I bought an Acer a500 tablet a few days ago not knowing how broken it is.
After loads of research and attempting different techniques I still haven't had any progress.
The software issue:
When booting up the tablet, it goes to the black screen with "android system" at the top and power off/ shutting down in the middle of the screen.
Fixes I've tried:
1.
Since I don't know anything about what operating system is on this tablet, I have been blindly flashing different "stock" (from Vache) versions of HC.
--The android logo with gears shows up, the green bar loads but freezes when it gets 1 cm away from finishing.
--After turning off the tablet and booting it up again, "updating bootloader shows up on the upper left hand corner of the screen. Then a message pops up saying "apk installer: all pre processes complete". Then it returns to the black screen.
2.
The tablet will not go into apx mode (using the reset botton at the bottom).---Fixed. I didn't execute the steps properly. Apx mode works fine.
3.
I plugged the tablet into an older windows laptop and the computer could not install the correct drivers to sync with the tablet. Again also my lack of knowledge. I installed drivers from Acer.com
4.
These two guides seem to be exactly what my problem is but I can't seem to make sense of them:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24531880#post24531880
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572622
This is as far as I've gotten.
Other complications:
--The battery is dead. I have to use it while plugged in by the charger.
--Most of the thread that I have looked at use Megaupload as the source of downloading their files.
--The original owner of the tablet will not help me out. As I stated before, I don't know what version android OS was on here before it was bricked and on top of that the original owner won't answer my questions. As far as I know though, this tablet is not rooted or has anything "non-OEM" installed in it. The story goes that this tablet was bricked when the owner tried to "update" it. Before that, it was functioning perfectly.
-----It looks like Darvis is having the same issue and frustrations I'm having but reading his threads makes me think that this tablet is a dead end.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1427983&page=4
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum...32467-please-help-me-unbrick-my-iconia-5.html
If someone could point me in the right direction toward fixing this tablet, I would appreciate it very much.
Thank you for reading my Thread.
KiwiN said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572622
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off......I hope u didn't pay much for the tablet.
Secondly the guide above looks pretty straight forward but maybe this is one of the ones that has files at megaupload?
I know that the ra recovery and timmydean's files are accessible as I have downloaded both of them.
Maybe someone who has done this previously will chime in and get you the other file if it is indeed unreachable.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium
I would suggest trying to connect the tab to a Windows 7 PC after installing the USB drivers from ACER. Then check if your device appears in the device manager. As long as you have its UID you can flash the tab from the PC with one of the EUU tools - check my signature on "how to revert to 3.0.1" or TimmyDean's thread which offers an EUU with rooted HC 3.2.1 (it's linked in my thread as well).
How exactly did you try to get into APX mode?
p.s. I have the EUU files if you can't access them from the threads links. I can send them to you.
getting into apx mode
When I perform the steps (hold reset + power for 3 secs then release power); the tablet turns on as it usually does. It goes to the Acer screen, then android and back to the black home screen. My computer responds by saying that it is "installing drivers" but it "fails to install drivers". At the same time I have the DND.exe open and it does not recognize my tablet.
I'm trying to follow the instructions from the root 3.2.1 v4 file.
I can't perform the first step where it instructs me to turn on Usb debugging. The problem is that I can't open the settings by clicking the clock. Nothing happens.
I realize that one complication of my tab is that it will not charge. The battery power is below 15% so none of these fixes might not be effective for me. That might be the ultimate problem?
CyaN1de-
I paid $100 for the tablet. As of this moment I feel like I paid too much.
Thank you both for you quick replies. I have to say that most of the problems that I'm having is because of my lack of experience but I'm learning. I hope I fix this tab soon.
if this dont fix it, i'll give you what you paid for it;0
someone posted a while back that a hard reset fixed the android systems screen error
not sure where you're at now but no harm in trying it
Try using hard reset:
1) Turn off your tablet,
2) Rotation lock s to your left;
3) Press Vol+ (which is next to rotation lock) and power on simultaneously
4) As soon as the tablet vibrates you can release the power on button and you
should start to switch rotation lock left and right till you see
Erasing Userdata...
Erasing Cache...
Vol+ is still pressed;
5) The tablet starts to format
6) Your tablet will be as clean as it can be.
Thanks for the suggestion but I didn't accomplish anything by hard resetting it. I've done this many times and nothing has changed.
