Database Users

(SOLVED) need help unbricking A500 with nvFlash

so I traded an older compaq laptop for this bricked Iconia A500 and they must have really borked it up because all the "normal" unbricking methods will not work, it will not pull the update.zip from the SD card about 10 -15 minutes in I get the LNX checksum error, same thing if I try to factory reset it hangs on Erasing cache... then back to the LNX checksum error. I have tried reflashing a stock EUU ROM in APX mode but it just hangs and wont update. I was able to get the UID by using the usb traffic sniffer and I created the SKB from the website. so now I can get it in APX mode but I am new to the Tegra tablets so I have no idea what I should see or do with the nvFlash, I am a pretty techincal guy and can usually figure stuff out by using common sense but I am sure I am missing something with this nvFlash program. I notice if I send the tablet a command with nvflash (like --sync) it will come back with the normal error but it will also cut off the usb connection and to send any more commands I have to restart APX mode (while in windows, I havent noticed it do that in ubuntu) if anyone has any experience in this and knows the steps to get it back from the abyss I would really appreciate it. I have tried following sc2k's thread on the checksum errors but it won't work because I fall under the "any other recovery" and he said to contact him or post for help, I contacted him 2 days ago and haven't got an answer yet, (I am sure he is busy) so I am going to ask for help here in the meantime.

I think you can try this way:
[downloading necessary files]:
1. pls refer to How to root stock 3.2 and download root-3.2.1-V4.7z
[actions:]
1. extract files from root-3.2.1-V4.7z to c:\a500unbrick
2. go to folder c:\a500unbrick and fined .pdf file with instractions. Read it carefully and follow it.
at the end of this process you will have os 3.2.1 with custom recovery.

a.chursin said:
I think you can try this way:
[downloading necessary files]:
1. pls refer to How to root stock 3.2 and download root-3.2.1-V4.7z
[actions:]
1. extract files from root-3.2.1-V4.7z to c:\a500unbrick
2. go to folder c:\a500unbrick and fined .pdf file with instractions. Read it carefully and follow it.
at the end of this process you will have os 3.2.1 with custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I will look into it, but if it needs adb or booting from sd card its a no go because it won't read update.zip (lack of proper recovery image?) Nor can I use adb, the only way I can send commands is through APX mode.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

it doesn't need adb or sdcard update.zip - it's "apx moode" way of flashing

a.chursin said:
it doesn't need adb or sdcard update.zip - it's "apx moode" way of flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks will try this when I get home from work, I found everything under the sun to unbrick except this way. so I am hoping this will work.

still will not work
I have tried the PBJ20upgrade.exe and I know it says to use APX mode in there but it doesn't work as stated in the OP and that is why I said it needs to be with nvFlash, nothing else is working at all. it will just hang at 1/8th done for well over 20 minutes.
thanks for replying though and trying to help.
anyone have experience with nvFlash that can help?
this is how far it gets when I try using nvflash in the command line:
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --configfile flash.cfg --create --odmdata 0xb00d8011 --bl bootloader.bin --sbk 0x45DC1E00 0x48A7F501 0xA7EE1103 0xB0512103 --go
Nvflash started
rcm version 0X20001
System Information:
chip name: t20
chip id: 0x20 major: 1 minor: 3
chip sku: 0x8
chip uid: 0x037c61c9434032d7
macrovision: disabled
hdcp: enabled
sbk burned: true
dk burned: true
boot device: emmc
operating mode: 4
device config strap: 0
device config fuse: 0
sdram config strap: 0
sending file: flash.bct
data send failed NvError 0x120000
setbct failed NvError 0x0
command failure: bootloader download failed
C:\Users\Jon\Desktop\Acer Tab A500\root-3.2.1\Image>

GOT IT!!!
I got it!! I had to boot into Ubuntu and run the same nvflash command and it worked like a charm, I am currently sporting 3.2.1. now to get some ICS on this thing
thanks for your help a.chursin.

Your welcom

help!
Could someone please help me with this?? Im stuck with the green Acer screen. Bootloader is hosed, I can get it to APX mode, no adb, no recovery, no fastboot.....I think I can use NVflash to flash a recovery and then flash an update.exe, I just dont know the commands. When I try nvflash --sync, the nvidia APX driver in device manager just dissapears and I have to put the tablet back in APX mode.

cooki3monst3r77 said:
Could someone please help me with this?? Im stuck with the green Acer screen. Bootloader is hosed, I can get it to APX mode, no adb, no recovery, no fastboot.....I think I can use NVflash to flash a recovery and then flash an update.exe, I just dont know the commands. When I try nvflash --sync, the nvidia APX driver in device manager just dissapears and I have to put the tablet back in APX mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did u get yrself into this will need more info to help BUT
the green recovery screen suggests its the HC recovery image
If u r on HC then I have a feeling nv/fast boot only works on an unlocked b/l which 3.2 is not, but I'm not 100% on that
U can try an EUU based flash as u say apx mode is still available to u
Timmydeanv4 for gen2 stock, else EUU from vaches thread

Ncvflash commands
windows. nvflash --help
Linux. ./nvflash --help

a.chursin said:
I think you can try this way:
[downloading necessary files]:
1. pls refer to How to root stock 3.2 and download root-3.2.1-V4.7z
[actions:]
1. extract files from root-3.2.1-V4.7z to c:\a500unbrick
2. go to folder c:\a500unbrick and fined .pdf file with instractions. Read it carefully and follow it.
at the end of this process you will have os 3.2.1 with custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This solved my issue, thanks.
I was triyng to update BL to ICS.BL and it actually updates to the BL nicely, but whathever i have tried could no pass the boot, always getting bootloop. So i downgraded it and its working like a charm.
Thanks again.

Would someone help me? I just installed CM10 Jelly bean for Iconia A500 and flashed the corresponding GApss right after. Now I'm stuck on Acer logo and can't go to recovery. Help.

xmond said:
Would someone help me? I just installed CM10 Jelly bean for Iconia A500 and flashed the corresponding GApss right after. Now I'm stuck on Acer logo and can't go to recovery. Help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you boot in download mode to clean cache? (Power + Vol+)
Or, can you boot in recovery after shut down device?
If not try it and then tell us.

GueDS said:
Can you boot in download mode to clean cache? (Power + Vol+)
Or, can you boot in recovery after shut down device?
If not try it and then tell us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I can't go into recovery even after shutting down the device. It's stuck on Acer logo. Help me please.
*Edit:* Booted in download mode and did a cache wipe. That did the trick! My device is now booting! THANKS A LOT!

xmond said:
No, I can't go into recovery even after shutting down the device. It's stuck on Acer logo. Help me please.
*Edit:* Booted in download mode and did a cache wipe. That did the trick! My device is now booting! THANKS A LOT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I´m glad to help :good:

GueDS said:
I´m glad to help :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Thanks again! So happy with my new OS!

