Acer Liquid User Troubleshooting & FAQs

[Guest dragonhk]

Hi everyone,

I discovered here half year ago when i got my liquid. I must say that the phone is really powerful in hardware but crap in software especially the touch sensitive. Thus, I searched everywhere and found here, the paradise for Liquid user. The development community here turn liquid into complete. I must thank all the developer. Thank you very very much.

In half year, I found many many newbie like me asking about how to flash the bin from zero to build the rom themselves. However, it is not easy for them to follow step by step. They must search and search without the idea or just post a new post.

Hence, I will list the issue that most users will concern from the beginning. I try my best to refer the posted or the knowledge that the in previous post. I hope someone who knows the link can post here to help me and also the community.

I think the article become a little bit longer. Let’s start.

Disclaimer: All the stuff in FAQ all quoted from others. The content doesn’t represent my recommendation. It works for most users but not all. Please find the suitable part for yourself.

Current Project:

there are many project working in Acer liquid.

Foyro: 2.2

LCR 1.1.2 --> v2 comming.

Liquid Mental v.2.75: Dario, v3 comming

Sense: CD team

MIUI: markII update to 18/12/2010

CM6.1 V1.2: Roggin

AOSP 2.2.1 v0.2 (10/11/2010): vache pass to Dario

Enclair 2.1

pls help to provide since i don't track about 2.1 for a long time.

Most exciting / expect part for hardware:

Dobly: Dario working on Mental

OC: over clock. Dario join thepasto working on the OC working causing any hardware problem.

These two greate features will be released in Metal v.3 so many of liquid users are looking forward to get a chrismas gift from Dario.

It seems that there is high possiblity since the OC has v.2 already.

FM: MIUI discover to enable the FM but currently not port to many rom in liquid.

Wishing List:

2.2 Kenerl sourcse from Acer. the kenerl sources can help the deveopler to solve hardware problem when using the custom kenerl. With it, many problem can be solved easily.

Moreover, i hope the SD reconized problem can be fixed. the rom us custom kenerl cannot use the old app to ext problem. at least the MIUI.

Edited December 20, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

Introduction of Liquid

http://mobile.acer.com/phones/liquid/details/?s=features

Review of liquid

Youtube - Acer Liquid - Android phone

Youtube - Acer Liquid (A1) Red

Youtube - Acer Liquid vs HTC Hero vs iPhone 3Gs Browser testing

Chinese Engadget - Android Acer Liquid Testing

Acer Liquid official software：

1.) Acer Liquid User Manual

2.) Acer Liquid USB driver (x86/x64)

3.) Acer Easy Link (USB Driver Included)

4.) Acer Sync

5.) Acer PIM

Basic Knowledge of Android System - ROM

What is ROM? It just likes the operating system. Take windows for example, 1.6 just like windows XP, and 2.1 like Vista, 2.2 like windows 7.

***of course android has much better. The higher version of the rom, the better memory usage, longer battery consumption etc.

What is the default ROM of Liquid?

android 1.6（donut）, now with 2.1 offical.

you can identify the ROM version by checking the name.

Take 4.003.14_AAP_FET for example.

part 1: number means the ROM version

Part2: represent the area. app = asia pacific, EMEA= Europ

Part3: optional, Development code. GEN1/GEN2/CUS1, it is meaningless.

Part4: for the telcom company code. liek FET in taiwan, CSL in hk, vFET for italy.

Will there come official 2.2?

Officially NO. but there is 2.2 for liquid E which is similar to liquid except the ram & rom size. So many developers have port the version for liquid.

what is the different between 1.6 VS 2.1 VS 2.2?

see the official website since acer don't add too many custom things.

Please mind that the JIT function in 2.2 do NOT upgrade in liquid. so disappointed.

There is different Kind of ROM.

Official ROM: BIN format (like exe)

include baseband、radio、fastboot、bootloader、recovery、kernel、system.

Custom ROM: ZIP format

1. Based on official rom which means all the hardware is functional.

For example LCR, Metal, LSteam etc.

2. Based on ASOP: use the kernel of phh (mostly), but some hardware cannot function well.

MIUI, CM 6.1RC etc.

*To flash the custom rom, it will base on the official bin. Please choose the corresponding official bin before flash.

For example: LCR 1.x series based on android 2.1 & LCR-F 1.x base on android 2.2

How to flash official ROM?

There is official flash tools call Acer download tools (Acer DLT, Acer DL tools).

What is Root, custom recovery, customer kernel?

Root: like the ADMINISTRATOR in windows. With the root access rights, you can change the file in system & enable some function like (file transfer through Bluetooth.)

Recovery: Like the “Ghost” in windows. The custom recovery (malezRecovery) is much powerful than the official one. You can flash the custom rom, root, unlock market, enable app to sd (ext) function etc.

Kernel: The core of the system. It is very small but powerful. It contains the driver for the hardware, partition.

Custom Kernel: occur because some people want to open the multi-touch or CPU overclock mostly.

the custom kernel，recovery, root will be flash under bootloader (fastboot).

Why do i need to flash the custom rom?

I strongly recommend people to flash the custom rom because of 2 things.

1. high touch sensitivity (you can use script as well but it seems more complicated)

2. speed (it cannot be done by apps.)

Edited December 20, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

How to flash official ROM?

Acer Liquid flash ROM tools：Acer Download Tool

1. Download the Acer download tool

2. Swith on the phone and open the debug in setting \ application settings \ development \ usb debugging.

(if you cannot switch on the phone properly, press “volumn + & camera & power” at the same time until you can see the triangle with ! ( Recovery Mode)

3. Run Acer Download Tools, the green area show you have connected the device.（Vista/Win7need to right-click& use administrator rights to excute.）

4. Choose the .bin ROM that you download (1.6, 2.1, 2,2 all work)

you can download the bin from 1.6 To 2.2 in here.

http://android.modaco.com/content/acer-liq...act-collection/

5. Press <Start>，DON’T remove USB connection until the process finish. Otherwise, you will receive brick liquid.

6.) It takes about 15 mins to finish. Enjoy!

★★★ If you fail to flash the rom, just remove the usb and re-plug in the USB. ★★★

Edited December 16, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

How to flash custom ROM?

To flash custom Rom, it is recommended to install malez recovery before.

1. Download the malez recovery

2. Follow the step to install.

3. Download the custom rom you prepfer

4. Copy the custom rom (normally named as xxxx.zip) to sd root

*** Before flash the custom rom, make sure Bin version match the custom rom.

For example, if you download the LCR-F 1.X, please flash the 2.2 bin version first. The custom rom will say which bin version it base.

5. Reboot in recovery mode. (volume + & camera & power)

6. Then wait until the device is rebooted into recovery.

7. Choose "wipe menu" / "wipe data/factory reset" & “wipe dalvik-cache, wipe cache, wipe sd: ext partition” with menu button and apply with home button. Go back to main menu with < button.

(Some custom rom will help you to wipe all, but I recommend you to do it manually. It is nothing bad to do one more time.)

8. Navigate to "flash/test menu" / "apply any .zip from SD" and push the menu key, and then choose the ROM and press menu again. Press home to start flashing

(some rom may need to choose “flash zip from sd card (no sign check)” please check)

9. Wait for the installation to finish.

10. Choose “Reboot system now”.

11. Congrats, you're done!

Edited December 16, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

How many custom rom for liquid?

Mcboy Design

MIUI

FroyoMetal

Sense

Xianogen

Roggin's CM6.1 v1.2

Desire

Dario ROM

LS

ROM Comparision:

LCR:

-All hardware working.

-Stable

-Faster than stock bin.

-UI Customization (Mix Acer UI and Android UI stuff)

-Useful LCR Settings app with theme management, tweaks and bug fixing options.

CM 6.1:

Basically all the CM goodness, like many customization settings, much better gallery (it's gallery 3D but it loads freakin' fast and the pic quality is great), changing User Agent in browser, overscroll like on Iphone, Reflow after the use of MT in browser (actually love that one) and other I don't mention...

-Smoother and faster than LCR.

-Stock Android Experience (stock dialer, no Acer apps at all)

-Some bugs: Wifi tethering requires Liquid Tether app, Wifi battery drain is high while phone is locked.

Battery life if you don't use Wifi is kinda the same with both ROMs, if you use Wifi, on CM 6.1 you better disable wifi when you don't use it.

A few apps kept force closing, and work after awhile, and force close at time.

There was alot of setting, but most arn't very useful, at least to me.

There was alots of apps pre-install which isn't so great.

VoiceSearch don't seem to work, even install another .apk

Poor keyboard.

Accessing Internet/Market seem pretty slow for some reason.

Cyanogen do have some new stuff which is great, but slow market/internet access and force close of apps, pisses me off all day.

Which one do I recommend?

LCR-F & Metal

Reason:

1. based on the stock one so all the hardware function.

2. very few bugs or almost non for LCR F, at least i dont' find out.

2. speed & stability. speed is fast enough & stability is the key for daily use.

but if you don't care about the hardware but SPEED, then i will recommend MIUI.

the speend is fantastic. you can change back the Launcer if you don't like the orginial.

the best version now should be the 12.03 but not the latest. the sensor & camera work in this version.

I have asked for home launcher from MIUI. However, they are currently work on ROM only abut not interested in individual home application.

http://www.miui.com/thread-13985-1-1.html?extra=page%3D2

Edited December 20, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

How to flash theme:

1.) Download the theme in zip format. and copy to sd root

2.) restart the mobile to malez Recovery Mode

3.) enter "Flash / Test Meun"。

4.) choose "Flash zip from sd card"。

5.) press HOME to confirm.

6.) back to main menue and choose "Reboot system now" 。

7.) Enjoy!

Edited December 20, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

how to use adb command?

Method 1:　reference the offical website and install Android SDK which help to get all function and programming platform.

Method 2: install Android Tool R4 to system32. it contains all the Android Tool fuctnio & ddms。

（Vista/Win7 need right-click and use the administrator rights to install）

commom command:

reconnect and get the root:

adb remount

install apk from computer to mobile:

adb install {PC file path}\xxxx.apk

copy the file from mobil to computer:

adb pull /{Liquid file path}/{File name} {PC file path}\

copy / replace file from computer to mobile:

adb push {PC file path}\{File name} /{Liquid file path}/

Del the file in mobile:

adb shell rm /{Liquid file path}/{File name}

reboot the mobile:

adb reboot

reboot and enter bootloader Mode：

adb reboot bootloader

reboot and enter recovery Mode：

adb reboot recovery

Edited December 20, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

FAQ for HARDWARE:

what is the real speed of CPU in liquid? can it be overlcok?

liquid use the snapdragon QSD8250 which same as nexus one. The default mhz should be 1ghz. however, acer under clock it to 768.

you can overclcok though custom kernel. just like what we mention before. kernel is so important since it store the driver.

acer has not release the 2.2 source code, so there are hardware problem with custom kernel.

Moreover, NOT ALL liquid support 1 ghz even with sources.

nexuse one use 1.275w and a1 seems a little bit lower. the best speed for liquid is 880 to 920.

liquid support muti-touch?

yes. but in 1.6, the os don't support. you must upgrade to 2.1 or install unlock multi touch in recovery.

(broser, gllary, goole map, earth all support multi touch)

liquid support flash?

yes, but in 2.2

HTC is a little bit different. beause they cooperate with adobe so many htc device support flash "LITE"

liquid support FM?

YES in hardware but No include in kernel so need to wait developer to add.

MIUI has share how can they enable FM. the only thing we need to do is wait.

Liquid mon is vulnerable?

YES. i am the one who suffer from the black mon. it should be the desgin & qc problem. i got free repair from acer luckily. but i still worry. for others, please treasure you liquid.

how is the battery life?

the offical 1.6 rom consume huge battery but got better with the upgrade. you can buy other battery to subsititue.

how many ram & rom for liquid?

256 ram & 512 rom. but only 8X available ram & 147 available rom in 2.2. there is 10x ram in 2.1

how about the screen performance?

800*480 resolution is really great. the brighness is bright enough. the color is a little bit cool but i like it.

how about the sound?

the sound quality is a little bit worse. fortunately, the new rom and DSP and power amp save us.

how about the camera?

the speed is a little low. for example: open, focus

Edited December 20, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

FAQs for SOFTWARE:

Will the data keep in the system after flash?

It depends on which rom you flash.

Flash official bin, all data will be lost. Flash custom rom with wipe data (format), all data also lost. Only flash custom rom without wipe data, the data will keep.

You can use backup tools to backup before flash.

