LATEST FIRMWARE DOWNLOAD + NEW INSTRUCTIONS
This is "legacy ware" now for most devices... as of 01/07/2012, only recommend this firmware for 1st generation units...
I had sworn off most incremental upgrades (because most were very buggy!) and was going to wait for Android 2.3 or 3.0 to be released for this device before adding another "TopNotch Certified" firmware download. Then I came across a modified version of Android 2.2 firmware which does something INCREDIBLE!
(Apparently) FULL Market Access!
I now I have access on my device to seemingly thousands of more Games and Apps, including games designed specifically for Tegra II based devices, most of which so far have ran very well. For those who are new to android, please realize that Google "guards" their marketplace pretty hardcore, which means that folks with 3rd party devices often don't see all of the apps that are actually available on the market. This firmware is "modded" and it fixes that issue. Once upgraded to this firmware, most people (I am not sure if this is still geographically dependent) will see many many more games and applications than they did with 0525 or an unmodded version of 0616 which is currently shipping.
TAKE NOTE: This firmware has DIFFERENT installation instructions than previous generations. Please follow them carefully to avoid running into problems. Also note, if you have "bricked" your device, this firmware (with my instructions) should repair it...
0616 FIRMWARE DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD: RENA3-FW-0616-Modded-FullMarket.zip
Firmware Version: 0616 Modified
Android Version: 2.2
Bugs Fixed: Full Market Access!
New Bugs: This firmware had initially caused my camera to not function. But I recently tested my camera out and it is working again. I have not changed anything with the firmware. My guess is that an update came from google for the camera software. I just did a massive update recently of all my installed programs and I really didn't take note of what was updated. I would bet that the camera is now fully functional under this firmware. Which is good news as that was the most obvious flaw.
0616 FIRMWARE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
What You Need:
- A RENA3 - Preferably bought from TopNotchTablets.com :) but most RENA3's should work!
- A 4gb or SMALLER MicroSD Card with at least 256 MB of Free Space
- A Computer
- The MODDED 0616 firmware update package which you can download from up above
Here we go...
PREFACE:
This procedure will completely wipe out ALL of the files/programs on your device except for the default programs that come with Android. I suggest backing up your "paid" applications and a few other things beforehand using "Titanium Backup" if you are so inclined.
UPDATE DIRECTIONS
** If you are already using your MicroSD Card in your RENA3 then you can skip step 2. Just make sure you have enough space for the update files on the card. If you used Titanium Backup to back your software up to your microsd card; steps 1 and 2 will erase that backup data, hence, don't do them. These steps are for a "new" MicroSD card that is not formatted to "fat32" already. If you are using your MicroSD card in your device, then it is already properly formatted and you just need to copy the firmware update files onto it.**
1. Load your MicroSD Card onto your computer (you may have to use a "Standard SD - To - MicroSD Adapter", or your computer may support MicroSD natively, in my case, I actually use my old MP3 player that has a MicroSD slot. You could possibly use the RENA3 but I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS AS YOU COULD ACCIDENTALLY FORMAT YOUR INTERNAL STORAGE AND SCREW UP YOUR DEVICE!!!)
2. Format your MicroSD Card to FAT32 using Windows Explorer.
3. Copy the 10 Files from this ZIP file to the ROOT of your MICRO-SD Card. Here is a list of the files just to be clear: android-fs.tar.gz, cramfs, cramfs.tar.gz, ff, install.sh, sdboot.bin, u-boot-emmc.bin, uboot-sd.bin, uImage, update.conf
4. Turn OFF Your RENA3 - The Device should be COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, not just sleeping - No lights should be on!
5. Unmount your MicroSD Card in Windows and physically remove it from your Windows PC.
6. Insert your MicroSD Card into the MicroSD Slot on your RENA3. (If you have never done this before, it can be a bit difficult to get into the slot. I always have to use a paperclip to push it in until it locks in place.)
7. Hold Down the "Volume +" Button (NOTE THE DIFFERENCE HERE... use the VOLUME + BUTTON!!!) on your RENA3 and then press the Power button and hold both until the blue indicator light comes on. Once that light comes on, release both buttons and wait...
8. A Screen with the Android Logo will appear and the picture will go "crazy" and looked all messed up for several minutes. This is the recovery firmware doing its thing and is nothing to be worried about. This process will fix a "bricked" device in most cases and it should insure that 0616 will install on your device without incident.
