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.

Help returning my A500 to stock

I downgraded my unrooted A500 on 3.2 to the "unstable" 3.0.1
I then rooted it and installed CWM.
Then I made a back up on CWM before flashing another rom.
It worked really well except a couple of bugs (No audio on HDMI and reduced battery life)
I know beggars can't be choosers but I would prefer if EVERYTHING worked.
So....I restored my A500 from the backup of 3.0.1 via CWM with a hope to just returning it back to factory settings and returning to an unrooted 3.2
However, when it tries to do the system update it fails.
I have tried the factory reset and then tried again to update via system update but still fails (I get the blue honeycomb bee with exclamation mark)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a stock 3.2 rom that I can flash via CWM?
or even better, one that means I wont lose root???

Go to this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227 and try method #2...

tumpy said:
Go to this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227 and try method #2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you but that was the original method I used to downgrade and is the rom that CWm restores to from my back up.
The problem I have is upgrading via the system update.
I am currently trying to do it via a different SD card.....

there are some roms around, but you'll need a good knowledge of search button
Here's one, there are more but keep in mind they are near stock rooted roms: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1313757&highlight=stock+rom+rooted&page=1
cheers

This happened to me.
You need to install Acer Recovery from Market and flash the Stock recovery before it will let you update with system updates.

Here is a link to stock rom using cwm but it says its not rooted:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1429199
Since this looks like it keeps cwm in place you should be able to download the flashable version of super user and root your device through recovery.

Just do this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20680452&postcount=137
It will fix your issues, guarantee it. Just read the instructions in the readme.
TD

starkiller86 said:
This happened to me.
You need to install Acer Recovery from Market and flash the Stock recovery before it will let you update with system updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand, Acer Recovery flashes the US version of stock recovery??
My tablet is a UK one. I did try this before a ALMOST bricked it. I managed to recover it using a previous backup I had made.

timmyDean said:
Just do this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20680452&postcount=137
It will fix your issues, guarantee it. Just read the instructions in the readme.
TD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This did the trick!
Thanks for the heads up

[TIPS AND DISCUSS] ICS update DOES NOT *ALWAYS* BREAK ROOT (& other tips and reviews)

[TIPS AND DISCUSS] ICS update DOES NOT *ALWAYS* BREAK ROOT (& other tips and reviews)
This is not intended to be a bug-sharing thread, report them if you wish, but I'm sure there will be entire threads devoted to this, so keep this in mind when posting.
Yep, that's all I had to say, but if I posted in any of the ICS threads it would be buried. Dlpkgfile available HERE NOW!

luna_c666 said:
Yep, that's all I had to say, but if I posted in any of the ICS threads it would be buried. Dlpkgfile available HERE NOW!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers luna ... just need a WW version
Noob question though ..... I am on a custom ROM. I have CWM recovery.
I thought I couldnt update OTA if my TF was rooted ? or is it that I have the custom recovery that prevents this ?
I can flash back to stock easily - its removing CWM and unrooting that looked to be the more techie issue.
With what you are saying is there an easy way, once I have reverted to stock ROM, to revert to stock recovery without losing root ? Or do i even need to revert to stock ROM ??

Can update if rooted, but need to be on a stock ROM and stock Recovery image in order to successfully install. Download the 8.2.3.5 US recovery file located here :http://theunlockr.com/2011/11/28/how-to-unroot-and-remove-cwm-recovery-on-asus-transformer/, flash it through CWM and you have now overwritten your CWM and gone back to stock. Ready to update from there. Cheers!

so what is the procedure to update? Rename it, put it in microsd root and reboot into recovery?
another question, i cannot root with nachoroot, so is it possible to root with 1-click root?

asder00 said:
so what is the procedure to update? Rename it, put it in microsd root and reboot into recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might work, I don't know exactly because I got the FOTA pushed to my device and updated through the 'official' update process. I honestly have no idea how the dlpkgfile is even packaged, if it is CWM flashable or requires stock recovery etc., honestly my first time fooling with capturing the OTA files.

