Newbie Guide

[Guest Gx3k]

I originally wrote this for a Filipino Forum which can be found here: click here for link

Omnipad/Advent Vega Newbie Guide/FAQ - Updated: April 30

Please refer new users to this page specially those interested in tweaking their device to maximise its potential.

I will try to update this often and help will be appreciated. Try to read everything before asking questions so we do not pollute

this thread with repeated questions.

User Review

Omnipad is the rebranded Philippine version of the Advent Vega from the UK so all software/firmware, accessories, and customisations/

modifications from the Vega will also work for the Omnipad. It has the latest Nvidia Tegra 2 Dual core processor similar to Motorola

Xoom, Acer Iconia, and the ASUS Transformer. It has 512mb RAM, bluetooth, USB and HDMI ports built-in, and a 1.3MP camera in front.

The diaplay resolution is 1024 x 600 and it is capable of playing HD videos and 3D games smoothly. One of the the downsides of the

device is the poor viewing angles but this is rarely a problem as you usually hold the tablet in front of your face. Another negative point

would be the built in memory of 512mb but this is easily solved by the 16gb free micro SD included in the bundle (upgradeable to 32gb).

It may not support Wifi-N but this wifi version has not been popular and it is backwards compatible so its not a problem for future use.

The tablet does not have a camera at the back but the built in USB port allows for a USB camera to be inserted along with other USB

devices such as USB flash disks, external USB hard drive, 3g dongles, GPS dongle, and others. Most tablets nowadays have Android

Honeycomb built-in and the Omnipad has Android 2.2 but as of the moment, it is way better to have Android 2.2 than Honeycomb due

to lack of apps and software support. One of the strengths of the Omnipad is the vast community support from the Advent Vega which

guarantees continued software/firmware upgrades and technical support. Newer versions of Android including Honeycomb are in line for

future updates so always keep updated by going to this thread or the official Advent Vega thread here: http://android.modaco.com/category/474/adv...ega-modaco-com/

The stock ROM (operating system) of the Omnipad is not great out of the box but this is easily solved by simple tweaks which will be

discussed in this guide. Overall, the Omnipad/Advent Vega is the fastest (with overclock), most supported (through community), and

the most affordable tablet (given the specs) you can buy at the market now and will not be matched anytime soon.

Note: This tablet is recommended for users who are used to modifying/tweaking/customising their gadgets using software and have

above average PC skills. I am NOT responsible for messed up tablets due to this guide so follow at your own risk. If your PC skills are

below average and does not have the time to read/research, Android tablets are NOT for you. Get an Ipad instead.

Connecting Omnipad to the PC

There are 2 modes you can connect your tablet to your PC. One is as a Mass storage device and another as USB Debug mode which is

needed for the tweaks we will use. If this is the first time you are connecting the tablet to your PC, follow the steps to install the USB

drivers for your device.

1. Optional: Backup personal data and settings to the SD card using built in backup or third party software like Titanium Backup (Pro).

2. Make sure the device is turned on and you have enough battery power left.

3. Download and unzip this on your PC: http://www.myadventvega.co.uk/SystemUSB.zip

4. On the device go to Settings > Applications > Development and turn on USB Debugging.

5. Connect the device to the PC with the USB connection cable.

6. On the PC go to 'Device manager', right click the Nvidia Harmony device and choose to update the device driver

7. Browse the PC for the unzipped drivers and ignore all warnings about driver verification (Install anyway)

8. Done correctly it will show the device with Android Developer Bridge (ADB) enabled

Changing the ROM

When you first use the Omnipad out of the box, there is no Android market built in and lots of other features are missing. The ROM

(operating system) of the tablet can be changed in several ways but I have chosen the easier ones and the ones I have used myself.

First, you have to install a program called Clockwork mod which will make the process simpler and it is very helpful in making a full

back-up of your system if you want to try other ROMS or if you messed up your tablet. Make sure you have enough battery or the tablet is plugged in the

charger when you do any of the following.

