yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Acer Iconia A500] appple:
Sorry for the messy posting, the quotes were not showing correctly

---------- Post added at 07:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:37 PM ----------

[/COLOR]

My thoughts are the less flashing the better...remember the chip...it could go anytime but Yeh in the meantime. . .

I like to practice my flashing on the old chip, so when I get my new board, I will be "expert", less flashing on the new one (assuming the flashing only affect the mobo)

3. U can "fastboot" a recovery using a proper recovery.img (not a .zip) i thought I attached one in the guide??

Or reflash the v8 using option 17 in the apxflash tool.

The 3.1 zip keeps the v8 but being stock rom it replaces yr custom recovery with stock one.

I have a folder in my computer name "V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm" downloaded from your Chicken Guide, inside there is an image file: recovery_thor17_403.img, there is also one: recovery_thor1.7.3.img, what is the difference? I like to do this first before reflash the V8 (which seems still working for now)

1. Should you OTA??? Up to you but if u want custom jb, and all things being equal...then flash one after you have cwm/twrp....This means you must also full wipe (guide shows u how using fastboot).

I have been wiping the the tab so many times per your instruction, I am good with that. And right now I have nothing there anyway

Personally I'd wait for yr mobo for that, unless you dont mind being tab-less in case it goes pear shaped....

I will risk the "Tab-less", changing the mobo still seems a lot more work

Again, I don't know if the tab is still rooted, I flashed the stock rom, but the V8 still there, do I need to re-root it before attempt at the flashing of recovery? If I do, can I use the Simple method by ZeroNull, I have the HC 3.1 rom now?

Thanks for your time again
[Acer Iconia A500] appple:
I went ahead with the root with iconiaroot 1.3

But when I tried to flash the recovery I got this

unknown partition 'recovery_thor1.7.3.img'

error: cannot determine image filename for 'recovery_thor1.7.3.img'

Tried Acer Recovery Installer from Play Store, unable to get any recoveries on :confused:
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
If you still have 3.1 on there, then that be why -1.7.3 is for ics, unsure as to ARI not working....

Just reflash the v8 with apxflash tool bundle 17. Power down after PASS. Boot to recovery and flash your ics custom rom. Done.
[Acer Iconia A500] appple:
ARI working intermittently, was able to do Clockworkmod Recovery 1.3.4 today, but

E: Can't mount /cache/recovery/log

E: Can't open/cache/recovery/log

E: Can't mount /cache/recovery/last_log

E: Can't open/cache/recovery/last_log

Using apxflash tool bundle 17

Stuck at Flashing Bootloader (EBT) stage two - uploading image,

the nvflash Command Prompt Window (Debug) shows:

Nvflash started

[resume mode]

I remember I had some problem before, then I OTA to ICS and used after OTA, somewhere used Babsector also, got it working.

But yesterday I tried OTA, did not work. Could not remember if I tried that with the rooted tab. Maybe I will try with to OTA the stock one (Full wipe with Fastboot)
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Yes these are the sorts of issues you will have with yr chip...not a lot u can do...
[Acer Iconia A500] ronniereiff:
So how do I install " the USB drivers from the Android SDK" do I just run abd.exe, fastboot.exe, and fastbootwindows.exe?
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
No u d9 not run them as such unzip to folder on desktop ... sorry short on time atm
[Acer Iconia A500] ronniereiff:
I have no idea how to install the sdk tool and I also read that win8 has some problem with them any help would be much appropriated. :)
[Acer Iconia A500] appple:
I finally fried the mobo (while trying OTA to ICS, it flashed the V8 out, unable to install the stock one, it stucked in the APX mode for good :crying:)

My new mobo came in, installed tonight, it came with HC 3.01, I like to get to custom JB.

Dibb,

Questions

1. Is there anyway to find out if the new mobo has faulty chip like the old one?

2. Is it better to OTA to ICS/JB, then root, custom recovery/ROM or

Root the 3.0.1 first, flash recovery, then flash the JB ROM?

As always, thanks for your time
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
yes some are having problems with drivers on windows 8..

As I said...you don't 'install' the zip and you do not 'run' the .exe's either.

Create a folder on yr desktop

name it android drivers.

Extract all the files in the zip to this folder.

