yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android General] mrflint27:
Reflash A8

ok cracktech, i shall give it a bash both ways battery out first then battery in if that don't work. i am running widows xp pro 32bit,

DAVE

VERY TRUE

(its a hassle to use Win8 a whole new chapter by itself) and win10

---------- Post added at 10:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 PM ----------

9OKEE DOKKEE

i think we have cracked it,

BATTERY OUT

loaded auto drivers

plugged it in and device manager showed preloader xxxxxxx (com3)

fired up sp flash tool

hit scatter-loading

put tick in DA DL checksum

hit firmware upgrade

bottom process bar flashed several different colours

then went from 0% to 100% in yellow in 5min 43sec

now i have a seperate box showing a solid round GREEN circle

is that a good sign ??????

dave
[Android General] mrflint27:
System_A8_S029_UpdateComplete

all done and complete.

A5500HV_A442_000_024_141007_ROW installed

update_TWRP_281_A8-50 installed

supersu pro installed

all updtes installed

HOWEVER

System_A8_S029_UpdateComplete will not install, IT CHANGES NOTHING.

suggestions please

dave
[Android General] cracktech:
I have uploaded a revised version to the A8 folder. Use TWRP "Install"
[Android General] mrflint27:
System_A8_S029_UpdateComplete

worked perfect, thankyou.

just noticed another update is available,

A5500-HV_A442_000_024_141007_ROW TO A5500HV_A442_000_029_150401_ROW (140mb)

is it worth the effort and if it is can we make a twrp install of the firmware update

dave
[Android General] cracktech:
Final version S029 for HV

On my Forum we closed the chapter on A8-A5500 at version S029 (final official version , no Lollipop!) updated via TWRP.

http://malaysianandroidsupport.blogspot.my/2015/05/lenovo-a8-a5500-s029-update.html
[Android General] mrflint27:
Final version S029 for HV
[Android General] doveman:
No idea how she managed it but my Mum's managed to mess up her A8-5500-HV. She said she moved some photos to her PC the other day but appears to have managed to move every image/icon on the tablet (she said there were about 1000 files) and she says she later got a popup asking if she wanted to restore something to it's previous state, which she said yes to.

Anyway, I've got a TWRP backup I made for her in June but I was wondering if someone can advise how I should go about restoring it, as her internal storage is encrypted? The backup is on a micro-SD card but I won't be able to mount or overwrite the internal storage from recovery as it's encrypted.
[Android General] cracktech:
As easy as a-b-c

:laugh::laugh:eek: Only the TWRP NANDROID backup is encrypted am I correct? If only the TWRP NANDROID is encrypted just do "enable" MD-5 during "restore". I dont remember the A8-A5500HV internal sdcard being encrypted and cannot be accessed(it should be as easy as ABC. Even while in TWRP Restore mode you can "search" for the NANDROID Backup on the external sdcard that if you created a Backup on the external sdcard it will auto create a folder named "TWRP" and within it are your NANDROID files. That is why we dont encourage users to enable "MD-5 encryption" during backup. (What the hell for?It will cause headaches if one of the NANDROID files is corrupted). If you have to reflash your A8-A5500 please come to my BLOG as we have closed the chapter on A8 HV-ROW Feb 2015 at build S029. We have moved on to other models (I personally own 2pcs A8) BUT MIND YOU OUR Version is on MTK8382 not MTK8121 WiFi only version : http://malaysianandroidsupport.blogspot.my/2015/05/lenovo-a8-a5500-s029-update.html
[Android General] doveman:
Nope, the internal storage is encrypted with the Android system feature. The TWRP backup (made with Online Nandroid Backup, as backups can't be made from Recovery when internal storage is encrypted as it can't mount it) will probably not be encrypted, as it was made with the OS running and unlocked but I don't think (from past experience with various tablets) that I can restore a TWRP backup in Recovery when the internal storage is encrypted and can't be mounted.

---------- Post added at 08:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 PM ----------

She's just dropped off the tablet for me to fix and in Recovery (TeamWin) it doesn't show the TWRP backups when I select the microSD card. Looking at the log it seems that it expects them to be in /data/media/TWRP, so I moved the TWRP folder from the root of the microSD to /data/media/ (on the microSD) but it still doesn't list the backups. I guess the TeamWin recovery creates a slightly different structure or an index file that Online Nandroid Backup doesn't.

Booting it up I can see she appears to have somehow managed to reset it, as most of her apps are missing including Apex Launcher. It's prompting me to update from 141007_ROW to 150401_ROW (HV version), so should I do that before anything else?

The TWRP structure I have is /data/media/TWRP/BACKUPS/0000000000000000/2015-04-05--07-14-50/ and files are:

boot.emmc.win

cache.ext4.win

data.ext4.win

recovery.emmc.win

system.ext4.win

and .md5 files for each of those.

EDIT: This is really a more general/TWRP question, so I've created a new thread for it here http://xdaforums.com/general/xda-assist/restoring-twrp-nandroid-win-files-t3262280
[Android General] doveman:
Hmm, I worked out how to restore my Nandroid but I made things worse and got stuck in a boot loop!

So I'm starting from scratch and I'll try restoring just /data and /system after that. I've done the SPFlashTool bit and successfully booted, rooted with iRoot, booted into TWRP and updated it to v2.8.1.0, rebooted to TWRP but I can't install ROOT_LENOVOTablet.zip as it gives "Error executing updater binary in zip".

Should I just try restoring the /data and /system again now?

EDIT: Seems the iRoot app RomasterSu_2.2.6_151020_2075.apk doesn't work properly. I used the PC .exe instead and that rooted it properly, although it installs a load of junk, including KingRoot and Avast detects it as malware, which is why I prefer to avoid installing stuff like this on my PC as I don't know what it's installed on that or whether it will all be removed when I uninstall it.

I still get the same error trying to install ROOT_LENOVOTablet.zip though, so that's not because it wasn't rooted.
[Android General] doveman:
Restoring /data and /system got it almost back to where it was before :) Just needed to let it update a load of apps and then install some that weren't installed back in June when I made the Nandroid.

I need to find a simple way to have it make automatic individual app backups (like Titanium) once a week and Nandroid backups once a month, just in case something like this happens again in future. Unfortunately I had to disable the Titanium scheduled backup a while back, as I found that when it runs it FC several important apps (like AFWall+) and that messes up things until you reboot and they reload, which is too complicated for my Mum.

I guess I need to find a better way for my Mum to transfer her photos to her PC as well. I noticed that when she connects the tablet to the PC (running Win8.1) that some fullscreen Windows app opens, so I need to disable that and then find a program that will just show the photos in the DCIM folder for her to copy/move and no other files.
[Android General] cracktech:
A8-TWRP Recovery ,=== I dont understand why your internal sdcard is encrypted. The TWRP version given by me is not effected by encrypt sdcard and I know it is working 100% backup/ restore function. It was shared on Russian 4PDA forums and none of us incl. noobs on my forum had ever ask me about " encrypted" sdcard issues , about the update.zip issue I will look into it ASAP as it updates to S029 but I still dont understand your " encrypted" sdcard issues IF you use MY version of TWRP.
[Android General] doveman:
Why it's encrypted is because I encrypted it to protect the data in case my Mum loses it or it's stolen.

On every Android device I've used, I've never come across a recovery (TWRP or otherwise) that gives me the option to enter my password to decrypt the internal storage (well /data, it doesn't encrypt system which leaves it vulnerable to having malware installed but that's another matter) and so it can't mount it to read/write to it.

It's not a big problem though, as I can create Nandroid backups after the OS is booted and /data is decrypted and to restore them I just need to format /data first to make it mountable.
[Android General] doveman:
Are there any tweaks recommended for the CPU settings (I/O Scheduler and Governor) in ROM Toolbox Lite?
[Android General] doveman:
I'm getting quite a few messages about Exchange Services having crashed. Can I safely freeze this app or is it needed for something?
[Android General] cracktech:
You will have to update " EchangeServices.apk" and Email.apk"

From Lenovo A7-30HC Lollipop on Tapatalk
[Android General] yahym97:
with windows 10 it's ok?

And the easy way to change with HV witch one is?

It's my first time when I rom a device!
[Android General] cracktech:
What do you mean? to do flashing?

It is best to use win7 or Win XP but never use Win 8/Win10 (although there are some latest MTK SoC drivers that can go with Win8 but there are the exception). Please dont try to do flashing with Win10 it will never succeed even after you disable "signature verification" or your flashing will not succeed in finishing the process. DO NOT USE WIN 10 OS!
[Android General] yahym97:
In Device Manager the driver was Mtk65xx with W10 OS

This means that I need to install W7!

