Database Users

Potentially Bricked Incredible... SOS

So I attempted the OTA 2.2 update and I'm honestly not sure what exactly went wrong. I waited for Verizon to push the update, but apparently the update was corrupted because the OS was acting very sporadic and my Baseband wasn't upgraded because it was (and still is) on 1.x.
I attempted to upgrade the baseband and thing got really strange... I could try to explain everything I've done to try to fix the phone but I really can't come to a solid conclusion. I've worked extensively in the iPhone jailbreaking scene but the Android stuff is a bit different so I'm still learning how the phone is logically designed, etc the hard way.
Here's where I am now:
I cannot boot into recovery via any means... I'm pretty sure that the partition is deleted because it just jumps straight back to HBOOT. When I was still able to get into recovery, the sdcard couldn't mount as well as a few other things in /dev/block. I can't get HBOOT to recognize ANY PB31IMG.zip's nor would clockwork install them from recovery before I lost recover... when I try to flash recovery with fastboot, it says not allowed. I didn't think it would be an issue because I have S-OFF.
I feel like if I can re-flash the newest clockwork or cyanogen from HBOOT, I can then mount my sdcard and restore to 2.1 and then try to OTA again (after a nandroid backup), but I can't really get around HBOOT's permission hissy-fit.
I can't just take my phone back to the verizon store either because I'm in college and have no car and there isn't one nearby.
Any help is appreciated!

crizh4x said:
I can't get HBOOT to recognize ANY PB31IMG.zip's
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One simple thing to check: is your SD card formatted FAT32? If it's the stock 2GB one, then probably not. You need FAT32 to flash PB31IMG.zip...

Yup, if you can get to hboot you're fine, just make sure its formatted correctly as previous poster said.

Hmm ok well, I read that little bit elsewhere and you are completely right, the card was fat16 so I formatted it as fat32 and it still doesn't offer to update the zip... The only thing I can think of is perhaps there was a problem with me having to use my phone as the card reader? I don't really have any other options there and now I can't mount it in recovery to try again.
I have a blackberry 9650 that could act as the reader I suppose... If I can get it to boot without the battery. I somehow had it pulled and left it all the way back home.
Any tips are still appreciated. Thanks guys!

I am not 100% sure this will work but since it sounds like your phone is not bricked but you have issues getting the right files on your SD card...
Card readers for your computer are dirt cheap, no?
Head to Best Buy, pick one up, and then download and transfer the files you need on it over from the computer. Then put the SD card back in your phone, and start over.
I hope someone will chime in if this sounds like a bad idea for some reason...

twentysided said:
I am not 100% sure this will work but since it sounds like your phone is not bricked but you have issues getting the right files on your SD card...
Card readers for your computer are dirt cheap, no?
Head to Best Buy, pick one up, and then download and transfer the files you need on it over from the computer. Then put the SD card back in your phone, and start over.
I hope someone will chime in if this sounds like a bad idea for some reason...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or I'm sure one of your friends have a laptop or another smartphone..
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

The problem is that I can't easily get to a place that sells MicroSD card readers. If I were so able, I would just go to the Verizon Store and get my unit replaced, as the technicians advised me to do on Twitter.
I need a way to format the SD card from fastboot or something else... perhaps my Blackberry 9650 will do it if it's only getting a charge from the sync cable. I shouldn't have left its battery at home. My mistake
Has anyone else had an issue with formatting it from a phone directly?

crizh4x said:
The problem is that I can't easily get to a place that sells MicroSD card readers. If I were so able, I would just go to the Verizon Store and get my unit replaced, as the technicians advised me to do on Twitter.
I need a way to format the SD card from fastboot or something else... perhaps my Blackberry 9650 will do it if it's only getting a charge from the sync cable. I shouldn't have left its battery at home. My mistake
Has anyone else had an issue with formatting it from a phone directly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I formatted mine in the phone. FAT32 format is FAT32 format.

twentysided said:
I formatted mine in the phone. FAT32 format is FAT32 format.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree.. however I'm unable to get it formatted. One of my suite mates has a Moto Droid so hopefully it can format it and all will be well.
Here's another question though.. Why can't I flash a recovery image via fastboot? I keep getting "writing 'recovery'... FAILED (remote: not allowed)" and I'm using official images with S-OFF set so I don't really see what the problem is. I've searched around quite a lot and can't find much on it. I at least want to be able to boot recovery, or maybe flash the system partition back from hboot via fastboot.
Just curious. Thanks guys!

