Database Users

[Q] Restore to Original Settings

Hello Guys!
I just bought an Acer A500 in the US, and im having some troubles with the upadtes! I updated once, and everything was ok, and, after a while, a new update was available and I tried to update it again. I downloaded this 14Mb update, and when the sistem was loading it, it sudenly turned off! Now when I turn my tablet on, it shows the acer logo, the android looks to be loading, and then, it goes to the initial screen, but the touch screen doesn't work, and, after a while it turns off.
I'm not very sure, because I don't know very much about this kinds of things, but I think I should flash the Acer_A500_1.104.02_COM_GEN1 full rom! But I can't find it anywhere, since the link in this post: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878 isn't working! I'm not intending to root it, but, if it's the only choice, I will do it!
Can someone help me?? Sorry for the not very good english =p

Flash HoneyComb 3.2
Try to flash some of the HoneyComb 3.2 full packages instead.
You can probually pick any of the HoneyComb 3.2 links from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878.

Do you already have recovery installed or was it totally stock?
Not sure which file you tried downloading that the link was broken, try a newer version maybe?
Try following these directions:
Try this:
- download acer stock Rom for the device found here : http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1113878
- unzip file and copy update.zip to external sd, root folder
- Boot Iconia tab in recovery Mode (press and hold volume down + power button)
- wait and pray...
- tab should reboot
Credit to MadMax5, that was his post found in another topic.

Thank you very much, guys! But it didn't worked ;/
I downloaded the SD_Acer_A500_7.006.03_COM_GEN1_full_user, Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2 and Acer_A500_4.010.38_COM_GEN1! Tried them all, but none has worked...
I press the volume down + power button, the recovery starts, but when it's almost ending the tablet stops working! The android logo with three "gears" inside stops moving...
I've never tried to recover my tablet before, and never rooted it also... What could be going on?? What else can I do? Thank you very much!!

I bought it from a small store in the US when I was there, and I'm afraid it was refurbished... and maybe it was rooted already. Is it possible? How can I check if it is rooted without turning it on?
Please, help me someone! Here in Brazil it's dificult to contact Acer... Thank you

Also, my mother has another iconia a500 that is working, so I think I could use it somehow...

Nobody??? :/

....... :////

Try using the second method of this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1276227 later install the Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2 rom with the Recovery

Thank you very much, Edd!! I'm going to try it. I only have one question: I don't want to root my tablet, so, I only have to flash the unstable downgrade, and then flash the Acer_A500_7.006.01_COM_GEN2, right?? Or do I have to flash the unstable downgrade and root it to use the acer recovery installer?
Thank you very much man, I was almost hopeless! hehe

It didn' worked... ;/ I can't even install the unstable HC... the "downgrade" starts, but whent it is almost ending, the tablet stops working. The same that happens with every other update.zip file...

sorry to hear this.
i think maybe you can contact with acer us to see whether the manufactor can provide some help as well.

Yeah, I'm going to do it... Thank you anyway!

[Solved]ACER Iconia A501 3g/wifi TAB - Help with root/ROM install (TimmyDean method)

Hi everyone.
Just repeating again - the model I have is A501 on stock 3.2.1 Honeycomb - a more USEFUL tablet with 3G and WIFI capabilities...One would think it would be a much more popular model, but the A501 doesn't have its own board on XDA; its merged with this board for the less practical A500. Basically, I have created this thread as I don't want to take any 'extra' risks in successfully installing ROOT with the CORRECT ROM with the most updated version of Android available for this tab, for example Jellybean...
Another A501 user, beny9 posted:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1745550
Following TimmyDean's method (thank you) I have now managed to install 3.2 Honeycomb A500 ROM with success after completing steps 1-15 inclusive from his README file. As you will know, I don't have 3G or GPS functionality, so I need a stock A501 ROM to install.
I have found:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113878
Is my best bet to install Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1 : http://cdn.a1.futuredial.com/Acer_A5...2_35b68c5d.zip from that above link, which will keep me on HC 3.2 but now, it will be the ROM for the A501? As it seems the only other NEWER Acer updates for ICS are A500 only...
Can someone link me the a fully detailed video or post on here on installing the ROM i mentioned above (if that's the best one to go with, given what I'm on now; A500 3.2 and still keeping root), or to install some other A501 ROM which is for at least Jellybean or ICS?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1828876
Per this link, shoukd i just use the update.zip (for the 3.2 HC A501 ROM) put it on the SD card then boot up holding POWER + VOL DOWN until the file auto-installs?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1099673
Before I can try the above, I also have trouble after i download the ROM's zip file when I try to unzip. I have downloaded the Acer Update Decrypter, but AVG antiVirus will not allow me to run the EVE file even as an administrator. What should i do?
Thanks
RoOSTA

Your best bet is to install a good 501 HC 3.2 and get on HC for your 501.
The files are available. What you'll probably want is a full HC Update rom for the 501. Note that some of these Acer roms are encrypted, so you'll need to decrypt it first. You can find the decrypting tool in the Themes and Apps forum, as a "Sticky". After decrypting, you can pull the update.zip out of it, and copy to Ext SD (do not extract, just pull the update file out). Boot the tab holding Vol- and PWR I believe. Might be Vol+ but I can't remember. This should force the tab to look for update.zip on your SD and install it.
I would use this one;
Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1
After it installs, and you get it set up, you need to get Acer Update Enhancer from the Play Store. This will allow your tab to get the ICS OTA.
Keep in mind, there is only 1 official ICS OTA update for the 501, so don't expect more. It may do it in 2 steps though.
If you want root on ICS, there is really only 1 way to get true root and adb system remounts. And that's to flash the V8 unlocked ICS Bootloader, and flash an insecure boot.image. There's currently a small package that'll give you somewhat root, but it's a pain and really doesn't do a good job. So it's better to get the V8 and unsecure boot image. Might be a good idea to also install CWM Recovery at the same time.
Get the correct rom installed first, then check back if you need help.
Oh yeah, one more thing. When you are on HC 3.2, get your UID number and write it down somewhere. You need this as a safety precaution. There's a good sticky thread on how to do it. Pretty simple really.
MD

Ugh. I have a pain in the A$$ version of AVG...even under advanced settings there was no disable options. Managed to figure it out to run the Acer Decrypter EXE and fix the image you have advised I should download and flash. Will give that a go now...
Thanks again!

