yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
I know how you feel, having had to ask for similar help myself over the past two days.

If your PC can see your Lenovo at all, then you may be able to start a TWRP session.

I downloaded this stock image:

http://lenovo-forums.ru/search/?type=all&q=tb-8704f

Last image on the page:

Lenovo Tab4 A8 Plus - прошивка TB-8704F_S000024_170706_ROW_QFIL

Download, unzip. I take it you have all the Lenovo drivers installed? If not, install them.

I think that the TWRP version for the TB-8704F is available in the "root TB-8704F" thread here in XDA.

When I had got all these pieces together, I temporarily booted a TWRP session from a cmd window (fastboot boot twrp.img), then in Advanced I started a terminal session and got into Emergency Download mode (reboot edl). The device screen turned black, but when I started MiFlash and set it running it flashed the stock image in a few minutes. After that it was two OTAs to get me to Oreo 8.1, and my device is now running pretty well.

This is a really high-level overview, and I know from experience that overviews are demoralising if you don't understand them. But having had the great help from [MENTION=4239524]swieder711[/MENTION] I managed it, and so can you. Keep asking and trying...

As you may have read above, I had the "missing flash_all.bat" message. Once you're in EDL that message won't appear.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Bodegroes:
[MENTION=6161558]dahawthorne[/MENTION] Thank you for your reply. Even though I have spent hours installing drivers from the folder that comes with that image, they do not appear in the device manager. However, when I run miflash and press refesh my device is there. Then when I try to flash, I get an error. So onto this EDL mode. I do not know what it looks like and I cannot access it. What should I see? My device is visible to the pc when I place it in fastboot mode. Then I can do nothing. The twrp that you describe, does it bring a message on the tablet? Is this something else that I need to download? Do I type these commands from the windows command line? What is an OTA? This looks like one of the greatest botched updates by a company ever :( 9 hours and counting.

---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 PM ----------

On the instruction for this it says: Enable developer options and in there select to unlock your bootloader by enabling OEM unlock and enable USB debugging. This is not possible as the tablet is a brick and will not boot? Do you just skip this?

---------- Post added at 10:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:05 PM ----------

Also, where should the TWRP image be located before typing these commands? I am totally lost to be honest. No clue what I am doing. So the command line says C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot> and I type fastboot boot twrp-3.2.3-0-tb_8704x.img and get cannot load : No such file even though it is in that directory. After 10 hours, I am quitting for the day.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
Too late in the evening for me too, but on your last point, the error message is typical of the situation where you've either typed the file name wrongly (personally I do a "rename" on the file on the PC, copy the entire file name to the clipboard and then paste it after the command) or the TWRP file is not in the fastboot directory - I've done this many times myself.

Once you get a TWRP session running on your device, then you can use TWRP Advanced/Terminal and type the "reboot edl" command in your device's terminal window. If the device's screen goes black, you can then try starting MiFlash again, and this time instead of seeing the device id you should see a COM port number. Following the MiFlash instructions to fill in the various panels, press Flash and cross your fingers...
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Bodegroes:
[MENTION=6161558]dahawthorne[/MENTION] Still going. Can't sleep. So I now get the downloading message then okay so I am starting to rejoice then a horrific FAILED (remote: unlock device to use this command) - There is no way to access the tablet to unlock any debugging settings?????????????
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Miho.Nightwalker:
This is super interesting and I would love to see on pic what are you actually describing here, like what is the hub etc and how it actually works and what purpose does it serve as I have just tiny little idea you're making something like a multimedia centre in your car! :)) Very interesting and would love to see more
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
I'm afraid I'm out of my depth with this question, since I have always unlocked every device immediately specifically so that I have the possibility to recover if something goes wrong. If you haven't enabled unlock in the settings before starting then you may be out of luck, but before giving up (or until someone with more knowledge chips in) you could try fastboot oem unlock from a cmd session.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Bodegroes:
Thanks, did that. "Not allowed" . I wouldn't know about unlocking before updating. Brand new device, just clicked update. I am shocked to be honest. I plan to return it and claim a refund.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
If all you did was to click to accept the OTA update, you're right - this shouldn't happen. Good luck with the refund.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] swieder711:
If you have not unlocked your Bootloader than you may be able to get into Emergency Download mode with this post, https://www.theandroidsoul.com/boot-edl-mode-qualcomm-android/

How to Boot into EDL Mode via Bootloader/Fastboot

Download Fastboot EDL files (.zip)

Download fastboot-edl.zip file from the link above, and extract it a separate folder on your PC.