Installing the Clockwork mod

1. Download and unzip this in your PC: http://murdock.snipanet.com/recovery_vega_..._donotflash.zip

2. On the device go to Settings > Applications > Development and turn on USB Debugging.

3. Connect the device to the PC with the USB connection cable.

4. Click Windows_install file on the unzipped folder.

5. There should now be a Recovery app in your app list after it finishes.

Installing a new ROM

1. Choose and download the ROM you want to use:

-- R8 MoDaCo ROM: very stable and popular with lots of support (recommended for beginners) http://loadbalancing.modaco.com/download.p...6wccmj3a8dg68m8

Official forum thread: http://android.modaco.com/content/advent-v...online-kitchen/

-- Corvus 5 ROM: Overclock option + fixed accelerometer (read thread for overclock guide) http://www.multiupload.com/H9HFKH7CI4

Official forum thread: http://android.modaco.com/content/advent-v...vus-teamed-rom/

-- Fuji-Vega ROM v0.7: Overclock option + different design (read thread for overclock guide) http://www.multiupload.com/9PYXI3YNJT

Official forum thread: http://android.modaco.com/content/advent-v...ghz-25-04-2011/

-- Gambaro ROM v0.2: Different looks + minor enhancements http://desire.giesecke.tk/download/Gambaro_ROM_V_0.2.zip

Official forum thread: http://android.modaco.com/content-page/337...-mobii/page/40/

2. Copy the ZIP file in your SD card (turn off USB debugging from settings > applications > development if you want to use the device

as a mass storage when you connect the tablet to your PC)

3. Tap Recovery app to launch Clockwork. The tablet will reboot.

4. Important: You can make a back-up if you already have a fully working rom using the Clockwork this is the best back-up you can use

as it will back-up EVERYTHING and it put your tablet back where it was before if you need to restore it later. Just choose "backup and

restore" option on the list. Use the volume buttons to select, back button to go back, and the power button to choose.

5. To continue installing the ROM, choose "wipe data/factory reset", then choose "wipe cache partition", then choose "advanced" > "wipe

dalvik cache"

6. Go back to the main menu and then choose "install zip from sdcard" > "choose zip from SD card" > choose the ZIP file you saved in

your sd card

7. Reboot the device and you have a new ROM :mellow:

Restoring from Backup

If you want to change to another ROM, just install the Clockwork mod if you don't have the Recovery app installed and repeat the

process. You do not have to reinstall the USB drivers in your PC if you already did it before. If you want to go back to your old

ROM and you have a backup of it, just open the Recovery app then choose "backup and restore" > restore > choose the backup

you need (you may delete the folders of the older backups if you don't need them to save space).

If you are having problems with the ROM (won't start-up, freezing, unstable, etc) and you cannot install the Clockwork mod to restore,

or you just want to put the original ROM back so you can avail of the warranty, follow these steps:

1. Plug to the charger and turn-off the device (to force off, hold the power button for 6 seconds)

2. Connect the device to the PC using the USB cable (make sure you have the drivers installed)

3. Boot to recovery mode by following the next procedure exactly:

-- Press and hold the 'back' button on top of the device.

-- After 1 second push and hold the 'power' button too. Don't release the back button yet!

-- After 1 more second release the 'power' button, while holding the back button.

-- After yet another second, release the 'back' button too.

-- If you've done this correctly, the PC will play a 'device connected' sound.

4. Download and open this file: http://www.myadventvega.co.uk/softwareImag..._Vega_Final.exe

5. Reboot the tablet and you're back to the original software :o

6. Optional: You can now reinstall the Clockwork mod and install other ROMS or do a full restore if you made a backup.

Easy Full Backup and Restore Without Clockwork mod

1. Check if you have at least 500mb space in your micro SD card then download and unzip this file in your PC: http://android.modaco.com/index.php?act=at...st&id=71974

2. Go to Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging in your tablet and enable it.

3. Connect the tablet to the PC using USB (make sure you already have the drivers installed)

4. Open the unzipped file in your PC and click MakeRestorer_Windows and wait for the DOS window to end processing.

5. You will have a backup of your system in the SD card in a folder called restoretmp. You may save a copy of this folder in your PC.

6. To make another backup, delete restoretmp folder from your SD card and start again from step 2.

To restore from the backup:

1. Plug to the charger and turn-off the device (to force off, hold the power button for 6 seconds)

2. Connect the device to the PC using the USB cable (make sure you have the drivers installed)

3. Boot to recovery mode by following the next procedure exactly:

-- Press and hold the 'back' button on top of the device.

-- After 1 second push and hold the 'power' button too. Don't release the back button yet!

-- After 1 more second release the 'power' button, while holding the back button.

-- After yet another second, release the 'back' button too.

-- If you've done this correctly, the PC will play a 'device connected' sound.

4. Open the unzipped folder and click Restore_Windows inside the restorer folder.

5. Reboot the tablet.

Note: This method and the clockwork mod method saves the full system (apps, data, settings, customisations) but NOT other media

in your SD card such as movies, mp3s, ebooks, documents, etc. so you will have to save those separately if you're planning to format

the SD card or use another SD card.

