Root Archos 101

Added by brna, on 2013-09-29, at 8:22 PM, with 1604 views, in : Android

How to root easily your Archos 101 Internet Tablet Gen8 device [fw 2.0.71 - 2.4.83] + R/W

How to root easily your Gen8 device

Warning

The instructions in this guide are intended for user with more knowledge. Applying these instructions on another device or model may produce undesired outcomes.The information in this guide is provided for instructional and educational purposes only. There is no guarantee that these instructions will work under your specific and unique circumstances. Use these instructions at your own risk. We shall not hold any responsibility or liability for whatever happens to you or your device arising from your use of the info in this guide.Read and understand the whole guide first before actually performing the instructions.

Now here we go, you need four things:

1. An Archos Gen8 device (e.g. A101IT)

2. Archos Firmware
- 2.1.02: [Archos server]
- 2.1.03: [Archos server]
- 2.1.04: [Archos server]
- 2.1.08: [Archos server]
- 2.3.20: [Archos server]
- 2.3.26: [Archos server]
- 2.3.81: [Archos server]
- 2.4.19: [Archos server]
- 2.4.65: [Archos server]
- 2.4.80: [Archos server]
- 2.4.81: [Archos server]
- 2.4.82: [Archos server]
- 2.4.83: [Archos server]

3. Archos SDE
- [Archos server], [Mirror #1]

4. Rooted initramfs + kernel
- [fw 2.0.71 +rw]
- [fw 2.1.02]
- [fw 2.1.02 +rw]
- [fw 2.1.03]
- [fw 2.1.03 +rw]
- [fw 2.1.04]
- [fw 2.1.04 +rw]
- [fw 2.1.08]
- [fw 2.1.08 +rw]
- [fw 2.3.20]
- [fw 2.3.20 +rw]
- [fw 2.3.26]
- [fw 2.3.26 +rw]
- [fw 2.3.81]
- [fw 2.3.81 +rw]
- [fw 2.4.19]
- [fw 2.4.19 +rw]
- [fw 2.4.65]
- [fw 2.4.65 +rw]
- [fw 2.4.80]
- [fw 2.4.80 +rw]
- [fw 2.4.81]
- [fw 2.4.81 +rw]
- [fw 2.4.82]
- [fw 2.4.82 +rw]
- [fw 2.4.83]
- [fw 2.4.83 +rw]

*: +rw = permanent root, changes to filesystem will be stored in /dev/mmcblk0p2. it has ~30 megabytes free, this should be sufficient for most changes and scripts.
BE CAREFULLY: if you delete or corrupt important system files and aren't able to boot anymore, you have to flash the "non-rw" root kernel+initramfs, go to /mnt/system/unionfs and remove the changes.

Then you have to the following:

1. Install SDE (you only have to do this only once, it will even survive a full reformat)

reboot Archos device and hold down "Vol-" button after screen went black

choose "Update Firmware"

connect your Archos device by USB to your computer

upload the SDE firmware file to your device

safely disconnect the USB connection

press ok on Archos device

reboot

2. Install android firmware

reboot Archos device and hold down "Vol-" button after screen went black

choose "Update Firmware"

connect your Archos device by usb to your computer

upload the Android firmware file to your device

safely disconnect the USB connection

press ok on Archos device

reboot

3. Install the custom kernel + initramfs

reboot Archos device and hold down "Vol-" button after screen went black

Go to "Recovery Menu" and then "Developer Edition Menu"

choose "Flash Kernel and Initramfs"

connect your Archos device by USB to your computer

upload zImage and initramfs.cpio.gz to your device

safely disconnect the USB connection

press ok on Archos device

reboot and hold down "Vol-" button after screen went black

choose "Developer Edition"

now you have temporary root (you always have to boot "Developer Edition" to get root again)

4. (optional!) permanent root

this it will boot always the custom kernel (to revert, reinstall Android firmware)

reboot Archos device and hold down "Vol-" button after screen went black

Go to "Recovery Menu" and then "Developer Edition Menu"

choose "Remove Android Kernel"

reboot

ALL TESTED AND WORKING 100% wink