I had some problems with my SD Card as well (it would not recognize PB31IMG.zip) during hboot, but clockworkmod could read it. I believe there was a problem with the SD Card, kind of wierd to explain, but I replaced it with another SD Card and that problem has gone away. Could be your card is "partially" defective.

this scenario kind of happened to my friends's new incredible. unfortunately he is not rooted nor s-off. After he applied the OTA and rebooted the phone it just FC's after the boot screen animation. I'm hoping that the factory reset/data wipe will fix this thru the stock recovery or hopefully will let me put the signed .zip RUU on the sdcard and flash thru the stock recovery.
Ill let you know how things go, but it seems im in a darker situation than you are as I have no clockwork recovery to play with and get this working.

ladesidude said:
I had some problems with my SD Card as well (it would not recognize PB31IMG.zip) during hboot, but clockworkmod could read it. I believe there was a problem with the SD Card, kind of wierd to explain, but I replaced it with another SD Card and that problem has gone away. Could be your card is "partially" defective.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of my SD cards is fully defective, but the one from my Blackberry is fine... I just have no means to format it.
And to the poster above me, I don't have recovery anymore since my recovery partition is apparently wiped (my bad ), however I do have S-OFF. It's just all frustrating. Why can't I flash it straight over USB like the iPhone? I miss my beloved DFU Restores with iTunes

You do need to format the SD card to fat 32 and I would do a factory re-set also.

jbh00jh said:
You do need to format the SD card to fat 32 and I would do a factory re-set also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realize the first bit but the second bit is impossible, check the rest of the thread.

crizh4x said:
One of my SD cards is fully defective, but the one from my Blackberry is fine... I just have no means to format it.
And to the poster above me, I don't have recovery anymore since my recovery partition is apparently wiped (my bad ), however I do have S-OFF. It's just all frustrating. Why can't I flash it straight over USB like the iPhone? I miss my beloved DFU Restores with iTunes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You realize that you don't need a micro SD reader if you have the full size sd to micro adapter card that comes with almost all micro sd cards...
Also make sure you didn't rename your file PB31IMG.zip.zip. One zip is enough and if it's a zip file, Windows will put the proper extension on automatically.
If you can get into hboot, you're not hosed yet.

douger1957 said:
You realize that you don't need a micro SD reader if you have the full size sd to micro adapter card that comes with almost all micro sd cards...
Also make sure you didn't rename your file PB31IMG.zip.zip. One zip is enough and if it's a zip file, Windows will put the proper extension on automatically.
If you can get into hboot, you're not hosed yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read that around... I work on a Mac and I have it setup so that file extensions are always displayed but I was last trying most of these fixes from a Win7 pc that isn't setup that way... the file extensions are hidden but that said, unless I saw "PB31IMG.zip" in explorer, I wouldn't have any issues because there is only one hidden file extension. However, now that most of the people here at my college have gone home for the weekend, I can't verify that =/
I understand that I'm not really hosed... I knew I wasn't bricked, but I'm close and it should get some people to look at this thread just a little bit more. It's a dirty little trick but it works. Hence "potentially"
And yes, I'm aware of the SD adapter thing, if I had one I could just format it through my digital camera... too bad all of my MicroSD cards came with my phones so there is no adapter.

You must be at the only college without a Walmart within walking distance. I hope you get it working, as a new SD card formatted FAT32 should fix you right up - I wouldn't trust your current card given what you've described already.
-M

smw420 said:
You must be at the only college without a Walmart within walking distance. I hope you get it working, as a new SD card formatted FAT32 should fix you right up - I wouldn't trust your current card given what you've described already.
-M
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Much less the only college where you don't have friend or a friend of a friend that has what you need. Much less a resident dorm geek around to ask for help. I'm sure if you ask around someone would have a reader or adapter. Perhaps you will have to use it under their supervision so they make sure it doesn't grow it's own feet, but I'm sure if you asked around.

