Database Users

Boot Loader questions

Hey guys I recently bought an atrix off craigslist. It's the bell version and is running GreyBlur and is rooted. How do I tell if the bootloader is unlocked or not? I tried flashing clockwork mod through adb and it kept saying failed to flash, so I became suspicious that the bootloader is locked, ( I previously though that since im running a ROM, the bootloader must be unlocked) Correct me if im wrong, thanks

Vik_92_Sandhu said:
Hey guys I recently bought an atrix off craigslist. It's the bell version and is running GreyBlur and is rooted. How do I tell if the bootloader is unlocked or not? I tried flashing clockwork mod through adb and it kept saying failed to flash, so I became suspicious that the bootloader is locked, ( I previously though that since im running a ROM, the bootloader must be unlocked) Correct me if im wrong, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only has to be rooted, not unlocked to run a P-ROM which is what you have with GreyBlur. It's not an actual ROM.

oh I see, so most likely the bootloader is locked because it fails when trying to flash clock work mod. Is it safe to unlock the bootloader when running a P-Rom ? I was reading the forums about people bricking their devices by ota updates and SBF files, or do those things only happen once your bootloader is unlocked? Thanks

You got everything mixed up...
Vik_92_Sandhu said:
oh I see, so most likely the bootloader is locked because it fails when trying to flash clock work mod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If bootloader is unlocked you should see "Unlocked" at the upper left corner at boot screen (the first one, with dual core logo).
You couldn't flash clockwordmod because it's not officially supported, you should use the ones provided at the dev forum (either for the locked or the unlocked bootloader)
Is it safe to unlock the bootloader when running a P-Rom ? I was reading the forums about people bricking their devices by ota updates and SBF files, or do those things only happen once your bootloader is unlocked? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
P-ROMs has nothing to do with unlocking. P-ROM is just a heavily modified version of an official motoblur ROM.
About the bricking... well, there is always a chance of bricking if you don't know what you are doing and don't read instructions carefully till you understand everything. But if you follow everything as stated, most likely you won't brick.
Cheers

U should get on google+ we chat this up often
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App

I wish I had google plus, never got an invite, thanks for the info man , its very much appreciated, I used to have the captivate and thought it would be the same, but I was wrong. Those clarifications really help, thanks.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
edit: wait is tenfars CWM not supported?

frankiedizzle87 said:
U should get on google+ we chat this up often
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's your name on it?
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

ok guys
1) I unlocked my bootloader
2) Flashed Clockwork Mod
3) Placed this http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1169409 on my sd card
4) tried to install zip using clockwork but it kept saying installation aborted
After that didnt work I tried using adb and moto-fastboot to flash the rom, it worked but now my phone is in boot loop. I tried deleting user data and tried reflashing the rom but still in bootloop. What is the next step I should do, I know i'm one wrong step away from a brick so I really want to be carefull.
Should I try flashing a different rom using moto fastboot? thanks

[Q] Newbie with Motorola Xoom and Root

Hello, I just bought a tablet, and it comes with android honeycomb 3.0.1. I wanted to know what order I should follow. First root or upgrade to 3.1 (3.2)? I do not know what to do. Is there any updated guidance?
Thank you very much and happy new year.

rumbitas said:
Hello, I just bought a tablet, and it comes with android honeycomb 3.0.1. I wanted to know what order I should follow. First root or upgrade to 3.1 (3.2)? I do not know what to do. Is there any updated guidance?
Thank you very much and happy new year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It really shouldn't matter what order you do this in. Here is a link for a root method valid for all update versions:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1242241
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

I was on the latest update and rooted my Xoom yesterday just fine.

