Related
*** SOLVED ***
Hey all.
So I've had my A500 for about a year now and it's been on several different ROMs and kernels over that time.
Most recently, I was running Flexreaper R12 (I believe) and ICS was running very smoothly.
At some point a few months ago (after a Flexreaper update), I was experiencing the Sleep Of Death and flashed an AntiSOD kernel to stop it (which it did). All this time, for some reason or another, I never updated the bootloader past the Honeycomb bootloader - and that's where I'm stuck right now.
I've tried using AfterOTA in every possible way to get anything else loaded.
I've tried Blackthund3r's A500 APX Flash Utility with at least 7 different APX packages, but no matter what I try, I'm still stuck with Flexreaper and the HC bootloader.
FWIW, both AfterOTA and the A500 APX Flash Util experience a problem with my A500 when it reboots. Most of the time I can get the device to be recognized by my OS (Windows 7 x64), but sometimes it doesn't and fails on driver install, even though I've installed the Google drivers direct from the SDK as well as Acer's drivers (USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30H_A31H_A32H_A500_A501).
I'm pretty sure this is a driver issue, but I'm unclear on how to fix it. I've uninstalled ALL drivers related to the A500, rebooted and reinstalled them, I've uninstalled them and then pointed the installer directly to the unzipped USB driver folder (from above), but it seems that at some point the device fails to be seen, only rarely - but it's this that I think is the main problem... or I'm missing something.
So, any advice for someone that's STUCK on the old 3.01 bootloader?
Psychlone
Psychlone said:
Hey all.
So I've had my A500 for about a year now and it's been on several different ROMs and kernels over that time.
Most recently, I was running Flexreaper R12 (I believe) and ICS was running very smoothly.
At some point a few months ago (after a Flexreaper update), I was experiencing the Sleep Of Death and flashed an AntiSOD kernel to stop it (which it did). All this time, for some reason or another, I never updated the bootloader past the Honeycomb bootloader - and that's where I'm stuck right now.
I've tried using AfterOTA in every possible way to get anything else loaded.
I've tried Blackthund3r's A500 APX Flash Utility with at least 7 different APX packages, but no matter what I try, I'm still stuck with Flexreaper and the HC bootloader.
FWIW, both AfterOTA and the A500 APX Flash Util experience a problem with my A500 when it reboots. Most of the time I can get the device to be recognized by my OS (Windows 7 x64), but sometimes it doesn't and fails on driver install, even though I've installed the Google drivers direct from the SDK as well as Acer's drivers (USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30H_A31H_A32H_A500_A501).
I'm pretty sure this is a driver issue, but I'm unclear on how to fix it. I've uninstalled ALL drivers related to the A500, rebooted and reinstalled them, I've uninstalled them and then pointed the installer directly to the unzipped USB driver folder (from above), but it seems that at some point the device fails to be seen, only rarely - but it's this that I think is the main problem... or I'm missing something.
So, any advice for someone that's STUCK on the old 3.01 bootloader?
Psychlone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i was stuck to so i downgraded got the ics bootloader from the ota and then used afterOTA to get the unlocked version and it worked
gears177 said:
i was stuck to so i downgraded got the ics bootloader from the ota and then used afterOTA to get the unlocked version and it worked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how did you downgrade? I've done everything I can think of - at least 6 times over...
That was the plan after I figured that downgrading back to stock and then going up from there was the only way, but I can't even go back to Honeycomb 3.2 or even 3.1.
Check this out - I even made sure to make a CWM backup of my original setup before I upgraded to 3.2 back almost a year ago...but I can't get it to restore. In fact, I made several different backups and can't get ANY of them to restore.
So, in short, what did you do to go backwards?
Psychlone
EDIT: when I try to get into APX or Bootloader, it always ends up in Thor 1.7 and my computer doesn't recognize the device with a device driver install fail for MTP USB Device, even though I've installed the Acer Recovery drivers and the Google SDK drivers too... wtH?
Psychlone said:
So how did you downgrade? I've done everything I can think of - at least 6 times over...
That was the plan after I figured that downgrading back to stock and then going up from there was the only way, but I can't even go back to Honeycomb 3.2 or even 3.1.
Check this out - I even made sure to make a CWM backup of my original setup before I upgraded to 3.2 back almost a year ago...but I can't get it to restore. In fact, I made several different backups and can't get ANY of them to restore.
So, in short, what did you do to go backwards?
Psychlone
EDIT: when I try to get into APX or Bootloader, it always ends up in Thor 1.7 and my computer doesn't recognize the device with a device driver install fail for MTP USB Device, even though I've installed the Acer Recovery drivers and the Google SDK drivers too... wtH?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if your on the honeycomb bootloader simply flash a honeycomb rom and kernel no need to use afterOTA or anything else if i remember correctly
Psychlone said:
So how did you downgrade? I've done everything I can think of - at least 6 times over...
That was the plan after I figured that downgrading back to stock and then going up from there was the only way, but I can't even go back to Honeycomb 3.2 or even 3.1.
Check this out - I even made sure to make a CWM backup of my original setup before I upgraded to 3.2 back almost a year ago...but I can't get it to restore. In fact, I made several different backups and can't get ANY of them to restore.
So, in short, what did you do to go backwards?
Psychlone
EDIT: when I try to get into APX or Bootloader, it always ends up in Thor 1.7 and my computer doesn't recognize the device with a device driver install fail for MTP USB Device, even though I've installed the Acer Recovery drivers and the Google SDK drivers too... wtH?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you got a couple of choices....
with the HC Bootloader and ics rom...
full wipe and flash an HC rom or
nandroid restore an HC backup or
flash an update.zip
as a last resort - a complete downgrade/rollback use timmydeansv4 EUU - just be sure to follow the instructions in jazzyjames post on how to roll back - iu dont wanna get it wrong and end up stuck in apx mode. If it doesnt work first time....STOP...disconnect yr data cable and reboot tab and pc, use a different USB port and try it again....
Some folks have had issues with win64 so if you are able to then try on a different pc
sometimes a restore wont work unless you restore it with the recovery you used to back up with in the first place which may have been cwm 1.3.4 in your case....maybe???
as far as the MTP driver goes...that can be a pain...i had the same trouble a few days ago on ICS...took ages to get installed....and i still dont know why it did....or why it wouldnt....very frustrating!!!
dibb_nz said:
you got a couple of choices....
with the HC Bootloader and ics rom...
full wipe and flash an HC rom or
nandroid restore an HC backup or
flash an update.zip
as a last resort - a complete downgrade/rollback use timmydeansv4 EUU - just be sure to follow the instructions in jazzyjames post on how to roll back - iu dont wanna get it wrong and end up stuck in apx mode. If it doesnt work first time....STOP...disconnect yr data cable and reboot tab and pc, use a different USB port and try it again....
Some folks have had issues with win64 so if you are able to then try on a different pc
sometimes a restore wont work unless you restore it with the recovery you used to back up with in the first place which may have been cwm 1.3.4 in your case....maybe???
as far as the MTP driver goes...that can be a pain...i had the same trouble a few days ago on ICS...took ages to get installed....and i still dont know why it did....or why it wouldnt....very frustrating!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
he's not on the ics bootloader though so couldn't he just flash the 3.01 unstable and get the OTA? or go back to a stock rom in general?
gears177 said:
he's not on the ics bootloader though so couldn't he just flash the 3.01 unstable and get the OTA? or go back to a stock rom in general?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeh 2nd line of my post hc bootloader ics rom, and u correct use 3.01 buggy update,zip or stock update.zip I shoulda been clearer - thanks gears
Thanks guys, I really do appreciate the help, but I'm still having serious issues reverting back to HC.
I feel like an idiot, but I have to say that even though it seems so, I'm actually the owner of a computer repair business, have 28 years experience in PC/Mac repair, and have rooted and modded every android device I've owned (including some for friends as well) - all the way back to the very beginning with the D1. This, however, has thrown me for a loop. NOTHING with this A500 has been this complicated! Everything up to this point has literally been stupid-proof and I've actually been quite impressed at just how easy modding is on the A500...
