Help confirm full Root/Recovery/Rom process

[HeathicusF]

My wife has finally decided she'd like me to put a custom ROM on her TF101. I have experience (both good and bad) on my phones and tablets, but she doesn't want hers "messed up." So, I'm a lot less comfortable taking chances with her device than I am with mine. She still loves her TF101 and uses it daily and I don't want to mess it up. Her TF101 is still stock, not rooted, and has the last available ASUS update on it (IML74K.US_epad-9.2.1.27-20120615).

Initially my research indicated this was going to be the quickest and easiest Root/Recovery process I've ever gone though! Download Razorclaw to the device, run it to get root. Download Recovery Installer to the device, run it to get CWM. Easy peasy mac and cheesy. But, Razorclaw seems to be gone. The link to the tool gives a Page Not Found error. Another link on that site outlines a complicated process with a bunch of adb shell commands that made me a little uneasy. Recovery Installer likewise is no longer available at the link given in the first post of that thread. There's a link to a mirror location later in the thread, but if it's not available from the person who made it, then I have to worry. I've also now realized that her firmware version is not compatible with those tools to begin with!

So with my reluctance to upset my wife, some outdated information floating around in the threads, I just wanted to confirm my current plan was the proper way to go.

1. Use the PERI-0.42 tool to root and install TWRP. I wish I could find a video or screen shots of the process so I can know what to expect. (Or should I use the "1-Click Transformer Root" tool? I'm thinking not as TWRP would be preferable to Rogue Recovery?)

• Nandroid backup from TWRP

• Flash ROM following ROM's instructions

That about it?

As for which ROM, Root-Box looks interesting, but it says the camera doesn't work and my wife uses the camera (and the CamScanner app) frequently, so that's a no go. So, I was thinking about Paranoid-Android or No-name CM10?

 

[frederuco]

First, Razorclaw only works on a very few firmwares, and the .27 is not one of them.

I wrote a guide on rooting the TF here: http://www.transformerforums.com/fo...t/31927-frederuco-s-guide-root-rom-tf101.html

This uses EasyFlasher and APX mode. It does install an older TWRP, but if you replace the twrp.SOS file in the EasyFlasher "tools" folder with the latest official 2.3.2.3 file found here: http://techerrata.com/file/twrp2/tf101/openrecovery-twrp-2.3.2.3-tf101.blob (rename to twrp.SOS and replace the file) then EasyFlasher will flash the 2.3.2.3. EasyFlasher will show the old version in the menu drop down, however it will flash the newer version. If you want TWRP 2.5.0.0 you will need to get it from the thread in the development section.

I have used Peri 0.4 in the past, and it is very easy to follow the prompts. I have not made a tutorial or video of it, but as I said it is pretty straight forward.

As far as the ROM to flash, I am using Domination right now and have flashed the RootBox one as well. At the current time the keyboard dock has little support for both of these ROMs. Many users have had issues with SOD and RR on the CM10.1 no-name. My favorite for stability and features is still TeamEOS 4. It has full dock support and is very very fast and stable.

I am actually looking to restore my EOS 4 Nandroid later today.

 

[csb5731]

Easyflasher is about as no-brainer as you can get, I would recommend using that to install TWRP recovery (note: and update to a newer version as per above poster).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688012
I've used it with three different PC's and three different TF101's without any issues, and I've used it to revert to stock a couple times on mine.

As far as ROMs are concerned, I have had the best luck in term of a happy blend of fully-baked (everything works)/stability/compatibility/features/speed-smoothness with the EOS 4 ROMS and KAT kernals, though I have as of yet only given the latest PA ROMs (with halo) a quick look. I am admittedly biased on that front since I switched to EOS 3.0 long ago, but I also haven't heard of any complaints from my folks or a friend who are running slightly older versions of the EOS 4 ROM.

Some people say they aren't pleased with smoothness with the stock launcher in EOS (I run Nova Prime on mine and Nova free version on the other two I've helped "upgrade", seems quite smooth to me). I don't know if that is a perception issue, a difference in hardware, or maybe installed apps/widgets. Or if it is still even an issue.

The only issues I have had on mine (SOD's/RR's) in many months was with one short-lived version of the Kat Kernal, which was fixed asap. For me, it's just as stable as the last official ASUS ICS update, and way way more stable the the preceding one.

By all means, give them all a shot, but I have never really had a problem with using EOS as a daily driver.

