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[Q] A700 rooting question

Hi guys,
I've searched everywhere and can't get a definitive answer on this so here goes -
I'm a noob when it comes to Android, having recently defected from being an Apple Disciple (I got hacked off with iTunes and bored in general with the Daycare Centre which is iOS) and have recently acquired an Acer A700 tablet.
I have installed the JB update OTA and everything is working fine and am chomping at the bit to get it booted, but most of the posts I have read regarding unlocking the bootloader and rooting it relate to ICS.
My questions are -
Does the bootloader process apply regardless of Firmware? (Are there different versions for different Firmwares)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent tutorial on how to do this?
What happens regarding a future update? Do I have to revert back to stock and update from there or can i jump from one ROM to another? (I'm assuming that I can't use the OTA updates any more)
Sorry for the long OP and thanks in advance for your answers.

ianrobbie said:
Hi guys,
I've searched everywhere and can't get a definitive answer on this so here goes -
I'm a noob when it comes to Android, having recently defected from being an Apple Disciple (I got hacked off with iTunes and bored in general with the Daycare Centre which is iOS) and have recently acquired an Acer A700 tablet.
I have installed the JB update OTA and everything is working fine and am chomping at the bit to get it booted, but most of the posts I have read regarding unlocking the bootloader and rooting it relate to ICS.
My questions are -
Does the bootloader process apply regardless of Firmware? (Are there different versions for different Firmwares)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent tutorial on how to do this?
What happens regarding a future update? Do I have to revert back to stock and update from there or can i jump from one ROM to another? (I'm assuming that I can't use the OTA updates any more)
Sorry for the long OP and thanks in advance for your answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Seeing you are on JB, then you have a JB bootloader.
You need to go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1953917
And download Vorbeths easyroot2.0. It's for the 700.
You have to unlock your bootloader first, which shouldn't be an issue for you. Easy instructions for that.
Then download his package to a folder on your PC. (not sure, but you may have to download each file individually) Open a command window (shift & right mouse click) and type in whatever his instructions say. Should be painless.
Make sure USB Debugging is turned on first in your tablet (Settings/Developer Options/USB Debugging), and make sure you have the Acer Drivers installed on your PC.
Then connect, wait 30 seconds, and run his batch file.
You should be ok.
MD
Oh yes, one more thing, once you unlock your bootloader, chances are you will not be able to get OTA. And the only way to re-lock the bootloader is to install a stock rom.

Thanks!
Thanks for the reply. I am now the owner of a fully rooted A700!
Had a few issues during unlocking the bootloader. That thing timeouts quick! Also, didn't realise you had to run the .bat file while the tablet was on the Bootloader USB protocol screen. I thought you had to wait until it booted fully into JB.
Anyway, took the plunge and thanks again for your help.

ianrobbie said:
Thanks for the reply. I am now the owner of a fully rooted A700!
Had a few issues during unlocking the bootloader. That thing timeouts quick! Also, didn't realise you had to run the .bat file while the tablet was on the Bootloader USB protocol screen. I thought you had to wait until it booted fully into JB.
Anyway, took the plunge and thanks again for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. I thought I mentioned it timed out in about 5 seconds These days I don't remember much
Yeah, I haven't looked at Vorbeth's script, so I don't know which screen he launches it from. With mine for the 701, you can be when the tab is running normal. No difference in the end result though
Happy Hunting!
MD

One last question - do I have to install Clockwork Recovery for re-flashing the stock images or is it just a case of renaming it update. zip and putting it on an SD Card? Any chance you can point me in the right direction of the most recent/stable build? Is it easy to install?
Thanks again.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using xda app-developers app

ianrobbie said:
One last question - do I have to install Clockwork Recovery for re-flashing the stock images or is it just a case of renaming it update. zip and putting it on an SD Card? Any chance you can point me in the right direction of the most recent/stable build? Is it easy to install?
Thanks again.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this is a trouble spot.
If you wish to install a custom rom, then you will need to install CWM. The most recent version.
If you want to try your luck at installing a stock rom, my opinion, is to leave the stock recovery inplace. I haven't had luck in installing stock update.zips, as Acer has made them very specific. So I can't be much help to you in that.
However, you can always flash back to CWM or a stock JB recovery pretty easy. Personally, unless you plan on flashing a custom, I would just leave the stock recovery.
MD
Sometimes "leaked" update appear here in the forums. They are unofficial. And you never know if they improve things, or make things worse. So be careful.

Moscow Desire said:
Well, this is a trouble spot.
If you wish to install a custom rom, then you will need to install CWM. The most recent version.
If you want to try your luck at installing a stock rom, my opinion, is to leave the stock recovery inplace. I haven't had luck in installing stock update.zips, as Acer has made them very specific. So I can't be much help to you in that.
However, you can always flash back to CWM or a stock JB recovery pretty easy. Personally, unless you plan on flashing a custom, I would just leave the stock recovery.
MD
Sometimes "leaked" update appear here in the forums. They are unofficial. And you never know if they improve things, or make things worse. So be careful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, just for future reference, how would I go about re-flashing the stock image? I'm assuming it's saved on the tablet in a separate partition?
I've decided to stick with the stock rooted ROM but would like to know how to re-flash for when Key Lime Pie and future updates are released.
And, seeing as how you haven't steered me wrong so far, I though I'd pick your brains one last time.
Hope you don't mind!

What is the best current way to root & unlock VZW S3?

Guys, I have spent hours rooting and unlocking my S3. Reason it has taken so long is either I don't know what I'm doing or there are so many ways to do it, some may be outdated or something. I'll side with the first reason. But, I do have experience in rooting...kept my OG Droid rooted/overclocked/customized. Did the same with my Thunderbolt. Also rooted my S3 a few months ago after the VZW update that crapped out the radio. When they released the fix, I removed root and installed it. Got the urge for some new stuff and here I am...
Here is what I'm doing:
- Using CausalR795b. Seems quick and easy. Definitely provides root, but I'm not sure about unlocking the bootloader. What is the insecure aboot? Says it's ready to install it, but I can't find out what this is?
- Trying to install TWRP recovery. What is the easiest way to do this? The last time I did it with Goomanager, I got the Verizon Unauthorized Software message at boot.
- Trying to install the latest Hyperdrive ROM. Got it installed once and on reboot, got the VZW Unauthorized message again,
- Using ODIN 3.07 to flash a stock ROM after getting the error message.
Can anyone tell me a link with good directions, start to finish? Or, give me some advice? To me, at least, seems like VZW has made customizing the S3 unnecessarily complicated,
Thanks in advance.

Insecure aboot is the unlocked bootloader. Once you install that you will no longer get the VZW Unauthorized message.

First welcome to the community.
second, this is the wrong section.
third, you have to use D2VZW-CASUAL-R634b release to fully unlock bootloader

omair2005 said:
First welcome to the community.
second, this is the wrong section.
third, you have to use D2VZW-CASUAL-R634b release to fully unlock bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad...I did post in the wrong place. Wasn't even thinking about it. Had just spent so long in this subforum trying to find answers, must have lost my bearing.
I really appreciate your help! The older Causal did everything in one try with no hiccups whatsoever. Why isn't anything posted about this noted in the newer Causal thread? It might be in there somewhere and if I would have seen it, hours would have been saved.
Now rocking the newest Hyperdrive and probably going to try a few more ROM's. Thanks again!

Questions regarding OTA and being rooted

Please forgive me if my questions have been answered many times but I really don't know what to look for in the search menu to address my questions.
1. I have rooted my phone and installed Liquid smooth but I went back to stock (still on 4.1.2 TW) and would like to update to at least 4.3 or higher. One issue I'm having is that when the OTA comes through and I go to update it gives me an error. But even before that as I am rooted it boots into TeamWin and wants me to install from there. It has been a while since I've done anything with the boot loader and I'm afraid to install from there and/or if that is wise. (frankly I've forgotten how)
Honestly I just want a quick way to install the update to 4.3 or 4.4 or whatever the next OTA is so that I can move on. I really don't even want to mess with it much right now as my life is way to busy.
2. My search so far has shown me that others are having similar issues but they are saying that the ota update is messing up certain things with their rooted phones (haven't found the answers I'm searching for either). Should I wait on updating? If so, how do I get the ota to stop wanting me to update my phone?
Thank you for any help you can provide.

wouldn't you know, that as soon as I submit this post I find another thread dealing with the same thing... Sorry for the clutter.
Here is the thread I found http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49249510

Sithlyone said:
Please forgive me if my questions have been answered many times but I really don't know what to look for in the search menu to address my questions.
1. I have rooted my phone and installed Liquid smooth but I went back to stock (still on 4.1.2 TW) and would like to update to at least 4.3 or higher. One issue I'm having is that when the OTA comes through and I go to update it gives me an error. But even before that as I am rooted it boots into TeamWin and wants me to install from there. It has been a while since I've done anything with the boot loader and I'm afraid to install from there and/or if that is wise. (frankly I've forgotten how)
Honestly I just want a quick way to install the update to 4.3 or 4.4 or whatever the next OTA is so that I can move on. I really don't even want to mess with it much right now as my life is way to busy.
2. My search so far has shown me that others are having similar issues but they are saying that the ota update is messing up certain things with their rooted phones (haven't found the answers I'm searching for either). Should I wait on updating? If so, how do I get the ota to stop wanting me to update my phone?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since your life is too busy and you don't want to mess with your phone anymore, your best bet is go back to stock 4.3 which is very good by the way, very stable, smooth and bug free. After so many complaints from my wife I rolled it back to stock 4.3 and she's so happy now.
1. Flash stock MF1 here http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23134718111254196 , just unzip the flash with Odin
2. Your phone should take the 4.3 OTA update and you're home free.

