Database Users

(SOLVED) need help unbricking A500 with nvFlash

so I traded an older compaq laptop for this bricked Iconia A500 and they must have really borked it up because all the "normal" unbricking methods will not work, it will not pull the update.zip from the SD card about 10 -15 minutes in I get the LNX checksum error, same thing if I try to factory reset it hangs on Erasing cache... then back to the LNX checksum error. I have tried reflashing a stock EUU ROM in APX mode but it just hangs and wont update. I was able to get the UID by using the usb traffic sniffer and I created the SKB from the website. so now I can get it in APX mode but I am new to the Tegra tablets so I have no idea what I should see or do with the nvFlash, I am a pretty techincal guy and can usually figure stuff out by using common sense but I am sure I am missing something with this nvFlash program. I notice if I send the tablet a command with nvflash (like --sync) it will come back with the normal error but it will also cut off the usb connection and to send any more commands I have to restart APX mode (while in windows, I havent noticed it do that in ubuntu) if anyone has any experience in this and knows the steps to get it back from the abyss I would really appreciate it. I have tried following sc2k's thread on the checksum errors but it won't work because I fall under the "any other recovery" and he said to contact him or post for help, I contacted him 2 days ago and haven't got an answer yet, (I am sure he is busy) so I am going to ask for help here in the meantime.

I think you can try this way:
[downloading necessary files]:
1. pls refer to How to root stock 3.2 and download root-3.2.1-V4.7z
[actions:]
1. extract files from root-3.2.1-V4.7z to c:\a500unbrick
2. go to folder c:\a500unbrick and fined .pdf file with instractions. Read it carefully and follow it.
at the end of this process you will have os 3.2.1 with custom recovery.

a.chursin said:
I think you can try this way:
[downloading necessary files]:
1. pls refer to How to root stock 3.2 and download root-3.2.1-V4.7z
[actions:]
1. extract files from root-3.2.1-V4.7z to c:\a500unbrick
2. go to folder c:\a500unbrick and fined .pdf file with instractions. Read it carefully and follow it.
at the end of this process you will have os 3.2.1 with custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I will look into it, but if it needs adb or booting from sd card its a no go because it won't read update.zip (lack of proper recovery image?) Nor can I use adb, the only way I can send commands is through APX mode.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA

it doesn't need adb or sdcard update.zip - it's "apx moode" way of flashing

a.chursin said:
it doesn't need adb or sdcard update.zip - it's "apx moode" way of flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks will try this when I get home from work, I found everything under the sun to unbrick except this way. so I am hoping this will work.

still will not work
I have tried the PBJ20upgrade.exe and I know it says to use APX mode in there but it doesn't work as stated in the OP and that is why I said it needs to be with nvFlash, nothing else is working at all. it will just hang at 1/8th done for well over 20 minutes.
thanks for replying though and trying to help.
anyone have experience with nvFlash that can help?
this is how far it gets when I try using nvflash in the command line:
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --configfile flash.cfg --create --odmdata 0xb00d8011 --bl bootloader.bin --sbk 0x45DC1E00 0x48A7F501 0xA7EE1103 0xB0512103 --go
Nvflash started
rcm version 0X20001
System Information:
chip name: t20
chip id: 0x20 major: 1 minor: 3
chip sku: 0x8
chip uid: 0x037c61c9434032d7
macrovision: disabled
hdcp: enabled
sbk burned: true
dk burned: true
boot device: emmc
operating mode: 4
device config strap: 0
device config fuse: 0
sdram config strap: 0
sending file: flash.bct
data send failed NvError 0x120000
setbct failed NvError 0x0
command failure: bootloader download failed
C:\Users\Jon\Desktop\Acer Tab A500\root-3.2.1\Image>

GOT IT!!!
I got it!! I had to boot into Ubuntu and run the same nvflash command and it worked like a charm, I am currently sporting 3.2.1. now to get some ICS on this thing
thanks for your help a.chursin.

Your welcom

help!
Could someone please help me with this?? Im stuck with the green Acer screen. Bootloader is hosed, I can get it to APX mode, no adb, no recovery, no fastboot.....I think I can use NVflash to flash a recovery and then flash an update.exe, I just dont know the commands. When I try nvflash --sync, the nvidia APX driver in device manager just dissapears and I have to put the tablet back in APX mode.

cooki3monst3r77 said:
Could someone please help me with this?? Im stuck with the green Acer screen. Bootloader is hosed, I can get it to APX mode, no adb, no recovery, no fastboot.....I think I can use NVflash to flash a recovery and then flash an update.exe, I just dont know the commands. When I try nvflash --sync, the nvidia APX driver in device manager just dissapears and I have to put the tablet back in APX mode.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did u get yrself into this will need more info to help BUT
the green recovery screen suggests its the HC recovery image
If u r on HC then I have a feeling nv/fast boot only works on an unlocked b/l which 3.2 is not, but I'm not 100% on that
U can try an EUU based flash as u say apx mode is still available to u
Timmydeanv4 for gen2 stock, else EUU from vaches thread

Ncvflash commands
windows. nvflash --help
Linux. ./nvflash --help

a.chursin said:
I think you can try this way:
[downloading necessary files]:
1. pls refer to How to root stock 3.2 and download root-3.2.1-V4.7z
[actions:]
1. extract files from root-3.2.1-V4.7z to c:\a500unbrick
2. go to folder c:\a500unbrick and fined .pdf file with instractions. Read it carefully and follow it.
at the end of this process you will have os 3.2.1 with custom recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This solved my issue, thanks.
I was triyng to update BL to ICS.BL and it actually updates to the BL nicely, but whathever i have tried could no pass the boot, always getting bootloop. So i downgraded it and its working like a charm.
Thanks again.

