Related
Updated 05/08/11
ATTENTION - IF YOU ARE ON STOCK 4349+ or any MOD BASED OFF 4349+ USING THE NEW RECALLED BOOTLOADER! READ PLEASE!
Starting with the most recent but recalled update to Tap N Tap Viewsonic has introduced a new Bootloader being called the 1.2 bootloader. This bootloader is not compatible with mods or Roms based off of the Viewsonic Current Bootloader being called the 1.1 bootloader! This bootloader provides absolutely no known advantage other than being able to boot any new STOCK kernels. If you would like to use any of our stable ROM's (i.e. Vegan 5.1.1, Vegan GingerEdition and currently CM7) using Viewsonics currently supported and shipping bootloader (1.1) you must Downgrade your bootloader and TNT Version before you flash a new kernel or a new ROM.
Please download the following downgrade update.zip and place it on your sdcard renaming it to "update.zip".
http://www.gtabdevs.com/releases/4349_Downgrade.zip
Then power down your device. And power back up while holding the power button and vol + till your display says "recovery key detected" in the top left corner.
Using the volume keys to navigate up/down in the menu highlight "Apply Internal update.zip" if you copied the update.zip to the internal memory or "Apply External SDCard update.zip" if you happened to place it on an external SDCard and then inserted it before booting to recovery. Now select the menu choice using the menu key.
This process will take a few minutes. You will see a Box with an arrow and a progress bar while it applies the update.... when it is finished it will reboot to make the changes. Once the changes are complete your tablet will boot into Tap N Tap version 3588.
You are now free to follow all the tutorials about installing CWM and/or Kernels/Roms.
Thank you and good luck.
Be aware. I am not connected with Viewsonic in any way. I make no assertions as to the validity nor the safety of anything in this post. Do anything above at your risk.
That is a handy utility to have. Thanks!
How do we check if the bootloader is locked? I'm curious if the bootloader.bin in 3991 (which is based off the same branch) has this same issue.
Thanks!
Strange. One step forward and two steps back for Viewsonic. But, maybe, this means there is still some interest from Viewsonic for our tablet and chance for further development (maybe even Honeycomb).
roebeet said:
How do we check if the bootloader is locked? I'm curious if the bootloader.bin in 3991 (which is based off the same branch) has this same issue.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it too will not boot any other kernel besides a stock kernel built specifically for their new bootloader. That bootloader.bin also appears to be locked.
gojimi said:
If it too will not boot any other kernel besides a stock kernel built specifically for their new bootloader. That bootloader.bin also appears to be locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that mean it's locked, or does that mean that we just don't have the new source code to build custom kernels? I just want to distiguish because, if it's the latter, we can just ask them to release that like they did the 1.1-based source. EDIT: Already tweeted them. I see "1.1" in the source that's there, and we know that this is "1.2", so maybe there's new source code to be requested? Not sure.
I know that we can check for a locked bootloader with something like fastboot, but I don't think that works here. That's why I was asking.
Thanks again!
gojimi said:
If it too will not boot any other kernel besides a stock kernel built specifically for their new bootloader. That bootloader.bin also appears to be locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what could the thinking possibly be to locking the bootloader on a product like ours?
I'm seriously asking, besides being dicks, what would the reasoning be?
roebeet said:
Does that mean it's locked, or does that mean that we just don't have the new source code to build custom kernels? I just want to distiguish because, if it's the latter, we can just ask them to release that like they did the 1.1-based source.
I know that we can check for a locked bootloader with something like fastboot, but I don't think that works here. That's why I was asking.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By all means ask for their new source... though I do not believe at this point they are required to give... maybe they are. So for the purposes of everyone else's understanding this is a LOCKED bootloader in the sense that we are LOCKED to their kernel...... nothing ever stays locked forever.... this is not however LOCKED in the terms that a select few who already know what's going on with this bootloader typically use the term LOCKED. Take it as you will.
snapz54 said:
what could the thinking possibly be to locking the bootloader on a product like ours?
I'm seriously asking, besides being dicks, what would the reasoning be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest they are probably tired of all the people calling viewsonic support with issues that are not on OFFICIAL viewsonic software... most companies try to do something to deter this activity in some regards.
Does nv flash still works to downgrade everything?
gojimi said:
To be honest they are probably tired of all the people calling viewsonic support with issues that are not on OFFICIAL viewsonic software... most companies try to do something to deter this activity in some regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand this for "most companies" but Viewsonic is the company that openly linked on their product page that XDA is the place to be if you need support or any real use from your gtab.
We had to fight them to finally stop doing that. It doesn't really add up.
The only thing this does if it works is effectively pull the plug on the life support that was pumping any further life into the tablet.
We still have great "legacy" roms and infrastructure that make the tablet great. but moving forward all this does is concentrate our efforts towards them. releasing a workable open solution keeps us busy tinkering with it for months. Locking things down only sends us back to twitter and the like but now we have more members thanks to the new OD, TD, and amazon users.
