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How to hack your (white) Novel – the easy way

So you want to hack your Novel. Greetings.

This is an updated post on how to hack the white Pandigital Novel Tablet. It’s dated 15 November, so by the end of the year it will likely be out of date. Use it at your own risk.

Update: (18 January) A lot has changed in the past couple months. At this point I don’t think you should hack your white Novel. The current firmware for the white Novel is for a standard Android tablet.

Basically if your Novel has a menu that looks kinda like the lead picture then you don’t need to hack it. I wouldn’t bother because I don’t think it’s worth the effort. You might want to read this instead.

Sidenote: If you’re wondering why I’m bothering with the new post, it’s because I’m still getting hits on the old one. I really didn’t expect it to still be getting attention at this late date, and honestly, I thought it would disappear in about a month. I don’t like giving out old instructions, and this has been bugging me since September.

 

How to Hack your Novel

Update: I’ve just found another option for hacking your Novel. If you have one of the newer models, you might be able to install the Cruz Reader firmware. You’ll have a much better tablet when you’re done.

You now have a number of options for hacking your Novel. First, Pandigital have released a bare Android install. I haven’t tried it myself yet, so I can’t comment on how it works. Second, you could follow my original instructions. There’s a fair amount of work involved, but it is an option.

The third option is actually very easy. All you have to do is download a hacked firmware and run through the update process. If you use this option, you will be able to install the necessary button hacks, Home screen, as well as several vital apps like Spare Parts and the Android Market.

Yes, you do get access to the Android Market and yes, it is unauthorized. It also voids your warranty. Use at your own risk.

Since this post is intended for a beginner, I’m going to provide as much detail as I can.

  1. Go to this page on SlateDroid, and download one of the firmware options. I would recommend that you get the one dated 9/24  (ver4). I have ver4, and aside from a few quirks it works okay.
  2. Download the ZIP file, copy it to a SD card, and insert the SD card into your white Novel.
  3. Press and hold the power switch until you have the option to turn off the Novel. Do so.
  4. When you reboot, press and hold the up volume button and the power switch (at the same time)  for 5 seconds. This should trigger the firmware update process.

At this point you should be in the middle of an update. Let it do its job while I point out a couple new features.

  • One of the changes to the Novel is a new taskbar at the top of the screen. On of the new buttons looks like a house. Click on it when you want to switch between the new and original home screens.
  • You have other new icons on the taskbar including volume, back, menu. Also, the taskbar is now persistent; it won’t be covered up by apps and menus.
  • You might have trouble when waking the Novel from sleep mode.  It will look like it’s frozen, but you actually are in the screen lock mode. Press the up volume button to unlock the screen.
  • Be sure to recalibrate the screen and add your Wifi networks again. They were lost in the firmware update process.

At this point you should have an Android tablet. Enjoy.

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Comments


purcelljf November 15, 2010 um 10:37 pm

Being that I read it has a Samsung 800mhz processor, I am thinking it might be a serviceable Tablet, especially if you got one cheap enough.

Would you say for web page browsing it is pretty responsive considering the screen is resistive?

Nate the great November 15, 2010 um 10:40 pm

I’m still testing it. I’m thinking about writing another review.

Alwx November 17, 2010 um 8:08 pm

please do, I want to see a video or review of a hacked PDN

Heather November 25, 2010 um 1:37 am

I used the ver4 you suggested and I get an error msg when I try to open the market. Tips? If not can you walk me thru adding apps by hand. Im not an idiot but new to all of this. Id like kindle, facebook, and angry birds. lol
ty
Heather

Nate the great November 25, 2010 um 2:07 am

I didn’t have this trouble, but I did look at how to fix it. First make sure your time and date is correct. Then try using a different google ID.
Finally, I’m told this should fix it for you.

bill December 29, 2010 um 3:56 pm

this only fixes if market is working

Tony December 29, 2010 um 7:13 am

I did a factory reset and the Market then worked. You will lose only the data you put in and any books. But after the reset I went into the market (after putting in all my info data) and it worked fine. I started downloading apps. I hope to find droid version 2.2 soon so I can run java and flash.

Al January 11, 2011 um 1:11 pm

Did you get droid v2.2 with java and flash?


Bob November 19, 2010 um 5:04 pm

I have the white one with the latest update from Pandigital, I am seriously considering the hack, but I don’t know what more I will get, the web browsing is great, the battery life is better than I thought it would be and even though its a resistive touch screen reading and browsing are very easy, I just wish it had a flash player for all websites. If you want to watch videos make sure they are formatted MP4 and are small files anything over 500mb seems to freeze it up. So far any video formatted for PSP or Iphone work just fine.

Diane January 16, 2012 um 7:24 pm

I installed Skyfire 2.3.0.19303 so I could watch You Tube. Can’t get Android Market to work, but I use Amazon App to get free stuff.
My Novel white 7″ is newer and has Android 2.1 on it. Got it for $85.00 tax and shipping included, not bad. Don’t think I would have paid more. Is a fun and handy little device.
Wish I could use a USB modem, not just WiFi, anyone know a hack or mod for that?


