Can I use Forma patched firmware on H2O?

Ned · 01-06-2021, 03:23 AM

Can I first say thank you to the people who have developed the patches.

I have just patched my new Forma and the instructions are as clear and unambiguous as any I've seen, so well done. And it works beautifully.

I've seen it mentioned a few times that the firmware on Kobos is exactly the same and device-independent, but that seems too good to be true and I hope you don't mind if I ask someone to confirm that I can apply exactly the same KoboRoot.tgz file to my Aura H2O as I have just applied to my Forma, to update the patched firmware I put on a couple of years ago? I'd hate to mess up my H2O.

Is it really as easy as that?

Thank you

ps67 · 01-06-2021, 04:40 AM

No. You have to download the firmware for Aura H2O (the same version You have on the device) and apply again the patches. Each device has its own firmware.

Ned · 01-06-2021, 05:14 AM

Thank you - I don't know how I got the idea that they were all the same, but I'm glad I asked.

geek1011 · 01-06-2021, 05:24 AM

Actually, yes you can, and this is unlikely to change in the future. Just make sure you install the full firmware first on both device.

Edit: And if it does change in the future, it will be mentioned in the release notes and will also require some restructuring of the automated tests on my part.

Edit 1: Currently, the only differences in full firmware packages are in the upgrade folder and a few kernel modules, config files, and scripts. Nickel itself is identical.

Ned · 01-06-2021, 05:29 AM

Oh! That's why I got that idea!

Thank you geek1011, as you are one of the patch-creators, I'll take your advice

I'd forgotten about installing the regular firmware first though, and since I've not updated my H2O firmware since new, I'll do that first.

Thanks again.

JSWolf · 01-06-2021, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

Oh! That's why I got that idea!

Thank you geek1011, as you are one of the patch-creators, I'll take your advice

I'd forgotten about installing the regular firmware first though, and since I've not updated my H2O firmware since new, I'll do that first.

Thanks again.

Your Kobo has to be running the same firmware version as you are patching. If not, you can brick the device and you would then need to do a factory reset to fix it.

Ned · 01-06-2021, 07:25 AM

A quick follow-up if I may please.

After installing the patch, I have changed a few of the settings and generated a new patch.
Can this be installed right over the previous one, or do I need to start again from the Kobo firmware as issued?

JSWolf · 01-06-2021, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

A quick follow-up if I may please.

After installing the patch, I have changed a few of the settings and generated a new patch.
Can this be installed right over the previous one, or do I need to start again from the Kobo firmware as issued?

You can install over the previously patched firmware. I've done it trying to get some settings as I want.

Ned · 01-06-2021, 08:23 AM

Thanks Jon

JSWolf · 01-06-2021, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned

Thanks Jon

Your welcome.

ps67 · 01-06-2021, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps67

No. You have to download the firmware for Aura H2O (the same version You have on the device) and apply again the patches. Each device has its own firmware.

Sorry I was wrong, so the various firmware for the various device are the same?

NiLuJe · 01-06-2021, 10:58 AM

The KoboRoot tarballs generated by the patch tools are *currently* universal.

Full, official updates are *NOT*, on the other hand.

jackie_w · 01-06-2021, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps67

Sorry I was wrong, so the various firmware for the various device are the same?

kobopatch only changes between 1 and 4 files. Those 4 specific files are the same (currently) for all Kobo models.

geek1011 · 01-06-2021, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You can install over the previously patched firmware. I've done it trying to get some settings as I want.

That's correct, and it's also the recommended way to do it.

Ned · 01-07-2021, 06:59 AM

For completeness, just confirming Forma and H2O both now fully updated and patched

You guys made it easy, thank you.