buhohitr said:
Since your life is too busy and you don't want to mess with your phone anymore, your best bet is go back to stock 4.3 which is very good by the way, very stable, smooth and bug free. After so many complaints from my wife I rolled it back to stock 4.3 and she's so happy now.
1. Flash stock MF1 here http://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23134718111254196 , just unzip the flash with Odin
2. Your phone should take the 4.3 OTA update and you're home free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much, but now that I've put a little more research into this update I'm seeing that others are having issues with tethering and that would be a serious issue for me.
Also I used twrp to root my phone and did not use odin so I don't know how to flash with odin (or even have the files on my computer) is there a way to us twrp?
It looks like I will need to put a little more time into this than I wanted. Anyway, thanks for the help.

Sithlyone said:
Thanks so much, but now that I've put a little more research into this update I'm seeing that others are having issues with tethering and that would be a serious issue for me.
Also I used twrp to root my phone and did not use odin so I don't know how to flash with odin (or even have the files on my computer) is there a way to us twrp?
It looks like I will need to put a little more time into this than I wanted. Anyway, thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No issue with tethering for me, just root then install wifi tether router.

[Q] OTA system update 2 days ago?

I'm running KitKat 4.4.2 rooted. Two days ago, Verizon started trying very aggressively to push a system update onto my phone, and they don't say what it is. Does anyone know what they're trying to force into my phone? I do not want to lose root.
Also, is there any way to stop the aggressive update prompts? If I don't manually set a time to be prompted again, it will push the update without my consent. Is there an Xposed Framework module that can help?

permutations said:
I'm running KitKat 4.4.2 rooted. Two days ago, Verizon started trying very aggressively to push a system update onto my phone, and they don't say what it is. Does anyone know what they're trying to force into my phone? I do not want to lose root...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's this (VZW pdf-file). Also see here. Even if you downloaded the OTA, the installation would fail, because your device is rooted.
permutations said:
Also, is there any way to stop the aggressive update prompts? If I don't manually set a time to be prompted again, it will push the update without my consent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See here. Posts # 4 and #8

Please post your questions in the question and answer section
Thread moved

gregbradley said:
Please post your questions in the question and answer section
Thread moved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it in the right place now? I get confused about where to post here, sorry.
I can see why they updated the messaging app. It was completely unusable. Is it still KitKat 4.4.2?
Most importantly, if I were to install it, would I still be able to root using the towelroot app?

Not_A_Dev said:
See here. Posts # 4 and #8
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Titanium Backup (Pro), but I don't see the update app anywhere on my phone. I'll post my question in the other thread. Thanks for the link.

permutations said:
Is it in the right place now? I get confused about where to post here, sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I moved it to the Q&A section.
As a good rule. If you are asking a QUESTION and you want an ANSWER post it in the QUESTION and ANSWER section.

Clueless
Hi, I have the Droid Razr Maxx HD xt926 as well and have never done anything with android before in terms of software modification. I first learned how to root my phone and unlock the bootloader in June via the towelroot exploit. I've been wandering around this website wondering how to get this ota update without losing root. I've seen some posts regarding flashing an fxz file, but have also had a hard time understanding what it all means. I have not installed a custom ROM (yet), but when I try to take the ota, it fails because I am obviously rooted. What do I do from this point out? Do I still need to flash a stock image file? Should I just not take the update/is it worth it?

axcelgo said:
Hi, I have the Droid Razr Maxx HD xt926 as well and have never done anything with android before in terms of software modification. I first learned how to root my phone and unlock the bootloader in June via the towelroot exploit. I've been wandering around this website wondering how to get this ota update without losing root. I've seen some posts regarding flashing an fxz file, but have also had a hard time understanding what it all means. I have not installed a custom ROM (yet), but when I try to take the ota, it fails because I am obviously rooted. What do I do from this point out? Do I still need to flash a stock image file? Should I just not take the update/is it worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you decide to install a custom ROM, you won't have to waste another minute pondering the OTA. If you decide to stay on stock, and want to get VZWs latest firmware on your device, I strongly suggest that you triple-read and follow the instructions in this thread to the T. You will then not have to worry about another OTA nag, because this is the last Moto/VZW update for the XT926.

