Database Info

[Q] What's the deal really? (Unlocking Bootloader)

Can anyone definitively explain the reason why some can and some can not unlock their bootloader? I've searched all over the forums and see reasons the span from left to right. I typically just lurk in the background and figure out methods to install custom ROMS on my own, but this unlocking situation is starting to chap my my arse. I've been trying for about two weeks to use the ASUS tool, but it ain't working for me.....I keep getting the same connection message that other's are getting.
Anybody got a good answer or an even better solution?

From what I've read it seems to be because of their method to track who unlocks. It takes your serial number and then they know so they can void the warranty. However a certain amount of numbers also got put on that list. So when you go to use it it doesn't work because it's only a one time deal to prevent from relocking /unlocking. I'm not 100% sure on this because there isn't really any information available but that's what I've heard from a bit of looking around.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium

All I did was download the apk from asus and installed on my tablet and bam unlocked the tablet took 5 minutes if that. What methods are you doing?

Ok so I found this looking around.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1669328
That thread seems to show/explain a lot. Plus maybe reading it will stop double posting.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium

Yeah, saw that post. Tried it too......nada. I've got a C30KCT S/N too.

Just curious for those of you that have successfully unlocked your tablet.....did you happen to register your device's S/N with ASUS?

No registering necessary. Just go here:
http://usa.asus.com/Tablet/Transformer_Pad/ASUS_Transformer_Pad_TF300T/#download
choose android as your OS and click on Utilities and download the Global link and transfer that apk file to your tablet and run it. You should be be unlocked after running the program and following the on screen instructions.

vel0city said:
No registering necessary. Just go here:
http://usa.asus.com/Tablet/Transformer_Pad/ASUS_Transformer_Pad_TF300T/#download
choose android as your OS and click on Utilities and download the Global link and transfer that apk file to your tablet and run it. You should be be unlocked after running the program and following the on screen instructions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app you just told people to download is the same one that isn't working. The problem they're having with the app is that they get a network error when they run the app. The error is because the user's serial number isn't in the Asus database. This wouldn't be a big deal if you could just tell Asus and ask them to fix it. Unfortunately, the instant you run the app, you lose your warranty, so when you tell them that you ran the app and it didn't work, they tell you you're out of a warranty, and they can't help you.
The only solution anyone's found so far is to keep trying and hope Asus adds your serial to their database.

EndlessDissent said:
The app you just told people to download is the same one that isn't working. The problem they're having with the app is that they get a network error when they run the app. The error is because the user's serial number isn't in the Asus database. This wouldn't be a big deal if you could just tell Asus and ask them to fix it. Unfortunately, the instant you run the app, you lose your warranty, so when you tell them that you ran the app and it didn't work, they tell you you're out of a warranty, and they can't help you.
The only solution anyone's found so far is to keep trying and hope Asus adds your serial to their database.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up did not know that I guess my friends and I have been lucky then unlocking our bootloaders I mean I unlocked and rooted about 10 tablets and didnt come across this lol.

Yeah, the problem first got attention when a bunch of people weren't getting OTA notifications. Some folks went to devicetracker.asus.com and entered their serial numbers and were told that the serial number was invalid. These same people got tired of waiting for the OTA and decided to just unlock their tablets and install custom ROMs. Unfortunately, they just got a network error. Someone, at some point, called Asus support about the OTA and was told about the database problem. Apparently, it hasn't been completely fixed yet. Eventually, I think, most people either got their OTAs and/or the unlocker started working. There were also reports that downgrading to .17 and doing a factory reset solved the problem for some people but not others. Other people said that clearing data for certain services made it work, but not everyone got that to work, either. The only options you have are to either wait or return the tablet and hope the replacement doesn't have the same problem.

So, if you've received OTA's and registered with device tracker it'd be a safe bet they have you in the their db, right?

Yup. I meet both criteria and just unlocked successfully.