Lee November 21, 2010 um 10:47 pm

I just purchased the this device and am trying to load this firmware, but it does not seem to recognize the zipped file on the SD card during the reboot. It seems to be reinstalling the same firmware every time .. I get the same result whether the SD card is in or not .. Might the Volume Up button is not registering ? I have S10_09_23_K_PD_INX7E_ENG_6410POP version which seems to be a newer version than the site offers ..

Any suggestion ?

Nate the great November 21, 2010 um 10:52 pm

I checked the Pandigital website, and it appears that you’re trying to install the official firmware. You don’t need to do that; it was already running on your Novel.

Lee November 21, 2010 um 10:58 pm

No, I am trying to install the version SD_PDN_4_01_GE_PD_INX7E_ENG_6410POP.zip from the site you sent us to .. and I also tried loading the Cruz firmware .. It is not recognizing it when I restart holding the Up Volume button and power .. I want to be able to install android apps from the apps store

Nate the great November 21, 2010 um 11:13 pm

Sorry, I misread your comment.

Let’s cover the basics:
Did you unZip the ZIP file? (You weren’t supposed to.)
Is the ZIP file in the root of the SD card?

Lee November 21, 2010 um 11:22 pm

The only thing on the SD card is the ZIP file .. I inserted the SD card to the reader, it detects it. I then powered down the device. Then held the volume up button with the power and it comes on .. I then got the open box icon with the little android guy .. seems like everything is working until it come all the way up and asks for what language I want .. Same Firmware as before ..

Nate the great November 21, 2010 um 11:48 pm

Well, I’m stumped. It sounds like you’re doing everything right. My only suggestion now is that you start a topic over at SlateDroid.

Lee November 22, 2010 um 8:21 am

Thanks for the help .. I will do that ..

dayna October 2, 2011 um 6:51 pm

I unzipped the file so now what do I do


Bob Rojas(petes brother) November 24, 2010 um 9:30 pm

i cant seem to be able to download the files from mediafire. is there anywhere else i can find them at? please help me i just scored a white pandigital novel from kohls for $70 and im anxious to be able to go to the android marketplace!!!!!

Nate the great November 24, 2010 um 10:01 pm

I don’t maintain those files, sorry. But I asked over here for the guy who made it to upload them elsewhere.

Bob Rojas(petes brother) November 24, 2010 um 11:04 pm

nevermind, the link started working. i tried installing the cruz software, but i had problems with it, i posted a message on your page about the cruz software working on the pandigital.

Nate the great November 24, 2010 um 11:25 pm

If you didn’t see an error message while trying to flash the firmware then this is probably the battery issue mentioned in the other post’s comments. Charge it and see if that helps.


Ashley November 26, 2010 um 1:30 pm

Ok, so I put the zip file on my SD card, shut the novel down. I power up while holding the volume button. The I just get a picture of the android man with an ! Any tips?

Nate the great November 26, 2010 um 2:09 pm

The ZIP file must be bad. I’d download it again.

Ashley November 26, 2010 um 9:25 pm

Thank you

Greta January 3, 2011 um 11:21 am

Hey Nate. I had the same problem as Ashley> My screen is frozen with android man and the !. Any suggestions to get the unit to shut off. I have re downloaded the ZIP file already onto my SD

Nate the great January 3, 2011 um 11:27 am

Either remove the battery or press the reset switch.

WSmith January 3, 2011 um 9:52 pm

Had this prob but had 2 different zip files on the SD card deleted the old one and then everything went fine EXCEPT server error when trying to use market….have trieed all fixes I can find with same result any new suggestions would be great.


tjy in DFW November 26, 2010 um 3:20 pm

Lee,
Did you remove the internal SD card first? That’s the only way to get it to boot from the zip file on the external card.

fred December 4, 2010 um 7:14 am

I downloaded the TWO zip file for ver4 from the site. put the first n a sd card andout te card in the PD reader. the the volume button down and rebooted. everything went as stated and I have a droid as well as a book reader. Added second supplamenal zip same way rebooted NO PROBLEM. Works great for me. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. Get the right zip files from the right place and voila.

fred December 4, 2010 um 7:17 am

I did not remove the card and it worked fine. See below.


sailbeachcatz November 27, 2010 um 4:20 pm

Tried and tried to get this to work with no luck. Always boots to main screen. Formated new SD card to save zip file to make sure nothing was getting in the way and still no go. Suggestions?


Matt November 27, 2010 um 8:42 pm

I successfully completed the hack. Looks like all is working properly, however, when i attempt to access the market i am getting a server error? Thoughts?

Thomas December 6, 2010 um 6:27 pm

I’m getting the same error. Did you ever figure out how to fix it?

Tony December 29, 2010 um 7:18 am

Do a factory reset. You will lose any information and Wi-Fi info and books. After the reboot I was able to go to Market.


Socrates9 November 28, 2010 um 12:41 am

I did it- it worked great, thanks!

One question- When I hit the "Home" button, it asked which file to use, the new file or Home. When I clicked it, I must’ve hit the "always use this file" button.