Just to fill you in, this issue is solved.
1. Used TimmyDeans rollback V4 tool to a 500 rom
2. SD card was not recognized in CWM or Stock recovery. Was however recognized in the HC OS.
3. Formatted SD Card using Mini Tool formatting app. Format primary partition only to fat32 (defaults)
4. Decrypted and pulled update.zip from this 501 HC full update rom
Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816560
5. Did OTA update to 3.2.1
6. No more OTA available, even after installing Acer Update Enhancment tool.
7. Downloaded and used Blackthund3rs Bootloader management app
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
8.Downloaded V8 and CWM package, unzipped to the same folder as the tool
9. Ran the 500NVFlashapx app.
10. After completion, booted to CWM recovery, wiped and formatted, and install Moscow Desire's RaptorX almost stock ICS rom.
Works as advertised.
MD

Yep. All thanks to MD's patience and assistance throughout these steps..
Moscow Desire said:
Just to fill you in, this issue is solved.
1. Used TimmyDeans rollback V4 tool to a 500 rom
2. SD card was not recognized in CWM or Stock recovery. Was however recognized in the HC OS.
3. Formatted SD Card using Mini Tool formatting app. Format primary partition only to fat32 (defaults)
4. Decrypted and pulled update.zip from this 501 HC full update rom
Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1816560
5. Did OTA update to 3.2.1
6. No more OTA available, even after installing Acer Update Enhancment tool.
7. Downloaded and used Blackthund3rs Bootloader management app
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
8.Downloaded V8 and CWM package, unzipped to the same folder as the tool
9. Ran the 500NVFlashapx app.
10. After completion, booted to CWM recovery, wiped and formatted, and install Moscow Desire's RaptorX almost stock ICS rom.
Works as advertised.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Acer A501 OS refreshment
Moscow Desire said:
Your best bet is to install a good 501 HC 3.2 and get on HC for your 501.
The files are available. What you'll probably want is a full HC Update rom for the 501. Note that some of these Acer roms are encrypted, so you'll need to decrypt it first. You can find the decrypting tool in the Themes and Apps forum, as a "Sticky". After decrypting, you can pull the update.zip out of it, and copy to Ext SD (do not extract, just pull the update file out). Boot the tab holding Vol- and PWR I believe. Might be Vol+ but I can't remember. This should force the tab to look for update.zip on your SD and install it.
I would use this one;
Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1
After it installs, and you get it set up, you need to get Acer Update Enhancer from the Play Store. This will allow your tab to get the ICS OTA.
Keep in mind, there is only 1 official ICS OTA update for the 501, so don't expect more. It may do it in 2 steps though.
If you want root on ICS, there is really only 1 way to get true root and adb system remounts. And that's to flash the V8 unlocked ICS Bootloader, and flash an insecure boot.image. There's currently a small package that'll give you somewhat root, but it's a pain and really doesn't do a good job. So it's better to get the V8 and unsecure boot image. Might be a good idea to also install CWM Recovery at the same time.
Get the correct rom installed first, then check back if you need help.
Oh yeah, one more thing. When you are on HC 3.2, get your UID number and write it down somewhere. You need this as a safety precaution. There's a good sticky thread on how to do it. Pretty simple really.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am embarking on a very crucial mission for my Acer A501 . Its tablet OS refreshment. I have spoken and written to Acer but all my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. At last i stumbled on this site and WOW ! I am downloading the Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1 and will flash as per the instruction. But I am finding difficult to locate the "sticky" software for the decryption the above. can you please help me locate the same.
I really appreciate your help and thank you in advance

jonnybrave said:
I am embarking on a very crucial mission for my Acer A501 . Its tablet OS refreshment. I have spoken and written to Acer but all my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. At last i stumbled on this site and WOW ! I am downloading the Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1 and will flash as per the instruction. But I am finding difficult to locate the "sticky" software for the decryption the above. can you please help me locate the same.
I really appreciate your help and thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the decryption tool. Located in themes and apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869505
Good Luck!
MD

Trouble installing update.zip for A501
Moscow Desire said:
Here is the decryption tool. Located in themes and apps.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869505
Good Luck!
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi MD,
I have Acer Iconia A501 tablet. My tablet suddenly showed andriod logo with exclamation mark when it was being used. Upon looking at your posts, I found the resolution which I tried. I am not expert in this all, but I tried running your ROM "41-124-01-A500-update" from one of your posts which was actually meant for A500. This resolved the issue successfully and tablet was up and running.
Then further I found full ROM for A501 as mentioned below and thought that I should try the ROM meant for the model of my tablet.
I successfully decrypted the ROM that you mentioned "Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1"
When I tried to update it with the mentioned ROM update.zip, it did updated it from SD card and passed android symbol with those gears running. However, when it restarted the tablet by itself, it showed ACER logo and then it showed "ANDROID" (spelling in blue color) which kept on flikering slowly for long long time....for more than 30 minutes and did not moved further. Can you please let me know whats could be wrong?
I also tried ICS ROM, but that didn't worked (it failed). So after couple of trail and error, I moved back to A500 ROM update.zip which I knew that is installing successfully.
Can you please let me know what shall be done in case I want update.zip for A501? It will be highly appreciated if you can upload update.zip directly that I can use and that gets installed successfully.
Regards,
Muk

mukapril said:
Hi MD,
I have Acer Iconia A501 tablet. My tablet suddenly showed andriod logo with exclamation mark when it was being used. Upon looking at your posts, I found the resolution which I tried. I am not expert in this all, but I tried running your ROM "41-124-01-A500-update" from one of your posts which was actually meant for A500. This resolved the issue successfully and tablet was up and running.
Then further I found full ROM for A501 as mentioned below and thought that I should try the ROM meant for the model of my tablet.
I successfully decrypted the ROM that you mentioned "Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1"
When I tried to update it with the mentioned ROM update.zip, it did updated it from SD card and passed android symbol with those gears running. However, when it restarted the tablet by itself, it showed ACER logo and then it showed "ANDROID" (spelling in blue color) which kept on flikering slowly for long long time....for more than 30 minutes and did not moved further. Can you please let me know whats could be wrong?
I also tried ICS ROM, but that didn't worked (it failed). So after couple of trail and error, I moved back to A500 ROM update.zip which I knew that is installing successfully.
Can you please let me know what shall be done in case I want update.zip for A501? It will be highly appreciated if you can upload update.zip directly that I can use and that gets installed successfully.
Regards,
Muk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Muk, I can probably guess the ROM you installed doesn't do data wipes and such, so it caused an animation loop.
Try this one. It's an SD ROM, so it "should" wipe your Data, along with installing the ROM.
https://mega.co.nz/#!NZBlBSLQ!mOHICp7gbinkYeHCvrEz7aKXsWQjjquAWq_XC_lSQzk
As you probably discovered, Acer has pretty much removed almost all tablet ROMs. I snagged a few the other day, then checked yesterday, and they removed all from their support site.
I would guess they are getting out of the tablet business.
Also, they shut down their OTA Update servers for a few months now.

