Database Users

[Q] Need help with unroot and return to stock

I need some help unrooting and returning to stock. I rooted the device using the method of returning back to 3.1 and flashing the unstable rom then installing iconia root then acer recovery to install CWM. After rooting I did not make a backup of my device so I have lost the original rom. This is an Acer Iconia A500 with 8gb internal storage bought from Best Buy on black friday. I've read through many forums in the development area but since I have not posted enough times I can not ask a question there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

todds67 said:
I need some help unrooting and returning to stock. I rooted the device using the method of returning back to 3.1 and flashing the unstable rom then installing iconia root then acer recovery to install CWM. After rooting I did not make a backup of my device so I have lost the original rom. This is an Acer Iconia A500 with 8gb internal storage bought from Best Buy on black friday. I've read through many forums in the development area but since I have not posted enough times I can not ask a question there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, when you run a full package stock rom, it should put your tablet back into stock condition. This will remove the custom recovery, just like it did when you downgraded.
You can find a list of the stock roms based on region at this link.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878
Vache put some instructions there, and it's pretty simple.

Sorry, I'm new, and have the same question.
I am confused, for clarification ....
If you are unrooting and have Clock Work Mod Recovery what do you have to do?
I used Acer Recovery Installer from the market to install clock work mod. If I am unrooting and returning to sock, should I use the option to install "Stock USA 1.41.07_COM_GEN1 recovery" before flashing and then use the power/up button combination? Is it Ok to use Clock Work Mod to install one of the stock roms from the SD card or will Clock Work Mod cause a mess?

blancocar said:
Sorry, I'm new, and have the same question.
I am confused, for clarification ....
If you are unrooting and have Clock Work Mod Recovery what do you have to do?
I used Acer Recovery Installer from the market to install clock work mod. If I am unrooting and returning to sock, should I use the option to install "Stock USA 1.41.07_COM_GEN1 recovery" before flashing and then use the power/up button combination? Is it Ok to use Clock Work Mod to install one of the stock roms from the SD card or will Clock Work Mod cause a mess?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Vache has simple instructions on that page. As you read, it says to extract the update.zip file, put it to sd, then hold vol- and pwr. It should flash the rom, That's for the update zip..
However, I would use one of the full set roms.
When the stock rom runs, it should overwrite the CWM recovery, and re-instate the factory bootloader.
Here are the instructions direct from Vache's page for full rom.
"Here are some full packages, updates and EUU firmware from Acer OTA server and from some magical sources.
Full package and updates should be flash via the recovery.
EUU version are working in APX mode with nvflash. (you can enter in APX mode by booting the tablet with Reset / Power pressed)"
Now, what other recovery do you have to flash a full rom?
NOTE: I have not and have no plans to revert to stock. So I've never done this. You may want to post a question also in that thread to see if you can get any extra info.

Moscow Desire said:
Vache has simple instructions on that page. As you read, it says to extract the update.zip file, put it to sd, then hold vol- and pwr. It should flash the rom, That's for the update zip..
However, I would use one of the full set roms.
When the stock rom runs, it should overwrite the CWM recovery, and re-instate the factory bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could also use the Downgrade tool with the original downgrade images. The original downgrade tool will put back factory recovery and factory stock. This would be everything you need to be totally stock. Once you get to stock, then you can just apply the OTA's if that's what you want. Or are you trying to get to stock and then root?

timmyDean said:
You could also use the Downgrade tool with the original downgrade images. The original downgrade tool will put back factory recovery and factory stock. This would be everything you need to be totally stock. Once you get to stock, then you can just apply the OTA's if that's what you want. Or are you trying to get to stock and then root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I keep forgetting about your tool.
I think they just want to get back to a stock condition without cwm and root.
You may want to post a link to the tool.

