PRS-505 Downgrading european 505's to US firmware

dpierron · 04-16-2009, 09:35 AM

Hi folks,

As much as I love my new PRS-505, I wanted to try and use PrsCustomizer on it, to change the default fonts, add a name tag and make it display the time.

Unfortunately, I bought it in France, and therefore it had a French 1.3.xxx, which made PrsCustomizer unhappy.

I needed to downgrade it to the US firmware, but the Sony Updater program refused to do it because my firmware version was higher than the US firmware version...

After meddling with the Updater, I found a (quite simple) way to make it update my Reader, which I share with you here :

download the Sony Updater program containing the US firmware (named PRS-505 Updater 1.1.00.18040.exe)
extract "PRS-505 Updater 1.1.00.18040.exe" to a new directory (it's a ZIP archive in disguise)

in this directory, edit the eBookUpdater\scripts\updater.xml file : search for the following :

Code:

if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) { this.checkmark.show(true) this.button.enable(false) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "This PRS-505 is up-to-date") } else { this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") }

and replace it by this :

Code:

this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue")

In fact, you are simply bypassing a test on the device version...

run the PRS-505 Updater.exe program and update your Reader

@moderators, please sticky this thread if you think it's worth it...

gwynevans · 04-20-2009, 05:33 AM

Hmm - alternatively, you could instead edit

Code:

eBookUpdater\assets\updaterAssets\PRSVersion.dat

and change the version number it thinks it's installing (to a bigger number), which should satisfy the tests.

Ea · 04-20-2009, 06:36 AM

I ran the PrsCustomizer on the version 1.2 firmware (UK version I think) with no problems. Are there known problems with 1.3?

PJ45 · 07-03-2009, 06:57 PM

thanks, gwynevans, seemed to be a very simple task. I did change the version number to a bigger number (25201), instead of 1840. into the sony update .the software passed the version check ok - but when trying to make a new image (5) the unit say "sorry, this firmware version is not supported. 505.1.1.00.1840
what did I missed?

PJ45 · 07-03-2009, 07:02 PM

dpieron. I tried your technic but when runing the software after accepting, the software panel becomes all grey and then nothing happen. I waited 10 minutes and stopped the process.
I am not a programer but I think Id did copy your instruction to the letter.. what went wrong?

this.image.brighten() this.container.setVariable("deviceVersion", version) if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) {(this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") } var notificationShown = this.container.getVariable("notificationShown")

PJ45 · 07-03-2009, 07:09 PM

gwynevans, I meant the update went fine with the supposely sony 1840 version renamed 25201. What was refused is the customizer' update that is using the version 1840. so do I have to trick also the customizer? I would not know where...thanks for your help!

PJ45 · 07-04-2009, 09:06 AM

Dpieron, I am still trying to figure it out, my version is 1.1.01.25200 but I think its the same problem since it is higher than the sony update 1.1.0.18040.
I am trying the run the PRSCustomizer version 1.0.0..
I tried your trick as explain above but it still does not work. (runig software give my a grey square windows instead.

I understand your are replacing the full line with the same end of it ? so it's the same as erasing the begining << { this.checkmark.show(true) this.button.enable(false) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "This PRS-505 is up-to-date") } >> isn't it? or should I keep the sign " {... } ' ???
this is what I replaced the whole you mentioned line with:
if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) {(this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") }

gwynevans · 07-04-2009, 03:14 PM

The edit I refer to is in the Sony executable, which should then allow you to reflash your 505 to V1.1.0.18040. After you're done that, you can use the PRSCustomizer. The reason for that is that the PRSCustomizer merges certain files it has, with the firmware on the device. It restricts itself to firmware versions it knows & it's not going to be safe to merge the files with other firmware versions in case there are differences.

PJ45 · 07-04-2009, 04:06 PM

i UNDERSTAND. i DID THAT IT WORKED, i COULD UPDATE TP THE SONY VERSION 1.1..0. 1804O.
When running the prscustomizer, the screen flashes once and comes back to normal when it was.. no way to initiate the customizer.is my SDcard, defective?

PJ45 · 07-04-2009, 06:53 PM

THANK YOU GUYS, YOU ARE THE GREATEST!
i FINALLY MADE IT WORKING...

(I do understand faST , the problem is you have to explain a long time! )
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY USA

Randalf · 07-22-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwynevans

Hmm - alternatively, you could instead edit

Code:

eBookUpdater\assets\updaterAssets\PRSVersion.dat

and change the version number it thinks it's installing (to a bigger number), which should satisfy the tests.

I made EXACTLY like this and worked like a charm!!!!
I downgraded from 1.4xxxxx (german) to the latest US firmware.

cheers!

BlackVoid · 08-04-2009, 10:27 AM

There is an easier way, with PRSCutomizer (loaded onto an SD card) select Firmware upgrade mode, then you can upgrade with the official patch.

monkeyman · 02-10-2010, 03:44 PM

if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) { this.checkmark.show(true) this.button.enable(false) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "This PRS-505 is up-to-date") } else { this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") }

Change the first false to true and it will always give you the option to update.

if you advance to a newer madeup version to pass the check, you can't run some of the universal flashers as it won't recog your version number.

B

PS: thanks for the tip as to unzip and which file has the boolean test.

gwundil · 08-29-2012, 06:15 AM

Works in Linux, too, although I had to use virtualbox to run the Updater.exe, wine just froze. Now I'm finally able to use prs-plus and folders, making my
reader about 10 times more user-friendly.

Cool solution, many thanks, dpierron!