I would say update first then unlock bootloader and root.
Because...
1. After unlocking bootloader you cannot flash OTA updates (your device may brick)
2. Root would be deleted anyways if you flash an update even if it won't brick...
But make sure you get yourself familiar with adb and fastboot commands first, you need those to get your xoom rocking =D

aR_ChRiS said:
I would say update first then unlock bootloader and root.
Because...
1. After unlocking bootloader you cannot flash OTA updates (your device may brick)
2. Root would be deleted anyways if you flash an update even if it won't brick...
But make sure you get yourself familiar with adb and fastboot commands first, you need those to get your xoom rocking =D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point! Might be easier to do OTA updates first, unless you are planning on doing custom ROMs.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

mikedyk43 said:
Good point! Might be easier to do OTA updates first, unless you are planning on doing custom ROMs.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest you only accept OTA updates to 3.2 and not above that. Then root and flash the Tiamat Moray rom, which will update you to 3.2.1. Later OTA updates seem to have added something, making it harder to flash a custom recovery.

Thanks for your answers, love u guys!! ^^

After do adb reboot bootloader and fastboot oem unlock I try to do:
fastboot reboot
But the command line shows:
<waiting for device>
What I need to do?

Good luck, i was hesitant when i first was rooting my xoom but it works great. dont be scared

Official Blob files released. As well as new 4.2 unlock tool

Just so everyone is aware, i know this may be a pointless thread but i just want people to know that Asus released a new version of their unlocking apk tool on their website. This version is for 4.2 only.
They also released the official .blob files for Android 4.2

Do we need to unlock the bootloader again (?)
I think I'm going to try this, but I'm still afraid it will break my tablet...
I just hope we have a updated recovery soon

joelalmeidaptg said:
Do we need to unlock the bootloader again (?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No

I will try to update and see what happens. I hope everything turns out well. I can live some days without root (I hope lol). I also highly doubt that a recovery for this bootloader won't be made, soo... Here I go!

This is my first time trying to unlock and root my tablet. I just got the 4.2 OTA (never been rooted or unlocked before). What do I need beside this new unlock tool? TIA.

joelalmeidaptg said:
Do we need to unlock the bootloader again (?)
I think I'm going to try this, but I'm still afraid it will break my tablet...
I just hope we have a updated recovery soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No just posted for people like Samsung.Galaxy.S3 who need to unlock their bootloader. Also posted because I feel like partition mapping has changed resulting in the failure on recovery. Also, TWRP believes the kernel just needs to be upgraded. One Asus releases 4.2 kernel source then I'm going to update and test TWRP builds.
joelalmeidaptg said:
I will try to update and see what happens. I hope everything turns out well. I can live some days without root (I hope lol). I also highly doubt that a recovery for this bootloader won't be made, soo... Here I go!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should. You're just not going to be able to root until the newer recovery is released. And I cannot live without root lol.
Samsung.Galaxy.S3 said:
This is my first time trying to unlock and root my tablet. I just got the 4.2 OTA (never been rooted or unlocked before). What do I need beside this new unlock tool? TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing. Don't do anything yet. We need a newer recovery to support the 4.2 update. Until then, nobody can root. So just hold tight ^-^
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2

Just flashed and it's blazing fast! Even for a stock rom lol. Really enjoying my first moments

joelalmeidaptg said:
Just flashed and it's blazing fast! Even for a stock rom lol. Really enjoying my first moments
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have custom recovery?

I can wait for 4.2. Don't want to get stuck on stock and not be able to use Google Play movies. Stupid unlocked bootloader broke that

avatar_pt said:
do you have custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no working custom recovery for 4.2 yet. Its being worked on and we need Asus to release the 4.2 kernel source code to get it.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2

elesbb said:
Just so everyone is aware, i know this may be a pointless thread but i just want people to know that Asus released a new version of their unlocking apk tool on their website. This version is for 4.2 only.
They also released the official .blob files for Android 4.2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where can I find the .blob files? I can't seem the find them on the support page.
Edit: never mind, I found them. thanks

is it worth flashing even though no root or custom recoveries yet?

Thanks for your information

elesbb said:
There is no working custom recovery for 4.2 yet. Its being worked on and we need Asus to release the 4.2 kernel source code to get it.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, we will have to wait until some new updated recoveries show up.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

Too bad that the TF300TG doesn't have the 4.2 listed there.