Connect yr micro usb from yr tab to pc

Open a command prompt on yr new folder (with win 7 right click while holding the shift key)

Type in adb devices

It should return you a 13 digit number

If it doesn't, your tab and pc aren't communicating. You cannot flash anything until you get this fixed.

You can use Ubuntu or win7/vista/xp. These all work.

Please don't try flashing anything till the command "adb devices" returns you some sort of number...

Actually I should have asked you. ..what is it you are trying to do with the guide????
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
you'll know m8 when u flash, pray to the acer gods u don't end up with that nvflash error:)

Pretty sure there is no ota for jb.

I always like to OTA ....Once at ics flash the v8 and then nandroid. You now have a full backup of your stock rom!!!! Now you can do whatever u want safe in the knowledge you have that backup!!

If you root and install recovery on 3.0.1 you will still have to flash the v8 before you flash jb rom. So, root 3.0.1 then flash v8 then yr jb rom if you are using one from here (xda)

Hope all goes well for u:)

dibb
[Acer Iconia A500] ronniereiff:
Well i did what you said and retrieved the 13 digit number on my windows 7 pc and have connected afterota and backed up all my tablets info to desktop. I want to flash CM10.1 so i plan on flashing the twrp recovery using afterota. I ran it and clicked yes to flash the kernel and ok to begin the process and my computer started installing the APX drivers so it did not successfully connect to my tablet the first time. So now that the drivers are installed I restarted my pc and reran afterota and it seems to stop at part 3 of 5 flashing kernel and my tablets screen is off with the power button lit up white indicating that my tablet is indeed on.
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
No the afterOTA tool does not work like this. Its only for stock roms updated to ICS via OTA and it installs the unlocked boot loader and recovery. After that's done you then flash your ROM.

If the tool stops at 3 of 5 its normally becoz you aren't stock ota ics.

As I posted in the other thread, use apxflash tool or the manual flash

dibb
[Acer Iconia A500] appple:
Ok, I OTAed to ICS (took 2 hrs, I have to do it multiple steps, from 3.0.1 to 3.2 to 3.2.1 ....)

Now ready to go to next step.

Do I have to root first, or do I get the cupid/SBK first ?(A500 Manager of Blackthund3rs requires root first, Gersma's afterOTA lite gave me USB Error on the info page)

And I have to root first before flash the V8/custom recovery, right?

Blackthund3rs' ICS Root 7.2.0 has 8 options, first 6 were pre-checked, do I need all of them?

Any recommendation for the JB ROM,
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
sorry m8 I should have mentioned that - it does take awhile and yes you do have to OTA each new build.

The tools only work on ICS - did you take that OTA?

Root is not usually required to flash the v8, the main thing to remember is to rename the .boot.p file to stop the system from overwriting your new recovery, the ICS Root tool will do this for you.

TO EVERYONE!!!!

In saying that tho blackthund3r has released an updated flashtool which I have not tried out yet, I do know he is looking for win8 users to test, feedback to his thread would be appreciated - I know he is extremely busy with exams atm please show some respect, dont expect instant replies or pm him - we will hear from him when he has some free time!!thanks:good:

any usb errors means your tab and pc arent communicating.

Try another cable, check usb debug is enabled and the drivers are all installed

I've only ever used one - cm10 flex. My tab has been neglected the last few months, I just find it easier to use my phone for what I need - your needs will be different so I suggest you read the roms OP and the last few pages of the rom thread to see if it suits you and if users are having any issues with it,

If you decide to use one from tegra-owners site (they do not need the v8) please direct any questions etc to the t-o forums -

rgds dibb
[Acer Iconia A500] appple:
Yes, I did take that OTA, now I have ICS 4.0.3

I was trying to get the cpuid and SBK first before I mess around.

But the A500 manager works on rooted device only, and

I have trouble get AfterOTA lite to work

I did not know root is not required to flash the V8, how about flash the custom recovery and custom Rom?

If not at all, why root?

When I plug the tab into my laptop,

the A500Manager recognizes it (A500 Detected in normal mode, Debugging Enabled)

Laptop sees it (Acer Iconia Tab A500, I can see all the folders in the internal storage)

Any other drivers need to be installed to get AfterOTA lite to work?

Thanks

---------------------------------------------------

I tried on the full version of AfterOTA, got the usb connection, and retrieved all the info.

Now,

I did not know root is not required to flash the V8, how about flash the custom recovery and custom Rom?

If not at all, why root?

