Database Users

[Solved] Mystery bricked tablet. Black "android systems" screen

I bought an Acer a500 tablet a few days ago not knowing how broken it is.
After loads of research and attempting different techniques I still haven't had any progress.
The software issue:
When booting up the tablet, it goes to the black screen with "android system" at the top and power off/ shutting down in the middle of the screen.
Fixes I've tried:
1.
Since I don't know anything about what operating system is on this tablet, I have been blindly flashing different "stock" (from Vache) versions of HC.
--The android logo with gears shows up, the green bar loads but freezes when it gets 1 cm away from finishing.
--After turning off the tablet and booting it up again, "updating bootloader shows up on the upper left hand corner of the screen. Then a message pops up saying "apk installer: all pre processes complete". Then it returns to the black screen.
2.
The tablet will not go into apx mode (using the reset botton at the bottom).---Fixed. I didn't execute the steps properly. Apx mode works fine.
3.
I plugged the tablet into an older windows laptop and the computer could not install the correct drivers to sync with the tablet. Again also my lack of knowledge. I installed drivers from Acer.com
4.
These two guides seem to be exactly what my problem is but I can't seem to make sense of them:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24531880#post24531880
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572622
This is as far as I've gotten.
Other complications:
--The battery is dead. I have to use it while plugged in by the charger.
--Most of the thread that I have looked at use Megaupload as the source of downloading their files.
--The original owner of the tablet will not help me out. As I stated before, I don't know what version android OS was on here before it was bricked and on top of that the original owner won't answer my questions. As far as I know though, this tablet is not rooted or has anything "non-OEM" installed in it. The story goes that this tablet was bricked when the owner tried to "update" it. Before that, it was functioning perfectly.
-----It looks like Darvis is having the same issue and frustrations I'm having but reading his threads makes me think that this tablet is a dead end.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1427983&page=4
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum...32467-please-help-me-unbrick-my-iconia-5.html
If someone could point me in the right direction toward fixing this tablet, I would appreciate it very much.
Thank you for reading my Thread.

KiwiN said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1572622
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off......I hope u didn't pay much for the tablet.
Secondly the guide above looks pretty straight forward but maybe this is one of the ones that has files at megaupload?
I know that the ra recovery and timmydean's files are accessible as I have downloaded both of them.
Maybe someone who has done this previously will chime in and get you the other file if it is indeed unreachable.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium

I would suggest trying to connect the tab to a Windows 7 PC after installing the USB drivers from ACER. Then check if your device appears in the device manager. As long as you have its UID you can flash the tab from the PC with one of the EUU tools - check my signature on "how to revert to 3.0.1" or TimmyDean's thread which offers an EUU with rooted HC 3.2.1 (it's linked in my thread as well).
How exactly did you try to get into APX mode?
p.s. I have the EUU files if you can't access them from the threads links. I can send them to you.

getting into apx mode
When I perform the steps (hold reset + power for 3 secs then release power); the tablet turns on as it usually does. It goes to the Acer screen, then android and back to the black home screen. My computer responds by saying that it is "installing drivers" but it "fails to install drivers". At the same time I have the DND.exe open and it does not recognize my tablet.
I'm trying to follow the instructions from the root 3.2.1 v4 file.
I can't perform the first step where it instructs me to turn on Usb debugging. The problem is that I can't open the settings by clicking the clock. Nothing happens.
I realize that one complication of my tab is that it will not charge. The battery power is below 15% so none of these fixes might not be effective for me. That might be the ultimate problem?
CyaN1de-
I paid $100 for the tablet. As of this moment I feel like I paid too much.
Thank you both for you quick replies. I have to say that most of the problems that I'm having is because of my lack of experience but I'm learning. I hope I fix this tab soon.

if this dont fix it, i'll give you what you paid for it;0
someone posted a while back that a hard reset fixed the android systems screen error
not sure where you're at now but no harm in trying it
Try using hard reset:
1) Turn off your tablet,
2) Rotation lock s to your left;
3) Press Vol+ (which is next to rotation lock) and power on simultaneously
4) As soon as the tablet vibrates you can release the power on button and you
should start to switch rotation lock left and right till you see
Erasing Userdata...
Erasing Cache...
Vol+ is still pressed;
5) The tablet starts to format
6) Your tablet will be as clean as it can be.