Acer A501
mukapril said:
Hi MD,
I have Acer Iconia A501 tablet. My tablet suddenly showed andriod logo with exclamation mark when it was being used. Upon looking at your posts, I found the resolution which I tried. I am not expert in this all, but I tried running your ROM "41-124-01-A500-update" from one of your posts which was actually meant for A500. This resolved the issue successfully and tablet was up and running.
Then further I found full ROM for A501 as mentioned below and thought that I should try the ROM meant for the model of my tablet.
I successfully decrypted the ROM that you mentioned "Acer_A501_1.309.02_4.031.24_COM_GEN1"
When I tried to update it with the mentioned ROM update.zip, it did updated it from SD card and passed android symbol with those gears running. However, when it restarted the tablet by itself, it showed ACER logo and then it showed "ANDROID" (spelling in blue color) which kept on flikering slowly for long long time....for more than 30 minutes and did not moved further. Can you please let me know whats could be wrong?
I also tried ICS ROM, but that didn't worked (it failed). So after couple of trail and error, I moved back to A500 ROM update.zip which I knew that is installing successfully.
Can you please let me know what shall be done in case I want update.zip for A501? It will be highly appreciated if you can upload update.zip directly that I can use and that gets installed successfully.
Regards,
Muk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A big thank you to Moscow. I have tried the above link but still no go.. I have seen on Acer website they have updated the OS but all Android 4.0 ICS and nothing with Honeycomb. The tablet was initially with Honeycomb. Please advice. Thank you and Best Regards.

Trouble installing ROM for A501
jonnybrave said:
A big thank you to Moscow. I have tried the above link but still no go.. I have seen on Acer website they have updated the OS but all Android 4.0 ICS and nothing with Honeycomb. The tablet was initially with Honeycomb. Please advice. Thank you and Best Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi MD,
Thanks for your super fast response. I am downloading the ROM for A501 from the link provided by me. I will update you if it works in my tab.
I forgot to mention you about one message that I received once tablet is restarted. So, once ROM for A501 from SD card has performed its job successfully....that is that android symbol with gears in its tummy is successfully finished and tablet restarts. It shows "Acer" (spelling logo) and then after it gets stuck at "android" (spelling logo). Between these two, it displays two lines messages on top left corner for 2-3 seconds that the "blob is illegal - abort" and then gets stuck at "android" (spelling logo). I think this might be useful for you to identify something.
Another thing about wiping out the data, in starting when we press volume down and power button, it does display message about SD card (still not not sure about whether it might be wiping out the data or not....I believe you might be correct that it might not be wiping out the data).
Another thing, that I found in my backup is that when I purchased this tab (A501), I downloaded HoneyComb 3.2 Kernel Source Code from the Acer support site. Is this something that you can do magic with and provide me with update.zip? Please let me know....if you can do magic with this, then let me know how shall I share it with you.
Regards,
Muk

Trouble installing ROM for A501
Hi MD,
Thanks for your super fast response.
I tried downloading the ROM for A501 from the link provided by you. It downloaded it from the cloud, but at the very end it displayed message "Decryption Error". Still I tried extracting "update.zip" from the zip file, but it displayed message that the archive is corrupt and file is corrupt. Can you please check at your end and provide me with fresh link or directly with update.zip? For your reference I have attached screenshots of errors.
I forgot to mention you about one message that I received once tablet is restarted. So, once ROM for A501 from SD card has performed its job successfully....that is that android symbol with gears in its tummy is successfully finished and tablet restarts. It shows "Acer" (spelling logo) and then after it gets stuck at "android" (spelling logo). Between these two, it displays two lines messages on top left corner for 2-3 seconds that the "blob is illegal - abort" and then gets stuck at "android" (spelling logo). I think this might be useful for you to identify something.
Another thing about wiping out the data, in starting when we press volume down and power button, it does display message about SD card (still not not sure about whether it might be wiping out the data or not....I believe you might be correct that it might not be wiping out the data).
Another thing, that I found in my backup is that when I purchased this tab (A501), I downloaded HoneyComb 3.2 Kernel Source Code from the Acer support site. Is this something that you can do magic with and provide me with update.zip? Please let me know....if you can do magic with this, then let me know how shall I share it with you.
Regards,
Muk

Trouble installing ROM for A501
Hi MD,
Please read my earlier message and then read this one.
Thanks a lot....your answer about my first problem resolved everything.... (your answer was "that the ROM that I am trying to install is not clearing the data"...I verified that the ROM is clearing the cache, but not the user data. I can confidently say that you correctly identified the issue as when the ROM installation was stuck at "android"....I switched off my tablet and tried installing again the old ROM for A500 which I knew that it is working and instead of asking me to configure the tablet (i.e. time zone, date & time setup, etc.) after installation, it simply logged in and started my tablet as usual....that means that when I was trying to install ROM for A501, it was not clearing user data and was then hanging).
Now coming back to the link that you sent me in previous message, I was able to download the zip file successfully in the second attempt. I extracted the update.zip and it did not work. It showed the similar problem of getting stuck at "android". However, with your great answer that you gave me, I cleared the user data and cache manually by pressing vol up + power buttons simultaneously and then when "acer" symbol displays, releasing only power button and turning on and off the lock button. This cleared user data and cache. After that, since update.zip (that you provided) was already in my SD card, it installed the ROM and tablet works perfectly. Thanks a lot....:good:
One question, when it asked me about the zone, it had only few countries like US, UK, etc. I couldn't find Australia...is it because this ROM not for Australia? I understand that this is not an issue, but if you find anything for Australia, do send me.
Another thing, is this HoneyComb 3.2? Will 3G and GPS work in this one?
Do let me know if you can do some magic with HoneyComb 3.2 kernel source code that I have as mentioned earlier.
Regards,
Muk