04-16-2009, 09:35 AM	#1
dpierron calibre2opds guru Posts: 533 Karma: 8792 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Metz, France Device: iPhone, iPad, PRS-650	Downgrading european 505's to US firmware Hi folks, As much as I love my new PRS-505, I wanted to try and use PrsCustomizer on it, to change the default fonts, add a name tag and make it display the time. Unfortunately, I bought it in France, and therefore it had a French 1.3.xxx, which made PrsCustomizer unhappy. I needed to downgrade it to the US firmware, but the Sony Updater program refused to do it because my firmware version was higher than the US firmware version... After meddling with the Updater, I found a (quite simple) way to make it update my Reader, which I share with you here : download the Sony Updater program containing the US firmware (named PRS-505 Updater 1.1.00.18040.exe) extract "PRS-505 Updater 1.1.00.18040.exe" to a new directory (it's a ZIP archive in disguise) in this directory, edit the eBookUpdater\scripts\updater.xml file : search for the following : Code: if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) { this.checkmark.show(true) this.button.enable(false) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "This PRS-505 is up-to-date") } else { this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") } and replace it by this : Code: this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") In fact, you are simply bypassing a test on the device version... run the PRS-505 Updater.exe program and update your Reader @moderators, please sticky this thread if you think it's worth it... Last edited by dpierron; 04-19-2009 at 03:38 AM. Reason: modified the explanation so it is more generic...

04-20-2009, 05:33 AM	#2
gwynevans Wizzard Posts: 1,402 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: iPad 2, iPhone 6s, Kindle Voyage & Kindle PaperWhite	Hmm - alternatively, you could instead edit Code: eBookUpdater\assets\updaterAssets\PRSVersion.dat and change the version number it thinks it's installing (to a bigger number), which should satisfy the tests.

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04-20-2009, 06:36 AM	#3
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I ran the PrsCustomizer on the version 1.2 firmware (UK version I think) with no problems. Are there known problems with 1.3?

07-03-2009, 06:57 PM	#4
PJ45 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Frs 505	thanks, gwynevans, seemed to be a very simple task. I did change the version number to a bigger number (25201), instead of 1840. into the sony update .the software passed the version check ok - but when trying to make a new image (5) the unit say "sorry, this firmware version is not supported. 505.1.1.00.1840 what did I missed?

07-03-2009, 07:02 PM	#5
PJ45 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Frs 505	dpieron. I tried your technic but when runing the software after accepting, the software panel becomes all grey and then nothing happen. I waited 10 minutes and stopped the process. I am not a programer but I think Id did copy your instruction to the letter.. what went wrong? this.image.brighten() this.container.setVariable("deviceVersion", version) if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) {(this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") } var notificationShown = this.container.getVariable("notificationShown")

07-03-2009, 07:09 PM	#6
PJ45 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Frs 505	gwynevans, I meant the update went fine with the supposely sony 1840 version renamed 25201. What was refused is the customizer' update that is using the version 1840. so do I have to trick also the customizer? I would not know where...thanks for your help!

07-04-2009, 09:06 AM	#7
PJ45 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Frs 505	Dpieron, I am still trying to figure it out, my version is 1.1.01.25200 but I think its the same problem since it is higher than the sony update 1.1.0.18040. I am trying the run the PRSCustomizer version 1.0.0.. I tried your trick as explain above but it still does not work. (runig software give my a grey square windows instead. I understand your are replacing the full line with the same end of it ? so it's the same as erasing the begining << { this.checkmark.show(true) this.button.enable(false) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "This PRS-505 is up-to-date") } >> isn't it? or should I keep the sign " {... } ' ??? this is what I replaced the whole you mentioned line with: if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) {(this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") }

07-04-2009, 03:14 PM	#8
gwynevans Wizzard Posts: 1,402 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: iPad 2, iPhone 6s, Kindle Voyage & Kindle PaperWhite	The edit I refer to is in the Sony executable, which should then allow you to reflash your 505 to V1.1.0.18040. After you're done that, you can use the PRSCustomizer. The reason for that is that the PRSCustomizer merges certain files it has, with the firmware on the device. It restricts itself to firmware versions it knows & it's not going to be safe to merge the files with other firmware versions in case there are differences.

07-04-2009, 04:06 PM	#9
PJ45 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Frs 505	i UNDERSTAND. i DID THAT IT WORKED, i COULD UPDATE TP THE SONY VERSION 1.1..0. 1804O. When running the prscustomizer, the screen flashes once and comes back to normal when it was.. no way to initiate the customizer.is my SDcard, defective?

07-04-2009, 06:53 PM	#10
PJ45 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Frs 505	THANK YOU GUYS, YOU ARE THE GREATEST! i FINALLY MADE IT WORKING... (I do understand faST , the problem is you have to explain a long time! ) HAPPY 4TH OF JULY USA

08-04-2009, 10:27 AM	#12
BlackVoid Evangelist Posts: 415 Karma: 510423 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS-505	There is an easier way, with PRSCutomizer (loaded onto an SD card) select Firmware upgrade mode, then you can upgrade with the official patch.

02-10-2010, 03:44 PM	#13
monkeyman Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: sony 505	if (this.compareDeviceVersion(version)) { this.checkmark.show(true) this.button.enable(false) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "This PRS-505 is up-to-date") } else { this.checkmark.show(false) this.button.enable(true) this.container.setVariable("updateStatus", "Please click below to continue") } Change the first false to true and it will always give you the option to update. if you advance to a newer madeup version to pass the check, you can't run some of the universal flashers as it won't recog your version number. B PS: thanks for the tip as to unzip and which file has the boolean test.

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08-29-2012, 06:15 AM	#14
gwundil Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: PRS-505	Works in Linux, too, although I had to use virtualbox to run the Updater.exe, wine just froze. Now I'm finally able to use prs-plus and folders, making my reader about 10 times more user-friendly. Cool solution, many thanks, dpierron!