Okay thanks. I saw that thread on the general forum, but wasn't to sure if I should proceed. I'm going to follow the directions on the original post as I had been planning to do, but was too worried about any consequences. I will report back if I have any problems, given that I can follow instructions. I'll probably just go ahead and try to install the most recent stable release of CM when done. Fingers crossed.

[Q] Any way to downgrade bootloader after going to 4.4.2?

I just got given a Verizon Galaxy S3 by my friend, since he just got a new iPhone and my phone's battery only lasts a couple hours at this point.
He's not a techie and was running the stock ROM. I've always been one to run CM.
He's done the OTA update and the system is 4.4.2, NE1 build. I've read all over that you can't downgrade to a ROM of a lower version because of the bootloader. I don't like the idea of having a locked bootloader, nor having to use safestrap over CWM. And definitely not being limited to TouchWiz based ROMs.
I found this, which is a bootloader downgrade on the same phone, but it's before the pew pew pew mega lockdown got put on these phones, I think.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/how-to-flash-to-bootloader-updated-t2083860
I also found several videos on Youtube of people claiming they downgraded from 4.3 (not sure if it's ok to post external links, so I won't, but it's an easy search).
But, I don't necessarily trust this. XDA is usually the source I trust. Thanks, and sorry if this gets asked all the time! I did search!

DrSteveBrule1 said:
I just got given a Verizon Galaxy S3 by my friend, since he just got a new iPhone and my phone's battery only lasts a couple hours at this point.
He's not a techie and was running the stock ROM. I've always been one to run CM.
He's done the OTA update and the system is 4.4.2, NE1 build. I've read all over that you can't downgrade to a ROM of a lower version because of the bootloader. I don't like the idea of having a locked bootloader, nor having to use safestrap over CWM. And definitely not being limited to TouchWiz based ROMs.
I found this, which is a bootloader downgrade on the same phone, but it's before the pew pew pew mega lockdown got put on these phones, I think.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/how-to-flash-to-bootloader-updated-t2083860
I also found several videos on Youtube of people claiming they downgraded from 4.3 (not sure if it's ok to post external links, so I won't, but it's an easy search).
But, I don't necessarily trust this. XDA is usually the source I trust. Thanks, and sorry if this gets asked all the time! I did search!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That Guide mentions 4.1 which had the ability to be unlocked, do not even attempt to try to unlock the bootloader as you will brick your device.
Once the device has taken the OTA to either 4.3 ML1 or 4.4.2 NE1 it's no longer unlock able and your stuck with it
Sent from my Nexus 5

ShapesBlue said:
That Guide mentions 4.1 which had the ability to be unlocked, do not even attempt to try to unlock the bootloader as you will brick your device.
Once the device has taken the OTA to either 4.3 ML1 or 4.4.2 NE1 it's no longer unlock able and your stuck with it
Sent from my Nexus 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welp, thanks for confirming the worst.
I'll be heading over here now...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/gal...st-7-10-14-t2812189/post54062704#post54062704

I just picked up an i535 with NE1 today for cheap. It looks like I am in the same boat you are.
It will not be my daily driver, I have an i747 for that - so still an SGS3. It looks like I have a lot of reading to do regarding the i535. I had seen the term locked bootloader and was thinking it meant similar as to on my i747. That is, you can not downgrade the bootloader to an older version. For my other device I can still flash custom ROMs even if I am on a 4.4.x bootloader, whether TW or AOSP based. I guess that may be difficult with the i535.

bootloader downgrade with JTAG ?
I'm also in the same boat. After one day of trying to install cyanogenmod on this device, brick the phone, reinstall the stock rom 44.2, trying again, brick again, etc., I get that we can only install custom recovery with a lower version of bootloader.
Now, as DrSteveBrule1, I think there is a way to install the older bootloader with JTAG. Does anyone on XDA have experience that he can share regarding this ? I have several JTAG devices at work but I'd like to have confirmation that it can work and some instruction if possible.
Thanks again to XDA forums (this is my first post )

Tomo59 said:
I'm also in the same boat. After one day of trying to install cyanogenmod on this device, brick the phone, reinstall the stock rom 44.2, trying again, brick again, etc., I get that we can only install custom recovery with a lower version of bootloader.
Now, as DrSteveBrule1, I think there is a way to install the older bootloader with JTAG. Does anyone on XDA have experience that he can share regarding this ? I have several JTAG devices at work but I'd like to have confirmation that it can work and some instruction if possible.
Thanks again to XDA forums (this is my first post )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jtag should work (don't quote me on that however) Jtag is pretty much the only option you have to downgrade the bootloader once it's locked. People have confirmed it working but not everyone has had the same results
Sent from my Nexus 5