Nandroid backup: you can use the nandroid backup in recovery. It will back up all the setting including the system setup, data, apps and them. (= ghost). After flashing the rom, just click nandroid restore to get back data.

Backup apps: for example, Mybackup Pro, titanium etc. you can install this apps and backup only want you need.

Can I use HTC sense interface in liquid?

Modaco developer has port the Desire ROM to liquid. Again, the hardware not fully functions yet.

Edited December 20, 2010 by dragonhk

[Guest dragonhk]

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[Guest dragonhk]

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[Guest dragonhk]

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[Guest dragonhk]

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[Guest dragonhk]

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[Guest dragonhk]

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[Guest MoNzAi1988]

i wanted to ask this long time ago, what is an unlocked market? is there any different?

[Guest Dario93]

TO MODS: Please sticky this, it's an useful thread for beginners! :)

[Guest studjuice]

^^ +1

[Guest am5a03]

hey, bro, you did a great job! :)

[Guest Tim Weri]

This happens when i turn on the phone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zQh1Z6_ezM

U should read this before helping me http://android.modaco.com/content/acer-liq...c/#entry1522604

Edited December 19, 2010 by Tim Weri

[Guest dragonhk]

This happens when i turn on the phone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zQh1Z6_ezM

U should read this before helping me http://android.modaco.com/content/acer-liq...c/#entry1522604

When i encounter reboot loop after flash, i will flash the bin again.

1. connect the phone to pc through usb.

2. open acer dl tools

(If your device cannot reconginzed by the program, you need to do few more step)

a. press volumn up + power, you will enter the fast flash, you can restore the orginial recovery tools.

b. turn off the phone and take out the battery. wait 10 sec and put back battery.

c. press volumn up + camera + power to entery recovery. (you should see a black screen, and only vibrate)

d. at that time, you the acer dl tools show the usb connect

3. choose the bin to flash.

i hope it work for you.

[Guest dragonhk]

i wanted to ask this long time ago, what is an unlocked market? is there any different?

as i know, unlocked market means that user can view the "Paid" item even your area don't support to buy paid apps

[Guest MoNzAi1988]

How many custom rom for liquid?

Mcboy Design

MIUI

FroyoMetal

Sense

Xianogen

Roggin's CM6.1 v1.2

Desire

Dario ROM

LS

ROM Comparision:

LCR:

-All hardware working.

-Stable

-Faster than stock bin.

-UI Customization (Mix Acer UI and Android UI stuff)

-Useful LCR Settings app with theme management, tweaks and bug fixing options.

CM 6.1:

Basically all the CM goodness, like many customization settings, much better gallery (it's gallery 3D but it loads freakin' fast and the pic quality is great), changing User Agent in browser, overscroll like on Iphone, Reflow after the use of MT in browser (actually love that one) and other I don't mention...

-Smoother and faster than LCR.

-Stock Android Experience (stock dialer, no Acer apps at all)

-Some bugs: Wifi tethering requires Liquid Tether app, Wifi battery drain is high while phone is locked.

Battery life if you don't use Wifi is kinda the same with both ROMs, if you use Wifi, on CM 6.1 you better disable wifi when you don't use it.

A few apps kept force closing, and work after awhile, and force close at time.

There was alot of setting, but most arn't very useful, at least to me.

There was alots of apps pre-install which isn't so great.

VoiceSearch don't seem to work, even install another .apk

Poor keyboard.

Accessing Internet/Market seem pretty slow for some reason.

Cyanogen do have some new stuff which is great, but slow market/internet access and force close of apps, pisses me off all day.

Which one do I recommend?

LCR-F & Metal

Reason:

1. based on the stock one so all the hardware function.

2. very few bugs or almost non for LCR F, at least i dont' find out.

2. speed & stability. speed is fast enough & stability is the key for daily use.

but if you don't care about the hardware but SPEED, then i will recommend MIUI.

the speend is fantastic. you can change back the Launcer if you don't like the orginial.

the best version now should be the 12.03 but not the latest. the sensor & camera work in this version.

I have asked for home launcher from MIUI. However, they are currently work on ROM only abut not interested in individual home application.

http://www.miui.com/thread-13985-1-1.html?extra=page%3D2

how would u compare between mcboy design & Lcr-F?