Finally got it. Used the Acer recovery tool to flash Acer stock recovery image and then extracted the update zip from the full package and put it on my SD card (made sure it was the only zip on the card) then redooted into recovery by holding down the volume up key and the power button. Update flashed and all is back to stock. Reasons for doing this were that I could not find a ROM that seemed like it was a real improvement over stock. My favorite would have been Thor's ROM mostly due to the ice cream sandwich tweaks and the ability to clear the recent apps drawer. May go back to root but wanted to know how to get back if necessary. Thanks for all the help.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium

todds, Which stock recovery image did you flash? and which update zip did you install after that?
i want to install the european (swedish) everything stock and would really appreciate some help.

todds67 said:
Finally got it. Used the Acer recovery tool to flash Acer stock recovery image and then extracted the update zip from the full package and put it on my SD card (made sure it was the only zip on the card) then redooted into recovery by holding down the volume up key and the power button. Update flashed and all is back to stock. Reasons for doing this were that I could not find a ROM that seemed like it was a real improvement over stock. My favorite would have been Thor's ROM mostly due to the ice cream sandwich tweaks and the ability to clear the recent apps drawer. May go back to root but wanted to know how to get back if necessary. Thanks for all the help.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad it worked for you!
Vache should be a touch more clear on "which" recovery to use for the full package
Although it seems people used both CWM and Acer Recovery. (he just states "recovery")
Glad you cleared that up
---------- Post added at 10:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 AM ----------
sydeu said:
todds, Which stock recovery image did you flash? and which update zip did you install after that?
i want to install the european (swedish) everything stock and would really appreciate some help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@sydeu, you probably want to run Acer_A501_4.037.01_EMEA_TMPL. Note this is for the 501 so not sure if you are looking for a 501 or 500 stock rom.
I run it on my 501, and it has svetski lauguage support.
I think you can use any of the EMEA roms. You can unpack or decrypt the roms before flashing, and check the ldb files (system\usr\xt9\databases\ldb\) You should see an ldb that usually starts or contains "Sv". I think these are related to the keyboard, but it will have system support for the language.
Not all roms and updates are listed there, those are just the ones people were able to find. So get the one that's closest to your needs.

Return to Stock help needed

Will this work?
Currently on HC boot loader and flexreaper ics.
1. Use Acer recovery to load stock HC 3.1
2. Use Acer recovery to load stock recovery.
3. Ota update to ice or flash update.zip

i choose full system restore since i backed up the stock system in CWM before flash custom rom. after a full system restore i simply open up the acer recovery app and choose to flash back stock acer recovery then unroot.

Oh yeah, forgot I had cwm backup of rooted 3.2. Will that work?

if it's your original stock system, it would definitely work. there is nothing better to OTA to ICS with with your original stock system. but you definitely needed to get into acer recovery installer to flash back to acer stock recovery. some said there is no need to unroot and it would OTA fine but i unroot it any way. better to be safe.

I had already done 3.2 ota before rooting using timmydeans method.
Bummer. MD5 mismatch on my first nandroid

At this point with a corrupted back up, i think your only option would be to go back to square one and try out stock rom to see if they would let you update.
if you are familiar with APX mode and nvflash. you could download the EUU from vache to get back to HC 3.01. See if acer would let you update at 3.01, if no then you could try to flash Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2(US) or the Acer_A500_7.006.03_COM_GEN1(other country) stock rom via the good old method of update.zip. first link is vache thread with acer stock rom. second link is the guide to flash euu and wipe all the data (so back up all stuff and download the EUUs_SBK_Acer_A500_1.016.05_COM_GEN1 from vache's thread and follow the guide on second link. Don't forget to replace the UID with your own UID after extract the EUU file. if you have no idea what i am talking about, i would say DON'T DO the EUU.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1516012

I'm also wondering how to return to stock without root as well. Anyone come to a consensus yet?

chris8599 said:
if it's your original stock system, it would definitely work. there is nothing better to OTA to ICS with with your original stock system. but you definitely needed to get into acer recovery installer to flash back to acer stock recovery. some said there is no need to unroot and it would OTA fine but i unroot it any way. better to be safe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi cris8599, for what you said, I think you already update your tab with OTA, it's that right?
Can you tell me how do you unroot your iconia? did you had any problem while updating?
Sent from my A500 using XDA

What I indeed is a stock rooted hc 3.1 from to flash. Is there one out there?

