Prime bootloader unlock tool

[digitalslacker]

Looks like Asus released the bootloader unlock tool

hopefully we see some ROM development soon

Asus Transformer Bootloader Unlock Available for Download

 

[digitalslacker]

and it's got recovery already
ClockworkMod Recovery 5.5.0.4 for TFP - xda-developers

and it's got a rom already
[ROM][S Series] Virtuous Prime Beta 1 - xda-developers

that's gotta be some kinda record.

 

[jackmei2]

they were also hinting at a CM9 too... can't wait for that!

 

[digitalslacker]

they were also hinting at a CM9 too... can't wait for that!

CM is nice, little too feature heavy for me. I like leaner more AOSP ROMs but the CM team does some great work for the dev community.

I'm going to try to wait for a bit for the bugs to all shake out before I start flashing stuff, try...really...hard...

 

[Pandawg]

Noob question!

What does that do? And what's a Rom? Is this 'rooting'?

 

[digitalslacker]

Noob question!

What does that do? And what's a Rom?

A ROM is the operating system but because Android is open source it can be customized by other developers outside of ASUS.

In order to install a ROM that isn't from ASUS you need to first unlock the bootloader which is what the tool does that ASUS released today.

Then once that's unlock you can install a custom recovery which is the tool used to backup and install other ROMs.

The reason people install custom ROMs is because it gives you better control over the device and can have a completely different look and feel or additional speed tweaks and over clocking.

It's a bit more complicated than that but that's the basic idea.

One thing to note that unlocking your bootloader will void your ASUS warranty so make sure you are good with that before proceeding


Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[Pandawg]

A ROM is the operating system but because Android is open source it can be customized by other developers outside of ASUS.

In order to install a ROM that isn't from ASUS you need to first unlock the bootloader which is what the tool does that ASUS released today.

Then once that's unlock you can install a custom recovery which is the tool used to backup and install other ROMs.

The reason people install custom ROMs is because it gives you better control over the device and can have a completely different look and feel or additional speed tweaks and over clocking.

It's a bit more complicated than that but that's the basic idea.

One thing to note that unlocking your bootloader will void your ASUS warranty so make sure you are good with that before proceeding


Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

Oh alright. Is this like rooting? The Transformer Prime is my first Android device

 

[digitalslacker]

Oh alright. Is this like rooting?

rooting is part of it usually, but it's not the same.

Rooting gives you higher level access within the ROM, custom or stock.

It's the same as having Administrator access on you computer. You can do things on your device that is normally prohibited.

You don't need to unlock the Prime or install a custom ROM to root the device.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[Pandawg]

rooting is part of it usually, but it's not the same.

Rooting gives you higher level access within the ROM, custom or stock.

It's the same as having Administrator access on you computer. You can do things on your device that is normally prohibited.

You don't need to unlock the Prime or install a custom ROM to root the device.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

Oh alright. Thanks for all the information

 

[digitalslacker]

Oh alright. Thanks for all the information

no problem!

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[stoneworrior]

I am personally waiting (Hoping) for a back door method. For what I paid and from the less than stellar performance of my Prime I am not willing to give ASUS the "Out" on replacing my Prime in the future by voluntarily voiding my warranty. Although most of my issues I am sure will be fixed by the dev community except for my WIFI problems so that may push me over the edge, especially if I see some kick butt reviews of a custom ROM soon. Hi my name is Billy and I am a flashaholic

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[digitalslacker]

I am personally waiting (Hoping) for a back door method. For what I paid and from the less than stellar performance of my Prime I am not willing to give ASUS the "Out" on replacing my Prime in the future by voluntarily voiding my warranty. Although most of my issues I am sure will be fixed by the dev community except for my WIFI problems so that may push me over the edge, especially if I see some kick butt reviews of a custom ROM soon. Hi my name is Billy and I am a flashaholic

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

Yeah, that seems to still be up in the air right now. It looks like they are sending the serial home to ASUS who is doing something with it, encrypting, hashing etc., then sending it back to the device to use as it's unlock code.
That's not to say they won't get it but it's not looking like it'll be easy.
HTC uses the same method.

I've unlocked and installed virtuous already. I'm using the tablet in a method that isn't approved by Asus but they were nice enough to allow, if that comes with voiding the 1 year warranty so be it. There isn't any suggesting that unlocking means no warranty claims at all.

 

[stoneworrior]

You are correct that there isn't anything suggesting they will not but there isn't anything suggesting they will either. From corporate track records with this sort of thing I feel it is wise to assume the latter until we officially hear other wise from Asus.

Sent from my Dooderbutt powered Nexus S 4G using TapaTalk

 

[PapaSmurf6768]

I have a 1 year accidental warranty from best buy, so I had no problem unlocking mine. If I make the thing explode because of all the hax I'll just say it was an accident and best buy will take it

Sent via Tapatalk on my BAMFed out TBolt

 

[Sneakersislife]

if u dont mind me asking how much did u pay for the extended warranty?

 

[PapaSmurf6768]

if u dont mind me asking how much did u pay for the extended warranty?

A benjie

Sent from my ROOTED Transformer Prime

 

[enthuz]

A benjie

Sent from my ROOTED Transformer Prime

For one year of accidental? I got 3 years of accidental for $120 on Amazon.

 

[scottysize]

A ROM is the operating system but because Android is open source it can be customized by other developers outside of ASUS.

In order to install a ROM that isn't from ASUS you need to first unlock the bootloader which is what the tool does that ASUS released today.

Then once that's unlock you can install a custom recovery which is the tool used to backup and install other ROMs.

The reason people install custom ROMs is because it gives you better control over the device and can have a completely different look and feel or additional speed tweaks and over clocking.

It's a bit more complicated than that but that's the basic idea.

One thing to note that unlocking your bootloader will void your ASUS warranty so make sure you are good with that before proceeding


Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

That's one of the best explanations I've heard. Good job!

 

[grneyez]

Let the Roms begin

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[digitalslacker]

looks like the first nightly of CM9 is almost ready, link hasn't been wired up yet

CyanogenMod Mirror Network - Powered by TDRevolution

but it's got some problems with the buttons and the keyboard dock. I'm holding off for a bit.

Hey mods! any chance we could get a dev sub forum?

Here's a kang of CM9 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1519042

and here's an early build of AKOP - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1523011

The only ROM I have tried that's ready for prime time at this point is probably Virtuous, and it's way faster than stock.