[Q] ASUS memopad 7 (ME176CX-1E041A) OTG?

[tuxic001]

Hi,

I am looking for a tablet for HAM radio / Shortwave listeners purposes.
One thing I need is a working OTG interface for attaching USB devices
to that tablet.

I read different/contradictionary informations about whether OTG works
with this tablet I am not sure, whether the tablets, they were talking about
were exactly the one I am on the way to buy.

So:
Does OTG work on a ASUS memopad 7 (ME176CX-1E041A) w/ Android 4.4 ?

And:
I read that Lollipop will install UEFI and will lock me out then, since there is
no rooting method....true?

Thank you very much for any help in advance!
Best regards,
tuxic

 

[Mis012]

Hi,

I am looking for a tablet for HAM radio / Shortwave listeners purposes.
One thing I need is a working OTG interface for attaching USB devices
to that tablet.

I read different/contradictionary informations about whether OTG works
with this tablet I am not sure, whether the tablets, they were talking about
were exactly the one I am on the way to buy.

So:
Does OTG work on a ASUS memopad 7 (ME176CX-1E041A) w/ Android 4.4 ?

And:
I read that Lollipop will install UEFI and will lock me out then, since there is
no rooting method....true?

Thank you very much for any help in advance!
Best regards,
tuxic

The rooting method for lollipop is only less noob-friendly, but for future I recommend you updating to lollipop. For rooting whether kitkat or lollipop (the better but a bit harder way), take a look at this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096
And OTG works quite good, even thumb drives work natively without some root using workaround.

 

[tuxic001]

The rooting method for lollipop is only less noob-friendly, but for future I recommend you updating to lollipop. For rooting whether kitkat or lollipop (the better but a bit harder way), take a look at this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096
And OTG works quite good, even thumb drives work natively without some root using workaround.

Hi Mis012,

thanks a lot for help me to start with all the things.
I want absolutely sure to understand what I am reading in all that tutorials and postings. Are there any "meta"-tutorials, which explain for example all these acronyms and abbreviations like
adb,odin,cvm,twpr,fastboot and a lot more? I want to learn, but what if I even dont understand the abbreviations of the tutorials and howtos? Lost?

Next:
I took a look at the rooting tutorial you linked (THX!) and didnt find my device in the list of supported devices? Out of luck? Or outdated informations? If outdated, how can I be sure, that
it still works?
(This is NO critism in any way, but I dont want "Just another brick in the wall"...

In this forum (or was it androidsforums? dont remember) I read postings of quite a few people who have created paper weights by upgrading to vanilla lollipop...
What are the benefits in comparision to kitkat to take the risk of an update?
Will lollipop fix the battery drain problem in standby of this nice device?
Can I attach a USBtoEthernet device to the usb port an get a net connection instead of using Wifi?

By the way: My ASUS mempad 7 is on the way to me....

Sorry for the bunch of question ... I am driven by a mix of curiosity and anxity...

Best regards and thank you very much for helping a newbie to get the road to
gain knowledge to help others in turn...
tuxic

 

[Mis012]

Hi Mis012,

thanks a lot for help me to start with all the things.
I want absolutely sure to understand what I am reading in all that tutorials and postings. Are there any "meta"-tutorials, which explain for example all these acronyms and abbreviations like
adb,odin,cvm,twpr,fastboot and a lot more? I want to learn, but what if I even dont understand the abbreviations of the tutorials and howtos? Lost?

adb - android debug bridge, gives you shell access to your device from computer and more. Search for Minimal ADB installer.
odin - Samsung flashing tool, has nothing to do with our tablet.
cwm - clockworkmod. custom recovery.
twrp - teamWin project recovery. has more functions, but refuses to work with our device
fastboot - something like adb, you use it for flashing partitions if you have unlocked bootloader

Next:
I took a look at the rooting tutorial you linked (THX!) and didnt find my device in the list of supported devices? Out of luck? Or outdated informations? If outdated, how can I be sure, that
it still works?
(This is NO critism in any way, but I dont want "Just another brick in the wall"...

It should be in the supported devices list. It's me176cx. I can say it works.

