Server error launching Google Play store When I start the Google Play store, I get a white page with the message
&quot;Server error&quot; and a &quot;retry&quot; button.
logcat tells me:
03-07 11:31:29.148: E/Volley(7984): [13] BasicNetwork.performRequest: Unexpected response code 400 for https://android.clients.google.com/vending/api/ApiRequest  
03-07 11:31:29.156: D/Finsky(7984): [1] 2.onErrorResponse: Metadata failed: com.android.volley.ServerError  

But the internet browser and youtube both work fine.
I found the advice to remove my google account and recreate it.  It doesn't let me remove it because it says the account is used and I should do a factory reset instead.  Of course, all my data would be cleared.
I cannot install any backup app because play store doesn't work.  So no factory reset for now.
I tried to create a new google account but it fails.  It waits a while with the message &quot;Your phone needs to communicate with Google servers to set up your account.  This may take up to five minutes.&quot;, then &quot;Can't establish a reliable data connection to the server.&quot;.
I tried to clear the data of Google Play Store and Google Services Framework and power the device off and on.
Is it some known problem?  Anything else I can try?
I am on Android 2.3.6, Play Store displays build 3.4.7
PS: While checking the build version, Play Store crashed unexpectedly.  Probably because of previous errors.
When I randomly get server errors from Google Play, I usually resolve by removing /etc/hosts file (a rooted phone and an ap like Root Explorer is needed). Sometimes I have to reboot the phone, sometimes it works straight away.

Tip: To be sure avoiding system breaks and soft bricks (for how unlikely it is doing this operation), instead of removing the file rename it to something else, so that you can restore it back if needed.