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Root Rooted - Acer Iconia Tab A500 HC v3.2.1

My AVG Antivirus Pro popped up with this warning when I tried Gingerbreak:
"Antivirus Warning: Installed package: eu.chainfire.gingerbreak is infected"
I clicked the "Fix" button and that uninstalled the package. Guess I'll have to rescan my system now.
 
Im new to the Android platform. If I root my tablet will it effect the programs that are already installed on it?
Thanks
 
I've got this strange problem, I used GingerBreak to root the device and can use Root explorer to set the root "\" to R/W, but cannot set the system folder to R/W.

It's quite a long story, I bought the A500 a few weeks ago and rooted it and then was able to set the system to R/W and rename the phone.apk thus eliminating the cell standby and worked like a treat.

Then there comes the 3.0.1 update which I was not able to install. I then did a factory restore which bricked the A500 because I forgot to rename the phone.apk to it's original name.

I sent the a500 to Acer who resurrected it and installed the 3.0.1, now I can root it but not able to set system folder to R/W.

Android version - 3.0.1
kernel version - 2.6.36.3-00001-gf991e5d
Build number - Acer_A500_1.016.04_COM_GEN1

Anyone else has the same problem? Any way to set the system folder to R/W?
 
your device? Can you change it once done?
michaelg1030 said:
Root gives you full access to the device. Right now there is not much you can do being Rooted but some things you can do are remove any pre installed app and you can install a new kernal that allows tethering to ad hoc phones like the D1.

Eventually you will be able to install custom versions of HC and overclock the device to make it run faster.
Click to expand...
 
Anybody else have a problem with unfreezing programs.
After I unfroze my apps the text under the icon are either doubled or scrambled.
Not a big deal just checking.
 
gabeyong said:
Hi,

did you follow the steps?
1. Activated unknown sources
2. Activated debugging
3. Set the tablet in portrait mode and lock it
4. Downloaded, installed the gingerbreak apk (using Astro) and ran the gingerbreak 1.20 app

cheers :)
Click to expand...

I have followed the steps over and over and over and over and all I get is a an i in a white circle followed by

GingerBreak

an then below is this list

Rooting...
Running Exploit...
This may take a few minutes!
Device will reboot on success!
with a rotating circling dash mark

Well, this is the 15-20th time and this time it has run for 1 hour and no change. I have unloaded, reloaded, downloaded re downloaded, etc., etc. with no positive results, something is definitely interfering with this process, but I can not find it, with every change I have tried it has failed!!!!!!!
 
HELP!

Well I rooted and i thought maybe Titanium pro would work at backing up, uninstalling and then restoring acer sync and acer sync helper.

Well it didn't.

Can someone grab the appropriate apks for it, and kind of show me how I would reinstall it?

I assume I need it when an OTA comes rolling by.
 
nexgenasian said:
HELP!

Well I rooted and i thought maybe Titanium pro would work at backing up, uninstalling and then restoring acer sync and acer sync helper.

Well it didn't.

Can someone grab the appropriate apks for it, and kind of show me how I would reinstall it?

I assume I need it when an OTA comes rolling by.
Click to expand...

Fixed it!

Found the file in the unbrick update zip at post -----//forum.ppcgeeks.com/acer-iconia-a500/143732-unbrick-your-acer-a500-iconia-tablet-restore-1-141-07-ota-update.html. Copied acer sync apk and acer sync helper apk to sdcard, used astro and clicked the apks and installed. it KEEPS FCing till you reboot. Works fine after reboot.

Cheers, time for more tweeks!
 
weschlessman said:
I have followed the steps over and over and over and over and all I get is a an i in a white circle followed by

GingerBreak

an then below is this list

Rooting...
Running Exploit...
This may take a few minutes!
Device will reboot on success!
with a rotating circling dash mark

Well, this is the 15-20th time and this time it has run for 1 hour and no change. I have unloaded, reloaded, downloaded re downloaded, etc., etc. with no positive results, something is definitely interfering with this process, but I can not find it, with every change I have tried it has failed!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

I am having this same problem.

yes, i have enabled external sources
put it in portrait mode and locked it there
activated debugging
inserted mini-sd
and downloaded, installed and ran the gingerbreak app.

It sits for as long as long as I'll let it run with the rotating circle.

