[Acer Iconia A500] sukasis:
Success story upgrading A500 in 2019 July

First my thanks to the forum key members for providing answers to queries and to all the key contributors of SW/ROMS in this forum. I followed the procedures from this forum to Flash / upgrade my Acer Iconia A500 on 4.0.3 ICS that was sitting in a trunk for the last few years. Summary of steps I tried out.

STEP 1: Install the Acer device drivers listed in the links in this forum on your Laptop/Computer even if by default your Windows 10 OS (assuming you are on Win10 like me) is able to recognize the A500 connected to the USB port.

USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30HA31HA32H_A.ZIP

STEP 2: ROOTING the Acer A500.

1. The tablet should be already upgraded to stock ICS for A50x (or stock ICS A10x/A510 for other tablets).

2. On a tablet: "Settings" -> "Applications" -> "Development" -> "USB debugging" switch ON. If you do not see this menu, then click 7 times of the Android Build No. listed under settings and come back to the menu above to enable USB Debugging.

3. Connect the tablet to the computer (Before connection it is recommended to update the driver for a tablet from here: A10x, A50x, A510).

4. Since most of the discussions regarding flashing A500 were from 2011, the earlier Gingerbreak method for rooting did not work.

I downloaded the following file from this forum to root my tablet.

ICS_rooting_A10x_A5xx.zip

5. Open the directory with the unpacked archive. Execute file: for windows - runit-win.bat; for Linux - runit-linux.sh.

The root is received!

Note

: The McAfee Antivirus software started tagging a file 'mempodroid' within this ZIP file Tools folder as a virus or malicious file. This rooting method uses the 'mempodroid' exploit which is detected as a VIRUS by McAfee and Qurantined. So restore from Qurantine and check list of files are still present in the folder. If not verify 8+8 files in folders again.

As per inputs in this forum, I restored the files quarantined and then suppressed McAfee SW for the duration of my upgrade activities on my laptop and was able to successfully extract all the files in the ZIP file to a local folder on the laptop. This ZIP file has adb and fastboot - two key programs useful for rooting your A500 apart from SU or superuser base file used in step 2. The file to run is the BAT file runit-win.bat if you are on windows. At the end of this step your tablet should be rooted. You may check by installing the RootCheck app from Google Playstore.

Step1a: Install a File Manager app from the Google playstore. This will help you extract the CPU ID and convert it with the SBK tool to get the SBK number/string. important steps SBK tool was available in file - SBCalc_v1.1.ZIP available in this forum.

STEP 2b: SUPERUSER and SUPERSU installation

1. Install SuperUser.apk first.. (IMP - Its available in this forum. Its like a base version for superSU to install over. If you do not install SuperUser.apk, then each time you try installing SuperSU, you would get an error message about a SU file being incompatible.)

2. Then install an older version of SuperSU downloaded from the website - filename -> eu.chainfire.supersu_v2.65-265.ZIP . Newer versions will not work. U got to install an older version as new version seems to be a paid SW.

3. Next Open SuperSU app on your tablet and let it update itself a couple of times each time opening and closing the app after the upgrade.

4. Remove SuperUser.apk file as now its no longer needed.

5. Now that you have ROOT access and SuperUSer access

6. Install Titanium Backup. File name in this forum- update-recovery-TWRP-rev2.0-beta4.ZIP . This will help you to flash/upgrade ROM software on your tablet.

Twrp 2.8:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/e7wpny5f39vw3pc/update-recovery-TWRP-rev2.0-beta4.zip/file

Compressed Archive (.ZIP)

File size: 4.91MB

Uploaded: 2018-08-14 21:40:26

https://www.mediafire.com/download/e7wpny5f39vw3pc

STEP 3: Install an Unlocked Bootloader i.e. unlocked bootloader Skrillax v9 - file name in this forum BabSector.rar or A500-Bootloader-Nvflash.ZIP

Once you have reached this step, you now have the basic tools needed for the final ROM upgrade of the tablet.

