amicable wrote:ok so i got livesuit..but need cwm first to put on tablet to make a back up? 2.3.4 ,base band v1.6, build 97F1-D1-H1-H01-1291-20111128, kernal 2.6.36
OK then this is where you have to decide how brave you really are.
You can can work with this thread
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=1800&hilit=How+to+get+CWM+on+the+EXCEL#p12958 which warns against using it with Excels with firmware: 97F2-D1-H1-H01-1748.20120307 which is later than yours. Yours appears to be a 2011 model.
However, you must accept that there are always risks and there are no guarantees once you start tinkering with flashing firmware. However, I doubt that you will want to go back to Gingerbread once you have tried ICS on the Excel anyway, especially Suggsy89's optimised custom rom for ICS 4.0.3 and the update zip to ICS 4.0.4
But be warned if anything goes wrong it can seriously break your tablet, although fortunately the Allwinner A10 processor can be booted from a usb connection so there are usually ways back but before you start you must be prepared to accept the risk of possibly breaking your tablet and turning it into an expensive brick.
You only really need to get CWM on your Excel using the method shown in the links above if you think you might ever want to go back to Gingerbread, as by flashing Suggsy89's 4.0.3 ROM using livesuite gives you CWM anyway as Suggsy has included it in the 4.0.3 firmware. However, you may wish to backup all your apps (unless they are easily re-downloadable) using Titanium Backup
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... WNrdXAiXQ.. (requires root but I believe your model Excel came rooted straight from the box)
In fact just to make sure you are rooted best to carry out this simple test. Firstly dowload and install an app from Playstore called Superuser (SU):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... 2lkLnN1Il0.
Then download and install android terminal emulator:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... HRlcm0iXQ.. When both are installed run terminal emulator and when you see the command prompt, type su and then enter/return.
If the $ sign changes to a # sign then the tablet is rooted. if your tablet is rooted then you can proceed along your chosen path.
Should you choose not to backup your Gingerbread ROM first then there is one available which appears to be slightly earlier than yours - 97F1-D1-H1-H01-1291-20111122 in the unlikely event you want to go back to GB - or alternatively get CWM on your tablet first and make your own backup first which you can store seperately (i.e. on your main PC)
Once you have read enough to be happy in using Livesuite then use this thread to download the necessary files.
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=3012&start=20#p24501Have a look at this as it explains almost everything you need to know:
http://tinyurl.com/7gq44mfI almost forgot, in order to be able to use livesuite you ned to turn on usb debugging on your tablet. Go to settings/Developer Options/ USB debugging - put a tick in the box.
Good hunting and happy hacking.