[Q] External sd problems

Hi guys
I'm having some extremely irritating problems with my A500. It doesn't detect any external sd card I've tried so far. It says external sd is unavailable under storage in settings and the external_sd folder is empty in root/mnt. I've tried 3 different cards so far with no success. Anyone have a any advice for me on how to mount the card? I think the problem might be that it doesn't get mounted when I insert it. I can't root because the GingerBreak mod that's been posted needs an external card to work. So maybe some advice on how to root some other way? Then I can try restore a stock image and see what happens.

I had to insert mine and then reboot the tablet for mine to show inside of a file manager.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App

lawmangrant said:
I had to insert mine and then reboot the tablet for mine to show inside of a file manager.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, thanks for the tip. I forgot to add it to my original post. I've tried rebooting with all 3 of the cards I have. I'm starting to think it's a hardware problem...

Have the cards you're testing been formatted NTFS or FAT32? If NTFS they probably won't work without some help.
The stock device only deals with FAT32 mSD cards; I haven't tried the NTFSMount app from the Dev forum on an NTFS-formatted card yet, only USB devices.

Vereynn said:
Have the cards you're testing been formatted NTFS or FAT32? If NTFS they probably won't work without some help.
The stock device only deals with FAT32 mSD cards; I haven't tried the NTFSMount app from the Dev forum on an NTFS-formatted card yet, only USB devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey. I've formatted the cards multiple times, to FAT32 every time. Might try exFAT tomorrow just to see what happens.

exFAT didn't work. Not that I expected it to, lol. Maybe the GingerBreak apk can be modified to use the usb storage instead of the external sd. Any idea where I can get the source code to take a look at?

If you've tried multiple cards, all FAT32 and all work on other devices, I'd return the tablet while you can, sounds like a hardware problem indeed

Slight problem with the returning, lol. I live in South Africa and ordered my tab from the USA since my own country is so backwards. I don't really mind not having an external sd card, I just wanna root again since almost all the apps I use need root. I'm considering returning, even if it's gonna take a lot of effort, time and money...
EDIT - Another reason I can't return it (and this is a horrible thing) is that SuperUser Permissions is still installed. The recent update made me lose root. So I'm kinda stuck with this app that's proof that I voided my warranty. The only way to get rid of SuperUser is to use some apps that all need root. To get root I need the external sd to work. To get that to work I need to send it for repairs. A very messed up situation

I'm almost positive that it's a hardware issue now. Even when I try to do an update.zip from recovery mode it can't find the file even though it's on the card. Let's hope they don't see the SuperUser app when I return it...
I thought about maybe waiting for Acer to release an update that will unlock the bootloader. But since the SD card slot isn't working I won't be able to install the update. That so much depends on one little slot amazes me. If you wanna know what the single point of failure for an Android device is, look no further.

I know some android tabs came out without external SD card support. I live in the uk and have a 32GB version and the SD card worked out the box. Maybe you have to wait for an update. Just my 2c though. You won't need an external SD to receive OTA updates though.
Sent from my A500

Here's an image of what recovery mode says when I select Install Update from external source. Seems the system can't mount the card. Sigh

I like that message at the end.... "Install from sdcard complete."
You had rooted before the update, which means it had to have seen the sdcard then. So it's unlikely that the hardware just went bad. Are the sdcards your trying of different sizes, classes, and/or manufacturer?
I'd go with the same sdcard you used when you rooted before and reformat it using the HP USB Format tool. Selecting fat32, of course. And don't select quick format. See if that helps. Sorry if I missed somethiing relevent above.
Here's the link to the HP first tool. http://download.cnet.com/HP-USB-Disk-Storage-Format-Tool/3000-2094_4-10974082.html
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

Lol, the "fake it till you make it" strategy. Fail Google.
I've tried it with the original SD and two other ones. My guess is some app tried to mount the external SD in /mnt/sdcard and messed up some associations or dependencies or something.

