[Acer Iconia A500] slayinu:
Hi guys welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the acer tab!!!!

Things are very different with this device, whats 'normal' for other android devices is not 'normal' for our tab!!!!

So first of all, dont try installing cwm or a rom the 'normal-this-is-the-way-I-did--it-on-myphone', you will end up with a brick!!!

2nd, you both have working systems at present, so we'll try to keep it that way.

Open up a file explorer and navigate to this:

/sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid

One of the first things that are different is this: acer_cpuid

It should look something like this:

288424344009597 - now u need to add a 'zero' to the front:

0288424344009597 - this is your cpuid, back it up in multiple places if need be, just dont ever lose it - IF anything 'goes wrong' at any time you will NEED this number to save your tab from eternal brickdom!!

3rd once you do get your 'cpuid' go to the 'sbk generator' here.

This generates your 'sbk' or secure boot key and will give you something like this:

0x93588800 0x33CE8901 0x0BED6D03 0x30737899.....

OK then, now you have your cpuid/sbk you can start thinkning about what rom you want to install on your tab.......

Read the OP(Original Post) of your desired rom. This will tell you EVERYTHING you need in order to flash it - remembering always that 'Acer' does not do things the 'normal' way!!!!!!

Most of the custom ICS/JB roms on here all require the 'patched / unlocked bootloader'... In fact, even installing a custom recovery, cwm, twrp or public recovery, for the first time....will require the BL to be 'patched' first....and yes, even flashing this is not done the 'normal' way....tho the process can be complicated there are PLENTY of guides and auto tools to make it easier for you....

The 'patched bootloader flash' will also include a 'custom recovery' too, and you can choose from 3-4 options....amazing￼ but i'd advise to use cwm 1.7.3, until u get up and running, after that you can go crazy flashing anything you like!!

So basically there are 5 main steps to getting a custom rom installed.

1. Install the Acer Drivers and the android_sdk drivers

2. Get your cpuid and generate your 'sbk'

3. Your desired rom is on your external sd card

4. Put your tab in 'apx mode' which allows u access to download mode

5. Install the patched v8 bootloader/recovery - either manually using nvFlash or using the auto tools.

Personally I prefer the manual nvFlash method, if you get an error it will at least give you an error message...the auto tools will just get 'stuck'

Check the 'bootloader' thread OP for a guide to manual nvFlash and the patched bootloader package here

There is also a step-by-step in my sig!!!

If you want to use the auto tools then apxFlash tool, or afterOTA tool you can find both in the 'bootloader' thread. And a step by step for apxflash tool also in my sig....or this excellent one here by user jdgM3NT4L here...

please be sure to read these posts very carefully and if there is something you do not understand then please dont hesitate to ask , there are plenty on here who will help you thru the process....AND its easier to offer help at this point rather than trying to do so when you've bricked it.....

As far as roms are concerned, you cant go past 'civato's FLEX roms' very stable and no issues i'm on cm10 and havent had a problem with it.....Of course it depends on what you require but I'd start with one of the flex ones.

Most peeps here have no trouble with this process, those that do, usually try things the 'normal' way, then find out they need their cpuid/sbk to get out of trouble and of course they dont have it....this makes things most difficult.... there are a few tabs with motherboard issues that have needed to be sent to acer....other than that, he only other issue you may have are driver related, check out the cpuid thread for anything driver related and lots of other background info too....theres also a zip file there that has a mini-sdk kit, to save u downloading the full android-sdk....

i think thats all i can think of at the moment, sorry for the long post and all the caps and bold text - just trying to save you alot of unnecessary grief...

Good luck with it all and remember....in this forum things are not 'normal' ￼￼￼