Thanks for the suggestion but I didn't accomplish anything by hard resetting it. I've done this many times and nothing has changed.
I haven't given up on unbricking this tablet yet and even though it's frustrating I'm learning from the process. If I decide to sell it, I'll contact you Dibb.

KiwiN said:
.....
When I perform the steps (hold reset + power for 3 secs then release power); the tablet turns on as it usually does. It goes to the Acer screen, then android and back to the black home screen. My computer responds by saying that it is "installing drivers" but it "fails to install drivers". At the same time I have the DND.exe open and it does not recognize my tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i've seen the 2 methods u described but i've not seen anyone else have success with it apart from the OP'ers - seems OTT to me but hey if it works for ya...
I've used timmydeans method ALOT on HC it never failed to work and that includes reverting back to HC from ICS - if it doesnt work for your issue then id be tempted to use blackthund3rs APXFlash Tool and civato's HC_ICS_Bootloader zip to flash a new bootloader and rom package on yr tab - but for the moment we'll run with td'sv4 - if drivers fail to install then believe me, its a good sign
try this:
I know you-ve probly done it but u need to do it again:
reboot everything, then reinstall acer drivers (yeh i know)
fire up ya tab but dont connect to yr pc just yet -as you said you
doubt usb debugging in enabled so we'll try another way around it
run the prgb20.exe it will scan for the new image but not find it becos youre disconnected...thats good....
after maybe 5 -7 minutes of scanning for the new image - it will show a
window "cannot detect yr iconia tab"
and instructions for getting into apx mode - go ahead connect usb put the tab into apx BUT don't click next until....
the drivers will try to install, dont let windows search but let me choose
(off memory) choose device and adb or android ph should show up here
the acer boot/recovery drivers should install...maybe even under USB Controllers
once they do and only when they do click next to put tab into:
acer download mode.......
as i said this is worth a go,,,,how about the update.zip have u tried that.....
else the only other way i know is apx flash....ya still need to get into apx
mode and if u cant then ???? sometimes youll try something over and over
and then out of the blue it will work...you'll swear you never did anything different , it jsut worked this time.....
hope you find some joy

Thanks Dibb for your words of wisdom. I've put it aside for now but I'm going to pick it up in the morning.

As addition to what dibb_nz said - Windows 7 would do the trick - I'm almost 100% sure you'll be able to connect in APX mode with the drivers properly installed. Then use one of the EUUs.
Drained battery really looks like the ultimate problem now because as far as I know you cannot charge the tab in APX mode - haven't tried that. Eventually I would suggest to crack the tab open, remove the battery and charge it somewhere - I don't know alternative ways but...may be another tab or you own charger with proper connector ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvXihNIdQ1M
p.s. 15% power ... seems enough to flash through the PC...but who knows - don't waste them and get everything you need before starting the procedure.

no probs m8 hope u have better luck tomorrow
if u wanted to try the EC method i have those files if you want them
good luck m8

dibb_nz said:
if drivers fail to install then believe me, its a good sign
try this:
I know you-ve probly done it but u need to do it again:
reboot everything, then reinstall acer drivers (yeh i know)
fire up ya tab but dont connect to yr pc just yet -as you said you
doubt usb debugging in enabled so we'll try another way around it
run the prgb20.exe it will scan for the new image but not find it becos youre disconnected...thats good....
after maybe 5 -7 minutes of scanning for the new image - it will show a
window "cannot detect yr iconia tab"
and instructions for getting into apx mode - go ahead connect usb put the tab into apx BUT don't click next until....
the drivers will try to install, dont let windows search but let me choose
(off memory) choose device and adb or android ph should show up here
the acer boot/recovery drivers should install...maybe even under USB Controllers
once they do and only when they do click next to put tab into:
acer download mode.......
hope you find some joy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I went through all these steps and the TD's V4 tool finishes updating the tab. But then it continues to the same black, android systems screen. And afterwards the tablet won't connect with the computer.
I am currently downloading the update.zip so i'm going to see if that will work.

