes with the T2, you can use CSS code to access those fonts without the need to embed. With calibre, you can use the Modify ePub plugin to add the extra CSS to access those fonts. It's very easy and does not take forever to do this.

I already have a directory called fonts, I already tried adding fonts to it. As you must know, that alone won't do it. And as I said, I do not wish to modify all my epubs with all the fonts I might want to use, nor debate that fact or exactly how long it will take.

That said, this is the first I've heard of this "RMSDK" option. So I asked ChatGPT about it, and it said:

"Practical conclusion

On stock firmware v1.1xxx5240, there is no supported way to add new fonts globally without modifying ePubs. The RMSDK hack route exists but requires low-level modifications and is not trivial."

Then there was some stuff about how you can brick your device, with this hack. I take the "not trivial" advice seriously. In any case, I do not have a T1, so I do not need code for that. I have a PRS-T2, as mentioned.

I really just came to see if someone can point me to where I can download a copy of rupor's AMR (Absolute Minimal Root) files, or open the minimal-root-zeam zip, so's I can root my T2, and install cool reader. Plus all the fonts my heart desires.

Does not look like that's going to happen. So it looks like I bought the T2 for nothing, and I might as well start looking at using my Kobo, once again. That at least is easy to modify with KOReader.


Quoth:

"The T2 respects embedded fonts, such as already in an ebook, or added by Calibre."

...Except I already said I am fully aware of that option and do not wish to modify all my epubs. I just want to root my Sony reader. I know this -was- possible, regardless of firmware version. But the Russian source links no longer work, and neither do the others I've tried.

"Coolreader is pointless & inferior to the default stock T2."

In terms of actually reading a book, you couldn't possibly be more wrong about that.

"The T2 is certainly OK, but it's not the best reader ever. Any 300 dpi Paperwhite is a better screen and especially any 300 dpi mono Kobo with stock reader is better if you use Calibre."

The appeal of a reader is more than just the number of DPI's it can produce. But that much is subjective. The quality of text the Sony's can produce is fine, by me. The font used and size is more significant than dots per inch. For someone who needs to read small text or cares about picture detail, it might matter more.

"If you need a larger font then the T2 is a waste of money. "

A completely meaningless statement. I don't even know what that's -supposed- to mean. I have had numerous Sony reader models over the years, including a T2 for over ten. I always use large fonts, and it worked perfectly fine on all of my Sony readers.

Maybe you're confused and meant to say "small" fonts. That's more understandable, if your argument is the DPI is too low for small fonts.

Anyway, as I mentioned already, it's not just font size that matters to me. It's formatting options like kerning, hyphenation, line spacing, margins, etc. All that and more that is available through Coolreader and FBReader, on a rooted T2/T1.

Oh and my T2 battery is not near the end of its life, so I don't know what you're talking about. I've never had a Sony reader battery fail on me yet. Nor am I worried if ever it does. They are replaceable, you realize? Doesn't cost much either. I replaced one in a Kobo Glo once with a generic equivalent, no problem.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Skinjob

I already have a directory called fonts, I already tried adding fonts to it. As you must know, that alone won't do it. And as I said, I do not wish to modify all my epubs with all the fonts I might want to use, nor debate that fact or exactly how long it will take.

That said, this is the first I've heard of this "RMSDK" option. So I asked ChatGPT about it, and it said:

"Practical conclusion

On stock firmware v1.1xxx5240, there is no supported way to add new fonts globally without modifying ePubs. The RMSDK hack route exists but requires low-level modifications and is not trivial."

Then there was some stuff about how you can brick your device, with this hack. I take the "not trivial" advice seriously. In any case, I do not have a T1, so I do not need code for that. I have a PRS-T2, as mentioned.

I really just came to see if someone can point me to where I can download a copy of rupor's AMR (Absolute Minimal Root) files, or open the minimal-root-zeam zip, so's I can root my T2, and install cool reader. Plus all the fonts my heart desires.

Does not look like that's going to happen. So it looks like I bought the T2 for nothing, and I might as well start looking at using my Kobo, once again. That at least is easy to modify with KOReader.

ChatGPT has it all WRONG. The hack is very easy to do. You just use Modify ePub to add the extra CSS code to all of the ePub you want and voila. The code will NOT brick your T2 and it will work. The T2 has the same version RMSDK that the T1 has. The non-trivial bit and the bit about bricking are 100% BS.

When I am at the laptop later today, I'll get the code. You'll have to try to see which code works. But what I need from you is the filenames of the font you want to use that you've put in the fonts directory that you created from the root. The code cannot brick your T2. The worst that can happen is that it won't work. But if it doesn't wors, that means it's the wrong code.