Jagay said:
Too bad that the TF300TG doesn't have the 4.2 listed there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It usually takes longer until TG recives the update
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

Red triangle
Hi, I downloaded the Firmware from the asus website for my tf300t (ww version). I need to manually update it to 4.2 because my bootloader is unlocked. I'm with a stock rom and recovery.
I extracted it to the root of my internal memory and tried to update it (I turned off the device, pressed power+volume down and selected the first option).
It starts to update but after about 1 second the android with red triangle appears.
I'm doing it right or not? I'm sure that the firmware that I downloaded is the right one.
Thanks

lucaurso said:
Hi, I downloaded the Firmware from the asus website for my tf300t (ww version). I need to manually update it to 4.2 because my bootloader is unlocked. I'm with a stock rom and recovery.
I extracted it to the root of my internal memory and tried to update it (I turned off the device, pressed power+volume down and selected the first option).
It starts to update but after about 1 second the android with red triangle appears.
I'm doing it right or not? I'm sure that the firmware that I downloaded is the right one.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U sure its updating or just entering rck recovery. After putting the zip on root of sd or internal sd just reboot and after start up a triangle should apper in the notification bar then select the drop down menu and select it. In some cases people have had to rename the extracted update file. If us the name it to US_epad-user-10.6.1.8.zip if ww the capital WW where the US is. Not sure if everyone had to but if doesn't see it one way then try renaming it.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

aerdely said:
U sure its updating or just entering rck recovery. After putting the zip on root of sd or internal sd just reboot and after start up a triangle should apper in the notification bar then select the drop down menu and select it. In some cases people have had to rename the extracted update file. If us the name it to US_epad-user-10.6.1.8.zip if ww the capital WW where the US is. Not sure if everyone had to but if doesn't see it one way then try renaming it.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh ok I were wrong! I unzipped the file and entered in the rck recovery! Tonight I'll try as you said.
Double check: I'll not loose all my data right? It will be a normal update like if my bootloader was locked?

joelalmeidaptg said:
It usually takes longer until TG recives the update
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then I have no option than waiting.

[LOKI] Bootloader hack official FAQ thread

I just released Loki, a set of tools for developers and users to flash custom kernels and recoveries on the AT&T and Verizon branded Samsung Galaxy S4.
The tool is available at:
https://github.com/djrbliss/loki
The technical details on how the exploit works are described at:
http://blog.azimuthsecurity.com/2013/05/exploiting-samsung-galaxy-s4-secure-boot.html
This is a support thread that I will check regularly until I decide to hand over support to the community. Feel free to ask any questions, and I may add the answers to this post. As a guideline, if it's a question that's already been answered in this thread or in the README for Loki, I will ignore it.
Does this make any permanent changes to the device?
No permanent changes are made to your device when using loki_flash. The bootloader itself is untouched. By restoring the original system, boot, and recovery images (via Odin or otherwise), the device will be in a stock state.
Can this be patched?
Absolutely. Any update that includes a new aboot will almost definitely cause your custom kernel or recovery to fail to boot without running it through loki_patch again, and if the update contains a fix for the vulnerability Loki exploits, it may permanently prevent using the tool. It's possible for Samsung to ship an update that prevents downgrading aboot to a vulnerable version, so I recommend avoiding installing any OTA updates without confirmation that it's safe.
What about the bounty?
As usual, I encourage anyone looking to donate (as part of the bounty or otherwise) to give their money to a reputable charity organization instead. If you insist on donating to me, I'm sure you can find my Paypal account somehow.
This all seems complicated. What about a step-by-step guide?
These tools are primarily intended for developers, who will be able to use them and provide ordinary users with easy ways to flash custom ROMs. Be patient, I'm sure your favorite ROM developer will come up with something for you.
I've installed a Loki-patched recovery. Can I just install regular custom ROMs now?
Any ROMs that include a replacement boot.img must be modified to include a Loki-patched boot.lok file instead. Otherwise, your phone will fail to boot until you restore a Samsung-signed boot.img or a custom boot.lok image via your custom recovery, or flash a stock image via Odin.
So this is just like kexec?
This is similar to kexec in that it works around a locked bootloader, but this approach is much more flexible and robust. Kernel and recovery developers can build their projects just as they would for an unlocked device, run the final result through Loki, and then it's ready to be flashed. No hackery and brokenness required.