I thought VS said they were going to work with the devs. Didnt they contact you guys? I thought they would of asked or told you guys what the best way for them to go would be. Did this never happen?
Pazzu510 said:
Does nv flash still works to downgrade everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, maybe. I had to NVflash mine because I accidentally flashed CWM over 4349 while i was playing in the 4349 recovery screen. The NVflash process worked, but for some reason my touch screen was borked (no touches were registered). Couldn't do anything. In the past a couple restarts with calibration.ini on the external SD would clear that for me, but didn't this time. I ended up doing NVflash with CWM as part9.img and then repartitioned with CMW and NVflashed again with stock recovery part9.img. Screen was still borked but cleared up with a couple restarts with calibration.ini on an external SD. So the answer is yes you can, but it may not be as smooth as you are used to. Of course it may work fine for you.
Matt
jasco13 said:
Yes, maybe. I had to NVflash mine because I accidentally flashed CWM over 4349 while i was playing in the 4349 recovery screen. The NVflash process worked, but for some reason my touch screen was borked (no touches were registered). Couldn't do anything. In the past a couple restarts with calibration.ini on the external SD would clear that for me, but didn't this time. I ended up doing NVflash with CWM as part9.img and then repartitioned with CMW and NVflashed again with stock recovery part9.img. Screen was still borked but cleared up with a couple restarts with calibration.ini on an external SD. So the answer is yes you can, but it may not be as smooth as you are used to. Of course it may work fine for you.
Matt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've nvflashed back to 1105 at least a dozen times since last night (was doing upgrade / downgrade scenarios). So far, so good.
The bootloader is provided by viewsonic I think, it may be the key for some chipset feature, some other brand of tablet like the adam already has the same exact one
it's probably not locked but only doing something different like you said!
if I had to guess, they didn't lock it to be pricks...odds are it is locked to prevent people from flashing our current kernels to this to avoid messing things up...
so here's prolly how we'll be structuring our ROMs/Kernels now...1.1-based Froyo ROM; 1.2-based Froyo ROM; 1.1-based Froyo Kernel; 1.2-based Froyo Kernel and so on for GB if we're lucky HC in the future.
It's going to be a pain in the butt in the short-term, but long-term it'll only benefit current and future gTab owners as a whole if we stick to the 1.2 path alongside the vendor. This will keep confusion to a minimum, features to a maximum, and upgradability easy.
Thanks to all devs for their future support even through some of the PITA times
i have no options to choose between, aka no menu when i do all that, it just goes to a box picture and then reboots and loads normally.
Edited...You can't fix stupid
iamnottypingthis said:
i have no options to choose between, aka no menu when i do all that, it just goes to a box picture and then reboots and loads normally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no menu. It takes you back to 3588 and the ability to flash all current roms.
So this "rollback" is jsut a stock 3588 image, or is it something different?
im on cm9 w/o gapps and thats as far as ive gotten w it, do i have to fastboot my recovery again? it wont let me reinstall it w acer recovery nor cwm so i think my only option is to fastboot my recovery again.. any ideas?
bump
have you tried fastboot? did it work?
hatefuel19 said:
have you tried fastboot? did it work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i did, bro, it definitely worked, i flashed a cwm hacked recovery and im back, but now im not sure if my bl is unlocked, do you know how i could check perchance? ive tried to google if and it brought me too how to unlock it, but thats it..
Sent from my MB870 using XDA
ztotherad said:
yes i did, bro, it definitely worked, i flashed a cwm hacked recovery and im back, but now im not sure if my bl is unlocked, do you know how i could check perchance? ive tried to google if and it brought me too how to unlock it, but thats it..
Sent from my MB870 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your boot loader is the patched version, I believe when you boot the tab at the Acer screen, you will see a custom boot loader message in the upper left corner.
At least on mine it does. You also can probably check your boot loader version number by starting Acer recovery installer from the market.
Moscow Desire said:
If your boot loader is the patched version, I believe when you boot the tab at the Acer screen, you will see a custom boot loader message in the upper left corner.
At least on mine it does. You also can probably check your boot loader version number by starting Acer recovery installer from the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it says that, ive just been having a problem installing some ROMS like AOKP (which i know isnt supposed to be discussed on here or whatever)
ztotherad said:
it says that, ive just been having a problem installing some ROMS like AOKP (which i know isnt supposed to be discussed on here or whatever)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the issue would be what specific roms. If you decide to flash AOKP... also known as Kang, you should contact them via twitter, as they request.
The issue, is that nobody knows what is compatible with their rom. Considering Kang (AOKP) takes little bits from many sources, and compiles their code and claims it as their own, the chances if it is compatible with your tablet, is basically unknown. Even they don't know. Hence the lack of support.
If you were using some of the posted roms, then most knowledgeable users would help.
Moscow Desire said:
Well, the issue would be what specific roms. If you decide to flash AOKP... also known as Kang, you should contact them via twitter, as they request.