01-06-2021, 03:23 AM	#1
Ned Ebook reader Posts: 389 Karma: 5899335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: York, England Device: Kobo Aura H2O (ed 2, v1), Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra 2	Can I use Forma patched firmware on H2O? Can I first say thank you to the people who have developed the patches. I have just patched my new Forma and the instructions are as clear and unambiguous as any I've seen, so well done. And it works beautifully. I've seen it mentioned a few times that the firmware on Kobos is exactly the same and device-independent, but that seems too good to be true and I hope you don't mind if I ask someone to confirm that I can apply exactly the same KoboRoot.tgz file to my Aura H2O as I have just applied to my Forma, to update the patched firmware I put on a couple of years ago? I'd hate to mess up my H2O. Is it really as easy as that? Thank you

01-06-2021, 05:24 AM	#4
geek1011 Wizard Posts: 2,801 Karma: 6990707 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Aura Edition 2 v1, Clara HD	Actually, yes you can, and this is unlikely to change in the future. Just make sure you install the full firmware first on both device. Edit: And if it does change in the future, it will be mentioned in the release notes and will also require some restructuring of the automated tests on my part. Edit 1: Currently, the only differences in full firmware packages are in the upgrade folder and a few kernel modules, config files, and scripts. Nickel itself is identical. Last edited by geek1011; 01-06-2021 at 05:32 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Forma Info on Forma Firmware update	RobertAppleton	Kobo Reader	1	12-02-2020 06:12 PM
Kobo Libra H2O announced: a 7" Forma at $170	Barty	News	50	09-14-2019 01:47 PM
Forma issue after latest firmware update	Sonofrobot	Kobo Reader	1	04-24-2019 09:18 PM
how much snappier/faster is Forma vs 1st Aura H2O?	droopy	Kobo Reader	9	03-14-2019 08:47 PM
Forma Firmware 4.11.11911	MGlitch	Kobo Reader	69	11-01-2018 07:34 PM

01-06-2021, 04:40 AM	#2
ps67 Guru Posts: 753 Karma: 7025494 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Italy Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Elipsa, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Inkpad Color	No. You have to download the firmware for Aura H2O (the same version You have on the device) and apply again the patches. Each device has its own firmware.

01-06-2021, 05:14 AM	#3
Ned Ebook reader Posts: 389 Karma: 5899335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: York, England Device: Kobo Aura H2O (ed 2, v1), Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra 2	Thank you - I don't know how I got the idea that they were all the same, but I'm glad I asked.

01-06-2021, 05:29 AM	#5
Ned Ebook reader Posts: 389 Karma: 5899335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: York, England Device: Kobo Aura H2O (ed 2, v1), Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra 2	Oh! That's why I got that idea! Thank you geek1011, as you are one of the patch-creators, I'll take your advice I'd forgotten about installing the regular firmware first though, and since I've not updated my H2O firmware since new, I'll do that first. Thanks again.

01-06-2021, 07:25 AM	#7
Ned Ebook reader Posts: 389 Karma: 5899335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: York, England Device: Kobo Aura H2O (ed 2, v1), Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra 2	A quick follow-up if I may please. After installing the patch, I have changed a few of the settings and generated a new patch. Can this be installed right over the previous one, or do I need to start again from the Kobo firmware as issued?

01-06-2021, 08:23 AM	#9
Ned Ebook reader Posts: 389 Karma: 5899335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: York, England Device: Kobo Aura H2O (ed 2, v1), Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra 2	Thanks Jon

01-06-2021, 10:58 AM	#12
NiLuJe BLAM! Posts: 13,506 Karma: 26047190 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Paris, France Device: Kindle 2i, 3g, 4, 5w, PW, PW2, PW5; Kobo H2O, Forma, Elipsa, Sage, C2E	The KoboRoot tarballs generated by the patch tools are currently universal. Full, official updates are NOT, on the other hand.

01-07-2021, 06:59 AM	#15
Ned Ebook reader Posts: 389 Karma: 5899335 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: York, England Device: Kobo Aura H2O (ed 2, v1), Kobo Forma, Kobo Libra 2	For completeness, just confirming Forma and H2O both now fully updated and patched You guys made it easy, thank you.

Advert

Advert