mobile

Hello.
I enjoy my Nexus 7 2012 (Wi-Fi 32GB) tablet very much, when it is working properly and, unfortunately, that hasn't been often for some time. Android 5.02 helped a bit and the tablet is currently running 5.1 from a OTA update, which seemed to help a bit more. Android 5.1.1 has been mentioned however, I am not sure my issues will be helped by an update. For this reason, I am here to ask for advice or suggestions as to what I should do next (if anything!)

My first issue was the battery. The battery only lasts four hours per charge and since it is the original from 2012, I have ordered a new one and am awaiting its arrival. This tablet was a gift and whatever warranty it had has most likely expired so I am not concerned about invalidating a warranty. I hope that a new battery will make a big difference.

However, it is the second problem that is really annoying. The screen on my tablet freezes often, in any program and at any time. After charging the tablet, I've learned that it is best to restart the tablet to prolong the amount of time before the tablet freezes for the first time. Reading an article, for example, is a problem as I can read the first page but when it is time to slide the screen up to scroll to the next page, I am at risk of the screen freezing and it definitely freezes before page three. When typing a comment on Facebook or Twitter, etc. either they keyboard freezes while typing or if I can type the comment, the screen freezes before I can press the send key. I have other ways that are less portable to access these types of programs however, portability is the reason for a tablet. Using the tablet as a reader, I usually do not have any problems swiping page to page for usually as long as I'd like (although the swiping motion is a potential problem outside of the reading app.)

I backed up the tablet just prior to the 5.1 update and reset it to factory settings and for almost a week the difference was amazing. However, even with 5.1, the tablet is back to freezing again. Regarding the 32 GB internal storage; the actual available space after the OS is 28.17 GB and my available 23.90 GB. Due to the tablet's lack of response, I only reloaded a small number of apps and then, with the screen freezing multiple times in the four hours the battery allows, I uninstalled even more apps to get where I am now; I have never exceeded 50% at any time. In a browser, I often have more than one window open, yet it is the only program open. Sometimes, Facebook and Messenger are open at the same time but not always. If I get an incoming update, such as CNN, etc. if I open that for a few minutes, I'm risking another freeze. I am continuously aware of what programs are open and close them with the bottom square icon on my tablet. I have two frequent errors: SYSTEM UI is closing down and the Process System is closing down and they happen often. I am using Nova Launcher and the other Launcher on the tablet has been force stopped. I should probably note that I did the cache cleaning process two different times before I reset the tablet to factory settings.

Would going to something like the Cyanogen Mod be of assistance with this situation? There is an Official CM12 Mod available for this tablet however, the article I am referencing is from January 2015, written by Vinod Yalburgi titled, "Update Nexus 7 2012 (grouper) to Android 5.0.2 with CyanogenMod 12 official ROM." The tablet is already at 5.1 though and, as you have surmised correctly, I am not fluent in Mods of any type so I am unable to determine which mod is the best in this situation or if a mod is not going to be the right answer. I am open to rooting the tablet; the huge benefit I'd appreciate is the ease of creating a full back-up.

Is there another, more appropriate solution? My main concern is that if I wait for Lollipop 5.11, whenever that might be, it will not improve the issue with the screen freezing and I will have waited longer and ultimately gotten nowhere. Going back to KitKat 4.4 as I have read others have done is not appealing but if is the best solution . . .

Thank you for your patience with all of these details. I am hoping that with this info and all of the experience here, you can help me move in the right direction. Your time and any and all of your helpful suggestions are appreciated! This tablet can still work very well and as it was a gift, I want to make it work (on the days I do not want to hit it with a hammer!)

CShirey