[SIZE=+3]Frequently Asked Questions[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]ASUS GOOGLE NEXUS 7 – GROUPER & TILAPIA (WiFi & 3G)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]This a short list of frequently asked questions in this device forum and the answers often given as a response. It should serve as a starting point for gathering knowledge and finding solutions to many common problems. Please only post in this thread with feedback on how to improve this document. Do not post "Thank you" type responses. If you have additional questions or require more help, try to find an existing thread or create your own. Do not use this as a general help thread.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Q1:
Do I need a toolkit to root this bad boy?....?[/SIZE]
Its a Nexus, imo if you need a toolkit you're either not experienced enough for rooting or too lazy Toolkits are out there and they are really straight forward, but you should get to know how to use fastboot/adb in case you need it. If you don't know what you're doing, you shouldn't be mucking around with your $200+ toy in case you screw something up and don't know how to use ADB or fastboot to restore it
[SIZE=+1]Q2:
I'm thinking of getting this device/I'm new to this device. What are the main problems i should look out for? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Q3:
Which ROM/kernel/recovery etc. would be the best choice for me? [/SIZE]
No-one can answer this for you. We all have our favorites, so just test different ones out and see which you prefer.
[SIZE=+1]Q4:
When I flash my first custom ROM, how come I get stuck in a bootloop? [/SIZE]
While it's recommended that you always do a full wipe before installing, you HAVE to do a full wipe before installing your first ROM. If you don't, you N7 will not boot up.
[SIZE=+1]Q5:
I flashed a new kernel and when I change frequencies, it reverts to stock settings 1.3GHz after a while. WHY??? [/SIZE]
You need a patched PowerHAL. On a very basic level, after a while the stock google PowerHAL likes to revert a lot of settings to stock. This includes the CPU clock speeds, etc. I got my PowerHAL from here
http://imoseyon.host4droid.com/grouper/beta/
And I flashed the nofreq one. It will NOT change your frequency, ever. After you flash the PowerHAL, use your favourite app (I like tricksterMOD, but support your devs by buying their apps) to set your kernel settings, and set them on boot. This is the easiest way to get settings to stick.
OR
You could use an init.d script to set a maximum clock speed. This way, you will need a kernel/ROM that supports boot.img.
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=35493253&postcount=1366
This is a lot more difficult but it works
[SIZE=+1]Q6:
How much overclocking is too much? Am I damaging my device? [/SIZE]
No chips are created equally. Some can take more OC than others. It is fact that too much OC can shorten the life of your CPU. A general rule I have seen used a lot is to not go around 20-30% over the stock speed. That is around 1.5GHz which most kernels get up to. However, a lot of devices can take more and will go higher. See for yourself, just don't be stupid
[SIZE=+1]Q7:
What is the difference between x and y kernel governors/schedulers? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Q8:
I tried to boot my device into recovery from the bootloader and now it is stuck on the google screen. Is it bricked? [/SIZE]
No. Probably not. Chances are you're on an old bootloader, which has a bug that doesn't allow you to get into recovery from the BL without being connected to a computer. So, connect it to your computer, hold vol down/power for 10 secs to go back to the bootloader. You can go to the recovery from there.
[SIZE=+1]Q9:
On my HTC (whatever) I could transfer files onto my sdcard while in recovery. How do I do it on the N7? [/SIZE]
You can't drag/drop in recovery between your N7 and a PC. Either boot into android and transfer your files, or use ADB while in recovery.
"adb push nameoffile /data/media" or wherever your things are (beware of how many 0's there are on your sdcard).
[SIZE=+1]Q10:
My files on my "sdcard" appear under /data/media/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0/0. WHY so many 0's?? [/SIZE]
Ask Google. It’s got to do with the multiuser feature brought to android in 4.2. Ever user has their own folder, so you might have /0 and /1. If you're having troubles with it in recovery, I would update to the latest TWRP.
[SIZE=+1]Q11:
I’m trying to update my stock rooted modded N7 to 4.2 from 4.1.2 but it won't work. Help? [/SIZE]
You need to be running completely stock to update. So, you need to either flash a stock ROM or the stock image.