In this forum (or was it androidsforums? dont remember) I read postings of quite a few people who have created paper weights by upgrading to vanilla lollipop...

If you soft brick your device like me, you can just return to kitkat, or better go to store and want a rapair. I returned my to the store two days ago, hope they will give me a chance for lollipop. The update should work without problems on a new device.

What are the benefits in comparision to kitkat to take the risk of an update?

First of all, it is lollipop vs kitkat - you can read on internet about why lollipop is better.
The best part - UEFI. with UEFI, you can install any computer OS (Windows, linux) on this tablet.

Will lollipop fix the battery drain problem in standby of this nice device?

Maybe. there was some tutorial on xda how to fix it.

Can I attach a USBtoEthernet device to the usb port an get a net connection instead of using Wifi?

If the OS will support it. I don't know if android can support this.

By the way: My ASUS mempad 7 is on the way to me....

Sorry for the bunch of question ... I am driven by a mix of curiosity and anxity...

Best regards and thank you very much for helping a newbie to get the road to
gain knowledge to help others in turn...
tuxic

No problem.
DO NOT DO ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS WITH THE DEVICE UNTIL YOU GET LOLLIPOP!
Otherwise, you may end up with lollipop update not working > warranty or kitkat forever
And here are some links you should read (It' not that much of text, it only looks like that
https://www.happyassassin.net/2014/01/25/uefi-boot-how-does-that-actually-work-then/ - the autor should thank me, I recommend this article to everone here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317790 - minimal ADB and fastboot (you do not need it for Temp CWM recovery, it includes it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096 - Temp CWM recovery
http://forum.xda-developers.com/memo-pad-7/general/asus-memo-7-me176cx-t2814046 - general thread about this tablet
http://doesn't-exist-yet.sorry/ - I will make a nice step by step guide on how to dual boot lollipop and other OS as soon as I will have my tablet back from service and I will have lollipop so I will have UEFI)

 

[tuxic001]

adb - android debug bridge, gives you shell access to your device from computer and more. Search for Minimal ADB installer.
odin - Samsung flashing tool, has nothing to do with our tablet.
cwm - clockworkmod. custom recovery.
twrp - teamWin project recovery. has more functions, but refuses to work with our device
fastboot - something like adb, you use it for flashing partitions if you have unlocked bootloader

It should be in the supported devices list. It's me176cx. I can say it works.

If you soft brick your device like me, you can just return to kitkat, or better go to store and want a rapair. I returned my to the store two days ago, hope they will give me a chance for lollipop. The update should work without problems on a new device.

First of all, it is lollipop vs kitkat - you can read on internet about why lollipop is better.
The best part - UEFI. with UEFI, you can install any computer OS (Windows, linux) on this tablet.

Maybe. there was some tutorial on xda how to fix it.

If the OS will support it. I don't know if android can support this.


No problem.
DO NOT DO ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS WITH THE DEVICE UNTIL YOU GET LOLLIPOP!
Otherwise, you may end up with lollipop update not working > warranty or kitkat forever
And here are some links you should read (It' not that much of text, it only looks like that
https://www.happyassassin.net/2014/01/25/uefi-boot-how-does-that-actually-work-then/ - the autor should thank me, I recommend this article to everone here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2317790 - minimal ADB and fastboot (you do not need it for Temp CWM recovery, it includes it.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/intel-android-devices-root-temp-cwm-t2975096 - Temp CWM recovery
http://forum.xda-developers.com/memo-pad-7/general/asus-memo-7-me176cx-t2814046 - general thread about this tablet
http://doesn't-exist-yet.sorry/ - I will make a nice step by step guide on how to dual boot lollipop and other OS as soon as I will have my tablet back from service and I will have lollipop so I will have UEFI)

Hi Mis012,
OH WHOW! This drives my curiosity up and my anxity DOWN! A BIG THANK YOU for your patience with a newbie (I have some experience with Linux and embedded devices (Beaglebone Black, AriettaG25(both ARM) though).
AND: My ASUS ME176CX has arrieved!!! YEAH!
And...strictly following your advice I just started to do the least suspicious with it: CHARGING! hahahaha!

