Database Users

How to do a complete system restore?

Let me apologize for being a newbie as I come from 5 years of using Windows Mobile and just got my first Tab/Android 2 weeks ago. This is all new to me.
After messing up with some system files and factory applications (like I removed stk.apk and other things) I decided to do a full hardware reset. This is something I did many times in Windows Mobile... whats bad get overwriten in ROM and whats missing gets back where it was. But is seems on this Tab this is not the case.
After the full resetthings only got dramatically worse. All the missing system apps are still missing (I thought they be "restored") and nothing works, just crashes one after the next, cant use anything. I also tried with the system off the method of pressing and holding the “Volume Up” and “Power” buttons at the same time, then after recovery screen appears navigate and select “wipe data / Factory reset” and pressing the “Home” button, but after that and the system re-starts, same thing! All bad.
Can someone please explain to me how to do a full rstore where all system files, all and everythign gets back as it was in the Tab as it was shipped? What a flippin' nightmare... Windows Mobile, I love you!
Thanks in advance.

settings/privacy/factory reset.

natious said:
settings/privacy/factory reset.
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Click to collapse
No no, that doesnt restore anything! All missing files dont get restored. I need a full stock ROM image and restore EVERYTHING. Thats what I dont know where to get and how to do...

VeEuzUKY said:
No no, that doesnt restore anything! All missing files dont get restored. I need a full stock ROM image and restore EVERYTHING. Thats what I dont know where to get and how to do...
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Click to collapse
Yeh i realized that after reading your post properly sorry man, i guess you can just flash one of roms found here, like rotos or modaco's JMI, that would atlest give you a work tab till you can find a stock samsung rom
If you dont have cwm installed you can flash with odin or heidmill (sp)

natious said:
Yeh i realized that after reading your post properly sorry man, i guess you can just flash one of roms found here, like rotos or modaco's JMI, that would atlest give you a work tab till you can find a stock samsung rom
If you dont have cwm installed you can flash with odin or heidmill (sp)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I enever flashed the Tab. Can U advise me on a stable "OK" ROM? Where can i find odin or heidmill and some sort of a guide to help me step-by-step? I have positively no clue what I am doing... sorry for my ignorance... I feel thoroughly stupid...

I got lucky and found this site. Hope yours is a Verizon Tab
I'm not allowed to post links. But go to google type in "galaxy tab system restore" and click on the "[How TO] Restore VZW Galaxy Tab to stock DJ11" link
It's in the droidforums. net

VeEuzUKY said:
Yeah, I enever flashed the Tab. Can U advise me on a stable "OK" ROM? Where can i find odin or heidmill and some sort of a guide to help me step-by-step? I have positively no clue what I am doing... sorry for my ignorance... I feel thoroughly stupid...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, you need to post what "type" of Tab you have, which is generally going to be determined by your country and/or carrier.
Flashing a new Android ROM isn't a particularly complicated process, but it can seem daunting if you've not done it before - this is especially true when using Odin or Heimdall over a "recovery" based flash.
FWIW, the reason your "factory reset" didn't work is because all is essentially does it reformat the /data partition (a generalisation, but close enough for these purposes). On a stock Tab, you cannot mount /system as read/write, so you are unable to change the contents of that partition. This means that on a stock Tab, /system should never change.
However, when you root the device you give yourself the ability to remount /system as read/write and thus make changes which are not going to affected by a factory reset.
Take a look at this thread - lots of useful information there!
Regards,
Dave

foxmeister said:
First of all, you need to post what "type" of Tab you have, which is generally going to be determined by your country and/or carrier.
Flashing a new Android ROM isn't a particularly complicated process, but it can seem daunting if you've not done it before - this is especially true when using Odin or Heimdall over a "recovery" based flash.
FWIW, the reason your "factory reset" didn't work is because all is essentially does it reformat the /data partition (a generalisation, but close enough for these purposes). On a stock Tab, you cannot mount /system as read/write, so you are unable to change the contents of that partition. This means that on a stock Tab, /system should never change.
However, when you root the device you give yourself the ability to remount /system as read/write and thus make changes which are not going to affected by a factory reset.
Take a look at this thread - lots of useful information there!
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link... yes Ive seen that master thread... I just keep reading from link to link and thread to thread and all gets more complicated, I keep downloading more files and installing more stuff but in the end Im more confused and positively going no where. There is not one simple, from start to finish guideline on how to do the process of wiping all data and installing a new ROM. Ive done this endless times on many phones under WinMo, and with more or less difficulty never had any problems getting this done. But here, the more I read the more utterly chaotically confused I am.
I am yet to have anyone explain what type of Tab I have. Its GSM, I think its Euro, bought in Hong Kong. I have found out all bootloaders and stuff seem to be cleaer and I should be able to flash anything. Its a GT-P1000 and Baseband P1000ZHJJ1. This is all I know.