Urgent! CPUID from apx mode
jitajt said:
so I traded an older compaq laptop for this bricked Iconia A500 and they must have really borked it up because all the "normal" unbricking methods will not work, it will not pull the update.zip from the SD card about 10 -15 minutes in I get the LNX checksum error, same thing if I try to factory reset it hangs on Erasing cache... then back to the LNX checksum error. I have tried reflashing a stock EUU ROM in APX mode but it just hangs and wont update. I was able to get the UID by using the usb traffic sniffer and I created the SKB from the website. so now I can get it in APX mode but I am new to the Tegra tablets so I have no idea what I should see or do with the nvFlash, I am a pretty techincal guy and can usually figure stuff out by using common sense but I am sure I am missing something with this nvFlash program. I notice if I send the tablet a command with nvflash (like --sync) it will come back with the normal error but it will also cut off the usb connection and to send any more commands I have to restart APX mode (while in windows, I havent noticed it do that in ubuntu) if anyone has any experience in this and knows the steps to get it back from the abyss I would really appreciate it. I have tried following sc2k's thread on the checksum errors but it won't work because I fall under the "any other recovery" and he said to contact him or post for help, I contacted him 2 days ago and haven't got an answer yet, (I am sure he is busy) so I am going to ask for help here in the meantime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man I'm really desperate to know how can I get my CPUID from apx mode. I foolishly formatted mmcblk0 and now it won't even boot. And the only mode I can get in is apx mode. How can I solve this? what is usb sniffer? Can you giive me the link?

felix, if you'd read the cpuid guide like i suggested you would know exactly where and how to use a usb sniffer to retrieve your cpuid... you provided bugger all details about your situation other than to say its bricked...take a deep breath and slow down, unbricking has to be done according to strict rules otherwise you'll end up going round in circles, its a process thats not gonna take 5 mins...and posting in 6month old threads expecting an answer probly isnt gonna help neither...there is an unbricking guide in my sig, post in that if you need to
dibb

What Command
jitajt said:
I got it!! I had to boot into Ubuntu and run the same nvflash command and it worked like a charm, I am currently sporting 3.2.1. now to get some ICS on this thing
thanks for your help a.chursin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What was the command you use in Ubuntu to get nvflash to run? please send me the string you use, i am in the same as you was i only have apx mode on the acer a500

a500 stuck on booting kernel

first thanks to all
friend gave me a a500 to unbrick- have no history on it.
been reading and searching for days with no luck.
the only thing i can get done is loading boot loaders in apx mode, but recovery's never get on(maby they do).
i can change the boot loader to anyone i try.
the device will not boot past the acer screen.
when trying to boot or boot into recovery from skrilax_cz bootloader it gets stuck at "booting recovery kernel image" and their she stays.
i am assuming that the kernel is toast. i have tried to search to replace the kernel but have no idea what rom is on, or a guide to help me thru in apx mode.
in apx mode i have watch it successfully watch it write all the images in root-3.2.1-V4.7z
now i am just confused! lol
anyways anyone got some ideas for me?
and thanks again

If you have no issue getting the bootloader to load, and you are on ver 3 or 4, or higher, have you tried "Fastboot" to load a recovery image?
Holding Vol+ and PWR should put you into fastboot mode.
The you can start fastboot from the SDK. Should be able to do it that way to flash a recovery image.
If you install a recovery, and you reboot, and then find the recovery is not there, it's probably because you didn't delete the boot-recovery file from the stock rom after installing. Every time you boot, your recovery gets replaced by a stock acer recovery, which is useless.

Moscow Desire said:
If you have no issue getting the bootloader to load, and you are on ver 3 or 4, or higher, have you tried "Fastboot" to load a recovery image?
Holding Vol+ and PWR should put you into fastboot mode.
The you can start fastboot from the SDK. Should be able to do it that way to flash a recovery image.
If you install a recovery, and you reboot, and then find the recovery is not there, it's probably because you didn't delete the boot-recovery file from the stock rom after installing. Every time you boot, your recovery gets replaced by a stock acer recovery, which is useless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the tab while booting gets stuck at "booting primary kernel image" never goes further on normal boot.
i can change the bootloader but it gets stuck on the acer loader never goes.
if i run nvflash on root-3.2.1 this is the output:
C:\Users\larry\Downloads\root-3.2.1\Image>nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odm
data 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk 0x2F4
26E00 0xEB3DF106 0xAB771504 0x9EE32003 --go
Nvflash started
rcm version 0X20001
System Information:
chip name: t20
chip id: 0x20 major: 1 minor: 3
chip sku: 0x8
chip uid: 0x0380700140ffd397
macrovision: disabled
hdcp: enabled
sbk burned: true
dk burned: true
boot device: emmc
operating mode: 4
device config strap: 0
device config fuse: 0
sdram config strap: 0
sending file: flash.bct
- 4080/4080 bytes sent
flash.bct sent successfully
odm data: 0x100c0105
downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000
sending file: bootloader.bin
| 714385/714385 bytes sent
bootloader.bin sent successfully
waiting for bootloader to initialize
bootloader downloaded successfully
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
creating partition: PT
creating partition: EBT
creating partition: GP1
creating partition: SOS
creating partition: LNX
creating partition: APP
creating partition: CAC
creating partition: MSC
creating partition: FLX
creating partition: AKB
creating partition: UDA
creating partition: GPT
Formatting partition 2 BCT please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 3 PT please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 4 EBT please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 5 GP1 please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 6 SOS please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 7 LNX please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 8 APP please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 9 CAC please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 10 MSC please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 11 FLX please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 12 AKB please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 13 UDA please wait.. done!
Formatting partition 14 GPT please wait.. done!
done!
sending file: bootloader.bin
| 714385/714385 bytes sent
bootloader.bin sent successfully
sending file: recovery.img
| 5171200/5171200 bytes sent
recovery.img sent successfully
sending file: boot.img
/ 3125248/3125248 bytes sent
boot.img sent successfully
sending file: system.img
/ 629145600/629145600 bytes sent
system.img sent successfully
sending file: flexrom.img
/ 104857600/104857600 bytes sent
flexrom.img sent successfully
sending file: checksum.img
/ 10485760/10485760 bytes sent
checksum.img sent successfully
everything said successful, but then it sits on the acer screen 4ever.
is that not everything that needs to be flashed?
also i put a freshly formatted sdcard in it(didnt have one) is their any files that should be on it?<<<(sorry for the newbie question)
i glad i can get in apx mode and sill talk to it, the xooms dont have that option if **** goes bad, but no problems their
thanks again for the help.

ok i have been able to get into recovery after fixing some partions ( found a thread.
i have skrilax bootload v8 on.
in recovery i tried installing these 3 roms:
Lightspeed_4.8.zip
Acer_AV041_A500_1.054.00_WW_GEN1-DEODEXED-FULLROOT.zip
and a jelly bean rom.
i still get stuck at "booting primary kernel image.
anyone have any thoughts for me?

pleading for some direction

which recovery did you push

thanks for responding
cwm recovery v5.5.0.x(thor2002ro/digetx rev1.7.3 icconia a500x

liftman- said:
thanks for responding
cwm recovery v5.5.0.x(thor2002ro/digetx rev1.7.3 icconia a500x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the good one. My "gut" says that you may have an issue with the ICS bootloader. If it were me, I'd start over and ensure that you have the correct SBK...make double sure. Flash the recovery again in fastboot. Test that you can get into recovery through fastboot or the Power+voldown method. Once in recovery, format/wipe everything...except the sdcard of course. Flash a rom that will work with the unlocked ics bootloader.
Another thing to try is to flash twrp 2.0. as your recovery. But I've read that recovery is causing some issues with some folks. Still worth a shot though.
If you still can get it to boot. Start the process over again with a honeycomb bootloader.
Good luck.

i double check my sbk and it was ok, tried a few recoverys all went on fine except the touch screen versions.
does wm recovery v5.5.0.x(thor2002ro/digetx rev1.7.3 icconia a500x touch buttons supposed to work? this might be the reason if the touch screen is fooked. when it starts the kernel on boot i see a quick screen flick then it gets stuck, same reactions on touch screen versions of the recoverys.
little different learning curve then my xoom, bit still enjoying learning a diffent device.

