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Archos 70 Xenon - Demo Mode

simplybob

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2015/02/08 - 12:29

I've got an ex display Archos 70 Xenon that seems to be stuck in demo mode, and I can't find a way to reset the device.

I can get to the boot menu by holding volume+ and the power button, it then says to use the volume- button to select an option, however when I press the volume- button it doesn't do anything. Also when I plug the device into my computer, it doesn't seem to recognise it properly and I can't access the internal storage.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

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2015/02/08 - 17:37

Hello,

What exactly do you refer as demo mode, how did you enter in this mode ?

Cheers.

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simplybob

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2015/02/08 - 17:58

When you switch on the device it boots straight into a video detailing the features of the tablet, there is no way to exit this, and I can't select recovery mode or any other option from the boot menu. It's an ex display device and came like this when I bought it.

It seems that I need to completely install fresh firmware with a new boot loader, but I've tried plugging the device into both Windows and Linux and neither seem to recognise it properly. They both label it as a 'Linux File-CD Gadget' and there is no way to access the internal storage.

I've also tried MTK Droid Tools and SP Flash Tool, but again neither recognise the device.

I'm at a loss right now, if anyone has any ideas that would be great!

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2015/02/08 - 18:13

I see, this seems to be a similar demo mode as there was on the old ARCHOS Gen8/Gen9 devices.

On first post you said you managed to get into recovery mode, have you tried to use all hardware buttons on the tablet to move between the menu items and validate options ?

Have you tried swiping movements (put the finger on the tablet display area, for instance in the middle of the screen and move while keeping the finger on the screen), try moving in all directions (left to right then right to left, then up to down or down to up) some recovery systems use such movements to validate user entry. Do you have a mouse or a keyboard with an USB OTG cable that you could connect to the tablet ? (some recoveries accept these input devices)

Cheers.

simplybob

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2015/02/08 - 20:44

Thanks for the ideas!

All I can do at the moment is use volume + to navigate through recovery mode, fast boot, and normal boot. It says to use volume - to select, but it doesn't work.

I've tried all hardware buttons and swiping the touch screen to select, with no joy. I haven't got an OTG cable but I'll pick one up and give that a try.

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2015/02/08 - 21:13

Well, my suggestions were based on the fact there would be a tablet reset/wipe item in the recovery menu, which may not be the case with your device. Can you list the items that appear in the recovery menu or just post a picture of that ?

Cheers.

simplybob

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2015/02/08 - 23:44

This is what I get in the boot menu:

[VOLUME_UP to select. VOLUME_DOWN is OK.]

[Recovery Mode]
[Fastboot Mode]
[Normal Mode]

I've tried getting into recovery mode using ADB as well, but it doesn't pick up the device.

Thanks.

liam10100

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2015/02/09 - 23:01

Hi Simplybob,

It seems we are in the same boat, I have exactly the same tab as you, with exactly the same issue, more than likely bought from the same company. I think I have a solution but don't know how to make it work.

We know recovery and every other option does nothing. Updated firmware exists for this device. its instructions say that it needs to be in the root directory. which we cannot do. So this question is for admin, is there a way of putting the firmware on a micro sd card and have some sort of command or executable on the card so the tablet launchs that first instead of the root operating system? basically a forced firmware upgrade from a card?

Thanks

Liam

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2015/02/10 - 12:09

Hello,

I've found more details about the 70 Xenon recovery mode on ARCHOS website:

http://www.archos.com/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=53&id=141

The "Wipe data / Factory Reset" in the procedure should get you fixed.

Another option is to reflash a firmware, I haven't checked is if it's just a firmware "upgrade" or a full firmware but you may have a look here:

http://www.archos.com/gb/support/support_tech/updates_fwm.html

Cheers.

liam10100

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2015/02/10 - 22:39

Hi Admin,

This is what I have already found on the Archos website to which it doesn't work. the reason: 1. recovery mode will not let you select anything (and while in that mode their is no apparent usb connection) and 2. in order for the firmware to be put in the root directory the tablet needs to connect to the pc (which it is but wont allow me into storage because usb debugging is switched off) so, is there a way of me putting the firmware on a micro SD card and forcing the update before the operating system boots?

Thanks

simplybob

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2015/02/14 - 19:19

Okay I've managed to get SP Flash Tool to recognise my device, here's what I've done:

Downloaded and installed the drivers from here
http://laurentiumihet.ro/sp-flash-tool-mediatek-mt65xx-drivers-download-and-installation-guide-including-bricked-devices/
Downloaded a random ROM from here (the ZOPO one)
http://www.needrom.com/mobile-rom/mtk6582/
Opened SP Flash Tool and loaded the scatter file from the ROM
Clicked download and then plugged in the tablet

SP Flash Tool seems to recognise the device, however it returns an error and doesn't install the firmware. I assume this is because the firmware isn't for the Archos 70 Xenon?

The firmware listed on the Archos site is packaged for an SD card update, so can't be used with SP Flash Tool.

Any ideas where I can go from here?

liam10100

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2015/02/14 - 21:43

what about getting a rom as close to? with a scatter file that works?

im searching the web atm...

simplybob

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2015/02/15 - 18:45

Did you manage to find any ROMs for the device?

I've had a look into seeing if we could convert the Archos firmware into an SP Flash Tool ROM, but doesn't seem like it's possible.

Looks like the only way forward would be if someone with a working Archos 70 Xenon, did a dump using SP Flash Tool and we could use that to flash the firmware.

Cheers.

SJones

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2015/03/15 - 02:19

This is the exact same issue here, i am part way through trying the sp flash tool thanks to you guys.

I dont know too much about androids, however would it not be possible to use an emulator with the mc firmware for this model, then get the dump from the emulator for use in the real tablet?