mukapril said:
Hi MD,
Please read my earlier message and then read this one.
Thanks a lot....your answer about my first problem resolved everything.... (your answer was "that the ROM that I am trying to install is not clearing the data"...I verified that the ROM is clearing the cache, but not the user data. I can confidently say that you correctly identified the issue as when the ROM installation was stuck at "android"....I switched off my tablet and tried installing again the old ROM for A500 which I knew that it is working and instead of asking me to configure the tablet (i.e. time zone, date & time setup, etc.) after installation, it simply logged in and started my tablet as usual....that means that when I was trying to install ROM for A501, it was not clearing user data and was then hanging).
Now coming back to the link that you sent me in previous message, I was able to download the zip file successfully in the second attempt. I extracted the update.zip and it did not work. It showed the similar problem of getting stuck at "android". However, with your great answer that you gave me, I cleared the user data and cache manually by pressing vol up + power buttons simultaneously and then when "acer" symbol displays, releasing only power button and turning on and off the lock button. This cleared user data and cache. After that, since update.zip (that you provided) was already in my SD card, it installed the ROM and tablet works perfectly. Thanks a lot....:good:
One question, when it asked me about the zone, it had only few countries like US, UK, etc. I couldn't find Australia...is it because this ROM not for Australia? I understand that this is not an issue, but if you find anything for Australia, do send me.
Another thing, is this HoneyComb 3.2? Will 3G and GPS work in this one?
Do let me know if you can do some magic with HoneyComb 3.2 kernel source code that I have as mentioned earlier.
Regards,
Muk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm mobile right now, so can't go into big detail.
In your settings, about tablet, you can always find info on which specific OS you have. If you indeed have an A501 and the settings tells you that your tablet is a 501, then your 3g and GPS should function.
The only 2 differences between an A500 and an A501 is of course 3g. Also, they use different GPS radios. So you can install 500 Roms on a 501 and vice versa. Just the above 2 items won't work. Also, I believe I gave you a 3.2.x ROM. Getting it to ICS 4.0.4 may be a problem.
I revived my own 501 last night by putting the motherboard in the oven, but now it doesn't read my ext SD card, so I may be stuck on 3.2. Eh, no problem.

mukapril said:
Hi MD,
Please read my earlier message and then read this one.
Thanks a lot....your answer about my first problem resolved everything.... (your answer was "that the ROM that I am trying to install is not clearing the data"...I verified that the ROM is clearing the cache, but not the user data. I can confidently say that you correctly identified the issue as when the ROM installation was stuck at "android"....I switched off my tablet and tried installing again the old ROM for A500 which I knew that it is working and instead of asking me to configure the tablet (i.e. time zone, date & time setup, etc.) after installation, it simply logged in and started my tablet as usual....that means that when I was trying to install ROM for A501, it was not clearing user data and was then hanging).
Now coming back to the link that you sent me in previous message, I was able to download the zip file successfully in the second attempt. I extracted the update.zip and it did not work. It showed the similar problem of getting stuck at "android". However, with your great answer that you gave me, I cleared the user data and cache manually by pressing vol up + power buttons simultaneously and then when "acer" symbol displays, releasing only power button and turning on and off the lock button. This cleared user data and cache. After that, since update.zip (that you provided) was already in my SD card, it installed the ROM and tablet works perfectly. Thanks a lot....:good:
One question, when it asked me about the zone, it had only few countries like US, UK, etc. I couldn't find Australia...is it because this ROM not for Australia? I understand that this is not an issue, but if you find anything for Australia, do send me.
Another thing, is this HoneyComb 3.2? Will 3G and GPS work in this one?
Do let me know if you can do some magic with HoneyComb 3.2 kernel source code that I have as mentioned earlier.
Regards,
Muk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello mukapril .. may you provide me with the Honeycomb ROM which I might try ?
Thanking you and Best Regards

Trouble installing A501 ROM
Moscow Desire said:
I'm mobile right now, so can't go into big detail.
In your settings, about tablet, you can always find info on which specific OS you have. If you indeed have an A501 and the settings tells you that your tablet is a 501, then your 3g and GPS should function.
The only 2 differences between an A500 and an A501 is of course 3g. Also, they use different GPS radios. So you can install 500 Roms on a 501 and vice versa. Just the above 2 items won't work. Also, I believe I gave you a 3.2.x ROM. Getting it to ICS 4.0.4 may be a problem.
I revived my own 501 last night by putting the motherboard in the oven, but now it doesn't read my ext SD card, so I may be stuck on 3.2. Eh, no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi MD,
Apologies for very long replies. Wanted to convey the message in detail how I did it so that it might help someone else like me.
Thanks for your response. I have tested it, 3G and GPS is working fine. I believe, before my tab encountered this problem, it was having version 4 which should be ICS. At that stage I didn't had any problem with my tab...I believe it was there for long time.
If you have good known ROM for ICS, please forward me I can try on my tab. If it doesn't work, then will re-install the Honeycomb that you sent earlier.
One more question....when I try to update the system from "About Tablet" in Settings, why it displays message the the "network is poor" and advices to move to better coverage? Though, I am just besides my WiFi modem and coverage is almost 100%.
And @jonnybrave: If you are referring to the ROM that I successfully installed which was sent by MD earlier, then it does not need any decryption. So you can use the link sent by MD earlier in this post. And if you are referring to the KernelSourceCode that I mentioned earleir, then it needs some kind of processing in Linux machine and then you can create some image.....this is was I know about it....sorry not an andrion guru. Please let me know what you are referring to.
Regards,
Mukesh

mukapril said:
One more question....when I try to update the system from "About Tablet" in Settings, why it displays message the the "network is poor" and advices to move to better coverage? Though, I am just besides my WiFi modem and coverage is almost 100%.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get the message as do all 500/501 owners (it can change depending on version of Rom).
Acer no longer gives updates to any of their devices (regardless of age). These are otherwise known as OTA Updates. So they have closed their update servers, so now we get some "message" that absolutely means nothing.
I suppose Acer is getting out of the Android business and no longer supports anything. Nice job Acer.
As for updating to ICS (or any other version), I have a few update files. Generally though, the update files must be matched to the current version of your tablet. Sometimes you can run a "full update" and it will work.
The problem, is these tablets are getting old, and the nand memory can go bad. Running an update can cause a variety of problems such as "Stuck in APX" mode, stuck at bootloader, stuck at boot animation. Then we have to go back to the EUUS file, or an old SD ROM file. So you run the risk of doing things all over again, and the risk that it just won't work again. (I spent a couple hours last night, and was almost ready to throw it in the garbage)
For example, I'm pretty much stuck at 3.0.x or 3.2.x. I've already disassembled the tablet and put the mainboard in the oven, just to get it back to life! And after numerous attempts to get ICS on it, I've pretty much given up before it hard bricks again. In fact, I can't get a 3.2.x EUUS to work on it, so it is stuck at the 3.0.x ATT EUUS. Eh, it's my little girls tab, so as long as it gets You Tube and browser, it's pretty much ok.