Yes, the buttons in the lower right should work. You can also use swipe gesture...swipe up and down in the menu, swipe right to "enter".
Have you tried going back to a HC BL yet? Maybe the repartitioning of the ICS BL just didn't take.

thanks thanks your your help the the touch screen is broke and is the cause.
it was fun learning another tablet
love my xoom

liftman- said:
thanks thanks your your help the the touch screen is broke and is the cause.
it was fun learning another tablet
love my xoom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of using NVFlash to install recoveries, you have some options. Fastboot
Boot V8 Bootloader to Fastboot Mode, plug into PC. Go to the Android SDK on your PC, open a command window in the folder with fastboot.exe (copy your recovery.img file there also) Then type;
Fastboot Flash Recovery nameofyourrecovery.img
The "touchscreen recoveries" are indeed a bit wonky. Sometimes you have to go slow when selecting them.
MD

Similar issue
So i recently tried to update to ics bootloader, and i ended up with skrilax_cz's bootloader V6 (0.03.14-mul).
CWM worked at first and i flashed a rom which i despise, after which point recovery ceased working.
The rom still boots.
Now when i boot into recovery either by holding the up arrow, or the down arrow and selecting recovery from menu it just gets stuck at "booting recovery image"
I can get into fastboot, but i cannot get into apx. I read somewhere that in skrilax_cz it's called debug mode, but debug mode is enabled and i'm not really sure how to tell the bootloader to go to apx mode (i've tried the reset button power button thing).
Does anyone know how to put this thing into apx mode, or how to flash a bootloader through the rom or through fastboot? Any other solutions are welcome, my end goal is to have a functioning recovery.
Thanks

soulbandaid said:
So i recently tried to update to ics bootloader, and i ended up with skrilax_cz's bootloader V6 (0.03.14-mul).
CWM worked at first and i flashed a rom which i despise, after which point recovery ceased working.
The rom still boots.
Now when i boot into recovery either by holding the up arrow, or the down arrow and selecting recovery from menu it just gets stuck at "booting recovery image"
I can get into fastboot, but i cannot get into apx. I read somewhere that in skrilax_cz it's called debug mode, but debug mode is enabled and i'm not really sure how to tell the bootloader to go to apx mode (i've tried the reset button power button thing).
Does anyone know how to put this thing into apx mode, or how to flash a bootloader through the rom or through fastboot? Any other solutions are welcome, my end goal is to have a functioning recovery.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you have a working rom the easiest way might be to try Gersma's AfterOta tool http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1675939&highlight=afterota.
Be sure to save your SBK if you don't already have it.
Also you could try Blackthund3r's APXtool. It should boot your tablet into APX mode while the rom is running. Either one should get you back on track.

JdgM3NT4L said:
Since you have a working rom the easiest way might be to try Gersma's AfterOta tool http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1675939&highlight=afterota.
Be sure to save your SBK if you don't already have it.
Also you could try Blackthund3r's APXtool. It should boot your tablet into APX mode while the rom is running. Either one should get you back on track.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the fast reply. I probably should have mentioned that i had tried both those tool and neither could get into apx. Blackthund3rs 'doesn't detect an apx device' and afterota chuggs along as if it is working, but it doesn't do anything other than cause my rom to optomize the programs again (i suspect it is unable to get the device into apx as neither i or blackthund3r's tool can).

soulbandaid said:
Thanks for the fast reply. I probably should have mentioned that i had tried both those tool and neither could get into apx. Blackthund3rs 'doesn't detect an apx device' and afterota chuggs along as if it is working, but it doesn't do anything other than cause my rom to optomize the programs again (i suspect it is unable to get the device into apx as neither i or blackthund3r's tool can).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've got usb debugging checked I imagine... right? If you do and can use ADB you might consider installing recovery that way.
Also have you tried Acer Recovery Installer by Euclid's Brother? It is in the play store. You should be able to get a custom recovery that way.
If neither of those work I think that you might want to read timmydean's EUU thread and see if that might help you out.

soulbandaid said:
Thanks for the fast reply. I probably should have mentioned that i had tried both those tool and neither could get into apx. Blackthund3rs 'doesn't detect an apx device' and afterota chuggs along as if it is working, but it doesn't do anything other than cause my rom to optomize the programs again (i suspect it is unable to get the device into apx as neither i or blackthund3r's tool can).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, have you tried this? Seems you're wasting your time trying all the one click tools.
Boot your tab Vol+ and PWR. If you have the skrilax_cz bootloader installed, it should boot into the boot menu. Select "Fastboot". You probably aren't going to see a bunch of bells and whistles, just at the top it says "fastboot mode".
Copy the CWM 1.7.2 or 1.7.3 image file you downloaded into your Android SDK Platform tools folder where fastboot.exe is located. (you should already have the Android SDK installed) Open a CMD window in the same folder as fastboot.exe (this should be in your platform tools folder. Plug your tab in (make sure windows recognizes it) Then type in the CMD window:
fastboot flash recovery nameofrecovery.img (where nameofrecovery is the recovery image file you are flashing)
Should work. This is why Skrilax_cz gave the bootloader fastboot capability a long time ago around version 3 or 4. Sometimes these 1 click tools just don't co-operate. Using fastboot is by far the easiest. As long as your Acer drivers are installed properly.
Also for your info:
Note that you can only install ICS roms. Forget HC. Also, you must do wipes. Most of the "animation-loop" issues are either because;
a. Wrong Bootloader-Kernel combination. (HC bootloader and ICS kernel, or, ICS bootloader and HC kernel)
b. Data was not fully wiped before installing a rom.
c. Other issues could be incompatible Recovery program. (see b)
Having the wrong or a buggy Recovery can also hang at "loading recovery image" This has happened in the past, and should be easy to fix by doing the initial steps. "should be".
Also, a corrupted file/files on the EXT SD Card may also play a factor. I advise backing up those files, format the card, then try fresh. You can always copy the files back later. Except for old recovery files. Some are not compatible with other Recovery systems.
MD

well i had to know for sure it was the touch screen, so i opened it up and unpluged the atmel board and she booted every time.
anybody have a link or price for the touch screen?
using a tablet with a usb keyboard and mouse seems silly lol

liftman- said:
well i had to know for sure it was the touch screen, so i opened it up and unpluged the atmel board and she booted every time.
anybody have a link or price for the touch screen?
using a tablet with a usb keyboard and mouse seems silly lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a matter of fact, yes...
Send a PM to Dincdoes.me
He had a cracked touch a month or so ago, and I think he found a replacement for about $70.
If it's not him, then search the forums, because somebody was replacing one not too long ago.
Link for parts breakdown;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=15326127&postcount=8
MD

thanks
i found one for about 70 also, not worth it for the price.

