yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] 3rdamention:
Ok, I know I saw this issue on Primes even back in December. I cannot find the exact source, but when I had my problems on January 10th, I found information online where people were already having the Serial Number Unknown Problem long before I was.

What cracks me up, is I couldn't be more clear about the fact that my table will not do over the air updates. I couldn't be more clear about the fact that this is a problem, I researched, for many other users. And my first response from Asus? They explain to me how to update Over The Air.

I am just frustrated that Gary wants us to message him, PM him our Serial Numbers, tells us they are working on a fix, tells us they are now testing a fix. They are doing all of this work, but cannot send one freaking email or memo to the Service Department/Customer Service reps and tell them?>

When most companies are aware of a problem, are working on fixing a problem, and are even testing a fix (Per Gary Key's Comments), dont they pass this information on to the people that are supposed to be helping those with the problem? Asus seems to have the worst internal communication I have seen in a large company (remember when the told us for days that ICS was not ever released and our Prime Tablets were just fine, even though Asus was touting it on Twitter and Facebook?).

Asus has proven to me to have one of the worst Customer Services I have ever seen. Period. Even Gary joked that he mayhave to work in Customer Service if they dont get their stuff together. Well, they still dont have their "Stuff" together.

---------- Post added at 08:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

Actually after 18 days of waiting, my Asus Service Tech told me how to do an OTA Update (Which I explained wouldn't work because of the Serial Number Unknown Issue) and told me how to update manually from their site (which still doesn't fix or address the problem at all). I don't think they ever read my inquiry. I dont think they ever did a google search of "Serial Number Unknown." I dont think Asus cares one bit. Heck, the only sense I have that Asus cares about anything is the fact that Gary Key is here answering questions. When that is the best thing you have going for you Customer Service wise, with one guy trying to help people on a random message board, that is pretty pathetic.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Rogue100:
The email you posted that you received from them was identical to mine. Pretty sure it was just a canned response not based on a careful read of the inquiry.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
Wow, really frustrated

For the record, Asus is still shipping units with the serial unknown.

I just purchased mine on Newegg when they were in stock for 1 hour on Jan 26th... had it shipped two day air, got here yesterday brand new still in the shrink wrap (Monday the 30th) and I can't update because of the serial unknown.

I was impressed that their support line is open 7 days a week 24 hours a day, and didn't even mind waiting for 20 minutes to get to talk to a rep (it's their dime, I simply put it on speaker phone and watched a movie until someone answered).

WOW

The rep was completely unaware of this issue. He told me the serial number was on the bottom. I explained, in detail, the issue and how I can not update to ICS, and he asked if he could put me on hold. I said yes, and he did. He came back after a couple of minutes and told me about manually updating, which of course would provide ICS (theoretically, if I had a micro SD handy which I dont) but it does NOTHING to deal with the issue, and it would leave me with a serial unknown forever and a constant need to manually update and perhaps have apps I can not run in the future.

The only other choice is to ship it to them and have a replacement sent to me.

Which sucks, since I have been waiting for this to come in stock for a long time and I don't want to be without it for who knows how long.

For $500 I would expect more quality control. This thread doesn't give me much hope either, reading the "tomorrow I will have a fix" and then "tomorrow I will have a fix" and then nothing for 5 days....

Talking to support on the phone it doesn't sound like a fix is in the works except for the post in this forum. Either that, or it is top secret and they can't even trust their own technical support with the knowledge that they are working on one.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
we now have a fix for this :)

https://twitter.com/#!/BumbleDroid/status/164456392974012417

http://androidroot.mobi/2012/01/31/introducing-ratchet-the-unknown-serial-fix/

p.s.

any donations should go to the androidroot.mobi team (donate link on the blog post)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] benlc:
Wow, that was fast ! Thanks dear sir, let me buy you a beer

Works very well, all done in about 1 minute
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
any donations should go to the androidroot.mobi team (donate link on the blog post)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] benlc:
Well that's too late. Enjoy your beer ;)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] antiflash1:
Wait for ASUS?