Ok I'm trying and I will tell u....
I don't care about root right now...

luna_c666 said:
Can update if rooted, but need to be on a stock ROM and stock Recovery image in order to successfully install. Download the 8.2.3.5 US recovery file located here :http://theunlockr.com/2011/11/28/how-to-unroot-and-remove-cwm-recovery-on-asus-transformer/, flash it through CWM and you have now overwritten your CWM and gone back to stock. Ready to update from there. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do I understand correctly that I only have to do Step 7 of the tutorial? and then install ICS (regular update process)?
I am rooted and I have CWM (no custom ROM)

So first impressions luna? Might as well start a discussion to keep the post on top and visible.
Did you run Spark? If so how does it compare?
Positives negatvies
Yes I do realise that you have had it for like 12 seconds but first impressions are nice.
Sent from my Sparkified TF101

Dreamboxuser said:
So first impressions luna? Might as well start a discussion to keep the post on top and visible.
Did you run Spark? If so how does it compare?
Positives negatvies
Yes I do realise that you have had it for like 12 seconds but first impressions are nice.
Sent from my Sparkified TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I never did get around to trying the latest Spark, I saw the complaints about touchscreen issues and decided it might be best to wait for Paul to work it out, but Asus finally got the upper hand on him!
Seems a treat, but I expected as you can see I've been running CM9 on my epic for about 3 weeks now. Much snappier, generic comments that have already been posted- but not explored completely yet, too busy helping others get their own ICS since the update came in to be selfish and sign off yet
Steven, I'm not sure which step 7 you are referring to but you will need a stock recovery in order to flash the file. CWM will flash files that have been repacked for CWM usually, and OTA updates install from the cache partition so CWM will not be able to install the OTA. CWM can flash it manually, I THINK (not sure if it needs to be repackaged for that to occur or not), but CWM will not install the OTA through the normal OTA process.

luna_c666 said:
Steven, I'm not sure which step 7 you are referring to but you will need a stock recovery in order to flash the file. CWM will flash files that have been repacked for CWM usually, and OTA updates install from the cache partition so CWM will not be able to install the OTA. CWM can flash it manually, I THINK (not sure if it needs to be repackaged for that to occur or not), but CWM will not install the OTA through the normal OTA process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was refering to step 7 on the Unlocker page you pointed to:
http://theunlockr.com/2011/11/28/how-to-unroot-and-remove-cwm-recovery-on-asus-transformer/
So in short only replace the recovery as explained in pojnt 7 (and 8) of that page and then do a regular system update to ICS.
No need to unroot??
Will this keep my apps and settings? I do have Titanium so I can do a backup and restore that way.
Thanks a lot for helping!!

Steven_nl said:
I was refering to step 7 on the Unlocker page you pointed to:
http://theunlockr.com/2011/11/28/how-to-unroot-and-remove-cwm-recovery-on-asus-transformer/
So in short only replace the recovery as explained in pojnt 7 (and 8) of that page and then do a regular system update to ICS.
No need to unroot??
Will this keep my apps and settings? I do have Titanium so I can do a backup and restore that way.
Thanks a lot for helping!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, your apps and data should remain intact, and that is correct, you only need to flash the recovery back to stock if you are already on a stock ROM. As of right now, only US and TW firmware versions are getting the OTA pushed to their device, but if you are not one of these you can manually flash to these stock ROMs via CWM if need be. But yes, if you are stock + root + CWM, you only need to flash over CWM back to stock. Root is fine to keep and all data will be saved (it is an official update, people would be irate if it wiped their data you know!)

Great stuff thanks again. I'n in Europe so I might need to wait for a bit but that is fine.