VeEuzUKY said:
Thanks for the link... yes Ive seen that master thread... I just keep reading from link to link and thread to thread and all gets more complicated, I keep downloading more files and installing more stuff but in the end Im more confused and positively going no where. There is not one simple, from start to finish guideline on how to do the process of wiping all data and installing a new ROM. Ive done this endless times on many phones under WinMo, and with more or less difficulty never had any problems getting this done. But here, the more I read the more utterly chaotically confused I am.
I am yet to have anyone explain what type of Tab I have. Its GSM, I think its Euro, bought in Hong Kong. I have found out all bootloaders and stuff seem to be cleaer and I should be able to flash anything. Its a GT-P1000 and Baseband P1000ZHJJ1. This is all I know.
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Click to collapse
Its pretty much the same as mine then, so i recommend you use modacos kernel and rom and installing cwm
cwm - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=870690
Kernel - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=925760
Rom - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=941423
If you have and external sd card (one that you put into the side of the tab)
You can flash the ext4 kernel via odin, its pretty simple, there will be instructions in the threads.
Are you still able to go on the market? If so download the cwm app and use that so you get the awesome recovery menu and features, you can then use it to flash a new rom and make backups that are really really easy to restore. Seeing it looks like you like to mess around with stuff i suggest it the best way to go.
Hope this helps

Ok thanks for the tips. I have finally managed to get the Tab working again and flashed it with Roto JMI Pre-Rooted Firmware v2. All seems OK at this point. Ill check the links you sent me and follow-up. Flashing Roto JMI Pre-Rooted Firmware v2 with Odin3 1.7 is easy so I hope modacos kernel and rom and installing cwm are easy as well.

A little off topic:
I just got my SGT on Friday and want to root&/flash custom ROM. Gonna definitely root soon...But thinking of holding off on the custom ROM until CM7 is stable or a nice clean Honeycomb ROM is cooked
Does ClockWorkMod require root? I know Titanium Backup does. Can't really do any "fun" things with the tab until it's rooted it seems.

[Q]Won't update to Android 3.2.1 over FOTA / need original stock ROM

So first of all my tablet is brand new and not rooted and I don't want to root it.
When I got it I could update it instantly from 3.0.whateverwastheversionatthetime to android 3.2 (build 7.006.01_COM_GEN1) but it won't go from there to 3.2.1 which I hear is available for my location (France) The update tool tells me that my firmware is up to date.
I've tried a factory reset as advised by Acer customer care services but it wouldn't change. Also no matter what I do (empty cache etc.) the market won't update to Google Play Store and I think the two issues are related.
So I have two (or rather 3) questions:
1) Does anyone know a way around to force the update? (I doubt it's possible but hey "l'espoir fait vivre")
2) If not can I install a stock ROM without root and NOT compromise the warranty?
3) Where can I get such a ROM? I have searched here and here but 3.2.1 is not on the first thread and the links on the second thread are broken, plus I want to make sure that the ROM is the proper one for my region and that comes the ICS OTA update I will have no troubles doing the update.
Thanks in advance to those who will answer.

lunaticwraith said:
So I have two (or rather 3) questions:
1) Does anyone know a way around to force the update? (I doubt it's possible but hey "l'espoir fait vivre")
2) If not can I install a stock ROM without root and NOT compromise the warranty?
3) Where can I get such a ROM? I have searched here and here but 3.2.1 is not on the first thread and the links on the second thread are broken, plus I want to make sure that the ROM is the proper one for my region and that comes the ICS OTA update I will have no troubles doing the update.
Thanks in advance to those who will answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) No you cannot force an OTA
2) It depends - others have reported returning there acer with no probs -, i think someone has even returned it rooted and been ok. These things are fairly bulletproof, and really hard to 'brick'. As long as you can read, follow a few steps you shouldnt have any probs. The worse thing you can do is try 2 or 3 different methods all at once because something isnt working right. You're best to pick one and stick with it, if you have probs ask for help in the thread you got the rom from or start your own like you have here
3) The update.zip method from the first link you posted "should" work. Did you "decrypt" the file you downloaded before extracting the update.zip??
You could try timmyDeans v4 method- it will install a stock 3.2.1, it is rooted but you can remove root using the tools he provides. Beware though this will wipe all data so backup anything essential.
The update.zip method will leave your data and settings intact
As always the choice is yours, there are some really excellent custom roms out there - I enjoy the best of both worlds with a backup of my trusty stock 3.2.1, I flash to my hearts content knowing I can always go back to it when the OTA update is out!!! Oh the joys of root priveleges