Now that the amazing developer community beat Asus with a fix, the question is: Do I wait for Asus "official fix" or do I try this? Any advice Gary?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dgjl:
This is great. Could someone post a walk through for the android uber-newb? Thanks.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
Take a closer look: http://androidroot.mobi/2012/01/31/introducing-ratchet-the-unknown-serial-fix/

There is one...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] demandarin:
Damn, that's all it took? Glad to hear this issue getting resolved for you all. Someone should make a vid for those not as versed. I'm sure they would appreciate it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sontin:
That's not a real fix for the problem. The "serial number" under "seriel number" is not the same asus put on the box or on the device as the sticker.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] curreyr:
Did you read the link? ... you enter the number on YOUR box/sticker ... sheesh
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
Sure it is. I don't have this issue and the display, the stickers (prime and dock) and the box are show me all the same serial number.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sontin:
Can you make a screenshot? My Transformer #1 has "another" serial number under status.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
The serial number in about tablet matches that on the box/sticker here :)

I guess they may have put the wrong label on :/
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
I hope you don't mind that I have anonymized the serial number a bit. But rest assured that it's the same as on the sticker
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sontin:
Okay thx. It's different from my Transformer.

So now it's time for a new update to check if this working.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
Can you get a screen-shot of your about menu ? did u use the ratchet fix ?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] curreyr:
methinks sontin got a re-man (or ebay) device. it doesn't suffer from the "unknown" instead was "reboxed" (ouch)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JmChile:
worked perfect!!!! THANKS A LOT!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] sontin:
I had the first Transformer. But the serial number under status was not the same from the box/sticker. So i thought it would be the same with the Prime.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Doktaphex:
You have to love the fact that Apache14's alter ego of Bumble-Bee is one of the finest Transformers in the Autobot stable.

Developers giving their own free time beat a multi-national company yet again. Nice to see a resolution, and a well explained one at that, come about for all you guys with this issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] GernBlanston:
...so is Ratchet.

APACHE IS DA MAN, ANDROIDROOT.MOBI HAS DA PLAN
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Hanshananigan:
I have been a lucky one and have had a running e-mail exchange w ASUS tech services and tonight a phone call. Unfortunately the ICS update did not resolve the serial number issue so ASUS issued me a RMA. Even with the hassle i think I will go that route instead of the developer fix, which is a bit beyond me (I must be getting old).
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PuroKaibil:
Worked great!!!

Less than 2 minutes following the "If your device is not rooted beforehand" instructions.

Serial number shows as expected under the About - Status screen.

Now the update OTA waiting game begins... :D

Expect a donation coming your way... ;)

Thank you to all involved in developing this tool.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dgjl:
That's not for an uber-newb as there seems to be a lot of pre-steps and things to download, e.g., and which appear to need other things loaded first.

I'm asking for a walk through for a literal no nothing whose first experience of android is the ATP--there's a lot of us on this site.

But if this kind of thing is beyond us--well, thanks for your efforts, but we'll have to wait.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
If you have a windows pc, download the USB drivers from HERE (choose Android as OS) and install them

Get adb from here: Windows* or Linux

Activate USB debugging mode on your prime (Settings -> Developer options) and connect your Prime to the pc

open a terminal window on your pc

in that terminal window, browse to the directory where you have downloaded adb to (the Ratchet archive should be extracted to the same directory) and execute the following commands:

adb push mempodroid /data/local/ (on linux: ./adb ....)

adb push ratchet /data/local/

adb shell (You’ll now see a shell@android:/ $ prompt)

chmod 755 /data/local/mempodroid /data/local/ratchet

/data/local/mempodroid 0xd9ec 0xaf47 /data/local/ratchet

This is where the magic happens. Make sure you enter your serial number correctly, all in caps!

Reboot your device

Done

* Download for windows version two post later

Points 6 to 13 are just copied from the android.mobi website so I don't take any responsibilities.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
Your link to windows ADB is broken

Nice instructions otherwise.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
Try this one.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dgjl:
I'm so dumb I didn't realize I had to connect the prime to a PC!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
Does windows 7 64bit require a 64bit version of adb?