[Quoth]

All the LLM chatbots often produce plausible junk, and use a massive amount of energy and cooling water to do it.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

...
You'll have to try to see which code works. But what I need from you is the filenames of the font you want to use that you've put in the fonts directory that you created from the root. The code cannot brick your T2. The worst that can happen is that it won't work. But if it doesn't work, that means it's the wrong code.

Absolutely. It's simple and far safer than trying to root the T2 and then run Coolreader, which is not a good app, even if Coolreader runs on the T2.


There are ereaders I've used and between 5 and 10 years the battery dies. Eventually the ereader is so old that the replacement batteries (actually an LiPoly cell) are really old and you might get 3 months to a year. LiPoly cells wear out with age, elevated temperature and total number of cycles.

The T2 is a nice ereader, but now ancient, maybe the best 6″ Sony based on Android. Any Kobo after the Kobo Touch and Mini is better, though the older ones are now having battery issues. I put a 32 G SD card in the T2.

I think the Kobo Aura HD H20 might be the oldest worth getting as has recent FW support and there are still compatible LiPoly cells being made (rather than old stock that will die) that suit it. It also takes a 32 G SD card, though less securely than the Sony T2 if the rubber sealed hatch opens.

[Skinjob]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

ChatGPT has it all WRONG. The hack is very easy to do.

Are you sure it's ChatGPT that has it all wrong? Because I asked for a second opinion from Gemini. Wait, you're gonna love this...

"Can RMSDK be installed on a PRS-T2?

Gemini:
The short answer is no, you cannot directly install RMSDK on a Sony PRS-T2. Here’s why:

It’s a Development Kit: RMSDK is intended for developers, not end-users. It’s a collection of libraries and code that needs to be compiled and integrated into the e-reader’s firmware.
Firmware Integration: The RMSDK is deeply embedded within the e-reader’s operating system (firmware). It’s not a standalone application that you can simply install.
Proprietary: Adobe’s DRM technology is proprietary and requires licensing agreements with device manufacturers. The PRS-T2 already has the licensed and integrated Adobe RMSDK version that Sony chose to include in the original firmware.
No User-Installable Version: Adobe doesn’t provide a user-installable version of RMSDK. The technology is designed to be implemented by the device manufacturer.
PRS-T2 Already Has It: The PRS-T2 already comes with a version of RMSDK pre-installed to handle Adobe DRM-protected books."

Part 2:

Gemini: "What Problem Are You Trying to Solve?"

The problem of not being able to have additional fonts with the sony PRS-T2. Someone told me that I can install the extra fonts using RMSDK, and that it is, quote, "easy to do". And also perfectly safe. Are they full of BS or what?

Yes, with all due respect to the person who told you that, they are absolutely full of BS. It is completely inaccurate and misleading to suggest that you can install extra fonts on a Sony PRS-T2 using RMSDK, and that it’s easy and safe.

Let’s break down why:...."



JSWolf:

You just use Modify ePub to add the extra CSS code to all of the ePub you want and voila. The code will NOT brick your T2 and it will work. The T2 has the same version RMSDK that the T1 has. The non-trivial bit and the bit about bricking are 100% BS.

Ok, I said this in my very first post on this query, my very last post, and in between: I do not, that's NOT, want to inject code into hundreds or thousands of my ePubs and PDF files. I also said I didn't want to debate my choice. So I thought that was perfectly clear, by now. Because you said I wouldn't have to, with your "RMSDK" hack. Now you're saying different.

Thank you for you offer of code, but no thank you. I have no intention of messing with all my hundreds of ePub files, trying to inject code for two dozen fonts into each one, then erasing them from my reader and its sdCard, then rebuilding the entire library in my reader and SDcard with the same books.

As I said, I want to be able to choose different fonts on the fly, for different e-books, from a menu. Just like you can do on the Sony's standard reader app. Just like you can do in Coolreader, FBReader, etc.

If you have to try and hack all of your ePubs to do this, then simply put, it's not worth it. For one, it could mess things up royally in all your books and even if all goes well it will, at the very least, take up more space on your limited storage. Might as well get a crappy e-reader like the Kobo (or worse, Kindle), in that case, if you can't root your Sony.

As I said, my goal was not just to add more fonts. I just wanted, and still want, either rupor's AMR files, or the password to his files, so I can root my late firmware Sony T2. Which gives access to much more than fonts, but kerning and other formatting options.