Blackthund3rs' ICS Root 7.2.0 has 8 options, first 6 were pre-checked, do I need all of them?

1. Root (includes su & super SU app)

2. Install Busybox

3. Install A500 Root Tools App

4. Install sysro/sysrw scripts

5. Remove Stock Recovery Protection (This will allow you to flash CWM/TWRP/Other in APX Mode without it being overwritten

6. /system remount Hack (Requires busybox installed, Do NOT remove or update busybox in the future to keep this hack working)

7. Disable AcerNidus (Acer's Mini CarrierIQ. Option provided for the security-conscious)

8. Don't Reboot after installation-useful for minor installs (this option is not recommended if you are rooting)

Thanks
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
you need the full version

Alternative methods to getting your cpuid.

the following is from my cpuid guide - link is in my sig, its also stickied in dev Forum

ICS CPUID has only 13 digits/characters and is your "serial no." as reported in settings, on your sdcard cover and on the box

we are only interested in the 15/16 digit HC CPUID this can only be got:

(1) From a PC using Blackthund3rs A500 manager

(2) From your device using Terminal Emulator App

(3) From USBDeview must have previously used the Tab under HC with the PC you're using

(4) From a uid.txt in any Honeycomb-cwm backup in external_sd/clockworkmod/backup/"your_HC_backup" folder

(5) From adb devices if you're running honeycomb

(6) From cwm 1.7.2/3 via on screen display and a text file - great if you are on ICS already

(7) From a working ICS system in /sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid

- add a zero to the front!!!

thanks MasterEllis for the heads Up!!!

(8) Gersma's most excellent OTA Toolmakes most of this thread obsolete!!!! Thankyou Gersma for all you've done OTA Tool is all anyone ever needs....

(9) eppeP's method uses apx mode to retrieve your uid.

here is a guide by srbeen here

(10) a rollback to HC is the only other way

You'll find more indepth info on these methods below:

All the custom roms here on xda are pre-rooted.

to install one you need a custom recovery.

the ONLY way to get a custom recovery is with skrilax_cz unlocked bootloader (any version will do it, most popular is v8)

From the OP:

Summary of Steps to flashing the skrilax_cz unlocked bootloader and custom recovery using nvflash...

Step 1. Install the Acer Drivers from Acer Support and the USB drivers from the Android SDK here

afterOTA Full installed the drivers for you

the first 5 most definitely!!
[Acer Iconia A500] appple:
Do you mean for everything? flash custom BL/recovery, root, unbrick... So it will be easier than the tool by Blackthund3rs Tool and Civato's manual nvFlash.

When I looked it, under the standard tab, did not see V8 bundle, under the advance tab, don't know where to locate the BL and Recovery files separately.

Tried APX Flash, did not work, stuck somewhere.

But Manual Flash worked!! (Does this means the new MOBO does not have that faulty chip, or it may show up later?)

Since you mentioned I don't have to root to flash V8/recovery, so I did not, but how do I delete the recovery-from-boot.p as instructed by the Civis flash?

It's good to know this. So I can skip the root, should I flash the ROM first, then delete the recovery-from-boot.p, I am afraid I may loss the 1.7.3.

I know I still need to Nandroid the stock ROM first, and wipe everything before flash the custom ROM

When I was reading the threads of ROMs by Civato, someone mentioned that he is only interested in continuing develop/improve the ICS, not the JB, do you know why?

Thanks again
[Acer Iconia A500] ronniereiff:
Thanks for the advice. I have my device rooted and then I ran apx flash tool and all seemed well. flashed right away and got the pass sign and device indicates it is unlocked ( Skrilax_CZ ). Then I trued to boot into recovery (twrp) and i keep getting the dead android "!". Any idea? I tried installing twrp using goomanager but idk if it is installing it correctly because it doesn't seem to reboot in the process of installing the recovery.
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Step 3...read it again
[Acer Iconia A500] ronniereiff:
Thanks :good: :good: :good: I think i've been spoiled with the easiness of unlocking my tf700 xD. This thing is like solving the da vinci code :eek:
[Acer Iconia A500] Ronbo85:
I have an A500 8GB I bought with power light only but connects to PC and says APX in device manager, it charges as well thats all I know this is how I got it.

I was able to extract the cpuid/sbk OK. I have tried 3 different PC's (1-XP, 2-Win7) and to begin they all detect an APX device but say they need driver with exclamation mark. I have installed the drivers from acer but once I do that it reports Acer USB recovery driver in the usb devices, no apex device anywhere. It doesnt matter whether I use the Power/reset combo or not. I thinks this is my problem but after hours of searching I am stuck.

When I run the nvflash quoted I get the following...

C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30H_A31H_A32H_A500_A501>nvflash --bct b

ct.bct --setbct --bl bootloader.bin --configfile flash.cfg --odmdata 0x300d8011

--sbk 0xB4891E00 0x6BC8BA01 0x2B825E03 0x58042103 --sync

Nvflash started

rcm version 0X20001

System Information:

chip name: t20

chip id: 0x20 major: 1 minor: 4

chip sku: 0x8

chip uid: 0x038061c041608457

macrovision: disabled

hdcp: enabled

sbk burned: true

dk burned: true

boot device: emmc

operating mode: 4

device config strap: 0

device config fuse: 0

sdram config strap: 0

sending file: bct.bct

- 4080/4080 bytes sent

bct.bct sent successfully

odm data: 0x300d8011

downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000

sending file: bootloader.bin

| 714385/714385 bytes sent

bootloader.bin sent successfully

waiting for bootloader to initialize

bootloader downloaded successfully

failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002

command failure: sync failed (bad data)

bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information (cod

e: 14) message: nverror:0x5 (0x1000005) flags: 0

Once I do this the tablet lights up and says entering acer download mode with a large acer logo in the center of the screen.

When I proceed to step 2 I get...

C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30H_A31H_A32H_A500_A501>nvflash -r --fo

rmat_partition 4

Nvflash started

[resume mode]

Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x12

0002

FAILED!

command failure: format partition failed (bad command)

bootloader status: unknown operation (code: 1) message: flags: 0

and if I try the command for step 2 again I get....

C:\Users\Ron\Desktop\USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30H_A31H_A32H_A500_A501>nvflash -r --fo

rmat_partition 4

Nvflash started

[resume mode]

and sits there with a spinning bar until I kill it and it reports...

Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x30

012

FAILED!

command failure: format partition failed
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
The error u got 120002...not sounding good...dload the babsector.rar file this will reset yr partition table and flash the bootloader, make sure you do the wipes...instructions and the file from the root guide in my sig...post back any error u receive
[Acer Iconia A500] Ronbo85:
Hi, Thank you for your help

After I ran Babesector A501a.bat I get....

______________________________________________________________

Enter your SBK:0xB4891E00 0x6BC8BA01 0x2B825E03 0x58042103

Nvflash started

rcm version 0X20001

System Information:

chip name: t20

chip id: 0x20 major: 1 minor: 4

chip sku: 0x8

chip uid: 0x038061c041608457

macrovision: disabled

hdcp: enabled

sbk burned: true

dk burned: true

boot device: emmc

operating mode: 4

device config strap: 0

device config fuse: 0

sdram config strap: 0

sending file: flash.bct

- 4080/4080 bytes sent

flash.bct sent successfully

odm data: 0xb00d8011

downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000

sending file: bootloader.bin

| 714409/714409 bytes sent

bootloader.bin sent successfully

waiting for bootloader to initialize

bootloader downloaded successfully

setting device: 2 3

creating partition: BCT

failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002

command failure: create failed (bad data)

bootloader status: failed to create the partition (code: 10) message: nverror:0x

5 (0x1000005) flags: 0

Press any key to continue . . .

__________________________________________________________________________

It launches the "entering acer download mode" and results the above. After you press any key it closes

I seen another thread here http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=27852564 about there being faulty memory and some guy could mod the script to work around the bad sector???
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Not sounding good m8 Yeh there was a work around using a dummy partition - only heard of one user getting it to work. ..search "yaworski dummy fck partition" this may work but is not a solution, it will never be able to fix the chip but you may get it booting for awhile
[Acer Iconia A500] Ronbo85:
I suspected you would say that. I've gone as far as I want I believe but thank you again for your help.
[Acer Iconia A500] CanuckinPA:
I may be in the same boat as m8 after a series of problems with Skrilax_v8 bootloader.