I'm amazed. After everything I've tried it suddenly worked. I was busy in settings and accidentally selected storage. And there it was in all its glory... A working external sd card! I'm rooted again, backed up and ready to roll!

To anyone finding this thread hoping for answers for a similar problem: It was a hardware problem indeed. I fixed it myself by opening the tab and bending the MicroSD slot's pins back into place.

[Q] Can't Backup via CWR?

I searched the forums, but was unable to find anything relating to this.
I rooted my A500 and then installed Acer Recovery Installer 1.5, and installed CWR 1.3.4 with it. Now I'm trying to do a full backup of my device, but once I'm in CWR, It says there is zero % room on my SD card. It's an 8GB card so I know there is room for it but I think that it's not detecting it. (In Root Explorer, my SD card is under "/mnt/external_sd" and "/mnt/sdcard" appears to be just system storage. Is that normal?) Do I need to do an extra step to backup? I want to put a custom ROM on it, but I always do a backup in case something goes awry...Thanks!

Try a new microSD card, CWM doesn't work with all cards plus you're not the only one, I believe to have read like 20 times the same issue you have.

Thanks for the fast reply!
I'll try that then. I have a 32gb class 6 coming in the mail so I'll try that when it gets here.
I didn't realize it was already discussed! I searched for all sorts of related things I could think of, but couldn't find anything close. Sorry!
EDIT: I forgot to mention, I have used this card on an Inspire 4G and it worked fine with CWR. Could it just be because it's another device?

You can try out an usb stick to, it works for me like charm. I used a noname 16gb usb stick for all of my backup and restore.

I have three 8gb micro SDHC cards, and one (older) 1gb microsd card (non HC).
I only managed to get backups and zip flashing to work with the 1gb card.
So there's definately something goin on there.

I hope the problem will be solved at next release of CWR. I never had this problem because I didn't used a micro sd till now, but I´m planing to buy one to get more space. I think a list of supported sd cards would be good for all of us.

I'll try the USB stick and see how that goes for me. I didn't realize that USB was an option! It's strange though, I never had something like this happen on my Inspire so I thought I was just messing something up.
KnutM said:
I hope the problem will be solved at next release of CWR. I never had this problem because I didn't used a micro sd till now, but I´m planing to buy one to get more space. I think a list of supported sd cards would be good for all of us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's probably a good idea!

I acknowledge that there is most definately a problem with using some sdcards.
But something just occurred to me that some people may not understand.
If you have a USB stick inserted, clockworkmod sees that as /sdcard instead of your real microsd.
So if your trying to use a microsd card, make sure there is no usb stick connected during bootup to recovery.
If you want to use as usb stick instead of the microsd, make sure it's connected during bootup to recovery.

When I was first trying it, I had nothing plugged into the USB port, but then I tried it with the USB stick last night and it made a backup so then I flashed a ROM. I got stuck in a boot-loop though so I tried to restore it and it didn't work. I ended up just going with a different ROM. I'm a little hesitant now when wanting to flash a new ROM. If I have a Micro SD card in and a USB stick in could that be messing something up? Should I have taken the SD card out before recovering from USB? It's running fine now with the ROM, but if I ever want to flash something else, I'd like to be prepared just in case!

Aurora ICS sdcard problem.

First I want to thank dzo for his amazing work. Thanks to him, we now have an almost fully functional ICS port!
Now, to get to the point... I upgraded from dzo's v.1.1 to v1.2 ICS yesterday. The ROM is very nice and smooth, and it seems like everything is functioning like it should. BUT, after my first reboot after flashing v1.2, I got the message about corrupt sdcard. So I rebooted into recovery, then rebooted to recovery through recovery again P), and then rebooted normal. The message was still there, so I unplugged the sdcard from my phone and plugged it into my computer through a cardreader. The PC said I had to format it before use, so that's what I tried.. the format-window hung up, and stood still on 0% for about an hour. I got kinda bored of waiting and unplugged the sdcard, then put it back into my phone. Now my phone says something like: "blank sdcard or has an unsupported filesystem etc.). I've tried several sdcard formatting programs, but nothing seems to work :S Now my PC doesn't even recognize my sdcard as an sdcard anymore, but as an empty disk or something.
The worst part is that I actually bought my sdcard yesterday, the same day as got corrupted/blank..
any tips would be appreciated!
edit: My sdcard is a SanDisk Class 4 16GB