Question (as you might already have expected :
The first thing I want to do is to lollipop my board.
Unfortunately there are two things to consider: I have to setup WLAN for my PC (yes, I am of the "generation copper" / Gentoo LInux. This will be some effort
but no unbeatable problem.
Next is: I am living in a house with LOT OF RF noise. My shortwave receiver sounds like an lawn mower when switched on indoors (that the reason for buying a mobile
PC to go outside and still have all decoders, frequency lists and informations available).
So I do not trust any broadcasted data stream that much...especially when it comes to firmware updates (IIIIIEEEEEKKKKSS!).
Is there any way to update via good ole files from a sdcard/internal flash in a non hackish, plain and secure way?

Earphone:
There neither a users manual nor Tech Specs inside the box.
And if I will insert an earphone into the earphone jack I may burn the output drivers of the audio chip inside,
if this earphone has a too low impedance. Mine has 14 Ohms.
Question:
What is the output impedance of the audio port?
Does it support a mic on the earphone (four contacts)?

Thank you very much in advance again for helping an old child to walk in new shoes!
Hopefully I will get around the hurdles in the beginning and can start to give answers.
Best regards,
tuxic

 

[Mis012]

Hi Mis012,
OH WHOW! This drives my curiosity up and my anxity DOWN! A BIG THANK YOU for your patience with a newbie (I have some experience with Linux and embedded devices (Beaglebone Black, AriettaG25(both ARM) though).
AND: My ASUS ME176CX has arrieved!!! YEAH!
And...strictly following your advice I just started to do the least suspicious with it: CHARGING! hahahaha!

Question (as you might already have expected :
The first thing I want to do is to lollipop my board.
Unfortunately there are two things to consider: I have to setup WLAN for my PC (yes, I am of the "generation copper" / Gentoo LInux. This will be some effort
but no unbeatable problem.
Next is: I am living in a house with LOT OF RF noise. My shortwave receiver sounds like an lawn mower when switched on indoors (that the reason for buying a mobile
PC to go outside and still have all decoders, frequency lists and informations available).
So I do not trust any broadcasted data stream that much...especially when it comes to firmware updates (IIIIIEEEEEKKKKSS!).
Is there any way to update via good ole files from a sdcard/internal flash in a non hackish, plain and secure way?

Earphone:
There neither a users manual nor Tech Specs inside the box.
And if I will insert an earphone into the earphone jack I may burn the output drivers of the audio chip inside,
if this earphone has a too low impedance. Mine has 14 Ohms.
Question:
What is the output impedance of the audio port?
Does it support a mic on the earphone (four contacts)?

Thank you very much in advance again for helping an old child to walk in new shoes!
Hopefully I will get around the hurdles in the beginning and can start to give answers.
Best regards,
tuxic

Really don't know anything anout earphones, but I think tablets have some kind of protection, the worst what can happen is you will drain your battery faster, or the sound volume might be lower. Theoreticaly.
About the update: sorry that I didn't mention it, the best what you can do is to download the lollipop firmware from asus support site for this tablet, put it on your sdcard and start it up, then there will be a notification saying somethinhg like "do you wanna update?" You will say that you want and that's it. And you can press thanks if you find my posts helpful, I will feel more like a big boss if I will have more thanks, and it pleases my heart If you need to know anything else, just say You would help us all if you could find someone interested in making cyanogenmod (12.1 would be best) for our device. Just share this link where I write how the locked bootloader can be safely ignored by replacing it with another one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/memo-pad-7/help/me176cxk013-how-cyanogen-mod-t3154917

 

[tuxic001]

Really don't know anything anout earphones, but I think tablets have some kind of protection, the worst what can happen is you will drain your battery faster, or the sound volume might be lower. Theoreticaly.
About the update: sorry that I didn't mention it, the best what you can do is to download the lollipop firmware from asus support site for this tablet, put it on your sdcard and start it up, then there will be a notification saying somethinhg like "do you wanna update?" You will say that you want and that's it. And you can press thanks if you find my posts helpful, I will feel more like a big boss if I will have more thanks, and it pleases my heart If you need to know anything else, just say You would help us all if you could find someone interested in making cyanogenmod (12.1 would be best) for our device. Just share this link where I write how the locked bootloader can be safely ignored by replacing it with another one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/memo-pad-7/help/me176cxk013-how-cyanogen-mod-t3154917

THANKS PRESSED! GREAT! I didn't saw that and it is the first forum I visit, which has this feature!
And downloading an update and THAN flashing it, makes me feel a lot more comfortable...WLAN is only "somehow" here...