The issue, is that nobody knows what is compatible with their rom. Considering Kang (AOKP) takes little bits from many sources, and compiles their code and claims it as their own, the chances if it is compatible with your tablet, is basically unknown. Even they don't know. Hence the lack of support.
If you were using some of the posted roms, then most knowledgeable users would help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the thing is, ive downloaded from their site and got the files from the a500 link, so im not sure what the heck im doing wrong w/ it, numerous other people have got it to boot successfully, i just cant seem too, thats why i was wondering if my bootloader was unlocked or not
ztotherad said:
the thing is, ive downloaded from their site and got the files from the a500 link, so im not sure what the heck im doing wrong w/ it, numerous other people have got it to boot successfully, i just cant seem too, thats why i was wondering if my bootloader was unlocked or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you run the Acer Recovery Installer, you can see which bootloader version you have. Also, when you boot the tab, you should see the "custom" bootloader text in the upper left corner. On mine, it does.
If you do not, then you may have the stock HC bootloader. In this case, you have to be careful on what rom you are trying to install, as some require different boot.img (kernel) based on what bootloader you currently have.
Find which version bootloader you are running, and we can be more helpful in directing you to specific roms. Dont flash anything else, just the specific rom. Follow his instructions.
EDIT: I see you are running the patched version
With the patched version, you should at least be able to run Civato's rom. Note he has 2 versions. 1 for patched HC kernel, and 1 for patched ICS bootloader. You would want to run the one for the patched ICS bootloader. Dont flash anything else, just the specific rom. Follow his instructions.
Moscow Desire said:
If you run the Acer Recovery Installer, you can see which bootloader version you have. Also, when you boot the tab, you should see the "custom" bootloader text in the upper left corner. On mine, it does.
If you do not, then you may have the stock HC bootloader. In this case, you have to be careful on what rom you are trying to install, as some require different boot.img (kernel) based on what bootloader you currently have.
Find which version bootloader you are running, and we can be more helpful in directing you to specific roms. Dont flash anything else, just the specific rom. Follow his instructions.
EDIT: I see you are running the patched version
With the patched version, you should at least be able to run Civato's rom. Note he has 2 versions. 1 for patched HC kernel, and 1 for patched ICS bootloader. You would want to run the one for the patched ICS bootloader. Dont flash anything else, just the specific rom. Follow his instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
one more question sir, does the patched boot loader mean it is unlocked? sorry for all these questions
Sent from my A500 using XDA
ztotherad said:
one more question sir, does the patched boot loader mean it is unlocked? sorry for all these questions
Sent from my A500 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is. So like I say, be careful what rom you install.
Actually, I NV flashed the patched bootloader and recovery the other day. Mostly because I blew away my internal memory installing the new 501 4 part leak. But all is ok now.
As with your GApps, you can get the zip file from TegraOwners, or Google it, then extract the apk files, copy them to your internal memory, then install them through a file manager.
Moscow Desire said:
Yes it is. So like I say, be careful what rom you install.
Actually, I NV flashed the patched bootloader and recovery the other day. Mostly because I blew away my internal memory installing the new 501 4 part leak. But all is ok now.
As with your GApps, you can get the zip file from TegraOwners, or Google it, then extract the apk files, copy them to your internal memory, then install them through a file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you again sir, youre quite awesome!
hi. so I just bought my a500 used in the forums never rooted or unlocked already on the ice ota. I tried to unlock the bootloader' but everything just freezes while flashing. I am just stock rooted for now' but I really want to do some good dev work since my a2 has a locked boot loader. thanks/for any help and sorry if this had been covered. I may seem like it but I am not a complete noob.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium
lkrasner said:
hi. so I just bought my a500 used in the forums never rooted or unlocked already on the ice ota. I tried to unlock the bootloader' but everything just freezes while flashing. I am just stock rooted for now' but I really want to do some good dev work since my a2 has a locked boot loader. thanks/for any help and sorry if this had been covered. I may seem like it but I am not a complete noob.
Sent from my A500 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which OS are you on? ICS? HC?
Which "one step" app are you using to change out bootloaders?
MD
Moscow Desire said:
Which OS are you on? ICS? HC?
Which "one step" app are you using to change out bootloaders?
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am on stock rooted is. it came stock ics and I just rooted it. I have tried pretty much all the tools available in windows, and done it manually with no flash in ubuntu. I can give u the. exact nvflash error later, but it falls I think on the step of actually flashing the new bootloader
Sent from my A500 using xda premium
lkrasner said:
I am on stock rooted is. it came stock ics and I just rooted it. I have tried pretty much all the tools available in windows, and done it manually with no flash in ubuntu. I can give u the. exact nvflash error later, but it falls I think on the step of actually flashing the new bootloader
Sent from my A500 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if you can't use the tools, (you don't need to give the NVFlash error, I already know what it is), then first try the following. (no matter how silly they sound.
1. Different PC
2. Different USB port. (mine has 4)
3. A good USB cable. Using one that comes with the printer or camera, or an el-cheapo won't work. Data pins aren't always the same. I use my HTC cable.