After installing a custom ROM

Congratulations! Your tablet is ready to challenge the Ipad2 and other more expensive tablets. Now that you have a custom ROM, you

have now access to the Android Market and download lots of FREE apps. Here's a list of things you can do now that you have your tablet

"rooted" (hacked):

1. Overclocking - read the official forum threads of the ROM to see how to do it. Note that doing this will drain more battery, heat

up your tablet, and may shorten its lifespan. Use with caution.

2. Change the fonts and boot animation of your device - download Absolute System from the Market and choose Advent Vega as

your device. Download the fonts and boot animation you want then install them. For better looking (right sized) boot animations, you may

download the zip file of the animation here: http://android.modaco.com/content/advent-v...dated-have-fun/ then save it to your SD card (goodies > bootanimations >

make a folder then put the file there) then open Absolute System app and enable it through "Downloaded Boot Animations"

3. Install APK files - APKs are installation files for apps in Android. You may get the apps you want for "free" by searching and

downloading them online then saving them in your SD card. Just download the AppInstaller app from the Market, then use iFileManager

app to explore your SD card and open the APK file you saved. Make sure you have Settings > Applications > Unknown Sources enabled.

4. Make apps compatible with your screen - Most apps are made for mobile phones so some may appear small in your tablet's

screen when opening them. To automatically fit the app in your screen, just go to Spare Parts app > Compatibility mode. Check this and

then uncheck it then check it again, then reboot. Go back to Spare Parts app > Compatibility mode then uncheck it.

5. Wifi turns off when screen turns off - If you don't like the wifi to turn off when the tablet goes to standby mode so your emails

and updates will work, download and install this app http://ptbw-codespace.googlecode.com/files...tKiller_1.7.apk. Use use this app to go to standby mode rather than pushing the power button.

6. Connecting USB Devices - If you want to use USB Flash drives, USB card readers, USB mouse/keyboard, etc., your tablet must

be in USB Host mode. Go to USB Mode app then choose USB Host, the tablet will reboot, then plug your USB device. Remember to

switch back to USB Slave if you want to connect your tablet to your PC. For USB cameras, enable USB cameras under settings.

7. More how to's for Advent Vega/Omnipad - http://android.modaco.com/content/advent-v...guides-how-tos/

Recommended Apps/Games

Here are a few apps I recommend because I use them myself. Note that not all apps in the market are compatible with your device.

Don't forget to install Flash Player 10.2 from the market to enable flash videos and games. Also, regularly check for update for your

apps from the Android market by going to Menu > My Apps.

Launcher Pro - Launcher

Dolphin Browser HD - Web Browser

Laputa - Ebook Reader

AVG free - Anti virus

Mobo Player - Video Player

App2SD - transfers apps to SD instead of internal memory.

Droidwall - Firewall

Fast Reboot - RAM manager

Go Weather - Weather widget

Quick note - Note Widget

Paint Joy - Painting App

Flext9 - Keyboard with Swype, voice to text, handwriting mode, etc.

Google earth

XCKY - Comics

Games: (please tell me if you have tested others so I can add them here)

Arcade by Kongragate - This app will play 400+ flash games for free. Just having this makes your tablet worth it :D

Air Attack HD

Angry Birds

Cordy

Dungeon Defenders HD

HW Solitaire

Paradise Island

Guerilla Bob

Robo Defense

Rocket Bunnies

Samurai II: Vengeance

Spaghetti Marshmallows

Splode

Walkabout

Words with Friends

[Guest Zebrahead]

With respect to the links, please use links to the actual posts containing the downloads rather than the direct download link.

I know it may be tidier to have a direct link but:

- upon update, the link could change, giving you a dead link

- if any information changes with respect to the link, it'll be updated on the original forum post and so the information in your guide could be out of date.

See buzz's reasons here, they make sense!

http://androidroot.mobi/2011/04/28/some-th...uide-reposting/

that aside, great guide ^^

Thanks,

Zeb

Edited April 30, 2011 by Zebrahead

[Guest Gx3k]

With respect to the links, please use links to the actual posts containing the downloads rather than the direct download link.

I know it may be tidier to have a direct link but:

- upon update, the link could change, giving you a dead link

- if any information changes with respect to the link, it'll be updated on the original forum post and so the information in your guide could be out of date.

See buzz's reasons here, they make sense!

http://androidroot.mobi/2011/04/28/some-th...uide-reposting/

that aside, great guide ^^

Thanks,

Zeb

I tried to make the guide as easy as possible and giving another link that has more text to read will be confusing.

I have tried and tested each of the steps and I will update the links regularly anyway to make it up to date :mellow: