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I have been reading and attempting two flash anything for 2 days. I am new as I have stated in some threads and need baby steps unfortunately like im
sure some others do. I have been able to unlock, root, and get into recovery but after that no dice. I get everything Im suppose to do but... I am not able
to flash anything and I have looked for help in threads and have had some help and success but more importantly all detail is not clear to me all the time. I
am on here because I want the most out of my phone and all the goodies and appreciate the work of everyone. Coming from Windows to Android is
different and I understand will take sometime to gain the knowledge needed but it seems as you/we are supposed to know everything already or if you/we
dont understand what to do then you/we shouldnt be flashing some say. I disagree with that because I started the same way on my HD and eventually
was able to help new ppl to the forum. We all have been there at some point trying to learn and being clueless then finally getting it. For instance I was
looking at a theme thread and there was no instruction from the author am I just suppose to know what to do with the file being that Im not a week into
this and have never dealt with android? Also what to write in some command prompts is not the same for everyone different and thats not always clear.
With that being said this being a new device I would hope that things will be more written out to help and if its not at least be able to get help. This is just
in some cases not all . Again I am thankful for everyones work on here.
Now with the files I have trouble with are pretty much every file I have placed on my sd card not being recognized except Modocas rom until I renamed it
update.zip. Until then in recovery nothing would be recognized and even still the rom failed to install in which I have no clue why and have been seeking an
answer and so have others. If anyone has any suggestions it would be greatly appreciated for me and others and also to give detail on what to do with
what we are given. Thanks to everyone who contributes on here and make the experience that much better.
Every one of the instructions that are on this forums (in the dev area) are explained in detail. You must have some core understanding of basic linux commands and android file system. Those we are not going to teach you here. There are many documents on android itself (search on google) and HTC also has a lot of documentation on flashing.
However with that said, rooting instructions were to the point and should be able to follow without issues. thefallen has written it instructions for windows/dos and I've recapped them for linux/osx. To be honest, commands are the same for adb and fastboot.
Amon_Ra also has a good instructions on how to update his recovery. Pretty much if I should recap, I'd say boot phone in boot loader and fastboot flash recovery new_recovery_image.img
As for the themes and most of the updates, always run a nandroid first and update. What do I mean by that? Nandroid is the backup utility in Amon_Ra's recovery. If you ran it, you can restore to that. Call it a restore point but it's more than that (read on that so you know what it actually does). Why nandroid? So you can restore if you don't like the effects of what you just done. Now you can just update via zip that you download.
I think it's very simple. What do you need explained in detail? Most of the stuff you are requesting is simple knowledge. I am not saying I am holier. I am just saying I am used to the commands. Once you flash it a few time, it'll come to you too. But please do read up on how to restore an image from HTC. Go to HTC Global, and support and pull up google ION.
Read thru the instructions. If you are still confused, feel free to PM me.
If recovery is only recognizing update.zip, are you sure you have Amon_Ra's recovery on there? Have you tried to reflash his recovery image?
Thank you guys. I figured out what I was doing wrong.
Hey guys... I am brand new to all of this... just got my samsung vibrant a couple of months ago and love it. I have since always wanted to root my phone, but am scared of doing so because I don't want to void my manufacturer's warranty on it (and i'm paying for an extended warranty). I was reading through the "guide - tips - tricks" post and found a LOT of good information. But it did not really answer my questions due to me being so new, so anyway, here they are:
1. Do I need to create a back-up of my system the way it is before I root? if so, how do i do it (in beginner's language w/ step by step instructions pls). I saw where I can down load the "ROM Manager App." But I don't even understand what "Flashing" the Rom means?
2. I didn't understand the post about returning your system back to a "factory OS" the way it was when you received your phone... (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728471 )In this post he explains supposedly how to do it, but I don't understand entering that stuff in a "terminal" on your computer... could someone explain in noob terms w/ step by step instructions?
Just to make sure... in theory, I can make a back up of my system before I root. Then I can root my phone. But if I ever want to "unroot" it, then I would have to follow the instructions in the link above, and then afterwards do a recovery of my nandroid backup to put me back to where I originally was? thanks guys
Rooting your phone will change nothing (meaning you lose nothing).
So, after you root, simply download Rom Manager, open it, click on flash recovery, then reboot into recovery (at this point you can make a backup of your phone).
