How to Install a Cyanogenmod Android build on an HP Touchpad
updated 25 June 2012 - Added link to newer 4/29/2012 GAPPs archive

Note: These instructions document the recommended process for installing a CM android build on a Touchpad that is not yet running android or one that is currently running CM7 (Gingerbread) and you wish to upgrade it to CM9 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

If you are already running a version of CM9 on your Touchpad and simply need to upgrade to the latest nightly build, the process is much simpler:

1. Copy the installation archive to your Touchpad
2. Install using ClockworkMod Recovery.

Select options install .zip from sdcard, then choose zip from sdcard, then browse to the file..

The developers do not recommend using Clockwork Recovery to upgrade a Touchpad from CM7 to CM9, as significant issues have been noted. It is possible to upgrade a Touchpad from CM7 to CM9 without wiping /data. However, if you do encounter issues when updating from CM7 to CM9, I recommend trying the following (from least to most radical solutions):

1. Wipe cache and Dalvik cache in Clockwork recovery. Fix permissions in Clockwork recovery. reboot.

2. Wipe user data and re-install using this document.

3. Uninstall any previous CM versions. Instructions are HERE. Then install using this document.

Prerequisites:

• A host system with the webOS SDK installed on it.
• An HP Touchpad connected to the host system specified above via it's USB cable. The Touchpad needs to have webOS Developer Mode enabled. Developer mode is very simple to enable.
  1. Boot your Touchpad into webOS.
  2. When the webOS Homescreen is presented, you will see a search dialog called Just Type. 
  3. Perform a search on webos20090606
  4. You will see an option to enable Developer Mode. Enable it.

Note: The intent of this document is to describe the installation process from a Windows based host system.

It is indeed possible to install the Cyanogenmod build from a linux or MacOS based host, provided the host system has the webOS SDK installed. However, these instructions specifically describe the process as performed from a Windows based host and lack specifics for the exact sequences required to install from a linux or MacOS based host.

novacom Enter

If the results are:

'novacom' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

or

bad command of file name

then you do not have the webOS SDK installed correctly.

You can download the SDK from one of the following links:

For 32 bit Windows OSes:

https://cdn.downloads.palm.com/sdkdownloads/3.0.2.652/sdkBinaries/HP_webOS_SDK-Win-3.0.2-652-x86.exe

For 64 bit Windows OSes:

https://cdn.downloads.palm.com/sdkdownloads/3.0.2.652/sdkBinaries/HP_webOS_SDK-Win-3.0.2-652-x64.exe

Launch the .exe file after it completes downloading to install the SDK.

Step 2. Boot your TouchPad into webOS. This process will install or upgrade Android from all known webOS versions. However, it is important to note that once you have installed a Cyanogenmod Android build on your Touchpad, you should not upgrade webOS, as it removes the moboot boot manager from the boot queue, which will revert your touchpad back to booting webOS only. It is possible to then reinstall moboot, but I would only recommend that if you know what you are doing and have a compelling reason to upgrade webOS.  

Step 3. Connect your TouchPad to your host computer (Windows, Mac or Linux) with it's USB cable.

Step 4.  The Touchpad should notify you that you are Connected via USB.  Select USB Drive and then, if asked, select OK to confirm.

Step 5.  A USB icon should appear on your screen, and the Touchpad disk volume should now be accessible on your computer.

Step 6. Create a folder named cminstall in the root of your Touchpad’s filesystem. Depending on the CM version you wish to install, download the files linked below and save them into the cminstall folder.

Given the current state and functionality of the builds, I personally recommend CM9, for the following reasons:

• CM9 is built from the very latest Android source, which is optimized for tablet form factors, while CM7 uses a version of Android designed for smart phones that is 2 versions older than Ice Cream Sandwich.
• Now that video hardware acceleration has been added, enabling Netflix and HD streaming videos, CM9 is as functional as CM7, with the possible exception of camera support.
• CM9 is being actively worked on by the developers, with new nightly releases coming out every day.

If you decide to install CM7, download only those files in the left column below.

If you decide to install CM9, download only those files in the right column below.

* unnecessary if already installed on Touchpad

Step 7. Download the ACMEInstaller2 binary from HERE and save it to the root of one of your Windows disk volumes (for example C:\ or D:\).

Step 8.  Eject the TouchPad volume from your computer by right clicking the volume in Windows and then selecting Eject The image displayed on your Touchpad should now change from a USB icon to a normal webOS desktop.

Step 9.  Reboot the TouchPad by opening the Device Info app, scrolling down to the bottom of the screen, selecting Reset Options and then Restart. As it reboots, hold the volume-up key (top left rocker switch, left side of switch) down until a large white USB symbol appears on the Touchpad's screen.

Step 10.  Open a command prompt in Windows and change to the drive and folder where you downloaded ACMEInstaller2  to in step 7.
                You can do this by typing the drive letter followed by a colon and pressing enter (eg: C: or D:).

                 If your command prompt does not show your working folder as root (ie: D:\>), you may have to change to the root folder by typing:

                      cd \ Enter

Step 11. Now type:

          novacom boot mem:// < ACMEInstaller2  Enter

    The ACME installer should now launch.
    If all goes according to plan, the Touchpad should change to text mode and you will see quite a bit of activity on the screen.
    Expect the process to take approximately 5 minutes to complete. When complete, your Touchpad will reboot.

Step 12. The first time your Touchpad reboots after running the installer, I recommend selecting boot ClockworkMod from the moboot menu. When the menu comes up, select install .zip from sdcard, then choose zip from sdcard. Browse into the cminstall folder. If you see any zip files here, they were not installed by ACMEInstaller2. I recommend selecting and installing any zips remaining in this folder. This is a known issue with some google apps installers under CM9. Once done installing any remaining zips or if the folder is empty, select reboot system now.

If you encounter any issues that are not addressed in this document, try searching the forums for Cyanogenmod for Touchpad on RootzWiki

Official post install files for CM9 (optional)

LCD Density Updater

This will change the default LCD density from 160 to 120. This will result in generally smaller icons and more displayable content on a screen.

Install using ClockworkMod Recovery.

Select options install .zip from sdcard, then choose zip from sdcard, then browse to the file.

I would like to extend a HUGE thanks to the Cyanogenmod Touchpad developers. Without the incredibly generous contribution of their valuable time and their amazing skills, you would not be enjoying the fruits of their labors. Please consider donating to the Cyanogenmod project and personally thanking the developers HERE