Thanks!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda premium

is this similar to htc dev which doesn't truly unlock "s-off" the device? i assume your method just circumvents the locked bootloader? the way i read what your tool accomplishes is for us to flash a recovery and kernels but doesn't actually touch the locked bootloader status?
thanks for your work. also let the games begin!

Thank you very much!!!!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

Very much appreciated!

By the time I get back from work, I'm pretty sure there'll be at least two recoveries and three roms prepared

Wooooot!!! Thanks man.

Awesome! Finally devs can start releasing some ROMs!

hopefully someone can make a toolkit and make this a one-click unlock/root

Thanks so much! :good:

thanks dude.

RawisTheGameHhH said:
hopefully someone can make a toolkit and make this a one-click unlock/root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This or a step by step guide.

Theres already recovery available...
But thank you Dan, now all this bootloader madness can finally stop!

so we can flash a recovery and kernels with this tool but what about radios? can those be flashed with a locked bootloader? i swore they couldn't.

You are the MAN. A charity will be finding my donation per your recommendation.
Thanks again for all the great work.

Oh man, I'm dying here. I don't get off work for another ~6 hours! And I don't have admin access on my work computer, so no adb.
So, we have a patched recovery now, but custom kernels also have to be patched, correct? So it would be a bad idea to adb the recovery and then immediately try to use it to flash one of the roms that are already out there?

mattdm said:
Oh man, I'm dying here. I don't get off work for another ~6 hours!
So, we have a patched recovery now, but custom kernels also have to be patched, correct? So it would be a bad idea to adb the recovery and then immediately try to use it to flash one of the roms that are already out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i wouldn't try flashing any roms yet.

YES!YES!YES!
Dan, You are The Man!!! Thank you so much. May your thanks meter need a fire extinguisher before the day is done....lol.:good::good::good::highfive::highfive::highfive:

did a nadroid backup, and it is doing multiple archives, is there a setting I missed?
nevermind, I stand correct, nice, very nice, thanks goes out to everyone involved.

Solid.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using XDA Premium HD app

Pissed at this pad,take 2...

So,I recently acquired a tf300t and went about trying to root,flash recovery etc. Turns out my bootloader is locked and the tool from asus doesn't work anymore. I'M on 4.2.1. 10.6.1.27.5 and every root method I've tried fails,motochopper,framaroot etc. So my question is this,am i stuck with the factory version of jb,or is there a way to get a custom rom on this thing with the locked bootloader? Correct me if I'm wrong,but i cant flash a recovery or anything else until the bootloader is unlocked??
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium

Contact Asus. The unlock tool works fine. Dl it from Asus site directly.
Sent from inside my mkv.

I got it directly from asus,it doesnt work on my machine,or many others judging by the amount of info i found on that subject. Far as i can tell,it doesnt work possibly because the machine has been rma'd for some reason and something has been changed internally,but i dont know for sure as i am not the original owner
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium

warhammer1966 said:
I got it directly from asus,it doesnt work on my machine,or many others judging by the amount of info i found on that subject. Far as i can tell,it doesnt work possibly because the machine has been rma'd for some reason and something has been changed internally,but i dont know for sure as i am not the original owner
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i easily rooted my tablet on 4.2.1 with motochoper and lock bootloader
asure that all the drivers are correctly installed

