Should I update my Asus pad before rooting or not at all? - Eee Pad Transformer Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I just ordered a refurbished Asus tablet (the 16 gig one) from Tiger Direct and it says it will come with Honeycomb 3.0.
Now I looked around the message boards at the different rooting methods and its all much different then what I'm used to with rooting android phones.
I don't plan on putting new roms on the tablet, just other things like downloaded apps without going through the market.
Should I do the OTA update first before rooting or just root and not update? And which method is the easiest root method?
also to put apps on the tablet that say I downloaded from a website, does the tablet have to be rooted for that or not?
Sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to mess this up.

You don't need to be rooted to side load app, just make sure to allow "unknown source".
Settings> Applications> check the box to allow unknown source.
Personally i would upgrade even if you decide not to root.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

as baseballfanz said, you can download sideapps by checking a certain option in the settings menu... But you are right, some apps requiere a rooted device, thats often the case with apps that change bootanimation, theme and so on... But you do know that you loose warranty if you root your device?

Yes I do. I am not interested in changing the themes and boot animation and all that yet. Just thought that any apps installed outside the market could only be done by rooting.

Related

Nextbook Next7 and Next6 Custom ROM's

I am hoping to get a custom ROM made for both the Next6 and Next7, so if anyone would like to help here are the factory ROM's.
http://www.multiupload.com/6BY8BVS5BJ---Next7's Factory ROM
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7V8MNSFI---Next6's Factory ROM
Right now my friend and I are working on making the Next6 have a full read/write partition with permanent root access.
I'm interested. The Next6 is on sale at Big Lots for $149...
I'm looking to pick one up. Please keep m posted!
TinkerToyTommy said:
I'm interested. The Next6 is on sale at Big Lots for $149...
I'm looking to pick one up. Please keep m posted!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here...
subscribed
I just got mine yesterday and subscribed to this thread. Please keep us informed.
Li'm currently counting down the minutes till biglots opens. in a rush to cash my check, and grab my new cheapo tablet, to be home in time to go to my kids dr appointment.
anyone got a full list of specs on the next6?
EDIT: z4root works perfectly. Now I'm waiting on this ota firmware update to download.
It feels sluggish compared to my hd2 but I expected that. But it does render HD video quite nicely. Rooting was a breeze, and if you pick it up at biglots, be sure to splurge 15 extra for an 8gb SD card.
I spoke to the company today because my OTA has been trying to download for 2 days.
Apparently the OTA only changes the Boarder Books to a different carries since Boarders is closed. IT DOES NOT UPGRADE THE FIRMWARE OR OS.
Please let us know of any ROMS available on this device that would be very helpful.
nathonix said:
Li'm currently counting down the minutes till biglots opens. in a rush to cash my check, and grab my new cheapo tablet, to be home in time to go to my kids dr appointment.
anyone got a full list of specs on the next6?
EDIT: z4root works perfectly. Now I'm waiting on this ota firmware update to download.
It feels sluggish compared to my hd2 but I expected that. But it does render HD video quite nicely. Rooting was a breeze, and if you pick it up at biglots, be sure to splurge 15 extra for an 8gb SD card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you able to get a perminent root with z4root? I could only get a temporary root to work. What tools to use for a perminent solution
Got my next6 a day ago. Thanks all for the BigLots tip.
i think the way the image is stored on the tablet you'll have to flash a rom that is already rooted. Im not very familiar with cooking roms but i know you'll have to use afptool to unpack the image make the changes recreate the crc for the image and repack it.
From what I've been able to glean from frantic web searching, the system partition is cramfs and is read only. Temporary root only.
Also, its possible to access the recovery menu using adb reboot recovery, but its not of much use since the thing only has two dpad buttons.
Sent from my HD2
Next 6
I am very interested in this also ; I have tried to run some of the next 2 & 3 roms on this device (and they boot) but they don't really work right (IE: the touch screen doesn't work)
hopefully we can get this going!
i've got the rom dumped, just having a spot of bother mounting a cramfs file under ubuntu.
since i've last posted i found out a bit more about the hardware involved, and how its more or less a generic 7 inch rockchip tablet, minus a few buttons, which means a good majority of the work has already been done.
Required Reading for those interested;
http://wiki.archosfans.com/index.php?title=Dump_your_Home_Tablet_rom_and_create_a_custom_rom
bit of difference is the rkupdater program doesn't work unless you can get the tab into a flasher mode of some sort. However, if you just drop the update.img in the sdcard root and insert the card while the tab is running, it seems to kick into the updater properly.
hold down the right hand arrow
with the Pad turned off hold the right hand arrow to put the tablet into update mode ; then you can use the RKAndroidBatchUpgrade.exe..... (you do need the USB driver - found on the first page of the next2 next3 thread)
orignialpost said:
kentisevil said:
with the Pad turned off hold the right hand arrow to put the tablet into update mode ; then you can use the RKAndroidBatchUpgrade.exe..... (you do need the USB driver - found on the first page of the next2 next3 thread)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks. figured out through trial and error if i held both facebuttons and hit the reset while it was plugged up, it'd get into update mode.
your way needs less buttons. still at a loss because while i can dump the update.img and extract it, i cant seem to open up the system.img inside of it.
any suggestions? i pulled it using rkdump.
EDIT: nvm got it, had to pull the system.img from the device separately and add it back to update.img
long story short, i've got market, will be working on root next.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here ya go, (Next6)regular rom + market, still haven't got root worked out quite yet.
is this for the next6 or 7?
Oh I see now this is a rom for a next6
Next6 Base rom for editing
heres a stock copy of update.img with an editable system.img if you feel like adding your own apps or customizing it a bit further.
happy modding
I got one of these bad boys today and its a pretty decent little fellow.
I think with a root and well made custom rom it can really shine.
EDIT, does anyone know a way to change the icons they used? I dont really care for them because they look warped and garrish. I did manage to replace the launcher with launcherPro, "adw would crash and default to a debug launcher".
Also does anyone know how one could update SAM? Can I just reinstall the apk and it replace teh factory installed one? Also is there any better marketplaces than SAM? It seems kinda limited and lacking.
I was wondering if it's possible to upgrade the next6 from 2.1 to 2.2/3~
I'm not requesting it or anything as I personally don't know anything about android or how the next6's rom works.
Thanks
I believe it has to be rooted before you can upgrade the firmware to another version.
Also I have noticed a issue with the custom rom above. I cannot download any apps on the marketplace for some reason. Anyone know how I could clear its cache or reset this device?
EDIT: If I do a "factory reset" though the privacy section in settings, it seems to fix the market. Of course this completely wipes the device, also the market seems to break the same way again, extremely easily.
Basically you can download a few apps, go to the homescreen, then come back to find that you magically cannot download ANY applications. Ive tried killing the market app using the advance task manager, ive tried clearing the markets cache, and even restarting the device. The only thing that works is completely restoring the device. I am hoping that you will be able to fix it, or tell me how to fix it. XD
I installed the following applications. Not sure if this matters, but it seems like market breaks when I make ADW the default launcher.
ADW Launcher
Nook
Also I have a SD card in the unit.
EDIT:
I have rooted out the cause of the problem, changing the default homescreen/launcher seems to screw with market. So while you can install and use another launcher, you CANNOT set it as the default without it screwing up the android market.
EDIT:
Humm, well color me confused, because last night I managed to switch the home launcher without it interfearing with market. But this morning when I booted up the device I could not download any applications. Could it be possible that it is deleting key files when I restart the device?

[Q] Package file is invalid...

Hello all.
I am new here and posted in the General folder because it wouldn't let me post in the android folder. My phone started doing this 2 months ago. Originally it started when I downloaded an app and then I got a window pop up and said 'Package file is invalid'. Now I am on my 3rd Triumph (returned for other issues) and the problem is still around. It seems like the problem follows my gmail account around. I only get this error with some of the apps. I need to know how to remedy this issue. I have read the other thread about this problem here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=674725
and it lost me after the fourth post.
Phone info:
My Triumph is fresh out of the box ( just got another one yesterday, 10/1).
Dont know what ROM I am using.
Not rooted ( and dont want to void any warranties)
If you need other info, just let me know.
Most of the things mentioned in that post regard a modified rom, which you probably don't have (in other words, "my phone is stock"). The biggest question is whether you have tried restarting your phone lately.
The second biggest question? Where are you installing your apps from? If from the market, here are my troubleshooting recommendations. If not, correct me here or feel free to PM me.
Market acts goofy on the Triumph, and for that I blame Android. Try going into Settings> Applications> Manage and go to Market (usually under Running apps). Clear cache and force close, then see if the problem continues. Second time around, clear cache and clear data and force close, and try again. If problems still persist, uninstall all your updates and then see what your phone does.
I rather like the old Market because it didn't have that overpriced junk in it. Either way that refresh might be necessary.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
I have not restarted the phone lately mainly because I just got a new one yesterday.
I use only the market to download apps.
I did all the things you said in the order you said them and I am now running the old market but it still doesn't let me download certain apps. With the old market the pop-up window doesn't say 'package file is invalid' it now says 'Download was unsuccessful, please try...' and I cant see the whole error message.
I haven't been using the Market long enough to know the one. I am new to the android game.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=674725
There is that way, but you will be breaking your warranty, since you need CWM and neeed to be rooted
Other Ways:
Go to settings, then applications, then go to market, uninstall updates(if you have)
or
Get titanium Backup(if you can), uninstall market, pull the Vending apk from http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=320287&d=1272913729 inside /system/apps, put on SD Card, and install it.
If titanium backup wont(MAYBE NOT FULLY SURE) let you uninstall, then you need to be rooted.
Absolute Last Option that probably won't do much good is, factory reset.
Titanium Backup requires root anyway. Becoming rooted isn't hard, as long as you can download and run the app Gingerbreak 1.2. It isn't on the market, of course.
Although still, I find it strange you cannot just open certain apps. Are there any specific ones that do or don't work?
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Yeah! If you use Gingerbreak V1.2, you can root, then unroot when you are done, they will never see it was rooted. ANYWAYS, they never check if your rooted when you return or exchange a smartphone, not even Virgin Mobile checks....
austrie said:
Yeah! If you use Gingerbreak V1.2, you can root, then unroot when you are done, they will never see it was rooted. ANYWAYS, they never check if your rooted when you return or exchange a smartphone, not even Virgin Mobile checks....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got into crap with Best Buy because they checked, actually So yes, I would recommend getting rid of as many traces as possible... but yes, Gingerbreak is the meanest and cleanest method available on any of the three VM Android phones. At least, as of now.
They check WTH!?!?! What did they check for/what did you change?
I highly doubt that they dont check to see if someone did something to their phone that would void the warranty. Nevertheless I would like to not root the phone at least until I am sure I am keeping this one.
austrie said:
They check WTH!?!?! What did they check for/what did you change?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The convo went something like...
"Your last phone was rooted. We can't get money for rooted phones."
"Um, I can un-root it then."
"No, we already accepted it."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] What does it need ...

Hola,
I had a similar issue with the xoom before and finally went through unlock, root etc. fine but it looks like its not all the same with the transformer?
I bought the transformer in china today as I need a tablet plus keyboard next week. The issue I have (same like I had with the XOOM before) manufacturers seem to unable GMAIL-Accounts on tablets purchased in china, which makes it impossible to dl apps from the market.
Please believe me this is not a chinese authoritites issue as the XOOM is working flawlessly here now.
The accounts page under settings does not contain any GMAIL option, there just is CORPORATE or EMAIL and to configure any gmail account wont be successfully connected.
I know I could dl apps anywhere but I do want to use my tablet with an GMAIL-account. So what do I have to do for that? Unlock only? Unlock and unroot? Can I follow just on those
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14813252&postcount=52/
post?
specifications:
Transformer TF101
Android version 3.2.1 [email protected]#1
Kernel version 2.6.36.3
Build number HTK75CN_epad-8.6.5.19-20111107
--
Regards Michael
Random guess but maybe flash a custom ROM if possible?
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
haha i dont think its a random guess
well as I read in any of those threads why ever MOTOROLA etc make its so difficult just even to access the market but it keeps pushing me to try APPLE one day.
I am sick of reading so many posts and having to over come so many small issues just to use a gadget as it is supposed to be...
anyway I thought there would be an market enabler or something like as I dont want any fancy thing at this time.
stuck in a rebooting screen as I followed on that one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14813252&postcount=52
--
Regards
Use this guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1347388
- edit: I thought GMail app was not possible on crApple...

"To Root or not to Root?" that's the question...