[SIZE=+1]Q12:
When I finish watching a video the screen goes weird. Its like, washed out or something. Is my device bricked? Is my screen bricked? [/SIZE]
No. Its the tegra smartdimmer. When your device is playing a video, the Tegra 3 automatically bumps up the contrast and dims the backlight, to save battery. This is a feature. To turn it off, either use a script or tricksterMOD (which is much easier).
[SIZE=+1]Q13:
Battery life on this kernel/ROM sux. I've been using it for half an hour and its dropped 30% already. Why? Restoring to my old kernel..[/SIZE]
When you flash a new ROM/kernel, you need to give it a few battery cycles before battery is reported accurately. So, flash the new kernel, drain it (not necessarily to 0%), charge it fully, drain it again, charge, then play around. Do not complain about battery or anything without doing a few cycles first.
[SIZE=+1]Q14:
I am about to flash another ROM. Do I have to full wipe or can I flash it on top? (Dirty flash).[/SIZE]
Usually you can probably dirty flash. But if it causes problems, don't report them. Best thing to do is to reflash the ROM with a full wipe and see if bugs persist. I always wipe when changing to a different ROM, but when updating a ROM i don't wipe usually.
[SIZE=+1]Q15:
Should I unlock the bootloader when I get the tablet if I am going to root it anyway?.[/SIZE]
I would say no. Because, if there is a problem you have sort of voided your warranty. I like to keep my devices for a month without rooting/unlocking them in case there is a fault or something. You should do the same, I’d hate to have a brand new device, root it and then find a fault and have voided your warranty. Companies can be sneaky and can probably try to avoid fixing your device under warranty if you tamper with it. However you could always relock and revert to stock, but it is much easier to be patient and make sure there are no problems
[SIZE=+1]Q16:
Will rooting my tablet make it faster/awesomer and have improve battery life?[/SIZE]
Short answer: no.
Long answer: nope.
Rooting alone will not change anything relateds to battery or performance. However custom ROMs, kernels and other mods will change things. For example flashing a more optimised kernel might improve performance, especially if you overclock it. Similarly, underclocking generally improves battery life. Of course it depends on what crap you have on your device too, but that's the general idea. Usually in the OP of a ROM/kernel thread, and in the comments you can get a good idea on whether it is optimized for battery, performance or a combination.
[SIZE=+1]Q17:
What’s difference between N7 “Grouper – Nakasi” and N7 3G “Tilapia – Nakasig”?.[/SIZE]
Wi-Fi (all models) = Nakasi - Grouper
3G/Wi-Fi = Nakasig - Tilapia
The Nakasi/Nakasig is the image (operating system)
and
the Grouper/Tilapia is the hardware build.
Because one of the files for the phone call apk is named "tilapia"
assert(getprop("ro.product.device") == "tilapia"
getprop("ro.build.product") == "tilapia".
[SIZE=+1]Q18:
Can I use same recovery for N7 “Grouper” and N7 3G “Tilapia”? [/SIZE]
Yes, but it is preferable to use a special recovery for the tilapia. You will find 3 special recoveries for Tilapia.
[SIZE=+1]Q19:
What's the difference between "Development" and "Original Development"?[/SIZE]
Here are the rough guidelines as to what should be placed in "Original Development":
*Official release of highly original and upstream custom ROMs (built from the ground up with significant original development within them).
*Official releases/development of such original ROMs, perhaps posted by the maintainer or their nominated person.
*A significant "first" in development for a device. This is something which took considerable time/effort and is generally accepted by developers to be non-trivial.
*Kernels which are built with beneficial changes that are not simply pulled from other kernels already available.
*Tools and utilities with a clear purpose, and which are well-made, and useful to users. They should have an element of originality, either in purpose or through significant improvement in the means of operation.
*Significant port of a ROM from one device to another, giving enhanced features or functionality to the users of the target device.
All other development work goes into "Android Development".
