How to root 1.4.1 (or any other version) using just an sdcard {easy}

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Indirect

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2011
2,346
3,001
Florida
This method uses the files and method to install CWM from Goncezilla I just threw together the method to flash superuser and I'll work on getting rid of


Features of this root: It installs su, superuser apk, gapps

Future Features: Suggest something.


Note: Windows instructions are in this post


Changelog:
2.2: Removed all additions, sticking with basics for now.
2.1: Removed unknown source fix, removed adw and homecatcher due to problems with Gapps.
2.0: Sets unknown sources to be allowed since B&N wanted to play "hard to get" with that. :) Enjoy guys.
1.5: Included adw and homecatcher apk's, NTHidden settings as well.
1.0 Initial zip / method release.
Linux only instructions (unless you substitute the instructions with a known windows equivalent)
1. Setup SDCard
Using a new SDCard (not one you have info stored on) make a new MSDOS partition table and add a 50 MB FAT32 partition as the first primary partition. Then make sure you enable to boot and lda flags.

Any SDCARD larger than 50 MB should work but I used an extra 2GB laying around. You can add other partitions to the card if you want, but it is not necessary to allocate the entire card. Any added partitions would need to be manually mounted on your Nook anyway.
I used GParted on my Ubuntu machine to do this but any formating tool should work.

2. Copy Files onto SDCard
You can grab the files I used here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dr6bqau194389te

Just UnZip the files directly to the root of the boot partition you created above (make sure flashing_boot.img, u-boot.bin, and boot.img are on the root not the folder SDCARD)

3. Insert SDCARD into NT
Now, with your NT powered off, eject the SDCARD you just created from your computer and insert it into the tablet. Then just turn it on and VOLA! You should now be in CWM!


Now you just need to download this zip file:
http://goo-inside.me/apps/Indirect/Nook_tablet/Flashable_Zips/Gapps_and_root.zip
just put onto the /mnt/media/ directory or you can push to /emmc/ while in CWM.



Credits:
loglud for taking the time to write instructions for windows.
ChainsDD for superuser and SU
Bauwkz for the exploit to be able to make a bootable sdcard
Nemith for the recovery
Goncezilla for the sdcard method (I didn't feel like typing it all out.)
Myself for the flashable zip.




Note: If anyone has 1.4.1 installed and uses this, I need a tester to see if the old package manager will work or not (it should.)

Don't mirror my files because I only use goo-inside to track download stats.

Proof it works (Screenshots)
jbhyecjSyiubZp.png

jDIykAyGSS9x5.png

jJFppURSrvDJ7.png
 
Last edited:

Maggot226

Senior Member
Dec 28, 2011
64
3
Peoria, IL
I've been looking for something like this for a long time, haha. Thank you soooo much. Question: how do you partition, and what exactly is the root part of said partition?
 
Last edited:

Indirect

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2011
2,346
3,001
Florida
If you don't have Linux installed, you can burn gparted to a live CD and then just use that to set flags and partition. No, I will not offer support. This is as simple as I can make it, be happy. Just burn gparted to a live CD, and add files to a USB so then you can still access the 2nd partition. This method isn't figured out in windows and that is a hell of a lot of work especially for an OS I don't use. Sorry guys. If someone knows a windows freeware solution, I can add it to the open.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
 
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tselling

Senior Member
Dec 12, 2006
315
119
I haven't had any luck rooting from CWM. I have CWM loaded on SD card. I tried with Gapps_and_root.zip both on internal and external SD card. After message "Installing update" I get "E:Error in /emmc/Gapps_and_root.zip (Status 0) Installation aborted.

Any thoughts on the problem? Thanks.

Note: Tablet is running version 1.4.0
 
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Indirect

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2011
2,346
3,001
Florida
hmm...I'll take a look at that zip.

edit: OOPS! Lol, I was using an outdated update-binary. Fixed zip is being uploaded right now. ^)^

edit2: Uploaded the fix. Same link as before.

Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
 
Last edited:

tselling

Senior Member
Dec 12, 2006
315
119
Also if it matters (not sure how many version of CWM may be out there) I have v5.5.0.4 of CWM on the sdcard.
 

Indirect

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2011
2,346
3,001
Florida
Description:
This is a image, and flasher for windows designed to make it so that anyone can flash make a magic SD card to load up CWM, and root their device. THIS IS A UNIVERSAL ROOT, AND CAN BE DONE ON ANY FIRMWARE.

Why:
There are way to many rooting methods out there for this device, and with so many rooting methods, it is very hard to help trouble shoot a device, and make it so that rooting is available to everyone. Also with the 1.4.1 breaking normal root, it is very hard to teach people how to flash back to the previous 1.4.0, without stepping them through it, and then they have to beat the gun, and root and block OTA's. Also there is a lot of "geometry" involved in making a bootable SD.

What is it?:
There are two things in this package, the first is a flasher, and an image. These can be used to flash an SD card from windows with CWM, as a bootable SD. The second package is a CWM flashable zip that will add su, superuser, gapps, and the side loading package to your Nook.

What do I need?:
You will need:
  • SD Card >2GB (all information will be lost, so back it up)
  • Windows
  • Nook Tablet (any Firmware)

Credits:
Loglud
Indirect
Nemith
Bauwks
Instructions:

  1. Download the packages listed in the download folder, and extract them to your desktop.
  2. extract ALL the files from the single zip.
    NOTE: Do not extract the .zip with superuser and su.
  3. Open the image flasher .exe, and browse for the .img that you extracted from the same zip
  4. Put your SD Card into your nook or reader, and select the drive letter from the drop down on the right.
  5. Press write, and wait
  6. Once it has completed open the SD Card from the Windows browser and place the .zip in the root of the SD card.
  7. Turn your Nook off.
  8. Turn your Nook on while holding both the N+Power button. Your device will turn on, and then turn off after holding it.
    NOTE: Do not let go of either button until your device has powered on and off again.
  9. Put the SD Card into your nook.
    NOTE: If it is already in there eject it and then put it back in.
  10. Power your Nook on normally.
  11. You will see a picture of N on the screen followed by a box with a white background followed by CWM booting up.
  12. Select flash update.zip.
  13. Select Select from SD card.
  14. Select your .zip
  15. Reboot device
    NOTE: Remove the SD card after your device reboots as if you don't it will continue to boot from the SD card.

Downloads:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dwwhzaixwwh2015
 
Last edited:

DeanGibson

Senior Member
Apr 30, 2011
530
364
Seattle, WA
Doesn't work here, but ...

...
1. Setup SDCard
Using a new SDCard (not one you have info stored on) make a new MSDOS partition table and add a 50 MB FAT32 partition as the first primary partition. Then make sure you enable to boot and lda flags.

Any SDCARD larger than 50 MB should work but I used an extra 2GB laying around. You can add other partitions to the card if you want, but it is not necessary to allocate the entire card. Any added partitions would need to be manually mounted on your Nook anyway.
I used GParted on my Ubuntu machine to do this but any formating tool should work.

2. Copy Files onto SDCard
You can grab the files I used here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dr6bqau194389te

Just UnZip the files directly to the root of the boot partition you created above (make sure flashing_boot.img, u-boot.bin, and boot.img are on the root not the folder SDCARD)

3. Insert SDCARD into NT
Now, with your NT powered off, eject the SDCARD you just created from your computer and insert it into the tablet. Then just turn it on and VOLA! You should now be in CWM!
Ever since I created the "v1.4.1 minimal root" procedure, I have been looking for a technique to "side-boot" the NT. A few days ago I saw "bauwks" method, but try as I might, I could not get that to work (using 1.4.1 u-boot.bin). So, when I saw yours this morning and saw that it uses the 1.4.0 u-boot.bin, I thought I'd give it a try. Didn't work. I even used "dd" to clear 5MB of the SDcard, reestablished the desired disk geometry (255 heads, 63 sectors/track), and created a LBA/bootable partition at the beginning of the SDcard, all with "fdisk" (via busybox). Still no SDcard boot.