Hi,
I have the same sdcard and in most cases my U8800 Pro does not mount correctly this microsd. I don't know if this is a kernel problem or a rom problem.
Anyway I advice you to format your sdcard with a specific format-tool, please download it here:
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/sdfmt3_1.zip
This is a free software developed by Panasonic (if I'm not wrong).
This tool helped me with my sdcard BUT I have to say that Huawei U8800 is a little buggy for the sdcard mount.
Regards
kalo86

kalo86 said:
Hi,
I have the same sdcard and in most cases my U8800 Pro does not mount correctly this microsd. I don't know if this is a kernel problem or a rom problem.
Anyway I advice you to format your sdcard with a specific format-tool, please download it here:
https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_3/sdfmt3_1.zip
This is a free software developed by Panasonic (if I'm not wrong).
This tool helped me with my sdcard BUT I have to say that Huawei U8800 is a little buggy for the sdcard mount.
Regards
kalo86
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply! Actually I have allready tried ths program. I installed, and opened it. Then I connected the sdcard to the PC, but the program said it couldn't recognize it... So just to be sure it wasn't the program, I tried to connect another sdcard, and that one was recognized. Weird stuff...
Maybe the card is just broken?

This happened to me too. There is nothing you can do, the sd card is broken. Reformatting is impossible, since no reader will recognize the card. You'll just have to buy a new card or get it replaced via warranty.

I have the exact same problem olfyboy, I think the card is ruined

That sucks! :/
well.. time to use my good old 2gb then..

hello guys
plug you sd card in your mobile go in recovery and check did it show your sd card there if not go in advance option reboot in recovery again...
i hope this time you see your sd card
if it this method not work then put ur sd card in some Symbian phone (Nokia, sony ericsson) in symbian phone you are able to format
i hope this method work for you best of luck

maybe a software named Usboot can help you.

Pls try aurora 1.4. Dzo solved sdcard problem

Thanks for your replies guys!
Sadly I think my sdcard is completely broken. No device is able to recognize it, and those who can, says that it's completely blank or does not have a supported file-system.

olfyboy said:
Thanks for your replies guys!
Sadly I think my sdcard is completely broken. No device is able to recognize it, and those who can, says that it's completely blank or does not have a supported file-system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From those devices that recognize it, can you format it? Put some files on it?

Blefish said:
From those devices that recognize it, can you format it? Put some files on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No..
Those who can recognize it, and says that it needs to be formatted, doesn't do anything when I click format.
And, no, I can't put any files on it.

olfyboy said:
No..
Those who can recognize it, and says that it needs to be formatted, doesn't do anything when I click format.
And, no, I can't put any files on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still in the same position too, I've tried all the suggestions here.
I can read files but can't write or format.
Read speed is VERY slow (a few bytes per second)

I can't even read my files. I tried my sdcard with 2 different pcs. And none of them recognize it. I think its ruined.

Any news? Is there anyone with solution? :/

Özgürce said:
Any news? Is there anyone with solution? :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.. our sdcards are probably completely broken. Nothing to do with it :/ The only thing you can do about it, is really just to buy a new one.
I, myself, have ended up using an old 2gb sdcard..

I don't get why is happens or why it only happens to us. Any ideas what caused it? I don't care sd-card but I really want my images back in that card. =)

Maybe I can help you
Özgürce said:
I don't get why is happens or why it only happens to us. Any ideas what caused it? I don't care sd-card but I really want my images back in that card. =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what is the OS on your PC?
maybe I can help you. first of all you have to install a recovery software on your PC ( I prefer "Recover My Files") and extract your photos from SD to your PC.
then if you ask me I will tell you how to format your SD and use it again.