Now it’s stuck on the Android screen- won’t switch back to the Novel Home when I hit the "Home" button. How do I unlock this so that I can switch back and forth?

Thanks again!

Nate the great November 28, 2010 um 7:04 am

I’m not entirely sure how to fix this problem, but under settings there should be an option for resetting to factory settings. It’s drastic, but that should fix it.

fred December 4, 2010 um 7:20 am

I did the same thing and had same problem.
Solved by putting in sd card with zip file and installing again. worked once again and this time made sure to not set default at all.

Tony December 29, 2010 um 7:18 am

Do a factory reset. You will lose all data and books but will reset the switch key.

Tom December 29, 2010 um 10:00 pm

launch an app that is one of the included ones (picture gallery or browser comes to mind) and you now be in the original OS. Use the arrow at the bottom to bring up the icons and select Home. There you go.


May November 30, 2010 um 8:11 pm

I am seriously considering this hack. But I wanted to ask some questions before I do anything.
1. Will this update delete any of my books on my SD card?
2. Will I be able to read(PDF & epub. format) books?
3. If at any moment I would like to return to my original pandigital screen,would that be possible(how)?

Thank you! Apologies for the probably ridiculous questions 😉

Nate the great November 30, 2010 um 8:19 pm

1. No.
2. Yes.
3. If you want to go back just select the home button on the taskbar and choose the other option (I forget the name).

6hawks December 3, 2010 um 9:54 pm

I don’t understand #3 above. If the home button on the taskbar is the house logo at top left of page, it brightens when I press it but nothing happens and I don’t get another option. I don’t know how to get back to the Pandigital screen and can’t access the B&N Noon downloads. BTW, great job!

Nate the great December 3, 2010 um 10:11 pm

A menu popped up when I pressed it. I don’t know what to tell you.

Nate the great December 5, 2010 um 1:36 pm

I really can’t help you on this one. Ask over at Slatedroid.


Xue November 30, 2010 um 10:29 pm

I am not quit understand what the hack doing. After the hack, press home buttom, then we can reuse the original novel software. what’s the relationship between those two systems?

Nate the great November 30, 2010 um 11:00 pm

The hack discussed in this post doesn’t replace the existing software. It adds new software. The original software is still on the Novel and you can still use it.


Steve December 1, 2010 um 11:03 am

SlateDroid seems to be down any one know where else i can download the Hack?

Nate the great December 1, 2010 um 11:43 am

They’re in the middle of a server move, I think.

I don’t know of another site to get the hack,sorry.


Lizbeth December 1, 2010 um 3:00 pm

Kind of off-topic but has anyone checked out the PocketBook IQ (701)? It looks very comparable to the Novel but has most of the bookstores already loaded without going through the hacks. Unfortunately not finding too much info on it as it seems relatively new and maybe has been predominantly sold in Europe.

Nate the great December 1, 2010 um 3:09 pm

I just got it Monday. I’ll write about it when I have a moment.

Lizbeth December 1, 2010 um 8:37 pm

Excellent Nate! So first impressions, do you like it better than the Novel? I’m trying to finalize a decision between the two. 🙂

Nate the great December 2, 2010 um 10:51 am

I really don’t like the home screen for the Pocketboook IQ. It’s icky.

Lizbeth December 2, 2010 um 3:46 pm

LOL – doesn’t the faster processor and +1GB of memory more than the Novel make up for it? 🙂 Thanks for the feedback at least. I haven’t made up my mind still.


Don December 1, 2010 um 8:18 pm

Thanks for all your help, Nate. I am able to enjoy the PDN as a tablet, downloading from the Market etc. One elusive thing is being able to get my Google Calendar on this device. I have my gmail and contacts syncing but can not figure how to get google calendar (native) app and to sync it. Please Help!


Hendrick Godwin December 3, 2010 um 11:55 am

I did the firmware update and hacked into the google android, however I would like to switch back. I did the factory reset but the update is still on there any suggestions?

Nate the great December 3, 2010 um 12:17 pm

Get one of the new firmware updates from Pandigital and install it. That should overwrite the changes.

esther December 10, 2010 um 2:05 pm

what is the hack for?
I am new to all this also i have a Pan E reader 7′ white

Nate the great December 10, 2010 um 2:16 pm

A lot of Novel owners are unhappy with the performance of the original firmware, so a bunch of hackers started working on their own firmware. The alternate firmwares add new abilities that the original lacked.


Terry December 3, 2010 um 2:32 pm

This is exactly what I wanted, to be able to keep my Pandigital Novel setup and use the droid apps. Just download the free weather.com app and it works perfectly. Personally, I think the SlateDroid update is better actually than the Cruz, for me personally. FYI, I tried the Cruz download first, but went back to my original firmware and then installed the SlateDroid update. Thanks for info on all the hacking options!


Charles December 3, 2010 um 6:29 pm

Getting mine this weekend, just reviewed Pandigitals open android install instructions. Will try this before a hack. Will write my results about it when I’ve completed it.