Would someone help me? I just installed CM10 Jelly bean for Iconia A500 and flashed the corresponding GApss right after. Now I'm stuck on Acer logo and can't go to recovery. Help.

xmond said:
Would someone help me? I just installed CM10 Jelly bean for Iconia A500 and flashed the corresponding GApss right after. Now I'm stuck on Acer logo and can't go to recovery. Help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you boot in download mode to clean cache? (Power + Vol+)
Or, can you boot in recovery after shut down device?
If not try it and then tell us.

GueDS said:
Can you boot in download mode to clean cache? (Power + Vol+)
Or, can you boot in recovery after shut down device?
If not try it and then tell us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I can't go into recovery even after shutting down the device. It's stuck on Acer logo. Help me please.
*Edit:* Booted in download mode and did a cache wipe. That did the trick! My device is now booting! THANKS A LOT!

xmond said:
No, I can't go into recovery even after shutting down the device. It's stuck on Acer logo. Help me please.
*Edit:* Booted in download mode and did a cache wipe. That did the trick! My device is now booting! THANKS A LOT!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I´m glad to help :good:

GueDS said:
I´m glad to help :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Thanks again! So happy with my new OS!

Urgent! CPUID from apx mode
jitajt said:
so I traded an older compaq laptop for this bricked Iconia A500 and they must have really borked it up because all the "normal" unbricking methods will not work, it will not pull the update.zip from the SD card about 10 -15 minutes in I get the LNX checksum error, same thing if I try to factory reset it hangs on Erasing cache... then back to the LNX checksum error. I have tried reflashing a stock EUU ROM in APX mode but it just hangs and wont update. I was able to get the UID by using the usb traffic sniffer and I created the SKB from the website. so now I can get it in APX mode but I am new to the Tegra tablets so I have no idea what I should see or do with the nvFlash, I am a pretty techincal guy and can usually figure stuff out by using common sense but I am sure I am missing something with this nvFlash program. I notice if I send the tablet a command with nvflash (like --sync) it will come back with the normal error but it will also cut off the usb connection and to send any more commands I have to restart APX mode (while in windows, I havent noticed it do that in ubuntu) if anyone has any experience in this and knows the steps to get it back from the abyss I would really appreciate it. I have tried following sc2k's thread on the checksum errors but it won't work because I fall under the "any other recovery" and he said to contact him or post for help, I contacted him 2 days ago and haven't got an answer yet, (I am sure he is busy) so I am going to ask for help here in the meantime.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man I'm really desperate to know how can I get my CPUID from apx mode. I foolishly formatted mmcblk0 and now it won't even boot. And the only mode I can get in is apx mode. How can I solve this? what is usb sniffer? Can you giive me the link?

felix, if you'd read the cpuid guide like i suggested you would know exactly where and how to use a usb sniffer to retrieve your cpuid... you provided bugger all details about your situation other than to say its bricked...take a deep breath and slow down, unbricking has to be done according to strict rules otherwise you'll end up going round in circles, its a process thats not gonna take 5 mins...and posting in 6month old threads expecting an answer probly isnt gonna help neither...there is an unbricking guide in my sig, post in that if you need to
dibb

What Command
jitajt said:
I got it!! I had to boot into Ubuntu and run the same nvflash command and it worked like a charm, I am currently sporting 3.2.1. now to get some ICS on this thing
thanks for your help a.chursin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What was the command you use in Ubuntu to get nvflash to run? please send me the string you use, i am in the same as you was i only have apx mode on the acer a500