Once you have root, you can also use titanium backup (in the market also) to backup all of your apps.
flash = install a rom *you do this in recovery, see above*
If you know nothing about this the best advice is to read the very first thread in this section. It walks you step by step from "hey I want to root" to "I'm rooted, Now what?" to "Hey I F'd up, can I fix this" and so on. And on the "Hey I f'd up" note apparently the Vibrant likes to brick, meaning it won't turn on and you'll think you broke it, so you need to be familiar with ODIN which you'll find out more about in the three threads I refer to. Also the first two threads in the Development section are also must reads. All of the answers are here. A lot of people here will be very helpful in giving guidance or pointing you to the answer your looking for but there are quite a few that will flame you for not searching.
You'll be much happier and more comfortable after reading these three threads. Good Luck.
Answer to question 1 can be found here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=7324731&postcount=1
Answer to question 2 can be found here. The terminal you speak of is ODIN. Kind of a fail safe if you will. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=734475
A "I need to send this back for warranty repairs" backup isn't critical since you can just load up Odin and flash it back to stock with that. No need for you to be hyper critical on that.
With this phone, pretty much anything you can mess up can be fixed with Odin (short of flashing things that aren't meant for this phone).
While I wouldn't volunteer to be the first to flash an image, I wouldn't be too scared of it either.
Rooting your phone will add a few files (superuser, busybox) and otherwise leave your system intact. If something breaks later & you need to sent it back to TMO/Samsung, you'd just Odin it back to stock and give them a "blank slate" which is actually something you'd want to do anyways (you don't want them having access to your gmail for example...when I send a laptop back for repairs, I always image it back to stock as well).
I would suggest you read through the Vibrant Bible and just poke around. When you see something that shows/tells you how to do things like flash, follow along (load up the software and do as much as you can without actually doing anything [if that makes any sense]).
Never EVER flash anything that wasn't meant for your phone (a few people bricked their vibrants by accidentally flashing the SPLs from their G1s...how they make that mistake I don't know, but it's happened). Be careful, follow directions & you'll be good to go.
There are youtube videos showing how to use Odin and get back to stock (I believe the bible has links) and there are probably also youtube videos showing how to do other things as well.
For root, all you have to do is download "RyanZA's OCLF 2.0" from the market and click the root button. Follow its directions & you are good to go.
For many of us, that's not good enough. You'll want to then install ROM Manager and have it download the new Recovery.
From there, the world is open, find a ROM and flash away! I'm partial to Bionix, but have recently started to like the Axura froyo ROM as well.
Hi all.
I have a Samsung Vibrant that's still on 2.1. I want to get into rooting and running custom ROMs, but my first attempt failed miserably. I had only rooted the phone and played with a little bit of overclocking for a couple of days when I received an OTA update announcement. Not thinking about it, I accepted it. After that, I got stuck on the "Vibrant" startup screen during the reboot. I took the phone and flashed it back to stock using the method most use (ODIN?). Anyway, even back to stock it would get stuck in a loop of running the media scanner during startup...needless to say I had to get a new phone.
My point is that I want to get my phone more personalized but I'm a bit stand-off-ish because of my prior experience. There is a ton of terminology I'm not familiar with at all...the most I can do with a computer is turn it on and use it.
Is there a place I can go that's an entry level course in rooting and the terminology associated with it? Thanks.
Check my signature. Noob guide. If something is not answered please pm me so I can add it.
I would not use kies to get 2.2.
What is "kies?" Also, I've been reading through (obviously there's a lot of reading to do) but I have another question that relates to my previous experimentation with rooting:
Is there ANY way to do a full back up of my phone now so that if I ever have to go back to stock using ODIN I can go back to how my phone is now? The last time I tried I could not find the same software I had before and a few things had been changed...basically like it wasn't a true stock file.
OK, so you are nooBie
Here are a list of things you are going need if you want to update your phone to 2.2
1. If you do not know what you are doing (which is the case) then, read
member-s15274n Noobie guide in the Bible. This will get you up to speed on the knowledge necessary to modify the phone.
2. If you decide to do the factory (from tmobile/samsung) update, then read on that process. I personally do not recommend updating that way.
