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Thinking of rooting, questions

Hey guys! New and proud TF300T owner. I got it last Friday and am absolutely LOVING it so far. This will be my 8th android device of all time and I am starting to get that itch to root it. First and foremost, i'm on the .30 firmware. This is the newest version and it updated as soon as i turned it on. I'm hoping that won't be a problem.
My first question, should i root? I'm loving ICS and i haven't seen a LOT of different ROMs available in the thread. Since this is my first android Tablet i'm sort of asking myself, why should i root? The Pad is very, very fast. The OS is nearly perfect. So i'm wondering, besides the obvious "Because we can" answer, why did you root yours?
I saw this guide :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1706588
Do you guys think its the best way to go? Should i unlock w/Asus tool before i start this guide? Can anyone recommend a rom? I heard CM10 is coming to the 300 and i have always loved Cyan since my days with the G1.
So, in conclusion.
1. What do you, personally, feel are the advantages?
2. Is the guide above the SAFEST way to root? (DEFINITELY don't want a brick)
3. Unlock bootloader?
4. Roms?
5. If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or - If it ain't root, lets break it? hehehe
Thanks in advance for your responses!!!

It all depends on you. I rooted mine and am using CM10 (Jellybean 4.1.1) and love it. Stock is actually pretty good though on this device, usually stock Android blows. I would think you would have to be dumb to brick your device at this stage, everything is pretty simple, and you have ways to getting back to stock with ease anyway.
This is what I did. I unlocked my boot loader using the tool from asus, I then flashed CMW from here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1668173 , after booting into fast boot (power on, hold down vol, on the next screen you have three icons, select the middle one), and then flashed the root file. You have to put your ROMs you want to flash on the tablet memory, CMW doesn't support external memory yet.
Have fun!

Turbojugend said:
It all depends on you. I rooted mine and am using CM10 (Jellybean 4.1.1) and love it. Stock is actually pretty good though on this device, usually stock Android blows. I would think you would have to be dumb to brick your device at this stage, everything is pretty simple, and you have ways to getting back to stock with ease anyway.
This is what I did. I unlocked my boot loader using the tool from asus, I then flashed CMW from here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1668173 , after booting into fast boot (power on, hold down vol, on the next screen you have three icons, select the middle one), and then flashed the root file. You have to put your ROMs you want to flash on the tablet memory, CMW doesn't support external memory yet.
Have fun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I question for you? Now that you are running CM10 Jellybean, do you see any improvement with the I/O problem (very slow R/W) and what about flash player? Thanks
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2

1. What do you, personally, feel are the advantages?
adjust settings, and run cmd's or scripts from cmd line
which can not be done without root
lots apps require root as well
2. Is the guide above the SAFEST way to root? (DEFINITELY don't want a brick)
yes the debugfs link you posted is the safest way to root, and it is drop dead easy
3. Unlock bootloader?
I did, and I don't regret
4. Roms?
hydro is based on stock and is smokin fast
night and day difference
5. If it ain't broke, don't fix it? Or - If it ain't root, lets break it? hehehe
if it aint root, let's break it!
I could not handle not having root
there's too many things I do that require it

Thanks for the great responses guys! Think i'll go ahead and get started...So,
1.Asus Unlock Tool
2. Root
3. TWRP flash, back up current rom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D2ATyGP5JAk#!) using this guide
4. Flash rom!
5. Success!
Sound right?

thatisandwas said:
Thanks for the great responses guys! Think i'll go ahead and get started...So,
1.Asus Unlock Tool
2. Root
3. TWRP flash, back up current rom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D2ATyGP5JAk#!) using this guide
4. Flash rom!
5. Success!
Sound right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds right, I do have 1 suggestion or maybe just a simplification
if you plan to use TWRP
download gooManager from the play store, it has an option that will install TWRP for you automatically
and also don't forget
step 3.5 go into TWRP and make a nandroid backup, and copy the backup to somewhere same
I doubt you'll have any issues, but better to have a backup
and not need it
than need a backup and not have it