Iach!

with Win10 it will never succeed-it does not eaven progress!
[Android General] sonnenriesel:
does this only work with the HV one? i got the f-one and had the problem, that i want to install the new update and now i have the problem, that the tablet turns off and on, to the lenovo logo, show the android-robot which is installing a bit of the new software, turns off and do the same again. i cant boot it with power+volumeup button, doesnt work. if i try this, it do the same thing as before. few month ago, i had the same problem and my brother could fix it with instructions like this, but im not sure if its this one.

when i connect it to a pc, i got a connection for perhaps 3 seconds.
[Android General] cracktech:
Bootloop!

The condition is called "bootloop" . Here in Asia we got by during the KitKat updates period by doing manual updates e.g from S019 to S029 (HV) the ACTUAL changes is about a total of 80Mb and in the OTA it will change the factory ("3E: Recovery to just show that it has changed from S019 to S029 but that I suspect is causing the bootloop) So we do a TWRP install of the changes to the S029 and just adding the updated "build.prop" about 14kb, file. But to update via OTA what you would have have actually done is risking screwing your phablet (get into "bootloop").

So we were saved by me getting my hands on the firmware of the widely sold models in Asia i.e HV/H and installing TWRP . But I am aware that for territory outside of Asia that TWRP Recovery cannot be used because it is meant only for MT8382. The F variant uses the MT8121. Once you can get TWRP on your phablet everything will be fine. Now back to how do you want to recover from your "bootloop" . Please go to this forum and search for the firmware (it will say for PC version i.e it is in SPFlashTool version) If you have "bootloop" the only way to get out of it (if you dont already have TWRP/CWM installed) is you will have to reflash your phablet using SPFlashTool version ROM AND not try to seek for OTA.zip update files. http://lenovo-forums.ru/ or try to read this tutorial first to get acquanted with what the process requires : http://lenovo-forums.ru/topic/6414-lenovo-a8-50-a5500-вопросы-и-ответы/ and download the ROM from here : http://lenovo-forums.ru/forum/286-lenovo-a8-a5500-официальные-прошивки/ or download firmware from here : http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?forums[]=583&act=search&source=all&query=Lenovo+A8-A5500 (P/S It is in Russian so please use Chrome Browser with translate)

BEST OF LUCK (retired FORUM MASTER)
[Android General] felix_ret:
You saved me!

Jesus...! I was desperate that I had forever bricked my tablet and your method worked!

I owe you this one! Thanks a ton!
[Android General] cracktech:
Next time go to my BLOG for Lenovo A7/ A8/S939/ PhabPlus for full firmware plus mods includes TWRP and tutorials, it was given at the earlier posting a few months back : http://malaysianandroidsupport.blogspot.com/ It shows you guys didnt read through the postings. No matter its your lost.
[Android General] Keidis1:
I want to confirm that this works perfectly, thank you so much I must be the only one in South Africa that has one that can make calls, they only sell the data only tablets here. You sir are awesome :)
[Android General] Rammspine:
Not the only one! :good:
[Android General] Panos_213:
Hello!

I have a a5500 hv and i have the touchscreen issue.

I have to tap 2 or 3 times to work.Only on tap.The swipe is ok.

Is there anyway i can fix it?

Thank you!
[Android General] cracktech:
Touch screen issues

First lets start with the simple solution : install any touch screen calibration app from Playstore

Second if you have TWRP/CWM clear dalvik cache

Thirdly confirm that you do not have hardware problem like loose cable connecting the capacitive layer to your mainboaod (it is normally the shortest and thinnest cable , maybe white in color)

Lastly the brute force method : by flashing the tablet all over again. Normally this will even solve the problems of " camera cannot be connected" but if you love your installed apps during the flashing process dont tick the "data" (leave it unchecked, so that your data will not be erased) but it could also mean that if some of your app that is causing your screen problem, the problem will still remain.

If you want to try the brute force method go to my BLOG : http://malaysianandroidsupport.blogspot.my/2015/05/lenovo-a8-a5500-s029-update.html
[Android General] Panos_213:
Hello!

I installed a screen calibration app with no luck:(!

Loose cable no i dont have;)!

I will try the brute force method and i will tell you the results:)!

Thank you!
[Android General] Panos_213:
Hello!

I tried the brute force method and flashed the original rom...

