Gadget & Mobile Phone Tips

Previously, we have learned a method to install the CM7 Android 2.3 ROM on HP TouchPad. Now, since the device goes to Android, the development for customization is now running at very fast speed. As for the result of the development, now the HP TouchPad users are getting the chance to try the Cyanogen Team’s work in the form of Ice Cream Sandwich based CM9 ROM. There are many things work improperly or even worse, not working since it is still in an Alpha stage now. Unfortunately, the situation is getting worse due to lacking of support available for the issue. However, in case you want to know more, there is further information regarding the ROM installation below.

Here is the list of what is not working or the improperly working features on the ROM, according to the developers:

• Hardware Video (OMX). As a result, Netflix does not work, YouTube works only only in non-HD videos. Use something like MXPlayer and SW codecs for your local media.
• Audio is a mess. The microphone does not work. Work on the current libaudio solution has halted because we will eventually switch to a CAF libaudio.
• Camera does not work. The only libcamera.so that we have is from froyo and its closed source. There is a wrapper for QCOM gingerbread libcamera libraries that could likely be used as a basis to get our camera working.
• Market filters prevent some apps from being installed (this can partly solved by switching back to standard DPI settings(120, 160, 240). The current build is using 160 which fixes the market but makes everything look ugly and low resolution.
• Titanium Backup crashes the kernel. There’s an investigation in progress…There are reports that older versions do work.
• Most of the hardware problems from CM7 still exist in this CM9 alpha build.
• Gapps intended for CM7/Gingerbread will not work in CM9/ICS. If you choose to install GAPPS then you’ll need to get an updated compilation.
• USB file transfers use MTP or PTP in Ice Cream Sandwich and Honeycomb. Traditional storage mounting is not supported in the Touchpad build.

If you wanted to try this ROM on your HP TouchPad, we suggest you think about it twice as some people have hardbricked their device in their effort of installing the CM7 version. Apart from that, you need to read and follow the entire instructions thoroughly. There is no support available at the moment.

Before we move on to the instruction section, we need to remind you to practice the entire steps at your own risk since we are not responsible of the risk that may come in the future.

Requirements to CM9 ROM on HP TouchPad:

• HP TouchPad with 2GB of Free Memory On Media Partition.
• Novacom Installer for Windows.
• Acme Installer.
• CyanogenMod 9.
• ClockworkMod Recovery.
• Moboot.
• Charger and SystemUI force close fix.

Instructions to CM9 ROM on HP TouchPad:

1. The installation process begins with downloading the Universal Novacom Installer and installs it on your computer.
2. Once you have finished downloading the required file on the step number 1, now you have to download Acme Installer, CM9, ClockworkMod Recovery and Moboot zip files, make a new folder named CM Install on desktop and copy the downloaded zip files to this folder.
3. The process proceeds with opening the CM Install folder present on your desktop and extract ACME Installer to C:/ Palm, Inc.
4. Once the extraction is complete, now you need to connect your HP TouchPad to the computer and select USB drive mode on your Touchpad.
5. Once you have access to Touchpad file system, make a new folder named cminstall on your tab. Make sure that you create this new folder in the root and not in any sub-directory.
6. Once you are done making cminstall foldr on your HP Touchpad, copy the CM 9 zip along with ClockworkMod Recovery and Moboot to cminstall folder from CM Install directory present on your desktop.
7. Now eject the mounted Touchpad volume from your computer but keep it connected via USB cable.
8. Now on your TouchPad, tap to launch DeviceInfo and tap on Reset options.
9. Select Restart from the Reset Option.
10. Simply press and hold volume up key on your tablet when you have seen the glowing orb revolving in the middle of your tab’s screen.
11. You need to keep the volume up key pressed until you see the USB symbol appearing on your tablet.
12. Now on your computer, type cmd to access command prompt.
13. Now type C:\ cd Program Files followed typing cd Palm, Inc.
14. After you are in the Palm, Inc directory, type: novacom boot mem:// < ACMEInstaller and press enter.
15. As soon as you press enter,you will see a lot of command line activity going on your HP TouchPad.
16. After the activity is over, your TouchPad will automatically reboot you should be able to see HP logo followed by Moboot booting options in blue.
17. Use volume key to select Boot CyanogenMod and press home button to execute.
18. Once the ROM has booted, give it some time and then reboot into recovery to flash the patch.

When you are finished practicing the instructions and everything goes as you planned, now you should have a new ROM installed on your HP TouchPad. In case you are stuck in the middle of installation process or looking for updates, you can visit the forum thread at RootzWiki. Have a nice try and good luck.