4. Make sure anti-virus and such is off.
If that doesn't work, only recourse is to roll back to 3.0, preferably by RUU. Problem is, you need an HC UID number to run the ruu. That should set your partitions in place. It's possible you might be able to run an HC 3.2 full update, grab the UID, then run the RUU.
After that, do the NVFlash to get the bootloader/CWM.
At least if it were me, that's the route I would take. Never did it before, but seems sound.
A Pity you bought it already with ICS.
MD
Moscow Desire said:
Well, if you can't use the tools, (you don't need to give the NVFlash error, I already know what it is), then first try the following. (no matter how silly they sound.
1. Different PC
2. Different USB port. (mine has 4)
3. A good USB cable. Using one that comes with the printer or camera, or an el-cheapo won't work. Data pins aren't always the same. I use my HTC cable.
4. Make sure anti-virus and such is off.
If that doesn't work, only recourse is to roll back to 3.0, preferably by RUU. Problem is, you need an HC UID number to run the ruu. That should set your partitions in place. It's possible you might be able to run an HC 3.2 full update, grab the UID, then run the RUU.
After that, do the NVFlash to get the bootloader/CWM.
At least if it were me, that's the route I would take. Never did it before, but seems sound.
A Pity you bought it already with ICS.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, thanks.
I feel like such a N00B right now, LOL. This is like when I first bought my Atrix 2.
I bought it used on the forums and figured I was good, I don't have to even update it and stuff since it is on ics, and the bootloader is unlocked, so I will have aokp on it by the end of the night I get it. I guess I was wrong....
Anyways, I tried other ports, and I was using the good motorola cable, but tried the one that came with i as well, so I guess I have to go back to HC. Why would that help? is the idea that I can then just unlock it some other way? If so, how might I go about getting the UID.
Also, is it worth trying to flash the honeycomb bootloader? any better chance there? cause with that I could just flash the new one with a zip or fastboot. also, Is there any way to just put the new one on by simply putting it on the partition using cat or something. I know I did that on my a2 with recovery, but it would brick with the bl.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks everyone, I got it, here's what I did. As usually I massively screwed things up in the process, but I got it:
So first, I tried to flash again in a few different ways, no success, no harm.
Then I downloaded a HC 3.1.2 or something full rom and put it on my sdcard and rebooted and applied it. BRICK. boot verification failed. So that clearly didn't work, and I realized that is because I had an HC rom with ICS bl.
Long story short I tried to get back with an ics update.zip with no luck, so I tried using a stock rom EUU, but it got to the part where it was looking for the tablet with adb debugging so I cancelled it, since obviously that was not going to do anything. Then I tried a few more zips, with no luck at all and somehow ended up in fastboot, which makes no sense since nothing flashed (or at least I though). From there I tried flashing cwm so I could recover, but it just kept saying "not supported in lock mode" so I gave up on that.
Now comes the accidental fix part. I tried the other exe in the EUU just to see what it did, and it appeared the same, so I just kept hitting continue, and when it got to the usb debugging part, I must have hit minimize instead of close. about 30 minutes and me being really pissed that I somehow hardbricked later I realized there were now 2 windows of the EUU thing open. One said that it could not find my device, and to manually put it in apx mode. WOW, so I was just too impatient before.
Long story shorty again, that worked and it was back on stock honeycomb, and I flashed the HC unlocked BL with no issues, but that did me no good, so I put aokp on my sdcard and flashed the ICS BL with no problem at all this time. I rebooted into recovery and flashed aokp, watched the boot animation that reminded me it was made by a 7 year old girl for a few while the dalvik cache built, and then I was good to go screw with the unusually large number of settings included and flash gapps.
So, yeah, basically I am an impatient moron, but hey! it worked.
Now I just have to find a good OC'd kernel that will work with aokp and I an good to go.
Just a heads up, I plan on building JB aokp and releasing it, so get ready for some serious unicorn swagger in a few months when I finally decide to do it.
I like that process. Flash everything till something works :laugh::laugh::laugh:
At least it works for me sometimes
Glad you got it going.
Listen, edit your post and link to the EUU files you were successful with. Might help some others.
MD
Ok, here is what i have , I have a IConia a500 rooted with, link for forum and files, using ICS Root
(came with 3.1, ran all the iconia updates, to 4.0)
everything went fine, now... i am familiar with flashing roms, i have had a few android phones and have rooted them, and flashed custom roms on them. that is what i want to do with this, after doing over 4 hrs of reading, I have confused the crap out of myself. there is a lot of talk about things that i dont know much about..
-CPUID's
-ICS recoverys (bootloaders?)