warhammer1966 said:
I got it directly from asus,it doesnt work on my machine,or many others judging by the amount of info i found on that subject. Far as i can tell,it doesnt work possibly because the machine has been rma'd for some reason and something has been changed internally,but i dont know for sure as i am not the original owner
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dang I lost my detailed reply to you somehow. Okay, I'll do it again but much shorter this time since you seem to know your way around.
I do not have my tablet handy do I'll do the best I can. Check your firmware version. It is possible that your firmware is a recent version. ASUS has been known to block the ability to root when pushing out new firmware. I know this from experience as I had to go through a mountain of dung to root my 300. I was finally able to do it by downgrading to, 10.6.1.25.1 or something real close to that. It's the firmware that came out late July of this year. Once I downgraded to that version I was able to use the ASUS version 7 of the unlock tool.
Once unlocked the easiest way to root is to get TWRP V2.6 or newer and use fastboot to push the blob to your tablet. With the later versions of the OTA you can get the into fastboot mode by simply booting into the stock recovery which defaults into fastboot mode. Just make sure you're plugged in before going into the stock recovery. The beauty of TWRP 2.6 and up is that it will automatically install superSU for you. When searching for TWRP try going to the TWRP site so that you get the correct blob. You want the one specific to the Android version that is installed on your tablet. Read the descriptions carefully and be sure to use the .blob and not the .img.
I hope this is clear. I haven't slept in three days so I'm a little loopy so what may seem legible to me might not to you. Feel free to message me if you need me to clarify anything.
Best of luck. I'm off to bed.
EDIT I just read the op again and noticed that you are, in fact, on a newer FW than me so I'm inclined to believe that you may have to downgrade or wait tool ASUS puts an updated unlock tool.
Sent from the Awesome Lone Star State where the law abiding carry guns and the criminals think twice.

Wouldnt i have to be unlocked to downgrade? I already thought of doing that,but didnt because of the locked bl....
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium

warhammer1966 said:
Wouldnt i have to be unlocked to downgrade? I already thought of doing that,but didnt because of the locked bl....
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope you can root without having an unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda app-developers app

Not if you are on the latest firmware,as I am. Every root method I have tried fails on the new fw for some reason and the unlock tool doesnt work for it either. Thus,i cant do **** til asus releases an updated unlock tool..unless i can downgrade to an earlier version with the locked boot loader?? Thats the question....
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium

warhammer1966 said:
Not if you are on the latest firmware,as I am. Every root method I have tried fails on the new fw for some reason and the unlock tool doesnt work for it either. Thus,i cant do **** til asus releases an updated unlock tool..unless i can downgrade to an earlier version with the locked boot loader?? Thats the question....
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, im in the same situation your in. But I managed to gain root with motochopper.
How I managed it was do the first part of the downgrade, you then can get off the 27.5 which fails root. I ran the 10.6.1.15.3 from asus and it let me gain root. But now am still stuck with a locked bootloader.

I just successfully unlocked my bootloader using the unlock tool from the Asus website, and I'm at the latest firmware. Are you sure you're using the CORRECT unlock tool? There's two different versions for download.

I think this might be something people are over looking, register your device with asus, wait a few, then try to unlock. I ran into a few issues, but got it all worked out in the end. Now I'm unlocked and flashed coming from the newest firmware.

bigtoysrock said:
I think this might be something people are over looking, register your device with asus, wait a few, then try to unlock. I ran into a few issues, but got it all worked out in the end. Now I'm unlocked and flashed coming from the newest firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are the man! Worked like a charm! I never would have thought of that. On my way to some custom rom goodness,thanks again

warhammer1966 said:
So,I recently acquired a tf300t and went about trying to root,flash recovery etc. Turns out my bootloader is locked and the tool from asus doesn't work anymore. I'M on 4.2.1. 10.6.1.27.5 and every root method I've tried fails,motochopper,framaroot etc. So my question is this,am i stuck with the factory version of jb,or is there a way to get a custom rom on this thing with the locked bootloader? Correct me if I'm wrong,but i cant flash a recovery or anything else until the bootloader is unlocked??
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you buy the Ferary car, you drive that with out the complain. You don't need to change from bendzin to diseal
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app