[Android General] syserr:
Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A -F -H Tablet [FAQ]

We need a clearing house of concise information for the A2107A to address FAQ

(Much of this information can be useful to other MTK devices)

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Please reply to this thread with any FAQ items you wish to see here.

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Q: Why are you doing this? Creating a FAQ?

A: Because my brain hurts and I'm a slow reader. There are a few A2107A threads, but the main one has well over 1800 posts. We need to learn, not just follow recipes. We need to build our understanding with unhindered flow of information.

Q: What are the main threads for A2107A users?

A:

Lenovo IdeaTab a2107

Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A-F roms

Lenovo IdeaTab A2107A-F

A2107A-H Firmware update, Custom Rom and CWM Recovery (calling feature - unlocked)

[ROM] SE for Lenovo A2107A-F and A2107A-H

Q: Should I buy an A2107A?

A: At this point (Sept 2013), new ones are not a good value, but used/refurbs can be a good value. Lenovo themselves have better values: A1000 and A3000. I would like to know and post if these have 3G GSM SIMs? UPDATE: If you really want a 3G SIM tablet, this may be still king. The A1000 has no SIM. The A3000 has an LTE SIM.

Q: Are there custom ROMs? (NEW)

A: Depends on what "custom" means to you. I've stripped some stock ones down: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=46201425 and makbro collected some... chinese, foxtrot, pemergency: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=37409096&postcount=800 which I also mirrored here: https://drive.google.com/?authuser=0#folders/0B8PcIZoLeGNuWS1JUnA2UXdPYUE

Q: What is different about MTK devices from my phone (Motorola, Samsung, etc)?

A: MediaTek SoCs are cheap. They seem to be unique in that they allow for some low level fiddling where others don't. The low level fiddling is done with MediaTek software called SP Flash Tool (Smart Phone Flash Tool).

Q: It seems, this little beast is a lot more complicated to mess with, than other devices?

A: MediaTek devices are a pain in some respects... but once you use and understand MediaTek's SP Flash Tool -- you actually bypass a lot of complexity. You are able to write blocks anywhere in flash. And also, read blocks anywhere from flash. So you are in full control.

Q: Can I get an update.zip and put it on my sdcard?

A: Some folks (myself included) have grabbed OTAs, but they are not full flashes, they are just updates. Lenovo has not released official update.zip files for these devices. You may find something, I'd like to know. (You have other paths with CWM Recovery and also SP Flash Tools)

Q: What is the difference between a -H and a -F model?

A: There are 3 distinct hardware profiles: -H with 1 GSM SIM slot, -H with 2 GSM SIM, and -F with no SIM. Check the A2107A wiki here: http://xdaforums.com/wiki/Lenovo_IdeaTab_A2107A

Q: Are there different Official ROMs?

A: Yes, there are at least different -H ROMs for US, Europe, and China. The Chinese ROMs enable a Phone App on the -H. To my knowledge there is just one -F ROM.

Q: What are the current stock ROMs?

A: If you have a US -H and OTA it as of Sept 2013 -- you will get Android 4.0.4 (ATT build A2107A_A404_000_033_121011_ATT)

A: If you have a US -F and OTA it as of Sept 2013 -- you will get Android 4.0.3 (build A2107A-F_S486_130221).

Q: Can I root after an OTA?

A: Yep, root4.03.zip etc should work fine. [Assuming there will never be 4.1 OTAs]

Q: Can I flash -H to a -F?

A: First, ask why do you want to do this? The phone software on a Tablet without phone (SIM) hardware won't get you anywhere. Yes, you can flash -H onto -F, and you will likely not like the results. It is jerky and sluggish and has some errors. For example audio breaks up horribly and swiping between homescreens is jittery. You'll want to go back to a -F ROM, and it's hard.

Q: Does the -F model have FM Radio hardware?

A: Yes! Tapping into it though is not easy. It's not as simple as grabbing the FM_Radio_1.0.apk from the -H ROM and installing it. Apparently the kernel driver on -F is missing, because the app wants to close and can't find any signals. On the SAME -F device, using the -H ROM, I'm able to hear FM Radio.