Quoth:

"All the LLM chatbots often produce plausible junk, and use a massive amount of energy and cooling water to do it. "

Holy jeepers, you couldn't possibly be more wrong in what you say, once again. ChatGPT has helped me with everything from amplifier repair to my medical issues. And I can say this much: it has helped me more to get those elusive AMR T2 exploit files I've been after than anyone on this forum.

As to this ridiculous environmental argument, I'm sure you go to work every day in a car. Most people do, despite the harm to the environment. Like a million other things people do, such as producing and disposing trash, that is not beneficial to the environment. At any rate, you're not going to convince anyone on earth to stop using AI on the basis that they are ruining the planet. So I don't know why you're trying.


"There are ereaders I've used and between 5 and 10 years the battery dies. Eventually the ereader is so old that the replacement batteries (actually an LiPoly cell) are really old and you might get 3 months to a year."

My T2 is from 2012 and going strong on the original battery. Do the math. You got it wrong again. And as I already said yesterday, it's like $12 to buy a new battery for the Sony Reader. You can't afford $12 or what exactly are you complaining about here?

"The T2 is a nice ereader, but now ancient, maybe the best 6″ Sony based on Android. "


Waddaya know, wrong again. Let's not make this a habit, Qoth. The Sony PRS-T3 (which I also have), is widely considered to be the best Sony Android reader. And to some, the best Sony reader period, for its screen resolution, color, speed, and compact size. Can't run Coolreader on it, though. So it's of little use to me.

Oh looky-look, Good E-Reader reviewed it again only a year ago, and says it still holds up today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp4WqMoQM2U

[JSWolf]

@Skinjob, here is the different code for you to try. Jut change the name of the fonts to match that of the fonts you've put in the fonts directory.

At first, put this code in manually to see what happens. You will have to rename the fonts as what's here for the font names is incorrect.

body {
  font-family: georgia, serif;
  widows: 0;
  orphans: 0;
  margin-top: 0;
  margin-bottom: 0;
  margin-left: 0;
  margin-right: 0;
  text-align: justify;
}
@font-face {
font-family: georgia;
font-weight: normal;
font-style: normal;
src: url(res:///Data/fonts/GenBkBasR.ttf)
}
@font-face {
font-family: georgia;
font-weight: bold;
font-style: normal;
src: url(res:///Data/fonts/GenBkBasB.ttf)
}
@font-face {
font-family: georgia;
font-weight: normal;
font-style: italic;
src: url(res:///Data/fonts/GenBkBasI.ttf)
}
@font-face {
font-family:georgia;
font-weight: bold;
font-style: italic;
src: url(res:///Data/fonts/GenBkBasBI.ttf)
}

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Skinjob

Are you sure it's ChatGPT that has it all wrong? Because I asked for a second opinion from Gemini. Wait, you're gonna love this...

"Can RMSDK be installed on a PRS-T2?

Gemini:
The short answer is no, you cannot directly install RMSDK on a Sony PRS-T2. Here’s why:

It’s a Development Kit: RMSDK is intended for developers, not end-users. It’s a collection of libraries and code that needs to be compiled and integrated into the e-reader’s firmware.
Firmware Integration: The RMSDK is deeply embedded within the e-reader’s operating system (firmware). It’s not a standalone application that you can simply install.
Proprietary: Adobe’s DRM technology is proprietary and requires licensing agreements with device manufacturers. The PRS-T2 already has the licensed and integrated Adobe RMSDK version that Sony chose to include in the original firmware.
No User-Installable Version: Adobe doesn’t provide a user-installable version of RMSDK. The technology is designed to be implemented by the device manufacturer.
PRS-T2 Already Has It: The PRS-T2 already comes with a version of RMSDK pre-installed to handle Adobe DRM-protected books."

Part 2:

Gemini: "What Problem Are You Trying to Solve?"

The problem of not being able to have additional fonts with the sony PRS-T2. Someone told me that I can install the extra fonts using RMSDK, and that it is, quote, "easy to do". And also perfectly safe. Are they full of BS or what?

Yes, with all due respect to the person who told you that, they are absolutely full of BS. It is completely inaccurate and misleading to suggest that you can install extra fonts on a Sony PRS-T2 using RMSDK, and that it’s easy and safe.

Let’s break down why:...."



JSWolf:

You just use Modify ePub to add the extra CSS code to all of the ePub you want and voila. The code will NOT brick your T2 and it will work. The T2 has the same version RMSDK that the T1 has. The non-trivial bit and the bit about bricking are 100% BS.

Ok, I said this in my very first post on this query, my very last post, and in between: I do not, that's NOT, want to inject code into hundreds or thousands of my ePubs and PDF files. I also said I didn't want to debate my choice. So I thought that was perfectly clear, by now. Because you said I wouldn't have to, with your "RMSDK" hack. Now you're saying different.