9. A black screen with yellow text will eventually come up. Use the "Volume +" and "Volume -" Buttons to move the selection bar.
10. Move the selection bar to "update system from SD card"; press the power button to select it.
11. WAIT; it will go through the update process. It will say that the cramfs file has an error.. This is normal... just wait
12. Eventually it will finish updating everything. Once this is done, turn the machine off by using the power button to select the shutdown option.
13. Turn the machine back on by holding down the power button until the blue light comes on. Your firmware update is complete!
14. The device will want to go through an "initial setup" process. When it pops up a window to give you an option of which program to use to do this, select the top option (it is the one that looks a bit funky). This process is truncated from what most people are used to seeing. This is because the firmware is modded. Use the power button to restart the device once you get to the android desktop. Use the "date and time" settings from the setup menu to fix your timezone. You should be good to go. I also recommend going into the "Applications" settings menu and checking the box next to "unknown sources." Finally, if you want to get rid of the annoying vibration that occurs every time you use one of the buttons on right-hand side of the device, go into the "Sound" settings, scroll to the bottom, and uncheck the box next to "haptic feedback."
LEGACY FIRMWARE DOWNLOAD & INSTRUCTIONS
LEGACY RENA3 FIRMWARE HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY REMOVED
Firmware Version: 0525
Android Version: 2.2
Bugs Fixed: Microphone Now Works, Skype Audio now works (video is untested), HDMI now works (We think... this is untested at this point, but will be tested by the middle of next week.)
LEGACY FIRMWARE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
What You Need:
- A RENA3 - Preferably bought from TopNotchTablets.com :) but any RENA3 will work!
- A MicroSD Card with at least 256 MB of Free Space
- A Computer
- The 0525 firmware update package which you can download from up above
Lets Get Started...
PREFACE:
This procedure will completely wipe out ALL of the files/programs on your device except for the default programs that come with Android. I suggest backing up your "paid" applications and a few other things beforehand using "Titanium Backup" if you are so inclined.
GET TO THE POINT: Short Directions for the "Technically Inclined":
** If you are already using your MicroSD Card in your RENA3 then you can skip step 2. Just make sure you have enough space for the update files on the card. If you used Titanium Backup to back your software up to your microsd card; steps 1 and 2 will erase that backup data, hence, don't do them. These steps are for a "new" MicroSD card that is not formatted to "fat32" already. If you are using your MicroSD card in your device, then it is already properly formatted and you just need to copy the firmware update files onto it.**
1. Load your MicroSD Card onto your computer (you may have to use a "Standard SD - To - MicroSD Adapter", or your computer may support MicroSD natively, in my case, I actually use my old MP3 player that has a MicroSD slot. You could possibly use the RENA3 but I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS AS YOU COULD ACCIDENTALLY FORMAT YOUR INTERNAL STORAGE AND "BRICK" (I.E. DESTROY) YOUR DEVICE!!!)
2. Format your MicroSD Card to FAT32 using Windows Explorer.
3. Copy the 5 Files from this ZIP file to the ROOT of your MICRO-SD Card. Here is a list of the files just to be clear: android-fs.tar, ff, u-boot-emmc.bin, uImage, update.conf
4. Turn OFF Your RENA3 - The Device should be COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, not just sleeping - No lights should be on!
5. Unmount your MicroSD Card in Windows and physically remove it from your Windows PC.
6. Insert your MicroSD Card into the MicroSD Slot on your RENA3. (If you have never done this before, it can be a difficult to get into the slot. I always have to use a paperclip to push it in until it locks in place.)
7. Hold Down the "Volume -" Button on your RENA3 and then press the Power and hold the Power Button until the blue indicator light comes on. Once that light comes on, release both buttons and wait.
8. A black screen with yellow text will come up. Use the "Volume + and Volume - Buttons to move the selection bar.
9. Move the selection bar to "update system from SD card"; press the power button to select it.
10. WAIT; it will go through the update process. It will say that the cramfs file is not present... This is normal... just wait
11. Eventually it will finish updating everything. Once this is done, turn the machine off by holding down the power button until the blue light turns off.
12. Turn the machine back on by holding down the power button until the blue light comes on. Your firmware update is complete!
