[Acer Iconia A500] timmyDean:
Rooted 3.2.1 V2 -- Fixed versions added tools

Acer_A500_7.014.02_COM_GEN2 ROOTED

Here’s the link http://www.multiupload.com/VD0L5WLQKK

Version v2

There is a V3 release http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=20680452&postcount=137

V3 installs all the tools for you

************** CHANGES ************************************

Instructions are in the readme.pdf inside the zip

I fixed the version numbers. When it flashed, it wasn’t setting the number correctly therefore it would redo the last update over again even though it was already on the tablet.

Added a busyBox tool in the folder called busyBox where you will find installTools.cmd. This command script will install the superuser.apx, busybox, and su tool. This is what most of you would want instead of just the command line #(root). This does what chrishohl :) recommends (http://www.chdcomputers.gr/en/mnu-k...en/mnu-kb-android-a500-en/254-art-kb000005-en) to finish out your Acer rooting.

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******************** BACKDOOR UPDATE *********************

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I added a little script that will build the backdoor for you. It is in the backdoor folder called backdoor.cmd. Just run this and it will set your adb shell to run as # (root).

Also NOTE, if you reset your tablet (factory restore) you will loose your backdoor. You just run the backdoor.cmd and it will reset the backdoor.

NO SOUND, when you have the backdoor enabled there appears to be no sound. So, you only want to use this before allowing a OTA to install.

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==Backdoor tool version 1.1 release notes===

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Inside the backdoor folder is command script called backdoor.cmd.

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Please select a option.

Note: It is assumed you have su installed.

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1. Turn ON backdoor (sound will be off).

2. Turn OFF backdoor.

3. Reset missing sticky bit on /system/xbin/su

(must have backdoor on and rebooted)

4. Quit (and reboot).

5. Exit (no reboot).

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This tool can be used to toggle On/Off the backdoor. When you install OTA updates these OTA’s run scripts that reset all the security permissions thereby removing the ‘sticky bit’ on your installed SU and hence removing root. The idea behind the backdoor is to install an alternate # (root) that the scripts won’t know about. To do this, we set the ro.kernel.qemu=1 flag inside the data/local.prop file therefore when you enter the ‘adb shell’ you immediately have # (root).

This alternate # (root), I call a backdoor. Named such after the movie Wargames where the ‘geeks’ told Lightman that they install a backdoor into systems incase they ever want to get back into a system after someone changes security. And sense Lightman was trying to hack the WOPR (pronounced whopper) and staying one step ahead of Acer is a whopper of a challenge, it seemed appropriate.

The downside is that if you have the backdoor on, it seems to turn off sound on the Acer. Therefore, I turn it on only before I run an OTA and then turn it back off after the OTA.

So far, the backdoor has allowed me to get back in as root if the OTA changes security. However, it might too be plugged by the evil Acer empire. But for now it seems to work. If anyone has any other backdoor approaches then please share them (I have a couple more if Acer plugs this one), but making and using a backdoor has been my frontline defense.

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************** Toggle On/Off OTA version 1.1 *******************

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Inside the OTA-Toggle folder is a command program called toggle.cmd

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Please select a option.

Note: It is assumed you have su installed or the backdoor.

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1. Turn Off OTA.

2. Turn On OTA.

3. Quit.

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So, if you’re like me and you do not like Acer hacking into your privately owned tablet and destroying data, you just might want to lock them out. This tool (assuming you have root or the backdoor installed), will allow you to turn off OTA’s.

Once turned off, you will not be nagged or bothered with OTA’s ever again until you turn them back on.