I haven't given up on unbricking this tablet yet and even though it's frustrating I'm learning from the process. If I decide to sell it, I'll contact you Dibb.
KiwiN said:
.....
When I perform the steps (hold reset + power for 3 secs then release power); the tablet turns on as it usually does. It goes to the Acer screen, then android and back to the black home screen. My computer responds by saying that it is "installing drivers" but it "fails to install drivers". At the same time I have the DND.exe open and it does not recognize my tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i've seen the 2 methods u described but i've not seen anyone else have success with it apart from the OP'ers - seems OTT to me but hey if it works for ya...
I've used timmydeans method ALOT on HC it never failed to work and that includes reverting back to HC from ICS - if it doesnt work for your issue then id be tempted to use blackthund3rs APXFlash Tool and civato's HC_ICS_Bootloader zip to flash a new bootloader and rom package on yr tab - but for the moment we'll run with td'sv4 - if drivers fail to install then believe me, its a good sign
try this:
I know you-ve probly done it but u need to do it again:
reboot everything, then reinstall acer drivers (yeh i know)
fire up ya tab but dont connect to yr pc just yet -as you said you
doubt usb debugging in enabled so we'll try another way around it
run the prgb20.exe it will scan for the new image but not find it becos youre disconnected...thats good....
after maybe 5 -7 minutes of scanning for the new image - it will show a
window "cannot detect yr iconia tab"
and instructions for getting into apx mode - go ahead connect usb put the tab into apx BUT don't click next until....
the drivers will try to install, dont let windows search but let me choose
(off memory) choose device and adb or android ph should show up here
the acer boot/recovery drivers should install...maybe even under USB Controllers
once they do and only when they do click next to put tab into:
acer download mode.......
as i said this is worth a go,,,,how about the update.zip have u tried that.....
else the only other way i know is apx flash....ya still need to get into apx
mode and if u cant then ???? sometimes youll try something over and over
and then out of the blue it will work...you'll swear you never did anything different , it jsut worked this time.....
hope you find some joy
Thanks Dibb for your words of wisdom. I've put it aside for now but I'm going to pick it up in the morning.
As addition to what dibb_nz said - Windows 7 would do the trick - I'm almost 100% sure you'll be able to connect in APX mode with the drivers properly installed. Then use one of the EUUs.
Drained battery really looks like the ultimate problem now because as far as I know you cannot charge the tab in APX mode - haven't tried that. Eventually I would suggest to crack the tab open, remove the battery and charge it somewhere - I don't know alternative ways but...may be another tab or you own charger with proper connector ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvXihNIdQ1M
p.s. 15% power ... seems enough to flash through the PC...but who knows - don't waste them and get everything you need before starting the procedure.
no probs m8 hope u have better luck tomorrow
if u wanted to try the EC method i have those files if you want them
good luck m8
dibb_nz said:
if drivers fail to install then believe me, its a good sign
try this:
I know you-ve probly done it but u need to do it again:
reboot everything, then reinstall acer drivers (yeh i know)
fire up ya tab but dont connect to yr pc just yet -as you said you
doubt usb debugging in enabled so we'll try another way around it
run the prgb20.exe it will scan for the new image but not find it becos youre disconnected...thats good....
after maybe 5 -7 minutes of scanning for the new image - it will show a
window "cannot detect yr iconia tab"
and instructions for getting into apx mode - go ahead connect usb put the tab into apx BUT don't click next until....
the drivers will try to install, dont let windows search but let me choose
(off memory) choose device and adb or android ph should show up here
the acer boot/recovery drivers should install...maybe even under USB Controllers
once they do and only when they do click next to put tab into:
acer download mode.......
hope you find some joy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I went through all these steps and the TD's V4 tool finishes updating the tab. But then it continues to the same black, android systems screen. And afterwards the tablet won't connect with the computer.
I am currently downloading the update.zip so i'm going to see if that will work.
KiwiN said:
So I went through all these steps and the TD's V4 tool finishes updating the tab. But then it continues to the same black, android systems screen. And afterwards the tablet won't connect with the computer.
I am currently downloading the update.zip so i'm going to see if that will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u get on yr tab the big 'PASS' in white leetters or "entering download mode" at all???
think we're beyond update.zip if EUU failed but you can try it -
you can get to apx which is a start - getting a new boot/recovery image on there is the main priority I think...as i posted earlier i've only ever seen a fix for this problem work for 2 people, so on new ground here....