Anyway...
Here's what's going on and what I've tried today:
I've tried unsuccessfully several times to get ANYTHING working on my laptop, but to no avail. Same story as last night, no progress whatsoever - however, I did note that with CWM 134, I was able to restore an earlier version of ICS 4.03 (Flexreaper R10 I believe) - but it wasn't easy... I ended up restoring the main image and then using parts and pieces (using Advanced Restore) from other saves to finally even get it to boot.
This clearly wasn't getting me anywhere, so I moved the entire operation to another computer - my main rig (also a Win7 x64 - in fact, I don't own a computer that's not Win7 x64)
Now I've got USB driver issues! I can't even install the standard USB drivers from Acer's website because the installer errors out saying that there's no version of Acer Iconia 3G Driver Install is installed. wtF? That's what I'm TRYING to do!
I did get a different USB driver installed - the USB Driver_Acer_1.06.1500_A30H_A500, but nothing wants to use it and Blackthund3r's APX Flash Util won't see it, AfterOTA won't use it, and it's basically useless anyway. AND I can't install the Acer_1.00.0524_A30H_A31H_A32H_A500_A501 drivers no matter if I've got any others installed or not.
In my device mangler, there is no device with an exclamation, and in fact, sees my Acer Iconia A500 under USB Serial Bus Controllers as "Acer Picasso USB Boot-Recovery Driver", only when it's plugged in. NO other instance shows up at all.
I'm actually at the point of trying to follow through with the EUU (dibb_nz's "last resort"), but vache's website is down and I can't download anything for it. In fact, there's nothing from that guide that has a valid link...
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1632392)
So now where do I go? I understand IT really well, so you don't need to talk to me like a complete noob, but dang if I can't figure this one out!
If I can get valid links to all the downloads from the link above, I'd be more than happy to give it a go and see if that works, but I can't piece together all those things from random places. If either of you (or anyone else for that matter) has valid links for everything needed to follow the EUU guide, I'd be very grateful!
Any other advice would certainly be appreciated as well! I don't have to use either of these computers, but as mentioned, ALL of my computers have Windows 7 x64 on them. I suppose I could try one of my customer's computers for all this, but that's not morally right and probably something that I would prefer not to explore.
I feel as if I could get the USB drivers installed properly on EITHER machine, that I'd likely be in good shape. I think that's what my problem actually is on the laptop as well, even though they're all installed and shows as installed until I boot into any recovery - then I get the MTP Device Driver Fail. There's likely other Acer driver issues there though, since Blackthund3r's utils don't follow through for anything... everything just hangs. AfterOTA just hangs.
Advice please?
And thanks again for your knowledge!
Psychlone
Yeh I hear u m8, its taken me all nite and day to revert back to HC and then upgrade again....dam pesky Picasso drivers.....
why not do as gears suggested....boot to cwm do all the wipes and formatsand flash an HC rom, ezterrys has a rooted one...no drivers needed . or am I missing something?
D/l link for timmydeans euu in my cpuid thread
dibb_nz said:
Yeh I hear u m8, its taken me all nite and day to revert back to HC and then upgrade again....dam pesky Picasso drivers.....
why not do as gears suggested....boot to cwm do all the wipes and formatsand flash an HC rom, ezterrys has a rooted one...no drivers needed . or am I missing something?
D/l link for timmydeans euu in my cpuid thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I would but no matter what image I put on my SD or even internal SD, and no matter what recovery I use, there's always some type of fail - usually an MD5 fail, or just a fail without any error code at all (little android on his back with the red exclamation, but no code)
I'm clearly missing SOMETHING.
I'm about to try the EUU right now unless there's some other advice...
EDIT::
OK, so I'm really in bad shape here - now the EUU (PBJ20upgrade) comes back with the error:
Please download the newer image for the upgrade.
Current image version: Acer_AV041_A500_1,054.Acer_AV041_A500
New image version: Acer_A500_1.016.05_Com_GEN1
What now????
Psychlone said:
Well, I would but no matter what image I put on my SD or even internal SD, and no matter what recovery I use, there's always some type of fail - usually an MD5 fail, or just a fail without any error code at all (little android on his back with the red exclamation, but no code)
I'm clearly missing SOMETHING.
I'm about to try the EUU right now unless there's some other advice...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh hell now i'm confused, lol.....the little android dude is the acer stock recovery....i thought you had thors 1.7...oh well, nvm
Hopefully the EUU will install the right drivers for you....just be sure NOT to connect your data cable until u see the "cannot detect yr iconia tab" screen and it will give u instructions on how to get into apx mode...oh just before that window the EUU will try and scan your system image it will take a good 5 mins b4 it pops up the window to go into apx don't panic just let it do its thing....good luck m8!!!!
Oh and this will completely wipe yr system and user data.....
dibb_nz said:
oh hell now i'm confused, lol.....the little android dude is the acer stock recovery....i thought you had thors 1.7...oh well, nvm
Hopefully the EUU will install the right drivers for you....just be sure NOT to connect your data cable until u see the "cannot detect yr iconia tab" screen and it will give u instructions on how to get into apx mode...oh just before that window the EUU will try and scan your system image it will take a good 5 mins b4 it pops up the window to go into apx don't panic just let it do its thing....good luck m8!!!!
Oh and this will completely wipe yr system and user data.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the WEIRDEST stuff I've ever experienced - EVER.
Oh, the little dead android is when I'm using the stock recovery - I get different errors in TWRP and all the CWM Thor's that I've tried...(134, 71 and 712)
OK, so now PBJ20upgrade won't let me advance because apparently my CPUID isn't correct... it's the ICS version that's 13 characters long instead of 15, and my dmesg doesn't even contain the word "androidboot" at all (it does, however, contain a crapload of errors.)
What's going on?
OK, I'm an idiot. I really need help. I'm just glad that I'm 40 and don't lose my cool anymore, otherwise, I'd be freaking out about now.
Psychlone said:
Some of the WEIRDEST stuff I've ever experienced - EVER.
Oh, the little dead android is when I'm using the stock recovery - I get different errors in TWRP and all the CWM Thor's that I've tried...(134, 71 and 712)
OK, so now PBJ20upgrade won't let me advance because apparently my CPUID isn't correct... it's the ICS version that's 13 characters long instead of 15, and my dmesg doesn't even contain the word "androidboot" at all (it does, however, contain a crapload of errors.)
What's going on?
OK, I'm an idiot. I really need help. I'm just glad that I'm 40 and don't lose my cool anymore, otherwise, I'd be freaking out about now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cpuid = 15/16 chars go to one of yr cwm nandroid backups theres a uid.txt file in the folder all the other methods rely on adb??? if not try usbdeview thats in the thread too
THANK YOU!
dibb_nz said:
cpuid = 15/16 chars go to one of yr cwm nandroid backups theres a uid.txt file in the folder all the other methods rely on adb??? if not try usbdeview thats in the thread too
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much dibb_nz... I've currently got PBJ20upgrade doing *something* (says it's going to take 10 minutes)
Thing is, I didn't get to this point by any conventional means - I followed the destructions several times over but ended up having a newer image than PBJ wanted, or the wrong CPUID.
I finally got this far by unplugging the tablet while PBJ was running, waiting for it's long error and instructions on how to get into APX (which I've clearly done at least a couple dozen times by now) and for some reason when I plugged it in, it shot forward.
We'll see how this goes - I'll keep you posted. I do VERY MUCH appreciate the help. I just might still need it, but hopefully not.
EDIT: Just rebooted and saw a "PASS" on the screen, followed by the "android" loading screen.
EDIT 2: It rebooted all the way in, I signed in (did the entire sign in process) and I'm BACK TO STOCK!!!!
Ok, so thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the help - just being a sounding board is all I need sometimes.
Last questions to get me set up for the future:
What recovery should I create a restore with?