Boot your device into bootloader/fastboot mode and connect it to the PC over a USB cable.

Double-click/Run edl.cmd file from the extracted files and it’ll reboot your device to EDL mode.

I have not tried this. I get into Emergency Download Mode via TWRP terminal.

Here is a link to the edl.cmd file, https://androidhost.org/z6q2A
[Thinkpad Tablet General] mimox:
No need to unlock the bootloader in order to use EDL. I just recovered from a 8.1 softbrick and did not unlock my bootloader before or during the process.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Bodegroes:
Hi, thanks. I tried this yesterday in my 10 hour stint. When it runs, the device buzzes then attempts to reboot and you are once again stuck at the logo. I even hovered over the flash button for when the screen goes black for the microsecond that it does but nothing happened. I did not know what to look for on the screen to see if EDL is enabled either. The tablet is on its way back to the supplier for a full refund. The Lenovo forum is full of bricked devices from this update! It's a shocker. I only turned it on!!:confused:
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
As your attorney :) I agree a refund rather than a replacement is sensible. This device is a major disappointment for me. Not only the incredible lack of updates (Oreo well over an entire year after its release...?) but also the list of faults - the annoying blinking light which can't be turned off, SD card corruption (perhaps cured now?), and today with a brand-new(ish) ROM my video apps MX Player Pro & VLC can't read the videos on the SD card. Fortunately it's a relatively cheap tablet, and the screen and sound are pretty good, but it's the last Lenovo product I'll buy.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] swieder711:
When my table is in EDL mode the screen is black. LED is not lit. Looks like it is powered off.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] mimox:
The red LED flashes once when connecting, after that the tablet looks dead but it can be seen in Windows device manager if the Qualcomm drivers are installed.

---------- Post added at 09:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------

Well, this was fun. Updated to 8.1 again with absolutely nothing done in the system, same problem. Recovering again now and sending the tablet back tomorrow.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
Sorry it took so long to respond..

I restored using twrp. Very easy because I made a backup of system image and boot using twrp, prior to rooting and making system changes.

If you haven't rooted and made any system changes, I highly recommend you boot to twrp and make a backup for future use. Choose system image and boot. You can Backup recovery too.

Store your backup on the external sd card. Even if you don't plan to root, it's good to have a stock system backup.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
No problem at all. I actually did take an early TWRP backup but when I restored it it didn't work. Who knows why. I've now managed, with [MENTION=4239524]swieder711[/MENTION]'s help, to get my tablet back and upgrade to Oreo, but I'll definitely take a system backup. And no root again... :)
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
When creating the backup, there are two options, system and system image. Be sure to check system image. We can't restore from a traditional nandroid and get ota.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
Thanks. I used to take both, system image and partition images, and TWRP has never failed me before, so I guess I fouled something up this time. I'll take a system image this time and clutter my 5 hard drives with it just in case... :)
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
What are partition images? All you need is system image and boot. When you restore system it installs stock recovery.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
TWRP has the option to take a system image or separate partition images, including cache for some reason. I normally image them all, and have restored many times without problem. The Lenovo is the first time it failed, which is why I reckon it was my failure.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
Those separate partion backups, a typical nandroid, do not restore properly for our Lenovo. You must check system image, don't check the others, except boot (and recovery if you want to backup stock recovery) When restoring all I restore is system image and boot. That restores stock recovery as well. You can restore using a backup of those partition images ( if you use the latest available twrp for our tablets. The earlier twrp would not restore from those ), but you won't get OTAs. I don't bother with data, everything I care about is on my external.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
I successfully restored my 8704X back to stock soooo26 using Miflash tool in EDL mode. No issues, it went quick and smooth. The tablet then recognized the soooo42 update and installed without issues. Now I'm stuck there, getting the you are up to date message. It's been about an hour or so.. grrrrr
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Bodegroes:
Update: Well my tablet has gone back to Amazon and I got a full refund. Happy days. I do not see a way to recover the device if the device is locked. Nothing worked. The EDL command just rebooted to the logo. I had a response from Lenovo.......they suggested a recovery app. They said to select your device from the list, connect it and press recover. This advice was unbelievably poor. The recovery app didn't even have this device listed. I went back to them again. They then said...I am sorry to hear that your device is not supported...LOL. Reading the Lenovo forums, there are many instances of this OTA update bricking perfectly working tablets. Thanks for everyone's suggestions with this but for now, I'm out!
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
If I'm reading it correctly, according to a user who visited local customer service, the ota has been removed. Which will explain why I can't update from s000042. Grrrr. I deleted my working 8.1 twrp backup after restoring s000026. Dumb, IK. Anyone have it in the system/ ota file they could upload for me? 8704x

