Bricked A500

NightAngel79 · September 29th, 2012, 11:35 PM

So I have a A500 that was stuck in APX mode, I ran Afterota and now it will show 'ACER' and get stuck there.

I've put a few random update.zip's on SD card and get the Andy fell over with a red triangle above it.

I am trying to read 15 to 20 threads simultaneously about 'stuck in apx' and 'stuck on acer' screen and I'm at a loss on how to proceed....

Help????? lol

NightAngel79 · September 30th, 2012, 09:07 PM

Seems I have it stuck back in apx mode again now...

D-U-R-X · October 1st, 2012, 02:18 AM

How was it that it ended up stuck in APX mode? You don't have the UID for the tablet, do you? I guess, if you've been reading different threads on the subject, you will have seen this?

D-U-R-X · October 1st, 2012, 02:57 AM

Have also found this:

Quote:

press and hold the power button for at least 30 seconds. If you are stuck in APX mode, and it seems that you may be, then it is my understanding that you just have to hold the power button long enough until the screen responds.

Not sure if thaat is of help

NightAngel79 · October 1st, 2012, 10:50 PM

seen those threads yes.

All I know is my girl's son brought me his A500 and from what I've read/been able to discern it is stuck in apx mode. Finally found all the right drivers and ran the Afterota program (from xda) and there is a 'unbrick mode' where you load up recovery and boot files and it is supposed to flash them and unbrick the tab.

After doing that is when I got it to go to Acer screen (a huge improvement) but it sticks there.

From there I have been a few different update.zip files on sd and did the power on + vol down thing which results in the robot on back with red triangle (failed update screen)

I'm not certain that if I am just trying the wrong rom/update file or what.

No idea what the UID is/was or what OS version it was on. Her son doesn't even know what 'root' means AND he bought this thing off craigslist few weeks ago... (lol)

all in all I know nothing important to move forward in the troubleshooting process unfortunately.

I have seen some mention of the nand/flash memory going bad (though that doesn't really seem likely)

D-U-R-X · October 2nd, 2012, 02:44 AM

Isn't the robot on it's back in a red triangle something to do with not having a compatible recovery?

When you flashed the recovery and boot files, which did you use? I changed the bootloader on my A500 over the weekend and used V8 (with Thor's Touch recovery).

Once you've done that, you should be able to boot in to recovery (power on + volume down) and flash a ROM from the SD card (think you'd prolly have to put a ROM on the SD card using a card reader).

I realize that you may not want a custom ROM on there, but it'd do until we got the tablet back to life

NightAngel79 · October 2nd, 2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

Isn't the robot on it's back in a red triangle something to do with not having a compatible recovery?

When you flashed the recovery and boot files, which did you use? I changed the bootloader on my A500 over the weekend and used V8 (with Thor's Touch recovery).

Once you've done that, you should be able to boot in to recovery (power on + volume down) and flash a ROM from the SD card (think you'd prolly have to put a ROM on the SD card using a card reader).

I realize that you may not want a custom ROM on there, but it'd do until we got the tablet back to life

I've used several different things so I'm not sure if I had the wrong combination or not.

Some things I read said it all depended on using things that all 'fit together' with whatever is on the tablet.

Problem is I don't know what is on the tablet.

And a custom rom is more than ok, just not sure what to try to flash.

Also I tried a hard reset and all it did was boot loop

D-U-R-X · October 2nd, 2012, 10:03 AM

Just worth trying to use the OTA tool and unbricking function again, just make sure to try flash the unlocked bootloader with custom recovery (which is what I've just flashed). You would be able to get the bootloader/recovery from here - it's part way down in the "Automated flashing tool" part of the thread.

I think that then, when you power on with the volume down button pressed, it should get in to whichever custom recovery you chose to flash at the same time.

Worth a shot, at least?

NightAngel79 · October 2nd, 2012, 03:54 PM

its this part

Quote:

STEP2=First before you do anything else make sure you got your "cpuid". How see Q&A , bottom of this thread.
Or you use the Blackthun3er V0.4 APX flasher (see in the section "automated flashing tool") , this tool will give and fill in your SBK automaticly if you used it before.

That I am generally stuck on. I cant find any way to get the cpuid...

D-U-R-X · October 2nd, 2012, 03:56 PM

If you're already in apx mode, then I don't know if you can get the cpuid... what I was meaning was, you may be able to use the OTA tool with the V8 unlocked bootloader (with one of the custom recoveries)... not really sure though, as I haven't used the OTA tool, other than to get the CPUID, etc.

D-U-R-X · October 2nd, 2012, 03:57 PM

I only mention that, as the OTA tool can be used to un-soft-brick... thought you may be able to tell it to use that unlocked bootloader?