Thanks for your input, I'll make sure to try all this when I get back from work. I've a few additional questions:
1) If I install a custom rom, will the OTA work from this ROM or, comes the OTA, will I have to restore my actual Stock rom and then proceed with the OTA?
2) I haven't tried the rom on the first link I gave because it is modified and I was searching for the original, pristine, untouched stock ROM for 3.2.1
I've seen such roms around here on xda for 3.2 but none for 3.2.1, if anyone stumbles upon one please let me know.
3) Since I'm still looking for a pristine ROM before trying anything else, I have a friend whose tablet (same brand and model) safely updated to 3.2.1, is there a way to make a rom from is gear? If yes, how to?
4) (related to 3) how can I backup my actual ROM, do I have to be a root user to do so?
THX again!

lunaticwraith said:
Thanks for your input, I'll make sure to try all this when I get back from work. I've a few additional questions:
1) If I install a custom rom, will the OTA work from this ROM or, comes the OTA, will I have to restore my actual Stock rom and then proceed with the OTA?
2) I haven't tried the rom on the first link I gave because it is modified and I was searching for the original, pristine, untouched stock ROM for 3.2.1
I've seen such roms around here on xda for 3.2 but none for 3.2.1, if anyone stumbles upon one please let me know.
3) Since I'm still looking for a pristine ROM before trying anything else, I have a friend whose tablet (same brand and model) safely updated to 3.2.1, is there a way to make a rom from is gear? If yes, how to?
4) (related to 3) how can I backup my actual ROM, do I have to be a root user to do so?
THX again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Typically, most people do not take OTA's when running a custom rom, as basically the OTA installs a totally fresh factory Rom. This is true with the 3.2.1 update, which contains a new bootloader. Usually, this means you lose root, and Recovery, then stuck with downgrading to get these things back.
Timmy Deans root tool supposedly maintains a back door method, which s supposed to protect root, in case of an OTA. No, I haven't used this method, as I run my own 501 roms.
2. Vache has a thread "full package and updates" in the 500 Dev forum. There are several factory Roms and Updates. You'll have to look. Chances are, he may not have the specific Com Gen version you want, but probably one close enough.
3. If your friend can get adb running, you can pull a "system dump", which will dump all files/folders in the system folder. The boot.img would be nice to get, but you can probably use the current one you have. Unfortunately, he already rebooted, so you probably can't get the original full update file. If he's rooted, you can use an app called Rom Factory, to get most of what you need. It's always a good time to become familiar with ADB.
4. Well, you can back it up internally, but it's sort of useless if you can't get into your OS You will need to Root, and install a custom recovery to keep your backup externally.

Moscow Desire said:
2. Vache has a thread "full package and updates" in the 500 Dev forum. There are several factory Roms and Updates. You'll have to look. Chances are, he may not have the specific Com Gen version you want, but probably one close enough.
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Click to collapse
ok, as Moscow has pointed out, in vaches thread not all roms are listed. My stock roms (1.016.01 and 1.139.04) for instance weren't - so I spent the last hour or two trying the "EUU gen1" listed at the bottom of the page. Well, it actually worked!! It gave me an OTA to 1.139.04 straight away. After that installed i got the 4.010.40 to 3.2 and then the next 2 for 3.2.1 - 7.006.03 and 7.014.15. So its given me the correct updates for my country AND kept my data and settings too.
SO, since you're on a Gen1 Rom this should work for you too, but still no gaurantee you will get the OTA to 3.2.1, no harm in trying though
btw timmydeans method is a gen2 rom so you can rule that out...
---------- Post added at 11:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 PM ----------
just came across this link for an update to stock 3.2.1 build 7.014.14 here - orignal thread here but you need cwm to install it....
unless you can make it into an update.zip???
but thats way outta my league,
moscow may be able to suggest something though

Thank you very much, your answers help a lot! Just a few precisions and I'll stop being a pain in the ass!
1. Typically, most people do not take OTA's when running a custom rom, as basically the OTA installs a totally fresh factory Rom. This is true with the 3.2.1 update, which contains a new bootloader. Usually, this means you lose root, and Recovery, then stuck with downgrading to get these things back.
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Click to collapse
==> @ Moscow, when you say "lose recovery" does it mean I lose the green thingy with gears when I start with volume down and power pressed/ and when I reset to factory settings?
==> @dibb_nz your method is the closest to what I'm looking for, I also hope it will give me the correct updates for my country and since Vache is a fellow countryman it might just be ok.
Anyways thanks again, I'll give a thorough look to all of your solutions and try and do a few things tomorrow afternoon. I'll keep you posted in case this thread interests anyone else.