3d0rr said:
Hi cris8599, for what you said, I think you already update your tab with OTA, it's that right?
Can you tell me how do you unroot your iconia? did you had any problem while updating?
Sent from my A500 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, been updated to OTA ICS since April 28th to rom Acer_AV041_A500_1.033.00_PA_CUS1. 3.01's unroot is easy simply click GingerBreak and choose unroot. i am not sure if 3.1's iconiaroot-1.3 is easy as gingerbreak.

telemike said:
What I indeed is a stock rooted hc 3.1 from to flash. Is there one out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out vache's post in the dev section. There are several stock rom's available out there.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium HD app

ignitros said:
I'm also wondering how to return to stock without root as well. Anyone come to a consensus yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From yr tabs ext.sd card with stock update.zip from vaches thread or buggy Chinese rom
An EUU via PC from same thread
Timmydeans v4, EUU based hc 3.2.1 gen2, full stock, rooted, cwm
The EUU can be used on either boot loader, not sure if same goes for update.zip

I had thor v14.2 and thor touch recovery 1.7 on my a500. Read whole bunch of threads regarding return to stock, unlocked bootloader, and corrupted recovery stuff but couldn't find the exact steps of how to upgrade to stock ICS.
Anyway, here is what worked for me:
1) on thor v14.2, download/install acer recovery installer
2) install stock recovery
3) factory reset (I didn't care about backups)
4) download HC 3.2 (Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2) from -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878
5) copy update.zip to microSD
6) vol- + power to enter recovery and flash update.zip
7) now a500 is back to stock
8) OTA update multiple times from 3.2 to 3.2.1
9) install Acer Update Enhancement
10) OTA update to 4.0.3 US version (Acer_AV041_A500_1.033.00_PA_CUS1)
After getting ICS US version, I found that only four languages are supported now. So I downloaded EU version (Acer_AV041_A500_1.031.00_WW_GEN1) from -
http://vache-android.com/v1/index.php?site=files&file=151
and flash it over. Now I have my language on a500 and it runs pretty smoothly.

I used acer recovery to install stock 3.1 HC Rom with Root. Installed stock recovery, then applied update.zip to get to ICS 4.0.3

K try reflash
VolDwn pwr
Wrong thread....disregard

Help with my Iconia A501!

I have installed the ICS V4 bootloader and everything is fine. (it has the big PASS thing). I can boot up to HC 3.2.1 fine as well.
However, when I go to press power+volume down, I get "booting from recovery kernal image" then it switches to a picture of the android with a caution sign.
Do I have to root my device and install CWM or something? (sorry I'm still quite noob at this, I haven't rooted yet). Didn't I already install this when I installed the bootloader?
Thanks in advance!

Booting stock HC and stock ICS after installation of ICS BL overwrites recovery.
Follow civatos guide for installing ICS BL V4:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
And do all the steps.
Greetings
edit: on Moscow's advice ;-)

HalloSpencer said:
Booting stock HC after installation of ICS BL overwrites recovery.
Follow civatos guide for installing ICS BL V4:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
And do all the steps.
Greetings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This includes Stock ICS Roms also

Thanks guys. I immediately booted to recovery after installing the bootloader. Now I have ICS running.
If I wanted to update to the V5 bootloader, could I do it without reinstalling my rom?
You guys are awesome

jgv115 said:
Thanks guys. I immediately booted to recovery after installing the bootloader. Now I have ICS running.
If I wanted to update to the V5 bootloader, could I do it without reinstalling my rom?
You guys are awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can put the v5 bootloader.blob in a flash.zip and flash through CWM. That's one method. This became available as of ver4.
The other would be to run the NVFlash again you used previously, and install only the bootloader (apx?). Your CWM and Rom should remain intact.
I use Blackthund3r's flash exe to install my .bin files. (gives some funny windows error but always completes) I just toss the new bootloader.bin in the same folder as the exe app. Also the latest recovery image. Do them both at the same time.
So basically 3 methods. Also, check your new UID number and make sure you convert it to SBK like you did the last time. ICS usually changes the UID number sometimes. I usually keep all UID's and SBK's written down.