Unable to unlock, registered through Asus

I apologize, I do realize that several threads have been posted in regards to this matter; however, I have not seen any clear answers or solid consensus to what one should do with this issue. I bought my tablet at the beginning of January at Office Max ( live in USA) and almost immediately registered through Asus website. I have heard mixed reviews to whether or not registering has proved useful, but I can say that it has not for me. I have tried unlocking almost everyday since I bought the device. I have contacted Asus several times via telephone and email and have received a different response to the matter everytime. I would rather not RMA the device, as I use it for college; however, I will if I have to. I have also heard mixed reviews in regards to those who have RMA'd their devices and several have stated that they were still unable to unlock after receiving the device back... I am also unable to download OTA updates through the device which does lead me to believe that there is an issue with the MAC address, but I am not certain in that thinking. This issue has of course been frustrating, and honestly I am looking to others for answers, as I said I really only want to RMA the device if I truly have to..... Thanks for your time.

Hello Hammersuit,
I am experiencing the same troubles with a (german) TF300T, delivered with version WW V10.4.2.18.
I downloaded the ASUS "Unlock Device App" from the ASUS site. Any unlock procedure results in an "unknown network error. please try again later". So I registered my device and kept it online for some days (as sugested here). This did not work either, so I contacted the ASUS support asking to check the SN and Wifi mac.
The answer was, that they would not support the unlocker app. But the guy was kindly enough to check their database and said everything should work fine. Also I should use the latest Firmware.
The TF300T wouldn't auto-update the firmware, but I was able to manually update it to V10.4.2.20 (Downloaded from ASUS website, unziped once and put onto SD card. The update was immediately detected and it worked).
Status: I am running V10.4.2.20 now, but the unlock still does not work.
Edit: Just saw this thread here. I think I'll try asking ASUS to re-validate my mac as suggested.

meise said:
Hello Hammersuit,
I am experiencing the same troubles with a (german) TF300T, delivered with version WW V10.4.2.18.
I downloaded the ASUS "Unlock Device App" from the ASUS site. Any unlock procedure results in an "unknown network error. please try again later". So I registered my device and kept it online for some days (as sugested here). This did not work either, so I contacted the ASUS support asking to check the SN and Wifi mac.
The answer was, that they would not support the unlocker app. But the guy was kindly enough to check their database and said everything should work fine. Also I should use the latest Firmware.
The TF300T wouldn't auto-update the firmware, but I was able to manually update it to V10.4.2.20 (Downloaded from ASUS website, unziped once and put onto SD card. The update was immediately detected and it worked).
Status: I am running V10.4.2.20 now, but the unlock still does not work.
Edit: Just saw this thread here. I think I'll try asking ASUS to re-validate my mac as suggested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, I'll try and do the same. It really depends on who you talk to when trying to communicate with Asus unfortunately.

Hammersuit said:
Thanks for your reply, I'll try and do the same. It really depends on who you talk to when trying to communicate with Asus unfortunately.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm have the exact same issues and also manually updated to the current software revision. Unfortunately for me, it looks like Australian support requests aren't going anywhere at the moment due to the 'spring festival'.

xitrapharlax said:
I'm have the exact same issues and also manually updated to the current software revision. Unfortunately for me, it looks like Australian support requests aren't going anywhere at the moment due to the 'spring festival'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to manually update as well. This leads me to believe that our issue does lie within a faulty MAC address or S/N. I have yet to test my patience by contacting Asus again, but if you can form your question around the basis of OTA updates as opposed to unlocking the bootloader they will at least attempt to help. I think that asking them what your MAC is and possibly correcting it will be the only way to resolve this issue...

Hammersuit said:
I apologize, I do realize that several threads have been posted in regards to this matter; however, I have not seen any clear answers or solid consensus to what one should do with this issue. I bought my tablet at the beginning of January at Office Max ( live in USA) and almost immediately registered through Asus website. I have heard mixed reviews to whether or not registering has proved useful, but I can say that it has not for me. I have tried unlocking almost everyday since I bought the device. I have contacted Asus several times via telephone and email and have received a different response to the matter everytime. I would rather not RMA the device, as I use it for college; however, I will if I have to. I have also heard mixed reviews in regards to those who have RMA'd their devices and several have stated that they were still unable to unlock after receiving the device back... I am also unable to download OTA updates through the device which does lead me to believe that there is an issue with the MAC address, but I am not certain in that thinking. This issue has of course been frustrating, and honestly I am looking to others for answers, as I said I really only want to RMA the device if I truly have to..... Thanks for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue so I returned the tablet three times to BestBuy until i got one that was allready at 4.1.1 ...

phil0sophic said:
I had the same issue so I returned the tablet three times to BestBuy until i got one that was allready at 4.1.1 ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have exchanged several emails with support now with the same support person, I managed to confirm I do have a MAC address issue but she was adamant the only fix is to send it in. If only Asus had an xda rep who knows the real fix for this issue and correct all of ours.

I have the same problem. I was the bootloader unlocked but i sent my tf300 to asus because i had a problem with the usb and sd card of the dock.And now the bootloader its locked. I thought that asus locked it. I have tried to open again but it said the same error. "Error network conection"..

xitrapharlax said:
I have exchanged several emails with support now with the same support person, I managed to confirm I do have a MAC address issue but she was adamant the only fix is to send it in. If only Asus had an xda rep who knows the real fix for this issue and correct all of ours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately a lot of users here on xda have reported their devices coming back from AST no different than the day they sent them in... As a college student I really don't have the time to waste on sending in my device and it being returned back saying all is dandy lol. I wish we could root JellyBean without unlocking... then I wouldn't be complaining so badly...

[Q] Unlocking without Asus's apk

Hi,
last month I sended my TF300T to Asus because I had a problem with it. The tablet wouldn't upgrade itself and the sensor for the keyboard stopped working leaving the screen on.
My tablet was unlocked. I knew that there was a risk!
But when the tablet came back fixed, with the system 4.2.1 was happy and felt very lucky.
But now, I'm not that sure.
As the warranty finished shortly after the tablet came back, I said to myself that there was no reason to not unlucked it again.
I went to Asus's web site, downloaded the apk and runned it and:
I get the answer "Unknokn connection error, please try again"
In fact it seem that Asus does not want taht I unlock the boot loader again.
Is there another way..
Thanks...

alainlafond said:
Hi,
last month I sended my TF300T to Asus because I had a problem with it. The tablet wouldn't upgrade itself and the sensor for the keyboard stopped working leaving the screen on.
My tablet was unlocked. I knew that there was a risk!
But when the tablet came back fixed, with the system 4.2.1 was happy and felt very lucky.
But now, I'm not that sure.
As the warranty finished shortly after the tablet came back, I said to myself that there was no reason to not unlucked it again.
I went to Asus's web site, downloaded the apk and runned it and:
I get the answer "Unknokn connection error, please try again"
In fact it seem that Asus does not want taht I unlock the boot loader again.
Is there another way..
Thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Call Asus and tell them that they need to add your serial and new mac address back to their database so you can unlock it again. Keep nagging them until they do it. This is the ONLY fix for you.

sbdags said:
Call Asus and tell them that they need to add your serial and new mac address back to their database so you can unlock it again. Keep nagging them until they do it. This is the ONLY fix for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
that's what I did, and the support guy told me that its impossible to reset my serial number in the database. He told me that I'll need to send the tablet back for tech service.
For now I have a RMA for sending back my tablet.
I won't pay for shipping, as they'll pick up my tablet at my house.
I found that a little strange. But for now I'l wait to see what will happen.
Thanks for your help...
:good:

alainlafond said:
Hello,
that's what I did, and the support guy told me that its impossible to reset my serial number in the database. He told me that I'll need to send the tablet back for tech service.
For now I have a RMA for sending back my tablet.
I won't pay for shipping, as they'll pick up my tablet at my house.
I found that a little strange. But for now I'l wait to see what will happen.
Thanks for your help...
:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He's bull****ting you. There are plenty of people on XDA who have got Asus to do it.

hello please I have a place unknown serial number only.
Do you think it would work if I said mac and sn from bag.
But of registration asus I have done.
Tablet were on the servis with bad rom and unolck bootloader and there locked bootloader.
Sorry for bad English.
Thanks for the advice

alainlafond said:
Hi,
last month I sended my TF300T to Asus because I had a problem with it. The tablet wouldn't upgrade itself and the sensor for the keyboard stopped working leaving the screen on.
My tablet was unlocked. I knew that there was a risk!
But when the tablet came back fixed, with the system 4.2.1 was happy and felt very lucky.
But now, I'm not that sure.
As the warranty finished shortly after the tablet came back, I said to myself that there was no reason to not unlucked it again.
I went to Asus's web site, downloaded the apk and runned it and:
I get the answer "Unknokn connection error, please try again"
In fact it seem that Asus does not want taht I unlock the boot loader again.
Is there another way..
Thanks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you paid for a repair? Has your warranty void by Asus?

Sorry to bring up an old thread...But does anyone know what a second error beyond the network one would be? It lets me verify my google account then sits for a long time. After that I can an error "Unable to unlock device at this time. Please try again later." Same serial number issue or something different?
Edit: after restarting a couple more times, I got it to work!

My Recent Unlocking Experience

Thought I’d pass along my recent experience with unlocking the bootloader.
• I initially downloaded and installed the unlock tool. I tried dozens of times over the next few days, always running into failure. I tried resets and just about everything else, all to no avail.
• Wondering if my device wasn’t registered with Asus, I went to the Asus device tracker site and successfully registered it. However, the tracking map would never get beyond the “Loading” state, though no error was raised.
• I contacted Asus Support via email, noting the tracking problem.
• One day later, Asus replied back saying that it was because my device was unlocked. I verified by rebooting and looking for the device unlocked message that I was not unlocked – I passed that back to Asus.
• One day later, Asus replied back, asking for a screenshot showing my serial number and MAC address from the status window (even though I provided both in my first message and it still showed in the email trail). I got that to them. Asus Support said they would pass that on to another group.
• One day later, Asus replied back, providing a jpg of some log file saying that I had successfully unlocked a week earlier. Again, I verified by rebooting and looking for the device unlocked message that I was not unlocked – I again passed that back to Asus.
• At this point, I was about to give up but I decided to give it one more try – and voila! On that first try I successfully unlocked! I passed that back to Asus Support and their reply was “It seems that your tablet was unlocked successfully.”
Did Asus change something based on my emails (e.g., get the MAC address in their system – a known issue with them)? Was I finally just lucky? I don’t know. But all in all, it was an extremely frustrating experience and it took several days and literally dozens of attempts before unlocking worked for me.
After all of that, I loaded TWRP and CROMI-x ROM and my tablet runs much better – faster, more stable (no random reboots yet), and battery life is better. So in the end, I am really glad I persevered.
Dave

sparksd said:
Thought I’d pass along my recent experience with unlocking the bootloader.
• I initially downloaded and installed the unlock tool. I tried dozens of times over the next few days, always running into failure. I tried resets and just about everything else, all to no avail.
• Wondering if my device wasn’t registered with Asus, I went to the Asus device tracker site and successfully registered it. However, the tracking map would never get beyond the “Loading” state, though no error was raised.
• I contacted Asus Support via email, noting the tracking problem.
• One day later, Asus replied back saying that it was because my device was unlocked. I verified by rebooting and looking for the device unlocked message that I was not unlocked – I passed that back to Asus.
• One day later, Asus replied back, asking for a screenshot showing my serial number and MAC address from the status window (even though I provided both in my first message and it still showed in the email trail). I got that to them. Asus Support said they would pass that on to another group.
• One day later, Asus replied back, providing a jpg of some log file saying that I had successfully unlocked a week earlier. Again, I verified by rebooting and looking for the device unlocked message that I was not unlocked – I again passed that back to Asus.
• At this point, I was about to give up but I decided to give it one more try – and voila! On that first try I successfully unlocked! I passed that back to Asus Support and their reply was “It seems that your tablet was unlocked successfully.”
Did Asus change something based on my emails (e.g., get the MAC address in their system – a known issue with them)? Was I finally just lucky? I don’t know. But all in all, it was an extremely frustrating experience and it took several days and literally dozens of attempts before unlocking worked for me.
After all of that, I loaded TWRP and CROMI-x ROM and my tablet runs much better – faster, more stable (no random reboots yet), and battery life is better. So in the end, I am really glad I persevered.
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just contacted ASUS about my device not being unlocked and they said their database shows that it is. They opened up an investigation / case. Hopefully they reset it so that I can try again. It thinks it is unlocked but it is not. So frustrating.
Any tips?

