"Main Version is older" fix

---

What is this thread about?

There is a known issue where some N1 phones cannot be flashed via the PASSIMG method because their boot loader says "Main version is older!" and stops.


Why is this a problem anyway?

If your bootloader is locked, you cannot flash the stock ROM easily.
If your bootloader is unlocked, you still cannot flash all partitions via fastboot. (A lot of partitions are protected for writing).


What is the "Main Version"?

The Main Version is a string value read and used by the bootloader. It's stored either in the boot loader image itself, or in the misc partition.
You can see your phone's Main Version by bringing it in fastboot mode and executing the following command:

$ fastboot getvar mainver
mainver: 2.18.1700.1
$

And what is older than what?

Every PASSIMG.ZIP file contains a android-info.txt file that dictates to the bootloader, among other things, the main version that this PASSIMG will bring the phone to. For example, for the commonly used FRG33 PASSIMG file, the main version is 2.16.1700.1. So, the main version on the PASSIMG file is older than the main version of the bootloader on the phone.


So, the phone will be downgraded with that PASSIMG, what's the problem?

Ask HTC or Google that question. I give up on trying to understand why they do not allow downgrading on a dev phone that can officially be unlocked.


Why does this affect only a batch of N1 and not all of them?

I can only speculate on this. It certainly means different production batches with different bootloaders.
This could be due to SLCD vs AMOLED, or an other production differentiation that was never made public by HTC.


So, we need a PASSIMG file stating version 2.18.1700.1 or later, right?

Yes, that's correct. It also is your lucky day, I have digged up such a file online after a week of searching (yes, it was that hard to find it) and I have mirrored it.
Here you go:
PASSIMG_Passion_Google_WWE_2.18.1700.1_FRG83_relea se_signed.zip

Happy flashing

I'll try it out, the main version is updated for all refurbished HTC Nexus One's from starting a couple of months ago, and I can confirm it.has nothing to do with AMOLED vs SLCD.

Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Originally Posted by georgemv

[snip]

So, we need a PASSIMG file stating version 2.18.1700.1 or later, right?

Yes, that's correct. It also is your lucky day, I have digged up such a file online after a week of searching (yes, it was that hard to find it) and I have mirrored it.
Here you go:
PASSIMG_Passion_Google_WWE_2.18.1700.1_FRG83_relea se_signed.zip

Happy flashing

Awesome find!!!!!


Sent from my Nexus One using XDA Premium App

Excellent news!!!

Great! Downloading it now.

FYI, I just checked my "Main Version" and it is 2.16.1700.1, which I guess is why I have never had an issue with my device recognizing the leaked FRG33 shipped ROM.

UPDATE

Didn't work for me for some reason. It completely skips over everything, like there was no PASSIMG.zip on the card on the first place...

I have the aforementioned MainVer (checked via fastboot) and I renamed it PASSIMG.zip

Tried it twice, downloaded it from the phone and from my computer.

If your phone skipping past, then it's likely that it's not seeing the file. Most common reason for this is because the file is named incorrectly (i.e. PASSIMG.zip.zip - because Windows may not display on of the zip extensions).

I know how extensions work :P
Will try again tomorrow, maybe from Ubuntu or different laptop. I simply rename the downloaded file PASSIMG as it is a ZIP file.

Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Great! Works for me!!!