No problem. Ok guys, I've done a bunch of talking and answered quite a few PMs, and posted all my methods/experience with ICS so far, now, I'm going to go play for a while (it's 7am, and I've not been to bed, and I have to work at 4pm and my son will likely be up in an hour, so no sleep for me today, should have a well-rounded review by the time you see me again)
If you guys want to keep this thread alive, have at it! Turn it into a discussion.. See you guys in a while, can't wait to see what I miss while I'm gone

Well I did the update with root disabled with rootkeeper but now rootkeeper will not restore Root.
I guess I should of read thi before updating
Anyone in the same state?

dmazyn said:
Well I did the update with root disabled with rootkeeper but now rootkeeper will not restore Root.
I guess I should of read thi before updating
Anyone in the same state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are SBK1 device you can flash CWM via NVFlash, use CWM to flash SU binary from ChainsDD (located HERE ) and then flash the stock recovery if you so choose to return to stock recovery (in case any patches or incremental updates come out you may need this if you want to stay stock ICS).
ONE MORE THING BEFORE I GO GUYS;
I just noticed that ICS brings a new recovery as well, so the update will overwrite your recovery, I assume it will do this if you figure out how to flash via CWM so be prepared for that. Any devs will want to work on removing the recovery blob from the patch file before releasing as a CWM flashable zip. My 2 cents. See you guys in a few hours/days, depending on how addicted I get to ICS.

Your dlpkgfile didn't work.. i need the WW version
Anyway I've rooted with nachoroot with stock asus recovery, waiting for ics update via FOTA

asder00 said:
Your dlpkgfile didn't work.. i need the WW version
Anyway I've rooted with nachoroot with stock asus recovery, waiting for ics update via FOTA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to reflash with a US version not WW.
Sent from my Sparkified TF101

Confirmed working! thanks. too bad i have to go straight to work

Dreamboxuser said:
You need to reflash with a US version not WW.
Sent from my Sparkified TF101
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ur right but i prefer to wait for ww

luna_c666 said:
Yep, that's all I had to say, but if I posted in any of the ICS threads it would be buried.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After I updated to ICS, OTA Rootkeeper gave me the option to Restore root. Under the status section, Device rooted and Root permission granted were both unchecked until I used the Restore root option.

[Q] Install CWM on 3.1 8.4.4.5 Pure Root

Hi. sorry noob here. i have the us tf101 transformer and it is still on 8.4.4.5 rooted but there is no cwm. I tried RecoveryInstaller but i keep getting parse error. I want to upgrade to ICS and there is already the ota so should i unroot or install cwm and flash ics rooted rom? also, is there another way to install cwm? adb doesn't work on my computer anymore
thanks in advance

i Would use an NVFlash stock rom to get to .21 then install the 0ta from there

do you happen to have step-by-step instructions? and does it use adb? because adb mysteriously stopped working on my laptop.
thanks

ryan25012003 said:
Hi. sorry noob here. i have the us tf101 transformer and it is still on 8.4.4.5 rooted but there is no cwm. I tried RecoveryInstaller but i keep getting parse error. I want to upgrade to ICS and there is already the ota so should i unroot or install cwm and flash ics rooted rom? also, is there another way to install cwm? adb doesn't work on my computer anymore
thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just an alternate suggestion, but I had no problem with Recoveryinstaller on ICS. You could just do the OTA, then use Vipermod to root and then use Recoveryinstaller.

yeah, but i'm still in rooted HC 3.1 so i cant do OTA upgrades.

mrevankyle said:
i Would use an NVFlash stock rom to get to .21 then install the 0ta from there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok. i nvflashed to the 8.4.4.5 version. can i upgrade directly to .21? it is now unrooted but it wont get any ota updates and the wifi bar is white, not blue even when it actually works. also, i checked when power+vol up and it shows WW even when it is supposed to be US since i bought it in the states. a few months back i brought it to the service center and i think they tried to tamper with the bootloader so now it shows ww. should i update .zip ww? i tried us and it gives me the android /!\ logo.
thanks again!

Try this, download the .21 from Asus
Extract the zip file from within
make a copy of it and rename it EP101_SDUPDATE.zip
Put both the original file and the renamed file on the root of the external sd card
Boot into stock 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