Boris Badenov December 4, 2010 um 12:24 pm

Please confirm that it is the model PRD07T10WWH7 that is the jailbreakable one. I just bought the only 7″ white Novel I could find and I will return it if I got the wrong model. Please excuse this beginner’s question. I worked many years in IT but this will be my first attempt at "jailbreaking" something. It looks like fun!

Nate the great December 4, 2010 um 12:35 pm

Yes, that’s the one.

Boris Badenov December 4, 2010 um 5:02 pm

Thanks. I’m learning a lot here.


6hawks December 6, 2010 um 10:47 pm

I am trying to undo the hack. I finally got the Cruz tablet to recognize and unzip the renamed Pandigital software. I’m now stuck in that endless loop of opening Pandigital screen, to shutoff, to white screen, to opening screen, etc. I don’t know how to end the loop. I think I’m almost back to undoing the hack! Help please!

Nate the great December 6, 2010 um 10:54 pm

If you mean that you are trying to undo the Cruz hack and go back to the Novel firmware, then did you flash the Novel firmware twice?

6hawks December 7, 2010 um 6:20 am

No. I’m caught in the shutdown loop and don’t know how to get out. Can’t stop the loop. Tried to flash during the 6 seconds it’s off but no change.


Michelle December 7, 2010 um 1:55 pm

Hi,
I’m trying to flash off the SD card to go back to the original and I keep getting the Android man with a !.
Any idea how I can fix this?
Thanks!!

Nate the great December 7, 2010 um 2:55 pm

Did you rename the file? Scroll up to see the correct name.
Is it on the correct SD card? Put it on both just to be sure.

Are you sure the download wasn’t corrupted?

JJ WAITS December 26, 2010 um 12:31 am

HI NATE, QUICK QUESTION..I HAVE THE WHITE NOVEL AND I AM TRYING TO UNHACK THE CRUZ FIRMWARE (DID NOT ENJOY THE HACK) AND I DOWNLOADED THE MOST RECENT PANDIGITAL FIRMWARE TO FLASH BACK TO THE ORGINAL (OUT OF THE BOX PANDIGITAL FORMAT) VIA SD CARD BUT I ALSO GET THE ANDRIOD WITH ! INSIDE A TRIANGLE, CAN YOU HELP?.ALSO, IF THE PANDIGITAL FILE HAS TO BE RENAMED, WHAT NAME SHOULD IT HAVE?

Nate the great December 26, 2010 um 12:47 am

You need to change the name of the Pandigital firmware so it has the same name as the Cruz firmware. At least, that’s what I’ve been told.


May December 7, 2010 um 4:56 pm

Which FW would you suggest?
The slatedroid FW,Cruz FW or the PDN Open FW?
I see the Cruz is the best but it seems that if I want to return to my original PDN screen it takes a lot of effort.

Side note: I also wanted to get your thoughts on the new PDN open firmware. I downloaded it recently & nothing worked for me. The apps didn’t have menus in them(except kindle) so I couldn’t return to the main screen or change fonts. Not sure if I needed to use the volume keys for the menus. I didn’t do the MICROSD remover step, so I think maybe that’s why everything failed?

thank you!


WILLIAM December 12, 2010 um 7:13 pm

i hacked pdw to cruz and everything is working great so much smoother only problem i am having is cant acess mystions.
books to rear any sugge

Nate the great December 12, 2010 um 7:28 pm

First reboot (always). I don’t recall having this problem, but you might be able to fix it by changing the folder your ebooks are in from ebooks to books (or vice versa). I can’t recall which one Cruz prefers.

WILLIAM December 12, 2010 um 9:03 pm

ty ill try that other than that the cruz app is great

JJ WAITS December 17, 2010 um 11:01 pm

hello, i installed the cruz version but i have been sitting at the word cruz coming up, a black screen, then a white screen…it will not allow me to install the second time and it will not turn off…I tried to remove the battery but I don’t know how, please help and thank you

Nate the great December 18, 2010 um 7:21 am

The battery is connected with a standard cable. It doesn’t take that much of a tug to remove it. And you can remove the back with a couple small flat head screw drivers. Gently pry the 2 parts of the back apart.


Bob Hruley December 13, 2010 um 2:39 pm

I installed the hack that you recommended but am unable to access the Market. It gives me the error that the server is unavailable. What is the easier fix for this?

Nate the great December 13, 2010 um 2:45 pm

I don’t know.

Like I said before, check over at Slatedroid.


Andrea December 13, 2010 um 5:53 pm

Downloaded the nchntr_experience 9_23 version.
But I’m not quite sure how to return to my original PDN screen. Should I download the 11_19 FW of the PDN site?


Andrea December 13, 2010 um 10:42 pm

After I’ve done the hack is it okay to delete the zip file?

Nate the great December 13, 2010 um 10:56 pm

Yes.


FredOak December 15, 2010 um 9:08 am

For those with trouble with the market, what I did when I started having the problem was to re-flash to the original ROM, then made sure the new google account I had set up had a valid payment method and the re-flashed the V4 ROM and the market has been working.
It quite once on me and I just cleared the cache in the market under applications and it was fine.