hyderabadi said:
I just contacted ASUS about my device not being unlocked and they said their database shows that it is. They opened up an investigation / case. Hopefully they reset it so that I can try again. It thinks it is unlocked but it is not. So frustrating.
Any tips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish I had some to give other than to persist with them. As my post says, I had a back and forth with them insisting that it was not unlocked. I don't know if they actually did anything or if I finally just got lucky with the tool. It's unbelievable that they make unlocking so difficult.

They won't even talk to me AT ALL about why mine wont successfully unlock. I was told the do not assist with unlocking the bootloader. Wish there was another way. I really did want to flash something better than their laggy trash.

flhthemi said:
They won't even talk to me AT ALL about why mine wont successfully unlock. I was told the do not assist with unlocking the bootloader. Wish there was another way. I really did want to flash something better than their laggy trash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To quote the title of a thread seen elsewhere, "Asus Support sucks". I may be happy with my flashed TF700T but I would strongly advise against buying Asus tablets because of this.

[SOLVED][Q] Can't UNLOCK the bootloader of TF300TL

**********
FINALLY, 2 full months of waiting and talking mindlessly to customer service (thread posted on April 30th, and it's June 30th now), and this morning when I saw the app and decided to try again, it prompted me to input the PIN! After reflashing the stock firmware and logging into Google, the tablet was unlocked! What a long run... and right before I was about to sell this and buy another tablet (I am going to buy it anyway, I guess).
**********
Yeah, it's me again.
Prior to this I have asked about the compatibility of ROMs on the TL variant, with few answers. I thought it would be an easy trip after I have the tablet in hand - I can try things out anyway and can restore to stock if anything goes wrong - but what happens now had wasted me hours of time and had totally f*cked me up. Yep, this thing comes with a locked bootloader at Android 4.2.1.
It doesn't look like a great deal, since the official Unlocker V8 app claims to support WW 4.2.x, but in reality it simply won't do, usually claiming "An unknown error occurs, which may be network connection issue, please try again later".
Now, I've done quite some searches in the past few hours and got some seemingly viable answers. First, it seems the S/N of my tab does not match that on my box, so after digging up Ratchet and its source code, I found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2243521, and using similar steps I successfully modified my S/N to the one on my box, which now shows up correctly in Settings-About-Status. Second, many complain that it won't work that nicely on a rooted device, so I reflashed stock and wiped data, which eliminated every single trace of root. Third, I'm in China so network might be a problem, so I hooked up my VPN also.
But none of the above worked. After clicking the unlock button, it either takes seconds or minutes, but all it shows is the same error message.
I've seen people sending the device in to ASUS for registration or something like that, but since it's a used device and goes from US AT&T (while I'm in China), I can't do that, and I doubt the customer service won't give any effective answers for a tablet that's mostly obsolete.
So now I'm out of ideas... Anyone?
EDIT: I've registered the device on ASUS's website, and also contacted their live chat support, but as the rep said, my serial number is valid and this means it's already in the database, so there's nothing he can do.

Finally able to send a ticket to ASUS for the issue, hopefully they'll respond just as effective as they responded to other people.
Also, even though the bootloader is LOCKED, I managed to downgrade the thing back from JB 4.2.1 (WW_epad-user-10.6.2.10) to JB 4.1.1 (WW_epad-user-10.4.3.9). Even the bootloader is downgraded, as reported on screen, which in my eyes is unbelievable. Flashing anything unsigned is still a no-go, though.