Database Users

[Q] a500 Not entering APX mode for ICS bootloader

I have had my a500 since mid-2011 and within having it for 30 Minutes, I rooted it using ginger-break. Then I Used Acer Recovery Installer from the Market to Install Thor's CWM Recovery and Lightspeed rom. I updated to the Lightspeed ICS 4.4 I believe and now Im looking to upgrade to Flexreaper but I need ICS bootloader to do so. I have tried this Method with the tools such as APX tool and afterota, But since I never updated with a stock OTA update from acer the afterota does not work and I have gotten my cpuid and the SBK and both work. I have entered APX mode both manually and through APX tool. But at this point I continue to get errors like cannot locate APX device. I do know that I have the drivers downloaded from the acer website for the a500 and the APX device shows up as "Acer Piccaso Boot Recovery" but It will not show up with the "Acer Bootloader" on the tablet as the APX tool describes. I am currently downloading a stock rom and trying again just incase it was the ROM causing any issues. The Stock rom will be rooted and the recovery will be unlocked. Any ideas on whats happening? Did i mess up by not OTA updating? Is my device an older "version" and I can not properly enter the stock bootloader?

Hi cpgifford,
Did you get anywhere with your bootloader update? I am in a similar situation - rooted in GB - updated to ICS and APX mode does not seem to work.

Had the same problem.
The solution is:
When you are conected to your pc.
You must set your device in apx mode by hand.
Hold the little reset button with a needle or something and hold the power button for I think max 5sec.
If windows say new device found(sound) release the buttons.
If now displays black and the power button is on(led)
You are in apxmode.
Now you can flash the bootloader.
I did it with the blackthun3r tool
I hope that will help you,
when i had the problem i was scared because my devise won't boot any more.
After it all was fine.
Regards Sorgenbringer
Gesendet von meinem Iconia A500 mit Tapatalk 2

Sorgenbringer said:
Had the same problem.
The solution is:
When you are conected to your pc.
You must set your device in apx mode by hand.
Hold the little reset button with a needle or something and hold the power button for I think max 5sec.
If windows say new device found(sound) release the buttons.
If now displays black and the power button is on(led)
You are in apxmode.
Now you can flash the bootloader.
I did it with the blackthun3r tool
I hope that will help you,
when i had the problem i was scared because my devise won't boot any more.
After it all was fine.
Regards Sorgenbringer
Gesendet von meinem Iconia A500 mit Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if this /\ doesn't work then make sure you have no software that dictates your drivers like driver manager, also disable you antivirus and any cleaning software like advanced system car

Thanks for the update - I will work up the courage to try and flash the bootloader again. atm I am rocking ICS on the GB bootloader so I am not in too much of a rush however all the roms will eventually require the ICS bootloader for more advanced features.

helpw with unbricking a500
Hello all,
I tried to installed ICS based on this post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1622425.
here are the steps i did
1. downloaded all the items required that is APX flash tool and Thor 1.7.3 recovery, V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm.zip
2. got my cpuid and sbk
3. connected the iconia to computer with usb cable
4. started the apx flash tool.
5. entered my sbk by copy from text file and pasting in the dialog box of flash tool. and clicked the right arrow
6. selected the 'V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm.zip' file.
7. saw the acer logo and the a500 in apx mode
8. finally the flash tool said done and asked to boot the tablet.
9. after booting the tablet, i found that it only says 'Skrilax-CZ's bootloader V8 Bootin primary kernel image"
I am now completely lost as how I can move forward to install the Thor 1.7.3 revoery and the ICS ROM on here.
I am unable to make this tablet go into APX mode as suggested in the post by civato, both manually as well as using the blackthund3r a500 manager. A500 manager reports 'A500 detected in normal mode. debugging enabled.
I would appreciate any help on resolving this.
Thanks
sp

The bootloader is already on your tab. Turn the tab off, press and hold vol- and press the power button to turn it on and see, if it boots into recovery.
Gesendet von meinem Iconia A501 mit Tapatalk 2

1andoid said:
Hello all,
.
.
.
4. started the apx flash tool.
5. entered my sbk by copy from text file and pasting in the dialog box of flash tool. and clicked the right arrow
6. selected the 'V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm.zip' file.
...
I am unable to make this tablet go into APX mode as suggested in the post by civato, both manually as well as using the blackthund3r a500 manager. A500 manager reports 'A500 detected in normal mode. debugging enabled.
I would appreciate any help on resolving this.
Thanksnot
sp
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
b
I'm a wee bit confused here.
Step 4 OK
Step 5 OK
Step 6 ??
The apxflash tool usually uses the a500.apex files UNLESS u choose use yr own files option
The zip u flashed is what u need to use Civ's manual nvFlash method
BUT apxFlash IS able to use the .bin and .img from the extracted files inside the zip and
I.m wondering if this has caused yr issue with entering apx mode again, I don't think it should have,
but there's been some weird things happening lately so its hard to say!!!!
But for future reference it may be good practice to use the apxFlash-in-app bundles for the initial flash OR
run the zip file via manual nvFlash just in case there is conflict.....
Once u have the patched BL on yr tab feel free to experiment to yr hearts desire, lol....
Just stick with the program for yr initial flash!!!
U now have fastboot available to u, any particular reason u r needing to use the automated tools?
Check yr drivers and reinstall if need be and reboot both devices....
dibb
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium HD app