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo...Tab-4-8-Plus-Oreo-update/td-p/4270256/page/11
[Thinkpad Tablet General] hydropruben:
flash back to the sock rom with qfil ... don't go to customer service ;)
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
Most of the users in the lenovo forum have ZERO experience with restoring a device. They don't know what else to do.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] hydropruben:
back to the orginal rom with qfil .... try out
[Thinkpad Tablet General] swieder711:
Lenovo pulled the Oreo update. On my tab 4 8 plus running 7.1.1, a check for updates says that I am running the latest release.

Back to the drawing board for the Lenovo engineers.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
Innit marvellous...? You help me get my Tab back, including Oreo, and they do this to you? Maybe it just hasn't rolled out to your area yet? Now that I've got it, it's still not great - especially the maddening blue blinking notification light that can't be switched off. As I said, no more Lenovo for me - it seems that quality and customer service are sorely lacking.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] swieder711:
The update showed on my tab when it first came out. Now it is gone. I suspect Lenovo pulled it back.

I am waiting until TWRP gets updated before moving to Oreo. Hopefully we can get an updated TWRP by the end of December.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
There is already an updated one - 3.2.3-0:

https://xdaforums.com/thinkpad-tablet/general/twrp-root-tab-4-plus-tb-x704l-f-tb-t3664407

I used it to temporarily boot and take a TWRP system/boot image.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] swieder711:
I already have 3.2.3-0

That version was out before Oreo was released.

Have you tried clearing Cache on Oreo with it? I got errors when I tried.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
Ah, sorry - TWRP updates relatively seldom, so I would guess that it will be a long time before you see another update. I haven't tried clearing cache - frankly, after the past few days I'm afraid that the slightest breeze will brick it again, so I'm leaving well alone... :)

Actually 3.2.3 is only 4 months old. Do you mean before Oreo was released for the Tab 4?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] swieder711:
TWRP builds require device specific files. The TWRP for the Tab came out before the Tab had Oreo, so it needs an update.

I have exchanged emails with Matshias who built many of the TWRP images for the Tab 4 8 plus. He offered to update TWRP to support Oreo at the end of December when he is back from traveling.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
Interesting. I've been using TWRP for years, and when I booted the Tab4 I could see no problems with taking an image - it looked totally normal.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] 5294aqib:
No VoLTE after Oreo update

Hi

I am unable to use VoLTE after Oreo update in my Lenovo tab 4 8 plus!!!!!

anyone please help me?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
After bricking my 8704F by trying to restore the stock firmware in order to get the Oreo OTA (now fixed and working), I've held off on rooting again, even with Magisk systemless.