Vickie December 15, 2010 um 6:14 pm

Thank you so much. I finally got it to work after days. I just kept signing onto my google account and updated my payment method. Not sure if that did it, but now it works.


TJ December 17, 2010 um 12:55 pm

The hack works i am at my second novel hacked and i install all kind of apps from droid.Thanks a lot dude. If you have any questions i can answer let me know


Zach Wilson December 24, 2010 um 3:56 pm

I didi it and it updated except it looks exactly the same and there is no house on the taskbar.


Kenny Truong December 24, 2010 um 10:07 pm

Ummm……is it normal for it to boot to the cruz splash screen and reboot and flash white during updating?

Nate the great December 24, 2010 um 10:35 pm

Yes, that’s what it looks like before you flash the firmware the second time.


Mark Hardt December 27, 2010 um 2:56 pm

It is Dec 27,. we got a white pandigital novel from toysrus for christmas. Despite all the bad reviews I love it. I suspect reviewers know and expect too much. Once you learn to tap and not press or caress it gets easy. I use a combo of stylus and fingers. Has this author updated the hacking instructions? He said it would be out of date by the end of the year. It is the end of the year. Is it out of date. somebody email me at [email protected] and let me know.


Ashnar December 27, 2010 um 7:50 pm

Hey! So i hacked my pandigital and it’s working great. The screen is different and the menu and side volume buttons work correctly. The only thing is, I want apps and since the market is not accessible, i don’t know how to get apps. Can you please tell me how to get apps on my new "Android Tablet". Thanks!

Nate the great December 27, 2010 um 8:32 pm

Read the parts about finding and installing apps from following post:
https://the-digital-reader.com/2010/12/25/getting-started-with-a-tablet/

Ashnar December 28, 2010 um 12:05 am

thanks so much Nate! I got all my apps going and my question answered! You’re awesome 🙂


bill December 28, 2010 um 2:31 pm

sorry but am very new at this but have a question what do you mean when you say to side load something?

Nate the great December 28, 2010 um 2:54 pm

I don’t see where I used it on this post, but I’ll explain anyway.

Downloading – when you use the wifi on your device to download a file from the web
Sideloading – when you first download to your computer and then copy the file to your device over the USB cable.

Smash November 21, 2011 um 2:03 pm

Thanks Nate, I was wondering the same. You used it in a different post. I’ve just been wondering and hoping I’d discover it’s meaning through lots of reading on your site.


Kyle December 28, 2010 um 8:52 pm

i put the sd card in, turned it off, then turned it back on and waited for it to load, then i held the power, volume up button for five seconds, then nothing happens, what am i doing wrong?????


Tom December 29, 2010 um 1:35 pm

Question & thoughts: Installed the slatedroid version via your simplified instructions; everything went well. Thank you.

One problem I have now is that if I want to re-do this, I can’t (at least that I know of) because the hardware volume up button is now remapped; therefore no Volume up button to press while I power on. Thoughts?

Additionally, for those who don’t like to choose between the new hack of the original every time you press home, you can set the default to the new OS and if you want to return to the original OS, select one of the applications (like picture viewer) and you’ll be in the original OS; the home button will take you to the new OS.

Nate the great December 29, 2010 um 1:40 pm

Flashing the firmware doesn’t depend on the volume up button; it depends on that particular hardware button. It doesn’t matter what function that button has.


bill December 29, 2010 um 3:52 pm

i have downloaded my wpd but it wont load market keeps getting error ,sever


Pandigital Novel – problems after hack December 29, 2010 um 10:35 pm

[…] – problems after hack I have a white Pandigital novel and I was able to hack it using this: How to hack your (white) Novel – the easy way. After hacking, I turned it on and tried to download apps using the browser. I have been […]


hempenstall1 December 29, 2010 um 10:36 pm

after using this hack, I turned my white Pandigital on and tried to download apps using the browser. I have been unsuccessful in every attempt in downloading anything, from the reader itself or using my SD card. I tried downloading an app and it downloaded, but there was a parsing error. I can’t open any downloads via my SD card because when I open the file it asks whether I want to open it as a video, image, text, or music. I tried downloading Panda Home and that was unsuccessful also. I tried downloading the FW from Pandigital’s website to revert to the original but my computer won’t recognize the hacked device. I also tried downloading and transferring to my SD card, but when I tried to open the file it would only open it as an image, text, video, or music file. I just want to get it back to the original format. Any help would be appreciated. I’m incredible frustrated.


Chip December 30, 2010 um 11:47 am

I have a white novel and kind of new to this…Would a 8 gb Class 2 SDHC Flash Memory Card work fine or should I be looking at a different type of SD card?

Nate the great December 30, 2010 um 11:51 am

It should work fine.


paul December 30, 2010 um 7:52 pm

How do I set up a "valid payment method" on my gmail account?

Nate the great December 30, 2010 um 8:48 pm

I don’t know. You probably need to log in to your Google account from your PC and do it from there.


Dave December 31, 2010 um 6:20 pm

How do I run the ES manager. I have it over on my pandigital, just cant figure out how to execute the file. Iam thinking I need to hack the firmware.


JC January 2, 2011 um 12:50 am

what games did you find that work well?

