How to "reformat" and "reinstall" firmware from scratch

[kenyu73]

KEYS:
Volume = Up/down menu
Power = Enter

** Plug in your Power Cord, its required! **

** First make sure to backup all your multimedia files (and apps if you want) **

1) download the firmware here: http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_2. ... d_gen8.aos

2) shutdown your device by tapping power, then selecting power down or holding the power for 5-10 seconds

3) hold the volume down and power button until you get the Archos splash screen

4) Select Format System --> Reformat Device--> Select "I Understand"

5) Once format is complete, you'll then you'll be in USB firmware Recovery mode (do not press OK yet)

6) Your device should be automatically be mounted (A70S internal drive) in Windows (Linux too I'm sure)

7) Copy your downloaded 'aos' file from step 1 into the root of the 'Axxx' named drive letter

Press OK (power) to continue once the copy is completed (plug in power cord)

9) Firmware update begins

That's it, you now have a super fresh restore of your system! You can format/install previous firmwares too. The 'aos' file is deleted automatically once the update is completed.

Use this at your own risk. It's pretty straight forward, but if you reformat and cant for whatever reason copy the 'aos' file to your internal memory, you've pretty much bricked your device and will need Archos support more then likely.

There are also some non-extreme options, such as 'reset android' in there as well.

Rumor has it that your can't go back to prior firmware, but I don't see why not if you do reformat, but I haven't tried personally.
1.0.84 firmware (2.1 Eclair)
http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_1. ... d_gen8.aos

3rd party apps:
ftp://support.archos.com/A70%20HDD%20contents.zip
Have fun!

[soulhunt79]

Do NOT rename the downloaded aos file to something different. I have all mine as XXX_2_0_84.aos. The program is looking for a very specific file name in the root directory. "firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos"

[sillyrabbitt123]

KEYS:
Volume = Up/down menu
Power = Enter

** Plug in your Power Cord, its required! **

1) download the firmware here: http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_2. ... d_gen8.aos

2) shutdown your device by tapping power, then selecting power down or holding the power for 5-10 seconds

3) hold the volume down and power button until you get the Archos splash screen

4) Select Format System --> Reformat Device--> Select "I Understand"

5) Once format is complete, you'll then you'll be in USB firmware Recovery

6) Your device should be automatically be mounted (A70S internal drive) in Windows (Linux too I'm sure)

7) Copy your downloaded 'aos' file from step 1 into the root of the 'A70S' named drive letter

Press OK (power) to continue once the copy is completed (plug in power cord)

9) Firmware update begins

That's it, you now have a super fresh restore of your system! You can format/install previous firmwares too. The 'aos' file is deleted automatically once the update is completed.

Use this at your own risk. It's pretty straight forward, but if you reformat and cant for whatever reason copy the 'aos' file to your internal memory, you've pretty much bricked your device and will need Archos support more then likely.

There are also some non-extreme options, such as 'reset android' in there as well.
Have fun!

Are you saying do this while hooked up to the pc? thanks

[micmcguire]

So I can downgrade to 2.1 if I so choose with this method?

[soulhunt79]

There is only 1 place where you need to be connected to a PC and it is very obvious. Something like "USB firmware Recovery" or click ok to unmount. Connect the usb cable, it should mount on your pc, copy the file over, click ok and it should unmount.

If you already have it pluged in it will probably start automatically then, otherwise it will ask you to plug it in and then start automatically.

[soulhunt79]

So I can downgrade to 2.1 if I so choose with this method?

I see no reason why you couldn't downgrade using this method. You are completely wiping the system so whatever aos file you install should be what you get.

[soulhunt79]

So I can downgrade to 2.1 if I so choose with this method?

I see no reason why you couldn't downgrade using this method. You are completely wiping the system so whatever aos file you install should be what you get.

Looks like I was wrong, someone tried and failed. Although worse case after trying is it just forces you to reinstall 2.0.54 fresh I guess. Probably not worth it though.

[sillyrabbitt123]

There is only 1 place where you need to be connected to a PC and it is very obvious. Something like "USB firmware Recovery" or click ok to unmount. Connect the usb cable, it should mount on your pc, copy the file over, click ok and it should unmount.

If you already have it pluged in it will probably start automatically then, otherwise it will ask you to plug it in and then start automatically.

Do i dl the file to the pc or the archos?

Thanks

[soulhunt79]

There is only 1 place where you need to be connected to a PC and it is very obvious. Something like "USB firmware Recovery" or click ok to unmount. Connect the usb cable, it should mount on your pc, copy the file over, click ok and it should unmount.

If you already have it pluged in it will probably start automatically then, otherwise it will ask you to plug it in and then start automatically.

Do i dl the file to the pc or the archos?

Thanks

Download it from the web onto your PC. Reformat the archos device. At one of the steps you copy the file over to the archos and it installs it.

[sillyrabbitt123]

There is only 1 place where you need to be connected to a PC and it is very obvious. Something like "USB firmware Recovery" or click ok to unmount. Connect the usb cable, it should mount on your pc, copy the file over, click ok and it should unmount.