Now, when I try the BabSector route, I get much the same errors as m8. :(
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Yeh its not looking good for ya...:(
[Acer Iconia A500] ryukiri:
Can anyone confirm that this works on Windows 8? I've read and tried this guide

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1622425

so many times but I keep getting stuck with Blackthund3rs' program. After entering APX mode, the program says im missing Acer drivers, so i stop and reinstall them. Then after I continued, nothing happened and the tablet stayed with a black screen. I think I'm going to start over from scratch tonight with a different computer.
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
No win8 has no driver support. And yes, try a different OS - xp, vista, win7 or Ubuntu work fine....and dont forget the ADB/fastboot drivers-you'll need them too
[Acer Iconia A500] ryukiri:
Is there a way to do it from OS X Mountain Lion? Or would I be better installing xp on an older pc that i have..?
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Windoze only m8:)
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Or linux.....
[Acer Iconia A500] ryukiri:
alright :) is there a noob guide for doing this on linux? :P
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Dont think there's a specific guide just use the manual nvflash method which is posted in the bootloader thread by civato, its stickied in the dev forum. .have a good read thru that first post and u should be good...

Btw were u just installing the v8 or are u trying to recover from sone sort of brick?
[Acer Iconia A500] ryukiri:
Oh OK, I'll attempt that today ;)

I'm just trying to install the v8 cuz I really want cm 10.1 on it...the tablet is still on stock ICS with root (half root I think cuz I can't mount the system folder as read / write)

EDIT:

So I've dual booted my macbook and installed windows 7 (the linux guide didnt make any sense to me :P )

and i got the SBK drivers from google, installed java, and installed the Acer drivers

and i followed your guide here:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=25891744&postcount=44&nocache=1&z=1222778842784464

but on blackthund3r's APX flash tool, I'm stuck on "Flashing Bootloader (EBT) stage two -uploading image..."

did i do anything wrong?

I also used the manual flashing method but that didnt work either...i got a bunch of errors and fails D:
[Acer Iconia A500] jrbilodeau:
How do I install the USB drivers from the Android SDK

Hi i am trying to follow the guide on the 1st post and i'm not really sure how to go about installing the USB drivers from the Android SDK. I already have the Acer driver installed and i downloaded the Step_1_Drivers_mini_sdk_adb.zip, but i don't see any installation file, so i went to device manager and selected the device to try and update the driver, but there is no .inf file in the folder so how do you install this?

Thanks
[Acer Iconia A500] ryukiri:
i THINK you can just install this

http://dl.google.com/android/installer_r22.0.5-windows.exe

(its the Android SDK tools installer)
[Acer Iconia A500] dibb_nz:
Just extract the files to a folder on yr pc....something like c:\android.

You do not have to 'do' anything with them as such, the files just need to be on yr pc.

To test if adb is setup correctly and you have communication between yr tab and pc.

Right click while holding down the shift button on the c:\android folder

Choose 'open command prompt here...' option

Type in:

adb devices

It should reply with an 11 digit number.

If you are running this from HC this number will be 16 digits and is yr cpuid.

You must see some of number or letter combination, if not check micro USB cable is connected properly between yt tab and pc.....

Please do not attempt any type of bootloader flash if you do not have 'a working adb connection'

There's a short guide on adb setup at the bottom of the first post in the cpuid guide (link in my sig)

dibb
[Acer Iconia A500] ryukiri:
Help?

Delete
[Acer Iconia A500] jrbilodeau:
Question about afterota

Ok so i just downloaded AfterOTA v1.09 and had a few questions before proceeding to install a custom rom. I have an Acer A500 with the OTA ICS.

I was thinking of installing A500/A501 JB-MR1(4.2) device building - v12 over on the tegraowners forum, unless someone has a better suggestion. Basically i just want to be able to run Plex on my tablet and it doesn't work with the stock acer rom. I guess there are issues with their implementation of http live streaming

So far i have used blackthund3r ics root tool to get root access, and used AfterOTA to get my cpuid and sbk

If i understood correctly my next step would be to go to the Standard Tab in AterOTA and one of the 4 Bootloader Ics v3.12.8 options. Is this correct? if so what is the difference between Twrp v2.1.3, Ra v3.1.7 Pub v0.2 and Thor v.1.7.3?

Once this is done what are is my next step.

I'm sorry if this is already on the forum, I'm a complete noob and am having a bit of a hard time understanding some of the lingo in the guides, or the numerous ways to achieve the same thing. Basically too many options and explanation are causing confusion in my brain.

Any help would be greatly appreciated