Then after creating a restore, should I use Blackthund3r's utility to flash an unlocked ICS bootloader, and if so, which package should I use to be able to test JB but still be able to go backwards to an ICS (preferably CM9)?
Anything else that I might need to know? (keep in mind that I've read on the order of 30 different threads pertaining to this adventure since it began a couple days ago, but I really appreciate the advice you've given and clearly you know what's up with the A500 - AND, it's hard to disseminate info from all the random threads everywhere. Speaking of which, why is it that there can't be a single thread with most everything that an A500 owner would need? Seriously!!)
Thanks again,
Psychlone
With what I went thru use Civs nvflash and rom and I'd stick with third cement until your safely patched and on ics.do all the wipes and follow instructions to the letter ...I'll check back in shortly
EDIT wtf "third cement" dang auto correct ... should read thors recovery
Wow - what a journey.
I'm now running CM10 and loving it.
I really can't believe the process that I went through over the last couple days - I've rooted and modded two dozen devices in the last year alone, and have been playing with root and modded ROMs since the very beginning, and nothing comes close to what I just did.
I actually have to blame not having everything I need in one place. Mis en place means to have everything you need before you even start - and that used to work back in the day, and still does to an extent for some devices, but anymore, the download links and information are found scattered across many different websites and forums and threads - so much so that it's apparent that this is a product of Google's lack of grip on their hardware and OS.
I do, however, see that you and a couple others have done a KILLER job of getting most everything together in one place to make it easier for those that are searching. I really appreciated your threads that I've read - the way you've written your guides is very intuitive and easy to follow, even if they didn't initially work for me.
Anyway, thanks again. I'm not going backwards now, but if I ever need to for some reason, at least I'm a bit familiar with the "worst-case scenario"!!
Take care man,
Psychlone
excellent news glad it worked for ya
Psychlone said:
Thanks so much dibb_nz... I've currently got PBJ20upgrade doing *something* (says it's going to take 10 minutes)
Thing is, I didn't get to this point by any conventional means - I followed the destructions several times over but ended up having a newer image than PBJ wanted, or the wrong CPUID.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its referring to newer image then the data cable is connected!
and it will spit this error at you....
I finally got this far by unplugging the tablet while PBJ was running, waiting for it's long error and instructions on how to get into APX (which I've clearly done at least a couple dozen times by now) and for some reason when I plugged it in, it shot forward.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup now you're cookin
We'll see how this goes - I'll keep you posted. I do VERY MUCH appreciate the help. I just might still need it, but hopefully not.
EDIT: Just rebooted and saw a "PASS" on the screen, followed by the "android" loading screen.
EDIT 2: It rebooted all the way in, I signed in (did the entire sign in process) and I'm BACK TO STOCK!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh yeahhhhh!!!!
Ok, so thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU for all the help - just being a sounding board is all I need sometimes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nps glad to be of assistance -
Last questions to get me set up for the future:
What recovery should I create a restore with?
Then after creating a restore, should I use Blackthund3r's utility to flash an unlocked ICS bootloader, and if so, which package should I use to be able to test JB but still be able to go backwards to an ICS (preferably CM9)?
Anything else that I might need to know? (keep in mind that I've read on the order of 30 different threads pertaining to this adventure since it began a couple days ago, but I really appreciate the advice you've given and clearly you know what's up with the A500 - AND, it's hard to disseminate info from all the random threads everywhere. Speaking of which, why is it that there can't be a single thread with most everything that an A500 owner would need? Seriously!!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
becoz then you'd have thousands of posts to look thru and no-one would bother reading it all....i try to keep my cpuid thread updated with things 'unbricking' but its too hard to put 'everything' in one post unfortunately
---------- Post added at 07:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 PM ----------
Psychlone said:
Wow - what a journey.
I'm now running CM10 and loving it.
I really can't believe the process that I went through over the last couple days - I've rooted and modded two dozen devices in the last year alone, and have been playing with root and modded ROMs since the very beginning, and nothing comes close to what I just did.
I actually have to blame not having everything I need in one place. Mis en place means to have everything you need before you even start - and that used to work back in the day, and still does to an extent for some devices, but anymore, the download links and information are found scattered across many different websites and forums and threads - so much so that it's apparent that this is a product of Google's lack of grip on their hardware and OS.
I do, however, see that you and a couple others have done a KILLER job of getting most everything together in one place to make it easier for those that are searching. I really appreciated your threads that I've read - the way you've written your guides is very intuitive and easy to follow, even if they didn't initially work for me.
Anyway, thanks again. I'm not going backwards now, but if I ever need to for some reason, at least I'm a bit familiar with the "worst-case scenario"!!
Take care man,
Psychlone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hell, i havent got round to cm10 yet!! i'm trying to get there but i have too much fun helpin peeps get to grips with flashing BL's...have to really thank the devs they did an awesome job unlocking ICS so everyone can enjoy the custom ICS/JB/CM roms- they've extended the life of our little iconia an extra half year or so if not longer.....imagine if we had to put up with stock 'anything' lol, i'd have traded it in long ago!!
was about to suggest the apxflash bundles as there are alot more options as far as recovery's go but you're all sussed now so thats fantastic....
can u add "SOLVED" to the title in case someone else is looking for help. thanks m8:good:
dibb_nz said:
excellent news glad it worked for ya
hell, i havent got round to cm10 yet!! i'm trying to get there but i have too much fun helpin peeps get to grips with flashing BL's...have to really thank the devs they did an awesome job unlocking ICS so everyone can enjoy the custom ICS/JB/CM roms- they've extended the life of our little iconia an extra half year or so if not longer.....imagine if we had to put up with stock 'anything' lol, i'd have traded it in long ago!!
was about to suggest the apxflash bundles as there are alot more options as far as recovery's go but you're all sussed now so thats fantastic....
can u add "SOLVED" to the title in case someone else is looking for help. thanks m8:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM10 is SLICK. Think CM9 on graphics steroids and you're close!
I appreciate your position more than most. I get a lot of enjoyment out of helping others as well - I've written overclocking guides for AMD systems that was written years ago, revised a couple/three years ago and is still used to this day, even though I've long since moved over to Intel's "dark side". I also participate pretty deeply in helping others at a couple PC hardware forums pretty much daily, even though that's my actual job - I own 2 computer repair businesses in my hometown, and with well over 20,000 computers to fix, I'm ALWAYS busy but still always find time to help others in need.
As for adding ***SOLVED*** to the title, I'd love to...but it won't let me. Perhaps it's because I don't have a high enough post count, or because it's reserved for Mods, but I can't do it.
Thanks for everything once again - it's quite refreshing to be on the receiving end!
Psychlone
I just rooted my Acer iconia tab a500. I am on the official ics 4.0.3. Can anyone provide step by step guide how to install custom rom for this tablet? Also which custom rom that you recommended? I thanks
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Please, me too. I just bought mine too and is rooted, but my cell phones were much easier than the tablets. Either that or I just don't have the patients anymore. Maybe a dummies way to install custom rooms on a500? Lol.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
fe1ixs said:
I just rooted my Acer iconia tab a500. I am on the official ics 4.0.3. Can anyone provide step by step guide how to install custom rom for this tablet? Also which custom rom that you recommended? I thanks
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
slayinu said:
Please, me too. I just bought mine too and is rooted, but my cell phones were much easier than the tablets. Either that or I just don't have the patients anymore. Maybe a dummies way to install custom rooms on a500? Lol.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi guys welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the acer tab!!!!
Things are very different with this device, whats 'normal' for other android devices is not 'normal' for our tab!!!!
So first of all, dont try installing cwm or a rom the 'normal-this-is-the-way-I-did--it-on-myphone', you will end up with a brick!!!
2nd, you both have working systems at present, so we'll try to keep it that way.
Open up a file explorer and navigate to this:
/sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid
One of the first things that are different is this: acer_cpuid
It should look something like this:
288424344009597 - now u need to add a 'zero' to the front:
0288424344009597 - this is your cpuid, back it up in multiple places if need be, just dont ever lose it - IF anything 'goes wrong' at any time you will NEED this number to save your tab from eternal brickdom!!
3rd once you do get your 'cpuid' go to the 'sbk generator' here.
This generates your 'sbk' or secure boot key and will give you something like this:
0x93588800 0x33CE8901 0x0BED6D03 0x30737899.....
OK then, now you have your cpuid/sbk you can start thinkning about what rom you want to install on your tab.......
Read the OP(Original Post) of your desired rom. This will tell you EVERYTHING you need in order to flash it - remembering always that 'Acer' does not do things the 'normal' way!!!!!!
Most of the custom ICS/JB roms on here all require the 'patched / unlocked bootloader'... In fact, even installing a custom recovery, cwm, twrp or public recovery, for the first time....will require the BL to be 'patched' first....and yes, even flashing this is not done the 'normal' way....tho the process can be complicated there are PLENTY of guides and auto tools to make it easier for you....
The 'patched bootloader flash' will also include a 'custom recovery' too, and you can choose from 3-4 options....amazing but i'd advise to use cwm 1.7.3, until u get up and running, after that you can go crazy flashing anything you like!!
So basically there are 5 main steps to getting a custom rom installed.
1. Install the Acer Drivers and the android_sdk drivers
2. Get your cpuid and generate your 'sbk'
3. Your desired rom is on your external sd card
4. Put your tab in 'apx mode' which allows u access to download mode
5. Install the patched v8 bootloader/recovery - either manually using nvFlash or using the auto tools.
Personally I prefer the manual nvFlash method, if you get an error it will at least give you an error message...the auto tools will just get 'stuck'
Check the 'bootloader' thread OP for a guide to manual nvFlash and the patched bootloader package here
There is also a step-by-step in my sig!!!
If you want to use the auto tools then apxFlash tool, or afterOTA tool you can find both in the 'bootloader' thread. And a step by step for apxflash tool also in my sig....or this excellent one here by user jdgM3NT4L here...
please be sure to read these posts very carefully and if there is something you do not understand then please dont hesitate to ask , there are plenty on here who will help you thru the process....AND its easier to offer help at this point rather than trying to do so when you've bricked it.....
As far as roms are concerned, you cant go past 'civato's FLEX roms' very stable and no issues i'm on cm10 and havent had a problem with it.....Of course it depends on what you require but I'd start with one of the flex ones.
Most peeps here have no trouble with this process, those that do, usually try things the 'normal' way, then find out they need their cpuid/sbk to get out of trouble and of course they dont have it....this makes things most difficult.... there are a few tabs with motherboard issues that have needed to be sent to acer....other than that, he only other issue you may have are driver related, check out the cpuid thread for anything driver related and lots of other background info too....theres also a zip file there that has a mini-sdk kit, to save u downloading the full android-sdk....
i think thats all i can think of at the moment, sorry for the long post and all the caps and bold text - just trying to save you alot of unnecessary grief...
Good luck with it all and remember....in this forum things are not 'normal' :laugh::laugh:
Wow, a lot of stuff to do just to flash a from huh. Lol
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
Lol, as always preparation determines the success of the final outcome....and yeah with the tab 95% of yr time and energy is spent preparing!!! The actual flashing process takes only a few minutes...
Of course u could revert to hc 3.1 where everything is 'normal' i.e. one click root, flash cwm, flash rom, done....
Gosh, even hc 3.2 was locked down and unrootable....
So in the grand scheme for us to even be able to have stable ICS roms, let alone cm10 on the a50x.is.purely down to those wonderfully clever devs we have here..who were never gonna let a.locked bl, get in their way..
OK its complex I'll admit, but stock ICS is c**p and the lives of our tabs extended past wot Acer ever thought....and guys like gersma and.blackthund3r have built auto tools to make things easier
Anyways, its.well worth the
effort and is actually alot simpler to do than it is to describe how to do it...think of.trying to explain how to ride a bike and writing all those steps out....much easier to help them thru it by just getting them on the darn thing and doing it....dontcha think??
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah, I hear ya loud and clear. I wouldn't mind goin back to stock 3.1 , I kinda liked the hc. Ohwell
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:21 PM ----------
But as soon as I get home on my PC I'll start trying out this method. Hopefully I don't end up with a paper weight. Lol. Thank you very much for your response on this subject.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
Well, I could give u a a d/l link for 3.1 if u really do wanna go back....but I think gersma's afterOTA tool can do it too, tho I've Neva used it for that so can't really comment....
Oh, one other thing, you'll wanna back up all yr personal stuff, music, photo's and wot not especially going from one build to another, and most of the custom ROMs require a complete wipe and format of yr data partition too before install, just so u know!!
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah ,I'll take the link, I liked it better than 4.0.3 is it an original , or a rooted
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
slayinu said:
Yeah ,I'll take the link, I liked it better than 4.0.3 is it an original , or a rooted
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its factory stock but easy to root and get cwm installed, will have to w8 till i get home 2nyt to upload....
oh there myt be one in blackthund3rs stock rom thread in dev forum...i think
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
wow dibb, thank you so much for a helpful response!! Really enlightened me about how far off I was about the update process (compared to updating phones) and yet close enough to what I had to go thru for the Viewsonic GTab.
I'm currently on stock 4.0.3 rooted for A500. I have obtained my cpuid and SBK. When I go to recovery mode, I see a droid with triangle and exclamation mark. I tried flashing twrp but I still saw the same droid. I now know that I need to flash a different bootloader with recovery included.
My question is that if I flash the new bootloader which will allow me to put a custom recovery, during that process will my current ROM be removed or wiped out? If so, what do you recommend for backing up the app in the current stock ROM? Titanium Backup? BTW, I don't have an external SD card; all I'm using is the internal 8GB
Thank you for your help!!
def need external SD , it will help out alot
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
artbybart said:
wow data, thank you so much for a helpful response!! Really enlightened me about how far off I was about the update process (compared to updating phones) and yet close enough to what I had to go thru for the Viewsonic GTab.
I'm currently on stock 4.0.3 rooted for A500. I have obtained my cpuid and SBK. When I go to recovery mode, I see a droid with triangle and exclamation mark. I tried flashing twrp but I still saw the same droid. I now know that I need to flash a different bootloader with recovery included.
My question is that if I flash the new bootloader which will allow me to put a custom recovery, during that process will my current ROM be removed or wiped out? If so, what do you recommend for backing up the app in the current stock ROM? Titanium Backup? BTW, I don't have an external SD card; all I'm using is the internal 8GB
Thank you for your help!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes u need the v8 bootloader to get a recovery installed...
Always check the original post of the rom you install for special instructions regarding bootloaders.....this applies to all custom Roms even stock pre rooted ones.
Yup TB to back up yr apps and data - dont restore immediately...make sure everything is stable first.
If u dont have an ext. SD card, the EUU method doesn't require one, and as slayinu said, it would make it easier if u had one especially for the update.zip methid
Im sorry...
I have the a500 running ota 4.0.3....well from the official app. I have it rooted and running superuser yet I downloaded the Acer recovery installer app from the market and get the recovery verified failed message when booting into any custom recovery and the dead android with the exclamation mark....I know I need a patched or an unlocked boot loader but I cannot find one I downloaded the afterota but it doesn't do anything on my computer...idk what to do the frustration is gonna make me break this thing and just go buy a newer tab running jb ....help please!
famousnerd1 said:
I have the a500 running ota 4.0.3....well from the official app. I have it rooted and running superuser yet I downloaded the Acer recovery installer app from the market and get the recovery verified failed message when booting into any custom recovery and the dead android with the exclamation mark....I know I need a patched or an unlocked boot loader but I cannot find one I downloaded the afterota but it doesn't do anything on my computer...idk what to do the frustration is gonna make me break this thing and just go buy a newer tab running job....help please!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems weird afterota "doesn't do anything"...did you install the drivers?? Did it give u yr cpuid/sbk you cannot do anything without this AND if u muck things up its the only thing that will get u unbricked? Are u using a micro USB cable? Do u have USB debug enabled?