If you already have it pluged in it will probably start automatically then, otherwise it will ask you to plug it in and then start automatically.

Do i dl the file to the pc or the archos?

Thanks

Download it from the web onto your PC. Reformat the archos device. At one of the steps you copy the file over to the archos and it installs it.

Ok I got it to install thanks!!

One question that i am really confused by does everyone when they get to the step to install third party apps of the setup wizard actual have apps install? or does it say no apps were found to install (which mine says and doesnt install any).

thanks

[drdoak]

It did that to me before I even did the full reformat. Doesn't seem to be an issue. Just go to the appslib webpage and download it. That will let you retrieve anything you're missing.

[coporian]

Does somebody have a copy of the 1.0.84 firmware? I should have downloaded it before it disappeared from the website.

Thank you.

[ra7im]

great !

i think this post should be sticky for some time

[kenyu73]

http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_1. ... d_gen8.aos

Edited OP as well

[coporian]

http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_1. ... d_gen8.aos

Edited OP as well

Thank you.
I think I'm going back to eclair, then update to Froyo. Every time I try to do anything in the settings I ether get an error message or I crash bach to the home screen. I need to read through some of the other threads.

[hkruisman]

Downgrade not woring :(:( 221 error, hardware to old.............

[ruinah]

thanks for these instructions. They worked great. I am having all sorts of issues even after the update though. I am connecting to an old Linksys B access point. When I connect I can browse for like a minute then it stops working and the access point basically hangs and doesn't work anymore. I've tested this a dozen times now. I have an ipod touch using that network and the touch works all up until I get the 101 connected for a minute. I have no idea why it's bombing my AP out. Didn't do this with Eclair.

I'm starting to believe we got a hacked up firmware for the sake of saving face rather than a tested working version. *sigh*

[kenyu73]

thanks for these instructions. They worked great. I am having all sorts of issues even after the update though. I am connecting to an old Linksys B access point. When I connect I can browse for like a minute then it stops working and the access point basically hangs and doesn't work anymore. I've tested this a dozen times now. I have an ipod touch using that network and the touch works all up until I get the 101 connected for a minute. I have no idea why it's bombing my AP out. Didn't do this with Eclair.

I'm starting to believe we got a hacked up firmware for the sake of saving face rather than a tested working version. *sigh*

I doubt its a "hacked up" 2.2. It's just newer... the newer the technology the less chance for backwards compatibility in general. Froyo more then likely uses updated wireless protocals for better wireless G/N connections.

Really, go by a new router, you can get a cheaper wireless G for $30 at bestbuy!

[ruinah]

thanks for these instructions. They worked great. I am having all sorts of issues even after the update though. I am connecting to an old Linksys B access point. When I connect I can browse for like a minute then it stops working and the access point basically hangs and doesn't work anymore. I've tested this a dozen times now. I have an ipod touch using that network and the touch works all up until I get the 101 connected for a minute. I have no idea why it's bombing my AP out. Didn't do this with Eclair.

I'm starting to believe we got a hacked up firmware for the sake of saving face rather than a tested working version. *sigh*

I doubt its a "hacked up" 2.2. It's just newer... the newer the technology the less chance for backwards compatibility in general. Froyo more then likely uses updated wireless protocals for better wireless G/N connections.

Really, go by a new router, you can get a cheaper wireless G for $30 at bestbuy!

yeah. I want to go spend more money to make something work that should work in the first place. It didn't have a single issue for a week with the access point and then I put Froyo on and it's nothing but issues. I have a more recent router somewhere here I guess I will change out. It's just a crappy contractor network I have in place for consultants and IT people. My home router is only a year old so I am interested to see if it's any different.

[ws818]

KEYS:
Volume = Up/down menu
Power = Enter

** Plug in your Power Cord, its required! **

** First make sure to backup all your multimedia files (and apps if you want) **

1) download the firmware here: http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_2. ... d_gen8.aos

2) shutdown your device by tapping power, then selecting power down or holding the power for 5-10 seconds

3) hold the volume down and power button until you get the Archos splash screen

4) Select Format System --> Reformat Device--> Select "I Understand"

5) Once format is complete, you'll then you'll be in USB firmware Recovery

6) Your device should be automatically be mounted (A70S internal drive) in Windows (Linux too I'm sure)
I have tried to connect A101 with my notebook by "USB male to male" cable...but A101 shows: USB Connection: Press OK to disconnect, therefore, i couldn't hook up with both....What can i do??

7) Copy your downloaded 'aos' file from step 1 into the root of the 'A70S' named drive letter

Press OK (power) to continue once the copy is completed (plug in power cord)

9) Firmware update begins

That's it, you now have a super fresh restore of your system! You can format/install previous firmwares too. The 'aos' file is deleted automatically once the update is completed.

Use this at your own risk. It's pretty straight forward, but if you reformat and cant for whatever reason copy the 'aos' file to your internal memory, you've pretty much bricked your device and will need Archos support more then likely.

There are also some non-extreme options, such as 'reset android' in there as well.

1.0.84 firmware (2.1 Eclair) - http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_1. ... d_gen8.aos

Have fun!