Nate the great January 2, 2011 um 7:46 am

I haven’t found any games that appeal to me so I don’t know if they work or not.


Novel Help January 4, 2011 um 1:08 am

Hi Nate,
Can you please help,
I have just got the Novel but yet to buy a SD card. Can i still 'Hack' my Novel?
If so can you please give me really really simplified instructions :), would be great if you could 🙂
Thanks

Nate the great January 4, 2011 um 7:18 am

The firmware update process requires a SD card, so you need it if you want to hack your Novel.


Raechal January 6, 2011 um 8:02 pm

I downloaded the cruz firmware to my WPDN, and realized it wasn’t what I wanted at all. I wanted something that still supported the old PDN settings while being able to download apps from the android market as well. I decided I wanted to download roebeet v.4. I downloaded the file, unzipped, transferred it to a blank SD card, changed the name of the file, and inserted it into my PDN while pushing volume+ and power, and nothing seems to be changing. I still get the same Cruz start-up screen every time, and occasionally the droid guy with the ! in the triangle. Am I missing something?


JohnL January 8, 2011 um 8:32 am

What I did was download the Android Open Platform from Pandigital, put it on a SD card, kept it in zip, just download to the SD card, nothing else on the SD card but the zipped Android Open Platform, turned off the Novel, put the SD card in, turned the Novel on with the volume + and power on buttons and the robot shows up with a progress bar. After restarting, I have an Android Tablet and I then went to www.freewarelovers.com/android
and downloaded an app installer then downloaded a lot of the apps from there, using the app installer and now I have lots of stuff from games, readers, managers, all kinds of things and most work, but some games don’t since there aren’t the buttons available, but many will work using the volume + button to bring up a bar to get you home or somewhere else. Also many use touch only anyway. I also can use Opera Mini and Dolphin browsers. The interface is nice and I am happy 🙂 Oh and I am using a 4 gb SD card for external AND a 4 gb micro SDHC card for internal. It flies on most everything. I plan to go with 8 gb later but this works great as is. One thing I want to know is the firewall app demands to be rooted with su and how can I root it using the Android Open Platform?


Michelle January 11, 2011 um 3:57 am

Just wanted to say a quick thanks! I just followed your simple instructions and I think all is good!


mariela January 11, 2011 um 4:04 pm

i did what u said to do and after i rebooted, the little android guy with the ! appears and then it flashes to another image of a box with an arrow going out of the box..help?

JohnL January 12, 2011 um 1:12 am

Mariela, just hit the reset button, the tiny, tiny hole up near the power button and with a paper clip end push the reset button in and it will return you to the previous version. Make sure your download is put on the SD card and make sure it is zipped, unzipping it will not let it work right. Don’t have anything else on the SD card but only the zipped download. Put the SD card in and turn the Novel on by pressing in the volume + and turn the Novel on at the same time. Hold it a few seconds and let the buttons go. It should take you to the little robot and a progress bar. Leave it alone as it updates. It should work. If not, go back again and reset it as something isn’t working right with your Novel.
I have the white Novel and it worked fine afterward. I don’t know about the other colors or the black one, but people say they have more issues with them and the black one is different then the white one internally. Good Luck!


JohnL January 13, 2011 um 4:34 am

If you flashed it to your internal drive, you can delete it. Keep a copy of it though on your PC so if you ever need to have it again, you can just copy it back to the SD and not have to download it all over again.

JohnL January 13, 2011 um 4:41 am

The answer above is in reference to Chip // Jan 10, 2011 at 2:13 pm

Does anyone know if I am suppossed to delete v4 download from my sd card once I have flashed my novel and it is running the adroid software?

Nate the great January 13, 2011 um 7:30 am

Yes, you can delete it.


JohnL January 14, 2011 um 5:32 am

To Nate The Great or anyone who can answer, I love the Android Open Platform and all the apps I have now BUT I can’t seem to change the wallpaper. Is there a way to do so? I know AndroPaint Lite has a wallpaper changer but it sets the wallpaper too large, I don’t see a way to make it smaller or resize it. Any ideas? Thanks!


Larry Edell January 14, 2011 um 5:28 pm

I installed the Cruz reader and it works great….until I unplug the charger – it doesnt recognize the battery. It has been charging for 2 days and still shows 0% charged. Does anyone have a fix for this?


JB soccer January 16, 2011 um 4:06 pm

Nate, I have installed the cruz reader firmware and would like to return to slatedroid firmware but I am having trouble doing so, i get the android triangle and ! how can I get back to slatedroid

Nate the great January 16, 2011 um 5:21 pm

I don’t know.


lacy January 18, 2011 um 8:43 pm

Can anyone help me.. I download the android. I did not take the sd card out of the back.. how do I get the e-reader back???

JohnL January 19, 2011 um 7:29 am

lacy // Jan 18, 2011 at 8:43 pm

Can anyone help me.. I download the android. I did not take the sd card out of the back.. how do I get the e-reader back???