Trying to flash Bootloader - Won't enter 'A500 APX Mode'

Alright Guys,
I'm on a HC Bootloader and want to switch to ICS.
I got my CPUID from a backup and retrieved my SKB from http://vache-android.com/v1/index.php?site=sbk
Manually put my A500 into APX mode.
Opened blackthund3r's A500 Flash Utility, enter my SKB and select the the desired .a500apx file.
The program correctly detects 'Acer APX Mode device detected'
Proceed to flash, after the countdown finishes nothing happens! Windows makes a USB sound but the tablet remains black, doesn't load into the Bootloader.
What am I doing wrong? Cheers

I've tried to do this manually and as well and now this is the error I get:
Nvflash started
rcm version 0X4
Command send failed (usb write failed)

Nevermind, wrong SBK was the issue. Solved with OTA Tool (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1675939)

ho ho...................try link..............
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1723608

kashinoda said:
Alright Guys,
I'm on a HC Bootloader and want to switch to ICS.
I got my CPUID from a backup and retrieved my SKB from http://vache-android.com/v1/index.php?site=sbk
Manually put my A500 into APX mode.
Opened blackthund3r's A500 Flash Utility, enter my SKB and select the the desired .a500apx file.
The program correctly detects 'Acer APX Mode device detected'
Proceed to flash, after the countdown finishes nothing happens! Windows makes a USB sound but the tablet remains black, doesn't load into the Bootloader.
What am I doing wrong? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the exact same problem.... only I believe my sbk is correct and the OTA tool does not work... I do have 1.033 OTA update ics 4.0.3 installed, rooted with ics root 7 tool.... same exact problem the OP has, only i cant figure out why it isnt working for me

In apx flash tool activate the opten to see error messages (i think there it is called debug mode) and tell us if there comes an error message.
Gesendet von meinem Iconia A501 mit Tapatalk 2

VelosCohagen said:
In apx flash tool activate the opten to see error messages (i think there it is called debug mode) and tell us if there comes an error message.
Gesendet von meinem Iconia A501 mit Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried clicking that, then it begins the flashing process.... but almost immediately the 8 second countdown ends the command prompt opens for a split second, then immediately closes about the same time I hear the usb beep... the led on the tablet is on, nothing on screen.... and if i unplug and replug tablet it does not make the usb beep noise that it typically does before the apx tool tries to start flashing
i recently got my tab "repaired" and acers repair notes say the mainboard was replaced, could that be a problem if the mainboard is not the original?

When the mainboard was changed, the cpuid and sbk have changed, too. The cpuid is hardcoded in the device. Are you sure you have the right cpuid and sbk?
Gesendet von meinem Iconia A501 mit Tapatalk 2

VelosCohagen said:
When the mainboard was changed, the cpuid and sbk have changed, too. The cpuid is hardcoded in the device. Are you sure you have the right cpuid and sbk?
Gesendet von meinem Iconia A501 mit Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i guess im not, im just using the various tools to extract it, they all give me the same result for the CPUID and SBK, i dont have that information from before I got the unit repaired to compare the results to what I am getting now

I think you could try to uninstall and reinstall acer drivers. If this doesn't help try another pc and another usb cable if possible.

VelosCohagen said:
I think you could try to uninstall and reinstall acer drivers. If this doesn't help try another pc and another usb cable if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try another PC, I've already tried a couple of USB cables, so I doubt that is the problem. I'll report back when I'm able to use another PC

iamkoza said:
I will try another PC, I've already tried a couple of USB cables, so I doubt that is the problem. I'll report back when I'm able to use another PC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried a different pc, same exact problem as before... really frustrated