Idk is it a same situation but 2 weeks ago my sd went broke. Ics was showing its empty which i was sure it wasnt. First i tried it with my old phone but no luck. I can connect it to my comp (both win and ubuntu) via sd card reader and no luck. Then i tried fix permissions in cwm and then it recognized, all my old files were there.
I know it doesnt make any sense but if you guys didnt try this just give it a luck.
G luck.
Sent from my U8800

mca_feat said:
what is the OS on your PC?
maybe I can help you. first of all you have to install a recovery software on your PC ( I prefer "Recover My Files") and extract your photos from SD to your PC.
then if you ask me I will tell you how to format your SD and use it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you misunderstood the situation. My phone or my pc doesn't recognize the sdcard. Thy not see ant disk when I attach it. I know what your meaning but the problem bigger than this.
,

SD Card problems

Hi,
I have an Acer Iconia A500, currently running Taboonay (ICS). I bought it in the US, and brought it to the UK with me, so I can't get it back to the place I bought it (unfortunately), or I'd return it... but hoping someone here can help me fix this:
Shortly after I bought it, the tab lost the sd card, and I've only once ever been able to see it again. While flashing Taboonay, the recovery did (once only, not reproducable) recognise the sd card, and show me the contents properly. This is the slim hope I have that it's not a hardware issue...
I have tried with multiple SD cards, formatted with different file-systems, and none of them have mounted at all, or even been recognised by the tab.
I have tried a few (can't remember the names of them now) root-level card-mount applications, and none of them have helped either. They just can't see the card at all.
If anyone has any tips for software solutions that I can try, I'd be very grateful! I would very much like to avoid a re-flash, or anything that will reset my internal storage...
Thanks,
Rich

Phyrefly said:
If anyone has any tips for software solutions that I can try, I'd be very grateful! I would very much like to avoid a re-flash, or anything that will reset my internal storage...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Typically EXT SD Card issues usually are software related. With the exception of bad SD Cards.
1. Update your Recovery to the most recent version.
2. Or, try a different recovery like Public Recovery
I will assume you are on an ICS bootloader, and that your recovery is correct for ICS?
If you have the V8 Bootloader installed for example, you can boot the tab to Fastboot mode, Then start Fastboot from the Android SDK on your PC. (place your recovery image in the same folder as fastboot.exe) and type;
Fastboot Flash Recovery nameofyourrecovery.img
Also, the rom you are using may need to be re-installed again (wipes and formats)
But go for option 1 or 2.
One more note. I have heard of people using the Format option in Recovery and have had success when PC formats won't work.
Along with using some specialized PC Format applications.
MD

Moscow Desire said:
Typically EXT SD Card issues usually are software related. With the exception of bad SD Cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is good news...
1. Update your Recovery to the most recent version.
2. Or, try a different recovery like Public Recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) I have done this many, many times before I initially gave up...
2) This is something new (or at least new-ish, I may have gone through two when I rooted, but that was some time ago)
I will assume you are on an ICS bootloader, and that your recovery is correct for ICS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't assume anything! I am not a pro at this, although I am a techy for a living, it's quite possible I have this wrong. How would I tell?
If you have the V8 Bootloader installed for example, you can boot the tab to Fastboot mode, Then start Fastboot from the Android SDK on your PC. (place your recovery image in the same folder as fastboot.exe) and type;
Fastboot Flash Recovery nameofyourrecovery.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, the rom you are using may need to be re-installed again (wipes and formats)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, REALLY don't want to go down this road again... and I have done many times already with no change, so don't hold much hope of that working.
One more note. I have heard of people using the Format option in Recovery and have had success when PC formats won't work.
Along with using some specialized PC Format applications.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was under the impression that Recovery Format formatted the internal memory on the A500 (as the internal memory is called "sd-card"). I would hate to get this wrong!
If you can suggest a PC Format app for me to try I'll give that a go too.
Rich

I have installed Public Recovery, and one change it has made, is that my boot time is significantly reduced...
I haven't had the time to do anything else yet.
Testing with an SD card shows that inserting one while the tablet is running DOES now pick up that a card is there. However, mounting it does nothing at all. Attempting to mount it through apps like DiskMount fails, but doesn't give me a meaningful error (just "Drive could not be mounted")
This seems to be a positive change, as the disk is being seen, if not understood, by Android now. First sign that there is a fix to this!
I googled for apps to format the SD on the PC, but didn't find anything (all the tips I found said to format with right-click, which hasn't worked so far)
Any further advice?

