New firmware for the Sony Reader 505: NOW! - Page 7

NatCh · 02-29-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I did make a new image that changes dutch roman BT for times new roman. I'll see if I want to risk it or not.

I'd wait -- the only time I ever crashed my 500 with a re-flash was replacing fonts, the thing is really picky on fonts, evidently.

Ervserver · 02-29-2008, 12:01 PM

I never installed the Sony software when I purchased my 505, wonder if I'll have to in order to install the any new firmware from Sony that comes out?

JSWolf · 02-29-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porkupan

As long as you remembered to use the correct file name and the Font Family name you should be safe. But If you use eBookLib to load your books, the fonts in eBookLib and in the Reader must be the same, otherwise you will have page formatting problems.

What program should I use to change the font name? I'm using WindowsXP.

JSWolf · 02-29-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porkupan

Yes, there is a CRAMFS Tools package that can be run in Command Window. I believe this is it.

Worked perfectly. Even allows me to rebuild a new image. Now I just need to figure out how to rename the font internally.

igorsk · 02-29-2008, 12:35 PM

Even if it seems to rebuild the image successfully, it doesn't mean you Reader won't get bricked. One of the-ebook.org members bricked his Reader because mkcramfs didn't set proper permissions for one of the executables.

gwynevans · 02-29-2008, 12:36 PM

If you've not used it before, there's a time-limited demo of FontCreator available for download that will let you do that.

JSWolf · 02-29-2008, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwynevans

If you've not used it before, there's a time-limited demo of FontCreator available for download that will let you do that.

I do have the FontCreator demo. It's expired. Didn't realize this till after I renamed the font. But, the odd thing was that even thought the save option doesn't work, when I exited, it asked if I wanted to save and it saved. LOL!

JSWolf · 02-29-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

I'd wait -- the only time I ever crashed my 500 with a re-flash was replacing fonts, the thing is really picky on fonts, evidently.

I could try the hack that does a temp font replacement to see if that works.

porkupan · 02-29-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I could try the hack that does a temp font replacement to see if that works.

Very good idea.

If the temp font replacement works, you got yourself a good font, and you can replace it.

But if it doesn't, at least the Reader won't be bricked, you just reset it.

As far as rebuilding the image, I use Cygwin and Linux, but Windows should be OK. However, we have examples of bricked Readers out at the-ebook.org. Thankfully (obelix!) there is a way to unbrick, but it involves disassembling and making a serial cable connection.

hybernation · 02-29-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revmike

Well I gathered up the nerves and did the flash with the icons, unified menu font and the clock. Thanks gwynevans for the step by step instructions.

Ditto for me. Took the plunge just now (really felt that clock was a must-have after reading ebooks on various PDA devices for the last 7 years!).

I must say the new menu font (and icons) give this thing a much cleaner and more professional look to it.

Thanks to all those who made this possible. Doubt I will even bother with the Sony firmware update (if/when it happens), especially if it doesn't have the clock!

Sportsman · 03-05-2008, 03:31 PM

I seem to be having problems with this. I unzipped the archive to an SD card, then I plug the SD card into my 505, but nothing happens. Pressing "6" just takes me to the Bookmarks menu as usual.

I'm pretty good with stuff like this usually, but I seem to be at a bit of a loss as to what's going wrong here.

Any ideas?

gwynevans · 03-05-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportsman

I seem to be having problems with this. I unzipped the archive to an SD card, then I plug the SD card into my 505, but nothing happens. Pressing "6" just takes me to the Bookmarks menu as usual.

If it's working you'll see an obvious non-Sony 'menu' page. You've not unzipped it into a sub-folder, have you? The root of the SD card should have the following...

Code:

bin/
files/
Sony Reader/
flash_opt.sh
libfskLoad.so
make_opt.sh
mcopy
mtools.conf
myvm2.xml
new_opt.img
readme.PRS500.txt
readme.PRS505.txt
script.sh

If it has, try reformatting the SD card to FAT/FAT16 & re-copy?

Sportsman · 03-05-2008, 04:04 PM

I just tried it using a Memory Stick Pro Duo card instead and it worked fine. Strange. I did not format the SD card FAT16; maybe that was the issue, although my reader had been using it fine previously for book storage.

Anyway, I have the new image up and running now, looks great!

shousa · 03-05-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Maybe I need to update my Daemon Tools.

If you update daemon tools from the old freeware version you will suddenly have a trial version and need to pay to use beyond the trial period......I think I read something like that ages ago.

JSWolf · 03-05-2008, 07:21 PM

What is the last free version in case I need to get it back again?

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02-29-2008, 12:01 PM	#92
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	I never installed the Sony software when I purchased my 505, wonder if I'll have to in order to install the any new firmware from Sony that comes out?

02-29-2008, 12:35 PM	#95
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Even if it seems to rebuild the image successfully, it doesn't mean you Reader won't get bricked. One of the-ebook.org members bricked his Reader because mkcramfs didn't set proper permissions for one of the executables.

02-29-2008, 12:36 PM	#96
gwynevans Wizzard Posts: 1,402 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: iPad 2, iPhone 6s, Kindle Voyage & Kindle PaperWhite	If you've not used it before, there's a time-limited demo of FontCreator available for download that will let you do that.

03-05-2008, 03:31 PM	#101
Sportsman Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: none	I seem to be having problems with this. I unzipped the archive to an SD card, then I plug the SD card into my 505, but nothing happens. Pressing "6" just takes me to the Bookmarks menu as usual. I'm pretty good with stuff like this usually, but I seem to be at a bit of a loss as to what's going wrong here. Any ideas?

03-05-2008, 04:04 PM	#103
Sportsman Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: none	I just tried it using a Memory Stick Pro Duo card instead and it worked fine. Strange. I did not format the SD card FAT16; maybe that was the issue, although my reader had been using it fine previously for book storage. Anyway, I have the new image up and running now, looks great!

03-05-2008, 07:21 PM	#105
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,778 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	What is the last free version in case I need to get it back again?

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