Archos Cobalt Series - User Manual

Cobalt Series
How to reinitialize my ARCHOS 55 Cobalt Plus ?
This process is recommended for your device if : it is frozen, it
doesn’t turn on or you are experiencing a software issue. It will allow you
to perform a low level format on your device. Thus all the data will be
deleted, you won't be able to retrieve them. We strongly recommend to
back them up first. Keep in mind that your device’s battery must be
charged enough to perform this operation.
Since Android™ 5.0, your device is linked to your Google™ account. If you
reset your device from the recovery menu (method 2), you will have to set
the same Google™ account you filled in the last wizard. If you reset your
device in order to resell it, please use the method 1.
1. If you can have access to the Android™ interface
a. Select the Settings app then select Backup & reset > Factory data
reset
b. To delete music, photos and other user data, you must erase the
internal SD card. Tick "Erase phone storage"
c. Select "Reset phone" and confirm
2. If you can’t access the Android™ interface
a. Turn off the device by using ON/OFF
b. While holding Volume - press ON/OFF until the device turns on
c. On the select boot mode screen, use Volume - to select "Recovery
mode" and confirm with Volume +
d. When the green robot is displayed, hold ON/OFF then press Volume
+ once
Use the volume buttons to navigate and ON/OFF to validate.
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Summary

How to reinitialize my ARCHOS 55 Cobalt Plus

Accessing Android Interface

Steps for factory data reset via Android settings, including erasing phone storage.

Accessing Recovery Mode

Steps to turn off the device and enter recovery mode using hardware buttons.

Overview

1. Method 1: If you can access the Android™ interface
2. Method 2: If you can't access the Android™ interface
3. General Considerations for Reinitialization

This document outlines the process for reinitializing an ARCHOS 55 Cobalt Plus device, a procedure often referred to as a factory reset. This action is typically performed when the device is experiencing significant software issues, such as freezing, failing to turn on, or other persistent software malfunctions. The reinitialization process performs a low-level format of the device, which means all data stored on the device will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that users back up all important data before proceeding with this operation. Additionally, the device's battery must be sufficiently charged to ensure the process completes without interruption.

A critical aspect of this reinitialization process, particularly for devices running Android™ 5.0 or later, is its connection to the user's Google™ account. If the device is reset using the recovery menu (Method 2), the user will be required to log in with the same Google™ account that was previously associated with the device during its initial setup. This security feature is designed to prevent unauthorized access to a device after it has been reset. If the user intends to resell the device, it is advised to use Method 1, which allows for a more complete dissociation from the Google™ account.

The document provides two distinct methods for reinitializing the ARCHOS 55 Cobalt Plus, catering to different scenarios of device accessibility.

Method 1: If you can access the Android™ interface

This method is applicable when the device is still functional enough for the user to navigate through its operating system.

• Function Description: This method allows users to initiate a factory data reset directly from the device's settings menu. It's a user-friendly approach for devices that are still partially operational but experiencing software glitches.
• Usage Features:
  • Accessing Settings: The user begins by selecting the "Settings" application on the device. This is the standard entry point for most device configurations and maintenance tasks.
  • Navigating to Backup & reset: Within the Settings menu, the user then navigates to the "Backup & reset" option. This section typically contains options related to data backup, restoration, and device resets.
  • Selecting Factory data reset: The next step involves selecting "Factory data reset." This option clearly indicates the intent to return the device to its original factory state.
  • Erasing Internal SD Card (Optional but Recommended): To ensure a complete data wipe, especially for personal media like music and photos, the user must tick the "Erase phone storage" option. This ensures that not only system data but also user-generated content on the internal storage is deleted.
  • Confirming the Reset: Finally, the user selects "Reset phone" and confirms the action. This confirmation step is crucial to prevent accidental data loss.
• Maintenance Features: This method serves as a primary maintenance feature for resolving software issues without requiring advanced technical skills or external tools. It ensures a clean slate for the device, often resolving persistent bugs, performance slowdowns, and application crashes. By erasing all user data and settings, it can restore the device to a state similar to when it was first purchased, improving overall stability and responsiveness.

Method 2: If you can't access the Android™ interface

This method is designed for situations where the device is completely unresponsive or unable to boot into the Android™ operating system, requiring access to the device's recovery mode.

• Function Description: This method enables users to perform a factory reset even when the device is severely malfunctioning and the Android™ interface is inaccessible. It leverages the device's hardware buttons to enter a special recovery environment.
• Usage Features:
  • Turning Off the Device: The first step is to ensure the device is completely powered off using the ON/OFF button. This provides a clean starting point for entering recovery mode.
  • Entering Boot Mode: While holding the Volume - button, the user presses the ON/OFF button until the device turns on. This specific button combination is a common method for accessing boot options or recovery mode on many Android devices.
  • Selecting Recovery Mode: On the "select boot mode" screen, the user utilizes the Volume - button to navigate and select "Recovery mode." The selection is then confirmed by pressing the Volume + button. The use of volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection is a standard interface in recovery environments.
  • Accessing Recovery Menu: Once the green Android robot is displayed, the user holds the ON/OFF button and then presses the Volume + button once. This specific sequence is often required to reveal the hidden recovery menu options after entering recovery mode.
  • Navigating and Validating: Throughout the recovery menu, the volume buttons are used to navigate through the available options, and the ON/OFF button is used to validate or select an option. This consistent control scheme simplifies interaction within the recovery environment.
  • Wiping Data/Factory Reset: Within the recovery menu, the user selects "Wipe data/factory reset" to initiate the data wipe process. This is the core action for resetting the device.
  • Confirming Data Deletion: The user then selects "Yes -- delete all user data" and validates this choice. This step explicitly confirms the user's intent to erase all personal data.
  • Rebooting the System: Finally, the user selects "Reboot system now" and validates to restart the device, allowing it to boot back into the newly reset Android™ operating system.
• Maintenance Features: This method is an advanced maintenance feature crucial for recovering a device from severe software failures, such as boot loops, corrupted operating systems, or persistent freezing that prevents access to the standard Android™ interface. It provides a last-resort solution to restore device functionality when other troubleshooting steps fail. By allowing access to a recovery environment independent of the main operating system, it offers a powerful tool for system repair and data sanitation, ensuring the device can be brought back to a usable state.

General Considerations for Reinitialization:

• Data Loss Warning: Both methods emphasize that all data will be deleted and cannot be retrieved. This is a critical warning that users must heed, reinforcing the importance of prior data backup.
• Battery Charge Requirement: The instruction to ensure the device's battery is sufficiently charged is vital for preventing the device from powering off during the reinitialization process, which could lead to further system corruption.
• Google Account Linkage: The document highlights the security feature introduced with Android™ 5.0, where a device reset via recovery mode requires re-entry of the previously linked Google™ account. This is an important security measure to deter theft and unauthorized use. For users intending to resell their device, Method 1 is recommended to properly dissociate the device from their Google™ account.
• Troubleshooting Recovery Access: A note on the second page advises that if a user fails to access the recovery menu, they should start the process again from the beginning. This acknowledges that entering recovery mode can sometimes be tricky and may require multiple attempts.

In summary, this manual provides comprehensive instructions for performing a factory reset on the ARCHOS 55 Cobalt Plus, covering both scenarios where the Android™ interface is accessible and where it is not. It clearly outlines the steps, the implications of the process (especially regarding data loss and Google™ account linkage), and the necessary precautions, making it an essential guide for maintaining and troubleshooting the device.

Archos Cobalt Series Specifications