Basically, all i want to do is add the CM Jelly time mod, but im not 100% on how i go abouts that? what do i need? i have the files and gapps, etc., i know i need a full wipe, but what recovery do i use? CWM? do i temp flash it or, pernament? after watching a few videos, i still dont think im ready, i diont want to brick this thing. i just want it to work with that rom. thanks any help and clarity is severly appriciated!
j
1. get yr cpuid and save it multiple places open a file explorer and go to /sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid
2. then go to /system and rename/delete recovery-from-boot.p file - this will prevent your custom recovery being overwritten with the stock recovery.
3. have your custom rom on yr ext SD card, ready to flash ONCE you've flashed the unlocked bootloader
4.To flash the v8 bootloader you need to use nvFlash and there are a couple ways if going about that...
a) manually by using the guide in the OP of civato's BL thread
b) using one of the auto tools like afterOTA or apxFlash - links also in that same post...
c) you'll also get to pick a custom recovery and it will be flashed at the same time - cwm 1.7.3 is recommended until you're running stable
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
5) once flashed, boot straight to recovery
6) Do a nandroid backup then the wipes
7) Flash the rom
8) Reboot to recovery and wipe again
9) Job Done!
notes:
Everything you need to do this is in civato's BL OP - sorry can't post the link but its stickied in the Dev Forum
the afterOTA tool,
- saves all yr uid details etc in a txt file
- flashes v3 bootloader -
- it also installs the needed drivers too
- its pretty good at what it does...
seems some are having wifi issues with jellytime but the dev is working on this
you've done the right thing by asking questions before attempting anything, wish everyone was like you...if my post isn't clear then please let me know....for those of us used to the way things work with our Acer, its hard to remember how difficult it seemed when we were new!!
good luck
dibb
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
dibb_nz said:
1. get yr cpuid and save it multiple places open a file explorer and go to /sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid
2. then go to /system and rename/delete recovery-from-boot.p file - this will prevent your custom recovery being overwritten with the stock recovery.
3. have your custom rom on yr ext SD card, ready to flash ONCE you've flashed the unlocked bootloader
4.To flash the v8 bootloader you need to use nvFlash and there are a couple ways if going about that...
a) manually by using the guide in the OP of civato's BL thread
b) using one of the auto tools like afterOTA or apxFlash - links also in that same post...
c) you'll also get to pick a custom recovery and it will be flashed at the same time - cwm 1.7.3 is recommended until you're running stable
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
5) once flashed, boot straight to recovery
6) Do a nandroid backup then the wipes
7) Flash the rom
8) Reboot to recovery and wipe again
9) Job Done!
notes:
Everything you need to do this is in civato's BL OP - sorry can't post the link but its stickied in the Dev Forum
the afterOTA tool,
- saves all yr uid details etc in a txt file
- flashes v3 bootloader -
- it also installs the needed drivers too
- its pretty good at what it does...
seems some are having wifi issues with jellytime but the dev is working on this
you've done the right thing by asking questions before attempting anything, wish everyone was like you...if my post isn't clear then please let me know....for those of us used to the way things work with our Acer, its hard to remember how difficult it seemed when we were new!!
good luck
dibb
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, thanks !
i have used the afterOTA and it would let me select the recovery i wanted to boot, is this permanent or temp? right now on my phone its the cwm, but i remember on my Nexus S, they recomended just pushing it, that way it was super hard to brick.. basically i just need to know if i need to run the afterOTA tool everytime i wanna boot into recovery? thats why i like my CM 10 for my Galaxy Nexus, i can choose to boot into it,
I think the hardest part of these simple tasks, is that there a 20 steps to something totally new, I used to unlock iphones for a living, I never knew what i was doing exactly, i had a rough idea, but i did know how to cut and paste. even going from my NS to GN its always been a few hrs to root/unlock, Being familiar with a lot of the steps, theres more with this tablet! EI, CPUID, APX? tons of warnings! the other things are the abriviations, they can be confusing.. soo
this is the only thing i didnt understand, does the OP dumb it down, or can you??
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
what is sbk, and why do i need it?
thanks again, i really appriciate it!
also, what is a LEAK? leaked rom?
jerkwagon said:
ok, thanks !
i have used the afterOTA and it would let me select the recovery i wanted to boot, is this permanent or temp? right now on my phone its the cwm, but i remember on my Nexus S, they recomended just pushing it, that way it was super hard to brick.. basically i just need to know if i need to run the afterOTA tool everytime i wanna boot into recovery? thats why i like my CM 10 for my Galaxy Nexus, i can choose to boot into it,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no m8, once you've 'flashed' via the tools its permanent -
there are flashable zips around (for recovery) but again, you need the unlocked bootloader first....once you have it then you can flash anything, anyhow you like. Even Acer Recovery Installer will work fine and you can flash a rom from there too, though that may require the paid version from memory.
