[FAQ] ASUS Transformer Prime TF201 All Things Root

[ylexot]

Overview
This FAQ is geared towards the ASUS Transformer Prime (TF201), but I’m sure parts will be useful for other devices. The thread is not intended to be used for discussion because that could make it unwieldy. If you find errors or items to add, PM me. To use the FAQ, just click on the "Show" button(s) for the appropriate area(s) and read

Friendly Suggestion: check your MD5! Devs will typically provide an "MD5" number right below their download link. You'll need to run an app (just search for MD5 on the Play Store) to calculate the MD5 for the file that is downloaded. Compare the number that the app produced to the one the Dev provided. If they match, then you got a good download. If not, try to download it again until the numbers do match. Trying to use an incomplete file is the source of many headaches!

FYI, Scary Alien is a Moderator on these boards and produced the AFV (Android File Verifier) app on the Play Store

Useful Terms

Spoiler

In alphabetical order...

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) - a program that is run on a PC when connected to an Android device and allows commands to be run on the device from the PC.

Bootloader - a small program that places the operating system into memory. If a bootloader is "locked", then it cannot be modified to load a different operating system.

Bootloop - an error mode where the device will repeatedly start the boot sequence, but restarts the device before finishing.

Brick/Bricked - a more severe error mode where the device will not even begin to boot up.

BusyBox - BusyBox combines tiny versions of many common utilities into a single small executable. It provides minimalist replacements for the most common utilities you would usually find on your desktop system (i.e., ls, cp, mv, mount, tar, etc.).

ClockWorkMod (CWM) - A recovery program that is often used to apply updates, ROMs, or create a backup or restore a backup file.

CyanogenMod (i.e. CM7 or CM9) - CyanogenMod (pronounced sigh-AN-oh-jen-mod), is a customized, aftermarket firmware distribution for several Android devices (See above for supported devices & how to install CyanogenMod on said devices). Based on the Android Open Source Project, CyanogenMod is designed to increase performance and reliability over Android-based ROMs released by vendors and carriers such as Google, T-Mobile, HTC, etc. CyanogenMod also offers a variety of features & enhancements that are not currently found in these versions of Android. CyanogenMod | Android Community Rom based on Gingerbread

Devs/Developers - the folks who make it all possible. Give a big round of applause (and maybe some PayPal donations) to your friendly neighborhood Devs! Seriously, Devs typically do it because they enjoy it and they can, but they also put expensive devices at risk while doing it. You support them, they support us.

Kang - to use another’s code/work without their permission (not nice). “Open Kang” means that the devs throw their code out for anyone to use.

Kernel - a program that constitutes the central core of an operating system. It has complete control over everything that occurs in the system.

MD5 - a calculation performed on a file that results in a unique number that can be used to verify that a file has been downloaded completely and that it hasn't been tampered with. Also known as a checksum.

Nandroid - a backup created from CWM that includes everything...ROM, settings, data, etc.

Over/Under-Clock - speeding up (over) or slowing down (under) the frequency that the device processor will operate at. Overclocking can increase performance, but often uses battery power faster and can cause instability. Underclocking can help preserve battery power, but may unacceptably slow down your device.

ROM - these are typically full operating systems, but can also be modifications to existing operating systems.

Root/Rooting - making changes to a device so that access is granted to the system’s root file system (superuser access).

Superuser (SU) - a superuser has full permissions on a device. This allows the user to make changes to system files that are normally locked. It also allows the user to break things, so be careful with it. The Superuser app is used to grant superuser permissions to other applications. Be sure you trust those applications before granting them permission.

Bootloader Unlocking

Spoiler

***WARNING*** Unlocking your bootloader will void your warranty and it cannot be re-locked.

Now that you know that your warranty will be voided if you unlock it, why might you want to unlock it? The simple answer is so that you can load a different ROM. Different ROMs may have different features or advantages over the stock ROM. For example, a ROM may be stripped down for better performance. It’s up to you to research the various ROMs and decide if it is worth the risk of voiding your warranty. The bootloader must also be unlocked to install CWM which will allow you to make/restore Nandroid backups.

Still want to unlock? ASUS provides the tool:
**Note that this only works on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
UnLock Device App

Alternatively, the viperMOD PrimeTime tool can also unlock your bootloader (if you choose to). See the Rooting section for the viperMOD PrimeTime tool.

***WARNING*** Unlocking your bootloader will void your warranty and it cannot be re-locked.

Rooting

Spoiler

Why root your device? Well, there are lots of reasons. Rooting will allow you (or apps) to make changes that you normally can’t. Some of the frequent reasons are: theming, ad blocking, and app backup/restore.