KiwiN said:
So I went through all these steps and the TD's V4 tool finishes updating the tab. But then it continues to the same black, android systems screen. And afterwards the tablet won't connect with the computer.
I am currently downloading the update.zip so i'm going to see if that will work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do u get on yr tab the big 'PASS' in white leetters or "entering download mode" at all???
think we're beyond update.zip if EUU failed but you can try it -
you can get to apx which is a start - getting a new boot/recovery image on there is the main priority I think...as i posted earlier i've only ever seen a fix for this problem work for 2 people, so on new ground here....
But anyway check out the APXFlash method/walkthru in my sig....all the info is in there and the links to the required files ....do we know if you're on HC or ICS B/L????

I got the word pass; now using recovery mode to flash a rom.
not sure which bootloader I have.
I am using:
Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2: http://vacheandroid.com/files/Acer_...1_COM_GEN2.zip
But after it says install from sdcard complete it also give me the message:
E: Can't mount/ dev/block/mm....
E: Can't mount Cache: recovery/log
E: can't mount open cache: recovery/log
E: Can't mount /dev/block/mm...
found this:
dibb_nz said:
yes if you're talking about the stock roms from vaches thread, you need the full rom package - you cant just use an 'update' package as they need a full rom to work properly....
for instance my original HC3.2.1 Stock build is 7.014.15_COM_GEN1
and theres no FULL Rom for 3.2.1, so i have to use the HC 3.2 FULL instead
.....Acer_A500_7.006.03_COM_GEN1.zip
Once flashed, thankfully I recieve the 2 small OTA Updates to get up to 3.2.1 again
Another couple of days the ICS OTA d/l'ed and installed with no probs....
is that clearer or am i making things worse????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I've learned from this whole process is that all of the obstacles I'm facing are due to my lack of knowledge. Thanks for sticking with me Dibb. I can't thank you enough.

KiwiN said:
When I perform the steps (hold reset + power for 3 secs then release power); the tablet turns on as it usually does. It goes to the Acer screen, then android and back to the black home screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could never get mine into apx mode with the usb cable plugged in. So try that if you haven't. And it is literally hold reset, then press power, without letting up on the reset, release the power button after 3 seconds (use a watch or timer!) then one more second before you release the reset... It does work, but the timing has to be close. It must have a tenth of seconds or less tolerance. Very picky... I've done it on 2 different a500s so far and I am heading to do another tonight. If it doesn't work I'll be right back!!!

KiwiN said:
I got the word pass; now using recovery mode to flash a rom.
not sure which bootloader I have.
I am using:
Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2: http://vacheandroid.com/files/Acer_...1_COM_GEN2.zip
But after it says install from sdcard complete it also give me the message:
E: Can't mount/ dev/block/mm....
E: Can't mount Cache: recovery/log
E: can't mount open cache: recovery/log
E: Can't mount /dev/block/mm...
found this:
What I've learned from this whole process is that all of the obstacles I'm facing are due to my lack of knowledge. Thanks for sticking with me Dibb. I can't thank you enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi m8 Hwya goin - just got home - what's the lay of the land???
Holey motley we just had a good shake....thort was gonna carry on thank fk it stooped, phew, just been awhile since we had one like that, scary
Crikey just as I finished typing "....land"
Back to more important matters..... whr u at m8????

None of the roms I've tried to flash go to completion. I'm stuck at trying to flash different roms from recovery mode. Not much luck with what I've tried but I'm going to try more before I give up.
Are there any particular roms I should try more than once?
Or why am I getting the "error" messages stated earlier?