Moscow Desire said:
If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can put the v5 bootloader.blob in a flash.zip and flash through CWM. That's one method. This became available as of ver4.
The other would be to run the NVFlash again you used previously, and install only the bootloader (apx?). Your CWM and Rom should remain intact.
I use Blackthund3r's flash exe to install my .bin files. (gives some funny windows error but always completes) I just toss the new bootloader.bin in the same folder as the exe app. Also the latest recovery image. Do them both at the same time.
So basically 3 methods. Also, check your new UID number and make sure you convert it to SBK like you did the last time. ICS usually changes the UID number sometimes. I usually keep all UID's and SBK's written down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you pm me that windows error please? I think it's to do with my mode detection code being stopped abruptly but I want to have it fixed properly for v0.3.3
Sent from my Iconia A500 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Using afterOTA to update bootloader and nothing changed?

I read and re-read the development thread for AfterOTA and I found nothing on this problem. I will outlay the steps I took. I downloaded AfterOTA lite v1.7 and connected my tab to it and saved the txt file. (I can list the full output if needed) the Bootloader was as follows:
bootloader: 0.03.0X-HC
Android Build: FLEXREAPER RF1_rv1_Acer_AV041_A500_1.031_033_041.00_CUS_WW_GEN1
I booted into Recovery and found the version number.
My custom recovery: ClockworkMod Recovery v5.0.0.0(thor2002ro rev1.3.4)
I bought this from a friend and didn't do all the modding myself which I am new to the Iconia a500 (but not new to Rooting, Romming, Recovering) so I am a little in the dark on where to go from here.
I downloaded AfterOTA 1.7 (the Full version) and clicked on the "standard" tab and chose the install "bootloader ICS v 3.14.7 + recovery thor v1.7.3" and clicked the "for 50x"
It shut the tablet down said booting into APX, did the whole thing and at the end it said "complete, you can power down your tablet with the power button and boot back up"
I powered it down it booted up fine but when I reconnected it to afterOTA it dosent read the CPuid (it just says "0") and the bootloader space is blank.
Everything works, I can use it as I normally would but I want to install the new flexreaper and thought I might as well update the Bootloader and recovery to get up to current on everything. Thank you for any help you can give me in understanding what happened and what I may have done wrong. BTW I did disable all antivirus and UAC and rebooted before running AfterOTA.

You're probably ok. You just need to flash a "real" ICS rom like Flexreaper Extreme I would guess.
When you boot your tab, you should see some text in the left corner like "Skirlax_CZ's bootloader version xxxxxx" If you do, then bootloader is probably ok. Boot into your recovery and check your recovery version.
MD

I dont have anything come up when i boot other than a big white acer logo and then it does two smaller acer white logos side by side. Then it does the android boot animation. I booted into recovery and it is thor v5 not the one i had chosen in afterOTA. I just want to know what to do from here. Should i try again or use another method?

I just dont want to flash an ICS Rom without the ICS bootloader.and is there another way other than afterOTA to check the boot loader version?

york629 said:
I just dont want to flash an ICS Rom without the ICS bootloader.and is there another way other than afterOTA to check the boot loader version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, after ota didn't work then. You should have seen the txt immediately on boot. (the split acer tells me it's a HC modified ICS kernel in the rom).
You could try manually flashing the bootloader with NVFlash.
My theory, is that you should install the OTA/Full version of ICS. This will install the stock bootloader, then, you can run the after OTA app. Reason being, is that my theory is that the real ICS bootloader creates something the HC BL doesn't. And when you try NVFlashing the unlocked bootloader, it just doesn't take. It's been happening several times recently.

Is there a forum guide on installing the OTA/full version of ICS? Would I basically bring it to stock bootloader and ROM then use AfterOTA to flash the new bootloader and recovery? Sorry for the n00bish questions, every device seems to use different methods and when I didn't start with the thing until after someone else did the initial stuff I dont want to mess it up, this is a really nice tablet. Thanks for the help, You guys are the best on here.

Yep, you are basically taking it back to stock then using afterOTA to install the new bootloaders but most importantly get root access and a new open recovery...

Is the best way to go stock by using afterOTA? Or should I just try a different method on the forums?