Q: Who do we owe thanks to?

A: Lots of folks, but makbro, FoxtrotKZ, and pemergency have to be at the top of the list.

Q: Are there custom ROMs for the -H?

A: Yes, check out makbro's post http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=37409096&postcount=800

Q: Are there recovery ROMs for the -H?

A: Yes, check makbro's post above and ClearSky or ANTIKIRPICH are within makbros posted SP_Flash_Tool_FULL_A2107.rar here:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By3a11Z9icECSXVLWUl4djc3WTg/edit?pli=1

(this is a very good rar/zip/tarball to grab, almost all you need... props go to FoxtrotKZ)

Q: Are there custom ROMs for the -F?

A: ShilohDaniel has stripped the stock ROM and I believe added some things -- calling it "A2107A-F Bare Bones ROM." thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2213225

Q: Are there recovery ROMs for the -F?

A: Not really. Once I broke my -F I pushed ClearSky (-H) on it. It was semi-operational, but then getting the right partitioning back to -F was horrible. In this respect, getting CWM on and going with Bare Bones ROM wouldn't get you fixed. I hope to change that.

Q: Will Lenovo release more OTAs? JB?

A: No, they already have a new line-up. They are "done" with these devices. The only thing that would change that is if a partner like AT&T needs a security fix.

Q: Is there a JellyBean ROM for either the A2107A-F or the A2107A-H?

A: No, are you volunteering?

Q: Does Lenovo respond to questions on their forums?

A: Probably not the questions that you would ask. Their answers are more "Well have you tried turning it off and then on again?" When I asked if there were model variants they had no idea. They didn't know if different features were enabled (with different ROMs) in different countries. Their online support chat was able to find a few product PDFs that show several long model numbers. (those PDFs are on the wiki)

Q: Can I use all these untrusted tools inside a VMware virtual machine instead of my daily rig?

A: Yes. I encourage it. Also, if you are using VMware snapshots or VirtualBox snapshots you can roll back and try different drivers. It seems trying to replace ADB USB drivers that don't work with MTDRT is very hard. Rolling back is much easier than trying to expunge the already installed driver so you can try another.

Q: What is MTK Droid Tools?

A: A Windows app that will convert a "firmware.info" to a scatter.txt file.

A: This tool is also able to root some devices and do a backup. I imagine if it gets that far it can restore too.

Q: What is MTK Rom Studio?

A: A Windows app that will convert a "firmware.info" to a scatter.txt file too I think. (I haven't used it)

Q: Why would I want a *_scatter.txt file?

A: It contains the partition information for your device. This is something you need to feed SP Flash Tool so it can flash the bits in the right places. You can make one from a working device by dumping a "firmware.info" file with a tool like the gscript backup method or presumably MTK Droid Tools will build you one right off, I'm sure doing the same thing to get the data which is dumped to firmware.info.

Q: Can I brick my -F or -H?

A: Probably not. There is a Meta Mode that you can get into even if your PRELOADER is broken/overwritten. I verified this today by writing zeroes to the first 16K of flash, broke my -F, then wrote over a known good firmware. makbro believes it's unbrickable and also yuweng has good info: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=34914486&postcount=3

Q: How do I get into Meta Mode?

A1: While plugged into PC... Hold down Reset, hold VolUp, release Reset, release VolUp

A2: While off... hold VolUp, plug into PC, release VolUp

A3: While off... hold Reset, plug into PC, hold VolUp, release Reset, release VolUp

Q: Can someone help me unbrick my tablet?

A: I haven't seen a bricked A2107A-* that I could not fix. Please post to the original Lenovo IdeaTab a2107 thread.

Q: How do I use SP Flash Tool?

A: I'd like to write a FAQ on it too since there are many pitfalls, but I fear I don't have enough time to do everything. For now, here is a tutorial: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1982587

Q: What should I know about SP Flash Tool?

A: SP Flash Tool allows you to read or write any chunk of nvram/flash. It's normal operation though is to load a *scatter.txt file which describes different image chunks and allows you to "download" (write) them to MTK devices. You can think of the NVRAM as a disk (block device) and this scatter file describing the sizes of PARTITIONS. I think in one error I ran across even says your PMT (partition table?) doesn't match. So the download will write blocks of your NVRAM from image files on your WIndows computer.