Here:
http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=ASUS+MeMO+Pad+7+(ME176C)
I found 1 firmware item to download:
Version WW_V12.10.1.17 (OS upgradesto Android Lollipop 5.0.1)
Now I am a little confused:
"Download device software and Update SOP (From “Manual” Item)" -- what the [] is a "SOP" ? I cannot find any SOP-Manual (or whatever SOP)
"Only apply to same SKU update, Example: WW->WW, CN->CN, TW->TW." ("SKU"? "WW"? "CN"? "TW"? ???? IEEEEKKKS! All this acronyms!!!
"Userfriendly" is definetly something completly different!
I need support for the ASUS support, I think
...Since I found in my ME176CX a software revision number starting with WW and the firmware also start with WW, I think I am ok.
I still dont know, what SKU is and I didnt find any SOP.
Will it be ok to put UL-K013-WW-12.10.1.17_KK-user.zip (unpacked???) onto my SDcard (where? The root dictionary of the card?) ,
put the SDcard into my tablet, and switch the tablet on (when fully charged) and "follow the instructions" ?

Sorry if doubling questions, but I feel better when asking question a second time than buying a tablet a second time...dont like Pink Floyd
at this point of my life...

Best regards,
tuxic

 

[Mis012]

THANKS PRESSED! GREAT! I didn't saw that and it is the first forum I visit, which has this feature!
And downloading an update and THAN flashing it, makes me feel a lot more comfortable...WLAN is only "somehow" here...

Here:
http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=ASUS+MeMO+Pad+7+(ME176C)
I found 1 firmware item to download:
Version WW_V12.10.1.17 (OS upgradesto Android Lollipop 5.0.1)
Now I am a little confused:
"Download device software and Update SOP (From “Manual” Item)" -- what the [] is a "SOP" ? I cannot find any SOP-Manual (or whatever SOP)
"Only apply to same SKU update, Example: WW->WW, CN->CN, TW->TW." ("SKU"? "WW"? "CN"? "TW"? ???? IEEEEKKKS! All this acronyms!!!
"Userfriendly" is definetly something completly different!
I need support for the ASUS support, I think
...Since I found in my ME176CX a software revision number starting with WW and the firmware also start with WW, I think I am ok.
I still dont know, what SKU is and I didnt find any SOP.
Will it be ok to put UL-K013-WW-12.10.1.17_KK-user.zip (unpacked???) onto my SDcard (where? The root dictionary of the card?) ,
put the SDcard into my tablet, and switch the tablet on (when fully charged) and "follow the instructions" ?

Sorry if doubling questions, but I feel better when asking question a second time than buying a tablet a second time...dont like Pink Floyd
at this point of my life...

Best regards,
tuxic

I think that the description is some weird user-unfriendly way to describe what I said. Just do what I wrote, there should be no problem. I will stay tuned, crossed fingers for you.

 

[tuxic001]

I think that the description is some weird user-unfriendly way to describe what I said. Just do what I wrote, there should be no problem. I will stay tuned, crossed fingers for you.

I did it and: I GOT LOLLIPOP! YEAH!
I find you guilty for being the source of this success!

Is there a way to check, whether the update is complete, valid in whole working?
Are there critical points to check (certain applications/functions)?

Best regards,
tuxic

 

[Mis012]

I did it and: I GOT LOLLIPOP! YEAH!
I find you guilty for being the source of this success!

Is there a way to check, whether the update is complete, valid in whole working?
Are there critical points to check (certain applications/functions)?

