Pandigital Novel Firmware Update April 12 2011

[Michael Kozlowski]

Pandigital has released a new firmware update for its 7 inch Novel e-reader today! They have packed in LOADS of new features to really update the unit and give it more Android functionality.


One of the best updates to the Pandigital Novel is the revision of the Barnes and Noble e-reader application. It actually now integrates into your home screen and gives you many new features.


Pandigital is also doing the right thing and making Google Android apps more accessible then ever before. Currently you have to have a bit of tech savvy in order to find and install applications by yourselves. Pandigital now has made very common applications available to you. You are getting this via the Slideme Market via their SAM 4.0 application. Using this, you can get Facebook, twitter and a ton of others. Installing applications have never been easier with the new firmware update.


Other features of the firmware update include; Increased productivity with Office Suite reader and the ability to open documents, spreadsheets, presentations and more. Finally, Improved speed and responsiveness with page turns and overall enhancements.
Check out the firmware update tool today for your PC HERE.

[James Newman]

I updated my son pandigital yesterday his library is now gone and the B&N, ES File Explorer, OfficeSuite, Slide shortcut icon don't work error message "Application is not installed on your phone". Has everyone else seen this problem and know how get it working currently the pandigital is unless he can only surf the net with it. I'm waiting on hold for customer service to hopefully help me. I have another one to update but I would hurt to brick the other one.

[R Martin]

I'm having the same problem. I would be greatful for any help.

[James Newman]

Yesterday I posted the fix but today it is gone.

[James Newman]

I will try again.

When you were attempting to update your firmware the actual files on our website were undergoing maintenance. Please follow the next steps to correct the issues on your Pandigital Novel:

1. Plug your reader into your computer using the USB cable.
2. Locate the "My Computer" icon on your desktop or just "Computer". This can also be found by clicking on the "start" button in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
3. Locate the drive listed as "Removable disk".
4. This file should have Adobe Digital Editions as the first icon. Delete everything in this file except for Adobe Digital Editions.

Re-run the firmware update. I have included specific instructions on how to update your Novel:

If you should have any questions after following these directions, please do not hesitate to call our customer service phone number at: (800) 715-5354.
1. Please visit our website on your home computer at www.pandigital.net
2. This will bring you to our home page, on the right-hand side of the screen you will see a box with the words “Firmware Updates Click here”, please click on this box.
3. This will bring you to the next webpage asking you to select your region. For your specific Pandigital Novel please click on the [American/Canadian] flag.
4. You have now reached our information page. On this page, please locate the blue lettering that states: “Click here to learn more and to update your Pandigital Novel.”
5. This will bring you to the actual update page. Please read over the information on what the latest firmware update can do for you. The additional features that come with this update are something to be excited about and we’re sure you will be too!
6. Please locate the blue text at the bottom of this screen that states: “Click here to run PC Updater Application.”
7. At this point if you have a pop-up blocker in use, you may get a yellow/gold bar that appears at the top of your screen asking if you would like to allow this pop up. Click on “temporarily allow pop-ups” and refresh the page by hitting the F5 key on your keyboard. If you do not have a pop-up blocker in use, ignore this step.
8. You will now have a download box appear on your screen asking you if you wish to run or save this program. If you are using Windows XP with IE you will choose the “Run” option. If you are using Windows Vista, please “Save” this file to your desktop.
9. Windows XP: At this point you may have an information box appear that will inform you that the publisher of this program could not be verified and ask if you are sure you would like to run this program—Click “Run” again. The Updater Application will start automatically. Windows Vista: Please double-click the download icon on your desktop to being running the Updater Application.
10. The Updater Application should now be on your screen. It lists the steps that you will go through to update your Pandigital Novel. Click on the blue text that states “Click here to start the process”.
11. At this point, the program will list some steps you will need to do before updating your novel. These steps are:
a. Unplugging any other USB mass storage devices from your computer. These kinds of devices include flash drives, cameras, photo frames etc. Keyboards and mice are not considered storage devices so if you have any of those plugged into your USB ports, they are ok to leave plugged in.
b. Powering your Pandigital Novel with the supplied AC adapter (please ignore this step and just be sure that your Pandigital Novel is fully charged before you attempt the upgrade process).
c. Connect your Pandigital Novel to your computer using the USB cable that was supplied with your device.
d. Power your Pandigital Novel on (your Novel will go into “PC Mode”- this means that your Novel will be inoperable while connected to your computer).
12. Once you have completed these steps, please click on “Ok” to advance to the next step.
13. The Updater Application will then display a screen and ask you to confirm the details of your device (serial number, model number, etc.). Confirm these details by clicking on the “Confirm” button.
14. You will now begin the download process. (This process can take some time depending on your computer and your internet speed).
15. Once you have finished the download the screen will display that you have successfully downloaded the firmware update. At this point you will see another text box on appear on your screen giving you more instruction. These instructions will include:
a. Removing your Pandigital Novel device from your computer
b. Informing you that your Novel may or may not turn itself off, if it does not turn itself off, please power the Novel completely off by pressing the power button and choosing the “power off” option.
c. Now it will ask you to power your Novel back on in a very specific way. Please press the power and volume up button (located on the top of your device and is the + key) at the same time (not one and then the other, they must be pressed at the same time) for 10 seconds. Please do these steps until you see two lines of white text appear at the top of your screen that states the boot count and firmware version. As soon as you see these lines of text, let go of the power and volume + buttons. This should begin the update process in the form of a blue progress bar appearing at the bottom of the screen that will state things like “verifying update.” If you have reached this screen your Novel is now updating properly. If you do not see this screen, please power your device off once more and try the activation process of holding the power and volume + buttons again. Do not be discouraged if this takes a few tries, and be sure you are holding the edge of the power + button; holding it too close to the middle will not activate the update.
d. Once the update is complete, please power off your Pandigital Novel completely, then reconnect the device to your computer using the USB cable and power it on after it is plugged in.
e. Click on “Ok”. This will then run a process called a “restore”. Once this has finished please disconnect your novel and once more perform the activation process of holding down the power and volume + buttons. You will again get another blue progress bar at the bottom of your screen when done correctly.
16. Congratulations! You have now updated your Pandigital Novel successfully! I have attached a new user manual for your use as the interface of your Novel has now changed to the most recent version. We hope you enjoy your Novel even more now and make use of all of the newest features! Happy Reading!

Thank you for contacting Pandigital,

Customer Support

[Michael Kozlowski]

Nice work James

[missgg]

James, I followed your steps and the update did not work. My ereader looks as it always did. Nothing new or different. I powered down and back up several times like you said and still nothing.

Not trying to be sarcastic, but is this a joke?

[Scott Hartis]

James, I've followed the steps you outlined. After turning my pandigital back on and entering my password for my wireless network, I'm able to access the internet. However, when I try to access my B & N account, I get an error message saying to check my wireless connection. I'm positive that I am entering the correct username and password when prompted by the B & N app and also positive that I am connected to my wireless network because I can access the internet.

Do you know how to fix this issue?

[billmcnally]

It seems that this upgrade still has a lot of problems. Does anyone know if they have fixed it yet? I don't want to attempt it if I'm going to run into a problem. I have the white 1 Gig PD multimedia Novel 7". Any help would be appreciated.