lunaticwraith said:
==> @ Moscow, when you say "lose recovery" does it mean I lose the green thingy with gears when I start with volume down and power pressed/ and when I reset to factory settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, what I meant to say, is when you run a rooted "custom" Rom, and use a "custom" recovery such as RA Recovery or CWM, getting an OTA update, usually wipes that out, and installs the factory bootloader. Your factory recovery....cough cough.... will still be there.
If you are only concerned about stock factory, then don't worry about it. You;re ok. Your factory/stock recovery will be just fine
The reason we root and install custom recoveries, is so we can do 3 primary things.
1. Flash a custom rom
2. Create a complete system backup to our external SD card.
3. Get rid of pre-installed useless apps.
There are other things we can do with it, but these are the primary reasons.
When you have a default factory stock system, the only protection you have, is a factory reset (hope it works), and a couple other methods which require a touch more knowledge.
Anyhow, don't worry about your factory recovery. It's just fine.

1) Just for the sake of knowledge what's the difference between GEN_1 and GEN_2? (and GEN3 and CUS7 and EMEA_TMLP)?
2) @Dibb_nz when you tried with the stock rom from Vache, was it because you encountered the same no FOTA update problem as I did? Or just to try...?
3) Something's still unclear to me after browsing through the forums: If I get an unmodified stock ROM can I flash it with the stock recovery? (so without rooting) Or do I need CWM (so root is needed)
4) What's EUU? (on Vache's thread some roms are listed as EUU)

lunaticwraith said:
1) Just for the sake of knowledge what's the difference between GEN_1 and GEN_2? (and GEN3 and CUS7 and EMEA_TMLP)?
2) @Dibb_nz when you tried with the stock rom from Vache, was it because you encountered the same no FOTA update problem as I did? Or just to try...?
3) Something's still unclear to me after browsing through the forums: If I get an unmodified stock ROM can I flash it with the stock recovery? (so without rooting) Or do I need CWM (so root is needed)
4) What's EUU? (on Vache's thread some roms are listed as EUU)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The Gen's usually signify regional based roms. More specifically language support, sometimes a wifi tweak, and maybe a couple other things. Mostly though, ComGen1's are for the US and probably canada, and offer about 12 different languages. TMPL is for East Europe mostly, with polish as the default language. All roms contain the english language as far as I know.
3. You basically can't install a full rom on an unrooted tablet without CWM or RA Recovery. You will have to run the update (decrypt the file, remove the update.zip)
4. EUU is a pc based install. Plug in the USB, set your tab to APX mode and run the EUU.
If you did the root, and install a custom recovery, then you could run just about all the full roms. Your custom recovery would be overwritten, and you would lose root access. You would have a stock tablet with the version rom you selected.
You can always wait a week or so. Am sure if the update has been pushed to your country, it's just a matter of time till you get it. It's common for the update process for specific roms, to get fully done in 2-3 weeks. It took well over a week just for users in california to mostly start getting updates.

Well the official release date for the ICS FOTA in France is May 3rd, so I'll wait until then but having other options and the know-how to take actions is always a good basis. (plus I'm really not the patient type ^^)
Stupid question but I'm guessing EUU needs root too?
and also APX means rebooting while holding power and volume - right?

lunaticwraith said:
Well the official release date for the ICS FOTA in France is May 3rd, so I'll wait until then but having other options and the know-how to take actions is always a good basis. (plus I'm really not the patient type ^^)
Stupid question but I'm guessing EUU needs root too?
and also APX means rebooting while holding power and volume - right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried the EUU just to see if it would keep me on my regions OTA upgrade path.
Sometimes you can have probs OTA'ing if you aren't using the rom from your region.
But in this case it gave me the correct OTA's.
APX is Acer Download mode, where the OTA upgrades are flashed - this EUU will do it via your PC. Button push method (power/reset button) not required.
No, the EUU does not need root which is why I tried it out for you
You will need to be on 3.2.1 before you will receive the ICS update
I used this EUU from vaches thread -
EUUs_SBK_Acer_A500_1.016.05_COM_GEN1
late for work will check back later

That's really helpful thanks I'm downloading the same EUU you used and will try it today or tomorrow depending on how much time I have, will keep you posted!