MahaloCat · October 2nd, 2012, 08:03 PM

WOW - Nightangel - I won't be much Help - I haven't made the PLunge to the ICS bootlader yet....And all the recent threads are exactly why...

DURX keep up the good work...let me know if you need me to test anything....willing to help however I can.

D-U-R-X · October 3rd, 2012, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahaloCat

WOW - Nightangel - I won't be much Help - I haven't made the PLunge to the ICS bootlader yet....And all the recent threads are exactly why...

Think NA's issue isn't from trying to unlock the bootloader (if it is, it isn't down to NA/NA's friend)... think that the tab came stuck in APX mode! Unlocking was actually really easy

Quote:

DURX keep up the good work...let me know if you need me to test anything....willing to help however I can.

Will do mate!!

NightAngel79 · October 3rd, 2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

I only mention that, as the OTA tool can be used to un-soft-brick... thought you may be able to tell it to use that unlocked bootloader?

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

Think NA's issue isn't from trying to unlock the bootloader (if it is, it isn't down to NA/NA's friend)... think that the tab came stuck in APX mode! Unlocking was actually really easy

Will do mate!!

Yeah, the Afterota tool will let me try to upload different things to un-softbrick it... BUT i have no clue if I'm trying to use the right files. It seems like it is working but the tool gets stuck on 'flashing recovery' step. After that is when I can get it to boot and show me the ACER screen, but gets stuck there.

At that stage it seems like it wants to let me use an update.zip file but not sure if I am just trying to use the wrong one or what....

But yea, my, soon to be, son-in-law brought the tablet to me when it was already stuck in apx mode...

have zero experience with acer products so i have been trying to learn on the fly

thanks for the patience and help so far

D-U-R-X · October 3rd, 2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightAngel79

have zero experience with acer products so i have been trying to learn on the fly

Not got tons myself... only had the tablet since March

Quote:

thanks for the patience and help so far

No worries... getting a little stuck though. As I said, I used afterota to get the SBK/CPUID/etc and then used Blackthund3r's tool to flash the bootloader.

I'm a member over at acertablets (or whatever it's called - actually called tegraowners) - I will see if I can't get some info on there - bear with me

NightAngel79 · October 3rd, 2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

Not got tons myself... only had the tablet since March

No worries... getting a little stuck though. As I said, I used afterota to get the SBK/CPUID/etc and then used Blackthund3r's tool to flash the bootloader.

I'm a member over at acertablets (or whatever it's called - actually called tegraowners) - I will see if I can't get some info on there - bear with me

I read a couple threads over there as well. Ain't had time to sign up there to investigate further though.

Afterota seems great but it keeps saying 'error in usb connection' (or something)
And that is when the Apx Tool program says 'connected in apx mode'

So i have the right drivers and such...

Appreciate anything you may find out but don't stress about it, i may have some time in next couple days... (i hope any way)

D-U-R-X · October 3rd, 2012, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightAngel79

I read a couple threads over there as well. Ain't had time to sign up there to investigate further though.

Afterota seems great but it keeps saying 'error in usb connection' (or something)
And that is when the Apx Tool program says 'connected in apx mode'

So i have the right drivers and such...

Appreciate anything you may find out but don't stress about it, i may have some time in next couple days... (i hope any way)

No worries NA... not stressing... just hope we manage to sort it!

I'm already a member over there and have posted a thread (based on the info in this thread)... will come back to you as soon as I have a response.

D-U-R-X · October 7th, 2012, 03:53 PM

Just wanted to let you know that I've not forgotten about this NA... I've had no response so far over at tegraowners, but am still looking out for stuff that may help you!

NightAngel79 · October 7th, 2012, 05:15 PM

Word

i appreciate everything player

D-U-R-X · October 8th, 2012, 02:09 AM

No worries

D-U-R-X · October 9th, 2012, 09:47 AM

Still no response from anyone @ tegraowners, I'm afraid, but have been searching for any solutions for you.

Have just been on XDA and found something that could help you... Recovering Recovery / Obtaining SBK. The description at the beginning sounds EXACTLY like how you've described your A500, so here's hoping!!

I know he said that he doesn't have the link for the V8 unlocked bootloader, but I've already pointed you in the right direction for that (somewhere a little earlier)... I can dig the link out again if needed

NightAngel79 · October 12th, 2012, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

Still no response from anyone @ tegraowners, I'm afraid, but have been searching for any solutions for you.

Have just been on XDA and found something that could help you... Recovering Recovery / Obtaining SBK. The description at the beginning sounds EXACTLY like how you've described your A500, so here's hoping!!