The Lenovo upgrade matrix still shows the November 2018 Oreo OTA as "in progress". Would I be correct in thinking that this is the last OTA this tablet will see? I know people don't have crystal balls - just asking for thoughts.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Ja_som:
Yes, I think, Tab 4 10 plus is out already, it didn't get 8.1, so probably we are also done after this one.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Surya1998:
Same here, and to add pain to the injury, jio4voice app doesnt works well either.. even if managed to make a call, phone reboots
[Thinkpad Tablet General] 5294aqib:
I don't like jio4gvoice because it shows ads and ask for many unnecessary permissions....

If someone know some solution then please help
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
Does anyone have a 8704X twrp backup of system.image and boot of 8.1 they are willing to share? Pretty please. ?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] lukaspieper:
Since there was unfortunately no interest in the LOS I compiled for the 8704F, I will try it here today with LOS for the 8704X.

This LOS is based on a completely different repository, which I found only recently and which makes a very good impression.

Although you are all focused on Oreo, it would be very helpful if someone would be willing to try one of these untested builds. Of course there remains a certain risk, which I don't want to hide. That's why I don't publish the links and ask for a PN.

Thanks.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
I'll test it for you. PM sent
[Thinkpad Tablet General] skttrbrain:
Even though I won't be using it myself, I really really appreciate this.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] GPSSlovakia:
yes, it would be great if you could build LOS for the 8704X
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
For anyone that's interested, the 8.1 update is back, 8704X.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] swieder711:
Who wants to be first to try it?

I would prefer to have an updated twrp.

Edit: it looks like the version number didn't change which seems odd. Did lenovo make any changes to the last 8.1 update?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
I flashed it without issues after going back to stock with miflash. I didn't have any issues the first time though. I couldn't tell you if anything is different. But, yeah, my twrp is seriously screwed up. I can't mount data, can't wipe dalvik. I did however get root this time.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
One thing I see fixed in the 8.1 update is the custom feature in Dolby. It stays now, when you set your customization with the sliding bars.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] SGH-i200:
That is great news to my ears! :good: What kind of risk you mean?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] lukaspieper:
I'm sorry I'm answering so late.

Until a rom boots up, all previous builds will result in a soft brick. Currently we have a bootloop. I can't rule out more serious damage, it's unlikely, but there is also a disclaimer for working builds (see the TWRP thread for example).
[Thinkpad Tablet General] GPSSlovakia:
magisk-remount module not working in magisk 18.0 - cannot install :(

-Copying zip to temp directory

! Invalid Uri

! Installation failed
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dywersant:
Theres an updated module for v17 in this thread, it should work. Please look thru posts.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] baydude:
Where can I download stock firmware for TB-8704F wifi?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
You're in for some fun if you're trying to restore stock... :)

I believe I got it here:

http://lenovo-forums.ru/topic/24137...8704f_s000024_170706_row_qfil/#comment-568887

It's an old one, but once you've installed it you'll be offered the OTA to 8.1. Use MiFlash tool to install it - look for it in this thread and also look for EDL.

I installed it with help from [MENTION=4239524]swieder711[/MENTION], whose advice and encouragement made me put the hammer back in the toolbox... :)

Good luck.

Edit: if you want a brief taste of pain so that you can avoid it, read my posts (not too many) starting here:

https://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=78293188&postcount=238
[Thinkpad Tablet General] baydude:
What is the best TB-8704F driver for Windows 10?

---------- Post added at 11:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:04 PM ----------

Anyone keep getting Hangouts "SMS is no longer supported. To read and send SMS messages, please download Android Messages" notification? I don't wanna turn off Hangouts notification since I use it for chat but Android Messages isn't compatible w/ the Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus so I can't install it. How do I stop the Hangouts SMS notifications?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
What?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Hemphiz:
Here's an Updated link to Oreo Full Firmware Flashable (stock recovery) for 8704X and 8704F incase people have problems https://lnv.gy/2EQtrR6 I'll post it to the other thread also
[Thinkpad Tablet General] dahawthorne:
If you're not able to read the post directly before yours, then you may as well throw your tablet away.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] kc12:
When you make your backup in twrp are you choosing system.img, not system? It's important to choose system.img. when you restore, try restoring without data. After it boots, go back to twrp and restore your data.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] mr.inter:
Is this update / latest Oreo OTA deemed to be stable?
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Hemphiz:
Aye, it is. On another note is there anyone on Oreo that can share the stock recovery.img for the 8704f please? If your rooted and have stock recovery you can use this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ma.wanam.partitions

