Play Store downloads stopped completing

[colell]

Scroll Excel 7" Android 4.0 ICS Capacitive Touch-Screen Tablet bought 6 weeks ago

When I first bought this, I couldn’t believe how good it was (despite having researched it and read the reviews!) – touch screen was great, installed a memory card, downloaded a range of apps, all from the PlayStore, which was installed and working perfectly. Used Tango Video calls as an alternative to Skype which was brilliant, watched YouTube videos, used iPlayer connected to my TV via HDMI, etc. And then it all went wrong, presumably my fault.

Deleted some accounts to set up the tablet to give to my computer-less elderly father who was impressed with it, but ended up having to uninstall various apps, like Tango. Then when I went to re-download it, Play Store wouldn’t work – it launched, I could search and select apps but when I click to install, it just downloads endlessly and never completes. After fruitless efforts including web searching, I decided to reset the tablet, assuming it would take me back to where I started. Unfortunately not - wireless set up OK, I can send and receive e-mail but still can’t download from Google Play Store. Then I discovered that the apps stored on the tablet will not update, the YouTube app stored on the tablet launches but then refuses to actually display any videos. I tried SlideMe but I’m sorry I found it very poor compared to Play Store – I managed to download Lookout security but it doesn’t have Tango or Skype, or the ICS keyboard which is much better than the installed one etc; Opera Mini, which I had running before, seemed to download OK from SlideMe but crashes absolutely every time it’s used, unlike Play Store download. Can anyone help? I know my way around a PC but this is my first tablet and so I've tried to include background info as to what I did that might be relevant. It’s so frustrating to have it ‘break’ like this – please help me to get it back! Thanks.

[Trashcooky]

It sounds as if you might have deleted/uninstalled something the tablet relies on.
Presumably you carried out a reset by entering recovery mode (i.e. powered up holding down volume + whilst pressing power and waiting till you got recovery mode screen?)

You could try clearing the Google cache which may help, otherwise I can't think what.

If you have done a full recovery and you don't have a systyem backup to restore from then you may need to consider more drastic measures like flashing a new rom, but that is not for the fainthearted and if you don't do it correctly you could end up with a tablet that won't work at all.

[colell]

Thanks for responding. Actually I did a reset originally from the System Settings menu Backup&Rest, Factory data reset, which is where I saw it. After posting, continuing to work on the problem, I followed the procedure using the Home and Power buttons from the Storage Options website, but unfortunately that hasn't worked either. I can set up my Google account and Play Store launches and I can get right through to the download starting but then it doesn't finish; the pre-installed YouTube app opens and I can search or browse as much as I want to but actually clicking on a video to play it just gives me the downloading circle. E-mail works.

[Trashcooky]

Bit of a long shot but here goes. Have you got Flash installed? If you can't download from Google play then you will need to find another way of getting it onto your tablet - perhaps by sideloading from your PC.
You also won't do any harm by installing Adobe Air - if you don't already have it - as many apps and internet services require both these to be on your tablet to work properly. It goes without saying that these need to be android versions - not the same as the Windows ones.

[colell]

According to Manage apps, I have Flash Player version 11.1.115.6 installed. I didn't download it at any point, so it must have been there from the outset, presumably both when Play Store was working originally and now when it's not? Is it all diagnostic that it's not just Play Store won't work but YouTube videos won't play even though I can search and browse?

[Trashcooky]

According to Manage apps, I have Flash Player version 11.1.115.6 installed. I didn't download it at any point, so it must have been there from the outset, presumably both when Play Store was working originally and now when it's not? Is it all diagnostic that it's not just Play Store won't work but YouTube videos won't play even though I can search and browse?

Have you tried going to settings and clearing the cache on the Google Play app?

[colell]

I've tried that - no joy. I've also just removed my microSD card and reset just in case there was some issue there i.e. trying to recreate exactly how the tablet was when I got it. No difference unfortunately. I've also tried to push downloads from my PC in Play Store and it says they'll be installed- can you tell me if there's some way to check what's happening with that? Or is it just as simple as if it shows up as an app it's downloaded, and if it doesn't it hasn't!?

[Trashcooky]

I've tried that - no joy. I've also just removed my microSD card and reset just in case there was some issue there i.e. trying to recreate exactly how the tablet was when I got it. No difference unfortunately. I've also tried to push downloads from my PC in Play Store and it says they'll be installed- can you tell me if there's some way to check what's happening with that? Or is it just as simple as if it shows up as an app it's downloaded, and if it doesn't it hasn't!?

If an app appears in the apps folder then you can assumne that it is installed.
Have you got a file explorer ? - you can have a look around with - to see just what is there and what isn't?
If you can install Super User ( I know you can't download from Google but this is what it is https://play.google.com/store/search?q=super+user+app ) and also E.S. File explorer (same applies ... https://play.google.com/store/search?q= ... e+explorer ) If you can sideload these and grant SU permissions for E.S. File explorer then you can examine the root directory and see things like the build-prop.
You will need to know a bit about what you are looking for but these may help you see a little deeper into the tablet.

[colell]

I was able to download ES File Explorer using SlideMe. On the Local Tab there's a root folder but it says it's empty. Don't know what you mean by granting SU permissions but I checked the option to see hidden files and it still said empty. Can you tell me exactly to do to grant it SU permissions? Thanks.

Had hit Preview rather than submit and before I noticed I had managed to find a build.prop folder but when I click on it I can't see any way to copy out the info to post. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for?

[Trashcooky]

I was able to download ES File Explorer using SlideMe. On the Local Tab there's a root folder but it says it's empty. Don't know what you mean by granting SU permissions but I checked the option to see hidden files and it still said empty. Can you tell me exactly to do to grant it SU permissions? Thanks.

Had hit Preview rather than submit and before I noticed I had managed to find a build.prop folder but when I click on it I can't see any way to copy out the info to post. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for?

The only reason I suggested you install SuperUser was that it allows you to see files (using a suitable file explorer when you grant it SU permissions) and folders that would otherwise be hiden. E.S. file explorer is just one of a range of file explorers that can utilise SuperUser permissions (when granted) to explore otherwise hidden files and folders. My only reason for suggesting this was that it allows you to see deeper into your tablet than would otherwise be possible. I was not looking for anything in particular and the only reason I mentioned the build-prop was to make sure you had not managed to delete more than you bargained for when you started to strip back the installs.

Clearly, something has either been corrupted or is missing but I am no wiser than you are at the moment as to what that might be. I will be unavailable for the next few days due to other committments but hopefully someone more skilled than I can help you in the meantime. If only Storage Options would release the stock firmware then all you would need to do is reflash it but they simply won't offer any such support.

Hope you have success in getting it working properly.