 

[HeathicusF]

Thank you, Gentlemen! That's just the sort of help and information I needed. I don't know how I overlooked EasyFlasher in my research.

 

[simonplexus]

I had the same firmware - I used PERI to root and went with EOS nightlies v118 and KatKernel v103. Best decision I ever made. Stable, fast and enough features to sink a battleship.

I overlock to 1400mhz using smartassV2 governor. IO scheduler is set to 'sio' (settings->EOS control center->syste,->Performance settings). Since then its been a dream to use, no lag, no waiting. I stuck the dolphin browser on for good measure. Since all that was done, its smooth, fast and really enjoyable. To think a week ago I was ready to sell it and get something new, no need to do that now!

good luck!

 

[bsoplinger]

About a month ago I had what I thought was a hardware issue with my microSD card reader and started a thread in this subforum about that. Someone suggested I try flashing a custom ROM before I try replacing hardware. Long story short I am now running TeamEOS + Kat kernel and everything is great. Tablet is faster and more stable than it ever was on stock and its nice to be running JellyBean. Only warning, you'll need TWRP not CWM to flash ROMs using Android 4.1+ but otherwise there really isn't too much to worry over.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2

 

[HeathicusF]

I got my wife set up with the Team EOS 4 ROM last night. I ended up having to use PERI instead of EasyFlasher. I couldn't seem to get the tablet into APX mode. Vol UP + Power either did absolutely nothing, or the PC just couldn't "see" the tablet in APX mode. It could see it just fine upon regular boot, and I got the "new device" ding as soon as it started booting, but nothing when trying to enter APX. Vol DOWN + Power, then Vol UP to enter RCK mode brought up the "dead" android with the red triangle for a few seconds, then it rebooted.

But, PERI worked like a charm to root and install TWRP. Then I flashed TeamEOS 4, and she went to work setting it back up.

Thanks for the help!!

 

[frederuco]

I got my wife set up with the Team EOS 4 ROM last night. I ended up having to use PERI instead of EasyFlasher. I couldn't seem to get the tablet into APX mode. Vol UP + Power either did absolutely nothing, or the PC just couldn't "see" the tablet in APX mode. It could see it just fine upon regular boot, and I got the "new device" ding as soon as it started booting, but nothing when trying to enter APX. Vol DOWN + Power, then Vol UP to enter RCK mode brought up the "dead" android with the red triangle for a few seconds, then it rebooted.

But, PERI worked like a charm to root and install TWRP. Then I flashed TeamEOS 4, and she went to work setting it back up.

Thanks for the help!!

Awesome!

Check out my FAQ guide on EOS 4 to help explain many questions you may have, and how to set it up the way you (or your wife) likes.

 

[stesteste]

let us know how she gets on with it ,it really is a great rom my tab has never been so quick i use nova launcher and dolphin overclock it in setting to 1400 i have mine on 1504 and still see good battery life ,,,,,,install goo manager from play for updates to rom and also pimp my rom is good for a few tweaks here and there ,,but first when its all set up and working good MAKE A BACK UP i always make back ups as i go along i have 2 all the time only takes 320 seconds ,,,,,enjoy

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium

 

[HeathicusF]

She told me last night that she really liked the new ROM, so I think we have a winner. I like it too and wish it was available for the TF700 I recently got!

 

[Thing O Doom]

She told me last night that she really liked the new ROM, so I think we have a winner. I like it too and wish it was available for the TF700 I recently got!

[AOSPA-4.2.2][June 13,2013(build #4)]ParanoidAndroid-3.6 | HALO IS HERE
[KERNEL][CM10.1 PA Liquid]bryce[overclock, gov, sched][VER 4.0][04/05]

Glad it was a smooth process. The TWRP install via peri worked? Did you use 2.5 or 2.3?

 

[HeathicusF]

[AOSPA-4.2.2][June 13,2013(build #4)]ParanoidAndroid-3.6 | HALO IS HERE
[KERNEL][CM10.1 PA Liquid]bryce[overclock, gov, sched][VER 4.0][04/05]

I tried that ParanoidAndroid and it wouldn't get past the boot animation. I didn't try that Kernel, or an older non-Halo'd version of PA.

Glad it was a smooth process. The TWRP install via peri worked? Did you use 2.5 or 2.3?

Yep, the TWRP install via Peri worked flawlessly. It was vesion 2.5 of TWRP (Peri v0.42)