Just my personal opinion ... unless you just have to have a custom ROM, forget unlocking and just root it. You won't violate your warranty and we're going to be getting jelly bean in a few months from Asus. This is exactly what I did running v30 and I'm loving it this way. Stock ROM isn't too bloated.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

Yeah...I haven't taken the plunge yet. Its my day off and i love tinkering with stuff like this but i'm just having a hard time justifying unlocking/flashing on a device that already performs so well. Torn!

thatisandwas said:
Hey guys! New and proud TF300T owner. I got it last Friday and am absolutely LOVING it so far. This will be my 8th android device of all time and I am starting to get that itch to root it. First and foremost, i'm on the .30 firmware. This is the newest version and it updated as soon as i turned it on. I'm hoping that won't be a problem.
My first question, should i root? I'm loving ICS and i haven't seen a LOT of different ROMs available in the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First answer, rooting isn't the same as unlocking and flashing! You can root without unlocking, like others have said there aren't that many ROMs out there and the stock is pretty good IMO.

tf300..
KAD79 said:
sounds right, I do have 1 suggestion or maybe just a simplification
if you plan to use TWRP
download gooManager from the play store, it has an option that will install TWRP for you automatically
and also don't forget
step 3.5 go into TWRP and make a nandroid backup, and copy the backup to somewhere same
I doubt you'll have any issues, but better to have a backup
and not need it
than need a backup and not have it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, I just unlocked my tf300-will I not be able to get jellybean at all when it comes out?!

You will have to flash the stock update through cwm or twrp, whichever recovery you used.
Sent from my Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium

I havent unlocked yet but its my day off now and im thinking about doing it now. The only thing im worried about is i keep seeing people having issues like "soft brick after restore"...i mean whats that about? I have backed up/restored and flashed a million roms on all my other unlocked android devices over the years and have NEVER had a soft brick just doing a restart? I mean i suppose ive gotten a bad rom before that wouldnt boot but when that happens i just usually go back to recovery and restore what i had before. Also, it seems like TWRP has more issues then CWM at this point. Is that just me, or is that true ? What the advantage of TWRP then if that is the case? Sigh...I wanna unlock and flash it so bad! But i just can't bring myself to do it for some reason!

Unlock TFI post JB update?

Looks like ASUS needs to update the unlock tool to work on JB?
Clearly states on their site that the unlock is for ICS only.
I of course had to try it for fun (I like punishment?) and surely it failed and luckily didn't leave my tablet any worse for wear.
Are a lot of you guys unlocked? What are the greatest benefits you've found from doing so?
Thanks!

Follow this link, or search others, and downgrade to ICS to unlock: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1915598 . If you unlock, you will void your warranty, and can only manually update or use a custom Rom.

amenic said:
Looks like ASUS needs to update the unlock tool to work on JB?
Clearly states on their site that the unlock is for ICS only.
I of course had to try it for fun (I like punishment?) and surely it failed and luckily didn't leave my tablet any worse for wear.
Are a lot of you guys unlocked? What are the greatest benefits you've found from doing so?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say the majority of general community users are locked, but they probably just buy a device and would never tinker with it. That's not the inclination of the average XDA gadgeteer so I'd wager that most of us in here are either unlocked, or have tried to unlock but failed.
The main goals of unlocking are threefold:
1) installing a custom recovery (thus enabling Nandroid backups)
2) installing Nvflash (making you have to work very hard at being able to brick your device at all)
3) installing custom ROMs
In fact, the general drive to unlock is in point 3, for if you do not plan on installing a custom ROM on your device, there's far less rational incentive to make a Nandroid backup, and you probably would not need the added security of Nvflash -- ASUS will take care of a brick in that case, I guess. So..... the main question is: to customize or not customize?

MartyHulskemper said:
I'd say the majority of general community users are locked, but they probably just buy a device and would never tinker with it. That's not the inclination of the average XDA gadgeteer so I'd wager that most of us in here are either unlocked, or have tried to unlock but failed.
The main goals of unlocking are threefold:
1) installing a custom recovery (thus enabling Nandroid backups)
2) installing Nvflash (making you have to work very hard at being able to brick your device at all)
3) installing custom ROMs
In fact, the general drive to unlock is in point 3, for if you do not plan on installing a custom ROM on your device, there's far less rational incentive to make a Nandroid backup, and you probably would not need the added security of Nvflash -- ASUS will take care of a brick in that case, I guess. So..... the main question is: to customize or not customize?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just extremely unimpressed and often times frustrated by the stock performance so I'm looking to try anything to make it better. I've purchased a 32 GB micro SD card and I'm going to move /cache and /data over to it to see if that helps. I'd like to get in on CM10 but from what I've read it's not ready on the TFI yet but definitely will do that once it is.

I unlocked my TF700 on Jelly Bean using the unlock tool without any issue.

MartyHulskemper said:
2) installing Nvflash (making you have to work very hard at being able to brick your device at all)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly I updated to the update right before JB about 10 minutes before the announcement of the Nvflash.
And since you cannot go back down, I am stuck without Nvflash and as such I am staying stock until we get it for JB, then I will unlock and work this old girl.

Didn't work on the 10.4.4.16 firmware 10.4.4.18 seems to work fine - sweet! unlocked!

How to update to Jelly Bean?

Before anybody says to use the search function, I've been looking through the general topics non-stop for one that applies to my situation, and either it slipped through the cracks (likely) or it doesn't exist (not likely).
Basically, my tablet is rooted and unlocked, and I'm on ICS; the first one that had face unlock in it. I'd really like to update my tab to JB, but I need to be pointed toward directions for updating a rooted and unlocked tab. But on top of that, I also need recent instructions, because I know that earlier attempts at getting this thing updated have resulted in lots of bricked tabs.
If anybody could tell me if it's possible to update my tablet to JB right now, I'd appreciate it, and if someone has figured out how to do it, can you please point me toward that thread? I'd really appreciate it.
-Tim

I'm in the same configuration, custom-ics-rom with twrp recovery on unlocked device.
I believe the first thing to do is enabling NVFLASH, that will make things safer also in the worst cases.
I did that and now hopefully I have an unbrickable device.
I'm a bit confused on how to go forward, I know that there are two versions of twrp, maybe I should install the JB version, booting inside it and then flash the downloaded JB update from ASUS site, or use the twrp for ICS for flashing and after that install the JB version ?
Anyone knows what is the correct option ?
Giuseppe
Tim 13 said:
Before anybody says to use the search function, I've been looking through the general topics non-stop for one that applies to my situation, and either it slipped through the cracks (likely) or it doesn't exist (not likely).
Basically, my tablet is rooted and unlocked, and I'm on ICS; the first one that had face unlock in it. I'd really like to update my tab to JB, but I need to be pointed toward directions for updating a rooted and unlocked tab. But on top of that, I also need recent instructions, because I know that earlier attempts at getting this thing updated have resulted in lots of bricked tabs.
If anybody could tell me if it's possible to update my tablet to JB right now, I'd appreciate it, and if someone has figured out how to do it, can you please point me toward that thread? I'd really appreciate it.
-Tim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Keep ICS, as JB will cause much trouble especially if you are rooted, trying to OC and is generally slowein my opinion

I prefer to try it anyway, tomorrow I will try flashing, after all if something will go wrong I should be able to recover with nvflash.
[
QUOTE=grimsonfart;32974661]Keep ICS, as JB will cause much trouble especially if you are rooted, trying to OC and is generally slowein my opinion[/QUOTE]

Thank you, Grim. That's disappointing to hear about JB, but if you think that my current build is better than that (which makes sense considering I've seen at least one thread about downgrading from JB to ICS), then I will keep my tab on ICS for now, and thank you for your input, I appreciate it.
-Tim

If you have twrp recovery, can't you download the jb ROM from the Asus site for your region and flash it in? I'm unlocked and that's how I upgraded one version of jb to another, but my ICS to jb was ota, so in your case I can't speak from experience. There is a full upgrade, and root guide in the general section.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

I just managed to do what you re looking to achieve.
I m pretty noob so it tok me a whole day to figure it out.
So first download jb update on asus website (pick the right one for ur type of tf300)
Flash it through adb
At that point i got jb installation working but bootloop
So i flashed jb version of twrp (adb)
I then went in recovery and flashed clean rom 2.5 which worked flawlessly
Just for the fun i did factory reset afetrwards and stock jb eventually launched right
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

gst0098 said:
I'm in the same configuration, custom-ics-rom with twrp recovery on unlocked device.
I believe the first thing to do is enabling NVFLASH, that will make things safer also in the worst cases.
I did that and now hopefully I have an unbrickable device.
I'm a bit confused on how to go forward, I know that there are two versions of twrp, maybe I should install the JB version, booting inside it and then flash the downloaded JB update from ASUS site, or use the twrp for ICS for flashing and after that install the JB version ?
Anyone knows what is the correct option ?
Giuseppe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I successfully installed jb following the guide on this site, the only thing that was not working was the flashing of the stock rom, neither given options worked (fastboot flash recovery or fastboot flash system) , I discovered that our eepad has a partition nmed staging used for firmware installs. I then flashed with
fastboot flash staging blolb
and all went good.
Btw I find the JB better than ics, more responsive and smoother, and also if it is not yet overcooked.

[Q] A700 rooting question

Hi guys,
I've searched everywhere and can't get a definitive answer on this so here goes -
I'm a noob when it comes to Android, having recently defected from being an Apple Disciple (I got hacked off with iTunes and bored in general with the Daycare Centre which is iOS) and have recently acquired an Acer A700 tablet.
I have installed the JB update OTA and everything is working fine and am chomping at the bit to get it booted, but most of the posts I have read regarding unlocking the bootloader and rooting it relate to ICS.
My questions are -
Does the bootloader process apply regardless of Firmware? (Are there different versions for different Firmwares)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent tutorial on how to do this?
What happens regarding a future update? Do I have to revert back to stock and update from there or can i jump from one ROM to another? (I'm assuming that I can't use the OTA updates any more)
Sorry for the long OP and thanks in advance for your answers.

ianrobbie said:
Hi guys,
I've searched everywhere and can't get a definitive answer on this so here goes -
I'm a noob when it comes to Android, having recently defected from being an Apple Disciple (I got hacked off with iTunes and bored in general with the Daycare Centre which is iOS) and have recently acquired an Acer A700 tablet.
I have installed the JB update OTA and everything is working fine and am chomping at the bit to get it booted, but most of the posts I have read regarding unlocking the bootloader and rooting it relate to ICS.
My questions are -
Does the bootloader process apply regardless of Firmware? (Are there different versions for different Firmwares)
Can anyone point me in the direction of a decent tutorial on how to do this?
What happens regarding a future update? Do I have to revert back to stock and update from there or can i jump from one ROM to another? (I'm assuming that I can't use the OTA updates any more)
Sorry for the long OP and thanks in advance for your answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. Seeing you are on JB, then you have a JB bootloader.
You need to go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1953917
And download Vorbeths easyroot2.0. It's for the 700.
You have to unlock your bootloader first, which shouldn't be an issue for you. Easy instructions for that.
Then download his package to a folder on your PC. (not sure, but you may have to download each file individually) Open a command window (shift & right mouse click) and type in whatever his instructions say. Should be painless.
Make sure USB Debugging is turned on first in your tablet (Settings/Developer Options/USB Debugging), and make sure you have the Acer Drivers installed on your PC.
Then connect, wait 30 seconds, and run his batch file.
You should be ok.
MD
Oh yes, one more thing, once you unlock your bootloader, chances are you will not be able to get OTA. And the only way to re-lock the bootloader is to install a stock rom.