Trouble installing A501 ROM
Hi MD,
I am in the same boat as you...lol...This tablet is mostly used by my daughter and as long as it is solving my daughter's purpose, we are happy
I was just curious about that message as to why that is happenning, but after your clarification, it is clear to me as to why it is happenning.
My tablet is working as normal and everything is working fine...so we are happy with what we have.
Thanks a lot!
Regards,
Muk
---------- Post added at 03:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 AM ----------
jonnybrave said:
Hello mukapril .. may you provide me with the Honeycomb ROM which I might try ?
Thanking you and Best Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Jonny,
If you are referring to the ROM that I successfully installed which was sent by MD earlier, then it does not need any decryption. So you can use the link sent by MD earlier in this post. And if you are referring to the KernelSourceCode that I mentioned earleir, then it needs some kind of processing in Linux machine and then you can create some image.....this is was I know about it....sorry not an andrion guru. Please let me know what you are referring to.
Regards,
Muk

A500 in 2020 ; Root, Bootloader, Custom ROM - LINKS WORKING

Greetings,
I wrote this tutorial to help all the people strugling with their A500 , to unlock the bootloader , install custom ROM and root it since I've finaly managed mine to work as I wanted it to. All the links / threads that I've posted are active and DL links are working.
Note : Below is going to be text in italic , just to show what I've been through and tried at the begining of my post , seeking for help , before I managed it to work for me at the end.
Before you start linking and re-directing me to other threads, I have read many threads on here that have instructions etc... but the problem is that 80% of the links from stock rom's , flashers , recovery's don't work because most of those links were created in 2012,2013.
What have I tried :
- rooting via ICS_rooting_A10x_A5xx thread ; couldn't get full root
- installing stock OS from Acer's website via SD card to get recovery menu back ; unsuccessful
- Acer Iconia A500 Tools by blackthund3r ; It only detects A500 in APX mode , but it says install driver's which I already have.
Currently running : ICS 4.0.3 with corrupted recovery menu and unsuccessful root
I would be very happy if anyone could help me and firstly return my A500 to full stock (full wipe via recovery menu), and from there start the procedure of rooting , unlocking bootloader etc... and supply me with working links to tools, roms and flashers. Everything step by step.
Thank you very much for help in advance.
Best regards,
Domitri from Slovenia :fingers-crossed:
Update - Bootloader ; OLD FINDING
I got to a point where I realised that my bootloader is locked. I've tried unlocking it via fastboot commands from the following thread : forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1514951
I tried : " fastboot oem unlock" and "flashing unlock_critical" but 0 result, I ended up getting a small red text error on my tablet and I would have to start all over. I typed "fastboot oem lock" just for my interest to see what would come up and I got this , just like in the original thread : "Fastboot: Device is already locked! Abort ..."
I am going to try and unlock the bootloader via some run.bat option from APX mode ; I forgot where I found it (going through too many posts , going to post afterwards).
Note : Everything that I try, and if it work's for me, will be uploaded to my dropbox and will post a link with detailed instructions on how to do it, just bare with me please
Its hard to find working files / DL links for this tablet from other threads because everything is from 2012,2013 mostly.
START OF THE TUTORIAL
Note : Before doing anything , if you tried unlocking the bootloader and rooting and it was unsuccessful, I suggest you reinstall the OS via update.zip from SD card in recovery menu, so you have a fresh start and also install the drivers that I have provided, that way my steps and procedures will work 100%.Be sure to scroll down to the end of the thread to check for any new updates. If you have any questions or you ran upon a problem, feel free to message me or comment
MEGA LINK - ZIP FILE CONTAINING EVERYTHING YOU NEED - SEPERATE LINKS TO THE FILES ARE POSTED BELOW : https://mega.nz/file/IAIhUAzT#KNGqIG7ReTlRcuBXHwFiEcY4CAz3xZsKjzVXhhSc6MU ​Credits & big thank you for all the post's , help & files : KaijiKun , Civato , Blackthund3r , Vache , Turnert , Dibb_nz , Mlopik , Jm77 , Chainfire , Skrilax_CZ
USB drivers : https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6lx3uxwhj5zxbbm/AAAbhxcPTNSFX7Z0A3t3z93Pa?dl=0
In the drivers folder in dropbox you have 2 installers for ADB, if one doesn't work for you you can try the other one. "UniversalADBDriverSetup" worked for me.
In the folder you also have 2 APX drivers , one is from Nvidia and other is Universal Naked Driver 0.73. Universal Naked Driver worked for me.
You update the APX drivers via device manager.
optional Android Multi Tool : https://www.dropbox.com/s/s7ypank8oijwwry/Android_Multi_tool.zip?dl=0
In the MultiTool folder you can SHIFT + RIGHT CLICK and open a Powershell command window , and then write "adb devices" to check if you installed ADB drivers properly. If you did , you should see your device serial number pop up.
Make sure you have enabled USB Debugging in settings under Developer settings on your A500 !
How to bypass driver signature enforcement in Win10 : https://www.windowsreport.com/driver-signature-enforcement-windows-10/ - needed for updating the APX driver
or in other words, how to forcebly install drivers when windows doesn't allow you to install them.
STOCK OS 4.0.3 ICS : https://dropbox.com/s/djblya5kol2cp4a/A500-Stock.zip?dl=0 thanks to KaijiKun
Rename the zip to update.zip and apply update from sd card in recovery menu. If you have a corrupted recovery menu like I had, this is what you do :
Press the volume down button (the one closer to the power button to the edge)
Press the power button for 2-3 seconds and let go
Keep holding volume down button until small white text pops up in top left corner of the screen.
This procedure will also get you into recovery menu (if you have a working one)
1. BOOTLOADER
Before you start unlocking the bootloader , you will need to get your CPU ID which we later convert to SBK needed for flashing the bootloader.
I have managed to obtain CPU ID number by the following steps :
Install File Manager+ on A500 (or any other file manager) ; link to File Manager+ : play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alphainventor.filemanager&hl=en
Make sure you have ticked to see hidden items in settings
Go to : System /sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid and open as text with HTML Viewer (best option)
OR
With File Manager+ navigate to System /mnt/external_sd/dmesg.txt
Long press on the dmesg.txt file and share it / send it to yourself via mail
Open the file on your PC and CTRL + F (find) the word "androidboot.serialno" , that is your CPU ID.
That 15char number is your CPU ID (example : 37c7084407fb2d7) which you can convert to SBK number with SBCalc.
You should get something like this at the end : 0x16796E00 0x88991201 0x67D0F603 0xC2DD2003
Sometimes there might be a 0 infront of your CPU ID , just delete it.
Note : Copying my CPU ID / SBK will not work , every tablet has It's own unique one.
SBCalc : https://dropbox.com/s/g4ay6hfvym1jxwy/SBCalc.zip?dl=0 thanks to Vache
originaly from this thread : https://www.forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1810618
Now when you extracted and got your CPU ID and SBK , we can start with flashing the bootloader.
Nvflash tool : https://dropbox.com/s/jecamd2w91nx3k7/A500-Bootloader-Nvflash.zip?dl=0 thanks to KaijiKun
Extract everything to a new folder on your desktop
Replace the recovery image(recovery.img) inside the nvflash folder with this one : https://dropbox.com/s/0gd9jhi8ufzhpbc/update-recovery-TWRP-rev2.0-beta4.zip?dl=0
Inside the folder you will see a HowTo text file , open it and just follow the instructions.
