How to Downgrade your Archos Gen 8 Device (28, 32, 43, 70, 101) from 2.0.71 to 2.0.54

---

I finally did what Archos support said couldn’t be done. I was able to downgrade my firmware from the extremely buggy (and non-rootable) 2.0.71 firmware, to the 2.0.54 rootable firmware.

Warning: This process involves downloading and installing the Archos SDE firmware. This WILL void your warranty. Proceed at your own risk!

This process was done using a Windows 7 machine (and the Archos tablet, of course).


Phase 1 – Removing the 2.0.71 firmware and replacing it with the Angstrom OS

1. If you do not have your Archos plugged into the AC Adapter, plug it in now.

2. Download the SDE Developer Edition firmware here:
http://www.archos.com/support/downlo...droid_gen8.aos

3. Power off your Archos (if powered on). Then boot your Archos in Recovery mode by holding the Volume – button and pressing the power button. Release the power button, but keep the Volume – button held down. It will boot into recovery mode.

Recovery Mode navigation works as follows:
Volume + moves up
Volume – moves down
Pressing Power is Enter

4. Press Volume – to Format System and Press Power.

5. Press Volume – to Reformat Device and Press Power.

Warning: Make sure you have backed up any critical data on your Archos tablet prior to proceeding any further. If you have not backed up your data, select No and press Power, and No on the previous menu. At that point it will reboot the device and you can back up your data.

6. Press Volume – to I understand and press Power. It will then reformat the partitions.

7. When the USB Connection menu appears, plug in the Micro USB cable into your computer and into the Archos tablet. Windows (or your mac, I suppose) will recognize the tablet as a drive letter in My Computer - Mine was A101IT (I). Copy the SDE firmware file firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos to the tablet (e.g. drive I: on my computer). Copy to the root directory ( /) folder on the tablet.

8. Once the copy is done, press Power on the Archos Tablet (and remove the Micro USB Cable)

9. It will install the SDE firmware, then reboot.

10. It will boot into the AngStrom OS. At first this OS looks intimidating, but it is quite harmless.

11. It will come up with a new user details screen. Type in a user name, a password, and confirm the password. Then press OK. It will then log in and take you to the desktop.

12. Press the ^ key in the lower left hand side of the screen, and press Turn off. You may have to press a few times to get it to respond as the touch responsiveness was NOT very good for me.

13. Press Yes to log off. It will then power down



Phase 2 – Installing the 2.0.54 firmware onto your tablet.


1. If you do not have your Archos plugged into the AC Adapter, plug it in now.

2. On your pc, download the Archos 2.0.54 firmware from here:
http://www.arctablet.com/assets/arch...droid_gen8.aos

3. Rename the file firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos. (If you downloaded the file in the same place you downloaded the SDE firmware file, just overwrite it.)

4. Then boot your Archos in Recovery mode by holding the Volume – button and pressing the power button. Release the power button, but keep the Volume – button held down. It will boot into recovery mode.

Recovery Mode navigation works as follows:
Volume + moves up
Volume – moves down
Pressing Power is Enter

5. Press Volume – to Format System and Press Power.

6. Press Volume – to Reformat Device and Press Power.

7. Press Volume – to I understand and press Power. It will then reformat the partitions.

8. When the USB Connection menu appears, plug in the Micro USB cable into your computer and into the Archos tablet. Windows (or your mac, I suppose) will recognize the tablet as a drive letter in My Computer - Mine was A101IT (I). Copy the 2.0.54 firmware file firmware_archos_android_gen8.aos to the tablet (e.g. drive I: on my computer). Copy to the root directory ( /) folder on the tablet.

9. Once the copy is done, press Power on the Archos Tablet (and remove the Micro USB Cable)

10. It will install the 2.0.54 firmware, then reboot.

11. Congratulations, you now have the 2.0.54 firmware installed.


Enjoy,

Jason Andreas

I can confirm this guide is correct. Downgrade working. Only for 2.0.54 . Downgrade to 1.0.84 has failure message .

2.0.54 with z4root and setCPU 1000 gives faster A70IT than 2.0.71 fw Overdrive mode. And less screen decalibration issues.

EDIT : Original guide was posted in androidtablets.net forum

For some unknown reason my 101it can't see my home network after downgrading! It's able to see my neighbours wep encrypted network but not mine which is wpa encrypted? Anybody else having this problem and any solution would be appreciated.

Need some help guys;

Step 10 of the phase 2 :
I have copy/paste the .aos file in the root directory but I have this message : "Update failed: (1)"

Sry for bad English, I'm french..

PS : This is not the first time I do that kind of skill =X

1. It only sees WEP encrypted networks. (2.0.54 problem) , change your to WEP and everything is ok.

2. Are you sure you copied 2.0.54 aos file and not the 1.0.84 ??? Download again and copy it again. and carefull to lace it in root (not in folder by accident)

thanks for the quick reply.bit ****e that it only see's wep networks though . anybody know of a workaround to get wpa recognised?

Originally Posted by lagoskon

1. It only sees WEP encrypted networks. (2.0.54 problem) , change your to WEP and everything is ok.

2. Are you sure you copied 2.0.54 aos file and not the 1.0.84 ??? Download again and copy it again. and carefull to lace it in root (not in folder by accident)

2.0.54 and WPA2 PSK running fine here.

Originally Posted by iznogooood

2.0.54 and WPA2 PSK running fine here.

Confirmed ...

I tried WPA/WPA2 combined in my router . I turned to WPA2 PSK and it connects fine. Thanks

I am able to get connected via WPA2 with my A101 without any problems.

@apr24991, thanks a lot for this guide! I did not downgrade to 2.0.54, but i've used your guide to permanently boot to urokdroid's kernel. I'm now able to boot urokdroid's 2.0.71 without going through the recovery menu. Now I don't need to press volume - while powering up or rebooting to up bring up the modified kernel/initramfs. It now always boot to urokdroid's kernel which is what i want.