Database Users

Help returning my A500 to stock

I downgraded my unrooted A500 on 3.2 to the "unstable" 3.0.1
I then rooted it and installed CWM.
Then I made a back up on CWM before flashing another rom.
It worked really well except a couple of bugs (No audio on HDMI and reduced battery life)
I know beggars can't be choosers but I would prefer if EVERYTHING worked.
So....I restored my A500 from the backup of 3.0.1 via CWM with a hope to just returning it back to factory settings and returning to an unrooted 3.2
However, when it tries to do the system update it fails.
I have tried the factory reset and then tried again to update via system update but still fails (I get the blue honeycomb bee with exclamation mark)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a stock 3.2 rom that I can flash via CWM?
or even better, one that means I wont lose root???

Go to this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227 and try method #2...

tumpy said:
Go to this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227 and try method #2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you but that was the original method I used to downgrade and is the rom that CWm restores to from my back up.
The problem I have is upgrading via the system update.
I am currently trying to do it via a different SD card.....

there are some roms around, but you'll need a good knowledge of search button
Here's one, there are more but keep in mind they are near stock rooted roms: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1313757&highlight=stock+rom+rooted&page=1
cheers

This happened to me.
You need to install Acer Recovery from Market and flash the Stock recovery before it will let you update with system updates.

Here is a link to stock rom using cwm but it says its not rooted:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1429199
Since this looks like it keeps cwm in place you should be able to download the flashable version of super user and root your device through recovery.

Just do this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20680452&postcount=137
It will fix your issues, guarantee it. Just read the instructions in the readme.
TD

starkiller86 said:
This happened to me.
You need to install Acer Recovery from Market and flash the Stock recovery before it will let you update with system updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I understand, Acer Recovery flashes the US version of stock recovery??
My tablet is a UK one. I did try this before a ALMOST bricked it. I managed to recover it using a previous backup I had made.

timmyDean said:
Just do this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20680452&postcount=137
It will fix your issues, guarantee it. Just read the instructions in the readme.
TD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This did the trick!
Thanks for the heads up

Help with my Iconia A501!

I have installed the ICS V4 bootloader and everything is fine. (it has the big PASS thing). I can boot up to HC 3.2.1 fine as well.
However, when I go to press power+volume down, I get "booting from recovery kernal image" then it switches to a picture of the android with a caution sign.
Do I have to root my device and install CWM or something? (sorry I'm still quite noob at this, I haven't rooted yet). Didn't I already install this when I installed the bootloader?
Thanks in advance!

Booting stock HC and stock ICS after installation of ICS BL overwrites recovery.
Follow civatos guide for installing ICS BL V4:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
And do all the steps.
Greetings
edit: on Moscow's advice ;-)

HalloSpencer said:
Booting stock HC after installation of ICS BL overwrites recovery.
Follow civatos guide for installing ICS BL V4:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
And do all the steps.
Greetings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This includes Stock ICS Roms also

Thanks guys. I immediately booted to recovery after installing the bootloader. Now I have ICS running.
If I wanted to update to the V5 bootloader, could I do it without reinstalling my rom?
You guys are awesome

jgv115 said:
Thanks guys. I immediately booted to recovery after installing the bootloader. Now I have ICS running.
If I wanted to update to the V5 bootloader, could I do it without reinstalling my rom?
You guys are awesome
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can put the v5 bootloader.blob in a flash.zip and flash through CWM. That's one method. This became available as of ver4.
The other would be to run the NVFlash again you used previously, and install only the bootloader (apx?). Your CWM and Rom should remain intact.
I use Blackthund3r's flash exe to install my .bin files. (gives some funny windows error but always completes) I just toss the new bootloader.bin in the same folder as the exe app. Also the latest recovery image. Do them both at the same time.
So basically 3 methods. Also, check your new UID number and make sure you convert it to SBK like you did the last time. ICS usually changes the UID number sometimes. I usually keep all UID's and SBK's written down.

Moscow Desire said:
If I'm not mistaken, I believe you can put the v5 bootloader.blob in a flash.zip and flash through CWM. That's one method. This became available as of ver4.
The other would be to run the NVFlash again you used previously, and install only the bootloader (apx?). Your CWM and Rom should remain intact.
I use Blackthund3r's flash exe to install my .bin files. (gives some funny windows error but always completes) I just toss the new bootloader.bin in the same folder as the exe app. Also the latest recovery image. Do them both at the same time.
So basically 3 methods. Also, check your new UID number and make sure you convert it to SBK like you did the last time. ICS usually changes the UID number sometimes. I usually keep all UID's and SBK's written down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you pm me that windows error please? I think it's to do with my mode detection code being stopped abruptly but I want to have it fixed properly for v0.3.3
Sent from my Iconia A500 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Using afterOTA to update bootloader and nothing changed?