Solution: Unlocked bootloader Installation

One of my counterparts in Germany asked me to post it here. All credit goes to opec. This has been covered a few times, but I like the detailed scenario.
**************************
ERROR: Can´t installl hacked ICS Bootloader
I tried installing Hacked ICS Bootloader in Order to get Moscow Desire´s "Alexandra V a501 ICS 4.0.3 ver 1.4 Final" running on my a501.
The following ways of flashing could get the hacked bootloader on my a501:
"Afterota for A600/G100W" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1675939),
"blackthund3r´s ATX flash tool A500APXFlash.exe" (see "Automated flashing tools" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425")
"Manual flashing via nvflash" (see Manual flashing at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1622425)
Trying to flash with this tools always brought me to a Command Promt saying:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
APX flash tool hang when it tired to Format Partition 4 etc.
and then doing nothing even if i let it stay for hours. No Information or Error so long.
When i tried flashing manualy (see link above)i finaly saw an error:
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed (bad data)
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information
e: 14) message: nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
So it seemed however that the partition table on my a501 got messed up. Asking google for "failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002" brought me to an answer "lcd047" posted on tegraowners (http://forum.tegraowners.com/viewtop...p=15285#p15331)
He desicrbes same problem with messed up partition table an restoring it with timmyDean´s root-3.2.1-V4.7z (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=1):
lcd047 wrote:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
And that worked for me. After flashing, my a501 did a automated reboot, i quickly killed the reboot by holding the Power Button (guessing killing the reboot is not realy necessary because the booting shouldn´t mess up the partition table again) and then brought the devive back to APX Mode (Holding Reset and Power for 3-4 sec. then releasing Power and after 1 second relesaing Reset).
Then i flashed the hacked bootloader via blackthund3rs APX flash tool (see link above).
Then i installed Alexandra V as Moscow Desire descirbes (see "To Install" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1635577)
It took my 2 days of trial and error, but finaly give me a nice working Alexandra ROM on my a501!
Hope this helps people having the same issues.
Thanks to Moscow Desire, civato, blackthund3r, gersma, zeroNull, lcdß47, timmyDean
***************************************
Note from MD. You guys take note of this. Sometimes, when you get corrupted partition tables, you may have to go back to an HC stock bootloader to get them fixed. Of course there are other methods, but require some indepth knowledge, and this method most people can do easily.
MD

Borked Partition Table
Nice M...thanks for reposting this

will this work on a500

Moscow Desire said:
One of my counterparts in Germany asked me to post it here. All credit goes to opec. This has been covered a few times, but I like the detailed scenario.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After hours and hours, this right here was the solution I needed. Many, many thanks.

erndixon said:
After hours and hours, this right here was the solution I needed. Many, many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Sometimes things get buried back in the threads after awhile.
MD

Help
i'm use a501 3.2.1 stock HC and still unroot.
Now i wanna use alexV ROM, so i have flash ICS BL use blackthunder's flash tools and it's success, with V8a50pub recovery.
but my problem is:
1. still able to boot my stock HC ROM,
2. can't boot into recovery mode, it will display green robot with exclamation in its body
3. can i get guide to flash cwm recovery? i want use CWM-install-A500PubRecovery_v0.2.zip but its extension is .img and i dont know how to use it
sory if i asked noob question
thanks

Go on youtube and just search up how to root acer a500 , its the first video, steps are simple but i'm not too sure you can use pub recovery on honeycomb, after that use one of the flashing tools to install the hacked bootloader ( i prefer the apx flashtool, its fool proof pretty much with the sbk generator built in ) and download the v8 bootloader with your recovery choice and install it, there's even a guide on youtube on how to do it, hope it helps
Sent from my Iconia A501 using xda app-developers app

gigacats said:
i'm use a501 3.2.1 stock HC and still unroot.
Now i wanna use alexV ROM, so i have flash ICS BL use blackthunder's flash tools and it's success, with V8a50pub recovery.
but my problem is:
1. still able to boot my stock HC ROM,
2. can't boot into recovery mode, it will display green robot with exclamation in its body
3. can i get guide to flash cwm recovery? i want use CWM-install-A500PubRecovery_v0.2.zip but its extension is .img and i dont know how to use it
sory if i asked noob question
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please do not post duplicate issues in multiple threads. Please go to your original post.
MD

OK, sorry guys
Sent from my A501 using xda app-developers app

gigacats said:
OK, sorry guys
Sent from my A501 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem
Glad you got things running good. (in the other thread)
MD

Moscow Desire said:
One of my counterparts in Germany asked me to post it here. All credit goes to opec. This has been covered a few times, but I like the detailed scenario.
**************************
ERROR: Can´t installl hacked ICS Bootloader
I tried installing Hacked ICS Bootloader in Order to get Moscow Desire´s "Alexandra V a501 ICS 4.0.3 ver 1.4 Final" running on my a501.
The following ways of flashing could get the hacked bootloader on my a501:
"Afterota for A600/G100W" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1675939),
"blackthund3r´s ATX flash tool A500APXFlash.exe" (see "Automated flashing tools" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425")
"Manual flashing via nvflash" (see Manual flashing at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1622425)
Trying to flash with this tools always brought me to a Command Promt saying:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
APX flash tool hang when it tired to Format Partition 4 etc.
and then doing nothing even if i let it stay for hours. No Information or Error so long.
When i tried flashing manualy (see link above)i finaly saw an error:
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed (bad data)
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information
e: 14) message: nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
So it seemed however that the partition table on my a501 got messed up. Asking google for "failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002" brought me to an answer "lcd047" posted on tegraowners (http://forum.tegraowners.com/viewtop...p=15285#p15331)
He desicrbes same problem with messed up partition table an restoring it with timmyDean´s root-3.2.1-V4.7z (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=1):
lcd047 wrote:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
And that worked for me. After flashing, my a501 did a automated reboot, i quickly killed the reboot by holding the Power Button (guessing killing the reboot is not realy necessary because the booting shouldn´t mess up the partition table again) and then brought the devive back to APX Mode (Holding Reset and Power for 3-4 sec. then releasing Power and after 1 second relesaing Reset).
Then i flashed the hacked bootloader via blackthund3rs APX flash tool (see link above).
Then i installed Alexandra V as Moscow Desire descirbes (see "To Install" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1635577)
It took my 2 days of trial and error, but finaly give me a nice working Alexandra ROM on my a501!
Hope this helps people having the same issues.
Thanks to Moscow Desire, civato, blackthund3r, gersma, zeroNull, lcdß47, timmyDean
***************************************
Note from MD. You guys take note of this. Sometimes, when you get corrupted partition tables, you may have to go back to an HC stock bootloader to get them fixed. Of course there are other methods, but require some indepth knowledge, and this method most people can do easily.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, While this did not actually work in my case, it led me to do a search on "TegraOwners" for "Partition Table damaged" where I found "BadSector" which totally fixed my problem. So, A Hearty thanks to you Moscow Desire, as well as to BlackThund3r, for without his direction, I never would found your post either.
That being said, a big thanks to all the Dev's on this site, for without their hard work, there would be no reason for any of the fine information available on this site!

Hey i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..heres what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?
timmydeans toolkit doesnt work for me,bad sector also doesnt work, But i can see my device in safe and remove hardware...

moizsami said:
Hey i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..heres what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?
timmydeans toolkit doesnt work for me,bad sector also doesnt work, But i can see my device in safe and remove hardware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If these 2 tools "don't work" there are only 2 possibilities
a) you're not doing things correctly
b) your tab has a faulty memory chip and needs a replacement motherboard

Acer a500 stock on acer logo-dead andriod red triangle
Moscow Desire said:
No problem. Sometimes things get buried back in the threads after awhile.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Sir
I have seen lots of post from you regarding Hacer a500 tab, I am not a geek nor a tech, but I do have this tab stock on Hacer logo, and when I tried to hard reset it takes me to dead andriod, please help me out here, with steps to bring back my tab back to life..thanks