I know he said that he doesn't have the link for the V8 unlocked bootloader, but I've already pointed you in the right direction for that (somewhere a little earlier)... I can dig the link out again if needed

You had me until he said 'Ubuntu' ! lol

Never been much of a fan. Hate that his fix requires that. Perhaps I will *try* to find time to snag me a distro and run it from disk to test.

Thanks though! That sounds exactly like what this thing is doing.

What is the other link you were talking about maybe needing? There are a few of them in here

Again, THANKS!

D-U-R-X · October 13th, 2012, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightAngel79

You had me until he said 'Ubuntu' ! lol

Never been much of a fan. Hate that his fix requires that. Perhaps I will *try* to find time to snag me a distro and run it from disk to test.

Thanks though! That sounds exactly like what this thing is doing.

Sorry... may not like it but, if Ubuntu allows you to get the A500 up and running, then you'd be in the good books though

Quote:

What is the other link you were talking about maybe needing? There are a few of them in here

Meant a link to the V8 unlocked ICS bootloader with a custom recovery... rather than link you to the thread on XDA, I've clicked it and linked to where the download points here.

Quote:

Again, THANKS!

Honestly, NA, it's not a problem... just hope that you are able to sort it

D-U-R-X · October 13th, 2012, 03:41 AM

Thinking about it, you'd need to put an ICS ROM on the SD card too, so you could flash it when you get the recovery on there. In the first instance, you may want to use a full stock rooted version of ICS... (I went for the deodexed one)... you can then look at either putting another custom ROM on there or returning to stock. It doesn't sound like the A500 is getting Jelly Bean, so you may want to leave a custom ROM on there

NightAngel79 · October 13th, 2012, 03:28 PM

Yea, any rom will be good for be. Plus stock ICS is way good enough.

Still... Linux.... Ugh, lol

D-U-R-X · October 13th, 2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightAngel79

Still... Linux.... Ugh, lol

Sometimes it has to be done though!

One of the root tools for the Desire HD says that you are best running it in a Linux environment, as it is the "cleanest" environment to run it in - ok... I know this is different, but still... if it gets it sorted...

D-U-R-X · October 19th, 2012, 10:39 AM

Any luck NA?

NightAngel79 · October 19th, 2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

Any luck NA?

Ain't got around to dling a Linux distribution to run off disk.

Suggestions?

D-U-R-X · October 19th, 2012, 11:59 AM

For Linux? Not sure, as I don't use it. My dad uses Fedora (as his computer is a Linux machine), it is ok... I had a copy of Ubuntu to run from CD when I wanted to root my mates DHD... think you should be ok with any.

NightAngel79 · October 19th, 2012, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

For Linux? Not sure, as I don't use it. My dad uses Fedora (as his computer is a Linux machine), it is ok... I had a copy of Ubuntu to run from CD when I wanted to root my mates DHD... think you should be ok with any.

Yea, Ubuntu at least sounds familiar. Guess I will give that a shot when I get home

D-U-R-X · October 19th, 2012, 02:23 PM

Let us know how it goes

MahaloCat · October 19th, 2012, 07:16 PM

Fedora is a bit more under the hood the Ubuntu .
Lots more ADB stylin -
Ubuntu is more user friendly but bloated.

Sense vs AOSP?

NightAngel79 · October 19th, 2012, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahaloCat

Fedora is a bit more under the hood the Ubuntu .
Lots more ADB stylin -
Ubuntu is more user friendly but bloated.

Sense vs AOSP?

Sense

So ubuntu is more up my alley? Link to best place to get it?

D-U-R-X · October 20th, 2012, 02:40 AM

I'd agree... since you're just running it from CD (and not really after keeping it), you're probably gonna be best with Ubuntu.

When I rooted a mates DHD, I got it from here - Desktop | Ubuntu

NightAngel79 · October 21st, 2012, 09:57 AM

Ok, got it downloaded and burned. I like how it seemed like it would be really easy to set up a dual boot with the windows installer... another time perhaps.

Just gonna run it from the disk and see what is up before I start messing with the tools I will need to fix this POS, lol

D-U-R-X · October 21st, 2012, 10:53 AM

Nice one NA... hope this does get the A500 back up and running!!

NightAngel79 · October 21st, 2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

Nice one NA... hope this does get the A500 back up and running!!

Yea, you and me both, lol

(posting this from ubuntu btw

)

MahaloCat · October 25th, 2012, 02:13 PM

Any updates?

NightAngel79 · October 25th, 2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahaloCat

Any updates?

Yea, ubuntu sucks!

Lol, just kidding

I keep getting errors so I asked for help on the xda thread that the terminal commands were posted in

D-U-R-X · October 25th, 2012, 05:42 PM

Fair enough!

