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N2a card? Rooting? Problems?
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Connieb
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Aug 12, 2012 09:31PM
I'm way behind the trend in rooting my NC, I know, and now I'm thinking about it again. Has anyone here rooted with N2a? Something else? Do you like it/not like it. Any problems?
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It's not really rooting with the N2A card. It doesn't change the Nook or void it's warranty. I have mixed opinions on it.
The N2A card boots the Nook with an android operating system so you have access to all of the android apps that are available. I love that I can personalize the desktop. That's what I like about it.
What I don't like is that I don't have access to my Nook apps and so I would have to buy them again. I also can't read some of my magazines because they specifically set up for the Nook. I've also had trouble with sideloading files. There is plenty of room on the card but when I try to load a video, it tells me there isn't enough space. Reading my sideloaded books is difficult. The Nook app tells me that I don't have any sideloaded titles. I have to open them from a file manager, but that could just be me not understanding the systme. In addition, there is no Hulu Plus app.
The good thing is that you can go alternate between the operating systems by rebooting so nothing is lost. I think there are also other cards that do the same thing but might be cheaper.
I have an SD card with the android operating system on it that I use with my nook color. I've had it for over a year. It's not perfect but I still love it. I am able to go back and forth between the stock nook color and an android tablet very easily and it gives me incredible versatility.Jean is correct in saying that this is not rooting. Rooting will void the warranty and it changes the stock nook color. Installing the SD card lets you enjoy the best of both worlds with a few limitations.
On the android tablet side I have many apps downloaded including the kindle app and the nook app (so I don't have to switch back if I'm reading a book on the nook.)You can't see your library books and some magazines. No big deal just a slight inconvenience. As to sideloaded books, I use dropbox and sideload them that way. I have dropbox app on both nook color and android tablet side. I do this with several apps. I also love being able to customize the tablet. In essence, you have both an android tablet and a nook for only $250 and the cost of the SD card. Amazing!
I think being able to do this is what makes the nook so much better than the kindle. So much versatility with very little downside. I've never uploaded videos, so that's not a problem for me.
I have done the same thing with my Nook Color. I found a great site that explained how to do it and it took me a few tries but I did it! Now I have my Nook but if I want to switch I insert my memory card and reboot to the android side. There seem to be a lot more free apps and books for Kindle than Nook so that's why I wanted to try it. For some reason, the android side doesn't work as well. I have to reboot it several times to get it started properly and to connect with wifi so I can download new items. My Kindle app is touchy too and sometimes it freezes while reading a book and I have to force close it. It's still worth it to me though, it was only the cost of a memory card. Good luck!
My husband did it for me. I just leave the memory card in. It's no problem and switch back and forth as needed. I agree, I do have problems with it sometimes. I've had to reload the nook app a few times and the kindle app often gives me trouble. But rebooting solves most things. But it is totally worth it. I've thought about upgrading to a new android OS since I did this a year ago. I haven't decided yet.
Thanks so much everyone!! Yes, I was incorrect in calling it rooting, I really meant using the N2A card or another SD card.So... what I'm hearing so far is that each of you would recommend purchasing a 2nd SD card (or N2A), adding android apps, and switching back and forth, even with the few inconveniences you've experienced? I love my NC for reading, but feel I'm really missing out on the potential of adding some android apps and tablet features.
I have dropbox also. The next question then, is which android SD cards did you all get and where's that 'really good site' for installation instructions?
Since I did this so long ago, I purchased a loaded card from a guy who was selling them on Nookfriends facebook page. I think now you can actually buy them from Amazon. If you google it, you should be able to come up with websites that have the installation instructions. As I said, my husband did it for me - so I was out of that loop.I did this for the exact same reason you stated. I felt like I was missing out on so much that the nook color could do as an android tablet. Good luck!
It took me a few tries and the help of my computer savvy hubby but I figured it out after two evenings of trying. You can do it too! Yes, I have had inconveniences but I've been happy with it overall. I also love my NC!This is the site I used to dual boot:
http://www.thedustyblog.com/2011/08/h...
Here a few more links that I read for research (there are plenty more out there if you want to Goggle them):
http://www.thedustyblog.com/2011/06/n...
http://forums.androidcentral.com/barn...
Dusty Crane- who writes the Dusty Blog is who I bought my card from. He is a wonderful resource. You can find him on the Nookfriends facebook page. He helped me so much.
I thought putting a microSD card into my Nook Color just added more storage room. I'm going to have to check this out some more. I put a SD card in my Mom's Simple Touch because she was running out of room.
Missyb - you are correct. I was talking about a card that has been loaded with the info to dual boot my NC. You can buy them that way or learn how to do it yourself like I did, with help, and a great tutorial.
