[Firmware] Nvidia Root-Friendly Updates [No Wipe]

[twistedumbrella]

If coming from the original JellyBean and have not updated your custom recovery since, you will need to install the recovery provided below. This step only needs to be performed once to support the newer updates.

Recovery Update

Boot into bootloader mode, connect the USB cable, and from a terminal window or command prompt type:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

To root an OTA, the procedure is pretty simple.

Copy the OTA from the cache folder to the sdcard.

Move the OTA zip somewhere it can be opened and unzip it

Go to system/etc/ to find the file named recovery and delete it

(extension may vary, but it is always named recovery)

Open the META-INF/com/google/android/updater-script

Delete all of step 1 and step 3 so that all that is left is the large middle portion without any steps

That's it. You have made the same files you find here.

Download the desired package below and copy it to your sdcard, along with the SuperSU recovery package.
Boot into recovery, select install from sdcard, and choose the update. Go back and repeat the install for SuperSU.

KitKat Update 98

KitKat Update 99

Lollipop Update 110

XDA:DevDB Information
Nvidia Root-Friendly Updates [No Wipe], ROM for the Nvidia Shield

Contributors
twistedumbrella

ROM OS Version: 2.3.x Gingerbread

Version Information
Status: Testing

Created 2014-11-08
Last Updated 2018-07-05

 

[NapalmDawn]

The new update has a few things that require updating the recovery, but since a recovery is not officially developed, updating the kernel of the existing recovery will do the trick. Flash this first.

Recovery Update

The install requires removing the assert checks since there is an error that the device is a Thor but looking for a Roth (same thing, right?). Install this from the new recovery.

KitKat Update

Immediately after installing the update, install the SuperSU recovery package to restore root and you're all set.

http://download.chainfire.eu/supersu

So install the first zip in your current recovery and then reboot recovery. After that, flash the next two back to back?

 

[twistedumbrella]

So install the first zip in your current recovery and then reboot recovery. After that, flash the next two back to back?

Recovery first, then the two back to back. The old recovery won't flash it properly because of new metadata commands

 

[NapalmDawn]

Recovery first, then the two back to back. The old recovery won't flash it properly because of new metadata commands

Currently my shield is 4.3, rooted and has a kernel of 3.4.10. When I boot to recovery, I get the broken android guy with the red triangle. I think if I remember right, when I was rooting it, I had issues getting a working recovery on there since mine was fairly new when I got it. So what is thebest way to install that first zip? Would I be doing it via fastboot?

 

[hexitnow]

Currently my shield is 4.3, rooted and has a kernel of 3.4.10. When I boot to recovery, I get the broken android guy with the red triangle. I think if I remember right, when I was rooting it, I had issues getting a working recovery on there since mine was fairly new when I got it. So what is thebest way to install that first zip? Would I be doing it via fastboot?

First off I want to say thanks umbrella, for coming up with this method.

Bit off topic but I figured I would throw it out there, when you get the broken android guy, your recovery is doing exactly what it's supposed to. It's working, dont quote me here but I think pressing home and back simultaneously will get the menu to come up. I could be wrong on the button combo but there is a combination of button's to get the stock recovery menu to come up. If I remember right my droid X was the same way.

 

[twistedumbrella]

KitKat Update Without Complete Re-root

First off I want to say thanks umbrella, for coming up with this method.



Bit off topic but I figured I would throw it out there, when you get the broken android guy, your recovery is doing exactly what it's supposed to. It's working, dont quote me here but I think pressing home and back simultaneously will get the menu to come up. I could be wrong on the button combo but there is a combination of button's to get the stock recovery menu to come up. If I remember right my droid X was the same way.

Quite possible. I stripped out the recovery in the update and used fastboot on recovery for this one. I rushed through it a bit lol.

If I remember right, I think it's by-name/SOS and the update uses it to install the system before flashing the recovery to the partition. I didn't update it, though, just in case that wasn't a secondary partition.