Lacy, if you downloaded the Android Open Platform, the original e-reader is gone. You have to download other e-reader apps and you have a lot of choices such as Kindle, Kobo, Aldiko (which is my favorite) but the Aldiko you have to change the settings to not read the volume keys,. Plus other readers like Adobe, ireader, etc are available. Go to www.freewarelovers.com and in the Android section pick out which ones you want. You first need to install the appinstaller app and apply it first and use it to download all the others. If you aren’t sure how to do this, ask a friend you know who is a techie to help you or go to www.Slateroid.com and read the posts or ask over there as they can help you.

If you are looking to put the e-reader back to the original, like it was when you bought it, then just push in the reset button, the tiny hole near the power on switch and with the end of a paper clip, push it in and it will reset it back to original, like it was when you first bought it but this will not let you add any apps to it, as the original Novel is locked down.

Terri February 18, 2011 um 1:15 pm

How do you change the settings for the volume keys for aldiko?

di April 5, 2011 um 9:31 pm

i went to slatedroid and since i am not teckie i am really confused. I tend to do better with step by step insturctions. I followed everything above, i hacked and can not install apps. Where do I go from here. do I down load some apppk to the sd card and then onto the pandigital?

Shannon May 20, 2011 um 7:47 pm

All you have to do is go to PDN Settings, then hit the X. You should then be on the original PDN screen.


JohnL January 19, 2011 um 7:32 am

Faith, a lot of people lately have been having that problem and www.slateroid.com is where to find help. Ask or read the posts over there.


BJ Exum January 22, 2011 um 1:23 pm

"the latest firmware update from Pandigital turns the Novel into a standard Android tablet."

Hi, I am confused about this? Do you mean there is a firmware from Pandigital newer than the 11/19/10 that is not an OP?

Nate the great January 22, 2011 um 3:48 pm

BJ,

I deleted a couple comments because I misunderstood what you were asking. At CES I saw the new retail box for the white Novel which showed the Novel with a standard home screen. I was then told that Pandigital was going OP as a policy.

I also just checked and there is a new firmware for the white Novel dated 14 January. You can use Pandigital's update tool to download and install it.

BJ Exum January 22, 2011 um 4:09 pm

they state on the website that using that update VOIDS the warranty, but apparently I have done it this afternoon, and as I had read, it is pretty barebones. So now looking on slatedroid to get the changes to make the thing useful 🙁

Nate the great January 22, 2011 um 4:17 pm

No, that one is _not_ the latest firmware. That one is a good couple months old.

There’s a firmware from only a week ago. It should be open.


Russ January 24, 2011 um 1:56 pm

Like was said at the beginning here, there is no reason to bother hacking anymore. Just go to http://www.pandigital.net/?PageID=391 and download the latest firmware. You will have a great Android E-Reader. You do not need to download the Open Source Android stuff. Just update your firmware using the simple directions. Just make sure you click on the download corresponding to your E-reader. Black, white, 7 or 9 inch. It took me 5 minutes and I’ve got a fully functional Android Tablet. My only advice is that the last direction about plugging the reader back into the USB port is not necessary in the end. If after doing this, you find the applications say they are not loaded when you click on them, do the process over again. I had to do that and it worked just fine.

Lisa March 13, 2011 um 12:12 am

The same thing happened to me. After I downloaded the update, it said the apps were not loaded. I tried to do the process over again, but it says I do not have enough space on my novel. I tried resetting it, but it still comes back on the same. How do I uninstall the update to start over?

ajrob November 16, 2011 um 5:25 am

Ok I did the root and have nothing but issues with it so Im trying to get it back to factory settings and it’s not letting me do the firmware update or anything, I keep getting a server error or some super long thing that I dont understand basically saying that it can’t read my SN number. Help please!!


Core February 8, 2011 um 2:14 pm

Surfs fast on wifi-n paces a pc.


Anna March 3, 2011 um 12:43 am

I hacked my novel last year according to your older post, and now I need to restore it to be able to install the new firmware update. Could you guide me as to how I do this?


Hacking the Pandigital Novel (video) – The Digital Reader September 5, 2011 um 7:57 pm

[…] (the process got a lot easier and now gives you better results). You can find the new instructions here. Trust me, you’ll want to use the new […]


Raylea October 2, 2011 um 12:36 pm

I am having trouble getting to the page that you put up to get the zip file. When i get to the slatedroid page it just says error

Nate Hoffelder October 2, 2011 um 1:14 pm

Damn it, did they move it again? I’m really getting tired of those folks.

At this point I think it’s best to go through the ordinary update process. The firmware update will pretty much do everything I want, which is turn it into a regular tablet.

If you want Market access, check over at SlateDroid for the latest (this post is nearly a year old).


Valerie December 13, 2011 um 12:39 pm

i know the browser that come on the pandigital novel stright from the box doesnt work once u upgrade it. should u download a new browser before the download or after and which one do u like


Pat December 20, 2011 um 9:15 pm

I got the Novel eReader & Android Multimedia Tablet recently as a gift. I was trying to get the Kindle app but the Amazon app store won’t load – someone said it was because there is no flash on this model. Is there any way to hack so that the unit will do what I’d like. Says you can access internet/facebook but can’t play games because no flash!Thanks

Nate Hoffelder December 20, 2011 um 9:39 pm

Sometimes some apps won’t install. Let me help you get the Kindle App. Read the part of this post that covers getting apps:
https://the-digital-reader.com/2010/12/25/getting-started-with-a-tablet

Also, when you say it won’t load, do you mean it won’t run, it won’t install, or it won’t let you download apps?