I am only asking because here is what I get:

---------- from command prompt --------------

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]

Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\John>cd ..

C:\Users>cd ..

C:\>cd x

C:\x>adb push mempodroid /data/local/

adb server is out of date. killing...

* daemon started successfully *

720 KB/s (11812 bytes in 0.016s)

C:\x>

--------------------------------------------

I get the

adb server is out of date. killing...

* daemon started successfully *

each time I use an adb command and when I get to the final step:

/data/local/mempodroid 0xd9ec 0xaf47 /data/local/ratchet

all I get is a $ prompt afterwards, so I don't know where it is that the magic happens and I type in my serial.

Sorry if I am missing something.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
maybe the adb.exe was too old. I uploaded the version I have on my PC at home...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
What android / rom version is your device running ?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
Asus Transformer Prime TF201

Android Version 3.2.1

Kernal Version 2.6.36.3-00003
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] pbrauer:
Worked a treat! Thanks VERY much for the fix.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
@ JohnPrime

Ahh u need to use the HC root method like this :-

To Temp Root

1) download http://download.cunninglogic.com/nachoroot.bin

2) "adb push nachoroot.bin /data/local/"

3) "adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/nachoroot.bin"

4) "adb shell /data/local/nachoroot.bin --stage1"

5) "adb reboot" (wait for device to fully reboot)

6) "adb shell /data/local/nachoroot.bin --stage2"

7) "adb reboot" (wait for device to fully reboot)

8) "adb shell id" check for ID 0

Now to fix serial

1) download https://github.com/downloads/AndroidRoot/Ratchet/ratchet.zip

2) "adb push ratchet /data/local/"

3) "adb shell" (should get to "#" prompt)

4) "chmod 755 /data/local/ratchet"

5) "/data/local/ratchet" (Enter the serial number from the box / lable ALL IN CAPS)

Now undo temp root (while still at "#" prompt

1) "/data/local/nachoroot.bin --undo"

2) "reboot"

* All text in " " are commands as is (should be copy and paste)

** Download means download to the directory that contains adb.exe (or extract the .zip to that directory)

Now u should be able to check for OTA successfully :) please let me know how you got on
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] 3rdamention:
Great job to the Developers. I knew they would find a fix before Asus did. Now we wait to see what type of fix Asus has up their sleeve. Could be interesting. HOwever, I am sure we will continue to wait for some news from Asus since they have not been very forthcoming with ANYTHING!!
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dgjl:
OK--I get to the bit where everything is extracted to the same directory--but then what I do I do--the adb file just scrolls?? how do I execute the commands? Sorry to be such an ubernewb...:o
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
ASUS must be sure that the devices are still functional after the fix. If you follow the fix by android.mobi you do it all at your own risk.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
If it scrolls then you must have added or forgotten something at the commands. Be sure you enter them exactly as they are written here.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dgjl:
I've got a bit further. Now when I try to execute "chmod 755 /data/local/mempodroid /data/local/ratchet" its sends me off to a google search which just finds this thread...:(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
I suspect you are double clicking the ADB.exe file in windows, which is not what you want to do.

You want to open "command prompt" in windows and then you want to change to the directory you have adb (and other files needed here) in

"cd.." will move you up a directory

so if you put the files in a dictory called x, you want to go up to the c: drive, and then type in "cd x" and you will be in the x directory with all your files.

Now you copy and past the commands here (note, you can't use control-v in command prompt to paste, you need to right click on teh black window and select paste)

Hope that helps
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
WHERE are you executing that command? It doesn't look like your doing it in terminal window on your pc (you mustn't include the beginning and ending "")
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] LoganMcClay:
Hi everybody,

Does anyone with the SN unknown issue and fixed it with Ratchet got OTAs update ?

I fixed my TF201 SN yesterday night and still didn't see any OTAs coming. I'm on ICS (v9.4.2.7 WW manually installed).