Ok so I did the EUU install and it worked fine, the tablet then allowed me to upgrade to 3.01 and then 3.1 then 3.2 via FOTA without any problem. But once I reached 3.2, the update tool informs me that there's no update available and my gear is up to date
So my guess is Acer France are not pushing the 3.2.1 FOTA update anymore...
Any other explanation?

lunaticwraith said:
Ok so I did the EUU install and it worked fine, the tablet then allowed me to upgrade to 3.01 and then 3.1 then 3.2 via FOTA without any problem. But once I reached 3.2, the update tool informs me that there's no update available and my gear is up to date
So my guess is Acer France are not pushing the 3.2.1 FOTA update anymore...
Any other explanation?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear u got thru the EUU process OK, not so great u still can't ota to 3.2.1
Others have reported similar issues not sure if/how they were ever resolved. As moscow posted earlier,ota,s are not made available to all users in all regions, all at once, so it may be just a matter of waiting for the next "push cycle" to roll round.
At least you know you can always get back to stock if you ever decide to root and go custom There no direct root method for 3.2, just use that same euu to get back to 3.1 and use iconia root and Acer recovery installer from the market and you're ready to flash your rom of choice
Pls post back if u do get the ota - best of luck
rgds Donna

Yeah I was just browsing the XDA forums, contemplating the idea to rollback and root and then installing this
I wonder if it's worth waiting for the OTA... as for what you said about waiting for the next "push cycle" I've been waiting since I got the tablet and the update hasn't come yet, which is strange because the ICS update is due on May 3rd in France and I'd guess they'd have everyone up to date and ready for the update by now!
Rooting seems pretty straightforward and much easier than what it was on my Samsung Galaxy Spica: I found this
, a file called iconiaroot.apk on the sdcard aswell, rebooting your tablet while pushing the volume down button so its starts flashing the buggy honeycomb version.
Then start up the tablet again, rush to the market, download some file manager, with that filemanager explore your sdcard, and install the iconiaroot.apk file, once thats done, rush back to the market and download and install acer recovery installer. At that point you will have CWM (clockworkmod) installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is that all there is to it?
In any case I'll keep you posted just so it can help anyone with the same issue!

alsoe FYI and just for the anecdote: the reason I'm so cautious about everything and scared ****less of rooting is that the tablet is a present from my girlfriend for my 30th birthday, and she'll hang me with my guts if I brick it.

Ok I rooted and flashed the above-mentioned rom and it works! I'm now under 3.2.1!
Thanks to everyone who helped me! When the ICS update comes I will post here to signal how the FOTA went.
Thanks again!

Lol, good onya for taking the plunge! Yeh acer recovery installer is brilliant, along with iconia root, makes the whole process stress free.
Will be interesting to see if you get a notification for ICS OTA with that rom.
Can always flash one of the leaks if u get impatient??
Glad everything's worked out and yr g/f still talking 2 u
rgds Donna

thx! I will post here when/if I get the OTA. and my love life is safe thanksnto iconia root

okay so the ota has been rolling for over a week and a half now and still nothing for me

I bought a used A500 that was already rooted.

I bought it and it appears to have ICS because the Android version is 4.0.3 but that is all I really know right now. I expect that it was never updated OTA though because the guy I bought it off had it for 2 months and he was not the one who rooted it. I was going to leave it as is because I bought it for my 10 year old daughter...but the camera takes very blurry, kind of grainy looking pictures.
I am not afraid to root because I had a Samsung Fascinate and I loved the custom roms I downloaded to it. It had been over a year since i had the Fascinate so i am a little rusty when it comes to all if this. My problem is not knowing where to start with this A500 because I am unsure what has already been done to it.
The guy who sold it to me said he did a factory restore, but when I ran the check root app it does state that it's rooted and I figured it was because there is a app called superuser on the device. I don't know what kernal it has. I don't know if it has a bootloader and/or the version number. I don't know if it has CWM and/or the version. number.
What is the best way to proceed? By the way, the tablet is very clean with absolutely no scratches anywhere. Not a bad buy for $175 with a leather case...

Setting > About tablet. That should tell you quite a bit of info about it no?

download the acer recovery app , it will tell you what Bootloader you have and what recovery

Thanks for the replies! When I get home I will check. I don't want to brick the thing. I ordered a micro SD today and I will get it in 2 days so there is no hurry for me to proceed. Is it worth it to keep it rooted? Is the OTA ICS good enough? I don't think my daughter cares if the tablet is overclocked but if the roms are much better than stock than I would keep it rooted and then download a preferred rom.