the only time you will 'lose' the unlocked bootloader/recovery is if you need to rollback to HC - specifically 3.2 -
I think the hardest part of these simple tasks, is that there a 20 steps to something totally new, I used to unlock iphones for a living, I never knew what i was doing exactly, i had a rough idea, but i did know how to cut and paste. even going from my NS to GN its always been a few hrs to root/unlock, Being familiar with a lot of the steps, theres more with this tablet! EI, CPUID, APX? tons of warnings! the other things are the abriviations, they can be confusing.. soo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh I'm hearing you - this thread is a perfect example!!! I'd love to be able to say...root it, then flash cwm and the unlocked bootloader IF you want it, lol
Acer locked this baby down tight as - and if it werent for the work done by alot of the devs here, we'd still be stuck on factory stock.....The success these devs had is proved by the fact that there are still so many new folks coming here looking for info and help
this is the only thing i didnt understand, does the OP dumb it down, or can you??
d) From yr cpuid - generate yr sbk - how to do that is in the same OP
what is sbk, and why do i need it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sbk = secure boot key....as you've discovered 'root' just isnt enough to flash anything...to flash anything you need nvididas nvFlash program PLUS the key to unlock the encryption which is hardwired into the ROM of the memory chip itself -(haahhhaa I think thats right) - The CPUID is unique to every tab (and this too may be hardwired into the chip as well) the sbk is a hex number based on the uid. there are a couple of generators around to do this for you, blackthund3er has one and so does vache....you've used afterOTA so this does the genration for you automatically - you can see it in the text file you saved
thanks again, i really appriciate it!
also, what is a LEAK? leaked rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh back in the day before acer released ics, 'someone' got hold of a leaked ics version, and this is where alot of the work was done on unlocking the bootloader...by the time acer got round to releasing ics - we had a more stable version than they ever had
So now you're unlocked and rooted, have all your ID's backed up and done a nandroid you can quite happily flash to your hearts content!!!!:good::good::good:
rgds dibb
dibb_nz said:
no m8, once you've 'flashed' via the tools its permanent -
there are flashable zips around (for recovery) but again, you need the unlocked bootloader first....once you have it then you can flash anything, anyhow you like. Even Acer Recovery Installer will work fine and you can flash a rom from there too, though that may require the paid version from memory.
the only time you will 'lose' the unlocked bootloader/recovery is if you need to rollback to HC - specifically 3.2 -
yeh I'm hearing you - this thread is a perfect example!!! I'd love to be able to say...root it, then flash cwm and the unlocked bootloader IF you want it, lol
Acer locked this baby down tight as - and if it werent for the work done by alot of the devs here, we'd still be stuck on factory stock.....The success these devs had is proved by the fact that there are still so many new folks coming here looking for info and help
sbk = secure boot key....as you've discovered 'root' just isnt enough to flash anything...to flash anything you need nvididas nvFlash program PLUS the key to unlock the encryption which is hardwired into the ROM of the memory chip itself -(haahhhaa I think thats right) - The CPUID is unique to every tab (and this too may be hardwired into the chip as well) the sbk is a hex number based on the uid. there are a couple of generators around to do this for you, blackthund3er has one and so does vache....you've used afterOTA so this does the genration for you automatically - you can see it in the text file you saved
yeh back in the day before acer released ics, 'someone' got hold of a leaked ics version, and this is where alot of the work was done on unlocking the bootloader...by the time acer got round to releasing ics - we had a more stable version than they ever had
So now you're unlocked and rooted, have all your ID's backed up and done a nandroid you can quite happily flash to your hearts content!!!!:good::good::good:
rgds dibb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok after OTA generated my sbk and all that info, saved it to my computer... how do i unlock the bootloader? i want to install CWM, do i just need to download a file then use the advanced tab?, from cwm im sure i can get around, also, i dont know what apx mode is, ill do some more searching, thanks again.
ok this is really hard to do with windows8, my god, i have to do a lot of running around, i think im just going to give up, now, APX drivers are nto working, fml
had to manualy add the drivers, it was a pain the ass, now its all donw, hopefully i can get it going now!
s**t. use the last option ics v3.14.8 standard tab
jerkwagon said:
ok after OTA generated my sbk and all that info, saved it to my computer... how do i unlock the bootloader? i want to install CWM, do i just need to download a file then use the advanced tab?, from cwm im sure i can get around, also, i dont know what apx mode is, ill do some more searching, thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
standard tab choose first option...keep an eye on the status bar while its flashing..should not take longer than 10mins.
You must then boot straight to recovery and flash yr rom from yr USB key
don't have to worry bout apx mode but yr tab should display.either Acer apx mode.or Acer download.mode at stage 3 of 4 in tool status bar.
if u.muck.up you'll learn all u ever wanted.to know about apx.mode
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
EDIT: the last option on the Standard Tab
DON'T FLASH THE FIRST ONE!!!!!!!
while trying to root and unlock bootloader on acer a500, somehow i screwed things up and had to finally flash a euu file to get it working again, now im rooted unlocked, i guess, im able to flash roms but my storage has been reduced to 128mb. , no matter what i flash or try no change, not enuff room to restore any apps.. question is any chance or anything i can do to recover that space? thank you...
athack said:
while trying to root and unlock bootloader on acer a500, somehow i screwed things up and had to finally flash a euu file to get it working again, now im rooted unlocked, i guess, im able to flash roms but my storage has been reduced to 128mb. , no matter what i flash or try no change, not enuff room to restore any apps.. question is any chance or anything i can do to recover that space? thank you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, you might have screwed the pooh on this one.