Best regards,
tuxic

When you connect keyboard using OTG cable, and press F2 during startup, you should boot into UEFI. Did you encounter any problems with lollipop? Disabling "power saver" option in settings should give you smoother experiance, and solves problem with games playing slow. Anyways, I'm glad I could help. For further info, follow this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/memo-pad-7/general/asus-memo-7-me176cx-t2814046/page256

 

[tuxic001]

When you connect keyboard using OTG cable, and press F2 during startup, you should boot into UEFI. Did you encounter any problems with lollipop? Disabling "power saver" option in settings should give you smoother experiance, and solves problem with games playing slow. Anyways, I'm glad I could help. For further info, follow this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/memo-pad-7/general/asus-memo-7-me176cx-t2814046/page256

Hmmm....F2 does not work for me...
I also tried the easter egg...but I got a lollipop, but no game...
Furthermore I cannot connect the ME176CX to my computer in a way that the computer recognized it as storage device...
"Software version" say "5.0" and not "5.0.1" or anything higher. The firmware I downloaded was marked as "5.0.1"

Did I really got a FULL and VALID update?

Best regards,
tuxic

 

[Mis012]

Hmmm....F2 does not work for me...
I also tried the easter egg...but I got a lollipop, but no game...
Furthermore I cannot connect the ME176CX to my computer in a way that the computer recognized it as storage device...
"Software version" say "5.0" and not "5.0.1" or anything higher. The firmware I downloaded was marked as "5.0.1"

Did I really got a FULL and VALID update?

Best regards,
tuxic

It is 5.0.0 they have mistypen. As for the minigame, touching lollipop will change color, but holding will bring the minigame. Maybe F2 only works with powered hub, didn't try it as my tablet is still in service. Alternatively, you can try this:
1.connect usb keyboard with OTG cable
2.enter stock recovery (while powering on the tablet, hold volume down. In droidboot, select recovery using volume buttons and confirm with power button)
3.on the keyboard press and hold F2
4.select reboot to bootloader
5.on the keyboard press ENTER

steps may vary a bit, this method sounds weird to me but you can try. If it will not work, I will point you at a bit harder method.

 

[tuxic001]

It is 5.0.0 they have mistypen. As for the minigame, touching lollipop will change color, but holding will bring the minigame. Maybe F2 only works with powered hub, didn't try it as my tablet is still in service. Alternatively, you can try this:
1.connect usb keyboard with OTG cable
2.enter stock recovery (while powering on the tablet, hold volume down. In droidboot, select recovery using volume buttons and confirm with power button)
3.on the keyboard press and hold F2
4.select reboot to bootloader
5.on the keyboard press ENTER

steps may vary a bit, this method sounds weird to me but you can try. If it will not work, I will point you at a bit harder method.

Hi Mis012,

Ok, got the Lollipop game (just a test, what works -- just to validate my update).
Entered droidboot as a "exercise" only (for getting used to it).
Found my serial number is 012345678012345678 (or similiar counting up).
Does that mean, that someone sold me a refurbished device as a new one? I read of this
kind of "serial number" appearing on devices, which were sent for repair...
Currently I am download&installing (Gentoo installs a wrapper, which one calls to get the whole
thing installed) android_sdk/android_studio to my Linux PC. Oh damn! THAT'S a huge
thing to download...I started 4 hours before and it still downloads (no, I /am/ generation copper,
but I use DSL ... no modem
While that process slowly but surely will fill up my Linux harddisk I was searching for a
GPS app, which DOES NOT LOG me for others, dont read my contacts, and do other, non
purpose related things AND uses openstreetmap (or better: dont use google services),
is able to do all its functions offline and is GPLed.
I testinstalled three...
All claims suspicious rights of accessing for example the microphone.
I deleted all.
Damn!

I think I have to learn A LOT MORE, before feeling halfway comfortable with this kind
of "new world order"

And as always Mis012...thank you very much for your support and patience!
Best regards,
tuxic

PS: Next I will try F2 again...

