Emphatic Groan

Just switched on my Hudl 2 and found it went past the initial internet check and on to link to my google account. yay. Unfortunately, after google sign in the device checks for updates again, can't find them and is then stuck in a loop between check wifi and try again. No way to use the keyboard trick at this point, nothing to do but switch off or master reset! Still, seems promising :)

Just had this through from Texo Customer Servies, seems promising: 'We have now identified the problem and we’re currently attempting to fix the complex issue. I can’t give you an exact timescale just now, but I will be back in touch with a further update sometime next week. I know this is frustrating and I really appreciate your continued patience. Best wishes Lewis Gorrie Customer Service Executive to the Board'

Get in touch with tescos: https://twitter.com/tescomobile and email the CEO: [email protected]

amazing, thanks very much. A bit beyond me at the moment but great to know there is a solution. Can you update from the Tescos server once you're past the setup ping?

This response from email to CEO yesterday: Good morning I’m very sorry that you’re unable to use your Hudl. We’re aware of the issue you describe and our technical team are looking into it. I’ll let you know as soon as I have an update from them. Thank you for your patience. Best wishes Lewis Gorrie Customer Service Executive to the Board They need new IT people if it's taking several weeks to even work out what the problem is at their end! If it's something very difficult and obscure, they could at least pass on that much information. Certainly doesn't seem they're treating the issue with anything approaching urgency...

Still nothing useful back from tescos who are 'investigating' the problem and will get back if they ever get any information...

It seems crazy that they can't give any information at all - no indication of whether or not they're working on the problem really. It can't be anything that complicated surely...

See this post:

Tescos got back to me, they are investigating.

Have you heard anything back from Tescos? They haven't yet responded to me.

As far as I can work out, at some point between christmas and new year, Tescos update server went offline - I guess at the new year. In the initial setup, after connecting to whatever network, the Hudl attempts to contact the tescos server. When that connection times out, it reports no internet and sticke you back to the setup screen. Very annoying. You can sort of get access to the device, in a quite useless sense, though you can at least verify it's working, by this method: 1) On the Wifi setup screen, attempt to connect and wait for connection to timeout. 2) Reboot the Hudl 2 (power off completely and restart). 3) When you get back to the setup screen do not press the right arrow to attempt to continue setup. 4) Tap Other network, and then long press the comma button on the keyboard (microphone on some other firmwares they shipped with I think). This brings up the keyboard settings. 5) Select Google Keyboard settings and scroll down to About google keyboard. 6) Select open source licenses, then highlight any bit of text and choose 'web search'. 7) You should be able to browse the internet, you can also access the Hudl 2 settings if you start typing settings and select the settings cog. Check your firmware version in about tablet, and you can enable developer options and allow usb debugging etc. So if you happen to have one of the early versions of firmware you might be able to root the device and install new firmware. I have not had time to look deeplt into whether this is possible with the firmware I have, doesn't seem straightforward though. Of course, it might be possible to get in touch with Tescos and at least confirm they deliberately shut down the server - I guess something might not have been renewed at 12:00 01/01/2019 and they did not intend to brick everything - AFAIK this affects all Hudl and Hudl 2 so presumably quite a few people potentially affected! I can't find a contact email or form which looks as if it will go to anyone useful though.

Neither do I - mine is on build 20151102.170607 so looks like rooting isn't even an option.

Just received a 2nd hand Hudl 2 - performed a factory reset as a first step, now I can't proceed through the initial setup. It connects via wifi fine, but then cannot find the internet connection to proceed. If I access chrome through the keyboard settings, I can verify that it is in fact connected to the internet, it's just the tesco initial setup wizard that thinks internet not present. Tried multiple networks, multiple factor resets, hard resets, etc. etc. Any advice would be great - can I try reflashing the original tesco firmward, or custom firmware or somthing? Would prefer not to but appears maybe the only route back from useless paperweight status... EDIT: I think I have got to the bottom of it - the tesco server is down/switched off (https://device.mobile.tesco.com) The device can access the internet, use chrome, etc., using the google keyboard servicdes workaround, but hudl can't be updated from within settings and all the hudl legal information links on the about tablet page are dead (non Tesco links work fine). So Hudl 2s which are factory reset are now bricked unless Tesco turn the server back on or they are rooted... Infuriating...