Update us as and when it works/doesn't work

NightAngel79 · October 25th, 2012, 10:38 PM

I will player! I haven't checked on the thread since i posted but its on my 'to-do list' lol

D-U-R-X · November 11th, 2012, 04:25 AM

Hey NA... how's this going? Had the answers/got it working?

Have seen someone else who has said that they had an issue, where their son in law was able to get the tablet working without a CPUID and have asked that he has a quick look here too

dbldipp · November 11th, 2012, 11:21 AM

Haven't been able to get in touch with son in law this week end but will get back with you as soon as I can when he finally answers the phone. I'll post in the other discussion and you can sher from there.

dbldipp · November 11th, 2012, 11:27 AM

Chech out this thread.Factory Reset Does Nothing!

dbldipp · November 11th, 2012, 11:28 AM

Clearing Cache - what does it do

dbldipp · November 11th, 2012, 11:33 AM

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1699277

D-U-R-X · November 11th, 2012, 11:48 AM

Always good to have a new set of eyes on a problem... hopefully one of these may help

NightAngel79 · November 11th, 2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbldipp

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1699277

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-U-R-X

Always good to have a new set of eyes on a problem... hopefully one of these may help

True that, but it seems I still run into the wrong recovery problem. I need to boot back into ubuntu and start troubleshooting on that end. something to do with a apx.c file is what keeps messing up for me

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1751978&page=7

dbldipp · November 12th, 2012, 06:29 PM

Afterota v1.09
This program primarily targets A50X/G100W tablets with Ota Hc or Ota Ics.
It lets the user install a recovery and a bootloader, compatible with Hc or Ics.
Afterota offers no garanty for succes. You use Afterota at your own risk.
You can always end up with a bricked device.
Features :
- auto retrieval of all your tablet ID's
- saving important tablet ID's for future reference
- one click installation of bootloaders, recoveries and optionally stock kernels
- return to stock Hc or Ics through update.zip method
- unsoftbrick your tablet if it gets stuck in apx mode
- root your tablet
- etc . .
Credits ( people who directly or indirectly contributed ) :
- Vache, Jasto, Civato, Scrilax and a lot of guides on Xda
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changelog
v1.09
18/06/2012
- Afterota now detects if there are multiple android devices connected to the computer.
If so, all flashing is disabled. There can be only one . .
v1.08
17/06/2012
- This update should resolve the isuese that users experienced when they were running
custom ics roms in combination with hc bootloader ( tested with hc bootloader + flexreaper )
- Removed the warning and exclusion when kernel returns bootloader version 0.03.11-ICS.
These were excluded in Afterota v1.07 ( see changelog v1.07 for more info )
- added v8 ics bootloaders by Scrilax to the package
v1.07
04/06/2012
- Afterota should work for all models : A500, A501, G100W
- new method for retrieving information
- when kernel returns bootloader version 0.03.11-ICS all flashing is disabled
this situation could apear when a user is on bl 0.03.01-HC with a SOD patched
kernel, these kernels are unable to start APX mode
- program lets you install ics bootloader on HC roms now
the v7 ics bootloader can start Hc roms as long they are not stock ( CWM HC roms )
so a user currently on Hc could install the Ics bootloader + a recovery
and during reboot into recovery imeditatly flash a custom cwm Ics rom ( eg. flexreaper)
or go back to Hc by flashing a cwm Hc rom. ( this has been tested and proven to work )
- program layout simplified
- winxp and vista are back in the running
v1.06
31/05/2012
- bugfix in bootloader detection (again)
- added lite version to the package
- added v7 ics bootloaders by Scrilax to the package
V1.05
31/05/2012
- bugfix in bootloader detection
v1.04
31/05/2012
- when ics build is not recognized, all kernel flashing is disabled
v1.03
30/05/2012
- changed layout a bit to hold more information
- changed the way the id's are detected
- ics version detection for flashing correct kernel
- program restricted for usage on win7 only
- displays uac warning, uac sometimes causes nvflash to crash
v1.02
29/05/2012
- removed the auto reboot after pushing the root packet to the tablet
- updated thor recovery for ics to v1.73
- the program now displays a warning if the file containing serial, cpuid and sbk is not found
- improved the code to disable the "install-recovery.sh" script
v1.01
28/05/2012
- made some changes to the way the program acts in different situations
- when hc rom is detected all ics bootloader & kernel flashing is disabled
- when ics rom is detected all hd bootloader flashing is disabled, except on the "back to stock" tab
- several other changes to the interface as sugested by civato.
v1.00
27/05/2012
- initial release

dbldipp · November 12th, 2012, 06:32 PM

This is not my program, but it's the one we used to restore my tab when I bricked it trying to take it back to 3.2.1. You run it on your puter with the tab atached,