Firmware downgrade question sent to Archos

[RynoRama]

Can you give me directions how to downgrade the firmware on my Archos 43? Ever since I updated the firmware to 2.3.26 I have had many problems. There are two main issues I have. The 43 randomly reboots with no one even touching it, sometimes it boots over and over and over. Also, half the time it does not recognize my music. I get an error that says "sorry the player does not support this type of audio file". The only solution is to reboot the 43, then the music all works fine again.

The old firmware 2.1.8 was working trouble free for me. I would really like to go back to that one please. I would hate to lose all my data trying to do this. I really regret updating the firmware now.

[julian67]

I've found it's possible to downgrade. In fact I've done what you want to do, gone from 2.3.26 to 2.1.8. The method involves installing the Archos Special developer edition firmware (SDE) and Urukdroid and this probably voids your warranty, but I've played around with the SDE a few times and if you follow the instructions it's incredibly hard to see any way in which you could harm your Archos. Here's where I outlines how to achieve this:

http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=52889

I've downgraded from new archos firmware to old. I found out how to do it by chance after trying urukdroid.

Put simply:

Install Archos SDE, being careful to follow the instructions (i.e. do it how Archos support page advises you and ignore the prompt on your device when you copy over the SDE firmware). This is anyway a pre-requisite of installing urukdroid.

Install Urukdroid. Follow precisely the instructions on the urukdroid wiki.

Boot to recovery menu and completely format the device. Now select firmware upgrade and copy over the firmware of your choice onto the device and proceed.

I've done this a couple of times now while checking out Urukdroid. My A43 did have 2.3.26 installed and I reverted to 2.1.4. I later upgraded again to 2.3.26, then tried Urukdroid again and then reverted to 2.1.8 which is what I'm running now.

Older Firmwares:

http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_2. ... d_gen8.aos
http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_2. ... d_gen8.aos

[xbs]

Archos should fix these issues that started with 2.3.26 and release a new FW ASAP.

[julian67]

Archos should fix these issues that started with 2.3.26 and release a new FW ASAP.

Yes of course, but meanwhile if someone is really keen to revert they can do so and they can have their device working nicely like it used to. It may be that Archos release a bugfix firmware tomorrow, or in a month or never. I pleased I'm not stuck waiting with my A43 driving me nuts several times a day.

[dougeeebear]

I may try reverting to 2.1.8.
One thing though, is there a way to suppress those pesky Archos update notices?

[RynoRama]

I've found it's possible to downgrade. In fact I've done what you want to do, gone from 2.3.26 to 2.1.8. The method involves installing the Archos Special developer edition firmware (SDE) and Urukdroid and this probably voids your warranty, but I've played around with the SDE a few times and if you follow the instructions it's incredibly hard to see any way in which you could harm your Archos. Here's where I outlines how to achieve this:

http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=52889

I've downgraded from new archos firmware to old. I found out how to do it by chance after trying urukdroid.

Put simply:

Install Archos SDE, being careful to follow the instructions (i.e. do it how Archos support page advises you and ignore the prompt on your device when you copy over the SDE firmware). This is anyway a pre-requisite of installing urukdroid.

Install Urukdroid. Follow precisely the instructions on the urukdroid wiki.

Boot to recovery menu and completely format the device. Now select firmware upgrade and copy over the firmware of your choice onto the device and proceed.

I've done this a couple of times now while checking out Urukdroid. My A43 did have 2.3.26 installed and I reverted to 2.1.4. I later upgraded again to 2.3.26, then tried Urukdroid again and then reverted to 2.1.8 which is what I'm running now.

Older Firmwares:

http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_2. ... d_gen8.aos
http://update.archos.com/8/gen8/gen8_2. ... d_gen8.aos

I only have two concerns about this. The warranty void, and losing all my information. Even simple things like save points in games sound trivial but add up.

I may have to bite the bullet soon though. This 2.3.36 does not like my 43

[julian67]

I only have two concerns about this. The warranty void, and losing all my information. Even simple things like save points in games sound trivial but add up.

I may have to bite the bullet soon though. This 2.3.36 does not like my 43

Yes the warranty is invalidated and there's no way around it. As for your data, as long as you have some kind of external storage you can back it up and restore it so if you're careful you shouldn't lose anything except your time.

[frank]

I may try reverting to 2.1.8.
One thing though, is there a way to suppress those pesky Archos update notices?

If you put up with them for a few days, they stop on their own. They have for me at least, and I'm still on 2.1.8.

[dougeeebear]

I may try reverting to 2.1.8.
One thing though, is there a way to suppress those pesky Archos update notices?

If you put up with them for a few days, they stop on their own. They have for me at least, and I'm still on 2.1.8.

Perfect, thanks!

[Greg_e]

In about three weeks Archos will respond asking you a million questions about your purchase so that they can start an RMA. Then another week or two will go by before they ask the same questions again, and then shortly after you tell them to read the previous email or check the Archos store (where I bought mine) you will finally get an RMA for a software bug. You will of course be required to pay return shipping and do without your device for a few weeks while they get you a replacement.

So goes my bad experience with support.

[Pote]

Maybe the next version, they will no longer start every app on the device in the background. I believe that this one new characteristic of the last 2 firmwares is to blame for 1/2 the problems. After all, if you delete every app that starts in the background, the archos works fine. It doesnt DO anything, but it works fine - sheesh. I used to like my 43, now I curse it everyday.

[RynoRama]

I only have two concerns about this. The warranty void, and losing all my information. Even simple things like save points in games sound trivial but add up.

I may have to bite the bullet soon though. This 2.3.36 does not like my 43

Yes the warranty is invalidated and there's no way around it. As for your data, as long as you have some kind of external storage you can back it up and restore it so if you're careful you shouldn't lose anything except your time.

I know I can back up basic things and Apps. But I do not think you can back up things like how far I've completed Angry Birds for example. (or notations in inkpad, recipes, SoundHound history etc). I have read some people root their 43 and run titanium and this will save all that crap but I didn't want to go through all that.

[RynoRama]

In about three weeks Archos will respond asking you a million questions about your purchase so that they can start an RMA. Then another week or two will go by before they ask the same questions again, and then shortly after you tell them to read the previous email or check the Archos store (where I bought mine) you will finally get an RMA for a software bug. You will of course be required to pay return shipping and do without your device for a few weeks while they get you a replacement.

So goes my bad experience with support.

After about 2 weeks mine developed some weird white spot on the screen. I put up with it for 2 weeks, then sent them a message, got an RMA, got a new 43, all within about a 7-10 days. Maybe I was lucky. But my other experience with their customer support went just fine.

[RynoRama]

Well still no reply from Archos

[mreljefe0000]

thanks for this it really helped