But is doing the same thing..I notice that when i have it connected to pc via the cable is fine.When i disconnect it again the same...:(
[Android General] Tedd88:
Did not work

Followed all the steps bro, didn't work for me....Software was on for hours and nothing was loading had to eventually click stop.
[Android General] cracktech:
http://malaysianandroidsupport.blogspot.my/2015/05/lenovo-a8-a5500-s029-update.html
[Android General] Tedd88:
Wil it work on windows 10

Using windows 10, tried all the steps and nothing seems to work. Any assistance on how to get it flashed on windows 10 will be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:04 PM ----------

On which operating system?
[Android General] famerom.ir@gmail.com:
website for download farsi rom

hi i had added Persian language (i'm From Iran) to many of smartphones.

also i had added other languages and make my rom's metalanguage .. it's free for you to visit my site

website name is famerom.ir
[Android General] teslaforce:
hi i have try the method but something happen in the process now tablet not power on please can you help me thanks
[Android General] cracktech:
Flash failure

Please ensure that you have the correct ROM for your model. The HV, H, F models are not interchangeable (maybe HV and H is possible but NOT "F" beacsue F is MT8121 , HV,H uses MT8382). Please make sure that the USB cable is the original Lenovo cable because it is slightly longer and it fits tightly in the Tab socket.

Most YouTube videos failed to remind users to check "DA/DL/Checksum" for SPFlashtool version 3.XXX and checked "DA DL All with Checksum" in version 5.xxxx. Because if you dont check this option your device even though successfully flashed will not boot up and will be stuck at the device logo. Then since most of the tutorials mentioned "remove battery" (which is not possible for most Tablets) you set the option to "Auto" or "without battery"(see pic for instructions)

There is another way you can try >> Before clicking on the "Download only" or "Firmware Upgrade" button (this is after USB cable has been connected to PC and you are ready to start the flashing process) DO THIS >> How to enter Lenovo A8-50 A5500 recovery mode ?

Power off your device.

Boot in recovery mode by pressing and holding Volume Up and Power Button at the same time.

Release all buttons when the Lenovo A8-50 A5500 screen flickers and in a few seconds the Recovery screen will appear.(in this your case your device should be detected and the RED bar will appear). If after pressing the "Download only" button no progress is made " then you Press "Firmware Upgrade" ( which I recommend for hardbricked devices since you have already lost all data and it will wipe the device clean/format everything and give it a fresh start)

This is a good article to read : http://www.engineerthink.com/blog/2016/07/how-to-unbrick-hard-bricked-mediatekmtk-android-phone/
[Android General] nelson.77:
Last rom

Hi all,

where can I download the last custom ROM for my A8-5500H Tablet? Which is the last post with the link?

Is it a Lollipop or Marshmallow version fully functional with no bugs?

Thank you very much!
[Android General] cracktech:
No Marshmallow!

If you want to have a stable device A8-A5500HV better not look for "customs ROMs" . If you want a stable semi customs(semi stock) ROM you can try mine based on 4PDA Lenovo Official firmware. Before you do anything else let me remind you that these ROM works fine on 2 x A8-A5500 that I own (one a 100% Chinese A8-A5500 flashed to be ROW the other an upgrade from S024 ROW)

The latest official version is KitKat S029. If you want a customs Lollipop ROM dont bother looking at my link. I have been using my own version since I bought it in Jan 2015 without problems (with TWRP)

My advise to those new to the Lenovo brand devices try to obtain TWRP/CWM for your models before attempting to even try to do upgarde through OTA. Lenovo is best to upgrade thro' flashing , OTA 98% likely will result in botloop for MTK powered devices.

My link : http://malaysianandroidsupport.blogspot.my/2015/05/lenovo-a8-a5500-s029-update.html
[Android General] sabbahy:
I tried the last official upgrade 029 for my a5500-HV , I also tried CyanogenMod 13 (HV) from 4pda which are much more better than the official firmware, actually no comparison between both!! CM are much more stable, battery saver, speed, compatibility.

have a try if you didn't tried it yet
[Android General] nelson.77:
Hello,

thank you very much for your reply!

Please, could you send me the link where to dowload the CyanogenMod13 from 4pda for my A5500-H? I'm not able to find it...

Has it got the italian language?

Thank you very much
[Android General] sabbahy:
unfortunately it's just for the A5500-HV Not the H version
[Android General] nelson.77:
Hello,

I found the CM13 for A5500-H on 4PDA forum, but I haven't installed it yet.

Is there the italian language in the version for the A5500-HV that you've got on your tablet?

Thanks!
[Android General] ThomasAstor:
Lenovo a5500-f

Hi

I've been browsing the net and XDA for a while now to find a Rom for my Lenovo a5500-f.