It clearly states on AfterOTA's first post that it does not work on custom roms and only the OTA so yes, download the ota ruu and install it. Then run afterota and you will be able to install a custom rom after that. Or use blackthunders apx tool to update the bootloader.

yes, that was an over sight on my part, I was excited to update everything so easily. where/what is the OTA RUU ? sorry to be a pain but if you could just point me to a forum guide on going completely stock I would appreciate it. I don't see anywhere to get the OTA update.zip file I need to flash, I found this here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878 is this the post I need? and do I need the update or the full package? does it matter if I use the honeycomb full package if I am just going to use afterOTA to install an ICS bootloader and recovery?

It's serious: I need help... flashing stock A501 rom

Hi,
atm, I have an A501 with CWM-based Recovery v5.5.0.x(thor2002ro rev1.7) and Android 3.2 (EMEA CUS7 - Germany).
My Tab tells me that there is an update, which I downloaded and tried to install. However, after a few seconds an Android with a red exclamation mark appears and the installation of the updates aborts.
So, I want to remove CWM Recovery and root and return to a stock rom. However, that seems impossible. I downloaded the Acer Recovery Installer App but this one offers me a USA A500 stock rom - but I need an A501 rom because of 3g.
When I try to install this one (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1234039) I decrypted before, CWM tells me
"Installating update...
Installation aborted"
So, this does not work either.
I am really desperate because I have to revert to a stock rom...
Can someone please, please, please help me out?

lamajstro said:
Hi,
My Tab tells me that there is an update, which I downloaded and tried to install. However, after a few seconds an Android with a red exclamation mark appears and the installation of the updates aborts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update has overwritten yr custom recovery with the Acer stock recovery. It also checks yr system files if it ain't completely stock it will abort. being rooted can also affect the update.
but I need an A501 rom because of 3g.
When I try to install this one (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1234039) I decrypted before, CWM tells me
"Installating update...
Installation aborted";
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did u install cwm again from Acer recovery installer b4 flashing. the rom?
I'm unfamiliar with the 501 and what stock Roms are available for it
Search xda for vache full ota update packages and see if there's one that thread
So, I want to remove CWM Recovery and root and return to a stock rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not give HC the flick and upgrade to a custom ICS rom?

dibb_nz said:
The update has overwritten yr custom recovery with the Acer stock recovery. It also checks yr system files if it ain't completely stock it will abort. being rooted can also affect the update.
Did u install cwm again from Acer recovery installer b4 flashing. the rom?
I'm unfamiliar with the 501 and what stock Roms are available for it
Search xda for vache full ota update packages and see if there's one that thread
Why not give HC the flick and upgrade to a custom ICS rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you a lot for your answer!
Yes, I did install cwm again from acer recovery installer, but that did not change anything.
Unfortunately none of the roms offered on xda work, they all abort in cwm and I don't know why.
I would prefer to go back to a stock rom with stock recovery because I want to give the tab to someone else.

lamajstro said:
Thank you a lot for your answer!
Yes, I did install cwm again from acer recovery installer, but that did not change anything.
Unfortunately none of the roms offered on xda work, they all abort in cwm and I don't know why.
I would prefer to go back to a stock rom with stock recovery because I want to give the tab to someone else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you may have difficulties flashing full packages via CWM. Especially if you didn't decrypt the rom first.
I've got a few 501 roms you can try. All HC 3.2.
One of them, is an ATT full package update which will probably work for you. Just pull the update.zip out of it. Put it on your Ext SD card, and boot holding PWR and Vol+. This will force it to install update.zip from the SD card.
Any rom you use, you have to decrypt it first. Some try renaming the rom to update.zip, and some have success using this method.
Like I say, it's an AT&T rom, but is probably really a ComGen 1. So it should have decent language support.
If you're interested, I can throw them up on a server tomorrow.
But I tell you this first, before you go messing around with these things. GET YOUR UID Number first, and write it down. You can get instructions on UID in the Development Forum, 1st page usually. It's easy.
MD

lamajstro said:
Thank you a lot for your answer!
Yes, I did install cwm again from acer recovery installer, but that did not change anything.
Unfortunately none of the roms offered on xda work, they all abort in cwm and I don't know why.
I would prefer to go back to a stock rom with stock recovery because I want to give the tab to someone else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2
No probs!!
U must use a "update.zip" , decrypted first as Moscow said, and booting into recovery via button combo may help too,
also remember to remove the zip file off the ext. sdcard when you are done!!
....good luck