 

[Mis012]

Hi Mis012,

Ok, got the Lollipop game (just a test, what works -- just to validate my update).
Entered droidboot as a "exercise" only (for getting used to it).
Found my serial number is 012345678012345678 (or similiar counting up).
Does that mean, that someone sold me a refurbished device as a new one? I read of this
kind of "serial number" appearing on devices, which were sent for repair...
Currently I am download&installing (Gentoo installs a wrapper, which one calls to get the whole
thing installed) android_sdk/android_studio to my Linux PC. Oh damn! THAT'S a huge
thing to download...I started 4 hours before and it still downloads (no, I /am/ generation copper,
but I use DSL ... no modem
While that process slowly but surely will fill up my Linux harddisk I was searching for a
GPS app, which DOES NOT LOG me for others, dont read my contacts, and do other, non
purpose related things AND uses openstreetmap (or better: dont use google services),
is able to do all its functions offline and is GPLed.
I testinstalled three...
All claims suspicious rights of accessing for example the microphone.
I deleted all.
Damn!

I think I have to learn A LOT MORE, before feeling halfway comfortable with this kind
of "new world order"

And as always Mis012...thank you very much for your support and patience!
Best regards,
tuxic

PS: Next I will try F2 again...

I hope you do not install sdk only because of adb, because you can get adb separetely and it has less the 10 MB.
About GPS, it looks like this tablet cannot fix location without being cannected to wi-fi.
About the serial number, it really seems weird, but you should be able to change it to something else if you want to.
And it looks there is a new OTA, I recommend not to install it, maybe it will remove UEFI acess or something. Now, it looks like a fix for lollipop problems some people had, but a lot of them have no problems after freezing the power saver app.

 

[tuxic001]

I hope you do not install sdk only because of adb, because you can get adb separetely and it has less the 10 MB.
About GPS, it looks like this tablet cannot fix location without being cannected to wi-fi.
About the serial number, it really seems weird, but you should be able to change it to something else if you want to.
And it looks there is a new OTA, I recommend not to install it, maybe it will remove UEFI acess or something. Now, it looks like a fix for lollipop problems some people had, but a lot of them have no problems after freezing the power saver app.

Hi Mis012,



No, no..(.the SDK is still downloading)...
I install the SDK cause I am curious and may (if TIME and BRAIN allows me) be I can
program something. I am on LINUX here (I mean: my PC is a GENTOO box), so often
tutorials are not that straight forward to read (and helper applications on PC side are
not running here).

GPS is only running when WIFI is connected? Holy CRAP...Google wants to be sure,
that tey are able to track """anonymously"""".
Software "problem"/"feature" which was installed with Lollipop or is it a hardware
restriction? Oh damn...one reason for buying this tablet has gone...

Next update will remove/close UEFI? Will be this the next feature, which I will loose?
But still the nice shiny glass surface will remain...(not without sarcasm... )
IF UEFI will be locked/removed...will we have a chance, to get full control over
this tablet again?
Who is checking for the sanity of this new update?


The droidboot/F2 hack does not work with my keyboard (KBtalking PURE 60).
I could reconnect my IBM model M keyboard of my PC to the tablet, but this
beauty will pull over 100mA through the USBtoPS2 converter....
Better not.

I have an USB hub here...will try that next.
Is there anything I definetly should NOT do, when booted into UEFI?

Will OTAs be available as files later or here or somewhere else?

Do you know of people having such a odd serial number AND have
a proofen new device?
Oh, why oh why one needs to check for everything these days???

Best reagards,
tuxic

 

[lambdadroid]

GPS is only running when WIFI is connected? Holy CRAP...Google wants to be sure,
that tey are able to track """anonymously"""".
Software "problem"/"feature" which was installed with Lollipop or is it a hardware
restriction? Oh damn...one reason for buying this tablet has gone...

It's working fine for me without WiFi, tested it last week. I've heard some people reporting problems with the GPS, can't reproduce them personally.

Next update will remove/close UEFI? Will be this the next feature, which I will loose?
But still the nice shiny glass surface will remain...(not without sarcasm... )
IF UEFI will be locked/removed...will we have a chance, to get full control over
this tablet again?
Who is checking for the sanity of this new update?