There are multiple methods to rooting (newest first):

SparkyRoot
Dev: sparkym3
Requirements: A Transformer Prime and the app
Notes:
Source: [TOOL][APK ROOT]SparkyRoot apk root method - xda-developers
Local Discussion: http://androidforums.com/transforme...tool-apk-root-sparkyroot-apk-root-method.html

viperMOD PrimeTime
Dev: -viperboy-
Requirements: Windows or Linux PC and a USB cable
Notes:
Source: [TOOL][Updated 2.22.12]viperMOD PrimeTime v4.5 | Auto Root/Unroot/Busybox/CMW Flash! - xda-developers
Local Discussion: http://androidforums.com/transforme...e-v4-5-autoroot-unroot-busybox-cwm-flash.html

NachoRoot
Dev: jcase
Requirements: ADB on your computer
Notes: For Honeycomb, not for the feint of heart
Source: [ROOT] NachoRoot - Honeycomb - xda-developers
Local Discussion: http://androidforums.com/transforme...t-supporting-all-firmware-jan-3rd-2-11-a.html

Also worthy of noting in this section is the Voodoo OTA Root Keeper. This app is free on Google Play and will keep you from losing root (and having to re-root) when updates come out from ASUS.
Voodoo OTA Root Keeper

Another source to find tools is Transformer Prime ROM and Kernel Directory - xda-developers

ROMs

Spoiler

Without further ado, here are the ROMs!
Stock 9.4.2.15 for Unlocked Bootloaders
Notes: Use to take you back to the stock ASUS OS
Source: [ROM] Stock 9.4.2.15 for Unlocked Bootloaders - xda-developers
Local Discussion: None

Official CyanogenMod 9 (CM9) Nightlies
Notes: None
Source: CyanogenMod Mirror Network - Powered by TDRevolution
Local Discussion: Cyanogenmod 9 on transformer prime

CyanogenMod 9 (CM9) KANG
Notes:None
Source: [ROM][WIP][KANG] CyanogenMod 9 for TF201 - xda-developers
Local Discussion: None

Android Open Kang Project (AOKP)
Notes: None
Source: [ROM] Android Open Kang Project - RC1 (3/20/12) - xda-developers
Local Discussion: [ROM][WIP][AOKP] Android Open Kang Project Beta 26 for TF201[2/29/2012]

Virtuous Prime
Notes: None
Source: [ROM][S Series][06.03.12] Virtuous Prime 9.4.2.15 v2 - xda-developers
Local Discussion: [ROM][S Series] Virtuous Prime Beta 1

WabiSabiGeeks (WSG)
Notes: None
Source: [ROM] WSG Beta v0.0.3 - xda-developers
Local Discussion: None

Prime Icylicious
Notes: None
Source: [ROM] [03/13/12] Prime Icylicious 9.4.2.15 Rev Z_1 (New Icon Packs Added) - xda-developers
Local Discussion: None

Codename Android
Notes: Not sure of status since source link does not have a link to the installation file.
Source: CNA 1.5.0 adds multiple devices and nightly builds | Codename Android
Local Discussion: Codename Android 1.5.0?

Another source to find ROMs is Transformer Prime ROM and Kernel Directory - xda-developers

Troubleshooting, Fixing, and Undoing

Spoiler

At the moment, this is the best guide I’ve seen:
[HOW-TO] Unbrick your Transformer Prime (or not) - xda-developers

If that doesn’t help, start a thread and we’ll see what we can do to help.

Last Update On: 22 March 2012
Update log:

Spoiler

22 March 2012 - Added suggestion/information about MD5 checksums.
21 March 2012 - Added ROMs! Also mentioned CWM in the bootloader section.
20 March 2012 - Initial release - no ROMs included

 

[JAy3001]

Thanks ylexot, great FAQ.

 

[ylexot]

ROMs have been added. If anyone has used any of these ROMs and wants to provides some notes about them (i.e. what doesn't work), let me know.

 

[Nolam]

Thank you for this! I use it as a reference constantly.

Two questions:

Do you know if rooting alone breaks warranty? (Not sure if Asus can detect that if you unroot + clear logs, etc)

Any news on a .21 root coming out? I jumped the gun and updated without root keeper because I really wanted FFC unlock (which didn't even appear on the update >>)

 

[JAy3001]

Rooting alone does not break your warranty.

There is a root method based on the .21 update called Virtuous:
[ROM][S Series][30.03.12] Virtuous Prime 9.4.2.21 v1 - xda-developers

But I am not sure if this method will void your warranty. Roots based on Sparky Root will not void your warranty, but do not currently work with the .21 firmware.

 

[Nolam]

Thanks man!
Where can I find the root based on that ROM?

 

[JAy3001]

You mean Sparky Root? If so it is not a ROM, just an exploit to gain Root access. I believe ROMs would affect your warranty.

http://androidforums.com/transforme...k-root-sparkyroot-apk-root-method-v1-3-a.html

 

[ylexot]

Virtuous is a ROM, not a root method. Sure, you end up with root, but that's because you replace the operating system with a different one that is already rooted.

I think you can download 15 from Asus, install that manually, root, use ota root keeper, and then install 21.

Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

 

[Nolam]

Does that wipe me?

 

[ylexot]

Sorry, it looks like that won't work.

Right now, it looks like the only way is to get root is to unlock the bootloader (thus voiding your warranty), install CWM, and flash a ROM.

My advice is to just be patient. Somebody will figure out a root method.

 

[Lock-N-Load]

you should update post 1 to indicate there is as of yet, no way to root the JB update we got for those that were not rooted before or just acquired a TF201. None of those 3 root methods can root JB. Nothing can as of right now.