I read and re-read the development thread for AfterOTA and I found nothing on this problem. I will outlay the steps I took. I downloaded AfterOTA lite v1.7 and connected my tab to it and saved the txt file. (I can list the full output if needed) the Bootloader was as follows:
bootloader: 0.03.0X-HC
Android Build: FLEXREAPER RF1_rv1_Acer_AV041_A500_1.031_033_041.00_CUS_WW_GEN1
I booted into Recovery and found the version number.
My custom recovery: ClockworkMod Recovery v5.0.0.0(thor2002ro rev1.3.4)
I bought this from a friend and didn't do all the modding myself which I am new to the Iconia a500 (but not new to Rooting, Romming, Recovering) so I am a little in the dark on where to go from here.
I downloaded AfterOTA 1.7 (the Full version) and clicked on the "standard" tab and chose the install "bootloader ICS v 3.14.7 + recovery thor v1.7.3" and clicked the "for 50x"
It shut the tablet down said booting into APX, did the whole thing and at the end it said "complete, you can power down your tablet with the power button and boot back up"
I powered it down it booted up fine but when I reconnected it to afterOTA it dosent read the CPuid (it just says "0") and the bootloader space is blank.
Everything works, I can use it as I normally would but I want to install the new flexreaper and thought I might as well update the Bootloader and recovery to get up to current on everything. Thank you for any help you can give me in understanding what happened and what I may have done wrong. BTW I did disable all antivirus and UAC and rebooted before running AfterOTA.

You're probably ok. You just need to flash a "real" ICS rom like Flexreaper Extreme I would guess.
When you boot your tab, you should see some text in the left corner like "Skirlax_CZ's bootloader version xxxxxx" If you do, then bootloader is probably ok. Boot into your recovery and check your recovery version.
MD

I dont have anything come up when i boot other than a big white acer logo and then it does two smaller acer white logos side by side. Then it does the android boot animation. I booted into recovery and it is thor v5 not the one i had chosen in afterOTA. I just want to know what to do from here. Should i try again or use another method?

I just dont want to flash an ICS Rom without the ICS bootloader.and is there another way other than afterOTA to check the boot loader version?

york629 said:
I just dont want to flash an ICS Rom without the ICS bootloader.and is there another way other than afterOTA to check the boot loader version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, after ota didn't work then. You should have seen the txt immediately on boot. (the split acer tells me it's a HC modified ICS kernel in the rom).
You could try manually flashing the bootloader with NVFlash.
My theory, is that you should install the OTA/Full version of ICS. This will install the stock bootloader, then, you can run the after OTA app. Reason being, is that my theory is that the real ICS bootloader creates something the HC BL doesn't. And when you try NVFlashing the unlocked bootloader, it just doesn't take. It's been happening several times recently.

Is there a forum guide on installing the OTA/full version of ICS? Would I basically bring it to stock bootloader and ROM then use AfterOTA to flash the new bootloader and recovery? Sorry for the n00bish questions, every device seems to use different methods and when I didn't start with the thing until after someone else did the initial stuff I dont want to mess it up, this is a really nice tablet. Thanks for the help, You guys are the best on here.

Yep, you are basically taking it back to stock then using afterOTA to install the new bootloaders but most importantly get root access and a new open recovery...

Is the best way to go stock by using afterOTA? Or should I just try a different method on the forums?

It clearly states on AfterOTA's first post that it does not work on custom roms and only the OTA so yes, download the ota ruu and install it. Then run afterota and you will be able to install a custom rom after that. Or use blackthunders apx tool to update the bootloader.

yes, that was an over sight on my part, I was excited to update everything so easily. where/what is the OTA RUU ? sorry to be a pain but if you could just point me to a forum guide on going completely stock I would appreciate it. I don't see anywhere to get the OTA update.zip file I need to flash, I found this here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878 is this the post I need? and do I need the update or the full package? does it matter if I use the honeycomb full package if I am just going to use afterOTA to install an ICS bootloader and recovery?

Red ! when trying to go into recovery after OTA ICS upgrade?