KiwiN said:
None of the roms I've tried to flash go to completion. I'm stuck at trying to flash different roms from recovery mode. Not much luck with what I've tried but I'm going to try more before I give up.
Are there any particular roms I should try more than once?
Or why am I getting the "error" messages stated earlier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
recovery mode???
u need a new boot and recovery image on that thing
the HC EUU based flash arent working even tho u got a PASS on screen after TDv4
So HC based methods arent up to it. You need nvflash/fastboot.
We need ICS with the unlocked bootloader it has access to another level below where HC worked because HC b/l is and always has been locked down.
If ICS cant fix it, I have no idea what will and my offer to buy is off the table!!!!
check out civatos guide and ready yourself for nvflash via zip files in that post or blackthund3rs APXflash tool, with a complete tutorial for using it, all links in my sig.
good luck

Just to chime in with a tip on getting google drivers to work.
When getting any device not recognized, or driver error, generally I go into windows device manager, select the unknown or offending device, update driver, only I choose which driver to use, and ignore the error message where it says "may not be compatible with your device", and use it anyhow.
I get that occassionally when swapping back and forth between devices.
Also, battery not charging and display errors, are usually a sign of EC Power control. So you were on the right track about that. Once you get a rom up and running, if the batt don't charge, then there are some EC flash's you can do from CWM.

Back at it again using BT's nvflash tool. And tablet is still bricked.
I've tried a few different bundles and none allow me to operate the tablet. Everything goes smoothly and I get "pass" at the end of the process. When I go to reboot the tablet, it gets stuck at the black start up screen.
Found another lead: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1579490
Sounds like he was in the same situation as I am but has a bit more skills and knowledge dealing with problem solving.

You say you were able to flash roms. So apparently recovery is working OK. Have you tried flashing civato's flexreaper? It has code that will detect whether you bootloader is HC or ICS. You may just be flashing a rom that doesn't match your bootloader... I know I'm jumping into the middle of this, but it's just a thought.
Also, when you did the hardware reset with the rotation lock switch did you get the confirmation that it was, in fact, being wiped?
Failing all that, I'd be willing to take it off your hands for spare parts...
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

help

So I have the acer a500 with the stock ics and rooted. i was using my tablet just fine last night and later on went to use it again and now its stuck on the acer screen. i have tried the resets for recovery aND IT does not work. its still stuck on the acer screen. can anyone help me? please. my tablet is the gen2 when i received the ics update if that helps. and as mentioned it was fine until last night. is there a way i can reinstall it with the sd card? i would love the stock image if possible.

Wrong forum section.

nishka256 said:
So I have the acer a500 with the stock ics and rooted. i was using my tablet just fine last night and later on went to use it again and now its stuck on the acer screen. i have tried the resets for recovery aND IT does not work. its still stuck on the acer screen. can anyone help me? please. my tablet is the gen2 when i received the ics update if that helps. and as mentioned it was fine until last night. is there a way i can reinstall it with the sd card? i would love the stock image if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download a stock acer image and place it on a MicroSD under the name of update.zip then boot into recovery
But yes it is the wrong forum section - should be in Q&A doesn't bother me too much but it irritates devs because it's the development forum
Sent from my Iconia A500 using Tapatalk 2

ok
hi, thank you, please im not good at this. can you tell me a link for the stock? and tell me how do i boot it?
thank you

so can anyone direct ne to a sstock zip file of ics for the gen2 acer a500 tablet that works. i have no idea how my tablet got messed up. its stuck on the acer screen. ive tried so many things. i have tried the reset pinhole button, i have downloaded a lot of zip files or roms and tried to do the volume, power button and all i get is a robot with red triangle. i cannot use usb because my computer wont read it not even after downloading drivers. anyone help me please?

nishka256 said:
so can anyone direct ne to a sstock zip file of ics for the gen2 acer a500 tablet that works. i have no idea how my tablet got messed up. its stuck on the acer screen. ive tried so many things. i have tried the reset pinhole button, i have downloaded a lot of zip files or roms and tried to do the volume, power button and all i get is a robot with red triangle. i cannot use usb because my computer wont read it not even after downloading drivers. anyone help me please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what may have happened but the easiest way to fix your tab is to downgrade back to HC using an acer utility called an "EUU". you will need your cpuid for this so i hope you have saved it somewhere.
Look here for 'jazzyjames' tutorial How to rollback to HC - for instructions on how to do this and a link to timmydeans HC EUU - also take a look thru my cpuid post (link in sig) for loads of info and links and even how to get yr cpuid if u dont have it

thanks i tried it and follow instructions numerous times. evry time i get to the step where it says "entering acer download mode on my tablet" on the EUU program on my laptop it says it "failed" so i try and try again with the same results. im running out of options. i dont know what to do.