Is there a minimum size for the sd card? What goes on it? I only had a 1 gb miniSD. Could this be the problem?
What else could there be? I allowed the system to update to latest version.
Thanks for some answers!
e
 
bigpickle said:
I am having this same problem.

yes, i have enabled external sources
put it in portrait mode and locked it there
activated debugging
inserted mini-sd
and downloaded, installed and ran the gingerbreak app.

It sits for as long as long as I'll let it run with the rotating circle.

Is there a minimum size for the sd card? What goes on it? I only had a 1 gb miniSD. Could this be the problem?
What else could there be? I allowed the system to update to latest version.
Thanks for some answers!
e
Click to expand...

Don't bother with gingerbreak. The rooting tool i used was iconiaroot, [HOWTO] Root for stock HC3.1 - xda-developers.

And yes its that simple.

BTW: once u get your rooting going, can you help a fellow a500 owner out. If you are from the US, would you make it available your backups once you get clockworkmod (find Acer Recover from the android market)?

I accidentally (actually it was super file managers fault for wiping my SD card, complained to the developer already) deleted my backup. I would like to return to stock someday if necessary.

If you need help on how to find the backup files, just post here, or PM me :D.

My Iconia was last at acer_A500_4.010.13_com_gen2 software version in the about tab..

Then I got all smart and got honeyvillian but I can't get back to stock HC 3.1 for USA since I lost my backup.
 
nexgenasian said:
Don't bother with gingerbreak. The rooting tool i used was iconiaroot, [HOWTO] Root for stock HC3.1 - xda-developers.

And yes its that simple.

BTW: once u get your rooting going, can you help a fellow a500 owner out. If you are from the US, would you make it available your backups once you get clockworkmod (find Acer Recover from the android market)?

I accidentally (actually it was super file managers fault for wiping my SD card, complained to the developer already) deleted my backup. I would like to return to stock someday if necessary.

If you need help on how to find the backup files, just post here, or PM me :D.

My Iconia was last at acer_A500_4.010.13_com_gen2 software version in the about tab..

Then I got all smart and got honeyvillian but I can't get back to stock HC 3.1 for USA since I lost my backup.
Click to expand...

Why is it always done the hard way when there is an easy way?
Have a look here... and just follow the instructions.

cheers :)
gabe
 
I've just rooted. I'm going to use titanium backup as everyone says it's the best one. What should I be using to remove the unused stock apps/ bloatware. Does Root Explorer do the job? Is there anything better?
 
A few questions about rooting the A500:

(1) If the tab is rooted and a new version (or an update) to the OS comes up (or the unit needs to be sent back for servicing), should the device be unrooted then updated and then re-rooted?

(2) Irreparably bricking the tab is the biggest danger in rooting. Am I correct in this?

(3) After rooting, it is possible - or so I have read - to install custom roms. But is there an intermediate process that needs to be executed before installing the custom rom?

(4) Do custom roms sometimes include full versions of apps (like some of the office apps - I am particularly thinking of Polaris)?

Apologies in advance if these seem stupid questions and thanks for your help.
 
Hi kristalsoldier,

Just to answer your questions:

(1) If the tab is rooted and a new version (or an update) to the OS comes up (or the unit needs to be sent back for servicing), should the device be unrooted then updated and then re-rooted?

Ans: Preferably, Iconia A500 should be unrooted then updated then rooted again.
BUT... I have updated from 3.01 to 3.1 with my rooted device, it was unrooted after the update and I rooted it again without issues.

(2) Irreparably bricking the tab is the biggest danger in rooting. Am I correct in this?

Ans: Rooting will not / does not brick your device.

(3) After rooting, it is possible - or so I have read - to install custom roms. But is there an intermediate process that needs to be executed before installing the custom rom?

Ans:
1) You need to install Thor2002ro's ClockworkMod Recovery,
2) you need to download the custom roms then use ClockworkMod to flash your custom rom.

(4) Do custom roms sometimes include full versions of apps (like some of the office apps - I am particularly thinking of Polaris)?