Solution: Unlocked bootloader Installation

One of my counterparts in Germany asked me to post it here. All credit goes to opec. This has been covered a few times, but I like the detailed scenario.
**************************
ERROR: Can´t installl hacked ICS Bootloader
I tried installing Hacked ICS Bootloader in Order to get Moscow Desire´s "Alexandra V a501 ICS 4.0.3 ver 1.4 Final" running on my a501.
The following ways of flashing could get the hacked bootloader on my a501:
"Afterota for A600/G100W" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1675939),
"blackthund3r´s ATX flash tool A500APXFlash.exe" (see "Automated flashing tools" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425")
"Manual flashing via nvflash" (see Manual flashing at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1622425)
Trying to flash with this tools always brought me to a Command Promt saying:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
APX flash tool hang when it tired to Format Partition 4 etc.
and then doing nothing even if i let it stay for hours. No Information or Error so long.
When i tried flashing manualy (see link above)i finaly saw an error:
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed (bad data)
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information
e: 14) message: nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
So it seemed however that the partition table on my a501 got messed up. Asking google for "failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002" brought me to an answer "lcd047" posted on tegraowners (http://forum.tegraowners.com/viewtop...p=15285#p15331)
He desicrbes same problem with messed up partition table an restoring it with timmyDean´s root-3.2.1-V4.7z (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=1):
lcd047 wrote:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
And that worked for me. After flashing, my a501 did a automated reboot, i quickly killed the reboot by holding the Power Button (guessing killing the reboot is not realy necessary because the booting shouldn´t mess up the partition table again) and then brought the devive back to APX Mode (Holding Reset and Power for 3-4 sec. then releasing Power and after 1 second relesaing Reset).
Then i flashed the hacked bootloader via blackthund3rs APX flash tool (see link above).
Then i installed Alexandra V as Moscow Desire descirbes (see "To Install" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1635577)
It took my 2 days of trial and error, but finaly give me a nice working Alexandra ROM on my a501!
Hope this helps people having the same issues.
Thanks to Moscow Desire, civato, blackthund3r, gersma, zeroNull, lcdß47, timmyDean
***************************************
Note from MD. You guys take note of this. Sometimes, when you get corrupted partition tables, you may have to go back to an HC stock bootloader to get them fixed. Of course there are other methods, but require some indepth knowledge, and this method most people can do easily.
MD

Borked Partition Table
Nice M...thanks for reposting this

will this work on a500

Moscow Desire said:
One of my counterparts in Germany asked me to post it here. All credit goes to opec. This has been covered a few times, but I like the detailed scenario.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After hours and hours, this right here was the solution I needed. Many, many thanks.

erndixon said:
After hours and hours, this right here was the solution I needed. Many, many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Sometimes things get buried back in the threads after awhile.
MD

Help
i'm use a501 3.2.1 stock HC and still unroot.
Now i wanna use alexV ROM, so i have flash ICS BL use blackthunder's flash tools and it's success, with V8a50pub recovery.
but my problem is:
1. still able to boot my stock HC ROM,
2. can't boot into recovery mode, it will display green robot with exclamation in its body
3. can i get guide to flash cwm recovery? i want use CWM-install-A500PubRecovery_v0.2.zip but its extension is .img and i dont know how to use it
sory if i asked noob question
thanks

Go on youtube and just search up how to root acer a500 , its the first video, steps are simple but i'm not too sure you can use pub recovery on honeycomb, after that use one of the flashing tools to install the hacked bootloader ( i prefer the apx flashtool, its fool proof pretty much with the sbk generator built in ) and download the v8 bootloader with your recovery choice and install it, there's even a guide on youtube on how to do it, hope it helps
Sent from my Iconia A501 using xda app-developers app

gigacats said:
i'm use a501 3.2.1 stock HC and still unroot.
Now i wanna use alexV ROM, so i have flash ICS BL use blackthunder's flash tools and it's success, with V8a50pub recovery.
but my problem is:
1. still able to boot my stock HC ROM,
2. can't boot into recovery mode, it will display green robot with exclamation in its body
3. can i get guide to flash cwm recovery? i want use CWM-install-A500PubRecovery_v0.2.zip but its extension is .img and i dont know how to use it
sory if i asked noob question
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please do not post duplicate issues in multiple threads. Please go to your original post.
MD

OK, sorry guys
Sent from my A501 using xda app-developers app

gigacats said:
OK, sorry guys
Sent from my A501 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem
Glad you got things running good. (in the other thread)
MD

