[Eee Pad Transformer General] ceugb:
I originally posted this on the Asus TransformerForums. Still no update from .13

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Root-Unroot-Restore-Lessons learned

Hello all. I've had my TF now since September or October and enjoying every minute of it. Bought mine in Japan so it was HTKXX.JP_epad-version B70 model. Like so many of us the first thing I wanted to do was root it and install custom ROMs. Being the B70like many I had to wait until Razorclaw was released but as soon as it was I was ready to root.

Let me say I'm not well versed in rooting, intalling, and troubleshooting Android devices...and like many the tablets are new to me. So, to help me figure it out I search and read the forums, re-read, and search again. Notice I said "search the forms", that is very important before posting questions as most of our questions have already been asked and answered. That being said, its ok to post a question, I've found the admins, mods, and other people with experience, problems, and solutions all willing to help. Don't forget, these people do this freely so always respect them even if you dont like the answers or advice they give you. Many of us would have some very shiny paper weights if not for the help from the many on here.

Now..to continue my little adventure. And root I did, Prime! 2.1.0, Revolver, Revolutions HD, and back to Prime! when I had questions I turned to the forums, and sometimes was even able to give a little advice myself. With ICS on the horizion and the latest OTA I thought I should look at unrooting and returning my device back to stock. So, again I turned to the forum for information. Because my TF was the JP model I was concerned there may be something with the build that would prevent this or I wouldnt be able to get the right firmware. You see...there isnt a lot of information related to JP models on the forum. I didnt realize they are all "pretty much the same".

Either way, I eventually posted a question and right away was helped with information or unrooting and reflashing back to stock. All the information however was to restore the US model. After some discussions with one of the RS guys I decided what the heck...gonna try it anyway. (the tinker/challenger in me)

Very good instructions for everything I wanted to do were there. If you think I'm joking, check the signature of RS Team Lead Frederuco. It's all there.

End result my TF was unrooted and now have ver 3.2.1 US.epad-8.6.5.13-20110925 kernel ver 2.6.36.3android@mercury#1. hmmm...I was worried because everyone was talking about ver.19 and .21...am I in trouble? I've tried various things to get caught up even with a version that I could possibly re-root. Oh boy....even trying to go back and get the JP update from ASUS didnt work, my device is now a US.epad device. My thoughts were...well, at least its still working.

Then I decided to do a bit more investigation, so i went to one of the local computer stores and checked the build and kernel version. I was suprised to see that the only difference in what I now have and what's in the stores is the JP & US. So, maybe what I'm waiting for hasnt gotten to Japan yet...or the ones in the store just haven't been updated. (more likely the case)

Either way, the point and advice here is this. if you decide to unroot and restore I dont recommend to the weak hearted to use a SKU other than what came on your device. It worked yes but not sure where I'm going from here. For me, it doesnt matter as I can always manually update when the versions are on the ASUS site. Worse case, I would have just bought another device and ....yep probably rooted it right away

We all know the risks we take when rooting, tinkering, etc. If you take the plunge, search, read, asks. And respect the people helping.

I hope this in someway helps someone

Update:

I've been able to get my TF from US.epad-8.6.5.13-20110925 to WW_epad-8.6.6.19-20111101 If nothing else I can at least root again. Will probably wait to see if I am actually getting OTA or not. The steps followed can be found in dev post "possible fix for lost root with 8.6.5.21" Sorry, I cant post links yet...

Note that I've changed the SKU on my device from JP to US to WW. So far I haven't seen any problems because of this. (still, if you aren't sure I recommend you dont)