3. If you update via some of the excellent roms in the Dev section (which I recommend) then read up on them Master's Axura, Jellette's Einherjar rom and Team Whiskey's Roms are all excellent and there are others YOU NEED TO READ UP ON THESE,
4. If you go with a custom rom Then you need The following programs/patches:
A. Odin 1.7 (this installs on the computer)
B. Oneclick root. (Go to unlockr.com) they have a video easy to follow and have the links for this.
C. Clockwork (Rom Manager) free installs on the phone
D. Titanium Backup (installs o nthe phone)
E. Original 959JFD 2.1 stock ROM (in case you f#ck-up) you can odin back
F. The Custom rom of your choice.
That is all you need, read up and once you get going you will maybe have questions..... Ask in the Q & A we all here welcome a new person to the forum and help them.
BMRbrnSNRbrd said:
What is "kies?" Also, I've been reading through (obviously there's a lot of reading to do) but I have another question that relates to my previous experimentation with rooting:
Is there ANY way to do a full back up of my phone now so that if I ever have to go back to stock using ODIN I can go back to how my phone is now? The last time I tried I could not find the same software I had before and a few things had been changed...basically like it wasn't a true stock file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Kies is an official program that syncs your phone to your PC. This includes downloading and installing official OS updates to your phone.
A NANDroid backup can backup everything except the kernel. When you restore this backup your phone will go back to the state it was in when you backed it up.
Remember to always read a lot before doing anything.
I'm kinda new too. I personally chose Team Whiskey's ROMs. Their guide and s15274n's Noob Guide helped me a lot. Have fun!
Thanks for the information.
Ok, now I really feel like a noob....I am to the phone rooting idea, but not to forums...but I cannot for the life of me find the Developers section...
Vibrant > vibrant android development
Hey guys.
I've been attempting this all morning and so far I've had no luck. I have a VodafoneAU Legend which I updated to the official 2.2 yesterday. But now I want to try root.
I've been trying to follow the HBOOT 1.01 guide but there's a few problems. First, I cannot connect to the phone with adb unless it's in htc sync mode. No other mode will work. So when it's time to copy testimage.zip to the card I have to change from sync mode to disk mode, whereby adb loses it's connection. What do I do about this? Is it a driver problem (in Win7 here) or something else?
Thanks,
Dave.
Ok, the first problem were drivers.
Now I can't finish the second guide. When I try using clockwork to install the firmware.zip, the phone just boots to the red triangle. What do I have to do?
Dave.
So I pressed the up button/power combo at the red triangle and get the Android system recovery. Selecting "apply update.zip" says it can't verify. What do I do? Is this guide for my phone or do I need to follow something else?
I don't understand this guys. Anyone help? I'm thinking since this is a step to root the phone, I'm not actually rooted yet so I can't use the clockworkmod? Then what is the guide for? The guides at unlockr don't mention what firmware/hboot they work for so I'm not keen to try them yet.
Read the guide on fake flash. You need the recovery file named "update.zip" in the root of your sd to proceed..
Sent from my Legend using XDA App
whitetigerdk said:
Read the guide on fake flash. You need the recovery file named "update.zip" in the root of your sd to proceed..
Sent from my Legend using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But isn't that what Rom Manager does? Download the update.zip then run it? Man this is getting even harder to understand.
Edit: And this is left out of the HBOOT 1.01 guide because.....????? When I work this out I'll write a PROPPER guide, lol.
Just checked and update.zip is on the card.
So which part of the guide am I getting wrong?
Decided to reinstall phone with the official froyo release and am now ready to try this again. Is there anyone that will walk me through the process? I will write a complete guide if the "gotchas" are still there.
i feel for you ... hope you get it fixed... thats one of the reason i havent dared messing with the phone because i've seen a few post like yours where something didnt go quite as described... for whatever reason... and im sure the answer is out there but just not within the guide instructions... i guess there is no way to gather all gotchas because there are so many environment variables...
good luck
and please share your technique
Just saw gobczak's thread in the developer forum having similar troubles with Vodafone UK phone, getting the red triangle at reboot. I'll keep an eye on his thread and see how he goes with it.
Did you run the stage1 and stage2 bats while in recovery?
dezzadk said:
Did you run the stage1 and stage2 bats while in recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No because the guide didn't say to.
The thing is it seems I'm only stuck on the part where the firmware.zip file has to be flashed. The guide says to use clockworkmod for this. But when I try installing the clockworkmod recovery it gives some file verification error. Isn't there ways to do this via the pc, either through those batch files, adb etc? Or will that fake-flash update.zip file work?
jabbado said:
No because the guide didn't say to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I just posted on the other forum, I think you need to skip that step in guide 2 and go straight onto guide 3 after you have flashed the LEGEIMG.zip, rebooted, and then removed LEGEIMG.zip from the SD card.
Guys I've got to the point of downgrading to 1.31. But when I run the first batch file it just hangs at the "Writing zip" part, with the htc logo on the screen. Is there any way to fix this?
Can someone please explain this part of the guide:
Phone will reboot and find LEGEIMG.zip on your sdcard, copy it into RAM and check it. If you get CID error at this point, then you don't have goldcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so I don't get an error. I get nothing. The phone just boots to the fastboot screen. If I press the power button it goes to the hboot screen and I can see the messages of loading LEGEIMG.zip. But the guide doesn't say to press anything.
So should I or shouldn't I press the power button? Also, if I try making the goldcard again, at which point in the guide do I start from again? The entire process or just copying LEGEIMG.zip to card then rebooting phone? I mean, will all the other things like flashing misc1-2.img still be there?
Guys I finally got this working.
The first problem was with the goldcards. For whatever reason formatting them with the win7 format tool just wouldn't work. I had to use the command-line format tool, setting the block size etc manually.
The second problem was the unnecessary steps in the guide. A few people helped me out with this (namely blackbart at the Aus Whirlpool forum), but basically in the second step you can stop after flashing the LEGEIMG.zip. The updating froyo part isn't needed - for my phone anyway.
Then when running the batch files in the third part, for whatever reason the first batch would keep hanging at 'writing zip...' and I needed to remove the battery to unfreeze the phone. flannigan, also from the Aus Whirlpool forums suggested to just go on to the second batch file. This worked!
So my Legend is now finally a true Legend
Anyway, thanks for the help everyone - couldn't have done this by myself.
Dave
Great news, I think we need a new guide focused on rooting for HBOOT 1.01 / Stock Froyo to clear up the inconsistencies in the existing one. It's a minefield for a noob (or a rite of passage!), a revised guide will certainly save a lot of time and frustration for those taking this road in the future.
Sent from my HTC Legend using XDA App
EpicSauce said:
Great news, I think we need a new guide focused on rooting for HBOOT 1.01 to clear up the inconsistencies in the existing one. It's a minefield for a noob (or a rite of passage!), a revised guide will certainly save a lot of time and frustration for those taking this road in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll write one if ya's want. I wanted to include little tidbits like downloading the apps required (visionary, rom manager etc) from the market then backing them up to the card with Astro so if it goes all wrong and you have to start again, you can just install them all from the card Also on using adb to push the files (roms, img's etc) when the guides say "copy this blah blah". Much quicker than changing to disk mode and back. Sound good?
Sounds good! Happy to help and add my 20c worth along the way. The existing guide has got the meaty bits, a new guide would cull the stuff not relevant, help fill in the gaps and alert to the pitfalls we've fallen into.
jabbado said:
I'll write one if ya's want. I wanted to include little tidbits like downloading the apps required (visionary, rom manager etc) from the market then backing them up to the card with Astro so if it goes all wrong and you have to start again, you can just install them all from the card Also on using adb to push the files (roms, img's etc) when the guides say "copy this blah blah". Much quicker than changing to disk mode and back. Sound good?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree... i've done my reading since june of last year but then didnt check for another 4 months... and so many how to's pop up with various ways of doing it depeding on the situation... a lot of those howtos were consolidated howtos which sometimes make intermediate steps unenecessary (may be in some cases causes more head aches since it didnt take into considerations on newer version of hboots...etc)... an updated how to will be much appreciated...
And you're right the most important pre requirement is to have a safety net ... so starting with how to create a back up in case you screw it up is a must!
but im glad it worked out for you!
Hi all, I'm running a rooted A500 (Android 3.1 build number Acer_A500_4.010.13_COM_GEN2) using the 2.6.36 Honeyvillian 1.0 kernel (so I could OC) and would like to upgrade to a rooted ICS. But since I changed from the stock kernel I get a little confused trying to follow other threads on what to do. The threads seem to start out on topic but tend to drift and for somebody like me, that can make it very hard to understand. I'd like to stay away from a custom ROM, no insult to the hard working dev's intended. You guys have saved alot of my devices from ending up on the top shelf of the closet. I'd like to upgrade to a "stock" rooted ICS with proper bootloader, kernel, etc. If I decide later to try a dev's ROM then I'll always have that option, but since I've never messed with ICS...stock may do all I need. I'd like to root for OC because some of the things I do seem to run better if the device is OC'd. So, what I need are a clear set of instructions on what to do. OTA's dont work, I'm guessing thats because of the root and kernel. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
There are 2 threads with Stock rooted ICS roms in the developer section. Read each and choose the one that suits you. Also, you may need to separately update the bootloader. To do this there is a new tool in the developer section called afterota 1.02. This will help automate the process for you.
