Database Users

Help! Did I brick my TF within an hour of getting it ?!?! :(

I just got my transformer, and tried upgrading to 3.1 (official, not primordial). I downloaded EP101_SDUPDATE.zip, put it on the tablet, rebooted into recovery etc. On reboot, it's not getting past the EEE pad ASUS screen. If I hold the power, it powers off and comes right back on. If I hold the down volume, it gives me the RCK option, but after I hit vol up it gets stuck on "Booting recovery kernel image". If I wait and choose the wipe option I get Magic value mismatch and some garbage after.
I tried adb, but it doesn't show any devices attached. Plugging in the usb, windows doesn't even indicate a device has been attached
Is there anything I can do? Please don't tell me I've already bricked this thing ...

do you have a microsd card in the slot.... or did u try to instal taht update directly from the transformer harddrive ie.. /mnt/sdcard/

I installed from internal memory (/sdcard), but I also have a micro sd card if needed.

timekillerj said:
I installed from internal memory (/sdcard), but I also have a micro sd card if needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update file need to be on the REMOVABLE micro sd card.

Ok, I may have had the micro sd card in at the time, the first doc I read said to copy the update zip to internal memory, so I used the micro sd to copy it there. That doesn't really help me with my current situation though. I have the micro sd in, but trying to enter RCK hangs on "Booting recovery kernel image" and goes no further. After more testing and reading I found I can enter the nvflash mode (vol up + power), but that doesn't seem to get me any closer to unbricking this thing.
Anyone ? starting to get worried I'm screwed here.

timekillerj said:
Ok, I may have had the micro sd card in at the time, the first doc I read said to copy the update zip to internal memory, so I used the micro sd to copy it there. That doesn't really help me with my current situation though. I have the micro sd in, but trying to enter RCK hangs on "Booting recovery kernel image" and goes no further. After more testing and reading I found I can enter the nvflash mode (vol up + power), but that doesn't seem to get me any closer to unbricking this thing.
Anyone ? starting to get worried I'm screwed here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you cannot fix it, simply exchange it.

take that zip file and put it on the root (top directory) of your sd card then do the power plus down volume then up volume and it should upgrade to 3.1

keroppilee said:
take that zip file and put it on the root (top directory) of your sd card then do the power plus down volume then up volume and it should upgrade to 3.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do what he said.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA Premium App

keroppilee said:
take that zip file and put it on the root (top directory) of your sd card then do the power plus down volume then up volume and it should upgrade to 3.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no reason this shouldnt work...

Except that it doesn't work. As I said in my initial post, if I try to flash now, I get to the "Booting recovery kernel image" and it gets stuck there

You're sure the zipped file is sitting in the top directory of your SD card? If it is then I can't think of what might be causing your problen

Yep, it's definitely there I spoke with ASUS and they are sending me an RMA number. I was unaware the 3.1 update was not available for download or I would have told them this happened from the OTA update, instead they are saying this will be an "out of warranty" repair - no idea what they are going to charge to basically just flash it back to stock :\
I had it for an hour... *sigh*

timekillerj said:
Yep, it's definitely there I spoke with ASUS and they are sending me an RMA number. I was unaware the 3.1 update was not available for download or I would have told them this happened from the OTA update, instead they are saying this will be an "out of warranty" repair - no idea what they are going to charge to basically just flash it back to stock :\
I had it for an hour... *sigh*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that sucks out of warranty? Asus is amazing!!!

dazz87 said:
Wow that sucks out of warranty? Asus is amazing!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Out of warranty because he told them he messed it up trying to update with non-approved software update.
Why don't you try to do a full reset on the device? Im sure you can find a way to do that.

check this thread
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1105731
where we managed to get the official .13 from asus support and try to flash and get back to .13 at least,
also try a wipe with the rocker thing at boot....
good luck

grinnerD said:
check this thread
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1105731
where we managed to get the official .13 from asus support and try to flash and get back to .13 at least,
also try a wipe with the rocker thing at boot....
good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, this would require a working recovery which I don't seem to have. Also, as I said the the original post, wiping just gives me "Magic value mismatch" and locks.
Pretty much accepted the fact that I'm boned here. I got a price estimate from Asus - minimum labor charge of $75. I guess it could be worse. Just wish I knew there was no official download so I could say the right things :\ Worst part of this is how long it took to get this thing, only to have it an hour before killing it. I've flashed my android phones hundreds of times, only ever bricked a device once before tonight.
I am disappoint.

timekillerj said:
Again, this would require a working recovery which I don't seem to have. Also, as I said the the original post, wiping just gives me "Magic value mismatch" and locks.
Pretty much accepted the fact that I'm boned here. I got a price estimate from Asus - minimum labor charge of $75. I guess it could be worse. Just wish I knew there was no official download so I could say the right things :\ Worst part of this is how long it took to get this thing, only to have it an hour before killing it. I've flashed my android phones hundreds of times, only ever bricked a device once before tonight.
I am disappoint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call them back and say you were trying to update V8.2.3.13 actually from website? You thought it was 3.1

Sounds to me like he panicked waiting for the long boot after updating, and forced it off or something.