Yes, the SD card is loaded with an Android OS on it. When you place it in the nook color (will not work with the simple touch) you can access that OS instead of the nook color. This will switch it to an Android tablet. You can then download all the apps from the Android marketplace and use it like a regular tablet. And then you can switch back to Nook color mode whenever you feel like it. I leave the card in - someone earlier on the thread said they took it out, but you don't have to.
I am using the N2A card with my Nook HD plus and so far, I really really love it...save for two things:1) I wish there was a way to switch back and forth bewteen the two without having to turn it off, take the card out etc. I have found a way to go from android to nook; but not vice versa
2) Sometimes my battery won't charge when I plug it in while in droid mode, so I have to turn it off and back on and then it will
Minor complaints... but still a little irritating
I don't understand why you can't switch back and forth without taking the card out.I now have a nook tablet and have a new N2A card. I have to switch back and forth differently than before, but I can still do it.
Once you've powered it off and powered it back on, you push down the nook symbol at the bottom of the nook. It then gives me a choice of booting into SD mode or Nook mode.
I'm curious as to how it's different with Nook HD.
in nook mode nothing at all happens when I press the n button. In android mode when I push it, it just shows me my recent apps... that's all
Question, are you guys using a SD card and the N2A card???
What is the difference between the two and Is one better than the other.
I have an SD card loaded with the android OS on it that I purchased. This is what I use in order to switch back and forth between the Nook tablet and the android tablet side. I don't use the SD card for anything else. I know it's partitioned if I wanted to use it for storage purposes. But I don't need anything else.
I don't know...I bought the card and downloaded the Android OS stuff from N2A cards. I followed all the instructions and it works great. I just can't switch from one to the other. When I asked N2A people about it, they said it isn't possible to switch from nook to android without Shutting down and restarting because that would involve having to change the internal software of the nook....ie performing a true root of the device which voids the warranty etc.Like I said...it's just a minor irritation
I had rooted my tablet (before getting my HD) using an SD card;and I could switch back and forth and had partitioned it etc; but like I said that involved a complete and total rooting, unlike what I've done with HD plus and N2A
You definitely have to power all the way off in order to switch.Power off by holding down button on top left hand side of nook. Make sure it is completely off.
Hold button back down and power up. With my N2A card it will then flash the Nook symbol and then I hold down the nook button on the bottom of the nook. Then it will flash again and a menu will come up that gives 2 options
Internal Nook boot, SD card boot and SD card recovery. I can choose which one I want by using the volume buttons on the top right hand side.
You should be able to do this as well. Taking the card out each time would be more than a minor irritant to me. You must have a lot of patience!
Oh well, sorry! That is annoying. I discovered when I upgraded from the nook color to the nook tablet that B&N is trying to make it as difficult as possible to convert to an Android tablet. Maybe they've made it even more difficult with the HD tablet. But at least you can still do it.
I went to Best Buy today and purchaed a SanDisk micro SD card for my Nook HD, is this the correct SD card for the Android OS software that you guys are speaking of???Also, I asked the sales guy if he knew what a N2A card was and he said no. So, what do I need to ask for when I purchase these items?? Should I go to a different store other than Best Buy???
I want to get the best use out of my Nook HD.
Yes, the sandisk is the right one as long as it is a class 4 (although I have read recently that someone had good success with a class 10) My Best Buy and Walmart didn't have it so I actually found mine at Staples.I had originally purchased a different brand of SD card and it wouldn't work with the N2A download. Once I realized that and bought the correct one, it worked great. And it has continued to work great! It has been the best $30 I've spent (including the cost of the SD card)
The discussion that Leslie and I have been having about being able to switch back and forth between Nook and Android without having to take out the card is simply a matter of convenience, not operational necessity; and it doesn't lower my opinion of the N2A card at all.
Leslie,Thank you for all the help! It would be nice to be able to do; but oh well....LOL!!
Okay Dori, so I looked at my card, and it says it is a class 10. so do I need to load the OS software to it or is it already there, I want to return it if it is not the right thing, so I'm asking before I open it.
Oh, and by the way, you can also purchase the N2A card from Fry's if anyone has that store in their area. Just wanted to share that information.
I bought mine from Amazon and it is a ScanDisk as well. There are pre-loaded ones and ones that you have to load yourself. When I had my nook color we bought one that had to have the OS loaded onto it. This time with my nook tablet we bought a pre-loaded one and it is awesome.
@Dori - no problem! I wish we could've figured it out.
If you just bought the card, then there's nothing on it and you will have to download the OS yourself from N2A. N2A offers you two options: buy a blank card and download the link yourself OR buy a preloaded card already done and ready for you by N2A which they will mail to you.I consider myself fairly computer savvy so I opted for the "DIY" option
I would like to be more computer savvy and or think that I am computer savvy - I totally need to buy the preloaded version! Thanks for that information, I will take this one back and get another one.