I don't want to know how to root, I can find my answer for that on Google, however what I don't get is what it does...
I know it unlocks the device somehow, but can't I simply access everything in the system if I compile android from source and install it on the device?
I have downloaded the android source and I believe I can access every possible thing, so why is rooting needed?
If I install an app as a system app, won't it automatically have the permissions to do what I need it to do?
AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
If you have a new phone and want to install one of the many custom ROMs around, you simply need a rooted phone.
A custom ROM is in easy terms a custom made User Interface for the phone.
There is lot more complicated stuff going on under the hood, but in general you change the look and feel of you phone's UI.
The phone has to be rooted, because the manufacturers and net providers around pack a lot of useless crap called "bloatware" (like Samsung Shop and Samsung Play and Samsung Sing and Dance and Music and whatnot) on your phone, which often makes it slower than it can be without it.
But naturally the big corps don't want you to be able to get rid of that **** too easily, which is why you don't have access to the system folders as a normal user.
I guess in your case it's possible that you (if you compiled android from source and installed it on your device) so to say have an already rooted phone, since Android itself is rooted by default. Like I said, the manufacturers are the ones to unroot Android in order to dictate which apps their customers might or might not use.
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
meh, hope that helped a bit at least...
root- you would love to do it after reading this..
Root? what is it?
it is what i call full access to our phone, flash new roms, have dual boot (example- you can have to os like ics and JB), can access the evasive /data folder which holdes the apk/setups of apps installed from playstore and many other things..
If you are concerned about warranty you can unroot your phone and give in your phone for warranty. i have given my phone for warranty like this.
The most important thing i like about root is that i can fix my phone myself (if it is a software problem). any other question please ask, and i will answer it.
Thanks if helped!
I don't have the time for development anymore. I used to play with stuff like that years ago, but life has taken me away from it. I'd still like to be able to access everything on my phone and play with custom roms, and root lets me do that. The end consumer comment is a good one.
As for to root or not root, I tell most people who ask me to root for them what they use their phone for and explain what they would get out of rooting, and explain the risks involved. Seems that people who understand what rooting does are able to do it themselves, and the ones that ask you to do it for them usually decide against it after hearing "there is a tiny chance that your phone could get bricked" lol
If you just want to play emulators etc, how would you benefit from rooting?
IMO rooting is very useful if you want to keep touching system things in a stock rom, optimizing and debloating it, installing other people ROMs, etc... I believe that if you compile your own flavour of android and find no restriction doing whatever you want, you don't need to.
Android phone without root is nothing
McFex said:
AFAIK rooting is for the people you'd call the end user/consumer or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good:
McFex said:
But I'm a noob and am not sure how you would install Android on your phone if it's new (and unrooted by default?) if you haven't rooted it before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some phones can just be flashed (for example via usb) which gives you full control, others can be cracked.

I have VTech Kidibuzz that I want to root to Android... is it possible?

The VTech Kidibuzz is a faux smartphone device that apparently is meant to be a kid's first "smartphone" while still being safe I guess. From what I can gather though, it's just an Android wifi-enabled tablet running some specific VTech stuff on it. I want to try to root it to see if I can flash custom firmware on it. Does anyone know if this would be possible, or if it's done before?
I haven't been able to find a way to access dev mode or any hidden settings, but it does interface with computers via USP or apparently SD card?
Alkalinology said:
The VTech Kidibuzz is a faux smartphone device that apparently is meant to be a kid's first "smartphone" while still being safe I guess. From what I can gather though, it's just an Android wifi-enabled tablet running some specific VTech stuff on it. I want to try to root it to see if I can flash custom firmware on it. Does anyone know if this would be possible, or if it's done before?
I haven't been able to find a way to access dev mode or any hidden settings, but it does interface with computers via USP or apparently SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can "enable custom apps" which basically means install the amazon appstore from the "Parents" account -> Device Settings -> Get More Apps but more importantly you can enable unknown sources from More Apps settings and from there you can download an APK Downloader or use the built in web browser to download any app you want. You can get a hidden settings apk and view the normal android settings menus but when I tried to enable developer settings in there it didn't work , I 'm still trying to figure out how to get the Play Store to work properly on it. You can read/write user files over USB. . I'm still ****ing around with it though.
I think it is definitely rootable and easily exploitable, the OS (atleast on my model) was signed using test keys, meaning you can replace any system apk's with your own, I unfortunately cannot test this as curious as I am because the one I am playing around with right now is a Christmas present and I cannot afford to take the risk of bricking/breaking it. I was just trying to get things like Google Play and Hulu working.

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