[GUIDE] nvFlash General Users Guide [Unbrick/Recover/Downgrade/Upgrade]- TF201

[wickid_d]

Well, I'm glad yall got your problems fixed and up and running again, even if I wasn't much help, lol sorry

~Wickid~

 

[k33pys]

Sending bct

Hi guys my tf201 is frozen on sending bct after starting wheelie command. I got it all working but then ran into a few problem with the lollipop rom so tried to flash it again and now I'm back to square 1 . I knew something was wrong but having trouble mounting in twrp

 

[Rapax]

No downloads on androidroot.mobi?

Seems the download page on androidroot.mobi has gone AWOL. None of the links work (get the 'outdated download' page) and going directly to /download gives me a 404.

Any idea where to grab the required files for a TF201 and Linux?

 

[Deleted member 4152895]

The link for the wheelie binary/executable is dead.. can you please tell me where I can find it?
thanks.

 

[das chaos]

The link for the wheelie binary/executable is dead.. can you please tell me where I can find it?
thanks.

Not true, link is working:
https://download.androidroot.mobi/nvflash-tools-linux.tar.bz2

 

[DJ_MiX]

Need help I Have a ASUS MEMO Pad smart 10
Where can I get a blob.bin from?
I can only go into APX mode, Have no ADB

 

[flumpster]

Need help I Have a ASUS MEMO Pad smart 10
Where can I get a blob.bin from?
I can only go into APX mode, Have no ADB

Unless you created your own then someone elses is not going to help you. It is linked to your motherboard.

 

[wickid_d]

Need help I Have a ASUS MEMO Pad smart 10
Where can I get a blob.bin from?
I can only go into APX mode, Have no ADB

what @flumpster said..

 

[awarannepal]

Link Please.

AIM: This is a general users guide to unbrick, recover, downgrade or upgrade using nvFlash for the Transformer Prime TF201. I will try my best to help anyone out so please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Transformer Prime TF201 (duh!!!)
2. Enabled nvFlash access (Tegra 3 nvFlash by AndroidRoot)
3. Window or Linux computer [Linux recommended]
4. Ability to use a command prompt or terminal shell
5. nVidia APX drivers [Windows Only] (Universal Naked Drivers)
6. Wheelie & nvFlash binaries/executables
7. You device specific nvFlash backup files generated while enabling nvFlash

THIS GUIDE COVERS:
1. Manual steps for basic unbrick, recovery, downgrade or upgrade. [Windows & Linux] This is your first option to recover your device.
2. Automated complete factory reset & recovery [Linux Only] Use this only if you cannot recover using the manual steps or if you want to completely wipe and recover your device.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
At the moment, nvFlash can only be enabled on a device with the 9.4.2.28 ICS bootloader. If you have upgraded to the official Jelly Bean ROM before enabling nvFlash, you would have the new 10.4.2.15 bootloader and you will no longer be able to enable nvFlash. When following this guide, read the information provided carefully to prevent any permanent damages. Be patient as each step may take a while to complete. Make sure your device is charged (recommended more that 75% battery) before attempting anything detailed here. Do not forcefully power off your device at the wrong time. Keep you device connected to your computer during the whole process. If you encounter bootloops or are stuck at the Asus spinning wheel after this process, a data wipe should fix this (Power + Vol Down, then select Wipe Data)

WHY ENABLE NVFLASH:
nvFlash would allow you to recover your device from almost any brick and would allow you to upgrade or downgrade your device.

SETUP:
1. Download the nvFlash binary/executable for your operating system [ Windows / Linux ]
2. Download the wheelie binary/executable for your operating system [ Windows / Linux ]
3. Install the APX drivers [ Windows Only ]

FOR LINUX USERS:
Make sure you always run nvflash and wheelie as root or sudo. If your user does not have root privileges or is not a sudoer, you will quite likely not be able to do this. If you are a root user, do not use the sudo prefix in the commands below.