If it won’t load, I do not know what to say.
If it won’t run, reboot your tablet. If it still won’t run, delete the app and reinstall it.
If it won’t let you download apps, that’s because you need an SD card in the slot.


Pat December 20, 2011 um 10:10 pm

To download the app I download/install the download and get the message:
Appstore could not be installed on this phone.


Mike December 23, 2011 um 2:08 pm

Hi Nate, just wondering if the zip file on your second update page is the same one on the original page? Also, will this hack work on the WPDN running stock SH20 firmware?

Mike December 23, 2011 um 2:22 pm

I was able to root my WPDN using Z4root. I had the file backed up on my phone’s sd card. I popped the sd card in my pdn, and using the file manager in the pdn, I was able to install it. If you do this you have to temporarily root first in z4root, then re-open Z4root and select permanent root, then restart your pdn. Now you’ll notice superuser icon in your app tray.

Nate Hoffelder December 23, 2011 um 2:42 pm

I’ve just read your other comment and I think you know more than I do.


Shauntaya Latish Green December 28, 2011 um 6:20 pm

i just wanna ask how do u download a game on a pandigital ipad n i heard tht u new about this stuff can u please help me


Sheni December 29, 2011 um 8:52 pm

Every time I hold down the volume up button and power button my PDN gets stuck on the white triangle with the yellow exclamation point in the middle with the android man at the bottom. I have tried this many, many times and get the same result. I have the SH20110302 firmware.


Joanie January 14, 2012 um 3:32 pm

I changed my pandigital white and now I want to change it back please Please help


kittehgirl February 4, 2012 um 3:39 pm

I have one of the red 4 GB pandigitals. I want to put some android apps on my reader but cant figure it out. can some one help me please?


Grimace March 2, 2012 um 3:44 pm

I have the white version of Pandigital Novel how do you find what version of Android s/w we are running. i have tried downloading some games and it says that we don’t the right version of s/w


Yamila March 17, 2012 um 5:40 pm

How or what can I do to make my Pandigital capable of playing web videos like from youtube. Please HELP !!!


erica May 30, 2012 um 11:28 pm

I have the Pandigital Multimedia Novel 4GB 7″ Touchscreen Tablet Android is this firmware going to work with it.


Cindy July 3, 2012 um 9:34 pm

Nate, you helped me once years ago getting my 7 inch WPDN working. I have used it successfully since then. I have heard that this month – VLC now has an android app that will work for playing videos. I have used VLC with Windows XP for years and would love to have it working on the WPDN. I have downloaded the vlc- neon and vlc – non neon – with both I am getting "parsing error" Any thoughts?
Thanks


tom November 24, 2012 um 8:16 pm

I broke the touchscreen on my white novel. Is there a way to use a usb mouse with the novel?

Nate Hoffelder November 24, 2012 um 8:18 pm

No.


Jim Mccain December 10, 2012 um 1:03 pm

did the download of zip file installed it reset the pandigital it started loading got about 2/3 the way done went to black screen now it wont turn on have done reset button, have done power and vol +, have done vol + power and reset nothing is working is this just a brick now??


ashley January 22, 2013 um 3:22 am

so i successfully downloaded the firmware on the sd card and inserted it into my panditial novel, hold down volume + and power button, then it turned on with the andriod guy and a box….has the " loading bar", it gets about 1/8 of the way then starts from the beginging……any help?????


Eddie February 23, 2013 um 2:41 am

I have same problem it just loads so far then starts over whats going on


Rev. Charles May 13, 2013 um 11:17 pm

I was just given a pandigital prd07t10wwh7 by someone whose mother had passed away and I don’t know anything about it. I tryed to set up the wifi and don’t know the user name or password. I know nothing about tablets and I’m only learning about computers. How can I get this working for me? It has a name it is registered to. Thank you, Rev. Charles


Danny January 6, 2014 um 4:31 pm

HELLO! I already have the Android Version with the "Back Arrow, Home Button, and the 3 parellel (I think I spelled that wrong) on the top left, but I don’t have the Android Market, or any app store at all. Is there a way I can get the Android Market installed, or would I have to do the hack?


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[…] How to hack your (white) Novel – the easy way – So you want to hack your Novel. Greetings … Nate Hoffelder is the founder and editor of The Digital Reader: "I’ve been into reading ebooks since forever, but I only got my first ereader in July 2007. Everything quickly spiraled out of control from … […]


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[…] How to hack your (white) Novel – the easy way – So you want to hack your Novel. Greetings … Nate Hoffelder is the founder and editor of The Digital Reader: "I’ve been into reading ebooks since forever, but I only got my first ereader in July 2007. Everything quickly spiraled out of control from … […]


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