But anyway check out the APXFlash method/walkthru in my sig....all the info is in there and the links to the required files ....do we know if you're on HC or ICS B/L????
I got the word pass; now using recovery mode to flash a rom.
not sure which bootloader I have.
I am using:
Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2: http://vacheandroid.com/files/Acer_...1_COM_GEN2.zip
But after it says install from sdcard complete it also give me the message:
E: Can't mount/ dev/block/mm....
E: Can't mount Cache: recovery/log
E: can't mount open cache: recovery/log
E: Can't mount /dev/block/mm...
found this:
dibb_nz said:
yes if you're talking about the stock roms from vaches thread, you need the full rom package - you cant just use an 'update' package as they need a full rom to work properly....
for instance my original HC3.2.1 Stock build is 7.014.15_COM_GEN1
and theres no FULL Rom for 3.2.1, so i have to use the HC 3.2 FULL instead
.....Acer_A500_7.006.03_COM_GEN1.zip
Once flashed, thankfully I recieve the 2 small OTA Updates to get up to 3.2.1 again
Another couple of days the ICS OTA d/l'ed and installed with no probs....
is that clearer or am i making things worse????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I've learned from this whole process is that all of the obstacles I'm facing are due to my lack of knowledge. Thanks for sticking with me Dibb. I can't thank you enough.
KiwiN said:
When I perform the steps (hold reset + power for 3 secs then release power); the tablet turns on as it usually does. It goes to the Acer screen, then android and back to the black home screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could never get mine into apx mode with the usb cable plugged in. So try that if you haven't. And it is literally hold reset, then press power, without letting up on the reset, release the power button after 3 seconds (use a watch or timer!) then one more second before you release the reset... It does work, but the timing has to be close. It must have a tenth of seconds or less tolerance. Very picky... I've done it on 2 different a500s so far and I am heading to do another tonight. If it doesn't work I'll be right back!!!
KiwiN said:
I got the word pass; now using recovery mode to flash a rom.
not sure which bootloader I have.
I am using:
Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2: http://vacheandroid.com/files/Acer_...1_COM_GEN2.zip
But after it says install from sdcard complete it also give me the message:
E: Can't mount/ dev/block/mm....
E: Can't mount Cache: recovery/log
E: can't mount open cache: recovery/log
E: Can't mount /dev/block/mm...
found this:
What I've learned from this whole process is that all of the obstacles I'm facing are due to my lack of knowledge. Thanks for sticking with me Dibb. I can't thank you enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi m8 Hwya goin - just got home - what's the lay of the land???
Holey motley we just had a good shake....thort was gonna carry on thank fk it stooped, phew, just been awhile since we had one like that, scary
Crikey just as I finished typing "....land"
Back to more important matters..... whr u at m8????
None of the roms I've tried to flash go to completion. I'm stuck at trying to flash different roms from recovery mode. Not much luck with what I've tried but I'm going to try more before I give up.
Are there any particular roms I should try more than once?
Or why am I getting the "error" messages stated earlier?
KiwiN said:
None of the roms I've tried to flash go to completion. I'm stuck at trying to flash different roms from recovery mode. Not much luck with what I've tried but I'm going to try more before I give up.
Are there any particular roms I should try more than once?
Or why am I getting the "error" messages stated earlier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
recovery mode???
u need a new boot and recovery image on that thing
the HC EUU based flash arent working even tho u got a PASS on screen after TDv4
So HC based methods arent up to it. You need nvflash/fastboot.
We need ICS with the unlocked bootloader it has access to another level below where HC worked because HC b/l is and always has been locked down.
If ICS cant fix it, I have no idea what will and my offer to buy is off the table!!!!
check out civatos guide and ready yourself for nvflash via zip files in that post or blackthund3rs APXflash tool, with a complete tutorial for using it, all links in my sig.
good luck
Just to chime in with a tip on getting google drivers to work.
When getting any device not recognized, or driver error, generally I go into windows device manager, select the unknown or offending device, update driver, only I choose which driver to use, and ignore the error message where it says "may not be compatible with your device", and use it anyhow.
I get that occassionally when swapping back and forth between devices.
Also, battery not charging and display errors, are usually a sign of EC Power control. So you were on the right track about that. Once you get a rom up and running, if the batt don't charge, then there are some EC flash's you can do from CWM.
Back at it again using BT's nvflash tool. And tablet is still bricked.