maybe give this a shot. I've never had to use it myself but it's probably worth a shot.
How to unbrick your tablet -
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1699277

oh heck that doesnt sound too good, i've not heard of the actual EUU "failing" guess thats the result of the usb issue you spoke of!
The "update.zip" method, you have 2 choices here See this thread for all the Official Acer Stock Roms - Ensure you download a "Full" rom and not just one of the update packages....instructions are in the first post...
You need to extract the update.zip and it may need to be decrypted as I said instructions for all this are in the OP!!
method2 - I've tried this once!! I got pretty frustrated real quick. Its a buggy chinese rom - took me a good hour to finally get into flashing a recovery, but it did work and plenty of others
have posted success with it... drkalo has a guide right here
Failing that m8 yr options are very, very few...
Try on a different computer so we can rule that out...or not!
or try to troubleshoot the usb issue....there are the only 2 ways via sdcard or pc/usb...
thinking about it now, in your post you said
"i cannot use usb because my computer wont read it not even after downloading drivers. anyone help me please?"
Not sure I follow, wouldnt have thought you'd get all that way to download mode without USB drivers to begin with.
You have debugging enabled in settings and you connect your cable to your pc but your tab does not show up on your PC in Device Manager???
Are you still on the stock bootloader??what about recovery??

this is what comes up
this is what comes up after trying this methid

nishka256 said:
this is what comes up after trying this methid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this window that pops up saying 'failed' and with instructions to go into apx mode - did u do this? what happened after you did it?
I haven't seen this particular error but normally with the downgrade process you do not have yr tab connected UNTIL you see the "cant detect your iconia tab" window (with similar instructions to enter apx mode manually) did you see this window at all? you do not enter your cpuid until AFTER you have put yr tab in apx mode and connected to yr PC, then the green status bar shows and then you should see "Congratulations".
To check you are in apx mode your tab screen is black and the power light is ON.
Now before you connect yr tab to yr PC open up Device Manager (pc) so you can make sure the apx/usb driver loads when you connect the cable - it will show under "USB Controllers". Once you can confirm the drivers are installed then you should be all good
The drivers are a bit of a pain as there are different ones for each different 'mode' of your tab i.e
USB driver that allows you to see the contents of yr tab from yr PC
ADB driver that allows yr tab and pc to communicate by sending commands to yr tab via yr PC
APX Driver which you normally only see while running HC, but yr PC can sometimes report an error with the "apx device" if the drivers have not installed properly
Acer Boot/Recovery Driver which NEEDS to be installed for any type of nvflash or EUU flash to be successful
Fastboot Driver if you have flashed bootloader v3 up this driver will load when you enter "Fastboot"
This is why folks have trouble with drivers and why we keep telling them "reinstall the drivers!!!" The Acer drivers from acer support AND the Google adb drivers which you can get from the first post of my cpuid thread (link in sig) the zip also has the fastboot drivers and saves you having to download the full android sdk. Having device manager OPEN while attempting any type of flash definitely helps you see whats happening - or not - driver wise...

[Q] Stuck at stage two (unlocking bootloader)