If u go to the root guide in my sig you'll find d.load links and all the guides to help u install the v8....take special note of the boot.p file u need to rename or delete in /system....
For more info on getting yr cpuid/sbk see the cpuid guide in my SIG or the sticky in dev forum...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
obviously..
I'm too dumb to figure this out...idk how to get my cpuid none of the ways in your "where's my cpuid"guide worked.I don't want to stay stuck on ota 4.0.3 but apparently I have to..thanks for your time and your advice,unfortunately I wasn't able to use it properly.
Well, it seems it's not just you being dumb ...
I tried the same - original OTA 4.0.3 and rooted my A500. Now tried to use the 'AfterOTA'-Tools, but getting stuck in step 3 of 4 (maybe i just need to insert a SD-Card in the Tab?).
Just got no idea, what to do now - the only thing i know is: before flashing, i need a open bootloader, but i've got no idea how to do that. The Guide linked in this posts: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425 is just confusing me more and more
After a reading a few times, it seems to me, that MY next step should be:
"Automated flashing tool" (STEP 5= Going into APX mode see Q&A or use A500 manager)
-1-Reboot your tablet and make sure on your tablet: "Settings" -> "Applications" -> "Development" -> "USB debugging" switch on.
[...]
-It will ask if you are ready (click yes if you are)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it correct, that THIS will help me to patch/open the bootloader?
Or do i just have to follow this as a next step to create a patched bootloader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25891744&postcount=44 ?
voodoo441 said:
Well, it seems it's not just you being dumb ...
I tried the same - original OTA 4.0.3 and rooted my A500. Now tried to use the 'AfterOTA'-Tools, but getting stuck in step 3 of 4 (maybe i just need to insert a SD-Card in the Tab?).
Just got no idea, what to do now - the only thing i know is: before flashing, i need a open bootloader, but i've got no idea how to do that. The Guide linked in this posts: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425 is just confusing me more and more
After a reading a few times, it seems to me, that MY next step should be:
"Automated flashing tool" (STEP 5= Going into APX mode see Q&A or use A500 manager)
Is it correct, that THIS will help me to patch/open the bootloader?
Or do i just have to follow this as a next step to create a patched bootloader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25891744&postcount=44 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi voodoo, no, neither of you are being dumb!!! It CAN be a complicated procedure, we try to make our guides 'simple' but theres ALOT that can go wrong
Yes the last link you posted will flash the patched bootloader!!!
- but basically this is what SHOULD happen
Note: The only way to get a custom ICS rom on your tab is with the v8 bootloader by skrilx_cz. This must be flashed via nvFlash/apx mode.
Note:The only way to install a custom recovery like cwm or twrp etc is with v8 bootloader.
Note: You cannot use Acer Recovery Installer unless you have the v8 installed.
Note: Rom Manager does not support our Acer Tabs...please don't use it to flash 'anything'!!
OK heres an overall view of the process:
1. Install Acer and adb/fastboot drivers
2. Retrieve your CPUID...
3. ...and use it to generate your SBK
4. Download your ICS or JB rom and copy to your sd card (internal or external)
5. Enter apx mode to begin the flash!!! or use apxFlash tool
5. Use balckthund3rs apxFlash tool and follow the instructions: hint: dump and save your bct!!!
5. If using civato's manual nvFlash method - Put your tab in apx mode and run the .bat file
5. AfterOTA Tool is only for those tabs which have OTA'ed to ICS!!!
The main issues you will have with the actual flashing process itself is a partitioning error or a bct error - and both of these are easily fixed...UNLESS your tab in one of the few with a hardware fault which only a new motherboard can remedy
Once you get the big white "PASS" on your tab, boot straight to your new custom recovery, do the FULL WIPES and flash your new rom....DONE!!!
Well ... i now used AfterOTA - but not in a virtual machine - now just natively installed on my macbook via bootcamp (windows). Worked. I now have a V8-Bootloader (the tab shows me this when iam booting it up).
Whats the next step to flash a new ROM? Iam ready to do that? Or is there any other step needed by now?
Regards, Tom
Edit:
I now just tried flashing a custom rom - so i copied the *.zip to my USB-Stick (FAT32) - because i read, i can use an USB-Stick as an micro-sd card.
Tried booting into recovery-kernel - worked for me, but the only thing i can see: a lying android with an red sign ("!").
Did i something wrong?
Oh dear....if u had a stock rom on there then its overwritten
your newly flashed recovery....you need to delete or rename
the "boot.p file" in /system..then reflash the v8...
The very next step should be to enter recovery and flash your
desired rom....
So, it now just works everything.
Used Acer Recovery-Manager to re-flash the recovery - worked fine for me.
But: i tried several 4.1 and 4.2-ROMS ... is it correct, that there's no Google Marketplace anymore on 4.1 and 4.2?
My colleague brought his stock A500 to me in a bricked condition last week.
I need a way to restore it. If I try to do a wipe it will say bootloader error if i try the recovery the droid falls down with the red sign with the exclamation mark.
This tablet has never been rooted, my colleague is not in to such things, it's lived its life with ordinary acer otas and the occational very young human (5 year old) trial wich it has survived.
He has installed all the OTAs he ever got on the tablet and this is in Sweden so it would probably be a 4.0.3 acer stock on it now.
I'm guessing it has died during a OTA or something. if i turn it on it will sit at the acer logo indefinitly.
I Bricked my A500 during a rooting atempt resulting in me needed to flash a stock rom to get it working again, but i cant find the thread i read to un-brick my A500.
Please Help!
try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1839313
dibb_nz wrote:
try this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1839313
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that thread seems to hold all i need, although i can't do a full wipe. when i do the flipswitch wipe procedure it halts with bootloader error
Im hoping to just be able to flash the stock rom from the link you gave me. Is it entirely necessary to do the wipe prior to flash? can i wipe it afterwards?
Hogbola said:
Well that thread seems to hold all i need, although i can't do a full wipe. when i do the flipswitch wipe procedure it halts with bootloader error
Im hoping to just be able to flash the stock rom from the link you gave me. Is it entirely necessary to do the wipe prior to flash? can i wipe it afterwards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
we're assuming the tab is full stock and currently on ICS...
and we're assuming he never tried to 'fix' his tab by flashing one thing or another...
the bootloader error worries me...what exactly does it say...
Yes the wipes are really important!! and not being able to use the button method to do so is concerning...
what happens with the Over The Air (OTA) updates is its just that...an update...it leaves all your settings/data intact. When you OTA from one build to another, like Gingerbread 3.0 to Honeycomb 3.1/2 and then to ICS 4.0 - you drag all your apps and settings with you and of course some things that work with 3.2 will not work under ICS....fjor instance, lots of folk had trouble with wifi disconnects, once they got to ICS - or they had apps force closing and other 'glitches'. This is why everyone tells you to do the wipes - as this fixes these things! In the case of stock ICS my gmail would f/c all the time no matter how many times I wiped/formatted....So for a smooth running tab - flash a custom rom!!!!!!
But getting back to you...
From that link i gave you...download the 3.1_Full.zip....its decrypted so just extract it and get the "update.zip" from it..
This "update.zip" is not an incremental "update" but the full stock rom....
once installed you'll be on GB you will need to root it with iconia root and then use acer recovery installer to flash cwm....(get these from the playstore)
do a backup or adb devices so you can get your CPUID....this is important...if anything goes wrong at any stage this is the only thing that will get you unbricked....see the cpuid link in my sig for more on this, please take the time to read it, even if it doesnt make much sense to you, read it anyway....
AFTER you have retrieved your cpuid, you can nvflash the patched bootloader/recovery pkg which means you are able to flash ICS/JB custom roms
they cannot be flashed via cwm like normal...you must use nvFlash to do it....