Vintage144, in another post you specified that there is a Acer recovery beta...will I need that or would I just get the one from google play? Also when I find out which version of recovery and bootloader I have...I am not sure what to do with the information. Could AfterOta help me accomplish what I want if my goal is to try and fix her camera issue...either by going back to stock or updating the kernal and rom.
I don't want to seem like a noob but my only rooting experience was with my Fascinate which I did everything from stock. Now that I am not coming from stock, I am unsure where to go with what I have. It's like trying to get to a goal but not sure what step to start at. If I was starting from stock I could follow some of the threads here but it's not stock.
What info will I need to post here to let you guys know what is in my A500? I know that the Android version is 4.0.3 , what else will I need to post?

well the beta copy I believe is at thors tegra forum , but its by euclids brother (thats his name on xda) anyway if you've upgraded your BL it will tell you version you have and might give you accurate Recovery as well, if the device is only for your daughter and she's too young to really do anything I would stick with a stock rom and realistically I would upgrade the boot loader , why be left behind?
Theres no reason to root if you dont plan on doing anything major with it,that being said you wont be able to get a newer Boot Loader or custom recovery without it, and custom recovery is well worth the effort!

You guys are the pros so I will take your advise. I don't mind it being rooted and if there are some really nice roms I expect my daughter would like the different looks...it would seperate hers from others.
Android
4.0.3
Kernel version
2.6.39.4+
Image version
Acer_AV041_A500_RV16RB02_WW_GEN1
Build number
KJY2010lcylicious
Anything else I will get when I get home.
I would like to know how to get through all this in case I decide to get myself a A500 it's a really nice tablet.

Okay
Recovery Version: Revamped for Iconia 3.16
Bootloader Version: 3.01
With all the above information what would be my next step?

Sorry
Recovery Version: RA Revamed for Iconia 3.16
Damn auto correct!!!

You're already running an older custom rom...
You have root - your words not mine...
You can download another custom rom, put it on the sd card/ internal memory and reboot into recovery. You need to wipe cache, dalvik cache and do a data wipe(factory reset) after which you can install zip from sd card. Go to the rom zip file you put there and install...
Wait until it boots...
I don't know if you're running the new ICS bootloaders or not.
BEFORE FLASHING - make a nandroid backup. If things go bad then you can go back and restore the tab to before the flash...
It's worth getting your CPUID and keeping it safe somewhere and you might think about installing the ICS bootloaders (I'd do it just to be sure I have them) but thats you're choice...
Good luck...

ultramag69 said:
You're already running an older custom rom...
You have root - your words not mine...
You can download another custom rom, put it on the sd card/ internal memory and reboot into recovery. You need to wipe cache, dalvik cache and do a data wipe(factory reset) after which you can install zip from sd card. Go to the rom zip file you put there and install...
Wait until it boots...
I don't know if you're running the new ICS bootloaders or not.
BEFORE FLASHING - make a nandroid backup. If things go bad then you can go back and restore the tab to before the flash...
It's worth getting your CPUID and keeping it safe somewhere and you might think about installing the ICS bootloaders (I'd do it just to be sure I have them) but thats you're choice...
Good luck...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably want to hold off on flashing roms a second.
He's running an HC Bootloader. I'm 99% sure of this. Reason, RA Revamped 3.16 doesn't work with ICS Bootloaders. So you can install an ICS Rom, but, it has to be an ICS Rom for the HC Bootloader. And the performance under HC BL is not near as good as ICS BL.
I would do like UltraMag mentioned as far as install steps and such. It's how we install roms.
Check this thread;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425 (steps 1-6)
, and install an unlocked ICS Bootloader and a CWM 7 or 7.2 recovery. Then install one of the Roms made for the ICS Bootloader.
I know AfterOTA will do some of this for you. But this thread gives a good idea of what's going on.

Thanks for your help. I will be getting my micro sd card on Friday. In the mean time I will do a bunch of reading about the things you guys told me to do...again thanks a lot. I really appreciate the help.
I am the kind of person that really wants to know what I am doing...I don't expect all the answers, I just don't want to brick this device.