I've tried a few different bundles and none allow me to operate the tablet. Everything goes smoothly and I get "pass" at the end of the process. When I go to reboot the tablet, it gets stuck at the black start up screen.
Found another lead: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1579490
Sounds like he was in the same situation as I am but has a bit more skills and knowledge dealing with problem solving.
You say you were able to flash roms. So apparently recovery is working OK. Have you tried flashing civato's flexreaper? It has code that will detect whether you bootloader is HC or ICS. You may just be flashing a rom that doesn't match your bootloader... I know I'm jumping into the middle of this, but it's just a thought.
Also, when you did the hardware reset with the rotation lock switch did you get the confirmation that it was, in fact, being wiped?
Failing all that, I'd be willing to take it off your hands for spare parts...
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2
I have two A500s and have rooted and flashed them both successfully.
One day my main tab, the other is for the family, was working then it just stopped. It would boot to the "Acer" logo and go no further. I left it like that all night with no result.
So, I figure that I'll just flash a new rom to fix it. I tried 6 or 8 different roms; all booted only partially like before. I did a factory reset, flipping the screen lock back and forth. Still would only boot part way and hold. I continued to look for different roms (what do they say when you keep trying the same thing expecting different results?).
Now the tab doesn't seem to come on at all; that is the screen stays dark. The light on the power button comes on and I can turn it off by holding for 10 seconds and turn it on again. I connected to my PC and it requested a driver which I installed. the PC makes the "new hardware" sound but I don't find it in "My Computer".
I have tried to access it via “adb devices”, but no devices are detected.
This is the extent of my efforts and knowledge. If anyone is able to help please email me at [email protected]. I have been reading the blogs and am posting this to several blogs so I might not find your answer if it is to the blog only.
Btw,
I did find a post that describes something like this on an A200 at this blog:
http://www.acertabletforum.com/forum/acer-iconia-a200-help/5895-solved-my-a200-wont-turn.html
I'm tempted to attempt it if I don't find an answer specific to the A500.
THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR ANY HELP!!!
==================================================
edit: I tried the A200 solution to no affect.
bricked a500
I have the exact same issue, does not go past acer logo screen and Win 7 does not show the device when connected. I can hear the sound when you plug the usb cable but nothing visible or no icon on the screen.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Santosh
Bricked .. and clueless ...
ok have an Iconia tab a500 here from a friend, he tells me he put in wrong adapter.
I think its bricked ..
ALready read alot of stuff here and did try some things but cant seem to find the correct solution .
I can connect in apx or fastboot, i dont have uiid and the thing is locked also
Bootloader = V0.0312-ics
if i start up i get " boot veriefied failed"
i found some downgrading method on here "method 2" but when i do it and he reboots i get the message "abort illegal blabla"
I would really appreciate if someone could help me point me in the right direction to start.
Using win7
Grtz
I have an Acer A501 which had Android 3.2.1 on it and recently decided to provide to my parents as a tv guide device so they could sit and research on it. They didn't need the 3G component.
I performed a factory reset and we were unable to use the Market/Play Store to load any of my parents apps. I returned home with the device so decided to try and upgrade to 4.0+
Upon doing lots of reading I started loading an ICS bootloader (a500_a501_bootloaders_apx_ics_v9) with the A500APX Flash.exe I found.
Since doing this my device sits at "Reboot the device!" in big red letters and the Acer logo has turned yellow. When I try a Power+LeftVolume reset it tries to read from SD card but fails. My Micro-SD is 64GB, whats the max size and is there anything special I need to do to try and ressurrect the device?
Can anyone help me with my problem?
When I boot with Power + Volume Up I get shown the following:
Erasing Cache before SD update...
SD update cmd:recovery
--update_package=SDCARD:update.zip
Same issue
dkingsho said:
I have an Acer A501 which had Android 3.2.1 on it and recently decided to provide to my parents as a tv guide device so they could sit and research on it. They didn't need the 3G component.
I performed a factory reset and we were unable to use the Market/Play Store to load any of my parents apps. I returned home with the device so decided to try and upgrade to 4.0+
Upon doing lots of reading I started loading an ICS bootloader (a500_a501_bootloaders_apx_ics_v9) with the A500APX Flash.exe I found.
Since doing this my device sits at "Reboot the device!" in big red letters and the Acer logo has turned yellow. When I try a Power+LeftVolume reset it tries to read from SD card but fails. My Micro-SD is 64GB, whats the max size and is there anything special I need to do to try and ressurrect the device?