Moscow Desire said:
One of my counterparts in Germany asked me to post it here. All credit goes to opec. This has been covered a few times, but I like the detailed scenario.
**************************
ERROR: Can´t installl hacked ICS Bootloader
I tried installing Hacked ICS Bootloader in Order to get Moscow Desire´s "Alexandra V a501 ICS 4.0.3 ver 1.4 Final" running on my a501.
The following ways of flashing could get the hacked bootloader on my a501:
"Afterota for A600/G100W" (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1675939),
"blackthund3r´s ATX flash tool A500APXFlash.exe" (see "Automated flashing tools" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425")
"Manual flashing via nvflash" (see Manual flashing at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1622425)
Trying to flash with this tools always brought me to a Command Promt saying:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
APX flash tool hang when it tired to Format Partition 4 etc.
and then doing nothing even if i let it stay for hours. No Information or Error so long.
When i tried flashing manualy (see link above)i finaly saw an error:
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed (bad data)
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information
e: 14) message: nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
So it seemed however that the partition table on my a501 got messed up. Asking google for "failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002" brought me to an answer "lcd047" posted on tegraowners (http://forum.tegraowners.com/viewtop...p=15285#p15331)
He desicrbes same problem with messed up partition table an restoring it with timmyDean´s root-3.2.1-V4.7z (http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...&postcount=1):
lcd047 wrote:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
And that worked for me. After flashing, my a501 did a automated reboot, i quickly killed the reboot by holding the Power Button (guessing killing the reboot is not realy necessary because the booting shouldn´t mess up the partition table again) and then brought the devive back to APX Mode (Holding Reset and Power for 3-4 sec. then releasing Power and after 1 second relesaing Reset).
Then i flashed the hacked bootloader via blackthund3rs APX flash tool (see link above).
Then i installed Alexandra V as Moscow Desire descirbes (see "To Install" at http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1635577)
It took my 2 days of trial and error, but finaly give me a nice working Alexandra ROM on my a501!
Hope this helps people having the same issues.
Thanks to Moscow Desire, civato, blackthund3r, gersma, zeroNull, lcdß47, timmyDean
***************************************
Note from MD. You guys take note of this. Sometimes, when you get corrupted partition tables, you may have to go back to an HC stock bootloader to get them fixed. Of course there are other methods, but require some indepth knowledge, and this method most people can do easily.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, While this did not actually work in my case, it led me to do a search on "TegraOwners" for "Partition Table damaged" where I found "BadSector" which totally fixed my problem. So, A Hearty thanks to you Moscow Desire, as well as to BlackThund3r, for without his direction, I never would found your post either.
That being said, a big thanks to all the Dev's on this site, for without their hard work, there would be no reason for any of the fine information available on this site!

Hey i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..heres what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?
timmydeans toolkit doesnt work for me,bad sector also doesnt work, But i can see my device in safe and remove hardware...

moizsami said:
Hey i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..heres what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?
timmydeans toolkit doesnt work for me,bad sector also doesnt work, But i can see my device in safe and remove hardware...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If these 2 tools "don't work" there are only 2 possibilities
a) you're not doing things correctly
b) your tab has a faulty memory chip and needs a replacement motherboard

Acer a500 stock on acer logo-dead andriod red triangle
Moscow Desire said:
No problem. Sometimes things get buried back in the threads after awhile.
MD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Sir
I have seen lots of post from you regarding Hacer a500 tab, I am not a geek nor a tech, but I do have this tab stock on Hacer logo, and when I tried to hard reset it takes me to dead andriod, please help me out here, with steps to bring back my tab back to life..thanks

[Q]Installation freez - unlocked bootloader v8

I have rooted A500
Flexraper R11 - A500 gen 1
kernel 2.6.39.4
CWM v5 thorpro2002
I dicidet that was time to loos the HC bootloder.
I tried to update firs with AfterOTA 1.8 But it was stuck on 3/4 then after 20 min of nothing i removed the USB cabel reboot the tablet from APX and booted back with. Then I tryed APX flashtool it was stuck at
uploading
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and stoped there. I tried the maual method - i got
partition formating 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and that was all . I tryed diferent bundle - the same. I reinstalledt the drivers. Nothing!
the only reasenoble thing was a Solution from Moscow Desire - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1723608
But the thing bodering me is what exacly is the problem with my tablet? Is there a alternatiwe? is that the solutin for me?

This could help, I like blackthund3r's tool easy to use APX mode.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425

with this tool i get Nvflash started [resume mode] and it says there
I have tryed every single method discribet without nvflash method and allways the same

NIxana said:
with this tool i get Nvflash started [resume mode] and it says there
I have tryed every single method discribet without nvflash method and allways the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the nvflash method described by Moscow Desire. Just remember that --create command for nvflash formats whole eMMC (internal flash).
I've also had similar problem with my a500 and nothing worked (even the --create command). After couple of hours with a great help from Skrillax_CZ I've managed to boot the tablet again. The reason in my case was not corrupted parition table but the eMMC itself (bad sector in eMMC at 1MB offset). With modified parition table I was able to execute --create command and restore the tablet.

the method work like a charm no problem I installed the unlocked bootloader v8 and now I'm a happy user