INSTRUCTIONS [MANUAL STEPS]:
1. Download an un-blob'd ROM (links below). [Advanced users can use BlobTools (blobunpack) and unblob a ROM. Make sure you have compatible unblob'd images of the bootloader, recovery, kernel & system]
2. Extract wheelie, nvFlash and the unblob'd ROM to a directory (avoid spaces in the directory path)
3. Start your device in APX mode [Power On + Volume Up]. Your tablet screen will remain blank in APX mode.
4. Bootstrap your device (enter nvFlash mode) while your device is in APX mode using wheelie

5. After wheelie does it's job, your device will be ready in nvFlash mode. You can now begin the process.
6. We start with the bootloader. In the case of the un-blob'd ROMs below, this is the blob.EBT file. To flash the bootloader, use this command:

7. Next we move to the recovery image. In the case of the un-blob'd ROMs below, this is the blob.SOS file. To flash the recovery image, use this command:

8. Next we move to the boot image. In the case of the un-blob'd ROMs below, this is the blob.LNX file. To flash the boot image, use this command:

9. Next we move to the system image. In the case of the un-blob'd ROMs below, this is the blob.APP file. To flash the system image, use this command:

10. Finally, we reboot the device. After you run the following command, you will see the text "AndroidRoot 9.4.2.28" and your device should reboot in a few seconds. If you device does not reboot after you see the text, force a reboot (long press the Power button)


SEMI-AUTOMATED COMPLETE RECOVERY - LINUX ONLY:
This process completely wipes all partitions (except external SD/mSD cards) and reflashes everything, essentially returning your device to a near factory state. You will not lose you unlock status or nvFlash access. You will lose all data from your internal storage (/storage/sdcard0 or /data/media).
Unfortunately, due to technical reason, this process is possible only using Linux, since the nvflash executable for Windows is very old and cannot handle this process. I will be creating a detailed step-by-step guide for those not comfortable with Linux. But for now, this is available for all those who know how to use Linux.
To use this, you need to download one of the unblob'd stock ROMs below (or create your own) along with the semi-automated complete recovery zip below.
You will also need the device specific nvFlash backup generated when you enabled nvFlash.
Complete instruction are in the "README" file in the semi-automated complete recovery zip.

DISCLAIMER: nvFlash can save your device, but if used incorrectly, it could permanently brick your device. If you follow the instructions carefully, you should not have any problems. However, in the event that you do have a problem, neither I (craigacgomez), nor the AndroidRoot team can be held responsible. Use this guide at your own discretion. If you need help or do not understand something, PM me and I will try to help you as much as I can.

DOWNLOADS:

UN-BLOB'D STOCK ICS 9.4.2.28 ROM
- Un-blob'd stock ICS 9.4.2.28 ROM
- Completely unmodified

UN-BLOB'D STOCK JB 10.4.2.15 ROM
- Un-blob'd stock JB 10.4.2.15 ROM
- Completely unmodified

SEMI-AUTOMATED COMPLETE RECOVERY - LINUX ONLY [Read Info Above Before Using This!!]

CREDITS:
AndroidRoot - Everything you see here has been made possible because of the AndroidRoot team.
nVidia

SUPPORT THE PROJECT
Donate to AndroidRoot - They are the amazing people behind nvFlash for the Prime
Donate to me (craigacgomez)

Hey can you please give me the link to wheelie.exe. the link you provided doesn't work.

Thank You.

 

[jinseiichido]

The nvflash & wheelie download links in the guide seem broken and the files are no there any longer.. could someone provide us these files???

SETUP:
1. Download the nvFlash binary/executable for your operating system [ Windows / Linux ]
2. Download the wheelie binary/executable for your operating system [ Windows / Linux ]

 

[jinseiichido]

Hello everyone.. I have been trying to follow the guide to get my tablet working but I'm having some problems following the steps.