Thank you for you offer of code, but no thank you. I have no intention of messing with all my hundreds of ePub files, trying to inject code for two dozen fonts into each one, then erasing them from my reader and its sdCard, then rebuilding the entire library in my reader and SDcard with the same books.

As I said, I want to be able to choose different fonts on the fly, for different e-books, from a menu. Just like you can do on the Sony's standard reader app. Just like you can do in Coolreader, FBReader, etc.

If you have to try and hack all of your ePubs to do this, then simply put, it's not worth it. For one, it could mess things up royally in all your books and even if all goes well it will, at the very least, take up more space on your limited storage. Might as well get a crappy e-reader like the Kobo (or worse, Kindle), in that case, if you can't root your Sony.

As I said, my goal was not just to add more fonts. I just wanted, and still want, either rupor's AMR files, or the password to his files, so I can root my late firmware Sony T2. Which gives access to much more than fonts, but kerning and other formatting options.

Quoth:

"All the LLM chatbots often produce plausible junk, and use a massive amount of energy and cooling water to do it. "

Holy jeepers, you couldn't possibly be more wrong in what you say, once again. ChatGPT has helped me with everything from amplifier repair to my medical issues. And I can say this much: it has helped me more to get those elusive AMR T2 exploit files I've been after than anyone on this forum.

As to this ridiculous environmental argument, I'm sure you go to work every day in a car. Most people do, despite the harm to the environment. Like a million other things people do, such as producing and disposing trash, that is not beneficial to the environment. At any rate, you're not going to convince anyone on earth to stop using AI on the basis that they are ruining the planet. So I don't know why you're trying.


"There are ereaders I've used and between 5 and 10 years the battery dies. Eventually the ereader is so old that the replacement batteries (actually an LiPoly cell) are really old and you might get 3 months to a year."

My T2 is from 2012 and going strong on the original battery. Do the math. You got it wrong again. And as I already said yesterday, it's like $12 to buy a new battery for the Sony Reader. You can't afford $12 or what exactly are you complaining about here?

"The T2 is a nice ereader, but now ancient, maybe the best 6″ Sony based on Android. "


Waddaya know, wrong again. Let's not make this a habit, Qoth. The Sony PRS-T3 (which I also have), is widely considered to be the best Sony Android reader. And to some, the best Sony reader period, for its screen resolution, color, speed, and compact size. Can't run Coolreader on it, though. So it's of little use to me.

Oh looky-look, Good E-Reader reviewed it again only a year ago, and says it still holds up today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp4WqMoQM2U

You can't do what you want to do. You cannot choose from a menu of external fonts. Accessing the external fonts is the best you can do on a T2. You do have to add these code into every ePub once you know it works. There is nothing else you can do. CoolReader is pretty lousy. Because you would have to run such an old version, it's going to be worse then lousy. CoolReader does not respect the CSS. It's a disaster for trying to read eBooks. The version of RMSDK on your T2 is much better. With the code I'm giving you (if it
s the correct code), will work much much better.

If you want to use different fonts for different eBooks, you just have to change the code to change the font file names and use Modify ePub on those ePub you want that font.

You are making this much more difficult for yourself. As to your question about installing RMSDK, RMSDK is already installed on the T2. It's the reading software.

You asked Gemini and Gemini is 100% full of crap. It's all wrong. I've done this before and it's worked with my 650, T1, and Kobo Aura H20 all running some version RMSDK. Using the code I posted is easy and safe. It will not brick anything. If I've given you the wrong code, the worst that will happen is it will just not work. And if that's the case, I'll give you different code to try until I find the proper code that works.

[Quoth]

The T3 is almost non-existent. Few sold.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by Skinjob

Holy jeepers, you couldn't possibly be more wrong in what you say, once again. ChatGPT has helped me with everything from amplifier repair to my medical issues. And I can say this much: it has helped me more to get those elusive AMR T2 exploit files I've been after than anyone on this forum.

LLMs hallucinate. It's a well-known and acknowledged fact. Google LLM hallucination, if you don't believe me. So I wouldn't depend on them for medical advice, if I were you.

Oh looky-look, Good E-Reader reviewed it again only a year ago, and says it still holds up today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp4WqMoQM2U

You believe that LLMs always tell the truth, and you believe Good E-Reader. Really.

[JSWolf]

@Skinjob, don't believe the AIs. They are wrong. The information I gave you is correct. It's the easiest way to use the fonts you want outside of embedding the fonts.