I did get error message after the reboots that happened after Unlocking the Bootloader. Someting about a LNX partition not being okay or some such msg. Each time I just WIPED the Cache and selected similar options to wipe System, Data, User, Dhelvic cache (spelling incorrect) etc. Since you have not installed the final OS or ROM for your tablet yet, no harm in deleting these partition data. Actually its recommended to wipe, format in f2f formats etc. all of which is possible using the TWRP Recovery software you installed in step 2. Choose Recovery menu option each time the tablet boots or gives errors.... using the volume rocket and power buttons. More info -> Go through this thread and install unlocked bootloader.

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

Flashing Bootloader Steps

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1. generate your SBK from cpuid

2. put tab in APX by holding reset (small pinhole bottom right side)

and pushing power for 3-4 sec. - then release reset approx 1 sec. later

the screen should be blank and power button should be lit - plug in USB to PC.

2. Run A501 A.bat - when finished reboot tab to recovery (win 7 and under

right click on A501 A.bat and select Run as Administrator)

3. run Recovery(power and volume-) ->WIPE -> "Advanced wipe ->System (only)and swipe to wipe.

4. unplug USB and reboot tab to APX

5. plug in USB afer it is in APX mode -> Run A501 B.bat (win 7 and under

right click on A501 B.bat and select Run as Administrator)

Bootloader unlock tutorial

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Step 1: Get your cpuid - https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1624645

Step 2: Convert it into an SBK - https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1810618

Step 3: Download the A500 drivers

- http://www.mediafire.com/file/pde8rojv1t8gnif/USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30H_A31H_A32H_A500_A501.zip/file

Step 4: Download the files to install the bootloader

- http://www.mediafire.com/file/o7m2ouwo6zuod4d/A500-Bootloader-Nvflash.zip/file

Step 5: Follow the instructions in "how to.txt"

Step 6: Download a rom and flash in twrp

This tutorial is based of

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2450119 thread so big thanks to KaijiKun .

Bootloader unlock files:

http://www.mediafire.com/file/o7m2ouwo6zuod4d/A500-Bootloader-Nvflash.zip/file

STEP 4. Downloaded file omni-4.4.4-20150210-a500-IconiaHD.ZIP as I was not sure version omni 5.1.1 was as stable as Omni4.4.4 reading all the threads in this forum.

First rename the downloaded OMNIROM file as update.zip .

OmniRom 4.4.4

http://www.mediafire.com/file/ghd72j3g618kk9g/OMNIROM-5.1.1-Tegraowners_ROM_v13t2.zip/file

File size: 244.66MB

Uploaded: 2015-04-05 17:40:14

STEP 5: Install another tool adb_fast.ZIP. This tool is also available in this forum.

Note:You need to copy the update.zip file to your computers folder where this tool adb_fast is installed. In mine it was C:\Program files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot folder. This adb_fast file creates an application shortcut on your computer desktop. Clicking on the short cut launches adb and fast boot programs I mentioned at the beginning.

STEP 6: Copy the file to the SD card (16GB) of your tablet.

Run the adb_fast tool from your desktop shortcut. This will open a Command Prompt type black screen window where you can enter the code as given below. Note you may need to see how your SD card is listed in a file manager in your computer

Code:

adb push update.zip /mnt/sdcard/update.zip --- NOTE: this creates mnt folder on internal storage and I had to then move the file using TWRP recovery tool installed in step 2, to the SD card.

adb push < ------- is the push command.

rom.zip < ------- is the name of the Rom zip file.

/sdcard < ------- is the location your pushing the Rom to.

E.) Reboot tablet with Power+Down Arrow i.e. This will start the Upgrade process for the tablet to OMNIROM 4.4.4

-- Power Button + UP VOLUME pressed... then release Power button after LED lights.

-- System will boot to commmand prompt

STEP 7: Install GAPPS using pico gapps short version and Wipe Data/Factory reset ----------------?>and wipe cache partition?

Reboot after 1st reboot

G.) https://opengapps.org/ to install a minimal version of Google Apps on the tablet.

File name -> pa_gapps-modular-mini-4.4.4-20150410-signed.ZIP

Root tablet again and install SuperSU if you need it

other info.

You can use TWRP to flash the OmniROM on the tablet or you can use the following in worst case senario to do the same.

Code:

fastboot devices

fastboot flash update.zip -- check if syntax is ok from threads in this forum

fastboot reboot-bootloader

copied below from other threads ---->

I find that a large amount of complaints in developer threads are due to people not properly wiping before a flash.

Of course there is times when a 'dirty' flash is fine, but if you're ever not sure, wipe as cleanly as possible.

fastboot allows for about the cleanest of wipes by the way. And each partition can be done separately too.

Code:

fastboot erase system

fastboot erase data

fastboot erase cache

can all be done individually, but to do these all in one command

Code:

fastboot erase system -w

If possible I recommend to do these steps before flashing a ROM, and now that you know you can do this all within fastboot mode i suggest to try it out, its quick and painless!

Don't forget to wipe your kernel too! (fastboot erase boot)

~Important~ If your device uses an emulated SD card (as in no removable micro SD but an SD partition on phone)

Then be careful wiping data/userdata as this will erase all contents of internal SD - you are forewarned!

ADB= Android Debugging Bridge (ADB)

[TOOL]Minimal ADB and Fastboot [2-9-18]

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2317790&page=12

First a short explanation:

Fastboot, like ADB, is a tool to communicate from PC to Android phone. There are times when it is a must to use, and times when it is just helpful.

ADB is used within your recovery or within your OS, but when you are in bootloader mode and need to communicate with your phone then you need fastboot.

And you may ask why would i ever need this?

Well many reasons. Main one is knowledge, learning the ins and outs of fastboot, like learning ADB, can get you out of many jams.

And if you want to unlock your bootloader this is done through fastboot. Granted HTC's unlock is... well crap, but for a Nexus this is how its done.

One other reason I have to stress is learning for safety reasons, This is about the safest way possible to flash firmware to your phone (ie Radio, Hboot, Recovery)

Lastly you may want to know the limitations,

There are many of course, this isnt JTAG, it will not resurrect a hard brick, but it often save peoples phones from 'soft bricks' and lots of time when know how and when to use it.

Think of fastboot as the program that takes over when ADB cant be used, it works with firmware more than software.

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1624645&page=3

GUIDES

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

Civs Guide to flashing the bootloader http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1622425

Walkthrough using APXFLASH tool at Step 6 http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1624645&page=2

From Civato's OP of The Guide: nvFlashToolPackages

Skrilax_CZ bootloader thread http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1619913 and should be "required reading" for anyone mucking about in their tabs internals!!!!

Rollback to HC

jazzyjames guide http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1516012

Iconia Root http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1138228 /gingerbreak: For returning to Honeycomb

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

To get my CPUID, I have followed the steps below:

Open yr file explorer, esfile explorer is a great one....navigate to:

/sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid - add a zero to the front!

To get CPUID get a Root browser of some sort and go to sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpu_id

convert my CPUID into SBK?

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

https://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1055354&page=6

What Does Root Give Me?

1. Full control over your system

2. Ability to alter system files. You can replace many parts of the "Android Core" with this including:

o Themes

o Core apps (maps, calendar, clock etc)

o Recovery image

o Bootloader

o Toolbox (linux binary that lets you execute simple linux commands like "ls") can be replaced with Busybox (slightly better option)

o Boot images

o Add linux binaries

3. Run special apps that need more control over the system

o SuperUser (lets you approve or deny the use of root access to any program)

o Task Manager For Root (Lets you kill apps that you otherwise could not kill)

Tether apps (like the one found at [android-wifi-tether.googlecode.com])

4. Backup your system

o You can make a folder on your SDCARD and backup all of your .APK files to your SDCARD (helps if an author decides to "upgrade" you to a version that requires you to pay to use the version you just had)

5. Relocate your (browser/maps/market) cache to your /sdcard

6. Relocate your installed applications to your /sdcard

7. Reboot your phone from the terminal app easily (su <enter> reboot <enter>)

Turn the rotation lock off.

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SUMMARY - Regardless of version, rooting is the same... next

** Unlock the bootloader.

** Fastboot flash a Custom Recovery (TWRP).

** Download to the Tablet, Chainfire's SuperSU root updater .zip

** Boot into the previously fastboot flashed Custom Recovery, and flash the SuperSU updater .zip.

** Reboot - you're rooted.

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PS. I tried to maintain a log in Notepad during my upgrade. Unfortunately did not write detailed instructions and link to required files. Above is a summary of what worked for me.