I can get my TF201 into APX mode so I can use nvflash.. but my tf201 keeps rebooting itself to ASUS logo screen after each time I run a nvflash command in the steps. Please look at the screenshot images I attached to this thread.

So basically I have done the following..

get into APX mode > wheelie.exe --blob blob.bin > nvflash.exe -r --download 4 blob.EBT (this runs successfully then automatically reboots itself to ASUS logo screen)
get into APX mode again > nvflash.exe -r --download 5 blob.SOS (this runs successfully then automatically reboots itself to ASUS logo screen)
get into APX mode again > nvflash.exe -r --download 6 blob.LNX (this runs successfully then automatically reboots itself to ASUS logo screen)
get into APX mode again > nvflash.exe -r --download 10 blob.APP (this runs successfully then automatically reboots itself to ASUS logo screen)
get into APX mode again > nvflash.exe -r --go ,
I ran the last command below it did not seem like it did anything.. output i got from the nvflash was "Nvflash v1.13.87205 started, [resume mode]".

If anyone is interested I have a thread going here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/transformer-prime/help/tf201-stuck-asus-splash-screen-t3091490/

Any help is appreciated. Thank you so much in advance. I really want this tablet working again so I can give it to someone.

 

[[email protected]]

Stuck on ASUS Splash Logo, shows as APX in Device Mgr

Please Help me.

I rooted my device recently but it was already unlocked few months back and no issues. I had stock rom JB 10.4.2.18, and since the performance on the device was slow. I decided to root it and update to CM Kit Kat, the only thing i did was to get into recovery and did wipe data to get into Factory mode, and ultimately after that it is stuck on Splash Screen with Asus Logo and the normal message at the top left Device is unloced and the NVidia Tegra logo on the bottom right.
I can see the device in device manager as "Asus Transformer Prime APX interface" but when i execute ADB reboot bootloader or with Fast boot, it says Error no device found.

I dont have any backup or any device specific blob file other than whatever i downloaded from ASUS web site. I sent it to ASUS and they gave me a quote for $300 to replace Mother Board . Do i have any chance for recovery ?

 

[[email protected]]

Please Help me.

I rooted my device recently but it was already unlocked few months back and no issues. I had stock rom JB 10.4.2.18, and since the performance on the device was slow. I decided to root it and update to CM Kit Kat, the only thing i did was to get into recovery and did wipe data to get into Factory mode, and ultimately after that it is stuck on Splash Screen with Asus Logo and the normal message at the top left Device is unloced and the NVidia Tegra logo on the bottom right.
I can see the device in device manager as "Asus Transformer Prime APX interface" but when i execute ADB reboot bootloader or with Fast boot, it says Error no device found.

I dont have any backup or any device specific blob file other than whatever i downloaded from ASUS web site. I sent it to ASUS and they gave me a quote for $300 to replace Mother Board . Do i have any chance for recovery ?

The only thing i see in Device Manager is :-
Android Phone -
Asus Transformer Prime APX Interface

Any help to get this fixed will be highly appreciated.

 

[bb100dulski]

I have the sbk for my tf201.Can I somehow recover?

 

[Dnkl96]

will this work on tf201?

What is APX mode?
APX mode is basically a programming mode or download mode for nVidia based devices. On a development device or an unrestricted device, when you get into APX mode, you can program your device using nvflash commands. Most production devices lock down APX mode and disable nvflash access. This is where wheelie comes into the picture for our devices. If you cannot access APX mode, you have probably permanently bricked your device.

What is wheelie?
Wheelie is an nvflash pre-loader that boots the tablet into an nvflash ready mode that lets you use regular nvflash commands (with -r prepended!). Wheelie was created by the amazing folks at AndroidRoot. Wheelie uses the "device specific" blob.bin file to bootstrap the device in APX mode and allow nvflash access. The blob.bin file has information like the Chip UID which is different for each devices and cannot be used interchangeably. If you get you device repaired or RMA'd and the motherboard is replaced, you would need to regenerate the blob.bin file.