Tjwoo said:
Call them back and say you were trying to update V8.2.3.13 actually from website? You thought it was 3.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Brilliant! I found their download page here: http://support.asus.com/download.as...101&p=20&s=16&os=32&hashedid=ghh4q7i8dvwjzhdv - best part, since the version is V8.2.3.13 I'll just say the '3.13' made me think it was 3.1. Thanks!

timekillerj ,
If the suggestions you received do not work then join the #asus-transformer IRC channel. A developer in there has a method to unbrick a TF.
The developer already has helped two TF owners unbrick their TFs, one which was received with Android 2.2 installed. Just ask if anyone can help you unbrick your device and someone will likely direct you to the correct developer. Be aware that he lives in Europe so when you join the IRC channel that developer may be asleep.

[Q] stuck in boot loop; tried just about everything

I've been ROM-hopping, trying Synergy, Alliance, Myn, and several others. On the last one, MikG 2.3, I had it loaded up and working fine. I started installing apps from the Android Market. That, too, was going fine, until it suddenly rebooted in the middle of an app download/install.
It went to the white screen with HTC EVO 4G on it, and then went black, then back to the white screen, over and over.
Six hours later, I'm still stuck in the loop. To make matters worse, I accidentally lost root (I see "S-ON" at the top). So now I'm stuck without root until GB is rooted successfully, which hopefully isn't tooooo far off in the future.
But that's the least of my concerns. I would be extremely happy with a stock install of any sort at this point, but I can't get anything to load. No recovery, no ROMs, but I can get into HBOOT so I'm able to try to load any PC36IMG.zip files. The last one I tried was the "PC36IMG_SuperSonic_GB_Sprint_WWE_4.24.651.1_Radio_2.15.00.05.02_NV_2.15_release_199233_signed.zip" (renamed to just PC36IMG.zip, of course). It appears to load just fine and in the end says "Update Complete... Do you want to reboot device?"
I choose yes, it reboots... and we're back in the loop. I have no idea what to do or try at this point. Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated! My next step is to take it to the Sprint store, but that's over an hour away and will have to wait till the weekend.
Thanks everyone!! If you need any more information, let me know. Believe me, I'll be monitoring this thread closely!
/Kevin

I'm sure uve heard this before and prob won't work but worth a try....try reformatting ur SD card and then flashing the file in bootliader again. Could be a corrupt SD card

Papa Smurf151 said:
I'm sure uve heard this before and prob won't work but worth a try....try reformatting ur SD card and then flashing the file in bootliader again. Could be a corrupt SD card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tried. I have several SD cards of varying sizes (4GB, 8GB, and my primary 16GB). Formatted the 4- and 8GB ones and tried from each, but no go. Thanks for the try though!
/Kevin

Reset phone to recovery (stock), choose fastboot. Plug in USB to computer.
Look for the correct ruu exe file and ruu it via exe method

trim81 said:
Reset phone to recovery (stock), choose fastboot. Plug in USB to computer.
Look for the correct ruu exe file and ruu it via exe method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just did it and the process went well, said it was successful... but it's still stuck in the same loop. I'm thinking the phone is beyond repair. Thanks for trying, though. It really looked like it might work for a second.
/Kevin

what was the app?

That's what I want to know and how do you get accidentally to S-On?

Put the phone in a refrigerator ... as crazy as it sounds, it might be the infamous overheating issue.
Put in refrigerator, for about 5min

The app was "Kid Zone" (Zoodles), but I'm not blaming the app by any means. I've used it for a long time, it's highly-rated in the market, etc. I'm sure it's just a coincidence.
As far as getting back to S-ON, I think it must have been when I flashed the stock recovery. I was flashing so many things out of desperation that I can't swear to that, but I'm pretty sure that's what did it. Now that it looks like I'm heading to the Sprint store tomorrow, I guess it's a GOOD thing it's back to S-ON. Heh.
Pretty sure it's not heat-related. My phone was off all night (since it's not usable) in an air conditioned room, so it's cool to the touch. I tried the RUU process again with the same results. (I'm not sticking it in the refrigerator, because I'm afraid of activating the water-damage sensor -- I don't want any excuses from Sprint when I bring it in tomorrow!)
Appreciate the help!!
/Kevin

That sucks, but tbh, I have yet to see one case of anyone at Sprint checking a bootloader to see if a phone is S-On. MOF, I bet if it doesn't boot at all, or is a stock ROM , they wouldn't even know the difference.