Can anyone help me with my problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I got a friends A501 tablet and he asked me to upgrade the os. so I flashed the bootloader with the same bootloader as you and got stuck with the same problem. Yellow Acer and reboot the tablet in red. Did you ever find a solution?
Hi! I have exactly the same issue! did any one knows what the steps to fixe it? I tried to follow the unbrick solutions and nothins because I don't even get connection to the computer. The only way to listen the USB connection is with a paper clip press reset and power for 3 seconds (or more) and I will ear the sound of a USB device being connected to the computer, but then I try to write adb usb or adb shell and nothing... and with AfterOTA tool appears in the USB section: ERROR - connect usb cable and enable usb debugging (in dhe Driver section is OK).
Hey guys,
im sorry if the topic doesnt fit here. I am new and not a techi. My Son just tried to flash some custom ROM on our Samsung Tab A and somehow bricked it. It is not possible for me to get into Recovery or Download Mode i have already tried all Button-Combinations. It just shows an error saying "An error has occured while updating the device software. Use the Emergency recovery function in the Smart Switch PC software."
I have already tried with draining the Baterry empty (described in forum thread here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1478361) and plug it in to get the Charging symbol. But it doesnt happen. It just shows only the Error..
So i really dont have any more ideas how to get into recovery/download mode.. Is there anything i didnt tried??
It seems like the download-mode is not available. Is there a way to "install" a new one??
edit: it seems like this IS the download-mode.. anyways i think i just need the stock firmware for this model T510NZKDDBT. I cant find it via duckduck/google..
Maybe someone can help me with it?
Thank you
nevermind!! i've figured it out. Flashed new bootloader via Odin. Now its working again
Thread can be closed!
arbmos said:
nevermind!! i've figured it out. Flashed new bootloader via Odin. Now its working again
Thread can be closed!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey bud can you help me out here? I am having the same issue you were. How do I flash a new bootloader into the device?
Pucc0 said:
hey bud can you help me out here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I'm a year late, and you've either figured this out or moved on, but maybe I can clear this up for anyone else in the same situation.
I stuffed up and got the same message - "An error has occured while updating the device software. Use the Emergency recovery function in the Smart Switch PC software."
That error message screen is basically the download screen. Windows (and the Smart Switch software) won't connect to the tablet while that screen is displayed, but Odin will.
You can bring up Odin and re-flash the stock software (or whatever you need) while that message is displayed. If you still have trouble, holding power and down-volume will re-initialise the download screen, though it will still display the same "emergency recovery function" error message.
I hope that's enough of a description to get people out of trouble!
So my cousin has Poco M3, and it is affected by the deadboot problem. The phone did an update and she restarted it. Well since its affected by deadboot, it didnt really boot up. And now, when we open it (we were able to open it up by following some youtube videos), its saying "System has been destroyed". I tried connecting it through the usb cable to my pc but its not detected (since its not really booted up). Its showing as Quectel. Please help us fix this. We cannot afford to go to a tech. Please help
aerith01 said:
So my cousin has Poco M3, and it is affected by the deadboot problem. The phone did an update and she restarted it. Well since its affected by deadboot, it didnt really boot up. And now, when we open it (we were able to open it up by following some youtube videos), its saying "System has been destroyed". I tried connecting it through the usb cable to my pc but its not detected (since its not really booted up). Its showing as Quectel. Please help us fix this. We cannot afford to go to a tech. Please help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume that you didn't unlock the bootloader, and you simply take the update and then the update failed to be installed.
Not sure what you mean with: "when we open it (we were able to open it up by following some youtube videos"
Assuming that my guess is right, then the first you could try is booting to the stock recovery manually, from the device power off, pressing volume up + PWR buttons, on the recovery screen, tap on wipe data, this will completely erase your data and settings. Try to reboot.
If this doesn't solve it then download the latest firmware for the device to be flashed through recovery (zip format) https://xiaomifirmwareupdater.com/archive/miui/citrus/ transfer it to your SD card and apply the update from it, unfortunately not all the recovery versions offer a menu to do that, check first if in yours, this feature is included.
SubwayChamp said:
Not sure what you mean with: "when we open it (we were able to open it up by following some youtube videos"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh i meant when we boot it up. the phone is affected by deadboot, so we had a hard time booting it.