[GUIDE][nvFlash]The Chickens Guide to Flashing the bootloader manually

here is a guide and some pix so you can see what 'should' happen when using civato's nvFlash manual method.
Get yr 15 digit CPUID - not your 11/13 digit ICS serial no.
the correct uid is VITAL, using the wrong one can cause you problems.
all righty you've made the decision to flash the patched bootloader and install a custom recovery and one of the many custom ICS/JB roms -
1. Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK from Blackthund3rs site: http://a500bootloaderflash.tk/sbkcalc/
4. Download yr ROM of choice and put it on yr external sd card
5. Put your tab in APX Mode manually or with apxFlashTool
6. Flash the Bootloader/Custom Recovery
7. Reboot to Custom recovery and do a full data wipe/format
8. Flash your chosen ICS/JB ROM
9. For good measure reboot to recovery and do another full wipe
10. Reboot and enjoy ICS/Jellybean
nb: I know it sounds overkill for all these data wipes/formats but in my experiences and alot of others on here multiple wipes ensure a smooth
running rom
Prep Work
To enter APX mode - Turn your tab off then press and hold in the Reset button(with paper clip).
Do not release it.
Press and hold power for 3 secs and then release it.
After another second, release the reset button.
Download V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm and extract the files for the manual nvFlash
If you are coming from HC then d/l your ICS/JB rom of choice to yr ext sdcard
WARNING: at Step 7. Do not "press any key to continue..." UNLESS yr tab is in bootloader mode, doing so causes alot more issues and
necessitates a rollback to HC if you continue....
*****************************************************
ok here we go:
Step 1. You must enter APXMode FIRST
Your Windows PC should then detect your device and install the APX driver. You should then have an APX USB device installed.
If you do not have an APX USB device listed in your system tray, you cannot proceed.
The screen of your tablet is black and the Power Light is ON
Step 2. Once yr tabs screen has turned black and the power lite is on then
Step 3. Right click on the v8.bat file from civs package and choose "Edit"
Go thru the file and remove any "Cls" lines if there are any - this allows you to see what the flash is doing.
Save the changes thenRun the bat file - i'm using V6-3.bat in this example but if you are using v8 it will be named v8.bat
NOTE: You will see an instruction on the opening screen to "delete recovery from boot.p file"
On a reboot, this file overwrites your newly flashed custom recovery with the Acer Stock Recovery, not what we want!!
Please check /system for the boot.p file - if its there then delete or rename it b4 going on
Step 4. Enter your SBK
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Step 5. Your tab will display this - "System Information" Screen
Here you can see clearly your one and only cpuid!!!! Or 'chip uid' as it is named here.
Warning: If this system info is not displayed you run the risk of getting stuck in apx mode....
Close out of the command window and disconnect your USB and check yr SBK and/or the Acer USB Driver is showing in your "Safely remove hardware" icon
if it isnt reinstall the Acer Drivers
Step 6. All systems are go!! Go ahead and press any key...when your tab is in bootloader mode
7. WAIT for your tab to display "Acer Iconiaa500 APX Mode"
this is 'bootloader mode' where the flash needs to take place,
then press any key...
if you carry on without yr tab showing this message...
then you will softbrick and to fix that you will need to downgrade to HC and
you will lose all your data
There are 'usually' only 3 reasons you will not see the "Acer Iconia a500 APX Mode" message
1. The Drivers are failing to install correctly
2. Incorrect cpuid
3. Getting stuck at Formatting/partition errors is the ".bct issue" apxFlashTool 0.4 fixes this
Step 8 the flash begins!!!
the flash will take about 30 secs at most
on your tab you will see in big white letters the word PASS
in smaller red letters "Reboot the Device"
So power down yr tab and reboot into your new recovery and backup your system then flash your ICS/Jellybean Rom.
Congratulations you are no longer a chicken
EDIT: I've tried not to put too much info in here to keep things relatively easy to read - if you think there is info that should be in here just let me know and I'll add it

:good::good:
Nice guide. Should help out anyone who is still unsure. The only thing is, where's Daisy?

JdgM3NT4L said:
:good::good:
...The only thing is, where's Daisy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahaha, funnee J:laugh::laugh::laugh: good ol' Daisy
and for those wondering what else you can do with your unlocked bootloader...
you too can enjoy the 'Daisy' boot logo hehehe!!

dibb_nz said:
hahaha, funnee J:laugh::laugh::laugh: good ol' Daisy
and for those wondering what else you can do with your unlocked bootloader...
you too can enjoy the 'Daisy' boot logo hehehe!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lmao.
this guide should be stickied eh?

can you get a bit more detailed for these?
Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK using the CPUID from vaches site

lbhocky19 said:
can you get a bit more detailed for these?
Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK using the CPUID from vaches site
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For info on the drivers and retrieving yr cpuid see this guide here but basically you'll need the acer drivers from acer support page and the android usb/adb drivers, these drivers ensure yr tab can communicate with yr pc and can be d/l in a zip file from post in the link above.
The SBK (Secure Boot Key) is generated from the cpuid. Go to vaches site (the link is provided in the nvflash as u can see in the first pic above) Its as simple as entering yr cpuid in the box and it will give you a number formatted like this:
0x000D0000 0x00000001 0x0AAACCCC 0x0000000 - this is your SBK

chismay said:
lmao.
this guide should be stickied eh?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey dude!! good to see u, pls tell me you;ve taken daisy for a spin m8????????
or r u still in that henhouse:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:

<Deleted by user>

Stuck on Step 8
First of all thank-you so much for writing this it has been very helpful so far.
Got stuck on Step 8, I did everything exactly as stated, go to the green Acer logo, with "Acer Iconia APX Made" at the top left, but command prompt returned with the following:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x120002
FAILED!
command failure: format partition failed <bad command>
Bootloader status: unknown operation <code: 1> message: flags: 0
Before that in step 7 I also got an error, but the it allowed press an key to continue anyway:
sending file: bct.bct
- 4080/4080 bytes sent
bct.bct sent successfully
odm data: 0x300d88011
downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000
sending file: bootloader_apx.bin
| 714980/714981 bytes sent
bootloader_apx.bit sent successfully
waiting for bootloader to initialize
bootloader downloaded successfully
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed <bad data>
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information <code: 14> message nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
I realize that I have probably given too much information and I apologize for that. Any help at all would be much appreciated!
Also: This was done using option 3, but I tried it with option 4 as well and got the same error. In step 5 it did not show System Information, but I checked the acer divers, the safely remove hardware and my SBK using different generators and it all checks out.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