HipKat said:
That sucks, but tbh, I have yet to see one case of anyone at Sprint checking a bootloader to see if a phone is S-On. MOF, I bet if it doesn't boot at all, or is a stock ROM , they wouldn't even know the difference.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hear ya. I haven't run into any techs at my local stores that are knowledgeable about this kind of stuff. (I know others have, so you never know, but I have yet to see one.)
/Kevin

To conclude this: I went to the Sprint store today where they assured me they would reload the software but it would take 1.5 hours. I came back 1.5 hours later... and they handed me a new (refurb) EVO. They said they weren't able to load anything on the phone.
So, no surprise with the outcome there. I was fairly certain they were going to have to replace the EVO, and they did.
Thanks to everyone who tried to help, but it was just beyond help!
/Kevin

I had that same problem with my phone back in November. Continues boot loop. Finally, having boot loop for 8hrs, I took it to Sprint and they replaced my phone. They called it a power cycle issue. $35 new refurbished phone works well. Never had a problem since.

Acer Iconia A500 Not Updating From 3.0.1 via System Update - New Zealand

Okay guys. I've searched and searched and found nothing, almost found something but wasn't definitive enough, and wasn't going to risk bricking my device.
Acer Iconia A500 Wifi Version
Current OS Version: HC 3.0.1
FLEX Version: 04_COM_GEN1
Kernel Version: 2.6.36.3
Build Number: ACER_A500_1.145.04_COM_GEN1
Now, notice I only bought this end of December-ish 2011 but this device has been out for quite some time. I don't know what is going on with Acer right now but this thing will not update through the system update no matter how many times I click on it. (tap on it you know what I mean)
Now, I wanted to do it manually, since I was able to do so on my Nexus S with ICS. But there are so many version out there and most of those forums say that if you don't use the correct region you'll brick your device.
Also, I searched my build number and only 1 person on 1 forum here on XDA Devs had the same build number and even then was only saying it to share. I cannot find anything regarding this build number, or what build to use to upgrade to 3.2.1, or all the way up to even if it takes multiple updates.
I know that Acer A500s are supposed to be getting ICS 4.0 sometime this month in Jan, but I'd like to be able to be updated to 3.2 at least while I'm here.
NOTE: I DO NOT WANT TO ROOT ANYTHING (That is not what she said)
Can someone take a look at my build number and current versions and what not, and please point me in a direction to get this thing upgrade to 3.2?
Thanks. A lot. In advanced. And stuff.
-B00mer

I'm actually facing the same problem too. Same build number, and no updates found. I checked Acer's website and say a document for updating to 3.2. The document mentions certain build numbers from different countries that are eligible for an update, and ours is not in the list. I wonder what Acer is up to?

Does it download the update?

mrtoken said:
Does it download the update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It won't even see any of the updates. It just keeps saying "No Update: Your device is up to date."

Did a bit of googling for you
Someone had the same problem until they used the acer registration widget and waited a couple of days.
will keep looking

mrtoken said:
Did a bit of googling for you
Someone had the same problem until they used the acer registration widget and waited a couple of days.
will keep looking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mate,
Thanks for doing that. However I've used that widget and registered when I got it and its been 2 weeks now. I guess I wasn't able to find that on google mostly because I've been looking under the assumption that because this is an android OS there would be a more technical way of updating the device. Lol.
Not giving up though.

b00mtastik said:
Hey mate,
Thanks for doing that. However I've used that widget and registered when I got it and its been 2 weeks now. I guess I wasn't able to find that on google mostly because I've been looking under the assumption that because this is an android OS there would be a more technical way of updating the device. Lol.
Not giving up though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people are reporting that updates come in waves, I know the latest update is doing the rounds now so you might have to wait till that has finished and then you might get a catch up one.
I would just give acer nz a call and ask them
Try and get a date for ICS as well

mrtoken said:
Some people are reporting that updates come in waves, I know the latest update is doing the rounds now so you might have to wait till that has finished and then you might get a catch up one.
I would just give acer nz a call and ask them
Try and get a date for ICS as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would the update mean much to me since I am still on 3.0.1? I cant even get any of the other ones to even get to the latest update.
If I get a date for ICS, ill be sure to post it.