Symptoms:

  1. With the SDcard (from above) inserted and the NT powered on, the NT shows a black screen for about 3 minutes, and then boots the internal memory.
  2. Removing MLO from the SDcard causes normal NT internal memory booting, so clearly the NT boot process is looking at the correct place on the SDcard (note that the MLO for 1.4.0 and 1.4.1 are identical).
  3. I tried this with both 1.4.1 and 1.4.0 (reverted) installed on the internal memory.
  4. Note that this is my 2nd NT (bought Dec 9th). The 1st one (bought Nov 15th) was able to side-boot using an SDcard created per pokey9000's instructions, but when I tried to recreate that card for the 2nd NT, it didn't work. Both NTs came with 1.4.0 installed, but only the 2nd NT was ever updated to 1.4.1.
So, unless I am doing something really stupid, there's something different between the two NTs I've owned. Note that "bauwks" had a problem booting from the SDcard, unless he had the USB cable connected, but others have not seen that symptom.

Note to Indirect: I don't expect you to fix this; I'm just posting it here as information.
 
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Loglud

Senior Member
Jul 29, 2011
235
449
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Ever since I created the "v1.4.1 minimal root" procedure, I have been looking for a technique to "side-boot" the NT. A few days ago I saw "bauwks" method, but try as I might, I could not get that to work (using 1.4.1 u-boot.bin). So, when I saw yours this morning and saw that it uses the 1.4.0 u-boot.bin, I thought I'd give it a try. Didn't work. I even used "dd" to clear 5MB of the SDcard, reestablished the desired disk geometry (255 heads, 63 sectors/track), and created a LBA/bootable partition at the beginning of the SDcard, all with "fdisk" (via busybox). Still no SDcard boot.

Symptoms:

  1. With the SDcard (from above) inserted and the NT powered on, the NT shows a black screen for about 3 minutes, and then boots the internal memory.
  2. Removing MLO from the SDcard causes normal NT internal memory booting, so clearly the NT boot process is looking at the correct place on the SDcard (note that the MLO for 1.4.0 and 1.4.1 are identical).
  3. I tried this with both 1.4.1 and 1.4.0 (reverted) installed on the internal memory.
  4. Note that this is my 2nd NT (bought Dec 9th). The 1st one (bought Nov 15th) was able to side-boot using an SDcard created per pokey9000's instructions, but when I tried to recreate that card for the 2nd NT, it didn't work. Both NTs came with 1.4.0 installed, but only the 2nd NT was ever updated to 1.4.1.
So, unless I am doing something really stupid, there's something different between the two NTs I've owned. Note that "bauwks" had a problem booting from the SDcard, unless he had the USB cable connected, but others have not seen that symptom.

Note to Indirect: I don't expect you to fix this; I'm just posting it here as information.

Dean;
Try the post right above this, and dont change anything, just format using the flasher(will automatically write all of the partitions as they should be), and see if it works. (Though im about 90% sure it should)
 
Last edited:

Indirect

Senior Member
Mar 25, 2011
2,346
3,001
Florida
uploading a new version of the Gapps and Root zip that include several things, such as homecatcher and adw (for the next important part):
including NT Hidden settings app which will actually allow you to sideload apps.
 
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VanillaIcee

Member
Jun 17, 2010
14
1
MAC INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Insert the SD card into your Mac
2. Open "Disk Utility" and click on the SD card on the right
3. Click "Info" and note the disk identifier (in my case disk3)
4. Unmount partitions of sd card by clicking unmount
5. open Terminal.app
6. Navigate to folder containing cwm_sd_flashing_boot.img (requires knowledge of basic unix commands)
7. Type "sudo dd if=cwm_sd_flashing_boot.img of=/dev/[disk indentifier] bs=1m" which in my case read "sudo dd if=cwm_sd_flashing_boot.img of=/dev/disk3 bs=1m"
8. Wait as this process takes a while to complete (sometimes 10 minutes to write 2GB). You can type ctrl-t to get a status update, the number before records out represents MBs transfered (should end at 2048)
9. Eject the SD card and follow the instructions in other posts
 
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  • 34
    This method uses the files and method to install CWM from Goncezilla I just threw together the method to flash superuser and I'll work on getting rid of


    Features of this root: It installs su, superuser apk, gapps

    Future Features: Suggest something.


    Note: Windows instructions are in this post


    Changelog:
    2.2: Removed all additions, sticking with basics for now.
    2.1: Removed unknown source fix, removed adw and homecatcher due to problems with Gapps.
    2.0: Sets unknown sources to be allowed since B&N wanted to play "hard to get" with that. :) Enjoy guys.
    1.5: Included adw and homecatcher apk's, NTHidden settings as well.
    1.0 Initial zip / method release.
    Linux only instructions (unless you substitute the instructions with a known windows equivalent)
    1. Setup SDCard
    Using a new SDCard (not one you have info stored on) make a new MSDOS partition table and add a 50 MB FAT32 partition as the first primary partition. Then make sure you enable to boot and lda flags.

