Gigaset - GS290 - gs290 - Documentation Suggestions

Pl can you share what steps need to be updated in the documentation.

@Manoj There should be added a section 2.1. OEM Unlock, unless it’s a better choice to add it to https://doc.e.foundation/pages/enable-usb-debugging. Although the OEM Unlock is different for some devices (i.e. FP3 where you need a code).
This has been brought up here: GS290 not supported in easy-installer?

We can add the extra step to unlock oem in the https://doc.e.foundation/pages/enable-usb-debugging document as that is where the user sees the option.

Hi , I cannot find how to manually boot in fastboot mode ? this should be in the Doc.

If you meant how to reboot into fastboot mode it is available in the documentation Step 3 in the Before flashing

   adb reboot bootloader

Thx , i read that but the guy I’m trying to help on fr telegram channel is stuck in bootloop , he needs key combination

Hi everyone,

I saw your discussions with interest.
I need some help : I can’t install e/OS on a my new (last Android 10 built) GS 290. Neither with “manual” way, neither with “Easy installer”… I have exactely followed all the steps and recommandations.
Actually I am locked at the step fastboot (I can read on my smartphone screen “fastboot mode”).
Has someone had the same issue ?
Many thanks in advance.
I’m very keen on e / OS on tablet, and would like to go on such an experience on smartphone …

Hey Jimmy, have a look at this earlier reply

Many thanks !
I’ve understood that it was a driver issue.
I fixed it with installing the Windows driver for Mediatek chipset, here : https://www.thecustomdroid.com/mediatek-preloader-usb-vcom-drivers/
And e/0S has been installed !

Hi, while the existing instructions for installing /e/ are really well written and easy to follow, it would be very helpful if the install page could also provide instructions for upgrading to a new e/os version.

The instructions on the install page currently do only cover the installation of the “dev” version on devices which did not come with e/os preinstalled. Trying to install the “stable” OTA upgrade afterwards (which will eventually be offered and downloaded by the device itself in Settings -> System Updates) will fail with a signature error after the necessary reboot to recovery.

I’d suggest this additional documentation regarding the upgrade process should cover at least the following - based on the current installation instructions:

  • step-by-step instructions which *.img files need to be downloaded and flashed for a “dev” upgrade (and, in contrast to a first time install, which do not), and how
  • if there is a risk of data loss by this kind of manual upgrade, i.e. will the device be reset to factory settings afterwards, or will user data and settings be preserved after the upgrade
    • if there is risk of data loss, short instructions or link to information how to backup and restore user data before upgrading, especially with regards to users who do not run an account with the /e/-cloud
  • comprehensive instructions how to migrate from dev to stable on the same version (before upgrade) without loss of user data, in order to be able to install future upgrades OTA
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Found a working way to upgrade from 0.13-dev to 0.15-stable - please add to future update/troubleshooting section:

Upgrade: to upgrade from 0.13-dev (manual install as per official instructions) to 0.15-stable (OTA from within the phone) without losing your personal data or getting stuck at the signature verification after reboot, first flash the latest recovery.img for the GS290 as described in the workaround here:

https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/backlog/-/issues/2462#note_77242

Afterwards, the upgrade to 0.15-stable works OTA directly from the Systemupdates section of the phone’s settings, i.e. without the need for rebooting/flashing the system image manually.

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How to reach the bootloader

Volume up + Power (from phone powered off)

is still missing from https://doc.e.foundation/devices/GS290/.

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Could there be an emergency case like how to restore and reflash system update with /e/ if your GS290 smartphone get bricked perhaps ?

There are instruction here to restore the stock but it was tested on openSuse Linux

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The installation instructions at Install /e/ on a Gigaset GS290 - “GS290” seem to be outdated.

The ‘recovery.img’ image link should always point to the latest stable image. (Which is at the time of writing this https://images.ecloud.global/stable/GS290/recovery-e-0.18-q-20210827132306-stable-GS290.img). The OTA later on could fail otherwise (Please refer to here if you want to read more about that issue.).

Kind regards
Chris

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@Manoj : could you please update the link to Recovery ?
I was mislead by this documentation when fixing someone else’s device :frowning:
Thanks ! :pray:

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I am checking with the team on this and will update the documentation shortly

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I knew that a new page exists with instructions to flash the GS290 stock ROM but it took me a while to find.
https://doc.e.foundation/pages/revert_e_GS290_windows

It is listed at bottom of https://doc.e.foundation/devices/GS290 (“Would you like to roll-back to stock ROM ?”) :wink:

However, @Manoj , I think that both OS (Windows & Linux) should be listed on each page (main device page, and install instructions).
Also, URL for Windows MTK driver may be changed to https://mtkusballdriver.com/download/mtk-usb-v1-0-8.

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Actually both were listed on the page…somehow it got overwritten after some recent changes. I am waiting for the links to the /e/ recovery for dev and stable to be added and post that will modify the documentation.

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