Just root it, then update. After that you can install a none rooted updated 3.2.1 stock rom

Hi b00mtastik,
I had the same problem with an iconia a couple of days ago. I tried different things and managed to fix it.
I'll try to give you step by step how to fix it (not sure if it will work for you).
I thought that the people from the shop i got the tablet played with it and put some custom rom and so i tried to get it to stock.
I used stuff from this thread.
1. You have to root your tablet - Click here
2. You have to install Clockwork Recovery.
- install from market "Acer Recovery"
- run it and give it root permission
- choose ClockworkMod Recovery rev1.3.4 by thor2002ro
- click Install Recovery Image
3. Download this. It is a backup made with clockworkmod. It will give you an android with version 1.139.02. In the zip is also a update.zip which will update your 1.139.02 to 1.139.05.
4. unzip it and put it on your external sd card (if you do not have one, find one, you need ~ 500 mb free)
5. put the files directly on sd card (e.g. update.zip goes to root, clockworkmod folder goes to root)
6. After that you have to boot in recovery.
- power device off
- keep VOL- button pressed and press and hold power button. Keep holding both button until you get to the menu.
7. Navigate using volume keys and enter a menu using the power button.
8. Navigate to backup/restore and then full backup and full restore (might be a little different). You choose full restore and navigate to restore a backup made on 25.06.
9. Wait until it is done.
10. Reboot and wait for the tablet to boot.
11. Open Acer Recovery and choose to install Stock USA recovery image. install.
12. Again you have to boot in recovery.
- power device off
- keep VOL- button pressed and press and hold power button. Keep holding both button until you see the update installing (An android robot).
13. After the update installs and the tablet boots check for updates.
This has worked for me. I did try other stuff but with no success.
I hope it was helpful for you and you can fix your device.

What you are most likely running into is ACER has not released an OTA for your region. What people are telling you might not be what you want. For example, if someone in the USA is telling you to flash or update, they are often referring to experiences that relate to the USA. NZ might have a different configuration, digital rights, contracts, language, etc etc that ACER just hasn't upgraded yet. Or might not ever upgrade.
If you are totally stock and have never rooted, then CALL ACER TECH SUPPORT and get the correct answer for you make and model for your country. If not, then following directions here might void your warranty. So, just give them a call and see what they tell you first. Then let us know what your find out.
TD

Of course you should first make sure there IS a higher version in your region. And rooting will void warranty.
Although as I spoke with Acer Support about the tablet mentioned in my post, they told me that 3.0.1 is the newest version, which is not true since I have two other a500 tablets both up to 3.2.
Just shared what did it for me.
Hope you can fix your problem the easy way.

Current for NZ is
3.2.1
Kernel version 2.6.36.3+
Build Acer_A500_7.014.15_Com_gen1

Is your current firmware stable? Is everything working OK?

New Zealand and Australia are typically the first countries to get the updates. But they are rolled out by google due to some number to do with your tablet. I'm in the south island and have had 3.2 for quite a while. When I brought my father an A500, it took about a week before the update was available for it. basically if you have any problems just go to the acer ANZ facebook fanpage, one of their acer people are always very good there with question. firmware is stable, and android 4 is meant to be released to NZ/Aussie shortly.
i forgot to mention before you get the big android updates there is a smaller update, i can't remember the size of it, but your tablet has to take that update before it will take the 3.1 or 3.2 update, cannot remember if you need 3.1 before 3.2

I know for a fact that NZ/AUS are supposed to be at 3.2 atleast, as I've seen some of the store A500's with 3.2 running. Also, Acer states NZ/AUS are supposed to be getting ICS 4.0 by the end of Jan.
I'm hoping this will be very soon. I'm thinking that they might have removed the updates from their servers for 3.1 and 3.2 and 3.2.1 and my tablet will just get a OTA for 4.0.
I'm hoping not to have to root anything, but I suppose that'll depend on my patience by the end of this month. Lol.
I should be able to update manually to 3.2 I know this much, but I can't seem to write to my SD Card which is why the manual updating via boot is not working, because it won't let me write to external_sd.
If someone can at least give me ideas on external_sd and write permissions for it WITHOUT rooting. Would be helpful.
Mean while I shall try and get a hold of support and see what they say.
-b00mer

b00mtastik said:
I know for a fact that NZ/AUS are supposed to be at 3.2 atleast, as I've seen some of the store A500's with 3.2 running. Also, Acer states NZ/AUS are supposed to be getting ICS 4.0 by the end of Jan.
I'm hoping this will be very soon. I'm thinking that they might have removed the updates from their servers for 3.1 and 3.2 and 3.2.1 and my tablet will just get a OTA for 4.0.
I'm hoping not to have to root anything, but I suppose that'll depend on my patience by the end of this month. Lol.
I should be able to update manually to 3.2 I know this much, but I can't seem to write to my SD Card which is why the manual updating via boot is not working, because it won't let me write to external_sd.
If someone can at least give me ideas on external_sd and write permissions for it WITHOUT rooting. Would be helpful.
Mean while I shall try and get a hold of support and see what they say.
-b00mer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the 3.2.x you want on your PC and put the sdcard in your PC, copy the file to the sdcard on your PC. Now take the sdcard out of the PC and put it into your tablet. Works every time.
Lastly, if you're still under warranty, why not just call ACER for help?