Thanks Cruise, but thats where the problem comes in. I've read over the threads you mentioned and I get lost. Because the threads are a generic install method and cant be refined to match my exact situation I dont know where to start. I dont know if I need to return to stock kernel before I do anything else or if I can flash the new stuff the way it is. Do I need to flash the bootloader first or the ROM and what about flashing recovery? Thats why I asked for a clear step by step, the Dev threads tend to be a little hard to follow for somebody with my novice knowledge.
realityrat said:
Thanks Cruise, but thats where the problem comes in. I've read over the threads you mentioned and I get lost. Because the threads are a generic install method and cant be refined to match my exact situation I dont know where to start. I dont know if I need to return to stock kernel before I do anything else or if I can flash the new stuff the way it is. Do I need to flash the bootloader first or the ROM and what about flashing recovery? Thats why I asked for a clear step by step, the Dev threads tend to be a little hard to follow for somebody with my novice knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to go completely stock (stock kernel, non-rooted), then you need only to install one of the Stock ICS Roms. This set's your bootloader back to a stock condition. So that's simple enough. You can do this through CWM
You said you're on Honeyomb right now. So my suggestion, is to follow these steps to upgrade your a500 to ICS.Go Here and read the steps;
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
Pay attention to step 4. You have a choice. Stock Rom with Full Root, or (in small print (stock rom no root).
If you decide to install Stock Rom No Root, then skip steps 5 and 6. Just copy the file to your EXT SD Card, boot to your recovery (pwr & Vol-) and install Zip From SD. It'll be a done deal. Recovery gone, ICS Stock bootloader and rom.
I have you do steps 1-3 because I want you to write down your UID!!!!!! It's the only thing that will save you if something messes up.
Then you can decide if you want to root and install some custom stuff later.
MD
MD, can you run setCPU w/o Root? I didn't think so. Since this OP requests the ability to OC specifically I think that the steps listed would all need to be followed in Civato's post.
RR, Here are the steps I recommend, it's an opinion, and I think the best route to take as a fairly novice rooter, I've done my A500 many times and BN Nooks, but nothing else and am not a DEV, but have professionally been in IT for 20 years...so I use novice loosely here...
First, know why you're getting your CPUID:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=25429111#post25429111
Don't forget to BACKUP!!
Second, select which ROM you want on your tab, I recommend putting a couple on the MicroSD card so that you can test them. DON'T INSTALL ANYTHING, JUST PICK A COUPLE OF ROMS AND PUT THE ZIPS ON THE SD.
Don't forget to BACKUP!!
Third, follow the steps in the post that MD listed, read twice, run once...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
Don't forget to BACKUP!!
Fourth, flash one of the ROMs you chose previously while in recovery. Can't give you steps on this because they are all different unless you're just using the option in step 4 of the above post (stock w/ root)
Don't forget to BACKUP!!
Fifth, not sure if you can OC the stock w/ root or not, but if not pick a custom ROM and test several, they're all great, and see what fits your needs best. I use Flexreaper Extreme and love it, posted below, but look at ALL of them and find the one you like best, they're all GREAT! We have great DEVs here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=22964651&postcount=1
Don't forget to BACKUP!!
Good Luck, Have fun, and did I mention to make sure you Backup before each step so that you can get back to that point if you run into issues, and make sure you write down or put in a text file on a different device your CPUID...both very important.
Good luck again!
-DB
Thanks everybody for the info but I think I'll be staying on HC for now. The linked threads are the problem I mentioned in the OP. If you look at those threads with novice eyes they are incredibly hard to follow. Not sure why I cant find simple instructions but I do appreciate everyone's help. Maybe somebody will come up with a guide for dummies. Until then I guess I'm stuck with HC. Thanks again for the info.
Mate, it can be daunting even to experienced flashers...
My advice, go to this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
This has been cleaned up to make it easy to understand...
I use the manual method to go to apx mode but each to their own...
Now, follow each step. Make sure each step has been followed EXACTLY. Don't skip ahead or you will regret it, sooner than later...