Forstir9,
Moscow Desire is a great dev on this board, his information about updating the bootloader is dead on. I recommend reading the entire OP in that thread, and then re-read section listed as Automated Flashing Tools, it really helps tremendously if you are a person familiar with root, but not extremely dynamic with making these changes.
I've rooted several BN Nooks and my A500 many many times and love it. I had the Honeylicious ROM that you listed prior to what I'm currently running. KYJ had a great HC ROM with that one! Personal preference currently for me on the ICS ROM is FLEXREAPER from Civato, poster of the referenced article from MD above, you can find that ROM info here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22964651&postcount=1 Lots of cool features and step by step directions, which are what UltraMag69 listed in their post. There are many many different options though and I recommend reviewing several and then settling in on one when you find the one that fits your (or your daughter's) preferences best.
If you enjoy doing this and playing with the tablet your daughter may not keep it and may end up getting something different, because you may have too much fun with it...good luck, have fun, don't be scared to try things and ask questions (after you read first), and most importantly BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP...
Good luck,
-DB

Let me get this straight then.
1) boot into recovery and make a nandroid backup.
2) within that backup I should be able to find the CPUID on my sdcard...I will want to write this down and the write it down again somewhere else...out this number on my phone and computer...pretty much don't lose this number.
3) follow steps 1-6 from the link that Moscow Desire posted.
I am going to go with the Flexreaper rom...should I go with the extreme one or is there another Flexreaper rom that isn't extreme?
4) I think the 6 steps above will install a ICS bootloader
5) find and install the newest recovery
I only have 2 questions
How many of these steps does the Afterota app get Rid of?
Should I use the Acer recovery app to install the bootloader and/or the recovery?

forstir9 said:
Let me get this straight then.
1) boot into recovery and make a nandroid backup.
2) within that backup I should be able to find the CPUID on my sdcard...I will want to write this down and the write it down again somewhere else...out this number on my phone and computer...pretty much don't lose this number.
3) follow steps 1-6 from the link that Moscow Desire posted.
I am going to go with the Flexreaper rom...should I go with the extreme one or is there another Flexreaper rom that isn't extreme?
4) I think the 6 steps above will install a ICS bootloader
5) find and install the newest recovery
I only have 2 questions
How many of these steps does the Afterota app get Rid of?
Should I use the Acer recovery app to install the bootloader and/or the recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off. Thanks for thinking I am the "God" of the 501". Yeah, I know it pretty well.
Second, Ultramag, is is one of my right hand men. So I suggest you heed his advice well. I always trust his judgement. Am sure he has puled my arse out of the wringer a few times. Well, maybe not, but you get the picture. Some of us on XDA, support each other. That's how it is. I just noticed the bootloader version, And being one who likes flashing experimental code, well, I noticed.
So;
1. ALWAYS make a recovery backup. Then, restore it to make sure it works. (lots of people don't do this and they get fubar'd later).
2. UID. Seriously. Ok, the link on the many ways to get it. You don't want to get it, well... your;e pretty much fubar'd
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1624645
3. He has the normal, and one with a kernel you can overclock. Your choice. Really, if you don't OC, then you run the same as the original. Please don't ask me the names of Civatos roms. The extreme will be fine for you. Just don't overclock it if you don't want to. Only difference is the kernel. Not the OS.
4. Yes.
5. For recovery, I would say CWM 1.7.2. Should work for you. 1.7.0 is also ok. Publick recovery is ok too.
6. Never ran After OTA. But hear it is good when you already have ICS.
Forget AcerRecovery. You will already have bootloaders and recovery installed.
MD

Know I'll probably get a bashing out of this but there's a V1.7.3 recovery on the site that must not be named (cough, tegraowners, cough) that supports the Aroma installer - on Thor's ICS rom anyway...
Just thought I'd throw that in too...

I am ready to do a backup...it's asking me what I want to backup...it has a (X) next to the following...
Boot
System
Data
Cache
Flexrom
Is this correct the way it is?

EDIT: ignore this post I didn't see page 2 -_-

Sorry that I didn't post this in Friday...but I really want to thank everyone for their help. It went very easy and it want too much different than my fascinate.
The camera still takes grainy pictures and a few apps has sounds issues but she really likes the rom a lot.
Thanks again for the help.

[Q] Can't update after deleting stock apps

I've been trying to update from 4.1.2 to 4.2.2, but I deleted some stock apps and now the update is failing. I've tried flashing it manually and OTA, and various other things, but nothing has helped so far. Has anyone else had this problem?

The OTAs are for use with [size=+2]unmodified[/size] factory ROMs.

bftb0 said:
The OTAs are for use with [size=+2]unmodified[/size] factory ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured that out when I tried to update. I can't flash it either, so your post doesn't really help.