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

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

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

[Q] Bricked A500

Hello, I believe my kid had rebooted my tablet during an OTA update. I've been diligently reading page after page of posts trying everything possible to reflash this.
What I know:
- a500 16GB / win8 server / debian VBox
- a500 was rooted prior to OTA update
- can enter apx ( blk screen, wht power) and recovery mode (loads update.zip)
- I can get most recovery update.zip's to start, but so far, all have failed.
- A500 manager detects a500 in APX mode but states i need to install drivers. (repeated this many times)
- nvflash does not communicate (i'm thinking due to the incompatible drivers)
- "fastboot.exe devices" returns nothing- SBK and CPUID
What I don't know:
- the last version of OS on the a500. Maybe HC?
- if the device retained USB debugging before it bricked
- whether or not I installed CWM or other needed programs (was almost 3 years with no issues)
I have tried any images i can locate; mostly in the forums here. I'm not positive if I can just load them from SD, in recovery boot ( if the files are correct format) or if I need prior steps. I have tried every zip making sure it's "update.zip" although the contents of each are not always the same.
Any ideas or perhaps "guide for idiots" would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
edit: so I have located the CPUID and managed to find a working SBK calculator. Now I'm having issues related to .NET 2.0 when running the nvflash utility? I'll attempt an XP vbox to see if it's now due to win8.
new edit: the drivers don't seem to work on Win 8 or 7. I tried installing an XP vbox but I am not able to activate, therefor install proper utilities for the nvflash program.
It seems I'm stuck, unable to work around the .NET 2.0 conflict and the driver installation.
Perhaps I'll start looking at linux alternatives and hope someone could provide some more of an updated approach.

Check this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1585907 and/or this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2755126 to unbrick your tablet and begin your unlocking process again.

Acer Iconia A500 Stuck "Black Screen"

Hi,
I have an Acer A500 that I'm trying to resurrect after my son tried to root the device. I'm new to this and have checked many sites in search for a solution to this issue (if possible). I'm not sure what all my son did to this device so please bear with me. After reviewing several posts I find my issue unique where as some members may have simular issues I still have not been able to isolate my issues.
The issue: The device is stuck in APX mode with a black screen.
1) The Power Button does illuminate when powered "On" but the screen is "black". There is NO vibration when turned on.
2) The Battery life is good on this device.
3) When the device is powered "On" and connected to my PC the "Blackthund3r A500 manager" display "A500 connected in APX mode. Please Install drivers!"
4) Using Ubuntu I was able to get the "CPUID" and with "SBCalc_v1.1" I was able to get the "SBK".
5) Performing a startup utilizing reset button and On button has no effect
6) Going to "On" with the Vol + pressed has no effect
7) Using "AfterOTA 1.09" on the first "Info" tab under "Tablet Information" it displays Driver "OK driver installed", under USB it displays "ERROR - connect USB cable and enable USB debugging". Everything else displays "waiting for connection". Pressing "Reconnect Tablet" has no effect.
So far that's all I have been able to do to this unit with NO success. I welcome any feedback on this issue.

bricked tablet
best bet is to use babsector
it will install recovery and unlocked bootloader and format all the partions back to default
then you can flash updated recoveries roms etc, from there

freightyard said:
best bet is to use babsector
it will install recovery and unlocked bootloader and format all the partions back to default
then you can flash updated recoveries roms etc, from there
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response. I'm not familiar with that with that program. Will it work even though the other programs show the device not being connected? (I've Used several USB cords with the same result). Where can I get that program?

you will need to install the acer usb drivers to your pc
if it's win 8/10 then you will need to first disable signature enforcement
http://forum.tegraowners.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2196
babsector is a simple forum search

I complied with the driver settings and still no joy. The device stays in the APX mode and nothing seems to helps on connecting the tablet to the PC. Is there any script that will manipulate the tablet setting for connecting using Ubuntu?

can you give the steps you used to obtain the cpuid? im stuck with a black screen. have ubuntu installed on a virtual system, when i run the command for apx the file that comes back does not have the cpuid.

cpuid
Drcharles24 said:
can you give the steps you used to obtain the cpuid? im stuck with a black screen. have ubuntu installed on a virtual system, when i run the command for apx the file that comes back does not have the cpuid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can recover the CPUID by following the instructions at this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2096826
You can then convert your CPUID to SBK with the app here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1810618

tower107 said:
You can recover the CPUID by following the instructions at this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2096826
You can then convert your CPUID to SBK with the app here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1810618
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply. i was already trying out all of those guides. it didn't work at first but i changed a few lines of coding and it worked!!! i was using a 32bit ubuntu, made the suggested changes and also added a different line elsewhere. if anyone needs the apx.c file i used with all the changes already made. let me know.