OR
take the OTA route to ICS...this takes a bit of time...I did it last week and it was a good 6-7 hours to go from GB to ICS
there are pre-rooted stock roms if you wanna stay stock see civato's stock rom thread for that here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633907
official stock rom list by blackthund3r are here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816560
civs guide to flashing the unlocked bootloader here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
I am in a similar situation. Push the power button and it goes to a screen with white acer on black and stays there. Totally stock ICS, no root. I tried the update.zip thing and after automatically rebooting it says "Boot verified failed...". I don't have my cpuid, or have installed previously CWM or anything like that. I can get into APX mode. This guy here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1751978 could only get into APX with no cpuid as well, but i don't understand all of the ubuntuu and command line stuff. I would love for someone to be able to walk a dummy like me through this mess. Thanks for any help.
if u got boot verified fail error you need nvFlash to repair that....as u know, with nvflash you need yr cpuid....wot about usbdeview? if you've never plugged yr tab into yr PC - then it won't work and the ONLY other way is Linux....
might be best to start yr own thread with a descriptive title, not just a help I'm bricked no uid, thread there are hundreds of those....the more effort u put into the title the more likely you will attract the attention of someone who can actually help...and remember you just don't need a bit of help but a blow by blow description of what to do and how....this will be very time consuming....at the very least get ubuntu installed, maybe just try a few things, anything to show you are capable of at least giving it a go yourself..
there are others who would like 2 know how to do this as well...having a specific thread of its own would be great
good luck
dibb
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Actually, I have connected it to my PC before. Only for transferring media though. If I've done that, is the some way to retrieve my cpuid from the PC?
yup...usbdeview.zip see the bottom of the OP in the cpuid guide in my sig
Thanks alot for your help. I used usbdeview and got my cpuid. Now I should use nvflash? Know where a good step by step is for that one?
you could try the one in my sig??
dibb_nz said:
you could try the one in my sig??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. Sorry, I didn't notice that before. Thanks again for your direction.
"To install one of these roms you will need a custom recovery and to get that you must flash the patched bootloader FIRSt - once its patched you can install a recovery any old way you like"
Looking at that guide, would you please tell me what a custom recovery is and how to get one? Btw, I don't plan to do a custom ROM yet, I just want to get the damn thing working first. Was thinking of using the HC EUUs from the firmware files list. However there are two files, a .rar and a .exe listed. Which do i use?
NvigR8 said:
Right. Sorry, I didn't notice that before. Thanks again for your direction.
"To install one of these roms you will need a custom recovery and to get that you must flash the patched bootloader FIRSt - once its patched you can install a recovery any old way you like"
Looking at that guide, would you please tell me what a custom recovery is and how to get one? Btw, I don't plan to do a custom ROM yet, I just want to get the damn thing working first. Was thinking of using the HC EUUs from the firmware files list. However there are two files, a .rar and a .exe listed. Which do i use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The .rar EUU is for an A500, the .exe is for the A501, which do you have?
I've got the a500. However, I decided to go with a custom ICS rom after all. I managed to put a new bootloader and custom recovery on using the a500apx flash tool. That part went fine. I flashed this rom:
Acer_AV041_A500_1.054.00_WW_GEN1-FULL-ROOT (original odex)
and that appeared to go well according to twrp, but after rebooting, it just shows the bootloader again and stops there. Not sure what i did wrong.
I renamed the rom update.zip. Should i not have done that?
well congrats for getting thru the flash process with no probs!!!
as far as renaming to update.zip that was not such a good move...hopefully things havent been screwed up too much
just go back into recovery and do a FULL wipe/format
then to flash use the option "install from zip file" not sure where that is in TWRP but it will have one
Okay. I will reflash the rom after completely wiping again. Thanks.
On a different note, why do roms require particular bootloaders?
Also different, how do you like your SGS3? If i can manage to fix this thing, perhaps I'll root my phone...
NvigR8 said:
Okay. I will reflash the rom after completely wiping again. Thanks.
On a different note, why do roms require particular bootloaders?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock ICS BL is encrypted - more or less - the only way to 'flash' a recovery or rom is to have the "key" that "unlocks" - it more or less - if you dont use the right key then the OS will not boot - the 'key' is based on your cpuid which is why everyone is forever telling you to save it somewhere safe....
Also different, how do you like your SGS3? If i can manage to fix this thing, perhaps I'll root my phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I enjoy the big screen, took awhile to get used to it in my hand, kept dropping it....then I ran it over with my 44tonne truck after 3 days and munted it!!!!
I have a case for it now, and its gr8 - I havent installed a rom on it yet...the forums over there are jampacked and I have no idea what I'm doing, lol - its the first android device I've had that I've left stock for so long...but it does what I want...the camera is awesome -burst mode is the bomb - BUT do I think it was worth the money???? Still on the fence about that one.....
Ouch. Sorry to read about running over your phone. That would kill me. I really like my SGS3. I think I'll look into rooting it just to be able to back it up and get rid of the bloatware. I did that on my Captivate and prior to today, thats all I've ever done modding wise to an android device.
So, I managed to get my tab up and running again. Yay! I reflashed the rom w/out changing the name and worked like a charm. Now If only I knew why this happened in the first place... Thanks for all your help.
NvigR8 said:
Ouch. Sorry to read about running over your phone. That would kill me. I really like my SGS3. I think I'll look into rooting it just to be able to back it up and get rid of the bloatware. I did that on my Captivate and prior to today, thats all I've ever done modding wise to an android device.
So, I managed to get my tab up and running again. Yay! I reflashed the rom w/out changing the name and worked like a charm. Now If only I knew why this happened in the first place... Thanks for all your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh sometimes happens with the tab for some reason - thank your lucky stars it didn't get stuck in apx mode...if that happens its normally a hardware fault so theres not alot u can do...I'm just pleased you got sorted without too much drama and it was as easy as reflashing the zip....so now you have the v8 BL - you're gold!!!
dibb_nz said:
we're assuming the tab is full stock and currently on ICS...
and we're assuming he never tried to 'fix' his tab by flashing one thing or another...
the bootloader error worries me...what exactly does it say...
Yes the wipes are really important!! and not being able to use the button method to do so is concerning...
what happens with the Over The Air (OTA) updates is its just that...an update...it leaves all your settings/data intact. When you OTA from one build to another, like Gingerbread 3.0 to Honeycomb 3.1/2 and then to ICS 4.0 - you drag all your apps and settings with you and of course some things that work with 3.2 will not work under ICS....fjor instance, lots of folk had trouble with wifi disconnects, once they got to ICS - or they had apps force closing and other 'glitches'. This is why everyone tells you to do the wipes - as this fixes these things! In the case of stock ICS my gmail would f/c all the time no matter how many times I wiped/formatted....So for a smooth running tab - flash a custom rom!!!!!!
But getting back to you...
From that link i gave you...download the 3.1_Full.zip....its decrypted so just extract it and get the "update.zip" from it..
This "update.zip" is not an incremental "update" but the full stock rom....
once installed you'll be on GB you will need to root it with iconia root and then use acer recovery installer to flash cwm....(get these from the playstore)
do a backup or adb devices so you can get your CPUID....this is important...if anything goes wrong at any stage this is the only thing that will get you unbricked....see the cpuid link in my sig for more on this, please take the time to read it, even if it doesnt make much sense to you, read it anyway....
AFTER you have retrieved your cpuid, you can nvflash the patched bootloader/recovery pkg which means you are able to flash ICS/JB custom roms
they cannot be flashed via cwm like normal...you must use nvFlash to do it....
OR
take the OTA route to ICS...this takes a bit of time...I did it last week and it was a good 6-7 hours to go from GB to ICS
there are pre-rooted stock roms if you wanna stay stock see civato's stock rom thread for that here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1633907
official stock rom list by blackthund3r are here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816560
civs guide to flashing the unlocked bootloader here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When i do the wipe it says
Code:
Erasing userdata...