Luke00123 said:
First of all thank-you so much for writing this it has been very helpful so far.
Got stuck on Step 8, I did everything exactly as stated, go to the green Acer logo, with "Acer Iconia APX Made" at the top left, but command prompt returned with the following:
Nvflash started
[resume mode]
Formatting partition 4 please wait.. Command Execution failed cmd 13, error 0x120002
FAILED!
command failure: format partition failed <bad command>
Bootloader status: unknown operation <code: 1> message: flags: 0
Before that in step 7 I also got an error, but the it allowed press an key to continue anyway:
sending file: bct.bct
- 4080/4080 bytes sent
bct.bct sent successfully
odm data: 0x300d88011
downloading bootloader -- load address: 0x108000 entry point: 0x108000
sending file: bootloader_apx.bin
| 714980/714981 bytes sent
bootloader_apx.bit sent successfully
waiting for bootloader to initialize
bootloader downloaded successfully
failed executing command 25 NvError 0x120002
command failure: sync failed <bad data>
bootloader status: partition table is invalid, missing required information <code: 14> message nverror:0x4 (0x4) flags: 0
I realize that I have probably given too much information and I apologize for that. Any help at all would be much appreciated!
Also: This was done using option 3, but I tried it with option 4 as well and got the same error. In step 5 it did not show System Information, but I checked the acer divers, the safely remove hardware and my SBK using different generators and it all checks out.
PLEASE HELP ME!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you dont say what rom you were on or whether your tab was running ok before you tried the flash??
Normally if you don't see the system info window things dont go well after that!
But in saying that it seems you've made sure everything else is right, and as long as when you put your tab in apx mode you saw the "acer download mode" displayed you should be good!!
partitioning errors such as yours are "normally" easy to fix by running timmydeans root tool - there is a link to it in the root guide in my sig.
Download it and put your tab in apx mode, connect your usb cable and then run the pbj20.exe ??
you should get asked to enter your CPUID(not the sbk!!) take off the 0x at the beginning if its there
also: in the cpuid guide (in my sig)theres a link to a short guide by "lcd047" how to use timmydeans to repartition and flash the bootloader all in one go - might wanna take a look at that while you're waiting for the download....
Originally Posted by lcd047 wrote:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
let us know how you go
rgds dibb

Still Stuck
Right sorry. I am sunning the stock Acer ICS 4.0.3 rom, with the stock ICS 4.0.3 recovery image and ICS bootloader 3.12-ICS.
I tried running the file PBJ20upgrade.exe with my tablet pluged in in APX mode, but it told me to make sure my tablet was unpluged and that if a new hardware window opened to close it (as if it was going to install drivers or something). I did this and clicked continue but a window poped up sating EUUs had stopped. I traied it also leaving my tablet plugped in, same results.
If it is of significance I am using the Acer drivers verson: USB Driver_Acer_1.06.1500_A30H_A500. The other version: USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30HA31HA32H_A (the one that blackthunder has you download) would not install saying that no previous version was found.

Myt have put u a bit wrong there. There's 2 ways to run it...if via .exe don't connect yr cable and wait for steps to run via apex mode.
If running lcd047 steps... Put in apx mode and run the bat file in the image folder
Is that bit clearer??
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

THANK-YOU!!!
Luke00123 said:
Right sorry. I am sunning the stock Acer ICS 4.0.3 rom, with the stock ICS 4.0.3 recovery image and ICS bootloader 3.12-ICS.
I tried running the file PBJ20upgrade.exe with my tablet pluged in in APX mode, but it told me to make sure my tablet was unpluged and that if a new hardware window opened to close it (as if it was going to install drivers or something). I did this and clicked continue but a window poped up sating EUUs had stopped. I traied it also leaving my tablet plugped in, same results.
If it is of significance I am using the Acer drivers verson: USB Driver_Acer_1.06.1500_A30H_A500. The other version: USB_Acer_1.00.0524_A30HA31HA32H_A (the one that blackthunder has you download) would not install saying that no previous version was found.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It work! Thank-you all SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
I missed the second half of your post! I flashed everything back to HC and then installed the new Bootloader and Reovery!

haha....you are sooooo welcome, pleased you got it, happy flashing!!!
rgds
dibb
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Luke00123 said:
It work! Thank-you all SOOOOOOOO MUCH!
I missed the second half of your post! I flashed everything back to HC and then installed the new Bootloader and Reovery!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey can u please tell me how did it work for u ... cause i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..here what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?