Q: When I try to Download (write) a scatter and set of image files to my tablet with SP Flash Tool, I get a PMT does not match. What is causing this?

A: Well, for some reason you have to "Format". Not only do the Format, but you must select "Whole Flash". (assuming this next part) Then it write the PMT to your tablet to match the scatter file you have loaded. At this point you can Download (write) successfully. You will want to have a good backup of your NVRAM block or /data/nvram directory first!

Q: What is a PMT?

A: A partition table that holds the addresses to all the other partitions. I believe the PMT block is created by SP Flash Tool dynamically from scatter file. It's comparing the scatter file with what is sitting at the PMT address on the flash. If these two mismatch, you get the error you mentioned. If you want to force a new PMT that matches your scatter file's layout, you have to do a "Format" in SP Flash Tool. This will get you back to a PMT on flash that matches your scatter file, then SP Flash Tool will be happy and allow you to use Download (write to flash). SPFT is very picky about the scatter file matching the PMT on flash, even the __NODL_ in the scatter has to match the PMT.

Q: How do I get into Factory Mode?

A: Turn Off completely. (no power from USB, you might even hit the reset button)

A: Press and hold Power On and VolUp for 12 sec

A: Observe a menu similar to recovery but with tests etc

Q: How do I get into Recovery Mode?

A: Turn Off completely. (no power from USB, you might even hit the reset button)

A: Press and hold Power On for 4 sec, release, then hold VolUp and VolDown at the same time for up to 10 sec

A: Observe the stock Recovery or CWM if you've replaced the stock

Q: Why is SP Flash Tool giving me errors?

A: SP Flash Tool is not quality software, IMHO. I've had it give me BROM ERROR:S_DL_GET_DRAM_SETTING_FAIL(5054))... over and over, then I exited out and got back into the program and flashing worked fine. Also, make sure you have PRELOADER etc files associated with the blocks even though you don't have them selected to Download/write to flash. For some reason, SPFT checks these things even if they are irrelevant.

Q: I don't have a scatter file, or I have an incorrect scatter file... how do I create one if my device won't boot?

A: Interestingly enough, SPFT reads the PMT during a Download/write. It puts all the values of the PMT in it's log file. You can go look at the log file and fix your scatter file. This is cheating... knowing exactly what your scatter file needs to look like to match your device. ;)

Q: I renamed the scatter file from MT6575_Android_scatter_emmc.txt to my_failed_attempt_scatter.txt is that ok?

A: Obviously you didn't know to ask this question and it's just contrived.... but yes you just screwed up, the file name of the scatter matters. I hate this, I lost like 2 weeks to this. Don't rename it. I've found some names that work, but just don't go there, leave the name and organize things with directories instead of file names.

(Some dumb Questions I had early on... that didn't seem to be answered clearly)

Q: How do a SBF or ODIN a A2107A

A: MediaTek's method is through software called SP Flash Tool. This is similar in function to Motorola SBF or Samsung ODIN.

Q: How do I get into Fastboot?

A: I don't think you do on MTK devices.

Q: How do I boot into the Bootloader?

A: Not sure if they have a bootloader menu. I think this is irrelevant. After an OTA, I was never able to. But with all the methods of gaining root and flashing, I guess I don't see why you need it.

Q: Does this device have a locked bootloader? Can I unlock it?

A: I'm not sure. If it does, you could probably overwrite the bootloader easy enough. Can the stock bootloader boot a homebrewed kernel? So far, I have seen no one produce a homebrew kernel for either the -F or -H. Hacks come from the stock kernels or the Lenovo A750 phone.

Q: Can the A2107A run Cyanogenmod (CM9, CM10)?

A: No. Cyanogenmod may run on MTK (MediaTek) chips soon, but even after that it will be a bunch of work.

Q: Why do I want to root my device?

Q: How do I root my device?

Q: Why do I want to install a custom recovery like CMW (Clockwork Mod) Recovery?

Q: How do I install CWM?

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