After you ran A501 A.bat , power off your tablet , and go to recovery mode - Volume down + power button then release power button after 3 seconds while still holding volume down. If it doesn't go directly to recovery menu by TWRP , select "BOOT RECOVERY" from the green menu
Follow the instructions from HowTo.txt to wipe the system
Power off your tablet , unplug the USB cable and put it in APX mode again. When in APX mode, reconnect the USB cable
Run A501 B.bat and enter your SBK again
When everything is completed both when runing A and B bat file you should get "PASS" written on your screen , dont mind if you get any small red text below that.
2. INSTALLING CUSTOM ROM
Now after we unlocked our bootloader and installed TWRP custom recovery, It's time to install our CUSTOM OS / ROM.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/iconia-a500/general/2018-a500-upgrade-threaddownloads-to-t3832293 thanks to Turnert for the post and Thor2002ro for the ROMs
In this thread linked above you cant find 4 different ROMs , for me every single one booted, but I couldnt get gApps (Google Play and Google Play Services) to work with any of them , Google Play surely will open, but when you will try to download anything it will pop up an error.
If gApps dont work on custom ROM , you can still download and install APK's from the browser and use them normaly.
The only ROM that worked for me the best and most stable with working gApps is Tegraowners 4.4.4 : https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lv2u88kjnzajcb5/AACW8iKYARd-zHgK9_w4DDgCa?dl=0
In the link above you will find both the ROM and working gApps.
You download the rar file of your chosen ROM
Copy the zip file / files to your SD card
Boot your tablet into recovery mode. From the recovery menu hit Install and then navigate to external_sd folder.
Click on the zip file in the folder / SD card and swipe to begin installation
Go through installation
After the installation of the ROM , install / flash gApps
READ THE TUTORIAL BELOW ABOUT FLASHING ROOT - SUPER SU BEFORE EXITING RECOVERY
If the installation of the 3 things was successful you should boot into your custom OS
Note : The first startup always takes alot longer - several minutes , after the first boot, the booting time will be alot faster
3. ROOT - FOR CUSTOM ROM
Download SuperSU version 2.82 from the following link : https://download.chainfire.eu/1220/SuperSU/ thanks to Chainfire
Install it in TWRP custom recovery after you've installed your custom ROM and gApps.
4. ROOT - FOR 4.0.3 ICS USERS ONLY
Blackthund3r tools : dropbox.com/s/58g5v2x0lwg8mab/Acer Iconia A500 Tools by blackthund3r.rar? thanks to Blackthund3r
I have somehow managed to root my A500 with ICS Root 7.2.0 tool , altho it was saying in bottom left corner that there is no A500 connected with debugging. I went and give'd it a shot without knowing it's gonna work , and my tablet restarted and I was suprised, checked root with 3 checkers, and looks like it is done.
Leave everything as it is ticked , only the last 2 items should be unticked - "Disable AcerNidus" and "Don't reboot after installation"
Note : Even if your tool says "No A500 with USB Debugging Detected!" , ignore that and hit "DO IT" button, it works anyway !
If your root was successful , your tablet should reboot about 2-3min after hitting "DO IT" button and instead of "DO IT" you should see "DONE"
Check your root with Root Checker Basic : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joeykrim.rootcheck
Because there is a older version of SuperSU installed, and you cannot update the binary when you open up the app on A500 , you need to download and install a newer version by yourself.
SuperSU 2.82 https://androidapksfree.com/supersu/eu-chainfire-supersu/ thanks to Chainfire
Download the APK from your browser on A500 , and install it. You will be prompted that this will replace an existing app - hit ok.
Note : Be sure you have ticked "Unknown sources" in settings under security tab !
When you have installed the APK, open it up. It will prompt you "The SU binary needs to be updated. Continue?" ,hit continue and choose "Normal" installation of the binary.
I hope I helped you with this tutorial, but if it happens that you're stuck somewhere, just send me a private message and I will be happy to solve the problem with you.
UPDATES
22.3.2020
I noticed after using my tablet on IconiaHD ROM that gApps stopped working , and I'm getting error at all times that google play services stoped working and it's annoying because you can't use your screen at all because it's poping up all the damm time.
I tried and flashed my A500 with this ROM - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1520299 Lightspeed 4.8 The download link for the zip file from google drive is still working, so there shouldn't be any problems with downloading the rom.
Next thing I did, I read that it works best with custom kernel from @ezterry from the following link - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1703590 (download link still working inside the thread - ezT20-v1.0.1-a500_S.zip ! )
With this kernel you can overclock your tablet to work smooth , I'd say min and max value to 1408mhz or 1504mhz. Flash your tablet with kernel from your SD card after instaling Lightspeed 4.8 ROM.
I've also read that for all the outdated apps in google play, there is a little trick with the following app - https://www.dropbox.com/s/4t29ux4h20u60do/market-helper-2.0.4.apk?dl=0
It's called market helper and what it does, It shows your A500 to google play like Samsung Galaxy S8 or something similar which can run most of the apps on the market , and with that you shouldnt have any problems with ICS being too old for some apps.
25.3.2020
I've been testing all the ROMs I managed to find for A500, and the one working the best, being the most stable and having useful / non-crashing gApps is Tegraowners 4.4.4.
ROM and gApps : https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lv2u88kjnzajcb5/AACW8iKYARd-zHgK9_w4DDgCa?dl=0
Flash the 2 items from the folder with procedure I have written above in the tutorial section. I also updated the tutorial and replaced old download links with working rom link. THERE IS NO NEED TO FLASH AFTERWARDS WITH EZTERRY'S ROM !
The ROM is working perfectly when overclocked to 1504mhz settings. No need to be afraid that you will burn your tablet CPU, I have tested it , and I've also read in other threads that some users OC to 1646mhz. When OC'ed its very fast, snappy , no lag or anything.
If I will experience any problems with this ROM I will post about it / post a fix if I will find any.
Note : The market helper apk from previous (upper) update is showing up in Google Play devices when you set it up, but it isn't installing apps when you select install , so that a no go
27.3.2020
A way to stop Google Play Store from getting auto-updated / corrupt. When you download a newer app that might be downloadable to the tablet , it auto updates Google Play Store to the newest one in the background because the app itself needs those requirements so it can run. When it updates, it's corrupted because it doesn't match with gApps (services) version number.
If your Google Play Store updated already by itself, go to : Settings > Apps > Downloaded (first thing that will open) > Google Play Store > Uninstall Updates and Replace with factory version
Turn off your wifi
Open up terminal emulator
In the terminal type :
Su (then grant access if asked by SuperSU)
Type in : touch /data/app/com.android.vending-1.apk
After that type in : chattr +i /data/app/com.android.vending-1.apk
That should prevent Google Play Store from auto updating and being unuseful
I've also found a link for Chromium , optimized for Tegra devices (which A500 is) : https://forum.xda-developers.com/ga...t/app-chromium-m56-optimized-tegra-2-t3550210
When you will install everything, turn off auto updates in google play, because if you update the GPS app , after the update you will be getting an error every second on the screen saying "GPS is not responding / has stopped working" , and tablet will be pretty much unusable.
FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS DON'T HESITATE TO MESSAGE ME VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE OR LEAVE A COMMENT UNDER THIS THREAD , I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP YOU !