moizsami said:
Hey can u please tell me how did it work for u ... cause i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..here what i get:
bootloader downloaded successfulyy
setting device: 2 3
creating partition: BCT
failed executing command 16 NvError 0x120002
bootloader status: failed to create the partition <code : 10> message: nverror:0x5
<0x1000005> flags: 0
What is the problem here ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hardware fault probably, especially so if none of the re-partitioning tools work i.e tdv4/babsector and you're positive you're following instructions correctly

moizsami said:
Hey can u please tell me how did it work for u ... cause i have a similar problem and i cant figure it out ..here what i get:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure I followed these instructions:
"I downloaded timmyDean's root-3.2.1-V4.7z
I booted the tablet (in APX mode) and I connected the USB cable to it
in the directory root-3.2.1/Image I run the command
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odmdata 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk (your sbk number after converting your UID number) 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX 0xXXXXXXXX --go
without rebooting, I flashed the v7 bootloader and recovery as per the bootloader thread; since the partition table was restored at the previous step, the operation now succeeded;
I rebooted the tablet in recovery, and proceeded to wipe the data and flash a ROM the usual way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will reset your tablet to the HC ROM, HC bootloader and (I believe) Flash a custom recovery. If you are wanting to flash 4.2 or 4.1 though, you are going to want your ICS boot loader back, so just follow the instructions in this post to get an unlocker version and it should work. Also I was having trouble getting my CPUID after I reset my tablet back to HC, but I went ahead and tried the method in the post using the same SKB and it worked.
Good luck

Thanks for the tips man, its awesome

Great guide, worked perfectly to install this rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2239476 :good:
Thanks

dibb_nz said:
here is a guide and some pix so you can see what 'should' happen when using civato's nvFlash manual method.
Get yr 15 digit CPUID - not your 11/13 digit ICS serial no.
the correct uid is VITAL, using the wrong one can cause you problems.
all righty you've made the decision to flash the patched bootloader and install a custom recovery and one of the many custom ICS/JB roms -
1. Ensure both Acer and adb drivers are installed
2. Retrieve HC CPUID
3. Generate your SBK from Blackthund3rs site: http://a500bootloaderflash.tk/sbkcalc/
4. Download yr ROM of choice and put it on yr external sd card
5. Put your tab in APX Mode manually or with apxFlashTool
6. Flash the Bootloader/Custom Recovery
7. Reboot to Custom recovery and do a full data wipe/format
8. Flash your chosen ICS/JB ROM
9. For good measure reboot to recovery and do another full wipe
10. Reboot and enjoy ICS/Jellybean
nb: I know it sounds overkill for all these data wipes/formats but in my experiences and alot of others on here multiple wipes ensure a smooth
running rom
Prep Work
To enter APX mode - Turn your tab off then press and hold in the Reset button(with paper clip).
Do not release it.
Press and hold power for 3 secs and then release it.
After another second, release the reset button.
Download V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm and extract the files for the manual nvFlash
If you are coming from HC then d/l your ICS/JB rom of choice to yr ext sdcard
WARNING: at Step 7. Do not "press any key to continue..." UNLESS yr tab is in bootloader mode, doing so causes alot more issues and
necessitates a rollback to HC if you continue....
*****************************************************
ok here we go:
Step 1. You must enter APXMode FIRST
Your Windows PC should then detect your device and install the APX driver. You should then have an APX USB device installed.
If you do not have an APX USB device listed in your system tray, you cannot proceed.
The screen of your tablet is black and the Power Light is ON
Step 2. Once yr tabs screen has turned black and the power lite is on then
Step 3. Right click on the v8.bat file from civs package and choose "Edit"
Go thru the file and remove any "Cls" lines if there are any - this allows you to see what the flash is doing.
Save the changes thenRun the bat file - i'm using V6-3.bat in this example but if you are using v8 it will be named v8.bat
NOTE: You will see an instruction on the opening screen to "delete recovery from boot.p file"
On a reboot, this file overwrites your newly flashed custom recovery with the Acer Stock Recovery, not what we want!!
Please check /system for the boot.p file - if its there then delete or rename it b4 going on
Step 4. Enter your SBK
Step 5. Your tab will display this - "System Information" Screen
Here you can see clearly your one and only cpuid!!!! Or 'chip uid' as it is named here.
Warning: If this system info is not displayed you run the risk of getting stuck in apx mode....
Close out of the command window and disconnect your USB and check yr SBK and/or the Acer USB Driver is showing in your "Safely remove hardware" icon
if it isnt reinstall the Acer Drivers
Step 6. All systems are go!! Go ahead and press any key...when your tab is in bootloader mode
7. WAIT for your tab to display "Acer Iconiaa500 APX Mode"
this is 'bootloader mode' where the flash needs to take place,
then press any key...
if you carry on without yr tab showing this message...
then you will softbrick and to fix that you will need to downgrade to HC and
you will lose all your data
There are 'usually' only 3 reasons you will not see the "Acer Iconia a500 APX Mode" message
1. The Drivers are failing to install correctly
2. Incorrect cpuid
3. Getting stuck at Formatting/partition errors is the ".bct issue" apxFlashTool 0.4 fixes this
Step 8 the flash begins!!!
the flash will take about 30 secs at most
on your tab you will see in big white letters the word PASS
in smaller red letters "Reboot the Device"
So power down yr tab and reboot into your new recovery and backup your system then flash your ICS/Jellybean Rom.
Congratulations you are no longer a chicken
EDIT: I've tried not to put too much info in here to keep things relatively easy to read - if you think there is info that should be in here just let me know and I'll add it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there any cure for being "stuck in APX mode"?