Thanks!
Thanks for the reply. I am now the owner of a fully rooted A700!
Had a few issues during unlocking the bootloader. That thing timeouts quick! Also, didn't realise you had to run the .bat file while the tablet was on the Bootloader USB protocol screen. I thought you had to wait until it booted fully into JB.
Anyway, took the plunge and thanks again for your help.

ianrobbie said:
Thanks for the reply. I am now the owner of a fully rooted A700!
Had a few issues during unlocking the bootloader. That thing timeouts quick! Also, didn't realise you had to run the .bat file while the tablet was on the Bootloader USB protocol screen. I thought you had to wait until it booted fully into JB.
Anyway, took the plunge and thanks again for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. I thought I mentioned it timed out in about 5 seconds These days I don't remember much
Yeah, I haven't looked at Vorbeth's script, so I don't know which screen he launches it from. With mine for the 701, you can be when the tab is running normal. No difference in the end result though
Happy Hunting!
MD

One last question - do I have to install Clockwork Recovery for re-flashing the stock images or is it just a case of renaming it update. zip and putting it on an SD Card? Any chance you can point me in the right direction of the most recent/stable build? Is it easy to install?
Thanks again.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using xda app-developers app

ianrobbie said:
One last question - do I have to install Clockwork Recovery for re-flashing the stock images or is it just a case of renaming it update. zip and putting it on an SD Card? Any chance you can point me in the right direction of the most recent/stable build? Is it easy to install?
Thanks again.
Sent from my GT-I9305 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this is a trouble spot.
If you wish to install a custom rom, then you will need to install CWM. The most recent version.
If you want to try your luck at installing a stock rom, my opinion, is to leave the stock recovery inplace. I haven't had luck in installing stock update.zips, as Acer has made them very specific. So I can't be much help to you in that.
However, you can always flash back to CWM or a stock JB recovery pretty easy. Personally, unless you plan on flashing a custom, I would just leave the stock recovery.
MD
Sometimes "leaked" update appear here in the forums. They are unofficial. And you never know if they improve things, or make things worse. So be careful.

Moscow Desire said:
Well, this is a trouble spot.
If you wish to install a custom rom, then you will need to install CWM. The most recent version.
If you want to try your luck at installing a stock rom, my opinion, is to leave the stock recovery inplace. I haven't had luck in installing stock update.zips, as Acer has made them very specific. So I can't be much help to you in that.
However, you can always flash back to CWM or a stock JB recovery pretty easy. Personally, unless you plan on flashing a custom, I would just leave the stock recovery.
MD
Sometimes "leaked" update appear here in the forums. They are unofficial. And you never know if they improve things, or make things worse. So be careful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, just for future reference, how would I go about re-flashing the stock image? I'm assuming it's saved on the tablet in a separate partition?
I've decided to stick with the stock rooted ROM but would like to know how to re-flash for when Key Lime Pie and future updates are released.
And, seeing as how you haven't steered me wrong so far, I though I'd pick your brains one last time.
Hope you don't mind!

[Q]

Hi everyone
First off I would like to thank everyone who contributes on this board, I have been lurking for quite awhile even though I dont have any android devices, the reading is very interesting.
I have just got my first android device today delivered from BH Photo (I am in Australia) and have charged and powered it up. I have been reading on the forums about rooting and then unlocking. The android version appears to be 4.0.3 (ICS).
My questions are these:
Should I root this device and unlock the bootloader with ICS, then install TWRP and make a backup of it. Once this is done then update to JB? The firmware of the tablet is (I think this is right) IM74K:US_epad_9.4.5.26-20120720 and the kernel is 2.6.39.4 [email protected] #1
or
Update the device to JB then root it, but Im a bit confused with the unlocking part here what program is used to unlock the bootloader? Is it the Asus one? Also with rooting programs which one is more commonly used for both ICS and JB? Can I apply a manual update of JB using the Ausrtalian version instead of the US one.
Sorry for all the noob questions. I have read the index and after reading it still had some questions.
Thank you for your time