Did you install the V8 or 9 Unlocked bootloader?
Ok, for starters, WHICH EUU and what is current operating system?
Did you flash a custom Recovery (in this case CWM)? If so, what version?
But BEFORE you do anything else, you should get your UID number from Civato's sticky thread or one of the others. Very important. So check the sticky threads, there's a simple app to get your UID. Save it somewhere in like Notepad.
Then report back.
ok let me say ive been rooting my ohones since the OG droid, its been 5 or 6 diff since then but this tablet has me stumped... can you please tell me how i can find which version bootloader? the euu file i got off of tegra forum owners, ive got cwm based recovery v5.5.0.x 9thor2002ro rev 1.7) and as far as operating system ive flashed 3 diff roms so far the 1 im on now is flex resurection rev1...4.0.4 android version, ive tried 4.0.3, and jb... i have cpuid if thats the same as uid#...? if you could help in any way its much appreciated...
Moscow Desire said:
Wow, you might have screwed the pooh on this one.
Did you install the V8 or 9 Unlocked bootloader?
Ok, for starters, WHICH EUU and what is current operating system?
Did you flash a custom Recovery (in this case CWM)? If so, what version?
But BEFORE you do anything else, you should get your UID number from Civato's sticky thread or one of the others. Very important. So check the sticky threads, there's a simple app to get your UID. Save it somewhere in like Notepad.
Then report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i run recovery bootlader version says 03.11 custom mode????
athack said:
ok let me say ive been rooting my ohones since the OG droid, its been 5 or 6 diff since then but this tablet has me stumped... can you please tell me how i can find which version bootloader? the euu file i got off of tegra forum owners, ive got cwm based recovery v5.5.0.x 9thor2002ro rev 1.7) and as far as operating system ive flashed 3 diff roms so far the 1 im on now is flex resurection rev1...4.0.4 android version, ive tried 4.0.3, and jb... i have cpuid if thats the same as uid#...? if you could help in any way its much appreciated...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha ha, no mate. No doubt you are a bit familiar. Phones is different than tabs though.
Ok,, when you start your tab normally, you should see the bootloader version. Upper left corner.
There's only a couple EUU files, and I believe both are Honeycomb.
CWM ver is ok.
But if you are running ICS or JB roms, on a HC bootloader, than that's not OK.
So, I need current ROM and version, and current bootloader version. Civato has several roms.
Just wanna see where exactly you are at right now.
MD
EUUs_SBK_Acer_A500_1.016.05_COM_GEN1 Bundle (Stock 3.0.1 if I remember correctly) ...... FLEX-Resurrection_Rev1-Aroma-Public....0.03.11 ICS bootloader custom mods...
Moscow Desire said:
Wow, you might have screwed the pooh on this one.
Did you install the V8 or 9 Unlocked bootloader?
Ok, for starters, WHICH EUU and what is current operating system?
Did you flash a custom Recovery (in this case CWM)? If so, what version?
But BEFORE you do anything else, you should get your UID number from Civato's sticky thread or one of the others. Very important. So check the sticky threads, there's a simple app to get your UID. Save it somewhere in like Notepad.
Then report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
athack said:
when i run recovery bootlader version says 03.11 custom mode????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3.11 sounds like an HC bootloader, or one of Skrilax_cz's initial bootloader. If you try running ICS or JB based roms, you're gonna get a lot of screwy stuff going on, Like display glitches and stuff.
You need to goto Civato's Bootloader thread in the Dev forum, and try running the apps listed there to get you to Skirlax_cz's unlocked bootloader for ICS. Works for CM JB.
@dibb_nz also has a thread there, explaining things about UID and stuff.
Then, after you get the unlocked bootloader NV flashed, throw CWM on there. I use 1.7.3 I believe. In mounts and storage, there is an option to format your internal SD. Select the option, then do your wipes and formats. Then flash the rom.
Think you'll be okay then.
recovery also says thor kernal v1.16mini running itsmagic that is on the screen when i run a backup....
athack said:
EUUs_SBK_Acer_A500_1.016.05_COM_GEN1 Bundle (Stock 3.0.1 if I remember correctly) ...... FLEX-Resurrection_Rev1-Aroma-Public....0.03.11 ICS bootloader custom mods...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
athack said:
recovery also says thor kernal v1.16mini running itsmagic that is on the screen when i run a backup....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's magic is no longer needed for unlocked bootloader and ICS/JB.
If you boot holding PWR and Vol -, you should boot into the V8 bootloader menu. If you don't, there's an issue.
ok i got that set up right now, its magic is no longer needed it says... everything is working fine but still only 128 mb of storage wiped mounted unmounted formatted everything, nothing is changing it....