NvFlash USB write failing

Hi
I have a badly bricked A500 I am trying to get up and running again. I have an 11 digit CPUID but not a 16 digit one. I did have it in a text file on my SD card however it seems to have been scrambled
Using the Power/Volume + combo, It will not load any update.zip proceeds and then hangs at "Booting recovery kernel image" the White on Black Acer logo is displayed.
Using Power/Volume - combo has no effect - Just freezes with white on black Acer logo
I can go into ATX mode via the Power/Reset combo and the Acer USB drivers are installed on my Windows 7 machine and when connect windows says an ATX device is connected.
But here's where my troubles start...
I have tried APX flash but it fails without giving a specific reason
I have tried using A500 manager but it fails to change modes or retrieve anything
I have tried HC_RollbackRom_3.2.1_Gen2_tdV4 but it fails
I have tried Nvflash but I recieve the following error msg on any command - "rcm Version OX4", "Command send failed (USB write failed)"
It would seem that even though connected by USB in ATX mode, my computer is unable to talk to the Pad - does anybody have any ideas what steps I can take to get out of this mess.
Any and all help appreciated

subzone said:
Hi
I have a badly bricked A500 I am trying to get up and running again. I have an 11 digit CPUID but not a 16 digit one. I did have it in a text file on my SD card however it seems to have been scrambled
Using the Power/Volume + combo, It will not load any update.zip proceeds and then hangs at "Booting recovery kernel image" the White on Black Acer logo is displayed.
Using Power/Volume - combo has no effect - Just freezes with white on black Acer logo
I can go into ATX mode via the Power/Reset combo and the Acer USB drivers are installed on my Windows 7 machine and when connect windows says an ATX device is connected.
But here's where my troubles start...
I have tried APX flash but it fails without giving a specific reason
I have tried using A500 manager but it fails to change modes or retrieve anything
I have tried HC_RollbackRom_3.2.1_Gen2_tdV4 but it fails
I have tried Nvflash but I recieve the following error msg on any command - "rcm Version OX4", "Command send failed (USB write failed)"
It would seem that even though connected by USB in ATX mode, my computer is unable to talk to the Pad - does anybody have any ideas what steps I can take to get out of this mess.
Any and all help appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
11 digit CPUIDs aren't truly CPUIDs - they are android device IDs which do not apply here. Take a look at the SKB recovery thread to recover the CPUID from APX Mode. You can then convert CPUID => SBK using http://a500bootloaderflash.tk/sbkcalc/

Hi BlackThund3r
I did a search for an SBK recovery thread as you suggested and found this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1751978 (Had been doing a lot of searching for CPUID but never thought to look for SBK
Anyway that thread describes exactly my situation, It would seem it's my bad for being a windows user ha ha but I have used Ubuntu before.
I don't have time to get Ubuntu and try the steps suggested until later tonight but as the thread describes exactly my problem I am confidant it will work so thank you very much in advance.
I will reply back here with the result - Again thank you for your time and quick response.
Subzone

[Q] Stuck at stage two (unlocking bootloader)

Hi guys !
I'm trying to install a custom rom on my A500 but I don't get to unlock the bootloader...
I stuck with blackthund3r tool at :
Flashing Bootloader (EBT) stage two - uploading image...
I'm on ICS OTA 4.0.3 and the bootloader is 0.03.12-ICS
I follow all the threads talking about that but did'nt worked...
I checked all the drivers but I don't get it...
somebody have a useful advice ?
Thanks !

babysugar said:
Hi guys !
I'm trying to install a custom rom on my A500 but I don't get to unlock the bootloader...
I stuck with blackthund3r tool at :
Flashing Bootloader (EBT) stage two - uploading image...
I'm on ICS OTA 4.0.3 and the bootloader is 0.03.12-ICS
I follow all the threads talking about that but did'nt worked...
I checked all the drivers but I don't get it...
somebody have a useful advice ?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
couple apxFlash pictorials here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=32905041&postcount=20
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25891744&postcount=44
You need the drivers installed
1. Acer website for the acer drivers
2.zip file attached for google/fastboot drivers
Ive attached a .jpg too, u need to have the apx device listed in hardware/printers as shown
3. with apxFlash try dumping your ".bct" when u see that window
4. you can try the afterOTA tool too...
5. if the auto tools dont work then you will need to rollback to HC using tdv4 EUU
6. have a look thru the OP of the cpuid thread for more background info on all things acer http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25429111#post25429111

I've never had this much trouble before.
Ok. A little back story first. I'm not a moron, I have a myTouch 3G Sapphire 32a Fender rooted using the gold card method, LG G2x - P999 Rooted running CM10, and a SGH-T999 Stock rooted (That's a Galaxy S3 for those who don't know).
I have a friend that got an Acer Iconia a500 tablet a year ago. He's not a power user, doesn't know anything about rooting. All he did was play games on it. One day it wouldn't turn on, the screen was blank. Occasionally it would freeze at the Acer logo, but it would never boot up.
Now it's stuck in APX mod due to him pushing a bunch of buttons(idk how he got it into APX mode so don't ask), so there is absolutely no way to boot the tablet. He never turned on USB debugging, and I can't get into the tablet to turn it on because it's stuck in apx mode.
I must stress this!
I have been working on this tablet for 3 weeks now, and read countless posts about how to fix the exact problem that I'm having with this tablet, the only drawback is: step 1 is always, "Turn on USB Debugging." That is IMPOSSIBLE for me to do at this point.
Here is list of what I do know:
Hardware - Acer Iconia a500, APX Driver Version - 1.0.1.0 Released 4/1/2010 Shows as APX in Devices. Shows as Acer USB Boot-recovery driver in device manager.
Software
ADB info - Android SDK rev.20
ADB ver 1.0.29
Windows 7 64-bit completely up-to-date
Commands: adb get-state, get-serial ------- returns, unknown
Commands: adb remount, root, usb ------- returns, "error: device not found"
Command: adb devices -------- returns no value at all.
Programs used for rooting - AfterOTA 1.09, EUUS v3, blackThun3r A500 Manager
I have the CPUID, and SKB (I was somehow able to acquire those in one of my attempts to flash the stock rom)
What I don't know:
What version of Android OS is on the tablet. I'm pretty sure it has ICS, but he was deathly afraid of downloading any updates, even app updates even though I told him that all updates should be installed a.s.a.p. So there's a chance that it's still running HC.
Now here is my problem other than being stuck in APX mode. I have tried AfterOTA, it won't detect anything past Driver Installed on the Tablet information screen because USB debugging isn't enabled. So I can't use most of the functions of that program.
blackthund3r APX Flash v0.4 - Will get the tablet into the bootloader mode where it says:
Acer Iconia APX Mode in the upper right with a glowing yellow Acer logo in the center of the screen, nothing is flashing like the APX flasher says, I have reinstalled the drivers hundred of times with the same results.
Hangs at, "Flashing Bootloader (EBT) stage two - uploading image..."
EUUS v3 - Says, "Acer Iconia not detected"
(I had a screenshot posted here, but stupid forum limitations wouldn't let me. You could see what's going on if it let me post this.)
I do the reset procedure and it just goes back to the same message.
It will go into a screen on the tablet that says "Entering Acer Download Mode" Then EUUS tells me to do the reset procedure again, and this is a continuous loop that results in nothing being flashed. If I ignore that message and just continue nothing happens.
I also have a file called a500-hc.bat that runs nvflash and it gives an error that leads me to believe that a partition on the tablet is corrupted. Everyone says that EUUS v3 should fix this and flash back to original stock, but it obviously doesn't work.
Any help that I could get would be greatly appreciated. If you need any more information, just ask, and I'll do my best to get it. The tablet is (for lack of a better word) bricked, so I'm very limited on what sort of software info I can give you straight from the tab. Please Please Please help. And thank you in advance.

[Q] Mostly bricked - need some guidance

Hi all, yes, noob here.
I has successfully rooted and put ICS on my A500 with Skrilax_CZ`s bootloader V8.
I decided to go back to stock, however ended up with HC running on an ICS 4.0.3 Kernel (2.6.39.4+)
I made the stupid mistake to try to flash again with a "stock' ROM, and A500 is now is a 'dead like' state.
No Recovery, or Fastboot - Turns on but tablet screen blank and only 'life' is when connected to PC via USB it does show in control panel/devices as "Acer Picasso USB Boot-recovery driver". But no driver letter in explorer.
Pin hole reset/Power doesn't do anything either
The only thing I have managed to do is use DotNetDector.exe, do the pinhole/reset, enter CPUID and the A500 starts, vibrates and shows ACER on the screen with 'Entering Acer download mode'. Hoewever, DotnetDectors then shows "Sorry upgrade process failed"
CPUID, SBK number are known.
I have clearly screwed it up! and wondering if this is recoverable. Any help/guidance welcome.

Fixed
Doh!
OK I fixed it myself, I tried a different a500apx file and it started working. Used;
V8-Thor_1.7.3_recovery.a500apx
Thx all
Ripmyundies said:
Hi all, yes, noob here.
I has successfully rooted and put ICS on my A500 with Skrilax_CZ`s bootloader V8.
I decided to go back to stock, however ended up with HC running on an ICS 4.0.3 Kernel (2.6.39.4+)
I made the stupid mistake to try to flash again with a "stock' ROM, and A500 is now is a 'dead like' state.
No Recovery, or Fastboot - Turns on but tablet screen blank and only 'life' is when connected to PC via USB it does show in control panel/devices as "Acer Picasso USB Boot-recovery driver". But no driver letter in explorer.
Pin hole reset/Power doesn't do anything either
The only thing I have managed to do is use DotNetDector.exe, do the pinhole/reset, enter CPUID and the A500 starts, vibrates and shows ACER on the screen with 'Entering Acer download mode'. Hoewever, DotnetDectors then shows "Sorry upgrade process failed"
CPUID, SBK number are known.
I have clearly screwed it up! and wondering if this is recoverable. Any help/guidance welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse