[Gen8 Android Development] apr24991:
I finally did what Archos support said couldn’t be done. I was able to downgrade my firmware from the extremely buggy (and non-rootable) 2.0.71 firmware, to the 2.0.54 rootable firmware.

Warning: This process involves downloading and installing the Archos SDE firmware. This WILL void your warranty. Proceed at your own risk!

This process was done using a Windows 7 machine (and the Archos tablet, of course).

Phase 1 – Removing the 2.0.71 firmware and replacing it with the Angstrom OS

1. If you do not have your Archos plugged into the AC Adapter, plug it in now.

2. Download the SDE Developer Edition firmware here:

http://www.archos.com/support/download/firm_dev/firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos

3. Power off your Archos (if powered on). Then boot your Archos in Recovery mode by holding the Volume – button and pressing the power button. Release the power button, but keep the Volume – button held down. It will boot into recovery mode.

Recovery Mode navigation works as follows:

Volume + moves up

Volume – moves down

Pressing Power is Enter

4. Press Volume – to Format System and Press Power.

5. Press Volume – to Reformat Device and Press Power.

Warning: Make sure you have backed up any critical data on your Archos tablet prior to proceeding any further. If you have not backed up your data, select No and press Power, and No on the previous menu. At that point it will reboot the device and you can back up your data.

6. Press Volume – to I understand and press Power. It will then reformat the partitions.

7. When the USB Connection menu appears, plug in the Micro USB cable into your computer and into the Archos tablet. Windows (or your mac, I suppose) will recognize the tablet as a drive letter in My Computer - Mine was A101IT (I). Copy the SDE firmware file firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos to the tablet (e.g. drive I: on my computer). Copy to the root directory ( /) folder on the tablet.

8. Once the copy is done, press Power on the Archos Tablet (and remove the Micro USB Cable)

9. It will install the SDE firmware, then reboot.

10. It will boot into the AngStrom OS. At first this OS looks intimidating, but it is quite harmless.

11. It will come up with a new user details screen. Type in a user name, a password, and confirm the password. Then press OK. It will then log in and take you to the desktop.

12. Press the ^ key in the lower left hand side of the screen, and press Turn off. You may have to press a few times to get it to respond as the touch responsiveness was NOT very good for me.

13. Press Yes to log off. It will then power down

Phase 2 – Installing the 2.0.54 firmware onto your tablet.

1. If you do not have your Archos plugged into the AC Adapter, plug it in now.

2. On your pc, download the Archos 2.0.54 firmware from here:

http://www.arctablet.com/assets/archos-firmware/gen8_2.0.54-firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos

3. Rename the file firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos. (If you downloaded the file in the same place you downloaded the SDE firmware file, just overwrite it.)

4. Then boot your Archos in Recovery mode by holding the Volume – button and pressing the power button. Release the power button, but keep the Volume – button held down. It will boot into recovery mode.

Recovery Mode navigation works as follows:

Volume + moves up

Volume – moves down

Pressing Power is Enter

5. Press Volume – to Format System and Press Power.

6. Press Volume – to Reformat Device and Press Power.

7. Press Volume – to I understand and press Power. It will then reformat the partitions.

8. When the USB Connection menu appears, plug in the Micro USB cable into your computer and into the Archos tablet. Windows (or your mac, I suppose) will recognize the tablet as a drive letter in My Computer - Mine was A101IT (I). Copy the 2.0.54 firmware file firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos to the tablet (e.g. drive I: on my computer). Copy to the root directory ( /) folder on the tablet.

9. Once the copy is done, press Power on the Archos Tablet (and remove the Micro USB Cable)

10. It will install the 2.0.54 firmware, then reboot.

11. Congratulations, you now have the 2.0.54 firmware installed.

Enjoy,

Jason Andreas