Wolf's ultimate flash and downgrade guide (NO ROOT NEEDED) (root opportunity for .21)

WARNING

This method will not work on any JB rom available, apparently google has patched the exploit.​

Note that downgrading method for unrooted devices is highly experimental and may turn your device into worthless brick. Read this WHOLE thread carefully before you start doing anything with your Transformer.

MOD EDIT: It is reported that this method doesn't work with the new Jelly Bean firmwares on the TF201 and the TF300T,

Sorry, but I will not be able to support you between 3rd and 15th of May because I have to pass my final exams.
However feel free to post your questions in this topic I am sure that somebody will be able to help you.​

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Description​

Method 1 - Rooted Devices
This method allows you to flash any update released by ASUS without need for custom recovery.
ROOT is required to unlock mmcblk0p4 write access for dd.

Method 2 - UnRooted Devices
This method allows you to flash any update released by ASUS, no mater for SKU etc.
It uses file linking trick to unlock mmcblk0p4 write access even when su is not present.

Method 3 - UnRooted Devices - Recommended
This method allows you to directly flash the recovery even on unrooted device. This may be used next to root your TF by prepared su package.
It uses file linking trick to unlock mmcblk0p4 write access.

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Disclaimer​

Despite both methods have been confirmed (by myself) to work, the whole process of flashing mmcblk0p4 with dd brings high risk of bricking device by for example file system corruption.

I do not take any responsibility for damaged or bricked devices. Before flashing you have to assume the risk and chances of geting bricked.

Under no circumstances should you brake cmd during blob file is flashed by dd. If that happens do not reboot. PM me and go on IRC

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Requirements​

• BLOB file (look at links box at the bottom for few)
• ADB enabled
• Root acces (only method 1)

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Notes​

Sorry for the mistakes, but English is not my native language PM me if you find any so I will be able to correct them.

Before posting a question look into FAQ maybe it have been already answered.

Guide is inspired by Turge who wrote similar article for TFP (link here). However whole 2nd method was invented and described by me.

Thanks go to:

Code:

[CENTER]
AndroidRoot.mobi - for RazorClaw
ViperBoy - for viperMOD rooting tool
jcase - for NachoRoot
sparkym3 - for his ICS rooting methods
Roach2010 - for all his work
sbiriguda - who inspired me to dig around symlinking
[/CENTER]

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Instructions - Method 1 - Rooted​

1. Upload the BLOB file to internal storage of your tab. (mounted as /sdcard)
2. Connect tablet to the computer and start ADB session.
3. When you will be in adb shell execute following comands:

Code:

su
dd if=/sdcard/blob of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p4

4. The command prompt will be empty as wnen nothing happen, do not panic wait until the end of the process. DO NOT INTERRUPT (it will take apx.3-10 min)
5. When you see the following message:

Code:

1066806+1 records in
1066806+1 records out
546204969 bytes transferred in 250.309 secs (2182122 bytes/sec)

(the numbers in resulted message may be diffrent but it has to have the same structure)
You can safety reboot the device by exiting shell and executing :

Code:

adb reboot

6. Once rebooted you will see ASUS EeePAD flashing progress bar. Be patient and wait till the end.
7. Tablet will reboot itself and start loading new system. (as it is first boot it may take few minutes)
8. Be happy from your new firmware.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL STEP

In some cases flashing previous firmware leaves data partition intact.
I suggest to clean it by booting with [vol down] and [power] pressed (you will see the info about the rom). Than wait until the screen with android and wipe data appear. Select wipe by switching with [vol down] and accepting with [vol up] pressed two times. It mostly happen when downgrading to HC from ICS.

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Instructions - Method 2 - UnRooted​

1. Upload the BLOB file to internal storage of your tab. (mounted as /sdcard)
2. Connect tablet to the computer and start ADB shell session.
3. When you will be in adb shell execute following commands:

Code:

mv /data/local/tmp /data/local/tmp.bak
ln -s /dev/block/mmcblk0p4 /data/local/tmp
exit

4. Now reboot your tab through:

Code:

adb reboot

5. Once you see ASUS loading screen you should be able to start ADB shell session again (if not just wait), than (in shell) execute:

Code:

dd if=/sdcard/blob of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p4

6. The command prompt will be empty as wnen nothing happen, do not panic wait until the end of the process. DO NOT INTERRUPT (it will take apx.3-10 min)
7. When you see the following message:

Code:

1066806+1 records in
1066806+1 records out
546204969 bytes transferred in 250.309 secs (2182122 bytes/sec)

(the numbers in resulted message may be diffrent but it has to have the same structure)
You can safety reboot the device by exiting shell and executing :

Code:

adb reboot

8. Once rebooted you will see ASUS EeePAD flashing progress bar. Be patient and wait till the end.
9. Tablet will reboot itself and start loading new system. (as it is first boot it may take few minutes)
10. Be happy from your new firmware.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONAL STEP

In some cases flashing previous firmware leaves data partition intact.
I suggest to clean it by booting with [vol down] and [power] pressed (you will see the info about the rom). Than wait until the screen with android and wipe data appear. Select wipe by switching with [vol down] and accepting with [vol up] pressed two times. It mostly happen when downgrading to HC from ICS.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Instructions - Method 3 - UnRooted

This will definitely not work with Transformer Prime continue only if you are owner of TF101 of TF101G​

1. Upload the RECOVERYBLOB file to internal storage of your tab. (mounted as /sdcard)
2. Connect tablet to the computer and start ADB shell session.
3. When you will be in adb shell execute following commands:

Code:

mv /data/local/tmp /data/local/tmp.bak
ln -s /dev/block/mmcblk0p4 /data/local/tmp
exit

4. Now reboot your tab through:

Code:

adb reboot

5. Once you see ASUS loading screen you should be able to start ADB shell session again (if not just wait), than (in shell) execute (some times it gets longer, but do not panic it is normal):

Code:

dd if=/sdcard/recoveryblob of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p4

6. The command prompt will be empty as when nothing happen, do not panic wait until the end of the process. DO NOT INTERRUPT (it will take apx.3-10 min)
7. When you see the following message:

Code:

8860+1 records in
8860+1 records out
4536396 bytes transferred in 1.718 secs (2640509 bytes/sec)

(the numbers in resulted message may be different but it has to have the same structure)
You can safety reboot the device by exiting shell and executing :

Code:

adb reboot

8. Once rebooted you will see ASUS EeePAD flashing progress bar. Be patient and wait till the end.
9. Tablet will reboot itself and start loading new system. (as it is first boot it may take few minutes)
10. Be happy from your new recovery.

ADDITIONAL - ROOTING

11. Download this SU + Superuser.apk package and place it on internal memory or microsd
12. Boot to recovery. (turn off your TF and than boot with [vol down]+[power] pressed, once you see the letters identifying the system press [vol up]
13. Now you should be in custom recovery. Select 'Install from zip file' and then select the file on desired location internal or external.
14. Once flashing is done go back and select 'Reboot system'
15. Now you got freshly rooted Transformer. ENJOY

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BLOBs​

BLOB file can be extracted from any update file. It is contained inside XX_epad-user-x.x.x.x.zip achive. Where XX (e.g WW or TW) refers to SKU of firmware and x.x.x.x to its version (e.g 9.2.2.3)

Or you can pick up a few here

Now they are ziped to reduce the sizes (MD5 value shows the control sum of each blob not zip) (sorry for hostings but I don't have space on dropbox any more, you may register to increase) (if you know faster mirror PM me)

NEW MIRROR SITE WITH ALMOST ALL FIRMWARES HERE

TF101/G BLOBs (Transformer)

Honeycomb

WW 8.6.6.19 - MD5: D63D60F6C71F5B614B338244D3788735 - or mirrors (1 2)

WW 8.6.6.23 - MD5: 1227F19BC4415661CACB05A483504953 - or mirrors (1 2)

Ice Cream Sandwich

US 9.2.1.11 - MD5: 4F6069430B20C35C8833F50DFA0FE0FD - or mirrors (1 2)

WW 9.2.1.17 - MD5: 5C78C28C31888943AB67CCE4B4448319

US 9.2.1.17 - MD5: 380CA6399374FF5F84154509365A83F7 - or mirrors (1 2)

TW 9.2.1.17 - MD5: CA52E4AD670DFFA29DC1CBA04A0A4164 - or mirrors (1 2)

WW 9.2.2.3 - MD5: 5D5A44069346C4D7D2740E4100520692 - or mirrors (1 2)

TW 9.2.2.3 - MD5: pending


TF201 BLOBs (Transformer Prime)

Honeycomb

WW 8.8.3.33 - MD5: 5136E579FAEDDFE15F6AAE623B6CB67D - (or mirrors 1 2)

Ice Cream Sandwich

WW 9.4.2.11 - MD5: B2668A3387924B19A91F74ABF5DBE4E8 - (mirror)

US 9.4.2.14 - MD5: EF2E635BD6921BFA9D01FC0E4DD0644B - (mirror)

WW 9.4.2.15 - MD5: 55122257B30E9376DF463F3C1A8BA702 - (or mirror 1 )

WW 9.4.2.21 - MD5: 1129DC2643BD0F5DC6C07B9A1B619548 - (or mirror 1 )

RECOVERYBLOBs (only for TF101)

Rburrow's Rogue XM Recovery (mirror) - MD5: 6EE759A84ED02F0D95A029EC245CFDC5 - thread
​

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Results​

Confirmed to work on both TF101/G (ASUS Transformer) and TF201 (ASUS Transformer Prime)

However keep in mind that TFP have to be locked in order to use second method otherwise you may brick your device.


It probably can be used with slider as well

I also confirmed that it is possible to root any official OTA (on TF101/G) by flashing recoveryblob containing custom recovery and than update.zip with su and superuser app.

Proven that Method 2 also work with 9.2.1.21 update to downgrade the software and reroot device. - thanks alvin612.

Method 2 may also work on locked Transformer Prime however be careful and read warning and disclaimer in this thread.

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