    Any SDCARD larger than 50 MB should work but I used an extra 2GB laying around. You can add other partitions to the card if you want, but it is not necessary to allocate the entire card. Any added partitions would need to be manually mounted on your Nook anyway.
    I used GParted on my Ubuntu machine to do this but any formating tool should work.

    2. Copy Files onto SDCard
    You can grab the files I used here:
    http://www.mediafire.com/?dr6bqau194389te

    Just UnZip the files directly to the root of the boot partition you created above (make sure flashing_boot.img, u-boot.bin, and boot.img are on the root not the folder SDCARD)

    3. Insert SDCARD into NT
    Now, with your NT powered off, eject the SDCARD you just created from your computer and insert it into the tablet. Then just turn it on and VOLA! You should now be in CWM!


    Now you just need to download this zip file:
    http://goo-inside.me/apps/Indirect/Nook_tablet/Flashable_Zips/Gapps_and_root.zip
    just put onto the /mnt/media/ directory or you can push to /emmc/ while in CWM.



    Credits:
    loglud for taking the time to write instructions for windows.
    ChainsDD for superuser and SU
    Bauwkz for the exploit to be able to make a bootable sdcard
    Nemith for the recovery
    Goncezilla for the sdcard method (I didn't feel like typing it all out.)
    Myself for the flashable zip.




    Note: If anyone has 1.4.1 installed and uses this, I need a tester to see if the old package manager will work or not (it should.)

    Don't mirror my files because I only use goo-inside to track download stats.

    Proof it works (Screenshots)
    jbhyecjSyiubZp.png

    jDIykAyGSS9x5.png

    jJFppURSrvDJ7.png
    31
    Description:
    This is a image, and flasher for windows designed to make it so that anyone can flash make a magic SD card to load up CWM, and root their device. THIS IS A UNIVERSAL ROOT, AND CAN BE DONE ON ANY FIRMWARE.

    Why:
    There are way to many rooting methods out there for this device, and with so many rooting methods, it is very hard to help trouble shoot a device, and make it so that rooting is available to everyone. Also with the 1.4.1 breaking normal root, it is very hard to teach people how to flash back to the previous 1.4.0, without stepping them through it, and then they have to beat the gun, and root and block OTA's. Also there is a lot of "geometry" involved in making a bootable SD.

    What is it?:
    There are two things in this package, the first is a flasher, and an image. These can be used to flash an SD card from windows with CWM, as a bootable SD. The second package is a CWM flashable zip that will add su, superuser, gapps, and the side loading package to your Nook.

    What do I need?:
    You will need:
    • SD Card >2GB (all information will be lost, so back it up)
    • Windows
    • Nook Tablet (any Firmware)

    Credits:
    Loglud
    Indirect
    Nemith
    Bauwks
    Instructions:

    1. Download the packages listed in the download folder, and extract them to your desktop.
    2. extract ALL the files from the single zip.
      NOTE: Do not extract the .zip with superuser and su.
    3. Open the image flasher .exe, and browse for the .img that you extracted from the same zip
    4. Put your SD Card into your nook or reader, and select the drive letter from the drop down on the right.
    5. Press write, and wait
    6. Once it has completed open the SD Card from the Windows browser and place the .zip in the root of the SD card.
    7. Turn your Nook off.
    8. Turn your Nook on while holding both the N+Power button. Your device will turn on, and then turn off after holding it.
      NOTE: Do not let go of either button until your device has powered on and off again.
    9. Put the SD Card into your nook.
      NOTE: If it is already in there eject it and then put it back in.
    10. Power your Nook on normally.
    11. You will see a picture of N on the screen followed by a box with a white background followed by CWM booting up.
    12. Select flash update.zip.
    13. Select Select from SD card.
    14. Select your .zip
    15. Reboot device
      NOTE: Remove the SD card after your device reboots as if you don't it will continue to boot from the SD card.

    Downloads:
    http://www.mediafire.com/?dwwhzaixwwh2015
    17
    I just spent the past 3 days trying to root my NT 16gb which auto updated to 1.4.3. I still cant get it to go. Are there any clear instructions on how to do this?