deathwalker01 said:
Hi everyone
First off I would like to thank everyone who contributes on this board, I have been lurking for quite awhile even though I dont have any android devices, the reading is very interesting.
I have just got my first android device today delivered from BH Photo (I am in Australia) and have charged and powered it up. I have been reading on the forums about rooting and then unlocking. The android version appears to be 4.0.3 (ICS).
My questions are these:
Should I root this device and unlock the bootloader with ICS, then install TWRP and make a backup of it. Once this is done then update to JB? The firmware of the tablet is (I think this is right) IM74K:US_epad_9.4.5.26-20120720 and the kernel is 2.6.39.4 [email protected] #1
or
Update the device to JB then root it, but Im a bit confused with the unlocking part here what program is used to unlock the bootloader? Is it the Asus one? Also with rooting programs which one is more commonly used for both ICS and JB? Can I apply a manual update of JB using the Ausrtalian version instead of the US one.
Sorry for all the noob questions. I have read the index and after reading it still had some questions.
Thank you for your time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome to the Community!
There are a few on-going threads regarding this same topic. You might want to read those and make sure you understand the lingo/jargon being used (like: fastboot, bootloader, Recovery, adb. etc) as well as what it's for before you start your hacking.
Some things to keep in mind
Currently to have Root access in JB, you need to get root in ICS then use OTA Keeper to maintain Root for JB update.
The Bootloader unlocker tool is from ASUS and needs to communicate with ASUS servers for it to unlock.
Unlocking the bootloader will void your warrenty. Make sure you have a good device before you do it.
You have a version of tablet (9.4.5.26) that is able to use NVFlash that can help recover your tablet during a soft brick.
You should use an update that is appropriate for your device. If it comes with US, stay with US. Installing an update for a different region might not cause problems but there is no guarantee. Best to avoid the possibility by staying with the region it comes with.
For some reading material, I think that my blog post might help give you some additional details. However, I highly suggest that it be used for research only until you are aware of exactly what you are trying to accomplish. Remember to ask questions if things are confusing or if you are wondering what needs to be done next. 'Tis better to ask and be delayed than to be over-eager and bricked.
Hope this helps you during your first steps of XDA Android hacking!

I just got my TF700 last week and I wanted cleanrom on it and this is the order of stuff I did:
1. Unlocked bootloader
2. Nvflash setup
3. Installed TWRP
4. Flashed official Asus update
5. I lost TWRP so I installed it again
6. Flashed cleanrom
Probably not the most efficient way, but it was easy to do and didn't take too long.

hong90 said:
I just got my TF700 last week and I wanted cleanrom on it and this is the order of stuff I did:
1. Unlocked bootloader
2. Nvflash setup
3. Installed TWRP
4. Flashed official Asus update
5. I lost TWRP so I installed it again
6. Flashed cleanrom
Probably not the most efficient way, but it was easy to do and didn't take too long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the most efficient way.

I have nothing to add except for the remark that NvFlash is key -- GET IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!
I'm not even kidding here. It gives you 100% flexibility in doing whatever you wish (up- as well as downgrading, even the bootloader!) and provides a key benefit in recovering your device when that whale-sized piece of excrement hits the large ventilator running at top speed.

Thanks to everyone that has replied to my post. I have successfully rooted the tablet and unlocked the bootloader. Before I do anything else Im going to run NVflash and back it up. I have a quick question though. I have download NVFlash to my computer and extracted it. Do I need to copy it across to the tablet and then enter fastboot? I havent got an extenal sd card will it save the images to the tablet's hard drive?
Cheers
Deathwalker

i followed this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ypzUaKxvo&feature=youtube_gdata_player
i watched it before i actually did it once or twice to make sure i know what to do. you don't need an external sd card. following the fastboot steps will pull the files that you need onto the internal one in a folder

Last night I used NVFlash to make backup of the tablet. A big thank you to alienedd as I followed his blog and also the guide from androidmobi team and managed to get the img files done. Is there anyway to test bar for wiping the tablet?
Now all I have left to do is install OTA RootKeeper and TWRP, back up the existing tablet and then flash a custom ROM (Im thinking cleanrom)

You don't need OTA Rootkeeper anymore because you have unlocked you're bootloader. And custom roms like Cleanrom are already pre-rooted so after flashing the cleanrom you will have root anyway.