Since my Lenovo Yoga tablet (10″, dunno the model number any more) has a tendency to turn itself into a expensive paper weight after updates, here’s the procedure to unbrick it:
- Get a physical Windows 7 PC. Windows > 7 will not do, since it recognizes the tablet and installs the wrong device drivers! You really need Windows 7!
- Get the image file and the device drivers. A working image with the file name Yoga_tablet_10_A422_000_040_131023_WW_WIFI.rar is available on tollana or at http://www.lenovo-forums.ru. The driver filename is SP_Flash_Tool_Driver_Auto_Installer_v1.1236.00.7z, btw.
- Start the tablet in rescue mode. Press Vol+Down (that is the upper part of the volume switch if it’s standing on the foot) and the power button simultaneously until some Chinese Characters appear and plug it in. You should get unknown devices in the Windows Device Manager.
- Install the drivers and don’t be afraid about the warnings and unplug the device once it’s done.
- Unpack the firmware image and start the included SP Flash Tool. Under “Options” turn the USB Mode on if applicable.
- “Scatter Load” the file “Yoga_tablet_10_A422_000_040_131023_WW_WIFI/target_bin/target_bi
n/MT6589_Android_scatter_emmc.txt” and wait until Flash Tool is done, showing “Searching” in the lower toolbar. - Click “Download” and ignore the warning.
- Select the menu entry containing “eMMC” on the tablet.
- Only now plug it back in, wait for Flash Tool to recognize it and download the firmware.
- Once Flash Tool is done, unplug the tablet, restart it and wait for the installation to finish.
- Install several updates and reconfigure it.
Don’t share, but enjoy!