Upgrade 3.2.1 (No OTA found) to ICS on 1SaleADay Refurbished A200

[j_medved]

As many of you who purchased a refurbished A200 from 1SaleADay (and possibly ebay and others) know:
1) it does not get the ICS (4.0.3) OTA update
2) it does not work with the usual instructions for updating A200 (gets the Android with Exclamation on it)
3) Acer refuses to offer ANY support, directing you to Teleplan Logistics.
4) Teleplan Logistics is completely worthless. Don't even bother calling

After dealing with the above crap and getting extremely frustrated, I was ready to return the tablet, but decided to try one more thing, AND IT WORKED!!!

I saw that the Thor recovery was failing, but it didn't show why, which is why I tried the other recovery. In the TWRP Recovery, I noticed that it could not mount the external SD, so obviously couldn't get to the update.zip.

So, here are my instructions. Hopefully someone who actually knows what they are doing can use the info to make a "Simple" setup work.

If you already have Simpleroot and unlocked the bootloader, skip to step 5
1) You need to get the Acer USB drivers and install them
Acer Support: Downloads & Support Documents - Tablet / ICONIA TAB / A200

2) Get SimpleRoot. Refer to:SimpleRoot (super simple root for your Acer Iconia Tab A200)

3) turn on USB Debugging on your tablet. (in Settings, Developer Options)

4) Using SimpleRoot, select the following action (and ONLY THAT ACTION):
"unlock bootloader..." and follow instructions

5) Download TWRP Recovery Image from here:
nics-TWRP_stable.img
and save it in the SimpleRoot directory (from step 2)

6) Download the A200 4.0.3 stock ROM file called Acer_AV041_A200_1.037.00_PA_CUS1.zip from here:
Acer A200 Recovery Pack.zip - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download

and save it to the DOWNLOADS directory ON THE TABLET. (NOTE: Explicitly NOT on the external SD Card)

7) Open a command prompt and navigate to the SimpleRoot Directory

8) Plug in your tablet to the USB cable (make sure it is on)

9) Type the following in the command prompt:
adb reboot-bootloader
(and hit ENTER)

and wait till the screen on your tablet reboots and shows something like this in the upper left corner:
Bootloader Version 3.1.3
Device is in Unlock mode
Bootlader version 3.1.3
Starting Fastboot USB download protocol

NOTE: for the following 2 steps I am assuming that your SimpleRoot directory is located at C:\SimpleRoot
If it is in a different location, update the commands accordingly

10) Type the following in the command prompt:
fastboot flash recovery C:\AcerRoot\nics-TWRP_stable.img
(and hit ENTER)

11) Turn tab off.

12) Hold the left volume button (the one with two dots) and the power button down until you see some white text in the top left corner. NOTE: It will first show 2 lines including version and Unlock Mode. Keep holding until it shows the 3rd line. This should start the TWRP Recovery

13) in the TWRP Recovery, select INSTALL

14) Navigate to the Downloads folder and select the Acer_AV041_A200_1.037.00_PA_CUS1.zip file and start the install.

15) now just reboot the tablet. As it starts up you should see it install the new update.

Once it completes, you will be on ICS!!! The only thing I am not sure about is if now that I am on ICS, can I root using the regular SimpleRoot stuff? If anyone knows, let me know please.

References:
the 4.0.3 image: Help on getting Acer Iconia Tab A200 REVERTED back from leaked ICS to stock
It is also part of the A200 Recovery Pack Download at Figured how to go from 3.2.1 (No OTA found) to ICS!!!

TWRP Recovery: [Recovery][Beta 2] TWRP 2.1 Touch Based Recovery For A200

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[j_medved]

Jeannette,

First, note that this is only my second time dealing with rooting a device. I am technical, but not really that familiar with Android internals. The other one was a Galaxy Nexus

I initially tried the instructions at Figured how to go from 3.2.1 (No OTA found) to ICS!!!
Which instructed you to use the Thor Recovery, but that wasn't working, which is what prompted me to go for alternatives

Having said that, I think I just bricked my tablet when I tried rooting it. Should have left it alone .. BIG SIGH.

[antukubo]

In the TWRP Recovery, I noticed that it could not mount the external SD

Yes you can, but need to mount it manually. Perhaps the next TWRP build will solve this issue. Anyway, a very good guide here

[j_medved]

TWRP Recovery - Manually didn't work either

[jeanne8fr]

I think I just bricked my tablet when I tried rooting it. Should have left it alone .. BIG SIGH.

How did you try to root it?. Did you use 'SimpleTool'?

Jeannette

[j_medved]

Yes. (http://www.acertabletforum.com/forum...ease-help.html)
I did manage to get it into Fastboot but nothing else yet. I figured that since I was on 4.0.3, the Simpletool should work... guess I was wrong

So a note to others - once you do the steps I posted, DO NOT TOUCH IT.

[captainbizzum]

Thank you for these instructions! I tried everything else to get ICS to no avail until this. Worked like a charm. THANKS!!

[Matchlighter]

Let us know if you figure out how to get it rooted. I would be peeved if it can't be rooted...

[jeanne8fr]

So I got my tablet yesterday. it came with honeycomb. I updated it using update.zip on the external sd card. I then rooted it using simpletools. First unlock then root and install recovery. everything went well and was done in 30minutes.
I was very glad that it took 7 days to get here. I benefited from the problems others on the group got into.

Jeannette

[harmakhis]

Most tablet are strange and react curious thing appened