 

[hexitnow]

Quite possible. I stripped out the recovery in the update and used fastboot on recovery for this one. I rushed through it a bit lol.

If I remember right, I think it's by-name/SOS and the update uses it to install the system before flashing the recovery to the partition. I didn't update it, though, just in case that wasn't a secondary partition.

Ahh I gotcha. Well that's good to know. I haven't had a chance to really look at many of the files yet. Do you know if nvidia released the factory recovery packages yet?

EDIT:
Nevermind looks like 72 is out now.

 

[twistedumbrella]

Yeah, they are pretty good about that. It may be nearing the last update for this version, though

 

[NapalmDawn]

First off I want to say thanks umbrella, for coming up with this method.

Bit off topic but I figured I would throw it out there, when you get the broken android guy, your recovery is doing exactly what it's supposed to. It's working, dont quote me here but I think pressing home and back simultaneously will get the menu to come up. I could be wrong on the button combo but there is a combination of button's to get the stock recovery menu to come up. If I remember right my droid X was the same way.

Shield+home at the broken android guy brought up a menu.

What is the best way to install the recovery update file? Is this something that is done by booting the shield into the bootloader and then doing it via fastboot on the PC?

 

[twistedumbrella]

Shield+home at the broken android guy brought up a menu.



What is the best way to install the recovery update file? Is this something that is done by booting the shield into the bootloader and then doing it via fastboot on the PC?

Exactly

 

[NapalmDawn]

Exactly

Awesome. Thank you. Alternatively, I could accept the OTA and then push SU back to it again like I did the first time it was rooted right?

Last question-we have a working CWM recovery for the shield I believe. Are there any recoveries that work with the shield while running KitKat?

 

[twistedumbrella]

Awesome. Thank you. Alternatively, I could accept the OTA and then push SU back to it again like I did the first time it was rooted right?



Last question-we have a working CWM recovery for the shield I believe. Are there any recoveries that work with the shield while running KitKat?

The OTA will restore the stock recovery. This way updates it to one compatible with KitKat.

 

[twistedumbrella]

KitKat Update Without Complete Re-root

OTA 98 has been added. No recovery update is needed coming from 72. Flash the build and SuperSU and off you go. No data wipe necessary, either.

 

[Neoistheone2000]

Link to the Recovery is not working :crying:

I am trying to install with the CWM Recovery and getting Status 7 errors, I try in stock recovery and get errors for Signature Verifications.

 

[twistedumbrella]

Link to the Recovery is not working :crying:

I am trying to install with the CWM Recovery and getting Status 7 errors, I try in stock recovery and get errors for Signature Verifications.

Updated

 

[Neoistheone2000]

Updated

Thanks, that worked a treat

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Yeah, to clarify, in recovery, you must press and hold Shield and Home buttons for a second, then release to bring up the menu. Then use X and Y to navigate, A to select. Don't understand why the bootloader or recovery don't use the D-pad at all. They're weird. Anyway, downloading this now, and will report back in a few minutes. This is just sideloaded via the stock recovery, right? I hope so, that's how I'm doing it right now.

EDIT: Nope. Failed again.

E:footer is wrong
E:signature verification failed
Installation aborted.

I think I'll try that new recovery (funny, because I had flashed the one included in the original update archive, still had issues). I shouldn't have to use that one, I was on update 92 already.

EDIT 2: Oh, I'm dumb. Here I thought this was still being done with the STOCK recovery. Didn't realize this would flash in CWM. Awesome. Flashed SuperSU 2.16 while I was at it. Rebooted, and it's at .98, with root access. You ROCK, @twistedumbrella!

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Did you do this with update 99 yet? Just came out today.

 

[twistedumbrella]

Did you do this with update 99 yet? Just came out today.

I don't even have it yet. I usually wait for it to come through on the device instead of going to the site. Faster to copy than download again.

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

I don't even have it yet. I usually wait for it to come through on the device instead of going to the site. Faster to copy than download again.

Hmmm. It started downloading as soon as I turned mine on. I'm just gonna do the usual process.