Ans: you can install Polaris Office without the need to install custom roms.
What you need:
Polaris Office
Root Explorer

What to do:
- Root Acer Iconia A500
- download Polaris Office; unzip and copy all three files to sd card
- install Polaris Office apk
- use Root Explorer copy and paste the other 2 files to /system/lib
- reboot your Iconia A500

cheers :)
gabe
 
gabeyong said:
Added:
Adfree
Root Explorer
Exchange Active Sync

Added Functions:
Wifi Tether -> Xperia Arc
NTFS support

Backup:
boot.img
recovery.img

Uninstalled:
Docs To Go - bloatware (using Google Docs)
AUPEO! - bloatware (don't listen to radio)
LumiRead - bloatware (using Aldiko)
clear.fi - bloatware (rubbish app)

Freeze: (Resource/Batt hoggers)
AcerSync
Photo Browser 3D
Media Server
My Location
SocialJogger
TegraZone Games
Top HD Games

I have regained 25% battery life each charge cycle...

and... did a whole bunch of stuff that I cannot mention because it might incriminate me :)
Click to expand...
Hi,

a total newbie/non-techie with an NTFS question: after you rooted your tablet, you say you got NTFS support. Did you have to download any software for that and installed it after rooting the tablet, or does did you automatically get NTFS access after rooting? (I'm currently having trouble connecting a 1+ TB external storage device from Seagate to my Acer Iconia 500).

Thanks
 
If you want to keep root: Never take OTAs/updates from Acer. The OTA/Update you take may not have the same root exploits in it and rooting utilities may not be able to root your device afterwards. Always wait for a dev to take the update patch and make it flashable in clockwork. Usually this will happen within a few days of the update being available.

If you want to send it back, make sure you restore it to factory settings. That means that you should make a backup (NANDroid) before you ever flash any non-stock ROM. So install Acer Recovery, flash Clockwork, then immediately go to backup, do a full back up. That way you can always go back to the stock ROM and you just have do a factory reset. Make sure you also clear off internal memory. Root apps, like Titanium Backup, leave files on internal memory. Those files can betray the fact that you were rooted, even if the device isn't currently rooted. Plus, some of the apps you back up might have personal info in them.
 
ilegator said:
Hi,

a total newbie/non-techie with an NTFS question: after you rooted your tablet, you say you got NTFS support. Did you have to download any software for that and installed it after rooting the tablet, or does did you automatically get NTFS access after rooting? (I'm currently having trouble connecting a 1+ TB external storage device from Seagate to my Acer Iconia 500).

Thanks
Click to expand...

Install this:

https://market.android.com/details?id=au.dach.drivemount
 
kristalsoldier said:
A few questions about rooting the A500:

(1) If the tab is rooted and a new version (or an update) to the OS comes up (or the unit needs to be sent back for servicing), should the device be unrooted then updated and then re-rooted?

(2) Irreparably bricking the tab is the biggest danger in rooting. Am I correct in this?

(3) After rooting, it is possible - or so I have read - to install custom roms. But is there an intermediate process that needs to be executed before installing the custom rom?

(4) Do custom roms sometimes include full versions of apps (like some of the office apps - I am particularly thinking of Polaris)?

Apologies in advance if these seem stupid questions and thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

1) Like I said in a previous post, never take an update from Acer if you wish to keep root.

2) If you load Clockwork recovery and then make a full backup in the backup/restore submenu, your device is practically un-brickable. If you ever have problems, use Acer Recovery to go into Clockwork and restore your backup. If you can't get the device to boot up fully (it bootloops and never gets to the lockscreen): turn off the device, hold Vol Down and then hold Power. The device will boot up in Clockwork. Do a full restore of a backup. Reboot and you should be good to go. That reboot after restore is an important step. Always reboot after restoring a backup.

3) Always make a backup first. Then wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache (found in advanced settings). Then it is highly recommended to do a full data wipe, but not always necessary. Then you can flash the ROM. If you fail to do any of the previous steps, the flash may be successful, but you run the risk of problems. If you do have problems, restore the backup then reboot. After it boots successfully, go back into clockwork and wipe everything (dalvik, cache, and full data wipe) then try reflashing.

4) Yes. Virtious Xoom has Polaris. Others may, as well.
 
my iconia is rooted. I'm trying to remove docs to go apk (dtg.apk).... It is in read only so I cannot uninstall it. I have root explorer, so far... Any help would be great! Thanks!
 
facingdoubt said:
my iconia is rooted. I'm trying to remove docs to go apk (dtg.apk).... It is in read only so I cannot uninstall it. I have root explorer, so far... Any help would be great! Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi,
If you are using Root Explorer... navigate to /system/app
just <click><Mount R/W> before you delete DTG.apk

cheers :)
gabe
 
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