INSTALLING FIRMWARE FOR DUMMIES: Long Directions for the NOT So "Technically Inclined"
** If you are already using your MicroSD Card in your RENA3 then you can skip step 2. Just make sure you have enough space for the update files on the card. If you used Titanium Backup to back your software up to your microsd card; steps 1 and 2 will erase that backup data, hence, don't do them. These steps are for a "new" MicroSD card that is not formatted to "fat32" already. If you are using your MicroSD card in your device, then it is already properly formatted and you just need to copy the firmware update files onto it.**
1. Load your MicroSD Card onto your computer (you may have to use a "Standard SD - To - MicroSD Adapter", or your computer may support MicroSD natively, in my case, I actually use my old MP3 player that has a MicroSD slot. You could possibly use the RENA3 but I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS AS YOU COULD ACCIDENTALLY FORMAT YOUR INTERNAL STORAGE AND "BRICK" (I.E. DESTROY) YOUR DEVICE!!!) It can be a bit tricky to find an adapter for MicoSD cards for a desktop or laptop computer. There are a lot of "5-in-1 Memory Card to USB adapters" out there that support this kind of thing. Search for them on Google or talk to someone at Best Buy. They can help you figure out what you will need. Perhaps I will actually sell them on here someday :)
2. Format your MicroSD Card to FAT32 using Windows Explorer.
� a. Once you have your MicroSD card physically inserted into your computer, open up "my computer" or "computer" from the start menu (could be called either depending on your version of Windows.)
� b. Right click on your microSD card and select "format" from the context menu
� c. Select "FAT32" From the "File System" drop down selection box.
� d. Put a check mark in the box next to "Quick Format"
� e. Press the "Start" button
� f. Press the "OK" button on the warning message that pops up.
� g. Wait for the formatting process to finish and then click the "close" button.
3. Copy the 5 Files from this ZIP file to the ROOT of your MICRO-SD Card. Here is a list of the files just to be clear: android-fs.tar, ff, u-boot-emmc.bin, uImage, update.conf
� a. Double-Click the Rena3-FW-XXXX.zip file you downloaded from the "Latest Firmware Download" section up top.
� b. Drag a selection box around all FIVE files to select them.
� c. Hold down the "ctrl" key and then press the "c" key to copy the files.
� d. In "My Computer", double-click your MicroSD card to open it up.
� e. Left click once anywhere inside the drive to make sure it is what is selected.
� f. Hold down the "ctrl" key and then press the "v" key to paste the files. All 5 files should now be visible on the drive.
4. Turn OFF Your RENA3 - The Device should be COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, not just sleeping - No lights should be on!
� a. If your RENA3 is "ON", hold down the power button until a Menu appears. Press the "shutdown" button.
� b. Wait for the device to completely turn off. The power light will be off.
5. Unmount your MicroSD Card in Windows and physically remove it from your Windows PC.
� a. In Windows: Next to your Clock there is an icon for "safely removing Hardware"
� b. Left click this icon and then click on your MicroSD card to "safely remove" it. If for some reason this doesn't work, just shutdown your PC before physically removing your MicroSD card.
6. Insert your MicroSD Card into the MicroSD Slot on your RENA3. The slot is located along the right bottom edge of the device, behind a little rubber pull-away cover. The cover actually goes over "two" slots. The slot on the left is currently unused and should be left alone. The slot on the right is the MicroSD slot. (If you have never inserted a MicroSD card into your RENA3, it can be a bit difficult to get into the slot. I always have to use a paperclip to push it in until it locks in place.)
7. Hold Down the "Volume -" Button on your RENA3 and then press and hold the Power Button until the blue indicator light comes on. Once that light comes on, release both buttons and wait.
8. A black screen with yellow text will come up. Use the "Volume +" and "Volume -" Buttons to move the selection bar up and down.
9. Move the selection bar to "update system from SD card"; press the power button to select it.
10. WAIT; it will go through the update process. It will say that the cramfs file is not present... This is normal... just wait
11. Eventually it will finish updating everything. Once this is done, turn the machine off by holding down the power button until the blue light turns off.
12. Turn the machine back on by holding down the power button until the blue light comes on. Your firmware update is complete!
13. The device will want to go through an "initial setup" process. When it pops up a window to give you an option of which program to use to do this, select the top option (it is the one that looks a bit funky).
14. During the initial setup it will ask you to link up a google account. I skip this during initial setup because you won't have an internet connection at this point so it won't work.
GO BACK