If you have a doubt, go back a step.
Good idea to read through to the end first, especially the bit about checking you sdk...
Good luck....
Step 1: Install Acer drivers. DONE
Step 2: Get cpuid. DONE used afterota, got cpuid and SBK.
Step 3: Get SBK. DONE (see Step 2) I guess I could verify my cpuid and SBK
using the link in this step.
Step 4: Place ROM's on SD card. DONE
Steps 5 & 6: Enter APX mode and Installing ICS bootloader. NOT DONE
I downloaded the apx utility tool and the V7 flash package. The flash package does NOT contain an .a500apx file. The utility tool instructions say to select the .a500apx file NOT the .zip. Where do I find the correct .a500apx flash package? The last step in the Automated Flashing Tools section says to turn off the tablet and power on. I've read you're supposed to flash a ROM before turning off the tablet. Which one is correct? Can I do this with my current configuration as described in the OP or do I need to return my kernel to stock? And last...is ICS really worth the trouble? Thanks again for everybody's input. I do appreciate everybody taking the time to help out.
realityrat said:
Step 1: Install Acer drivers. DONE
Step 2: Get cpuid. DONE used afterota, got cpuid and SBK.
Step 3: Get SBK. DONE (see Step 2) I guess I could verify my cpuid and SBK
using the link in this step.
Step 4: Place ROM's on SD card. DONE
Steps 5 & 6: Enter APX mode and Installing ICS bootloader. NOT DONE
I downloaded the apx utility tool and the V7 flash package. The flash package does NOT contain an .a500apx file. The utility tool instructions say to select the .a500apx file NOT the .zip. Where do I find the correct .a500apx flash package? The last step in the Automated Flashing Tools section says to turn off the tablet and power on. I've read you're supposed to flash a ROM before turning off the tablet. Which one is correct? Can I do this with my current configuration as described in the OP or do I need to return my kernel to stock? And last...is ICS really worth the trouble? Thanks again for everybody's input. I do appreciate everybody taking the time to help out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the written steps., you have to download the flash package you want to use from here;
http://a500bootloaderflash.tk/bundles/20120527/
Save then to the same directory you unzipped the tools.
Just checked and everything is in order, so looks like you missed a step
Actually, you really don't have to flash a rom before restarting. If you have a ICS rom installed, more than likely it will boot. (I hope) However, most custom roms have kernels altered to work with the unlocked bootloader. But I would try with your current ICS configuration. If you have any issues, then you can install the custom ICS rom that you saved on your SD Card.
Is it worth it? I think so. Eventually, all support for HC based roms will end. It's the nature of the beast. Most people will be on ICS, and if you have issues with HC, you may not get any recent support.
It's like having a Froyo rom, and trying to get support when most are on Gingerbread and moving to ICS.
You will get responses like "upgrade your device". I will in the near future, end all support for my HC based roms.
MD
Moscow Desire said:
According to the written steps., you have to download the flash package you want to use from here;
http://a500bootloaderflash.tk/bundles/20120527/
Save then to the same directory you unzipped the tools.
Just checked and everything is in order, so looks like you missed a step
Actually, you really don't have to flash a rom before restarting. If you have a ICS rom installed, more than likely it will boot. (I hope) However, most custom roms have kernels altered to work with the unlocked bootloader. But I would try with your current ICS configuration. If you have any issues, then you can install the custom ICS rom that you saved on your SD Card.
Is it worth it? I think so. Eventually, all support for HC based roms will end. It's the nature of the beast. Most people will be on ICS, and if you have issues with HC, you may not get any recent support.
It's like having a Froyo rom, and trying to get support when most are on Gingerbread and moving to ICS.
You will get responses like "upgrade your device". I will in the near future, end all support for my HC based roms.
MD
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Thanks for the response MD but I still get confused on the step to download the flash package. When I save the file to my computer it no longer has .a500apx in the file name or extension. for example, "a500-icsv6-pubrecovery0.2.a500apx" (from the index of bundles) is downloaded and saved as "a500-icsv6-pubrecovery0.2.zip" so do I extract it and select that file when asked by the utility tool? The guide for the tool says not to select the .zip but to select the .a500apx file. but I dont see one to select.
Also, you said I didnt have to worry about flashing the ROM before restarting. I am currently running HC 3.1 so will an ICS bootloader boot to a HC ROM.