I installed the update yesterday, it updated something in the BIOS or UEFI or however that it called, not completely sure if they patched that. I don't have an OTG adapter (?, the micro USB to USB adapter) yet (ordered one already) so can't say if they broke that. Will test once it has arrived.

Will OTAs be available as files later or here or somewhere else?

You can download the latest OTA update from the link I posted it http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61926393&postcount=2587 (scroll down a bit, the URL starting with fota.asus.com has the OTA update, can't post the link directly here for some reason) and install it using the temp CWM recovery for example. Not sure if you can also simply copy it to your sdcard, never tried that. Just keep in mind, I don't know what ASUS will do with your UEFI/bootloader with this update, it's generally working fine for me though. If you've disabled power saver in the previous lollipop version there is generally no big reason to update, there were only a few minor changes (I noticed nothing)...

Do you know of people having such a odd serial number AND have
a proofen new device?

Just checked, I have the same serial number listed there. I don't know but I don't think it's the real serial number so I wouldn't worry about it. I've installed a few updates already and own the device for about a month already so can't tell for sure, but I'm pretty sure I wondered about this serial number already when I got the device a month ago.

 

[Mis012]

Hi Mis012,



No, no..(.the SDK is still downloading)...
I install the SDK cause I am curious and may (if TIME and BRAIN allows me) be I can
program something. I am on LINUX here (I mean: my PC is a GENTOO box), so often
tutorials are not that straight forward to read (and helper applications on PC side are
not running here).

GPS is only running when WIFI is connected? Holy CRAP...Google wants to be sure,
that tey are able to track """anonymously"""".
Software "problem"/"feature" which was installed with Lollipop or is it a hardware
restriction? Oh damn...one reason for buying this tablet has gone...

Next update will remove/close UEFI? Will be this the next feature, which I will loose?
But still the nice shiny glass surface will remain...(not without sarcasm... )
IF UEFI will be locked/removed...will we have a chance, to get full control over
this tablet again?
Who is checking for the sanity of this new update?


The droidboot/F2 hack does not work with my keyboard (KBtalking PURE 60).
I could reconnect my IBM model M keyboard of my PC to the tablet, but this
beauty will pull over 100mA through the USBtoPS2 converter....
Better not.

I have an USB hub here...will try that next.
Is there anything I definetly should NOT do, when booted into UEFI?

Will OTAs be available as files later or here or somewhere else?

Do you know of people having such a odd serial number AND have
a proofen new device?
Oh, why oh why one needs to check for everything these days???

Best reagards,
tuxic

About the UEFI acces removal I said maybe. Mayba not. But who knows these days?
And about the gps, it dit it on kitkat and someone said it does this on lollipop too. I would recommend booting in windows and trying then, if it will not work then it will never. But GPS apps for windows? Noooo, who would mess up with that? The next step would be Android-x86.
As for the UEFI, here comes the noob-unfriendly variant:

0. root the tablet (may not be needed, I haven't tried)
1. download the efibootmgr compiled for android http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61108700&postcount=2083
2. place the file from inside the zip somewhere
3. using android termianl app, cd in folder with efibootmgr
4. with help of this file http://linux.dell.com/files/efibootmgr/efibootmgr-0.5.4/efibootmgr.txt set next boot to UEFI setup utility. You will most likely need root.
5. Power off the tablet and power it on again
6. You should be in UEFI setup utility. Now you may be able to browse the menus.
7. You will most likely still need a powered usb hub to connect keyboard and do anything.

I hope I will not need a powered usb hub, I do not have one.

 

[tuxic001]

About the UEFI acces removal I said maybe. Mayba not. But who knows these days?
And about the gps, it dit it on kitkat and someone said it does this on lollipop too. I would recommend booting in windows and trying then, if it will not work then it will never. But GPS apps for windows? Noooo, who would mess up with that? The next step would be Android-x86.
As for the UEFI, here comes the noob-unfriendly variant:

0. root the tablet (may not be needed, I haven't tried)
1. download the efibootmgr compiled for android http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=61108700&postcount=2083
2. place the file from inside the zip somewhere
3. using android termianl app, cd in folder with efibootmgr
4. with help of this file http://linux.dell.com/files/efibootmgr/efibootmgr-0.5.4/efibootmgr.txt set next boot to UEFI setup utility. You will most likely need root.
5. Power off the tablet and power it on again
6. You should be in UEFI setup utility. Now you may be able to browse the menus.
7. You will most likely still need a powered usb hub to connect keyboard and do anything.

