[Acer Iconia A500] michaelh99:
Here's my contribution. I don't have time to do dev on this rom but I can help with the instructions for backing up and restoring ROMs

Executive summary:

To update to a custom System Image, it is best to have a flexible Recovery Image, for which you need Root (Administrative) access

(You can install the Android apps onto your device via your PC. Visit website, select install, select device, click ok, check connected device or

1. You need to get root (super user) access on 3.0.1

GingerBreak 1.2 http://androidflip.com/how-to-root-a...erbreak-v-120/

2. Install "Root Checker" from the Android Market (run it to verify that you do have root access)

3. Install "Busybox by Stericson" from the Android Market and then invoke the app to install busybox

[ig9] Why is this needed? I installed the ROM without Stericson's busybox version.

4. Install "Acer Recovery Installer" from the Android Market and then invoke the app to install a CWM Recovery image (don't use the stock recovery image)

[ig9] There are two choices, is one better than the other? I chose Thor's

5. Do a backup of your current System Image. Recommended so that you can revert back completely to the factory image that was shipped to you.

[ig9] This is NOT optional! One day you will apply a ROM that will completely screw up your system. In these early days, do a nandroid/recovery backup of each ROM version so you can get back to your base configuration. Once new kernels start coming out you'll have to be careful about restoring a nandroid backup and which kernel is belongs with. For now, just do the backup. Once is good enough for each ROM version you want to be able to get back to. Further changes can be restored with Titanium Backup.

a) Boot into recovery.

b) Choose "backup and restore"

c) Choose "Full Backup"

Watch the magic happen

You can also (on other devices at least, not sure if it's working on the Iconia) do a backup from ClockWorkMod and it will let you give the backup a custom name. ClockWorkMod or CWM itself is a separate entity as compared with ClockWorkMod Recovery.

6. Backup current android apps (I used Astro file manager's tool)

Advice from Euclid's Brother and ig9: use "Titanium Backup" which saves the data with it (ie. you don't lose your custom app settings or even your progress in Angry Birds, etc).

Just pay for TB. It's worth the safety net that it provides.

a) Open TB.

b) In the preferences select at least 2 for "Max Backup History" though 5 is my fav. This will let you save at least that many versions of your apps and data and if an app update is broken you can always go back to a working version.

c) Choose "Backup/Restore" tab.

d) Open the menu and choose "batch"

e) Choose "run" next to "Backup all user apps + system data"

f) Choose "Run the batch operation"

Bask in the safety.

7. Pick a ROM image (I chose Virtuous Picasso, there's Dexter's Iconia P2-x, Virtuous Galaxy, Taboonay, HoneyVillain etc). Boot into Recovery image to flash the System image - "Booting into recovery" means to power up with VolDown + Power Buttons pressed (VolDown is the volume button closest to the power button)

Virtuous Picasso v1.0.8 http://xdaforums.com/show....php?t=1129826

WATCH THE VIDEO BEFORE YOU PROCEED

[ig9] Don't watch the video. :-) I hate watching videos. It always takes 5x longer than if I could just read the instructions.

1. User Acer Recovery to boot into recovery mode. That's what apps are for and you don't have to use the Iconia neck pinch to get into recovery. Use the big button.

2. If the ROM you're installing is meant to be an update, choose "install zip from sdcard", find the ROM and answer yes to the prompts.

3. If the ROM you're installing is a complete replacement, first do a "wipe data/factory reset" and then jump back to the previous step.

4. "go back" until you reach the main menu.

5. Choose "reboot system now"

Advice from FloatingFatMan: You cannot flash from internal memory. You can use external SD or a USB stick

8. Restore android apps using Titanium Backup or Astro file manager's tool. You only need to do the following if you did a factory reset.

[ig9] When restoring from TB do the following:

6. Open TB.

7. Choose "Backup/Restore" tab.

8. Open the menu and choose "batch"

9. Choose "run" next to "Restore missing apps with data" DON'T choose to restore ALL apps with data. You want to selectively restore system data.

10. Choose "Run the batch operation"

11. Once that's done go back to the main screen (restore will probably take you there)

12. Choose "click to edit filters"

13. Choose the "System" button and then choose "Apply"

14. Now go through all the green items and restore DATA ONLY. This will restore things like account settings, bluetooth pairings and wifi information.

Extras:

1. Install "Drive Mount" from the Android market for accessing NTFS USB hard disks

2. Install "LCDDensity for Root" from the Android market for changing LCD density. Default = 160. Lower value (e.g. 120) implies smaller widgets

Mods: please feel free to delete if this is superfluous...