Again, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. It is really appreciated.
realityrat said:
Thanks for the response MD but I still get confused on the step to download the flash package. When I save the file to my computer it no longer has .a500apx in the file name or extension. for example, "a500-icsv6-pubrecovery0.2.a500apx" (from the index of bundles) is downloaded and saved as "a500-icsv6-pubrecovery0.2.zip" so do I extract it and select that file when asked by the utility tool? The guide for the tool says not to select the .zip but to select the .a500apx file. but I dont see one to select.
Also, you said I didnt have to worry about flashing the ROM before restarting. I am currently running HC 3.1 so will an ICS bootloader boot to a HC ROM.
Again, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. It is really appreciated.
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Ok, the link I sent you, is an index of all apx files. It should download as an apx file (I just now checked, and it downloaded and saved as an apx.)
Not sure why they are saving as zips on your system, as none of them are in a zip format. Try doing a "file save as"
Sorry for confusion about rom. I forgot you have an HC rom. I'm running several threads right now for folks with issues. Downlaod an ICS rom to your SD card, so you can install it after you update your bootloader.
MD
EDIT: If you still have issues getting the apx files, let me know, and I'll re-package them in a real zip file and upload it for you.
Moscow Desire said:
Ok, the link I sent you, is an index of all apx files. It should download as an apx file (I just now checked, and it downloaded and saved as an apx.)
Not sure why they are saving as zips on your system, as none of them are in a zip format. Try doing a "file save as"
Sorry for confusion about rom. I forgot you have an HC rom. I'm running several threads right now for folks with issues. Downlaod an ICS rom to your SD card, so you can install it after you update your bootloader.
MD
EDIT: If you still have issues getting the apx files, let me know, and I'll re-package them in a real zip file and upload it for you.
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Thanks MD, trying to download the apx files doesnt work for me. Not sure why but .zip is the only option I'm given even if i use "save as". So if you could upload the files for me I'd appreciate it. Also, since I will have to disconnect the tablet from the PC after flashing the bootloader can I just power it off, disconnect from PC, reboot into recovery and then flash the new ICS ROM? I also want to be sure that coming from a stock (but rooted) HC rom with a custom kernel wont affect anything. Thanks again for all your help.
realityrat said:
Thanks MD, trying to download the apx files doesnt work for me. Not sure why but .zip is the only option I'm given even if i use "save as". So if you could upload the files for me I'd appreciate it. Also, since I will have to disconnect the tablet from the PC after flashing the bootloader can I just power it off, disconnect from PC, reboot into recovery and then flash the new ICS ROM? I also want to be sure that coming from a stock (but rooted) HC rom with a custom kernel wont affect anything. Thanks again for all your help.
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I zipped 4 apx packages for your 500. They have the ICS Booltoader and different recoveries. Unzip them to the same folder as your installation package.
http://www.4shared.com/zip/9TE6rTH-/500Bootloader_package.html
Yes, after you finish the bootloader/recovery installation process, turn tablet off. Press and hold Vol- and PWR till you see 2 lines of text in upper left corner, then release both. This will be your recovery menu. From here, you need to follow the instructions from the Rom page where you got your new Rom for the installation. Pretty simple really.
Also, I can't advise you on which recovery to use. I haven't tried the public recovery or TWRP yet.
MD
Thanks MD. Got the files downloaded. I'm gonna read over the threads a few times and make sure I havent missed anything and I also want to research some of the ROM's available. I'll probably give it a try in the next few days. Thanks again for all your help.
**UPDATE**
After reading the threads multiple times and following the instructions carefully I am now running ICS 4.0.3 with updated bootloader!! Everything went fine with only a couple problems that I was easily able to overcome. I'd like to address those problems so if anybody else has problems, 1: when entering the sbk its important to note that the spaces between the sets of numbers ARE needed, and the 0x at the beginning of each set has to be typed with a lowercase "x". 2: I used ezterry ICS 1.031.00stock- full root with busybox, and more tweaks and a500 public recovery. Following the instructions for this ROM I used the "clean up tablet" option in recovery. This DOES NOT do a full data wipe. So first boot had my custom boot animation and all my other apps and settings still there. ICS didnt like this and kept forcing reboots. I had to do a full data wipe and all is good now. I'm on ICS rooted stock and OC'd and loving it. Thank you all for your help, without your input I dont know if I would've tried this but I'm glad I did and I really appreciate everyone taking time out of their busy schedules to help some guy in NY get some ICS love. Thank you all again!