[GUIDE][nvFlash]The Chickens Guide to Flashing the bootloader manually

here is a guide and some pix so you can see what 'should' happen when using civato's nvFlash manual method.
Get yr 15 digit CPUID - not your 11/13 digit ICS serial no.
the correct uid is VITAL, using the wrong one can cause you problems.
all righty you've made the decision to flash the patched bootloader and install a custom recovery and one of the many custom ICS/JB roms -
1. Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK from Blackthund3rs site: http://a500bootloaderflash.tk/sbkcalc/
4. Download yr ROM of choice and put it on yr external sd card
5. Put your tab in APX Mode manually or with apxFlashTool
6. Flash the Bootloader/Custom Recovery
7. Reboot to Custom recovery and do a full data wipe/format
8. Flash your chosen ICS/JB ROM
9. For good measure reboot to recovery and do another full wipe
10. Reboot and enjoy ICS/Jellybean
nb: I know it sounds overkill for all these data wipes/formats but in my experiences and alot of others on here multiple wipes ensure a smooth
running rom
Prep Work
To enter APX mode - Turn your tab off then press and hold in the Reset button(with paper clip).
Do not release it.
Press and hold power for 3 secs and then release it.
After another second, release the reset button.
Download V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm and extract the files for the manual nvFlash
If you are coming from HC then d/l your ICS/JB rom of choice to yr ext sdcard
WARNING: at Step 7. Do not "press any key to continue..." UNLESS yr tab is in bootloader mode, doing so causes alot more issues and
necessitates a rollback to HC if you continue....
*****************************************************
ok here we go:
Step 1. You must enter APXMode FIRST
Your Windows PC should then detect your device and install the APX driver. You should then have an APX USB device installed.
If you do not have an APX USB device listed in your system tray, you cannot proceed.
The screen of your tablet is black and the Power Light is ON
Step 2. Once yr tabs screen has turned black and the power lite is on then
Step 3. Right click on the v8.bat file from civs package and choose "Edit"
Go thru the file and remove any "Cls" lines if there are any - this allows you to see what the flash is doing.
Save the changes thenRun the bat file - i'm using V6-3.bat in this example but if you are using v8 it will be named v8.bat
NOTE: You will see an instruction on the opening screen to "delete recovery from boot.p file"
On a reboot, this file overwrites your newly flashed custom recovery with the Acer Stock Recovery, not what we want!!
Please check /system for the boot.p file - if its there then delete or rename it b4 going on
Step 4. Enter your SBK
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Step 5. Your tab will display this - "System Information" Screen
Here you can see clearly your one and only cpuid!!!! Or 'chip uid' as it is named here.
Warning: If this system info is not displayed you run the risk of getting stuck in apx mode....
Close out of the command window and disconnect your USB and check yr SBK and/or the Acer USB Driver is showing in your "Safely remove hardware" icon
if it isnt reinstall the Acer Drivers
Step 6. All systems are go!! Go ahead and press any key...when your tab is in bootloader mode
7. WAIT for your tab to display "Acer Iconiaa500 APX Mode"
this is 'bootloader mode' where the flash needs to take place,
then press any key...
if you carry on without yr tab showing this message...
then you will softbrick and to fix that you will need to downgrade to HC and
you will lose all your data
There are 'usually' only 3 reasons you will not see the "Acer Iconia a500 APX Mode" message
1. The Drivers are failing to install correctly
2. Incorrect cpuid
3. Getting stuck at Formatting/partition errors is the ".bct issue" apxFlashTool 0.4 fixes this
Step 8 the flash begins!!!
the flash will take about 30 secs at most
on your tab you will see in big white letters the word PASS
in smaller red letters "Reboot the Device"
So power down yr tab and reboot into your new recovery and backup your system then flash your ICS/Jellybean Rom.
Congratulations you are no longer a chicken
EDIT: I've tried not to put too much info in here to keep things relatively easy to read - if you think there is info that should be in here just let me know and I'll add it

:good::good:
Nice guide. Should help out anyone who is still unsure. The only thing is, where's Daisy?

JdgM3NT4L said:
:good::good:
...The only thing is, where's Daisy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahaha, funnee J:laugh::laugh::laugh: good ol' Daisy
and for those wondering what else you can do with your unlocked bootloader...
you too can enjoy the 'Daisy' boot logo hehehe!!

dibb_nz said:
hahaha, funnee J:laugh::laugh::laugh: good ol' Daisy
and for those wondering what else you can do with your unlocked bootloader...
you too can enjoy the 'Daisy' boot logo hehehe!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lmao.
this guide should be stickied eh?

can you get a bit more detailed for these?
Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK using the CPUID from vaches site

lbhocky19 said:
can you get a bit more detailed for these?
Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK using the CPUID from vaches site
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For info on the drivers and retrieving yr cpuid see this guide here but basically you'll need the acer drivers from acer support page and the android usb/adb drivers, these drivers ensure yr tab can communicate with yr pc and can be d/l in a zip file from post in the link above.
The SBK (Secure Boot Key) is generated from the cpuid. Go to vaches site (the link is provided in the nvflash as u can see in the first pic above) Its as simple as entering yr cpuid in the box and it will give you a number formatted like this:
0x000D0000 0x00000001 0x0AAACCCC 0x0000000 - this is your SBK

chismay said:
lmao.
this guide should be stickied eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dude!! good to see u, pls tell me you;ve taken daisy for a spin m8????????
or r u still in that henhouse:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

<Deleted by user>

Stuck on Step 8
First of all thank-you so much for writing this it has been very helpful so far.
Got stuck on Step 8, I did everything exactly as stated, go to the green Acer logo, with "Acer Iconia APX Made" at the top left, but command prompt returned with the following:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x120002
FAILED!
command failure: format partition failed <bad command>
Bootloader status: unknown operation <code: 1> message: flags: 0
Before that in step 7 I also got an error, but the it allowed press an key to continue anyway:
sending file: bct.bct
- 4080/4080 bytes sent
bct.bct sent successfully
odm data: 0x300d88011
downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000
sending file: bootloader_apx.bin
| 714980/714981 bytes sent
bootloader_apx.bit sent successfully
waiting for bootloader to initialize
bootloader downloaded successfully
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed <bad data>
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information <code: 14> message nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
I realize that I have probably given too much information and I apologize for that. Any help at all would be much appreciated!
Also: This was done using option 3, but I tried it with option 4 as well and got the same error. In step 5 it did not show System Information, but I checked the acer divers, the safely remove hardware and my SBK using different generators and it all checks out.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

Luke00123 said:
First of all thank-you so much for writing this it has been very helpful so far.
Got stuck on Step 8, I did everything exactly as stated, go to the green Acer logo, with "Acer Iconia APX Made" at the top left, but command prompt returned with the following:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x120002
FAILED!
command failure: format partition failed <bad command>
Bootloader status: unknown operation <code: 1> message: flags: 0
Before that in step 7 I also got an error, but the it allowed press an key to continue anyway:
sending file: bct.bct
- 4080/4080 bytes sent
bct.bct sent successfully
odm data: 0x300d88011
downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000
sending file: bootloader_apx.bin
| 714980/714981 bytes sent
bootloader_apx.bit sent successfully
waiting for bootloader to initialize
bootloader downloaded successfully
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed <bad data>
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information <code: 14> message nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
I realize that I have probably given too much information and I apologize for that. Any help at all would be much appreciated!
Also: This was done using option 3, but I tried it with option 4 as well and got the same error. In step 5 it did not show System Information, but I checked the acer divers, the safely remove hardware and my SBK using different generators and it all checks out.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont say what rom you were on or whether your tab was running ok before you tried the flash??
Normally if you don't see the system info window things dont go well after that!
But in saying that it seems you've made sure everything else is right, and as long as when you put your tab in apx mode you saw the "acer download mode" displayed you should be good!!
partitioning errors such as yours are "normally" easy to fix by running timmydeans root tool - there is a link to it in the root guide in my sig.
Download it and put your tab in apx mode, connect your usb cable and then run the pbj20.exe ??
you should get asked to enter your CPUID(not the sbk!!) take off the 0x at the beginning if its there
also: in the cpuid guide (in my sig)theres a link to a short guide by "lcd047" how to use timmydeans to repartition and flash the bootloader all in one go - might wanna take a look at that while you're waiting for the download....
Originally Posted by lcd047 wrote:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
let us know how you go
rgds dibb

Still Stuck
Right sorry. I am sunning the stock Acer ICS 4.0.3 rom, with the stock ICS 4.0.3 recovery image and ICS bootloader 3.12-ICS.
I tried running the file PBJ20upgrade.exe with my tablet pluged in in APX mode, but it told me to make sure my tablet was unpluged and that if a new hardware window opened to close it (as if it was going to install drivers or something). I did this and clicked continue but a window poped up sating EUUs had stopped. I traied it also leaving my tablet plugped in, same results.
If it is of significance I am using the Acer drivers verson: USB Driver_Acer_1.06.1500_A30H_A500. The other version: USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30HA31HA32H_A (the one that blackthunder has you download) would not install saying that no previous version was found.

Myt have put u a bit wrong there. There's 2 ways to run it...if via .exe don't connect yr cable and wait for steps to run via apex mode.
If running lcd047 steps... Put in apx mode and run the bat file in the image folder
Is that bit clearer??
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

THANK-YOU!!!
Luke00123 said:
Right sorry. I am sunning the stock Acer ICS 4.0.3 rom, with the stock ICS 4.0.3 recovery image and ICS bootloader 3.12-ICS.
I tried running the file PBJ20upgrade.exe with my tablet pluged in in APX mode, but it told me to make sure my tablet was unpluged and that if a new hardware window opened to close it (as if it was going to install drivers or something). I did this and clicked continue but a window poped up sating EUUs had stopped. I traied it also leaving my tablet plugped in, same results.
If it is of significance I am using the Acer drivers verson: USB Driver_Acer_1.06.1500_A30H_A500. The other version: USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30HA31HA32H_A (the one that blackthunder has you download) would not install saying that no previous version was found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It work! Thank-you all SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
I missed the second half of your post! I flashed everything back to HC and then installed the new Bootloader and Reovery!

haha....you are sooooo welcome, pleased you got it, happy flashing!!!
rgds
dibb
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Luke00123 said:
It work! Thank-you all SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
I missed the second half of your post! I flashed everything back to HC and then installed the new Bootloader and Reovery!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey can u please tell me how did it work for u ... cause i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..here what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?

moizsami said:
Hey can u please tell me how did it work for u ... cause i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..here what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hardware fault probably, especially so if none of the re-partitioning tools work i.e tdv4/babsector and you're positive you're following instructions correctly

moizsami said:
Hey can u please tell me how did it work for u ... cause i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..here what i get:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure I followed these instructions:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will reset your tablet to the HC ROM, HC bootloader and (I believe) Flash a custom recovery. If you are wanting to flash 4.2 or 4.1 though, you are going to want your ICS boot loader back, so just follow the instructions in this post to get an unlocker version and it should work. Also I was having trouble getting my CPUID after I reset my tablet back to HC, but I went ahead and tried the method in the post using the same SKB and it worked.
Good luck

Thanks for the tips man, its awesome

Great guide, worked perfectly to install this rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239476 :good:
Thanks

dibb_nz said:
here is a guide and some pix so you can see what 'should' happen when using civato's nvFlash manual method.
Get yr 15 digit CPUID - not your 11/13 digit ICS serial no.
the correct uid is VITAL, using the wrong one can cause you problems.
all righty you've made the decision to flash the patched bootloader and install a custom recovery and one of the many custom ICS/JB roms -
1. Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK from Blackthund3rs site: http://a500bootloaderflash.tk/sbkcalc/
4. Download yr ROM of choice and put it on yr external sd card
5. Put your tab in APX Mode manually or with apxFlashTool
6. Flash the Bootloader/Custom Recovery
7. Reboot to Custom recovery and do a full data wipe/format
8. Flash your chosen ICS/JB ROM
9. For good measure reboot to recovery and do another full wipe
10. Reboot and enjoy ICS/Jellybean
nb: I know it sounds overkill for all these data wipes/formats but in my experiences and alot of others on here multiple wipes ensure a smooth
running rom
Prep Work
To enter APX mode - Turn your tab off then press and hold in the Reset button(with paper clip).
Do not release it.
Press and hold power for 3 secs and then release it.
After another second, release the reset button.
Download V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm and extract the files for the manual nvFlash
If you are coming from HC then d/l your ICS/JB rom of choice to yr ext sdcard
WARNING: at Step 7. Do not "press any key to continue..." UNLESS yr tab is in bootloader mode, doing so causes alot more issues and
necessitates a rollback to HC if you continue....
*****************************************************
ok here we go:
Step 1. You must enter APXMode FIRST
Your Windows PC should then detect your device and install the APX driver. You should then have an APX USB device installed.
If you do not have an APX USB device listed in your system tray, you cannot proceed.
The screen of your tablet is black and the Power Light is ON
Step 2. Once yr tabs screen has turned black and the power lite is on then
Step 3. Right click on the v8.bat file from civs package and choose "Edit"
Go thru the file and remove any "Cls" lines if there are any - this allows you to see what the flash is doing.
Save the changes thenRun the bat file - i'm using V6-3.bat in this example but if you are using v8 it will be named v8.bat
NOTE: You will see an instruction on the opening screen to "delete recovery from boot.p file"
On a reboot, this file overwrites your newly flashed custom recovery with the Acer Stock Recovery, not what we want!!
Please check /system for the boot.p file - if its there then delete or rename it b4 going on
Step 4. Enter your SBK
Step 5. Your tab will display this - "System Information" Screen
Here you can see clearly your one and only cpuid!!!! Or 'chip uid' as it is named here.
Warning: If this system info is not displayed you run the risk of getting stuck in apx mode....
Close out of the command window and disconnect your USB and check yr SBK and/or the Acer USB Driver is showing in your "Safely remove hardware" icon
if it isnt reinstall the Acer Drivers
Step 6. All systems are go!! Go ahead and press any key...when your tab is in bootloader mode
7. WAIT for your tab to display "Acer Iconiaa500 APX Mode"
this is 'bootloader mode' where the flash needs to take place,
then press any key...
if you carry on without yr tab showing this message...
then you will softbrick and to fix that you will need to downgrade to HC and
you will lose all your data
There are 'usually' only 3 reasons you will not see the "Acer Iconia a500 APX Mode" message
1. The Drivers are failing to install correctly
2. Incorrect cpuid
3. Getting stuck at Formatting/partition errors is the ".bct issue" apxFlashTool 0.4 fixes this
Step 8 the flash begins!!!
the flash will take about 30 secs at most
on your tab you will see in big white letters the word PASS
in smaller red letters "Reboot the Device"
So power down yr tab and reboot into your new recovery and backup your system then flash your ICS/Jellybean Rom.
Congratulations you are no longer a chicken
EDIT: I've tried not to put too much info in here to keep things relatively easy to read - if you think there is info that should be in here just let me know and I'll add it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any cure for being "stuck in APX mode"?

[Q] Problem loading custom ROM to A501

Hi,
So I thought I'd explore the world of custom ROMs on my Acer Iconia A501, which was previously on ICS. I used the A500APXFlash application to flash the tablet and managed to install CWM. Stupidly, I downloaded the Evil Alex II patch instead of the full ROM (just didn't realise), and wondered why it wouldn't boot. Finally when I realised what I'd done, re-did all the wipes, reformatted system & flexrom, and tried to install the full ROM, it did work briefly, but the Wifi crashed out (wouldn't respond) and I was getting a bunch of errors on google apps and google play, so I decided to reboot and ended up back stuck on the "Booting primary kernel image" screen. I've since made a few attempts to reinstall the ROM and even re-flash, but couldn't get anything different to happen.
I finally decided to roll back to a stock ROM, in case my initial mistake of trying to install the patch only had corrupted something. I could only get this working via the EUU packag, but this managed to get me back to Honeycomb and all seemed ok. So I thought perhaps I'd try I flashing again and then installed the root package which seemed to go fine. Then I tried the custom ROM again - no luck. Constantly stuck on that damn "Booting primary kernel image" screen.
I've watched a couple of video tutorials on flashing and installing a custom ROM to the A501 and I'm certain I've followed all the steps correctly. I've checked the forums and mostly this seems to be solved by reflashing and/or reinstalling the ROM, which I've done more times than I can count. Short of going back to the Honeycomb stock ROM (or maybe getting to an ICS ROM somehow), I've no idea what else to try. Can anyone help?

I think you should try to wipe the tab properly. Boot into cwm.
Under backup and restore activate toggle... of internal memory or similar
Go under Wipe menu and wipe cache, dalvik and battery stats, and wipe userdata.
Under Mounts and storage format system three!!! times and then format flexrom.
Flash your rom.
Gesendet von meinem A501 mit Tapatalk 2

OK, so I have tried toggling the wipe of internal memory a few times before, and it never made a difference. I'd never tried formatting system multiple times (I assume that's the only bit that I needed to do three times). In any case, I followed your steps and no luck. Still "booting primary kernel image". Thanks for trying. Happy to try almost anything at this point, as long as it doesn't brick it.
I don't need to mount system or flexrom before or after formatting right? I'm assuming not, cause nothing has ever said to, and I don't think doing it before would make a difference. After maybe...

nik592 said:
......Happy to try almost anything at this point, as long as it doesn't brick it/QUOTE]
Lets hope u haven't already......
Honeycomb stock is unrootable and therefore unflashable.....d/l timmydeans v4 euu
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?fo4wqjeald4s3rj ...run it as per instructions in the PDF....
You won't have 3g for the moment but u will get cwm and root. From there u should be able to reflash the unlocked bootloader if u wish...
You may have some luck with the update.zip method check out
JdgM3NT4L.s easy way to stock thread in General for d/l links.....I think tho u best go with tdv4.....to reset yr system....
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2
Edit: replaced link to tdv4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

So that file you linked didn't have any PDF, just looked like a ROM, so I tried the update.zip method with a stock ROM I already had instead (which I had tried once before without success). The first time, still stuck on booting primary kernel. So I tried a different ROM. That one came to the Skrilax_CZ Bootloader screen, told me it was applying the update, which then failed, and then everything went wrong. Now nothing works. I can get into APX mode, but no longer have CWM. My googling finally brought me to another thread where I found the zip for timmydean's v4 euu but it won't complete. I had used another EUU package last night (possibly the same one), but it similarly won't complete.
So now I'm beginning to worry that it really is bricked. Thanks for your help, but I'm guessing I might be out of options.

nik592 said:
So that file you linked didn't have any PDF,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm so sorry bout that, I've edited the post with the correct link...
so I tried the update.zip method with a stock ROM I already had instead (which I had tried once before without success).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure I understand wot u have done Here.....more info please
U cannot run the update.zip with a rom??? Could u explain.....unless u mean u ran a "stock update.zip"
The first time, still stuck on booting primary kernel. So I tried a different ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
His did u "try a different rom "?
If the update.zip worked u would have stock recovery and be unable to 'flash ' a rom unless
the update.zip didn't work and u still had yr original custom recovery???
That one came to the Skrilax_CZ Bootloader screen,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, to get this screen u must have flashed the unlocked bootloader somehow....more confused?
told me it was applying the update, which then failed, and then everything went wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yr tab said this??
Yes this would be where everything went even more haywire.....if u did have the patched bootloader with an incompatible rom and then flashed an update.zip as Wells.
then yr poor tab wouldn't know whether it was Arthur or martha
nothing works. I can get into APX mode, but no longer have CWM. My googling finally brought me to another thread where I found the zip for timmydean's v4 euu but it won't complete. I had used another EUU package last night (possibly the same one), but it similarly won't complete.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK when u day it won't complete. What error are u seeing??
If u press pwr and volume down do u see the dead android with yellow exclamation point
What about pwr and volume up....anything with that combo???, if nothing, then do a complete hard reset with the rocker switch method....then come back and tell me if it worked, tab should say erasing userdata/cache...don't do anything else in the meantime....
when u first applied the update.zip how did u do it?
Turn yr tab off....u need to save as much battery as possible...unless u can recharge, can u?? If you're stuck in apx mode u won't be able to.
now I'm beginning to worry that it really is bricked. Thanks for your help, but I'm guessing I might be out of options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No not yet you're not, but it's not gonna be a kwik fix either....u need to be methodical and go thru things one step at a time
To be clear wot is the state of yr tab atm?
no cwm
won't boot
Black screen with power led on
Is this correct??
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

dibb_nz said:
I'm not sure I understand wot u have done Here.....more info please
U cannot run the update.zip with a rom??? Could u explain.....unless u mean u ran a "stock update.zip"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sorry. A stock update.zip. The first one didn't take, and I ended up back at the Scrilax_CZ bootloader screen, stuck on booting primary kernel (the same screen I've found myself at everytime I've tried to install a ROM).
dibb_nz said:
His did u "try a different rom "?
If the update.zip worked u would have stock recovery and be unable to 'flash ' a rom unless
the update.zip didn't work and u still had yr original custom recovery???
Again, to get this screen u must have flashed the unlocked bootloader somehow....more confused?
Yr tab said this??
Yes this would be where everything went even more haywire.....if u did have the patched bootloader with an incompatible rom and then flashed an update.zip as Wells.
then yr poor tab wouldn't know whether it was Arthur or martha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went back into recovery mode and tried a different update.zip version, since the first one didn't seem to have worked. However, this time, instead of getting stuck on the booting primary kernel screen, it came to a screen which still had the bootloader message at the top, and then something about updating. My assumption was this is what happens after you correctly install a stock update.zip - that it may need to get out of the bootloader to wipe it fully, install the update.zip and then reboot again. What happened instead was the update told me it failed, at which point, I couldn't get back to the bootloader and it's stuck in APX mode.
dibb_nz said:
OK when u day it won't complete. What error are u seeing??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No error, it just sits there for over half an hour without the progress bar moving. I know it's supposed to take a while, but that seems too long.
dibb_nz said:
If u press pwr and volume down do u see the dead android with yellow exclamation point
What about pwr and volume up....anything with that combo???, if nothing, then do a complete hard reset with the rocker switch method....then come back and tell me if it worked, tab should say erasing userdata/cache...don't do anything else in the meantime....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Power and anything leads to nothing on screen. The power LED will come on, and it can detect APX mode so the EUU package can try and do it's thing, but it just hangs at the same point (judging by where the progress bar stops). What is the rocker switch method, I can't seem to find anything on it?
dibb_nz said:
when u first applied the update.zip how did u do it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put update.zip on an sd, go into recovery menu, wipe, install zip from sd, select update.zip, wait til it says complete, then reboot.
dibb_nz said:
Turn yr tab off....u need to save as much battery as possible...unless u can recharge, can u?? If you're stuck in apx mode u won't be able to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the tab has been off since I gave up on it last night, but also plugged into power. If I unplug it from power, I can power it down fully so the power LED goes off, but if I plug the cable back in the power LED comes back on. Which suggests it may be charging?
dibb_nz said:
No not yet you're not, but it's not gonna be a kwik fix either....u need to be methodical and go thru things one step at a time
To be clear wot is the state of yr tab atm?
no cwm
won't boot
Black screen with power led on
Is this correct??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, no CWM, won't boot. Power on (with or without volume buttons) seems to bring it to APX mode - power LED on, black screen, detectable by the EUU package.

nik592 said:
Yes, no CWM, won't boot. Power on (with or without volume buttons) seems to bring it to APX mode - power LED on, black screen, detectable by the EUU package.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok this is from another current thread....save me alot of typing
this is based on nvFlash and if windows detects it as u say, then u should be all good...then go to here and thank Danny2 for a great post..
btw when entering your sbk - no spaces and uppper case letters -
Danny2 said:
I had what looks like the exact problem, used BABSECTOR from here http://narod.ru/disk/53919831001.a235ea2225f319015f30c009629d2075/BabSector.rar.html and fixed my tab easily.
I edited the batch files by entering my sbk directly into them, (so I wouldn't have to retype & possibly make an error) but they worked for me. (To fix the same problem you have.)
Once you are able to write & format partitions again, you can follow various paths. The usually recommended path is TimmyDeans, or the HoneyComb 3.01 EUU from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816560.
Both use the EUU method, both should work, Both take you back to HC, where you can follow the upgrade path on google play to get you back to stock 4.03. (It's a little more involved to get back to 4.03 with TimmyDeans.)
However, I found that I prefered to install this ROM http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1969887 directly after running Babsector. Follow the directions exactly (including installing the correct bootloader) and you should be able to go from where you are now, (Only APX available) to a very nicely functionin ROM, in a lot!!!! less time than following the Stock upgrade path. (You
might make mistakes along the way, just start again, it will almost certainly work out.)
Coincidentally, this ROM will also give you OC, along with many other options, & is highly customizable, is still an ICS Rom, so doesn't suffer from the memory leak probs I believe affect all current versions of the hacked JB ROMS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

dibb_nz said:
ok this is from another current thread....save me alot of typing
this is based on nvFlash and if windows detects it as u say, then u should be all good...then go to here and thank Danny2 for a great post..
btw when entering your sbk - no spaces and uppper case letters -
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No spaces? It wouldn't work when I tried with no spaces, and when I check the nvflash help, it shows the SBK argument as 4 separate blocks.
When I run the a501 A.bat with the normal spaces in my SBK I get this:
Code:
Enter your SBK:0x34F51E00 0xE4C3DB01 0x0B8A3F03 0xC0782103
Nvflash started
rcm version 0X20001
System Information:
chip name: t20
chip id: 0x20 major: 1 minor: 4
chip sku: 0x8
chip uid: 0x037c61c844406197
macrovision: disabled
hdcp: enabled
sbk burned: true
dk burned: true
boot device: emmc
operating mode: 4
device config strap: 0
device config fuse: 0
sdram config strap: 3
sending file: flash.bct
- 4080/4080 bytes sent
flash.bct sent successfully
odm data: 0xb00d8011
downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000
sending file: bootloader.bin
| 714409/714409 bytes sent
bootloader.bin sent successfully
waiting for bootloader to initialize
bootloader downloaded successfully
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
creating partition: PT
creating partition: APP
creating partition: EBT
creating partition: GP1
creating partition: SOS
creating partition: LNX
creating partition: CAC
creating partition: MSC
creating partition: FLX
creating partition: AKB
creating partition: UDA
creating partition: GPT
failed executing command 12 NvError 0x120002
command failure: create failed (bad data)
bootloader status: fatal failure to read / write to mass storage (code: 9) message: nverror:0x8 (0x19000008) flags: 0
Press any key to continue . . .
I tried it a couple of times, same every time. From what I can find on forums about this error, this pretty much is bricked and needs to be sent back to Acer for repair?

nik592 said:
No spaces? It wouldn't work when I tried with no spaces, and when I check the nvflash help, it shows the SBK argument as 4 separate blocks.
When I run the a501 A.bat with the normal spaces in my SBK I get this:
Code:
Enter your SBK:0x34F51E00 0xE4C3DB01 0x0B8A3F03 0xC0782103
Nvflash started
rcm version 0X20001
System Information:
chip name: t20
chip id: 0x20 major: 1 minor: 4
chip sku: 0x8
chip uid: 0x037c61c844406197
macrovision: disabled
hdcp: enabled
sbk burned: true
dk burned: true
boot device: emmc
operating mode: 4
device config strap: 0
device config fuse: 0
sdram config strap: 3
sending file: flash.bct
- 4080/4080 bytes sent
flash.bct sent successfully
odm data: 0xb00d8011
downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000
sending file: bootloader.bin
| 714409/714409 bytes sent
bootloader.bin sent successfully
waiting for bootloader to initialize
bootloader downloaded successfully
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
creating partition: PT
creating partition: APP
creating partition: EBT
creating partition: GP1
creating partition: SOS
creating partition: LNX
creating partition: CAC
creating partition: MSC
creating partition: FLX
creating partition: AKB
creating partition: UDA
creating partition: GPT
failed executing command 12 NvError 0x120002
command failure: create failed (bad data)
bootloader status: fatal failure to read / write to mass storage (code: 9) message: nverror:0x8 (0x19000008) flags: 0
Press any key to continue . . .
I tried it a couple of times, same every time. From what I can find on forums about this error, this pretty much is bricked and needs to be sent back to Acer for repair?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup its looking that way I'm sorry to say
sorry didnt expklain the no-spaces very well at all
some folk have had issues entering their cpuid into the sbk generator - they have by mistake copy/pasted an empty space with their cpuid which the generator recognises as a "character"
the format for your sbk is 4 sets of hex values that should look like this "0x22222222 0x11111111 0x000AAZZZ 0x00000AAA"
apologies for the ambiguity
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

So, a few weeks later and with a friend who had successfully rooted his phone, we tried one last time to fix it. For some reason, the tablet decided to boot into a Honeycomb (3.2) A501 ROM (without us doing much to it), so clearly something took, possibly from a few weeks back (not sure why it chose not to work then, but whatever).
So, I followed steps to downgrade to 3.0.1 and root, then ran blackthund3r's APX flasher to reinstall Clockwork Mod, which also took nicely. Then I carefully followed the steps to install the Evil Alex ROM (and made sure I downloaded the actual ROM this time and not the patch). Again, this all went fine, until I rebooted. At this point, it got to the ANDROID logo screen, but got stuck there. After about 10-15 minutes, I decided to reboot again - same behaviour. So I went back in to CWM, followed the steps above to perform all wipes, format system 3 times, then format flexrom again, reinstall the ROM. Now it gets stuck on the Skrilax_CZ's bootloader screen with "Booting primary kernel image" screen. I can still happily get into CWM, but I'm at a loss what else to try.
The only difference in what I did between the first install of the ROM (where it got to the ANDROID logo screen but no further) and the second was to remove the SD card after installing the ROM (before rebooting). Well, apart from also formatting system 3 times as mentioned above. I'm assuming removing the SD card or not shouldn't make a difference since the ROM should be installed by that point anyway.
Any thoughts?