Quick question for the guru's... I just realized that I can't get into recovery since doing the OTA ICS upgrade and rooting. I have both Acer Recovery Installer and ROM Manager, so I'm guessing I'll be fine using either to install a new recovery, but was curious if doing so would impact being able to get future OTA upgrades or not? I've done custom ROMs in the past, but I'm sticking with the stock OTA and rooting them at the moment and just wanted to double-check that a new recovery (or installing clockwork recovery) won't impact future upgrades.
Thanks for any advise!
JM

OK, I gave it a couple weeks - so I've got to give it a <bump> at this point.
Any advise?
Thanks!

JackMetal said:
OK, I gave it a couple weeks - so I've got to give it a <bump> at this point.
Any advise?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will assume you have stock bootloader? (the one that came with the OTA)
First off, don't use ROM Manager. It's for phones. Although it runs on tablets, you run a high risk of bricking your device if you use it.
Secondly, you have to be rooted before installing CWM. The most important is deleting the "boot-recovery" file located in the /system directory. Otherwise, whenever you boot your tab, the CWM will get overwritten. Instructions for this can be found in Civato's bootloader guide in the Dev section. Pretty easy to find.
There are also some handy apps, like After OTA for example. Like AcerRecovery, you should be able to install a CWM on your tab. I would use EZTerry's Public Recovery or Thor ver 1.7.3 CWM.
As far as future OTA, it will not effect the ability to get one provided you are running a stock rom. The only thing, when taking an OTA, you will lose root and recovery. And, there always is, as with any OTA, a risk the OTA will fail.
MD

MD, Thank You very much for the advice. While sitting in the airport with delays yet again, I finally had time to check the forum. Yes, I still have the stock boot loader. I am very glad you mentioned NOT using ROM Manager, as that was the method I was leaning towards using.
I'll take a look at Civato's guide this weekend (if my flight ever leaves and I can make it home).
Thanks again for the advice!
Moscow Desire said:
I will assume you have stock bootloader? (the one that came with the OTA)
First off, don't use ROM Manager. It's for phones. Although it runs on tablets, you run a high risk of bricking your device if you use it.
Secondly, you have to be rooted before installing CWM. The most important is deleting the "boot-recovery" file located in the /system directory. Otherwise, whenever you boot your tab, the CWM will get overwritten. Instructions for this can be found in Civato's bootloader guide in the Dev section. Pretty easy to find.
There are also some handy apps, like After OTA for example. Like AcerRecovery, you should be able to install a CWM on your tab. I would use EZTerry's Public Recovery or Thor ver 1.7.3 CWM.
As far as future OTA, it will not effect the ability to get one provided you are running a stock rom. The only thing, when taking an OTA, you will lose root and recovery. And, there always is, as with any OTA, a risk the OTA will fail.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Moscow Desire said:
....
Secondly, you have to be rooted before installing CWM. The most important is deleting the "boot-recovery" file located in the /system directory. Otherwise, whenever you boot your tab, the CWM will get overwritten. Instructions for this can be found in Civato's bootloader guide in the Dev section. Pretty easy to find.
There are also some handy apps, like After OTA for example. Like AcerRecovery, you should be able to install a CWM on your tab. I would use EZTerry's Public Recovery or Thor ver 1.7.3 CWM...
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
blackthund3r said:
Quick point dibb, you can't flash a bootable recovery without a patched boot loader, but you can install recovery without rooting (although if it's stock the ROM will overwrite the recovery)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
original discussion from afterOTA thread

Complete return to stock woes

Hey peeps
Ok so here's what I had:
A500 with ICS unlocked bootloader, CWM 10.1 and Thor recovery.
I've upgraded to a Samsung note and now want to flick off my A500. But before I do that I need to return to complete stock. I followed another websites guide (stupid me XDA all the way!) and now ended up in a pickle!
What the other website recommended was to download the OTA ICS (which I already had) and flash it like a normal ROM. I did that and the bootloader is still unlocked and I am not able to gain root on the custom ROM to repair the recovery (which gives me the little android on his back with red "!").
So here's where things get tricky. I can't regain root because ADB isn't detecting my device. I've tried every tool in blackthunders bag of tricks and they all come back saying "Done" but they don't actually work. I do have ATX mode and fastboot.
Can someone please help me figure out how to:
Get ADB working
Load stock bootloader
Get stock recovery back?
Thanks in advance!
PS: I've tried searching the forums and followed a number of threads and how to's but none seem to work for me

Ok update on this. I'm such a moron! I removed ADB drivers and re-installed. Once I got ADB working I simply used afterota (forgot I had it!) to flash stock and then do the update.zip trick