    Ok here you go.

    Put your SD Card into your computer.

    Download the CWM_SD_flash_and_exe from here and unzip them into a folder.

    Right Click on the included Win32DiskImager choose Run As Administrator

    Make sure that the drive link under Device is showing your SD Card. Change it if it isn't, then click on the folder.

    Navigate to the cwm_sd_flashing_boot.img that was included with the zip, then click save.

    Then click on Write on Win 32 Disk Imager. It will take ~5 minutes. Once it's done, click exit.

    Download the update.zip from here and copy it to your SD Card.

    (Optional) Download a Recovery zip image from this thread and put it on the SD Card as well.
    Edit: Most recent CWM can be found here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=33730135&postcount=1

    Eject the SD Card and put it into your nook.

    Power on the Nook and you should see a white background with a box on it, then it should boot into the Recovery.

    From there, go to Install Zip from SD Card > Choose Zip from External SD Card and install the update.zip you just downloaded.

    (Optional) From the same location in the Recovery, install the Recovery image you just downloaded.

    Power off your nook, remove the SD Card, and power it back on. It should boot normally and you should now be rooted.

    Warning: I take no responsibility for broken nooks or other damage that may happen. This has worked for me, but that is no indicator if it will work for you.
    6
    You could have made a request rather than bashing. I would have said indirect, can you use zips rather than spitting patents and bashing. That's the thing that makes people quit projects because its not worth the headaches. Maybe resstate bashes as suggestions it helps.

    I trust Indirect as well, and have credited him over on the B&N forums. Did you know that? It's the authors of the closed-source compression software that I have the issue with.

    As for trolling, if you look at my contributions to repartitioning the NC or rooting the NT, you will find that I have the first root of 1.4.1. Did you know that? I also think Indirect's method here is superior to mine (because it is more general), which is why I am interested in it, and will promote it.

    Before you go around with your tiny post/thanks counts calling people "trolls", you might try something even easier than trolling. It's called reading.

    ---------- Post added at 07:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:59 PM ----------


    Yes I am, and I thank you very much. I think this makes the collection easier for a lot of people.



    Hey, both of you, shut up and keep it out of my thread? ^_^
    5
    Clarified Instructions (Revised 2012-02-09)

    2012-02-09

    Grab This Zip File which includes the application that allows you to write aka "Flash" an .img file (in Windows) and use it along with the Image File (.img) from THIS THREAD. This should be the latest and greatest. The Update.zip file is already included in the image so wherever the instructions say to replace it you can ignore that step. Questions, Comments, Concerns and issues should be directed to the new thread.


    Repeated requests to update the OP have been ignored and the instructions below are depreciated because the files have all been revised multiple times and the links are no longer valid.

    As someone who has successfully used the Windows Method from This Post I will attempt to clarify the steps.

    Indirect has been busy working with other Developers on a Cyanogen Rom for this device and as such has enlisted the help of Brianf21 to troubleshoot issues with the files originally linked in that post above. Unfortunately that post OR the OP have not been revised. This is what you need to do.

    1. Download the file listed in Post 14
    2. Download the Revised .img fromThis Post
    3. Download the Revised Update.zip file from This Post
    4. Extract the zip file from step 1 and replace the .img file with the one you downloaded in step 2
    5. Perform Steps 3-5 from Post 14. Make sure you select the NEW .img file from step 2
    6. Perform step 6 from post 14 using the zip file from step 3. NOTE: This zip file will already be on the SD card but NEEDS to be replaced
    7. Complete Steps 7-15 in Post 14

    For those of you receiving the Factory Reset screen when trying to boot into CWM. You need to have the USB cable connected. I suggest you connect it prior to Step 7 from post 14. You can use the NT as your card reader as well if you have successfully installed the drivers and just leave the cable connected throughout the entire process.

    @Indirect ... I know you are busy but if you get a chance I believe you should add a link to this post in post 14. It will probably save some of us from answering a lot of questions. Thanks!

    ---------- Post added at 11:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------

    Nevermind I found the update.zip link in a post. Might want to update the windows directions with a link so idiots like me don't keep bugging everyone :D

    I was typing the clarified instructions while you figured this out. Good job!