I hope I will not need a powered usb hub, I do not have one.

Hi Mis012,

UEFI:
Thanks for the deeply-hack-mode-variant!
But I will wait with my experiments until it is clear whether we will still have full access to our beloved ME176CX or not.
Here is a little bit of knowledge, which I can give back:
I had asked on xda-developers whether and how it is possible to mount the tablet as storage device.
Now I found a way to do so on Linux.
You need to install on Linux (this is Gentoo notation...other distros may
have similiar nameings)
dev-lang/go-1.4.2
dev-libs/go-usb-9999
dev-libs/go-fuse-0_p20150422
media-libs/libmtp-1.1.8

On the tablet switch off PTP and switch on MTP.

Connect the device with you Gentoo box and start (as root)
go-mtpfs <mountpunt>
(YES! No device name is required here).
After that the mountpoint contains two directories:
drwxr-xr-x 0 root root 0 1970-01-01 01:00 Internal storage
drwxr-xr-x 0 root root 0 1970-01-01 01:00 SD card
which which is, is obvious.
It is ok, that the command "hangs" ... works as designed.
It stops hanging after the umnount (see below).
Now you can add files into these directories as root.
To umount use (again as root)
umount <mntpoint>

This way there is no need of WiFi transfers or fiddling with this
tiny memory chips.

Best regards,
tuxic

 

[lambdadroid]

Hi Mis012,

UEFI:
Thanks for the deeply-hack-mode-variant!
But I will wait with my experiments until it is clear whether we will still have full access to our beloved ME176CX or not.
Here is a little bit of knowledge, which I can give back:
I had asked on xda-developers whether and how it is possible to mount the tablet as storage device.
Now I found a way to do so on Linux.
You need to install on Linux (this is Gentoo notation...other distros may
have similiar nameings)
dev-lang/go-1.4.2
dev-libs/go-usb-9999
dev-libs/go-fuse-0_p20150422
media-libs/libmtp-1.1.8

On the tablet switch off PTP and switch on MTP.

Connect the device with you Gentoo box and start (as root)
go-mtpfs <mountpunt>
(YES! No device name is required here).
After that the mountpoint contains two directories:
drwxr-xr-x 0 root root 0 1970-01-01 01:00 Internal storage
drwxr-xr-x 0 root root 0 1970-01-01 01:00 SD card
which which is, is obvious.
It is ok, that the command "hangs" ... works as designed.
It stops hanging after the umnount (see below).
Now you can add files into these directories as root.
To umount use (again as root)
umount <mntpoint>

This way there is no need of WiFi transfers or fiddling with this
tiny memory chips.

Best regards,
tuxic

On my Arch Linux system with Gnome/Cinnamon and on Linux Mint/Ubuntu (with a few hacks) it is mounting the device automatically without root or any command, I simply connect it to USB and the device is showing up in the file explorer.

 

[tuxic001]

On my Arch Linux system with Gnome/Cinnamon and on Linux Mint/Ubuntu (with a few hacks) it is mounting the device automatically without root or any command, I simply connect it to USB and the device is showing up in the file explorer.

Yes, there are distros out there, which has setup the udev-rules and mtp-mimic already.
Gentoo leaves all that as a task (and exercise) for the user.
Unfortunately I received no reply to my question how to access the ME176CX via usb storage.
So I found it myself...
Now I know, how it works

By the way: Is there any way to disable this [CENSORED] auto completion and word guessing "feature"
of the build-in keyboard. I disabled all suspicous settings under "Language and Input" -- but it
does not help.

"cat /proc/cpuinfo" will instantly be corrected to "cat /proc/Clinton"
which does not work in this case
For programming and system peeking purposes this is a total NO GO!
Help me please with the settings...I am over 30 !

Best regards,
tuxic