I am struggling for days trying to root/update a500 with 4.03 installed. I am going through the same pain as you had with so many dead ends. I will try your recommendations in your tutorial in the next few days. Hoping it will work for me too.

bowchaser said:
I am struggling for days trying to root/update a500 with 4.03 installed. I am going through the same pain as you had with so many dead ends. I will try your recommendations in your tutorial in the next few days. Hoping it will work for me too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
thanks for commenting ! I had waaay to many dead ends, but finally managed to get it working as I want to. Just follow my steps and you should be OK , if you need any help feel free to comment again or send me a private message

Everything worked perfectly fine. My a500 is finally rooted and running a custom rom. Your instructions were so clear and easy to follow. I can't thank you enough for this tutorial and all software/drivers/tools that you provided. I spent days trying to find working links for some of those tools.
Domi, hats off to you.

bowchaser said:
Everything worked perfectly fine. My a500 is finally rooted and running a custom rom. Your instructions were so clear and easy to follow. I can't thank you enough for this tutorial and all software/drivers/tools that you provided. I spent days trying to find working links for some of those tools.
Domi, hats off to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings !
Im glad I was able to help you with my tutorial. Yeah at first I was looking like crazy around for drivers and working tools , and when I figured out its not easy to find all this stuff, I decided to put up a tutorial and upload everything to my dropbox, which will always be available to download.
Best regards,
Domitri

You can use magisk with the a500.
The only stipulation is that it cannot flash the boot image and you have to manually patch it (via the magisk app itself) and flash it via computer (there doesnt seem to be any on device flasher that ive found. flashify and flashfire do not work). It's a good idea to have the rom's boot image on your device so that you can easily patch in magisk when there's an update, and the patched file should be in the Downloads folder.

DDomitri said:
Greetings !
Im glad I was able to help you with my tutorial. Yeah at first I was looking like crazy around for drivers and working tools , and when I figured out its not easy to find all this stuff, I decided to put up a tutorial and upload everything to my dropbox, which will always be available to download.
Best regards,
Domitri
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi, first thank you to your time get all these info together...however...for me its not working :/
i put tablet to apx mode, my windows checked it for firs time...but its not possible to flash it...it saying its not proper command (if i run it as administrator)...if i run it without administrator, than its show me usb device not found
i tried it on windows 7, without luck same like on my windows 10
also usb drivers i instaled, in device manager after that was small yellow warning but i saw its usually ...
any idea? or that tablet is nice undercoffe plate? thanks

truckercech said:
hi, first thank you to your time get all these info together...however...for me its not working :/
i put tablet to apx mode, my windows checked it for firs time...but its not possible to flash it...it saying its not proper command (if i run it as administrator)...if i run it without administrator, than its show me usb device not found
i tried it on windows 7, without luck same like on my windows 10
also usb drivers i instaled, in device manager after that was small yellow warning but i saw its usually ...
any idea? or that tablet is nice undercoffe plate? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey ! Have you installed all the drivers that I provided in my tutorial ? They are key for the whole tutorial to be working properly. Sometimes in apx mode, my PC also doesn't recognize the device, but you must keep proceeding with steps , because they will work. Dont mind your windows not recognizing your tablet, it will do that 70% of the time.

hello, thanks to your guide I took this tablet again. one thing is not clear to me, how do i install compatible apps?
Exaple spotify?!
Inviato dal mio Redmi Note 5 utilizzando Tapatalk

emerax said:
hello, thanks to your guide I took this tablet again. one thing is not clear to me, how do i install compatible apps?
Exaple spotify?!
Inviato dal mio Redmi Note 5 utilizzando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For Spotify I think you just have to install an older version. Probably at least a year back.

turnert said:
For Spotify I think you just have to install an older version. Probably at least a year back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but what is the reason why the apps don't work?! I also replaced the gapps with microg ...
Inviato dal mio Redmi Note 5 utilizzando Tapatalk

emerax said:
but what is the reason why the apps don't work?! I also replaced the gapps with microg ...
Inviato dal mio Redmi Note 5 utilizzando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most apps don't work because this tablet does not support something called neon I don't know exactly what it is but it seems to cause a lot of the combatiblity problems with this tablet also the tablet is 9 years old so you just kind of have to expect things not to work.

emerax said:
hello, thanks to your guide I took this tablet again. one thing is not clear to me, how do i install compatible apps?
Exaple spotify?!
Inviato dal mio Redmi Note 5 utilizzando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search on www.apkmirror.com for Spotify or just type into google Spotify apk 4.4.4 and I'm sure you'll find it

turnert said:
Most apps don't work because this tablet does not support something called neon I don't know exactly what it is but it seems to cause a lot of the combatiblity problems with this tablet also the tablet is 9 years old so you just kind of have to expect things not to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's wierd, most of my apps work normally and I didn't change anything special. I just dont update the GPS app because it ****s it up afterwards and you'll be getting error messages about GPS not responding / stopped working like every second.

just passing by and want to thank you for this great post.
I had an idea, it would be nice to list the apk version numbers that works on our tablets, i mean Spotify version number 4.4.4 and so on with another ones.
Again, thank you !!!!

Hello !!
is there any special procedure to install stock 4.0.3 version?