timmyDean said:
Download the 3.2.x you want on your PC and put the sdcard in your PC, copy the file to the sdcard on your PC. Now take the sdcard out of the PC and put it into your tablet. Works every time.
Lastly, if you're still under warranty, why not just call ACER for help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last thing I want to do is give it back to them and wait for about 2 weeks for the retail store to get their asses into gear and send it off, then wait another week for Acer to do fix things, which should just not have happened in the first place.
I've tried the idea you gave me mate. I took out the SD Card, and used an old phone that allowed me to access it as a Mass Storage Device because I didn't have a card reader, and formatted it both to FAT first then FAT32 and still no go. The tablet just cannot seem to be recognizing that it even has an External SD Card in it.
Its looking more and more like I'm going to HAVE to go in and get it sorted somehow. Thanks everyone for your input and help. I've also contacted Acer Support. Lets see what they have to say, which I will post here. I'll also fiercely be practicing my Google-Fu to see what else I can find.
-b00mer

I would suggest that you wait for the ICS to start coming out, I can let you know when I get it.
They may have removed the 3.1 and 3.2 from the OTA update sever to get ready for ICS.
If you don't have ICS in a week after it rolls then I would be taking it back to the retailer and telling them that it does not update, they will send it away to get it loaded etc.

mrtoken said:
I would suggest that you wait for the ICS to start coming out, I can let you know when I get it.
They may have removed the 3.1 and 3.2 from the OTA update sever to get ready for ICS.
If you don't have ICS in a week after it rolls then I would be taking it back to the retailer and telling them that it does not update, they will send it away to get it loaded etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its kind of the only choice I have while I'm unable to do anything else.
Thanks mate, that'll be good to know. And yeah, I was thinking they removed it from their servers to get it ready, but I'm hoping they don't cut it out and stop it either like they did with Nexus S. I had to manually update that as well, but that worked seemlessly, while I was JUST getting drunk, during a party. You know something is good when you can do that.
I'm dreading letting it go away, but if they can load it up, I technically should be able to getting it loaded somehow as well?
-b00mer

Acer 500a Rooted and unable to update

I have an Acer 500a I just bought off carigslist. Initially I thought it would be fine but then I realized I was inheriting someone elses problems. I hope someone may be able to help.
Within the first few hours I was noticing google Play crashed a number of times and struggled to update from Market. Somehow the update went through but now there is a system update that won't go through. I'm able to down load it and when i restart the computer to complete installation the screen goes black and says: booting recovery kernel in the corner. I then see a picture of an android and a load bar which after 2-4 seconds the android is on his back and an exclaimation mark is coming out of his belly.
My android version is 3.2
Kernel version
2.6.36.3+
Build number
Acer_a500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2
I'm pretty sure its rooted and i think that might be why its not playing nice with google market and system updates. I called the old owner and explained the problem and he just said he had it rooted and he thought he unrooted it. There is an ap called superuser in aps. (although if it were rooted would'nt I be able to uninstal some of thecrap software it comes with like GOLF HD? -- it won't let me).
The system update is for Acer_a500_7.014.01_COM_GEN2 8.88mb
My problem is all of the force closes I'm getting and the inability to update the system. Any thoughts? I don't have a usb cord to connect it to a desktop either =(

I am a bit out of practice, but...
Should be pretty simple to fix. From what I am seeing, you are running a stock rom. Just because the superuser.apk is installed on the system does not mean it is rooted, but it probably is.
Hit the market, grab "Root Checker" - simple tiny program to let you know for sure if your tab is rooted or not.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=burrows.apps.rootchecker&hl=en
From what I understand - automatic system updates will fail when trying to apply them to a rooted or modded system. Probably why you cannot auto-update.
My advice at this point would be to:
1) Since you just bought it, just do a factory wipe on it. That will remove all the stuff the prior owner had running on it and will result in a unrooted tab that should be able to get auto updates without a problem.
2) Un-Root it. Once the tablet is unrooted, the system should update without any issue.
As for your Play Store issues - I have never heard of or personally seen any issues caused with installing apps from the store on a rooted device. I have seen a few apps that will refuse to run on a rooted device - but that does not sound like your problem.
I would go with option 1 - just factory wipe the thing. Prior owner may have made tons of changes to the OS that we will never know about, and may have handed you a unstable system. Start fresh. Wipe it out.
Hope this helps you out! Let me know if I can answer any questions.

k thank you so much for the quick reply! I downloaded the root checker and it Is rooted. I did a factory wipe as found in the settings privacy tab when I bought it. That factory reset did not unroot and only cleaned out some of the aps on the device. Is there a better or more surefire way to unroot it? If I reset with the volume down key will it hard reset it?
Thank you for you help!
Draight

Okay.
I am about a year out of practice with my a500 - but from what I am think, if a factory reset still results in a rooted device - the prior user installed a stock ROM that comes pre-rooted.
I highly doubt being rooted is causing the issues you are running into.
At this point if you just want to get back to stock you can probably just install the Acer Recovery Manager from the market and use it to reflash a stock unrooted ROM. Or I see a few guides about how to manually restore back to stock over in the dev section for the a500.
Others will correct me if I am wrong, but I think Acer Recovery Manager should take care of your problem.
Hope this helps!
(Edit: Or you can just download the official stock 4.x rom (ICS) from the dev section and flash that. 3.2 is pretty slow and wonky in my experience, you should be able to just download a 4.x ROM and flash, since you are rooted. Again, I am way out of practice. Don't do anything before reading up!)
(Edit again: I think I was making this harder then needs be. Just flash any stock 3.2 unrooted ROM, done. After you do that the automatic on the air update should kick in for you and update you to ICS)

Thanks for taking the time to work with me on this. I downloaded the program you suggested and tried to use a stock rom. When i went to reboot I had a picture of an android looking up at an exclaimation mark. It was froze like that until I restarted it. Now its back to the way it was, rooted and unupdatable.
I'm probably going to try to just wipe it all over but do i need to plug it into my computer somehow? I dont have a usb connector for the tablet, just the wall charger plugin. can i just download a rom and use the utility to try install it? when I reboot it am I supposed to be pressing the volume button?
I've read a few other forums but usually they sound pretty intense...

draight said:
Thanks for taking the time to work with me on this. I downloaded the program you suggested and tried to use a stock rom. When i went to reboot I had a picture of an android looking up at an exclaimation mark. It was froze like that until I restarted it. Now its back to the way it was, rooted and unupdatable.
I'm probably going to try to just wipe it all over but do i need to plug it into my computer somehow? I dont have a usb connector for the tablet, just the wall charger plugin. can i just download a rom and use the utility to try install it? when I reboot it am I supposed to be pressing the volume button?
I've read a few other forums but usually they sound pretty intense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm..
Try the thread I linked two in my second edit of my last post. You just need to grab the stock and unrooted 3.2 - put it on a MicroSD card as update.zip - then reboot with vol rocker and power switch to get the system to flash the update.
That *should* work just fine.
(Edit: Forgot the link! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1839313 - there you go)

Thankw, I am going to try it after readingna bit more. Do I need to have clockworkmod installed for all of this?

draight said:
Thankw, I am going to try it after readingna bit more. Do I need to have clockworkmod installed for all of this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. Just snag the stock unrooted 3.2 ROM - place it in the root of the MicroSD card as update.zip
Power down.
Power up with VOL + and POWER key held at the same time (you can let the vol rocker go when you see text appear in the upper left corner)
Should be all you need to do. Worst case; it does not work and returns you back to where you are now. Worth a shot.
If that does not work, let me know so I can do a few mins of homework and help you further. Been a long time since I have changed ROMS or had any issues with my a500.
I have bricked it twice by not following directions all the way or just making simple mistakes, but from what I have found there is always a way to recover.

Just tried it. I copied the boot zip to sd card and renamed update.zip and reset..It looked like it was going to download after showing some text in the corner and then an exclamation mark appeared above the androids head... I left it and after a few.min it rebooted back

draight said:
Just tried it. I copied the boot zip to sd card and renamed update.zip and reset..It looked like it was going to download after showing some text in the corner and then an exclamation mark appeared above the androids head... I left it and after a few.min it rebooted back
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. Odd.
Like I said, I am rather out of practice.
Someone more experienced them me: please help me point Draight in the right direction here?

Thanks for trying to help. =(
I wish that my tablet wasn't having such issues. I;m going to try to scramble around the forums and see if I can find some advice...If anyone has a suggestion please let me know.
Thanks again entropy,
Draight

Update:
So I've been tinkering around with it a bit more and I found a usb cord that plugs it into my computer. I keep finding boken links on this site so Im struggling to find an update I can use to flash to. I downloaded a different super user program which allowed me to temporarily unroot my device. I then restarted it and no root checker says its no rooted and I cannot find the superuser program. I think I have somewhat unrooted it -- but I think the real issue now is the recovery tool. I keep reseting it - hard reset, or factory reset and it wipes everything away but when i try to update it gets about 1/3 of the way up the bar then it stops with an '!' Mark above the droid. Im kind of annoyed at this point and hoping for some new links or some ideas on how to repair the recovery piece.
Draight

Go to the Dev section, and grad a couple of the ICS Update roms. You will see them listed for the a500. Make sure they are the FULL update roms. Should be about 3-400mb. These contain a FULL ICS Update Rom, and not a patch file.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816560
Then, go to the Themes and apps forum. You'll see a sticky that has the Acer Update Decrypter.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869505
Now, unpack the decrypter, and select one of the ICS Updates. Then hit Start. Take a couple minutes, but you will have a duplicate file with the word "decrypted" added to it.
Wait, you are not done yet.
Using a program like 7zip, or even Winzip, open the decrypted file. DO NOT EXTRACT, just open it and pull the update.zip to your PC's desktop.
Copy that update.zip file to your Ext SD Card of the tablet. Don't be putting it in any folder, just copy it to the root of the card.
Now, you still ain't done.
With the tablet off. Press and hold Vol+ and then PWR. Hold them both untill you start to see text about installing blah blah blah, then release the buttons.
If it completes, and you can reboot into ICS, then you are good to go.
If something fails during installation, then decrypt the other update Rom file you downloaded, and do the same procedure. Usually one of the 2 or three should work for you.
Note these are for the a500, and not the a501.
One more thing. It's advisable you get your UID number before doing these things. You probably won't need it, but it's nice to have written down in case you need it in the future. Inf to get it is at;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1624645
MD

Thanks! I am downloading a few of the FULL ICS roms:
*Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1 : http://d-h.st/uAy
Acer_A500_1.031.00_PA_CUS1: http://d-h.st/idO
Acer_A500_1.041.00_WW_CUS1: http://d-h.st/Yt5
*Acer_AV041_1.054.00_WW_GEN1: http://www.theandroidcollective.org/...00_WW_GEN1.zip
*Acer_A500_7.014.16_041.206.01_COM_GEN1: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_bk...hVc1RVcHc/edit
The I downloaded the ones ending with Gen1. Once they are downloaded I will continue with the instructions. Thank you so much for your help! I will post how it goes later tonight.
Draight

I just decrypted both:
*Acer_AV041_1.054.00_WW_GEN1:
*Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1
Both get get to the third bullet quickly and the bottom says DONE! It takes like 4 seconds. I don't think the Decryption key of $12 is working
[*] Opening file: Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1.zip
[*] Decrypting using key $12
[*] Writing decrypted file: Acer_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1_decrypted.zip
I try to extract something from the decrypted file and it says the file was not downloaded properly and I should try redownload it...it says its not a proper archive

wahoo!
So that worked! I down loaded the file Acer_AV041_A500_1.033.00_PA_CUS1 and extracted the update. I palced the update on the sd card and booted with the power and sound volume pressed down. it went through the installation procedure and restarted twice before saying it was upgrading my aps and BOOM its got ICS and everything looks great. Thank you so much for your help and I hope that this paper trail is able to help someone in the future

My problem is that I'm on ICS and I'm rooted, but I just can't download a custom recovery. I've tried, and I haven't gotten anywhere
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Please help this super noob mama, to not ruin Christmas!

I'm the "tech mama" in a family of iphone/pod users. Our youngest (7 year old) is getting the first tablet in the household for Christmas, but due to finances an iPad was out of the question. Also, I liked the idea of having at least one android device to see what we're missing After some research I decided on the Galaxy Tab 4 7.0, as it seems to be the best in our price range (for light games, watching video and ebooks), and the Kids Mode is also extremely useful. Unfortunately, I realized too late that KitKat makes the 32GB card I got useless for installing apps, which is about 90% of his usage, and the internal memory filled up DANG fast when I started setting it up and getting it "ready to play".
After more research, I know that I need to root it, which has been an issue on the 7.0. I know that I want to use Odin, as it's the safest, and is un-rootable for warranty purposes. And the last thing I want to do is brick it before he even unwraps it. I found this set of instructions, which seems to be accepted as safe and effective (at least for our T230NU with 4.4.2). http://forum.xda-developers.com/tab-4/general/root-galaxy-tab-4-7-t230-t2835264 But this noob is still lost... I am a relatively tech savvy person, who can figure out any average user, and some above average things on a PC, but when it comes to mobile, I'm totally out of my realm. I flirted with the idea of jailbreaking a couple of times, but never bit the bullet. And when I read these simple instructions, I still have no clue how to flash, how NOT to boot to Android, and how to reboot to TWRP directly from download mode. Both tablets in general and all things Android are totally new to me and I literally can't afford to screw this up...
So I guess my questions are... is this really the best root for what we have? Is it safe and extremely unlikely to leave me with a brick? And does anyone have any, even more basic, foolproof (not that I'm a fool, lol), instructions to walk me through this before Christmas?

anjii,
hi,
the basics of odin flashing your samsung tab
download and install samsung usb drivers - http://d-h.st/jphS , click download now
download odin and extract to wherever - as per thread you cited
return to the thread you cited and follow instructions.
your device, button combos, force booting to...
odin mode,
use the three button combo to put you samsung tab into odin mode -
usually - hold down home,vol-down, and then power, wait for odin screen on tab to appear
let go of buttons, odin screen will tell you to what button to press to cancel or proceed
recovery mode,
home, vol-up, and power, when screen appears let go of power
to force reboot to recovery from odin as per the thread you cited, after your business with odin is done,
disconnect you tab while still in odin mode and use the three button combo for recovery boot.
m

Good luck with your Galaxy Tab 4 7" model. I glanced at what moonbutt74 posted and it looks like it should work like a charm on your tablet. Let us know how everything turns out on this.
Cindy
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8" model using Tapatalk

Anji, hey, there is an app on google play that is called sdcard fix that actually let's you read and write to your sdcard again. It only works thru root though from needing us permissions. I had to find it to be able to play my music from my external card and it worked like a charm as I could install apps to external also. Hope this helps to get your present fixed!
Sent from my SM-T230NU using XDA Premium HD app

Well, I put it off until now and have just been living with the internal memory, because I'm terrified to mess it up. I found another guide that filled in some of the basic gaps for me, that I didn't know how to get from one step to the next, and I successfully flashed it through Odin and got the green PASS to show up. Then I put it into recovery mode, but now I'm stuck at step 5 in the tutorial I linked to in my OP. The options I have onscreen are:
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
apply update from external storage
wipe data/factory reset (Obviously not what I want)
wipe cache partition (Also not what I want right now, but for future reference, is this a useful tool (ie. does it just clear your cache?) Or a potentially damaging one (ie. changing partitions)?)
apply update from cache
I don't think any of the update options make sense, as I'm not updating the firmware or anything. But I don't know what to do... these are the instructions I need help figuring out.
5.) reboot device to TWRP directly from download mode. TWRP will detect that tablet is not rooted and ask if you want to intalls root. Slide to Install
6.) find SuperSU installer, follow instruction to install.

Scratch that... I figured out something I did wrong and re-did with with Auto Reboot unchecked. Now I am in TWRP on my tablet, but this "TWRP will detect that tablet is not rooted and ask if you want to intalls root. Slide to Install" did not happen. I have 8 big buttons to choose from, and am thinking the INSTALL button in the upper left corner is the one I need to use, and from there I found TWRP in the folders, and my bar now says "/sdcard/TWRP" and at the top it says "Select Zip to Install" and I have Internal Storage selected (I assume installing it onto the external card wouldn't root the tablet). But I can't figure out how to continue.

Okay, I kept experimenting and figured it out. I am now rooted and have verified it with a root checker app... woohoo!!!! My last question is now, what's the best method/app for installing/moving apps off the internal memory and onto my card, AND is there a way to set things up so that new apps and media will automatically install to the external card.

anjii said:
Okay, I kept experimenting and figured it out. I am now rooted and have verified it with a root checker app... woohoo!!!! My last question is now, what's the best method/app for installing/moving apps off the internal memory and onto my card, AND is there a way to set things up so that new apps and media will automatically install to the external card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! Well I dont not know really how to fully install apps onto sd cards. Umm what I do is when ever I download like a big gaming app, I use foldermount or link2sd to transfer the data files over which would make the app take up less space. (theres a video on youtube on how to use foldermount). Hope this helps!

on google play get SDCardfix.apk it allows kitkat to read/write to the external sd card as kk has a code that normally prevents this from happening. once you do that you can use link2sd or get romtoolbox and use its built in apps2sd setting to select it. now mind the fact this only works for apps you install AFTER you set it up and it may not work for all. as for that use either ti-backup or the romtoolbox as both allow you to backup apps and freeze/move/uninstall all apps. hope it sets you on a good path anjii!