Code:
Unrecoverable bootloader error (0x19000008)
Unrecoverable bootloader error (0x19000008)
Hogbola said:
When i do the wipe it says
Code:
Erasing userdata...
Code:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I googled your error - the consensus from what I read is a corrupt OS due to running OTA updates...
Some had luck with rebooting. Others had to send it to Acer.
Did you run the update.zip? so what happens when you run the update.zip
Are you able to get into "apx mode"? If you can, hook up to your PC and see if your tab is recognised as an "apx device" - check "Hardware, Printers in win7"
Thats all I can suggest atm - if your tab does get into apx mode OK then you can find your cpuid by running Linux -
Maybe ask the guy if he's ever had the tab hooked up to his PC like to transfer files and stuff - get him to download "USBdeview" to his PC -
this will show every single device thats ever been connected to the PC and it will show the "cpuid"...
Even if we do get the uid theres no guarantee it will fix the bootloader error - but we may as well explore all the options we can....
dibb_nz said:
USBDeview will only work when you have previously plugged your tab into the PC WHILE you were running HC Rom and BL
1. If you haven't plugged your tab into this pc before, do so now, before you run the program. HC ROM/BL ONLY
1a. Run the exe and you will be presented with a window of all the USB devices you have ever plugged into your computer.
2. Click on "VendorID" column along the top to sort them
3. Look for the number "0502" under Vendor ID AND "3325" Product ID
4. In the serial number column will be a 15-digit number this is your device ID.
5. Write the number down and put a 0 in front of it and now you have your CPU ID!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, here is what i have , I have a IConia a500 rooted with, link for forum and files, using ICS Root
(came with 3.1, ran all the iconia updates, to 4.0)
everything went fine, now... i am familiar with flashing roms, i have had a few android phones and have rooted them, and flashed custom roms on them. that is what i want to do with this, after doing over 4 hrs of reading, I have confused the crap out of myself. there is a lot of talk about things that i dont know much about..
-CPUID's
-ICS recoverys (bootloaders?)
Basically, all i want to do is add the CM Jelly time mod, but im not 100% on how i go abouts that? what do i need? i have the files and gapps, etc., i know i need a full wipe, but what recovery do i use? CWM? do i temp flash it or, pernament? after watching a few videos, i still dont think im ready, i diont want to brick this thing. i just want it to work with that rom. thanks any help and clarity is severly appriciated!
j
1. get yr cpuid and save it multiple places open a file explorer and go to /sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid
2. then go to /system and rename/delete recovery-from-boot.p file - this will prevent your custom recovery being overwritten with the stock recovery.
3. have your custom rom on yr ext SD card, ready to flash ONCE you've flashed the unlocked bootloader
4.To flash the v8 bootloader you need to use nvFlash and there are a couple ways if going about that...
a) manually by using the guide in the OP of civato's BL thread
b) using one of the auto tools like afterOTA or apxFlash - links also in that same post...
c) you'll also get to pick a custom recovery and it will be flashed at the same time - cwm 1.7.3 is recommended until you're running stable
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
5) once flashed, boot straight to recovery
6) Do a nandroid backup then the wipes
7) Flash the rom
8) Reboot to recovery and wipe again
9) Job Done!
notes:
Everything you need to do this is in civato's BL OP - sorry can't post the link but its stickied in the Dev Forum
the afterOTA tool,
- saves all yr uid details etc in a txt file
- flashes v3 bootloader -
- it also installs the needed drivers too
- its pretty good at what it does...
seems some are having wifi issues with jellytime but the dev is working on this
you've done the right thing by asking questions before attempting anything, wish everyone was like you...if my post isn't clear then please let me know....for those of us used to the way things work with our Acer, its hard to remember how difficult it seemed when we were new!!
good luck
dibb
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
dibb_nz said:
1. get yr cpuid and save it multiple places open a file explorer and go to /sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid
2. then go to /system and rename/delete recovery-from-boot.p file - this will prevent your custom recovery being overwritten with the stock recovery.
3. have your custom rom on yr ext SD card, ready to flash ONCE you've flashed the unlocked bootloader
4.To flash the v8 bootloader you need to use nvFlash and there are a couple ways if going about that...
a) manually by using the guide in the OP of civato's BL thread
b) using one of the auto tools like afterOTA or apxFlash - links also in that same post...
c) you'll also get to pick a custom recovery and it will be flashed at the same time - cwm 1.7.3 is recommended until you're running stable
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
5) once flashed, boot straight to recovery
6) Do a nandroid backup then the wipes
7) Flash the rom
8) Reboot to recovery and wipe again
9) Job Done!
notes:
Everything you need to do this is in civato's BL OP - sorry can't post the link but its stickied in the Dev Forum
the afterOTA tool,
- saves all yr uid details etc in a txt file
- flashes v3 bootloader -
- it also installs the needed drivers too
- its pretty good at what it does...
seems some are having wifi issues with jellytime but the dev is working on this
you've done the right thing by asking questions before attempting anything, wish everyone was like you...if my post isn't clear then please let me know....for those of us used to the way things work with our Acer, its hard to remember how difficult it seemed when we were new!!
good luck
dibb
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, thanks !
i have used the afterOTA and it would let me select the recovery i wanted to boot, is this permanent or temp? right now on my phone its the cwm, but i remember on my Nexus S, they recomended just pushing it, that way it was super hard to brick.. basically i just need to know if i need to run the afterOTA tool everytime i wanna boot into recovery? thats why i like my CM 10 for my Galaxy Nexus, i can choose to boot into it,
I think the hardest part of these simple tasks, is that there a 20 steps to something totally new, I used to unlock iphones for a living, I never knew what i was doing exactly, i had a rough idea, but i did know how to cut and paste. even going from my NS to GN its always been a few hrs to root/unlock, Being familiar with a lot of the steps, theres more with this tablet! EI, CPUID, APX? tons of warnings! the other things are the abriviations, they can be confusing.. soo
this is the only thing i didnt understand, does the OP dumb it down, or can you??
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
what is sbk, and why do i need it?
thanks again, i really appriciate it!
also, what is a LEAK? leaked rom?
jerkwagon said:
ok, thanks !
i have used the afterOTA and it would let me select the recovery i wanted to boot, is this permanent or temp? right now on my phone its the cwm, but i remember on my Nexus S, they recomended just pushing it, that way it was super hard to brick.. basically i just need to know if i need to run the afterOTA tool everytime i wanna boot into recovery? thats why i like my CM 10 for my Galaxy Nexus, i can choose to boot into it,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no m8, once you've 'flashed' via the tools its permanent -
there are flashable zips around (for recovery) but again, you need the unlocked bootloader first....once you have it then you can flash anything, anyhow you like. Even Acer Recovery Installer will work fine and you can flash a rom from there too, though that may require the paid version from memory.
the only time you will 'lose' the unlocked bootloader/recovery is if you need to rollback to HC - specifically 3.2 -
I think the hardest part of these simple tasks, is that there a 20 steps to something totally new, I used to unlock iphones for a living, I never knew what i was doing exactly, i had a rough idea, but i did know how to cut and paste. even going from my NS to GN its always been a few hrs to root/unlock, Being familiar with a lot of the steps, theres more with this tablet! EI, CPUID, APX? tons of warnings! the other things are the abriviations, they can be confusing.. soo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh I'm hearing you - this thread is a perfect example!!! I'd love to be able to say...root it, then flash cwm and the unlocked bootloader IF you want it, lol
Acer locked this baby down tight as - and if it werent for the work done by alot of the devs here, we'd still be stuck on factory stock.....The success these devs had is proved by the fact that there are still so many new folks coming here looking for info and help
this is the only thing i didnt understand, does the OP dumb it down, or can you??