wipeout4wh said:
I figured that out when I tried to update. I can't flash it either, so your post doesn't really help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My post tells you that you have the wrong expectation about what OTAs are capable of... and that you are probably the 200'th dude to come in here and say
"Wahhh! The OTA doesn't work on my heavily modified stock ROM!".
If you want it to work without exerting any mental effort, return the /system, boot, and recovery partitions back to 100% pure stock corresponding to whatever release your original ROM was based upon, and run the update. Then re-flash your recovery and re-perform all your /system mods, starting with a flash of the same root kit you started with.
Note that the the update you are contemplating also includes a bootloader update - performed the safest way possible (signature checking performed by the existing boot loader). Doing it the manual way (via fastboot) is quite dangerous, even for experts. If you have a 3g version there is also a radio update which also should not be attempted in any other way than via a pure stock OTA install including use of a stock recovery.
Make a full Nandroid backup before you begin anything - and get a copy of that backup off of the tablet as well as a failsafe measure. If you screw things up moving forward, at least you will be able to start over from where you are right now.
If you have been operating using best practices, you should already have a nandroid backup of the pure-stock /system & boot images. TWRP allows you selectively restore individual partitions. Few users seem to know how to actually make a backup of stock recovery partitions, but you can get that out of oldblue910's archive site - find the link in the OTA thread.
good luck

wipeout4wh said:
I figured that out when I tried to update. I can't flash it either, so your post doesn't really help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's telling you the plain and simple truth. Want the OTA- as it stands, you're out of luck. Either return to stock and then flash the OTA, or flash the 4.2.2 factory image. That's it. Nothing more. That anyone even bothered to answer this uselessly redundant thread is a miracle in and of itself.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

[Q] Stock Image Extraction from I-9505G

Hello,
I've just gotten my Galaxy S4 GE; before I did anything to it, I was wondering if there were an official site containing the stock images, like there is for Nexus devices (https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images).
If not, how can I extract the ROM (and possibily the Recovery)?
Also, as an information, I've updated right away from 4.2.2 to 4.3 via OTA. I thought that the image might still be saved somewhere onto the memory...
Thanks for your time!

Could anybody please help or give me a hint on where to look at. I'd like to have a backup of my stock S4 GE!
Thank you.

UlixesTNT said:
Could anybody please help or give me a hint on where to look at. I'd like to have a backup of my stock S4 GE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, there is no stock image provided for the i9505G by Samsung or Google. Since this isn't a Nexus device, it doesn't have the same access to original software images.
I think the best you can do is to root the device, boot from a custom recovery, and then do a full Nandroid back-up. This keeps the device very close to stock and you end up with a path back to this state. Here's the process I used to get to the point where I could do the Nandroid backup:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2365555
Use this version of CWM instead of the one listed--it's the newest version and supports Nandroid for the i9505G:
http://download2.clockworkmod.com/recoveries/recovery-clockwork-6.0.3.6-jfltexx.img
You can find more information in the i9505G Android development forum, particularly the sticky thread at the top.

Hello!
Thanks for the answer. I'll try to do as you said. Just two things:
- Will it be possible to run the CWM without flashing it? If yes, how?
- Is the "nanadroid backup" an option on CWM labeled with this very name? (Sorry for this qustion )
Also, by chance I found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2368121
Isn't a dump what I'm looking for? If not, what is it then?
I understand that there's no website that provides stock images (sort of stupid from Google), but can't I get the image of the 4.3 the phone downloaded when updating via OTA in any way?? Isn't it still stored somewhere for when I do a factory reset?
Thanks again!
highvista said:
As far as I know, there is no stock image provided for the i9505G by Samsung or Google. Since this isn't a Nexus device, it doesn't have the same access to original software images.
I think the best you can do is to root the device, boot from a custom recovery, and then do a full Nandroid back-up. This keeps the device very close to stock and you end up with a path back to this state. Here's the process I used to get to the point where I could do the Nandroid backup:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2365555
Use this version of CWM instead of the one listed--it's the newest version and supports Nandroid for the i9505G:
http://download2.clockworkmod.com/recoveries/recovery-clockwork-6.0.3.6-jfltexx.img
You can find more information in the i9505G Android development forum, particularly the sticky thread at the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

UlixesTNT said:
Hello!
Thanks for the answer. I'll try to do as you said. Just two things:
- Will it be possible to run the CWM without flashing it? If yes, how?
- Is the "nanadroid backup" an option on CWM labeled with this very name? (Sorry for this qustion )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Following the rooting process outlined only boots up your phone using CWM recovery and doesn't flash it. Just make sure that when you're done and choose to have CWM reboot your phone, if it asks you to overwrite your phone's recovery, you choose "NO".
The backup isn't called "Nandroid" in the CWM menus. You are just given options to do a backup or restore, which uses Nandroid.
Also, by chance I found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2368121
Isn't a dump what I'm looking for? If not, what is it then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't used the dump process described.
...but can't I get the image of the 4.3 the phone downloaded when updating via OTA in any way?? Isn't it still stored somewhere for when I do a factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense, but I haven't tried to find it.