I have changed the recovery (again) to the latest Thor CWM, which claims to be good for ICS.
I am going to flash my bootloader tonight to one that explicitly works with this recovery and my current ICS ROM. I downloaded all the bits I need last night, but didn't have the time to actually flash it after all that.
I figured updating these couldn't hurt, and would ensure that I am on compatible versions.
The only thing left that has been suggested (beyond a total re-install) is formatting the sdcard with something more likely to give me a compatible format. I still lack confidence that the recovery knows the difference between my internal memory (called sdcard) and the actual SD card. For example, when installing a new recovery, selecting "install from zip on SDCard" takes me to the internal memory to select a file... This only leaves me with the option of using a specialist PC app, as was recommended, but still can't find one, so any advice here would be welcomed.
Or of course, any new course of action entirely...
Thanks,
Rich

Phyrefly said:
...
The only thing left that has been suggested (beyond a total re-install) is formatting the sdcard with something more likely to give me a compatible format. I still lack confidence that the recovery knows the difference between my internal memory (called sdcard) and the actual SD card. For example, when installing a new recovery, selecting "install from zip on SDCard" takes me to the internal memory to select a file... This only leaves me with the option of using a specialist PC app, as was recommended, but still can't find one, so any advice here would be welcomed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used sdformat (attached) in the past or gparted (linux) will do it too...and yeh you're right to be wary...if the recovery doesnt recognise it then it will use yr internal sd...
not sure if you've got the drivers installed or not and
usb debugging is enabled
I do know that i had this issue with taboonay on HC once, never did get it figured out so just used another rom
the afterOTA tool will tell you if you have the drivers installed,
what rom and b/l you're running, yr uid and sbk and will also flash the bl and recovery for you

dibb_nz said:
I've used sdformat (attached) in the past or gparted (linux) will do it too...and yeh you're right to be wary...if the recovery doesnt recognise it then it will use yr internal sd...
not sure if you've got the drivers installed or not and
usb debugging is enabled
I do know that i had this issue with taboonay on HC once, never did get it figured out so just used another rom
the afterOTA tool will tell you if you have the drivers installed,
what rom and b/l you're running, yr uid and sbk and will also flash the bl and recovery for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for not replying with results - when trying to use the "idiot-proof" tool, I supplied the world with a bigger idiot.
Somehow I managed to brick - not my tablet, but my laptop. I'm now in mourning... And looking for a new laptop.
And then I will be back to trying to fix the tablet!
(Yes, I'm fairly certain it wasn't the tool that killed my laptop, but it happened while I was using it. Can't even get to BIOS at the moment... think the motherboard fried somehow)
Rich

Phyrefly said:
Sorry for not replying with results - when trying to use the "idiot-proof" tool, I supplied the world with a bigger idiot.
Somehow I managed to brick - not my tablet, but my laptop. I'm now in mourning... And looking for a new laptop.
And then I will be back to trying to fix the tablet!
(Yes, I'm fairly certain it wasn't the tool that killed my laptop, but it happened while I was using it. Can't even get to BIOS at the moment... think the motherboard fried somehow)
Rich
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, just when you thought things couldn't get worse.
I have an old Gateway laptop with WinXP if you want to come to moscow and get it. (sound doesn't work but comes with USB CLabs Sound, needs new battery). Hate to throw it in the garbage.
MD

Moscow Desire said:
Dude, just when you thought things couldn't get worse.
I have an old Gateway laptop with WinXP if you want to come to moscow and get it. (sound doesn't work but comes with USB CLabs Sound, needs new battery). Hate to throw it in the garbage.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As much as I'd love an excuse to go to Moscow - I think it'd be cheaper to buy a new laptop

Phyrefly said:
As much as I'd love an excuse to go to Moscow - I think it'd be cheaper to buy a new laptop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the laptop come with Girls? Mine does.
Hope you get a good deal over there. Moscow prices are horrible sometimes. And you only get HP, Apple, and Acer. And some local brands.
MD