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
what is sbk, and why do i need it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sbk = secure boot key....as you've discovered 'root' just isnt enough to flash anything...to flash anything you need nvididas nvFlash program PLUS the key to unlock the encryption which is hardwired into the ROM of the memory chip itself -(haahhhaa I think thats right) - The CPUID is unique to every tab (and this too may be hardwired into the chip as well) the sbk is a hex number based on the uid. there are a couple of generators around to do this for you, blackthund3er has one and so does vache....you've used afterOTA so this does the genration for you automatically - you can see it in the text file you saved
thanks again, i really appriciate it!
also, what is a LEAK? leaked rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh back in the day before acer released ics, 'someone' got hold of a leaked ics version, and this is where alot of the work was done on unlocking the bootloader...by the time acer got round to releasing ics - we had a more stable version than they ever had
So now you're unlocked and rooted, have all your ID's backed up and done a nandroid you can quite happily flash to your hearts content!!!!:good::good::good:
rgds dibb
dibb_nz said:
no m8, once you've 'flashed' via the tools its permanent -
there are flashable zips around (for recovery) but again, you need the unlocked bootloader first....once you have it then you can flash anything, anyhow you like. Even Acer Recovery Installer will work fine and you can flash a rom from there too, though that may require the paid version from memory.
the only time you will 'lose' the unlocked bootloader/recovery is if you need to rollback to HC - specifically 3.2 -
yeh I'm hearing you - this thread is a perfect example!!! I'd love to be able to say...root it, then flash cwm and the unlocked bootloader IF you want it, lol
Acer locked this baby down tight as - and if it werent for the work done by alot of the devs here, we'd still be stuck on factory stock.....The success these devs had is proved by the fact that there are still so many new folks coming here looking for info and help
sbk = secure boot key....as you've discovered 'root' just isnt enough to flash anything...to flash anything you need nvididas nvFlash program PLUS the key to unlock the encryption which is hardwired into the ROM of the memory chip itself -(haahhhaa I think thats right) - The CPUID is unique to every tab (and this too may be hardwired into the chip as well) the sbk is a hex number based on the uid. there are a couple of generators around to do this for you, blackthund3er has one and so does vache....you've used afterOTA so this does the genration for you automatically - you can see it in the text file you saved
yeh back in the day before acer released ics, 'someone' got hold of a leaked ics version, and this is where alot of the work was done on unlocking the bootloader...by the time acer got round to releasing ics - we had a more stable version than they ever had
So now you're unlocked and rooted, have all your ID's backed up and done a nandroid you can quite happily flash to your hearts content!!!!:good::good::good:
rgds dibb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok after OTA generated my sbk and all that info, saved it to my computer... how do i unlock the bootloader? i want to install CWM, do i just need to download a file then use the advanced tab?, from cwm im sure i can get around, also, i dont know what apx mode is, ill do some more searching, thanks again.
ok this is really hard to do with windows8, my god, i have to do a lot of running around, i think im just going to give up, now, APX drivers are nto working, fml
had to manualy add the drivers, it was a pain the ass, now its all donw, hopefully i can get it going now!
s**t. use the last option ics v3.14.8 standard tab
jerkwagon said:
ok after OTA generated my sbk and all that info, saved it to my computer... how do i unlock the bootloader? i want to install CWM, do i just need to download a file then use the advanced tab?, from cwm im sure i can get around, also, i dont know what apx mode is, ill do some more searching, thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
standard tab choose first option...keep an eye on the status bar while its flashing..should not take longer than 10mins.
You must then boot straight to recovery and flash yr rom from yr USB key
don't have to worry bout apx mode but yr tab should display.either Acer apx mode.or Acer download.mode at stage 3 of 4 in tool status bar.
if u.muck.up you'll learn all u ever wanted.to know about apx.mode
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
EDIT: the last option on the Standard Tab
DON'T FLASH THE FIRST ONE!!!!!!!
Hello all, when I try to use the SD update I get the upright Android with the green bar below & within a few seconds I get the dead Android with a red exclamation mark above his chest. Does this indicate a hardware fault or should I keep trying different update files? Thank you, hoz
thehoz78 said:
Hello all, when I try to use the SD update I get the upright Android with the green bar below & within a few seconds I get the dead Android with a red exclamation mark above his chest. Does this indicate a hardware fault or should I keep trying different update files? Thank you, hoz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the correct update.zip you should be fine.
If you're trying to fix a brick you may need to use nvflash.
dibb_nz said:
If you have the correct update.zip you should be fine.
If you're trying to fix a brick you may need to use nvflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've downloaded the OTA TOOL & am trying to download Acer APX/Fastboot/Recovery Drivers but the link in Where's my CUPID no longer works. I plugged my a500 into my laptop in fastboot mode but it could not find the drivers either. Any idea where i could find them? Thank you very much for your help.
thehoz78 said:
I've downloaded the OTA TOOL & am trying to download Acer APX/Fastboot/Recovery Drivers but the link in Where's my CUPID no longer works. I plugged my a500 into my laptop in fastboot mode but it could not find the drivers either. Any idea where i could find them? Thank you very much for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the rom you had on there was a Stock rom you OTA'ed, then afterOTA tool is the tool to use to Update the bootloader....you are soft-bricked so none of the tools are much use to you.
Which link in the CPUID guide does not work pls, I shall fix that. Try the one in the root guide in my sig.
If you are not currently flashed to skrilax_cz unlocked bootlader, fastboot will not work.
You're really best to start at the beginning in trying to unbrick.
This means downloading everything you need BEFORE you start.
That means:
Acers website for the acer drivers.
The root guide for the adb/fastboot drivers.
A rom to flash ICS, JB or stock rooted ICS.
The babsector.rar file to unbrick you.
You need to know how to get your tab in apx mode manually.
You also need to run the flash manually. Use the babsector file for that and post any errors you get.
Read thru the root guide in my sig, and make sure you have some understanding of what you're about to do. It makes it a lot easier to have all your files downloaded. The actual flashing process takes about 5 mins.
The babsector file will reset your tabs partitions, flash a recovery so you can do the formats and wipes before flashing your rom. Also installs the v8 unlocked bootloader.
dibb_nz said:
If the rom you had on there was a Stock rom you OTA'ed, then afterOTA tool is the tool to use to Update the bootloader....you are soft-bricked so none of the tools are much use to you.
Which link in the CPUID guide does not work pls, I shall fix that. Try the one in the root guide in my sig.
If you are not currently flashed to skrilax_cz unlocked bootlader, fastboot will not work.
You're really best to start at the beginning in trying to unbrick.
This means downloading everything you need BEFORE you start.
That means:
Acers website for the acer drivers.
The root guide for the adb/fastboot drivers.
A rom to flash ICS, JB or stock rooted ICS.
The babsector.rar file to unbrick you.
You need to know how to get your tab in apx mode manually.
You also need to run the flash manually. Use the babsector file for that and post any errors you get.
Read thru the root guide in my sig, and make sure you have some understanding of what you're about to do. It makes it a lot easier to have all your files downloaded. The actual flashing process takes about 5 mins.
The babsector file will reset your tabs partitions, flash a recovery so you can do the formats and wipes before flashing your rom. Also installs the v8 unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link under DRIVERS: Acer Support for Acer APX/Fastboot/Recovery Drivers. Just loads a Acer error page. I get the same error page when using the link in [GUIDE][ICS] Beginners Guide - Rooting, Flashing, Unbricking.
I downloaded the OTA tool to get my CUPID, tried blackthund3r A500 manager but I need BUSYBOX installed. What would be the easiest way to get my CUPID?
About 3 months ago I bought a manufacturer refurbished motherboard from the States (I'm in Australia) had my local PC shop install it, been working great. The other night it froze & I turned it off & then back on & its won't boot past the acer screen. It's stock, I haven't modified it in any way.
i have iconia a200 got brick
I think I'm having issue with the adb and fast boot drivers..not sure it they are installed. My tab only boots into apx mode. It will launch to bootloader mode while trying any of the tools. .but hands mid way. Doesn't seem the tools see it correctly because no atx devices are detected. The acer picassa driver goes I'm because I see the tab pop up. .but not sure the other drivers are right. So I'm stuck.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk