Database Users

[Q] stuck Iconia a500 bootloader unlock problem

Hello, and thank you everyone for all the helpful posts on my device the a500.
I really like my tablet, I know it is not the newest out but I really like it and the screen size is nice too for the price I think it is great. I do have a problem tho, I want to try out some custom roms, and to do that I need to install a custom recovery like CWM, and I am having a really hard time of it. I was able to get root easy enough using an archive I got from this site (thanks) it used adb and pushed some files, then I installed Superuser, and Titanium Backup, and all was fine, then I installed acer recovery installer to install Thor's CWM 1.7.3 and found out that I have a locked bootloader 0.03.12-ICS, so I figured ok it should be easy enough to install a patched or unlocked bootloader, I was wrong... I have APXflash and afterota and have tried all the methods I can find to try to unlock my bootloader and nothing... with afterota it just hangs on flashing kernel 3/5 and with apxflash the same it just hangs forever the progress bar does not move. I am not the most savvy with these kind of things, but also I am no dolt either. I dont know what the deal is but my device just wont accept a flash at all I dont understand why, I used the stock recovery to flash an update.zip I found for my a500 thinking that after that I would be able to use apxflash, or afterota, but still nothing...
Here is my device info:
A50X/G100W Serial, Cpuid, Sbk, Bootloader & Android Build Info
Generated with Afterota v1.09 by Gersma©
--------------------------------------------------------------
Tablet Serial : 14014609415
Tablet Cpuid : 037C620943003097
Tablet Sbk : 0xB9FD1E00 0xD4D5F501 0x3B9C1103 0x20502103
Android Build : Acer_AV041_A500_1.033.00_PA_CUS1
Bootloader : 0.03.12-ICS
Generated on 07/08/13 at 17:43 hr
Archive this file for future reference
A cut/past from the file created by afterota.
If anyone has any idea why my tablet wont accept a flash I would love and appreciate any help at all here. I was wondering if I could manually flash my bootloader with dd in terminal emulator? like this:
dd if=/sdcard/bootloader.blob of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p4
or is that wrong and I just made a paperweight?? Like I said I am pretty new to tablet mods, and I am just totaly stumped here its like acer has my bootloader on double lockdown... if there is an update.zip out there that would use the stock recovery to unlock my bootloader that would be awesome, then I could install thor's CWM touch and check out some fancy new custom software .
Again thanks to everyone for all the work you have done and shared with us here, and thanks too for any help any one has for me
KaijiKun

well I tried flashing with nvflash but still no luck here is the message I get:
Flashing bootloader: bootloader_v8.bin ...
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x1
0002
FAILED!
command failure: format partition failed (bad command)
bootloader status: unknown operation (code: 1) message: flags: 0
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Then the program just hangs while the tablet sits in apx mode with the acer logo....
I am still just completely stumped on my I cant seem to find a way to flash the bootloader, I can flash the recovery, which then wont work with the locked version of bootloader I have, so I flash back to the stock recovery until I can get this bootloader flashed...
has any one encountered any thing like this? I would really like to figure this out and flash a patched bootloader to my tablet.
I have not had any problems like this on my phone, its an older one an LG ally, but I didn't have any problem with it at all and have cwm on it and run a very customized version of BioNX on it with the Next launcher, I really like how that all went, and I figured I would be able to customize my tablet as well, but until I can get past the bootloader, all I have is root, which is good for some things but without access to the custom recovery there is a limit to what I can do, and I am not big on being limited, hehehe. any how any help at all will be highly appreciated
Thanks

A500 Bootloader unlocking
Well I sent my A500 in for repairs, no nothing with the software, and I did not brick the tablet either, but a little drop and cracked the plastic shell, so since I bought insurance on it in-case of damages I sent it in to get the plastic shell repaired for free and they gave me a loaner to use while I wait for my A500 to be repaired. They gave me an A200, and so far I like the A200 it is basically the same minus the camera, it did take an extra second to install the right drivers for it to connect properly to my Windows PC ( I had to download adb drivers "Acer.rar" package, and direct device manager to the folder to get all the drivers installed. but once I did, I found a package to unlock the bootloader, root the device, and install thor's CWM all in one The package - "AcerA200 SimpleTool V2" worked perfect and in the archive I found, among other files specifically for the A200 was: adb.exe, AdbWinApi.dll, AdbWinUsbApi.dll, and fastboot.exe (You can find those files in many different archives designed for rooting tablets and phones, or in Android SDK. So with those files, a boot image, and recovery image, the SU binary, and memproid, a simple batch file ran in windows unlocked, rooted, etc... The A200 Yay!! :laugh: So I am thinking that maybe I can use a similar scenario to get things moving on my A500 when I get it back. The commands in the batch file were really basic for the unlocking of the bootloader. I plan to try them out on my A500 as soon as possible, the commands in sequence are as follows, in the folder where the windows executable adb.exe and fastboot.exe, and the dll's are located, open a command prompt windows (cmd.exe) and then:
adb wait-for-device
adb reboot-bootloader
fastboot oem unlock
-
"At this point you have to follow the on screen directions on the tablet and use the volume button to choose the unlock option on the tablet", then back to the PC command prompt for the final command
-
fastboot reboot
Thats it!!
If it works like it did on the A200 the A500 bootloader should be unlocked, nothing like simplicity, and a command prompt :laugh:
If it does work now CWM can be installed, and work, giving rise to custom ROMS, and any other customizations I want to install but need a custom recovery and unlocked bootloader to have .
I really hope it does work the same on the A500 as it did on the A200. As far as I can tell there was no special files or images loaded onto the tablet to unlock the bootloader, just adb and fastboot, and apparently there is a built in option to unlock the stock ICS bootloader. To bad I wont find out until next week Tuesday night after work if it does work on my A500.
As always, I will post the results I get right away, so that anyone else stuck trying to get past the locked bootloader, can, well if it works, and if it does not, well at least I tried. So far I have tried all the step by steps with no luck that I can find, and as I have seen others experience the same thing the tablet just plain refusing to except any flash using APXFlash or AfterOTA in attempt to unlock the bootloader, wish me luck, and if anyone else happens to try this before I can in a week let us know, or if you already have a solution please let us know. Thanks so much
And again thanks everyone for all your time and contributions, the guides, tutorials, and custom software that you have written and shared, and for sharing with us your own trials and results so that we can all enjoy the most of our devices, the way that we want them to be I am fairly new to Android mods and development, but I have always liked the Linux based OS, and infiltrating exploits on gaming consoles, phones, etc.. has always been a sort of pass time hobby of mine, when time, money, and devices to play with are available to me I am definitely glad that I found and joined this forum, by far the most helpful, and extensive concerning Android Devices by far.
- Kaiji

KaijiKun said:
well I tried flashing with nvflash but still no luck here is the message I get:
Flashing bootloader: bootloader_v8.bin ...
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x1
0002
FAILED!
command failure: format partition failed (bad command)
bootloader status: unknown operation (code: 1) message: flags: 0
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Then the program just hangs while the tablet sits in apx mode with the acer logo....
I am still just completely stumped on my I cant seem to find a way to flash the bootloader, I can flash the recovery, which then wont work with the locked version of bootloader I have, so I flash back to the stock recovery until I can get this bootloader flashed...
has any one encountered any thing like this? I would really like to figure this out and flash a patched bootloader to my tablet.
I have not had any problems like this on my phone, its an older one an LG ally, but I didn't have any problem with it at all and have cwm on it and run a very customized version of BioNX on it with the Next launcher, I really like how that all went, and I figured I would be able to customize my tablet as well, but until I can get past the bootloader, all I have is root, which is good for some things but without access to the custom recovery there is a limit to what I can do, and I am not big on being limited, hehehe. any how any help at all will be highly appreciated
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey thats the exact same thing that happened to me...nvflash hung and same with blackthund3r's flashing tool thing
so what i did was use babsector
here's the link to Heres the link to babsector.rar
How to use babsector -
Turn your tab off and put it in apx mode manually. Press and hold reset button, hold power for 3 secs after the light comes on and release it, after another second release the reset button. Your screen is black and the power light is on.
Download and extract the .rar to a folder on your PC
Connect your tab to your PC
Navigate to the babsector folder and click on 501 A.bat
Reboot into recovery
Go to Mounts and Storage and Format System twice and Power Off
Go back into apx mode and run 501 B.bat
Reboot into recovery and do the wipes and flash your rom
Reboot!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i got all this from here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2049778
if u want to take a look
but all u need to do is follow the instructions for babsector and you're done!

Thank You
Thank You so much this was exactly the information I was in need of. Thank you very much again. I should be able to resolve everything and get on with my custom rom. I am thinking of going with this one: CM10 JellyBean 4.1.2 build for Acer Iconia A500 (picasso), build 3. Has anyone been using this one on their A500 have anything to say? As far as I can tell by what I have read on the custom roms out there it seems to be the best there is for the A500. What ios the best Kernel to use with the CM10? I was thinking of going with this one: godmachine81 A500 Kernel, or The Onyx Kernel Kryos Version 1.5 SR. does any one have anything on either of those, which is the best in combination with the CM10 ROM, or is there a better kernel?
Any how I am excited, thanks again.
And even though I am excited I will be taking everything nice and slow to start with, step by step and carefully, I will probably try a few different arrangements until I get what I feel is the best performing / looking set up. I am pretty sure about the CM10 rom though I just don't see the stock based roms performing as well as CyanogenMod I would love to check out some benchmarks of anyone's A500 running either CM10 or CM9 with different kernels, including stock, and maybe even other roms too
Well one final time Thanks for everyone's help , guides, tutorials, and software. All of it is truly appreciated here
I look forward to whatever anyone has to say on the roms/kernel combos, and I will post my experiences too.

KaijiKun said:
Thank You so much this was exactly the information I was in need of. Thank you very much again. I should be able to resolve everything and get on with my custom rom. I am thinking of going with this one: CM10 JellyBean 4.1.2 build for Acer Iconia A500 (picasso), build 3. Has anyone been using this one on their A500 have anything to say? As far as I can tell by what I have read on the custom roms out there it seems to be the best there is for the A500. What ios the best Kernel to use with the CM10? I was thinking of going with this one: godmachine81 A500 Kernel, or The Onyx Kernel Kryos Version 1.5 SR. does any one have anything on either of those, which is the best in combination with the CM10 ROM, or is there a better kernel?
Any how I am excited, thanks again.
And even though I am excited I will be taking everything nice and slow to start with, step by step and carefully, I will probably try a few different arrangements until I get what I feel is the best performing / looking set up. I am pretty sure about the CM10 rom though I just don't see the stock based roms performing as well as CyanogenMod I would love to check out some benchmarks of anyone's A500 running either CM10 or CM9 with different kernels, including stock, and maybe even other roms too
Well one final time Thanks for everyone's help , guides, tutorials, and software. All of it is truly appreciated here
I look forward to whatever anyone has to say on the roms/kernel combos, and I will post my experiences too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im currently using CM10.1 with the default kernel clocked at 1.6 and everything seems fine to me
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239476
good luck with everything!

A500 Tweaked out, Rocking!!
ryukiri said:
im currently using CM10.1 with the default kernel clocked at 1.6 and everything seems fine to me
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239476
good luck with everything!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just thought I would say thanks to all for helping me I have been happily using CM10-Flex V6 Supercharged ROM with the EZTerry A500 latest kernel Overclocked to 1.5 and a few other mods and the tablet is awesome I really Like JB 4.1.2 I did try out CM 10.1 JB 4.2.2 and had to figure out that you need to click about tablet then tap Build in the info 10 times to unlock developer options so you can tick USB debugging but in the end I went back to CM10. My tablet just seems to run faster, better, smoother with the setup I have, I will most likely keep on checking out the latest CM builds until I find one I like better, hehe I Do just love to change things I hear that there may be a CM 10.2 build for A500 soon I hope so . Oh and I ended up going with Skrilaxs V9 patched bootloader with a fancy CM logo I put in with the V9 bootloader image tool.
Any way I just wanted to put in my thanks, and let you all know that all is well and good, and I will keep on testing ROMS on my A500 till I get a new tab and then continue on that one too. I really love the site and all the info, babsector worked great to get things going on the A500 I did modify some of the files to suit my own needs, and install the v9 bootloader and my own choice of CWM (I used thors 1.8)
So thanks tpo all and if anyone has any news they think I would like to hear on the Acer tabs please let me know. I do have an update.zip that will return the tab to full stock, unpatch the bootloader, and stock recovery too incase I ever need to send it in to acer, and an almost stock rom too deodexed rooted, and tweaked, also will install an unpatched bootloader, and stock recovery, I think it would pass for stock "like" and some other nifty roms and tweaks for the a500.
Any how it is late I am ramlbling, lol, long day at work. But as always test tweak, and tune EVERYTHING must be modded, hehehehe
See ya - Kaiji

[Q] Bricked A500, using update.zip

Hello all, when I try to use the SD update I get the upright Android with the green bar below & within a few seconds I get the dead Android with a red exclamation mark above his chest. Does this indicate a hardware fault or should I keep trying different update files? Thank you, hoz

thehoz78 said:
Hello all, when I try to use the SD update I get the upright Android with the green bar below & within a few seconds I get the dead Android with a red exclamation mark above his chest. Does this indicate a hardware fault or should I keep trying different update files? Thank you, hoz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the correct update.zip you should be fine.
If you're trying to fix a brick you may need to use nvflash.

dibb_nz said:
If you have the correct update.zip you should be fine.
If you're trying to fix a brick you may need to use nvflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've downloaded the OTA TOOL & am trying to download Acer APX/Fastboot/Recovery Drivers but the link in Where's my CUPID no longer works. I plugged my a500 into my laptop in fastboot mode but it could not find the drivers either. Any idea where i could find them? Thank you very much for your help.

thehoz78 said:
I've downloaded the OTA TOOL & am trying to download Acer APX/Fastboot/Recovery Drivers but the link in Where's my CUPID no longer works. I plugged my a500 into my laptop in fastboot mode but it could not find the drivers either. Any idea where i could find them? Thank you very much for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the rom you had on there was a Stock rom you OTA'ed, then afterOTA tool is the tool to use to Update the bootloader....you are soft-bricked so none of the tools are much use to you.
Which link in the CPUID guide does not work pls, I shall fix that. Try the one in the root guide in my sig.
If you are not currently flashed to skrilax_cz unlocked bootlader, fastboot will not work.
You're really best to start at the beginning in trying to unbrick.
This means downloading everything you need BEFORE you start.
That means:
Acers website for the acer drivers.
The root guide for the adb/fastboot drivers.
A rom to flash ICS, JB or stock rooted ICS.
The babsector.rar file to unbrick you.
You need to know how to get your tab in apx mode manually.
You also need to run the flash manually. Use the babsector file for that and post any errors you get.
Read thru the root guide in my sig, and make sure you have some understanding of what you're about to do. It makes it a lot easier to have all your files downloaded. The actual flashing process takes about 5 mins.
The babsector file will reset your tabs partitions, flash a recovery so you can do the formats and wipes before flashing your rom. Also installs the v8 unlocked bootloader.

dibb_nz said:
If the rom you had on there was a Stock rom you OTA'ed, then afterOTA tool is the tool to use to Update the bootloader....you are soft-bricked so none of the tools are much use to you.
Which link in the CPUID guide does not work pls, I shall fix that. Try the one in the root guide in my sig.
If you are not currently flashed to skrilax_cz unlocked bootlader, fastboot will not work.
You're really best to start at the beginning in trying to unbrick.
This means downloading everything you need BEFORE you start.
That means:
Acers website for the acer drivers.
The root guide for the adb/fastboot drivers.
A rom to flash ICS, JB or stock rooted ICS.
The babsector.rar file to unbrick you.
You need to know how to get your tab in apx mode manually.
You also need to run the flash manually. Use the babsector file for that and post any errors you get.
Read thru the root guide in my sig, and make sure you have some understanding of what you're about to do. It makes it a lot easier to have all your files downloaded. The actual flashing process takes about 5 mins.
The babsector file will reset your tabs partitions, flash a recovery so you can do the formats and wipes before flashing your rom. Also installs the v8 unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link under DRIVERS: Acer Support for Acer APX/Fastboot/Recovery Drivers. Just loads a Acer error page. I get the same error page when using the link in [GUIDE][ICS] Beginners Guide - Rooting, Flashing, Unbricking.
I downloaded the OTA tool to get my CUPID, tried blackthund3r A500 manager but I need BUSYBOX installed. What would be the easiest way to get my CUPID?
About 3 months ago I bought a manufacturer refurbished motherboard from the States (I'm in Australia) had my local PC shop install it, been working great. The other night it froze & I turned it off & then back on & its won't boot past the acer screen. It's stock, I haven't modified it in any way.

i have iconia a200 got brick

I think I'm having issue with the adb and fast boot drivers..not sure it they are installed. My tab only boots into apx mode. It will launch to bootloader mode while trying any of the tools. .but hands mid way. Doesn't seem the tools see it correctly because no atx devices are detected. The acer picassa driver goes I'm because I see the tab pop up. .but not sure the other drivers are right. So I'm stuck.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

Bricked Tegra Note 7

EVGA Tegra Note 7
4.3 jelly Bean
Used the Super Tool to flash drivers and unlock bootloader.
Installed TWRP Recovery
Rooted using SU
Everything is working great, at this point.
Failed to back anything up
Flashed Shaky's custom Kernal and I couldn't get past the tegra note 7 screen. - at this point I probably could have saved it but doing anything other than what happens next.
Flashed 4.4 stock Rom which has to have reset the Recovery and Debugging is now off.
Do not do what I did. Brick. Any ideas? I can still get into bootloader which is unlocked but my computer no longer recognizes it. Pretty much lost hope on this one. Surprise me if you feel inclined.

I've been trying to sideload via externalSD, the stock 4.3 ROM from the "Tegra Note Discoveries" thread. It actually gets halfway though installation then fails for reasons I can't begin to understand. Most likely because it's rooted and I'm flashing a stock rom. If anyone can find a way to flash the stock Kernel and 4.3 rom I would be grateful.

share_needles said:
I've been trying to sideload via externalSD, the stock 4.3 ROM from the "Tegra Note Discoveries" thread. It actually gets halfway though installation then fails for reasons I can't begin to understand. Most likely because it's rooted and I'm flashing a stock rom. If anyone can find a way to flash the stock Kernel and 4.3 rom I would be grateful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the recovery environment , ..... you are inside the ram disk of, whatever recovery you are running and root status of your system ROM doesnt matter .
Since from the 1st post you have recovered it to the point where you can access the recovery, I think its just matter of getting the correct backup re-installed.
You can request someone with same Branding ( there are 6-7 avent, XOLO etc ) to upload their cwm backup ( minus data, cache ).
Lack of developer / geeky user community is what you get when companies lock their bootloader under disguise of Warranty n stuff.
I havnt been able to gather the courage to play with TN7 like i do with my Nexus7, nexus 4 and Xperia J . ( XJ has some great XDA community btw even after closed BL)

kapil.git said:
In the recovery environment , ..... you are inside the ram disk of, whatever recovery you are running and root status of your system ROM doesnt matter .
Since from the 1st post you have recovered it to the point where you can access the recovery, I think its just matter of getting the correct backup re-installed.
You can request someone with same Branding ( there are 6-7 avent, XOLO etc ) to upload their cwm backup ( minus data, cache ).
Lack of developer / geeky user community is what you get when companies lock their bootloader under disguise of Warranty n stuff.
I havnt been able to gather the courage to play with TN7 like i do with my Nexus7, nexus 4 and Xperia J . ( XJ has some great XDA community btw even after closed BL)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I jumped in the deep end without doing enough research. I have rooted and installed custom ROMs on my android phone without issue but I've never messed around with kernals or had to dig myself out of a device stuck in boot-mode. Instead of learning about a device then modding it, I forced a situation where I modded now need to learn how to fix it.
As novice as I am, still working on getting the correct drivers installed to sideload a backup. My computer will not recognize the ADB device in the stock bootloader but when I boot into recovery it does recognize it so there is definitely a driver issue there.

By kapil.git
You can request someone with same Branding ( there are 6-7 avent, XOLO etc ) to upload their cwm backup ( minus data, cache ).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think more like a dozen brands of TN7.
You should at least tell your brand, would make it less mysterious.
Advent has a stock 4.3 install install via APX mode (although you seem to be only able to use it once, then it locks
the nvflash stuff).

I apologize I have the EVGA Tegra Note.

share_needles said:
I apologize I have the EVGA Tegra Note.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are lucky ... this thread has many posts of the same branding EVGA..
Top posts & stickies also have a AIO post about recovering a unlocked BL device.. download and do it OP.

Hi Guys. Tablet is working fine now. I used multiple files from multiple sources to get this going. Here were the commands to get me back to stock. Obviously there was a lot of playing with commands etc that I cut out. I truly believe this device is unbrickable. I was just stuck in a bootloop.
in short, the issue was with the boot after a kernel flash. The TWRP recovery was flashed back to stock.
Got the drives from SDK download because I'm not slick enough to be able to do it myself.
In fastboot, make sure you have the fastboot file in the folder with your boot.img , recovery.img
fastboot boot boot.img ----got me out of the bootloop temporarily without flashing anything unnecessary
fastboot flash boot.img, flashed the boot.img from Vega Note 7 source files that are out there, I recommend every download those now.
fastboot boot TWRP_recover.img -----messing around be led me in a good direction
From there, I installed the below file from XDA User e8hffff
Forum post and links: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2580287
Backupfile name: productionbl_signed_tn7_114gp_2923379__4.3.zip
I believe that was a full backup of a 4.3 Evga Tegra Note 7 stock. This really helped me out a lot.
Thanks everyone for the help. You can see by the very few command that got this device up and running I am a total noob but I'm figuring it out little by little.
If anyone is in a similar circumstance in the future send me a PM and I may be able to assist you.

[Q] Android Stock Dead after rooted Rom

Please Help,
Two days ago my A500 freezes!
Had to force a shutdown, at start got stuck on Acer logo!
Tried the 4 official updates everyone talked about with no luck!
The only one that solved my problem was the original 3.x Honeycomb ROM:
SD_Acer_A501_Android 3.2.1_4.066.29_COM_GEN1
That Solved!
Then I downloaded a suposed Acer A500 Stock Rom to update from 3.2 to 4.0.3. Didn't notice was a rooted one, update completed then got an error.
ROM used: Acer_A500_Stock_ROM_v1.054.00_ww_gen1_rooted_4.0.3 _ICS
Now I can not even load stock recovery (vol-+ power), only power light turns on and off as i press power. No vibrate, no acer logo only a black screen!!
Can anyone help? Ideias?
PS: The A500 always was stock, no root, no special recevory, etc.
Thanks,
PereiraMan.

update
:fingers-crossed:
For the record it seams that my A500 is in APX mode.
After using a fresh install of Windows 7 with th Acer drivers, the fantastic OTA Tool: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1675939
Detected my A500 as in APX mode, and has an advanced feature specific for those like I stuck on APX mode that let's us Install Bootloader and Recovery.
First try didn't work: I downloaded and tried to install TWRP recovery and ICS Bootloader, it was stuck on FASE 2 (flashing recovery).
Will try this night with A500_Thor_Recovery_1.7.3.a500apx. :fingers-crossed:
Thanks,
PereiraMan.

No luck yet
Not giving up... no yet!
On the Windows Device Manager it detects tha A500 like "Acer USB Boot-recovery Driver"
The other night a think it was different, something like APX...
Any way in the system tray on the USB devices always shows APX device.
APX Tool and OTA Tool detect the A500 in APX mode, but none of them can flash a recovery... Windows Drivers issue?
Because ADB via command prompt doesn't detect the device!
The tools use ADB commands, right? And ADB shoud detect the device in APX mode, right?
Any APX expert?
More info:
in the driver details I have this values: "USB\VID_0955&PID_7820\5&24FD8A70&0&1"
Read somewhere the last digits are the CPUID... calculated the SBK. Hope is correct.
Thanks,
PereiraMan.

ok, first of all we need the patched bootloader to be able to flash a recovery and a custom ICS+ Rom. But to do that, you need to root first, using the ICSRoot tool, see the root guide in my sig for the download.
Then while you are there download the babsector.rar file - this file will install the patched bootloader and a recovery, but more importantly it will output an error if your tab is one of those which has a faulty memory chip. If this is the case then nothing you do will fix this issue
Put your tab into APX mode(do not use otatool or a500 manager to do this for you, you need to do it manually via the buttons) click the a.bat file and follow the onscreen instructions.
IF the bat file runs without error...congratulations, you now have the patched bootloader and recovery. But what you do not have yet is a workable rom...You must now boot DIRECTLY TO RECOVERY (PWR VOL DOWN).
The patched bootloader does not work with HC Roms which is what you still have at the moment, even tho you tried flashing ICS previously. So, flash one of the custom ICS+ roms.
The best thing to do though is wipe all your userdata first before you flash the rom. You can try and get away without the wipe but its not best practice!!!!
Once the rom is flashed you can reboot.
Just a couple of things to note - the a500 is very old now, and so are alot of the roms. You may still have trouble, altho you will have a running system, it may not run as you might want!!! I have not used my tab for this very reason...it freezes or takes along time to do anything like surf the net, emails etx...even using it as a media player seems to be too much for it,lol - I have not tried any of the JB roms, the tab is still on one of the "Flex" series of roms.
But anyway good luck with everything, feel free to ask if you have any issues
rgds dibb

Thanks dibb,
I will try to root, but don't I need the CPUID/UID for that? Everyone tells me that without it I can do nothing...
I'm stuck in APX (my A500 only turns on in apx I have nothing else) and have no CPUID... (i'm installing a Linux right know on a secondary laptop to solve that issue)
Also ICSroot link is not working!
About the A500, I bought it almost 4 years ago it had already ICS update available OTA that I apply in the first day... True it's a litle slow now when loaded with apps... A couple days ago when recovered from the "acer logo" symptom with acer recovery and honeycomb ROM I was susprise how fast it was (and yes without any apps). I was thinking about a light costum ROM or Cyanogen UnOfficial stable (version 10 i think) when i recover it.... Hope so! :fingers-crossed:
Thanks,
PereiraMan.

will try to root, but don't I need the CPUID/UID for that? Everyone tells me that without it I can do nothing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES YOU DO NEED CPUD!! Sorry, did not realise you did not have that. NONE of the auto tools will work without'!-This changes everything.
You are limited to a couple of choices to retrieve your UID
Hope your PC has stored it by you previously having Tabconnected to Pc via USB- there's a tool in my CPUIDGuide,1 forget nowwhat it is called.EDIT: USBdeview
OR
installing Linux.
I am pressed for time right at this minute will await
your reply as to this development
dibb

Success!!!
Finally Got my uid via Linux, was hard to install Linux, all my old CD's where broken, had to create a usb pen!
Anyway, my A500 UID: 0x37001474420a157
But that 17 digits, so realized the leading 0x is not part of the UID!
Flashed Bundle 17 with APX Flash Utility!
Now going to try some ROMs...
Thanks dibb!
PereiraMan

CyanogenMod
Hi dibb!
Just for the record ended up with cyanogen 12 tegraowners ROM (android 5.0.2)!
And did a litle CPU overclock with Thor Recevory from 1ghz to 1.2ghz..
I'm now a happy user of a Acer A500 with 4 years and a new life!
Thanks,
PereiraMan.

PereiraMan said:
Hi dibb!
Just for the record ended up with cyanogen 12 tegraowners ROM (android 5.0.2)!
And did a litle CPU overclock with Thor Recevory from 1ghz to 1.2ghz..
I'm now a happy user of a Acer A500 with 4 years and a new life!
Thanks,
PereiraMan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats awesome news my friend, glad to help

SM-P613. Error vbmeta image.

Hello!
I was recently gifted a Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 SM-P13. I only use my tablet to watch chess videos on Youtube, so I was happy to get a tablet to mess around a bit with it. I did not know much about rooting, but I thought installing Lineage OS and learning from it would be exciting.
I'm good at following instructions, but with some overenthusiasm, I realized that Lineage OS did not support my model a bit too late. So I reached step 5 of "Installing a custom recovery using heimdall" in the official instructions (https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gta4xlwifi/install).
But I could not do step 6 as it could not boot into recovery mode. It will stay in download mode with the following message:
<!>
_partition recovery
Reason recovery: Error verifying vbmeta image: invalid vbmeta header(6)
CUSTOM recovery
VBMETA P613XXU1AVG5, 54410278R
I have looked around to see fixes, but I have felt slightly overwhelmed. So I have installed Odin, and at this moment, as Lineage OS is not an option, I don't care which ROM to install (stock, lite, etc...).
Can someone guide me on what to do now so I won't worsen things?
Thank you for your help in advance!

Hey Pablosky000, have you tried using odin to flash stock firmware to fix it back to how it orignally was?

oFluffy said:
Hey Pablosky000, have you tried using odin to flash stock firmware to fix it back to how it orignally was?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. Liked I said, I feel a bit overwhelmed and risk-averse at the moment. I have Odin installed and a the stock lite version downloaded. Was hoping for a "Try Odin with stock first" before making any further mistakes.

Pablosky000 said:
Hi. Liked I said, I feel a bit overwhelmed and risk-averse at the moment. I have Odin installed and a the stock lite version downloaded. Was hoping for a "Try Odin with stock first" before making any further mistakes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't fully understand whether or not you are wanting to return it to normal or not here, but I do know about the S6 lite. I have my own S6 lite, and I noticed no one has been updating the patched files for it. A recent update forces it to have the file it was talking about, and unless someone makes a specific twrp for that device specifically, we won't be able to use a custom recovery to flash a rom.
If your issue is getting it into recovery mode however, you aren't alone. The Samsung tablet's usually have the same method for launching, but this one specifically was weird.
You have to:
1.Unplug it
2.Hold power and volume down
3. As soon as it turns off plug it back in and begin holding the recovery key buttons
4.If it isn't in recovery you may have just missed the small window you had to do it, which is fine just start from step one until it works.
If you did flash your own recovery and expected it to show the stock Samsung recovery menu, that won't happen since you overwrote it by flashing a recovery. You should be able to find your device model on https://sfirmware.com/
In odin "AP" is where you flash your recovery files. If the device isn't working you may have to also flash the "BL" or binaries for your device. I usually do anyway just to make sure it is going to work correctly. Make sure you have adb, and any Android drivers needed for it to work. Let me know if you need more help! Thanks.

oFluffy said:
I don't fully understand whether or not you are wanting to return it to normal or not here, but I do know about the S6 lite. I have my own S6 lite, and I noticed no one has been updating the patched files for it. A recent update forces it to have the file it was talking about, and unless someone makes a specific twrp for that device specifically, we won't be able to use a custom recovery to flash a rom.
If your issue is getting it into recovery mode however, you aren't alone. The Samsung tablet's usually have the same method for launching, but this one specifically was weird.
You have to:
1.Unplug it
2.Hold power and volume down
3. As soon as it turns off plug it back in and begin holding the recovery key buttons
4.If it isn't in recovery you may have just missed the small window you had to do it, which is fine just start from step one until it works.
If you did flash your own recovery and expected it to show the stock Samsung recovery menu, that won't happen since you overwrote it by flashing a recovery. You should be able to find your device model on https://sfirmware.com/
In odin "AP" is where you flash your recovery files. If the device isn't working you may have to also flash the "BL" or binaries for your device. I usually do anyway just to make sure it is going to work correctly. Make sure you have adb, and any Android drivers needed for it to work. Let me know if you need more help! Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect!!! Thanks a lot. I didn't have much expectation apart from "not bricking it". I just wanted to make sure I did not do anything stupid. Follow your instructions. And it worked perfectly! Thanks a lot for the help! I truly appreciated. I am usually alright at a lot of these things, but I ended up being a bit lost, and just wanted to make sure I stopped doing stupid stuff!
Million thanks!!!!

I am facing a similar issue, but I can't seem to find a recovery image, so can you please help with that? I went to the sfirmware website, but can't locate the recovery image for sm-p613, though I did find it for other models such as p610. At this point, I'm fine with going stock os if it means I haven't bricked the tablet.

mr_scientific127 said:
I am facing a similar issue, but I can't seem to find a recovery image, so can you please help with that? I went to the sfirmware website, but can't locate the recovery image for sm-p613, though I did find it for other models such as p610. At this point, I'm fine with going stock os if it means I haven't bricked the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I softbricked mine with Snapdragon last night. See the fix and link to a working recovery image here. Developer says there's no hope for Snapdragon support for the S6 Lite Wifi now or in the future. Samsung doesn't even support the firmware reload for this device in their own Smart Switch Windows app.

deckardsdream1988 said:
I softbricked mine with Snapdragon last night. See the fix and link to a working recovery image here. Developer says there's no hope for Snapdragon support for the S6 Lite Wifi now or in the future. Samsung doesn't even support the firmware reload for this device in their own Smart Switch Windows app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I managed to get my tablet working. Really wish samsung made the firmware more available.