What is nvflash?
nvflash is a low-level flash utility for nVidia based devices which gives you low level access to the system to flash, format, recover, repartition and do many more functions. It is a very powerful tool and should be used with caution. Read and follow all instruction carefully when using nvflash.

What is "-r" in the nvflash command?
The whole purpose of -r or --resume is to tell nvflash that the device is already running the nv3pserver (nvflash recovery mode), without -r or --resume it will try to do the preflight that wheelie does for us.

What is "--download X" in the nvflash command?
This parameter in the nvflash command is used to download/flash the specified file to partition X in the device. So the command "nvflash -r --download 4 blob.EBT" with download/flash the file blob.EBT to partition 4. These partitions are defined in the device partition table. The flash.cfg file in your nvflash backup is the partition table description if you want to know more details.

What is "--go" in the nvflash command?
This parameter in the nvflash command is used to boot bootloader after nvflash completes instead of looping in nv3pserver in resume mode. Basically it should exit resume mode and reboot your device.

What is BlobTools?
Once again, this is the genius brainchild and result of the amazing folks at AndroidRoot. The Asus Transformer series uses "blobs" to flash stuff. A blob can have multiple partitions (system, boot, recovery, bootloader). Blobs are moved to the staging partition (/dev/block/mmcblk0p4) and are automatically flashed upon reboot. The blob header defines where the different files in a blob get flashed to (boot gets flash to the boot partition, system to the system partition, etc.). BlobTools in a utility to create and extract these staging blobs. All blobs need to be extracted before being using with nvflash.

I have already upgraded to Jelly Bean. Can I still use nvFlash?
At the moment, nvFlash can only be enabled if the device is using the 9.4.2.28 ICS bootloader. If you have not yet enabled nvFlash and you have upgraded to the stock Jelly Bean ROM, you will have the 10.4.2.15 bootloader and you will no longer be able to enable nvFlash.
If you have already enabled nvFlash before upgrading to the stock Jelly Bean ROM, you will continue to have nvFlash access even though your bootloader was upgraded.

will this work on tf201? i just go into fastboot mode and accidentally data wiped it. i already unlock my tf201 but i can't instal recovery. can this work on tf201? or is there other way to unbrick it?

 

[thebig24fan]

Would this fixed my problem getting in recovery mode as it fails everytime i try ?

 

[tania9423]

HI ALL
this DOWNLOADS it fail...
I need DL STOCK nvflash ROM
PLZ
TK"S

UN-BLOB'D STOCK ICS 9.4.2.28 ROM
- Un-blob'd stock ICS 9.4.2.28 ROM
- Completely unmodified

UN-BLOB'D STOCK JB 10.4.2.15 ROM
- Un-blob'd stock JB 10.4.2.15 ROM

 

[albertao83]

Transformer Prime Bricked

Sorry guys, but I'm become crazy with this device.

Two years ago I bricked my tf201 and I doesn't found a solution.
Now I want fix it.

When I power the device it appear a screen with "Asus - inspiring innovation - persistent perfection" writed in the middle.
In the corner top left is written " the device is unlocked".

If I push power+volume down doesn't happen anything. Simply remain in the black screen with the logo in the middle.

I Have windows 10 and the laptop doesn't recognize it. When I plug the usb when the tablet is in power off windows says this "ID dispositivo corrispondente: USB\DEVICE_DESCRIPTOR_FAILURE
Driver prioritari: usb.inf:USB\DEVICE_DESCRIPTOR_FAILURE:00FF2000"

What do I do?

 

[negRomino]

Links for unblobd ROMs and Semi-automated complete Recovery are offline.
Anyone who can help out?

 

[ozgurkinaci]

Unblob'd stock files

Hi everyone,
I have found the unblob'd stock files and wanted to share with everyone.
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=23212708291677381

I have unbricked my TF201 with this guide, thanks to @craigacgomez
Now I need to update to Nougat.