Bricked and stranded A500

I have an ancient stock HC 3.2 and decided it would be nice to update. Forgetting completely about the fact that I had the ancient honeycomb bootloader as well, I loaded up an ICS update.zip and flashed. Now I'm stuck with a broken tab that displays Boot verification failed on startup. I have access to APX mode, but my computer does not seem to be cooperating with the drivers.
What to do?

Same kind of Problem
I have an A500 with OTA 4.01 o it.
I rooted it successively
Added bootloader ICS - worked fine - could see loader on reboot - used afterOTA
Backuped rom onto SD
Went in to recovery mode and installed JellyBean X rom - I wiped every thing including cache's
Installed fine, went to reboot and nothing.
Power light goes on and that's it.
I have tried several utilties but most need the computer to see A500 as a device or say failed, or do nothing
The "ejectAPX" shows on the eject hardware ion, and ACER USB drivers show up in device manager
I have tried resets, volume buttons etc - no go
The A500 screen did come up with "Acer Download Mode", but that as far as I get.
Any detailed help would be appreciated!
Win7 computer
David
Update
I do have mu cpuid and SBK #
I tried Blackthund3r APX flash tool, using A500_A501_ICS_V7_bootloader
BThdr says APX detected
Tab enters in to download mode with ACER logo on screen,
stage one ok
stage 2 just hangs at 3 quaters the way - I waited over 5 minutes
I have tried the following command with theresults after:
nvflash --bct flash.bct --setbct --odm
data 0x100c0105 --configfile flash.cfg --create --bl bootloader.bin --sbk 0x04FF
1E00 0xABE0D706 0xEBAA3304 0x20502103 --go
Formatting partition 2 BCT please wait.. FAILED!
command failure: create failed (bad data)
bootloader status: partition table is required for this command (code: 8) messag
e: nverror:0x5 (0x1000005) flags: 0
used babsector and it worked
got back into recovery mode

Been there
Been there (I think I have a messed up reset button actually), but the only thing I can get my tablet back to life on is timmyDean´s root-3.2.1-V4.7z find in the forums extract the files then in the image folder you will find nvflash run the flash.bat but it reformats your flash etc. and brings you back to HC 3.2.1.
I have been through all of the tools and this was the only one that boots to android when its finish, which I need since I think my reset is stuck.
I needed to create ubuntu usb stick and run eppe's code to get my CPUID might help with usb connection issues to use similar too.
Then I was working with nvflash --read and the v8 bootloader stuff (since before my tablet soft bricked I was OTA ICS full stock), and was able to read off my user data with nvflash partition before I did the flashing. That way I saved all of my tablet pictures and video etc. (loop mounted the image read from that partition in ubuntu and was able to pull out any of my user data).
To get my data I used V8-UNL-ICS-HC-bootloader-MULTI-cwm.zip see more at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425
Then I did:
nvflash --bct bct.bct --setbct --bl bootloader_apx.bin --configfile flash.cfg --odmdata --sbk %MYSBK% --sync
nvflash --resume --read 2 mybct.bct
nvflash --resume --getbct
nvflash --resume --getpartitiontable mypartitiontable.txt
nvflash --resume --read 13 UDA_raw3.img
I wish I would have backed up all of my partitions that way but I think I will get the replacement part first and then rebuilt the tablet.
Hope that helps

Thanks
What I ended up doing was creating and formatting partitions with Babsector - as opposed to Badsector, which didn't work
The used A500 APXflash
Then installed Jellytime X
The Jellytime was not working properly so I used root-3.2.1 V4 to take it back to 3.21, then OTA to 4.0.1
Root it again and then I stopped.. think I will stay with this rom, until 4.2 is super stable.
I think I did this procedure about 4 times in 2 days, as every rom that I tried either trashed the partition or boot loader, or didn't run properly.
I was lucky as I used afterOTA as part of flash the bootloader, and it saved a txt file with all my cpu info...

David_h99 said:
Thanks
What I ended up doing was creating and formatting partitions with Babsector - as opposed to Badsector, which didn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you means by that? what is this babsector?
HOw do you creating and formatting partitions with Babsector?
I had try badsector and it doesn't work so if you have another way to do it i am very interested!
thanks

you can get babsector here
narod.ru/disk/53919831001.a235ea2225f319015f30c009629d2075/BabSector.rar.html
Make sure your computer sees tablet in APX mode, and the driver in device manager is the ACER USB driver
Then read info on how to run babsector