I've come to the conclusion that it cannot be upgraded to even 4.4.4.

It there a possibilty to install the Lenovo A8-50 A5500 recovery mode on it to remove any un-wanted apps?

I nearly flashed a TWRP, but it would seem that they are specific to each rom and/or tablet.

Is there a TWRP recovery for the Lenovo a5500-f?

Better, could a rom for the Lenovo A8-50 A5500 be flashed on a Lenovo a5500-f?

I bought the tablet cheaply and thought I could upgrade it easily with a custom rom. Wrong.

It is rooted with One Click Root, but that all.

Thanks. T
[Android General] paiktaras:
can you give me the link From which you downloaded the exe to root this device ?
[Android General] ThomasAstor:
Hi

I cannot help you with this one.

I am using a Mac and Android File Transfer.

No need for any drivers or so.

I just click and transfer.

T
[Android General] paiktaras:
ok, after root the device how to install the super su apk ?
[Android General] mcvisster:
So. For our device there is Lineage 14.1 also RR 5.8.5, AOKP (7.1.2) and crDroid 3.8.4. On 4pda RU. there are links for rom's with rebooth patch. But you must be loged in to download patch. I can confirm all works. Also I have xposed and substratum installed . One more thing. When you download gaps, download and install "pico" file because you will get error70 in TWRP.
[Android General] mcvisster:
Use google translate https://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic
[Android General] ender1324:
I dont know what to do

Hey,

Your guide is very good but my device is called MTP USB device and I dont know if the drivers work?! I ran the .exe and I installed the drivers in D:\ disk.

Is that right??:rolleyes:
[Android General] ender1324:
WHAT???

Is it bad if it worked without no da dl all check sums?pls tell me fast i am in panic? It booted good!
[Android General] Hark01:
Upgrade of A5500-H to A5500-HV [with Windows XP] to enable phone calls

0) A5500-H model [this won't work with A5500-F, different hardware]

1) Windows XP

2) get Android Platform Tools r23 (last for Win XP)

3) get latest HV firmware [A5500HV_A442_000_029_150401_ROW.7z] (try e.g. gsm-firmware.com)

3a) inside it, you'll find "Lenovo\ A5500_A7600_USB_driver_V4"

3b) also inside, you'll find "SP_Flash_Tool_v3.1336.0.198"

4) enable USB debugging mode

5) connect running tablet to USB and install driver [from "Lenovo\ A5500_A7600_USB_driver_V4"]

6) in platform-tools run "adb devices"

7) allow access on tablet

8) now type "adb reboot fastboot" [it should reboot it to fastboot mode]

9) now install second driver [from "Lenovo\ A5500_A7600_USB_driver_V4"]

10) run "fastboot devices", it should show your device

11) run "fastboot reboot", it will reboot tablet to normal mode, when boot on, disconnect it and turn it off [it should have at least 50% battery]

11a) here you can try to backup your original ROM, but it's a little tricky, you can google "How to use SP Flash tool to backup Mediatek firmware"

11b) write down your IMEI. I didn't have issue with it, but with some other ROMs, seems that it can be lost.

12) unpack SP Flash Tool, run Flash_Tool, click on scatter loading, load "MT6582_scatter_LVP5-3G-ROW-Voice.1.029.00.txt", tick DA-DL with all checksums and click Upgrade firmware. wait until it checksums all files.

13) when you connect turned off tablet, second driver will activate and flashing will start. wait for green circle.

14) unplug and start tablet. voilà!
[Android General] doveman:
Are there any 7.x ROMs for the HV model, i.e. with working 3G/calls as I don't want to update if I'll lose that?

Incidentally I found this link for Lineage 14.1 for anyone who doesn't want to register on the russian forum

https://www.getdroidtips.com/lineage-os-14-1-lenovo-tab-a8-50/

Could someone please share the TWRP 3.1.1.3 as I can't get through the registration process on the russian forum.
[Android General] mcvisster:
3g works fine
[Android General] paiktaras:
This is unofficial Lineage ? Because to the Lineage site i cant find 14.1 for this tdevice
[Android General] mcvisster:
Yes
[Android General] doveman:
That's rather non-specific. Do you mean that the Lineage 14.1 ROM I linked to is designed for the HV model and the 3G works with that, or that all the available 7.x ROMS are HV ones with working 3G?

If anyone can provide the TWRP 3.1.1.3 please do, as I've only got a much older version from when I originally flashed it.