Moscow Desire said:
It's magic is no longer needed for unlocked bootloader and ICS/JB.
If you boot holding PWR and Vol -, you should boot into the V8 bootloader menu. If you don't, there's an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, sounds like the emmc memory is hosed. As you read in the threads, it happens sometimes.
However, as a last chance, there is a thing called "bab sector". I've never used it before. Supposedly helps recover bad memory blocks. I've tried searching for it here in the forums, but must not be using the right search parameters . Found discussions on it in @Skrilax_CZ bootloader thread. It's labeled for the a501 but doesn't matter as partitions are the same I believe. He knows more about the memory partitions, so may want to post the issue in his bootloader thread.
But, I do happen to have one of the zips on my Dev Host server.
http://d-h.st/iQX
If I remember correctly, there are 2 variants of this repair file. @dibb_nz might know more about it.
Also on my server. is an HC roll back tool. If not mistaken, it may have a different variant of EUU. Might wanna run it and see if it resets partitions. As it seems like things screwed up when you ran an EUU.
http://d-h.st/0x7
At any case, I would run the EUU again. Can't hurt, and maybe will reset partitions.
thank you that bab sector file how would i go about installing that? flash with the a500 apx flash tool ? and the euu i believe get done that way also?
Moscow Desire said:
Well, sounds like the emmc memory is hosed. As you read in the threads, it happens sometimes.
However, as a last chance, there is a thing called "bab sector". I've never used it before. Supposedly helps recover bad memory blocks. I've tried searching for it here in the forums, but must not be using the right search parameters . Found discussions on it in @Skrilax_CZ bootloader thread. It's labeled for the a501 but doesn't matter as partitions are the same I believe. He knows more about the memory partitions, so may want to post the issue in his bootloader thread.
But, I do happen to have one of the zips on my Dev Host server.
http://d-h.st/iQX
If I remember correctly, there are 2 variants of this repair file. @dibb_nz might know more about it.
Also on my server. is an HC roll back tool. If not mistaken, it may have a different variant of EUU. Might wanna run it and see if it resets partitions. As it seems like things screwed up when you ran an EUU.
http://d-h.st/0x7
At any case, I would run the EUU again. Can't hurt, and maybe will reset partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
athack said:
thank you that bab sector file how would i go about installing that? flash with the a500 apx flash tool ? and the euu i believe get done that way also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, never run the Bab tool before. But looking at it, you have to be in APX mode just as you would to run NVFlash, as it operates the same way.
With the Bab tool, if it errors out writing any of the partitions, it should at least generate an error message. Now, you'll have to search to find out how to manually get into APX mode. But if I'm not mistaken, it's tab off. Hold PWR and Reset button. Then count to 3 or 5, release reset, then 2 counts later release PWR. But please do not quote me on this. Been some time, and primarily I work on the A701 now. But it's pretty close.
Then, run the bat file in the zip via a command window. Note I have never had to use this before.
The rollback/EUU works just like any other EUU. Has an exe file in it to run (make sure USB debugging is on, and remember to get your UID.
I also have an ATT EUU handy. Not sure which version it installs, but will be HC.
I still say to post a note in the Bootloader thread. Skrilax_cz knows more about the 50x partitions than even Acer.
flashed the bab file thru cmd promots device said pass reboot... rebooted to booloade mode saying error invalid primary lnx kernal image.. wont d...o anything but reboot to this same screen... also the other file euu is a rar file wont let me do anything with it when i flashed the other file euu i used the a500 tool and it found the euu file, how do i extract the euu from the roll back rom?
Moscow Desire said:
Ok, never run the Bab tool before. But looking at it, you have to be in APX mode just as you would to run NVFlash, as it operates the same way.
With the Bab tool, if it errors out writing any of the partitions, it should at least generate an error message. Now, you'll have to search to find out how to manually get into APX mode. But if I'm not mistaken, it's tab off. Hold PWR and Reset button. Then count to 3 or 5, release reset, then 2 counts later release PWR. But please do not quote me on this. Been some time, and primarily I work on the A701 now. But it's pretty close.
Then, run the bat file in the zip via a command window. Note I have never had to use this before.
The rollback/EUU works just like any other EUU. Has an exe file in it to run (make sure USB debugging is on, and remember to get your UID.
I also have an ATT EUU handy. Not sure which version it installs, but will be HC.
I still say to post a note in the Bootloader thread. Skrilax_cz knows more about the 50x partitions than even Acer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks i found the tool in the rollback rom to redo my tab it restored my tab to full storage your a genius... thank u for all your help truly appreciate it...
athack said:
thanks i found the tool in the rollback rom to redo my tab it restored my tab to full storage your a genius... thank u for all your help truly appreciate it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ehhhh.... sometimes MD is just lucky I guess
CCR... I Put a Spell on You.... (what I'm listening to now) on a Viper4Android tricked out A701 running Evil Alex Purgatory V2 for the 701 :good:
Damn glad you got it going Mate!
Rock On!
MD