Anhell said:
just passing by and want to thank you for this great post.
I had an idea, it would be nice to list the apk version numbers that works on our tablets, i mean Spotify version number 4.4.4 and so on with another ones.
Again, thank you !!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the compliment. Basicly there is no need to do that since everyone needs differend apps and its very easy to find it on apkmirror's site , I belive that it is compatible from 4.0 to 5.0 my guess, but the best way is to stick with 4.4.4 versions of APKs.

thiago_cezare said:
Hello !!
is there any special procedure to install stock 4.0.3 version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings,
What do you mean by "special procedure" ? I have every step listed how to install stock version in my tutorial.

DDomitri said:
Greetings,
What do you mean by "special procedure" ? I have every step listed how to install stock version in my tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was facing problems, i was stuck on android logo screen. I wiped the previous install and it is ok now. I did try the custom rom instalation but i cant use the GAPPS. unfortunatly i back to the ICS stock. But many thanks to spend your time to help us.

hello everyone, can someone tell me which version you used for you tube ? my you tube app is stuck on a black screen whne i try to launch it.

Fire HD 8 (8th Gen) Flash Stock ROM

Hey guys,
I was using TWRP + Lineage 15.1 ROM on my Fire HD 8 (2018 - 8th Gen) but decided to return to stock ROM and get rid of it.
As I didn't find any guidance anywhere I've tried to sideload the original stock ROM through TWRP even I didn't really think that was a good idea. I upladed the file (update-kindle-Fire_HD8_8th_Gen-PS7315_user_1958_0018354775684.bin - perhaps not the correct file anyway ) which resulted in boot loop. I now cannot access TWRP. Does anyone please have a link with instructions how to unbrick my device or even better with instructions to directly flash the stock ROM for 8th Gen please? I only keep finding links for older devices.
Many thanks guys.

ertech said:
Hey guys,
I was using TWRP + Lineage 15.1 ROM on my Fire HD 8 (2018 - 8th Gen) but decided to return to stock ROM and get rid of it.
As I didn't find any guidance anywhere I've tried to sideload the original stock ROM through TWRP even I didn't really think that was a good idea. I upladed the file (update-kindle-Fire_HD8_8th_Gen-PS7315_user_1958_0018354775684.bin - perhaps not the correct file anyway ) which resulted in boot loop. I now cannot access TWRP. Does anyone please have a link with instructions how to unbrick my device or even better with instructions to directly flash the stock ROM for 8th Gen please? I only keep finding links for older devices.
Many thanks guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems that the bootloader files for OS 6 (TZ and LK) are incompatible with OS 7.3.1.5. I found that you could not even shut down the tablet when it was bootlooping: holding the power button down for >30 seconds did nothing. To stop it you need to open the tablet and disconnect the battery.
You will need to copy a version of OS 6 onto a micro SD card (change the file extension from '.bin' to '.zip'). Insert the micro SD, after reconnecting the battery and putting the rear shell back on. You should be able to boot into recovery (TWRP) with the left volume button/ power button. Wipe system and data then flash the OS 6 zip.
Locate the newer thread for unlocking the HD 8/ 8th gen. tablet (amonet-3) and download the latest amonet version (currently 3.0.1) and the 'return to stock' zip, then follow the instructions in that thread to return to stock. Essentially you unzip the two downloads, merge, and run the return to stock script. From TWRP you boot the tablet into hacked fastboot mode and the script will restore stock boot and recovery images (unpatched). After a reboot you should be able to enter standard Amazon recovery mode. If you then ADB sideload the OS 7.3.1.5 software you will eventually boot into OS 7 (Pie).
Link to 'amonet-3' thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=80166353&postcount=1

@MontysEvilTwin I haven't updated mine to 7.x release but wanted to see if you have been able to successfully unlock and root on newer firmware?
I'm guessing as you said bootloader files for OS 6 (TZ and LK) are incompatible, its not going to work?

madman said:
@MontysEvilTwin I haven't updated mine to 7.x release but wanted to see if you have been able to successfully unlock and root on newer firmware?
I'm guessing as you said bootloader files for OS 6 (TZ and LK) are incompatible, its not going to work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had no luck unlocking the Karnak (or Mustang). I think there a couple of issues. The unlock doesn't work with the OS 7.3.1.5 bootloaders, you get a bootloop. I expected this as it is only the very first version of the Karnak LK file (OS 6.3.0.0) that has the necessary vulnerability for a full unlock. However if you use a modified version of Amonet to flash the OS 7.3.1.5 PL and TZ plus the OS 6.3.0.0 LK you get a bootloop, even without unlocking and unpatched stock boot and recovery images. It may not be impossible, I am hoping that the unlock authors (@xyz` and @k4y0z) will take a look at some point.

Thank you very much @MontysEvilTwin for your response and great explanation. Opening the device, disconnecting the battery and taking all these steps just to flash the stock ROM and selling it for a few pounds is probably way more effort than what it's worth. I'll probably just sell the case and hand the device for a safe disposal. It might be perhaps worth it to create a separate topic with a step by step walkthrough to safely revert a rooted device with TWRP & custom ROM back to Stock ROM for less advanced users like me? (I appreciate what I attempted to do was a bit stupid, just saying it would be useful having this explained somewhere...)
As I'm not going to use "Karnak" any more I'd like to thank everyone here for all their contributions as you made my experience with my device significantly better and also to thank everyone who found time to answer my questions. I just wanted to say that you're doing an amazing thing and making people like me happy. :good:

ertech said:
Thank you very much @MontysEvilTwin for your response and great explanation. Opening the device, disconnecting the battery and taking all these steps just to flash the stock ROM and selling it for a few pounds is probably way more effort than what it's worth. I'll probably just sell the case and hand the device for a safe disposal. It might be perhaps worth it to create a separate topic with a step by step walkthrough to safely revert a rooted device with TWRP & custom ROM back to Stock ROM for less advanced users like me? (I appreciate what I attempted to do was a bit stupid, just saying it would be useful having this explained somewhere...)
As I'm not going to use "Karnak" any more I'd like to thank everyone here for all their contributions as you made my experience with my device significantly better and also to thank everyone who found time to answer my questions. I just wanted to say that you're doing an amazing thing and making people like me happy. :good:
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Click to collapse
OK, if you just want to unbrick it is quite easy. If you have the latest TWRP (you will have if you unlocked with amonet version-3 for thIs tablet) it is likely that your bootloaders are unchanged. To get out of the bootloop you can either disconnect the battery or let it run down. Then you should be able to boot into recovery. From there you can flash a backup of your previous OS, or wipe system and data and reflash a stock OS 6 update.

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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Thank you, I managed to get my tablet working. Really wish samsung made the firmware more available.