---------- Post added at 02:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:55 AM ----------

I had "black flashing screen when I tried booting with an out of date recovery.img. Don't restore that partition and see how it goes. Also flash magisk just incase it's a verity issue
[Thinkpad Tablet General] mr.inter:
What's the procedure to flash this Oreo build on a TB-8704F without any issues if coming from modified (and rooted) Nougat with this TWRP installed? (twrp-3.2.1-0-tb_8704x.img).

Thanks in advance.
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Hemphiz:
I'm not sure. Suppose you could just try the steps in the linked thread and if it fails then your probably have to use a clean system
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Hemphiz:
If anyone's interested I've modified the Oreo boot.img for 8704F and Added Franco per app Profiles. If you don't know what they are, you don't know what your missing. I dunno if the boot.img works on other models. Just extract the zip and flash it to boot
[Thinkpad Tablet General] xd_1771:
I'm on a TB-8704V.

I was restoring a Nandroid system image to get the device ready for the new OTA but since then the device has refused to boot, being stuck on the "Lenovo" screen. Although I can still access fastboot and boot into any recovery just fine, I cannot get into the OS. Further restorations and factory resets, wipes, etc. haven't rectified my issue. I also can't find a TB-8704V stock image to just flash over everything. Everything is for the other (X or F) variants.

I'm screwed aren't I lol
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Hemphiz:
Toggle "mount system read only" in twrp
[Thinkpad Tablet General] xd_1771:
lol I've been saved!!!

All the trouble I could've avoided if I had just done this :)

Thanks!
[Thinkpad Tablet General] Hemphiz:
Ikr. Barmy :laugh:
[Thinkpad Tablet General] OrBy:
I am running into this issue as well but that fix is not seeming to work for me.

Running Magisk 18.0v with 6.1.0 (165) manager on the 7.1.1/July update TB-8704F_S000037_180906_ROW with no TWRP installed (just fastbooting it as needed)

When I do a full uninstall or a restore images from the Magisk manager and restart - it just boots to the Lenovo screen and hangs.

I can fastboot twrp-3.2.3-0-tb_8704x.img and it shows system as read only - I uncheck it and try to boot - hangs, reboot and fastboot boot twrp-3.2.3-0-tb_8704x.img again - it still shows as read only. Unchecking it and re-checking/rebooting it still results in a hang as well.

If I reinstall Magisk 18.0v - it boots with out a complaint.

It's almost like the stock image that Magisk is restoring is broken some how, but it works when it is patched. That or something else has been modified some how without my knowledge and that's tripping it up.

Kinda at a loss here - don't really want to do a wipe/restore just yet to do the upgrade if there is some way to get it booting back with the stock image.

Does anyone have a valid stock_boot file from /data that's compatible with TB-8704F_S000037_180906_ROW they could share and I could try replacing mine with to at least rule that out?

I also noticed while plugging though some logs that TWRP said it renamed the recovery partition to prevent being replaced - odd - it never prompted to ask if it could - nor do I want it too.

** Edit - I just restored an older boot partition TWRP backup from S000030 on a hunch and it seems like its booting without Magisk installed Ok now. Doing a full backup via both TWRP and Ti and will see if the upgrade to 8.1 works - if not I may need a good copy of the boot partition from S000037.

** Edit - nope that didn't work - lost my WiFi with the S000030 boot, restored my S000037 boot and reinstalled Magisk and I am back and running on 7.1.1 with WiFi... Looks like I may need a good copy of boot from S000037 to get this going....

So can some one please upload a clean copy of a TWRP backup of boot from a TB-8704F_S000037_180906_ROW unit? (before everyone upgrades to 8.1) Unless some one else has any other suggestions?