Bye
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
Did you manually check for the updates ? in settings / about tablet ?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] LoganMcClay:
Hi Apache14,

Yeah I spammed that button so much since I've my Prime lol, I might have been blacklisted on Asus's server :D

I confirm I checked my SN was still here after some reboots and did a lot of clicks on the "check for updates" button. Hopefully i'm already on ICS and the .11 fix is still minor so I can definately can wait some more time to see if OTAs are coming to me or not.

Bye,
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
As non if us had a device with the issue we are assuming that asus update based on S/N or UUID :rolleyes:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dgjl:
I'm putting it in the same place as I put the others in order to get as far as I did--in the box at the top fo the folder--i told you I was a know nothing...:rolleyes:

Ignore me--followed the advice from John Prime above (thanks!) and I now have a serial number--let's see if it makes any difference come OTA time...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] LoganMcClay:
I think my problem might be harder to solve than that... Just tried to register my TF201 over Asus's VIP thingy and my SN isn't recognised by their webform...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PuroKaibil:
have you read the following thread before attemting to use this fix?

great read....

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1427008
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
C:\x>adb push nachoroot.bin /data/local/

adb server is out of date. killing...

* daemon started successfully *

705 KB/s (15182 bytes in 0.021s)

C:\x>adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/nachoroot.bin

adb server is out of date. killing...

* daemon started successfully *

C:\x>adb shell /data/local/nachoroot.bin --stage1

adb server is out of date. killing...

* daemon started successfully *

NachoRoot: ASUS Transformer Prime v1.1 Release Build

By Justin Case (jcase)

Presented by TeamAndIRC, RootzWiki and AndroidPolice

Testing by -viperboy-

----------

I (jcase) do not have a Transformer Prime, I would like one to continue work on.

If you want to help by donating to my device/wine fund, please buy an app or use

paypal:

https://market.android.com/developer?pub=Cunning+Logic

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=U3JKACE7SN7

RC

----------

Usage ./nachoroot.bin <parameter>

----------

Parameters: DO NOT RUN OUT OF ORDER.

--stage1 : Reboots the Transformer

--stage2 : Reboots the Transformer again, and gains root..

--undo : This is your last step, after installing su/superuser, will fix instabi

lities from this root.

----------

Please reboot then run again with --stage2 parameter.

failed on '/data/sensors/AMI304_Config.ini' - No such file or directory

C:\x>
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] trollcki:
Way to go Devs.

I've sent my ATP for RMA - yet to see what they come up with.

BTW I wonder where's Garry these days - he hasn't showed up for a week or so bussy at a'sus - I'd love to see that.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] pslotter:
I am in the same boat... Win7 64bit and I get

C:\TFP>adb push nachoroot.bin /data/local/

adb server is out of date. killing...

* daemon started successfully *

475 KB/s (15182 bytes in 0.031s)

C:\TFP>adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/nachoroot.bin

adb server is out of date. killing...

* daemon started successfully *

C:\TFP>

Is there a fix for this?

Thanks
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
Did you RMA to asus or to where your bought it?

I am just wanting to know how it works with ASUS?

How long and who pays shipping, etc.

I can return it to newegg no problem, but what if they don't have any stock to replace mine?

ARGH, this has really tainted my experience with the asus transformer prime. I own a LOT of asus products, including an eee netbook and have built hundreds of computers using ASUS motherboards.

I shouldn't have to go through all these hassles when I fork over $500 for a tablet.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] GernBlanston:
I was having the same trouble with Win 7 64...but an install to my Win 7 x86 laptop worked a treat. Other thing to do was to uninstall the Transformer driver listed under "Portable Devices" in the device manager, and keep the one under "Android Phones" or whatever.

---------- Post added at 06:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:06 PM ----------

Did you do this via an app on the tablet or just via the website? I say this because Gary was able to verify my SN active/valid in their database.

---------- Post added at 06:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:08 PM ----------

Phone call to their support, they go through troubleshooting steps, come to the conclusion you need an RMA, they give you a reference, you ship the item (you pay there, they pay return), they say their target turn-around is 7 days from the time it hits their dock, but this depends on availability of repair parts or replacement hardware.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Bumble-Bee:
Im looking into this issue further .... the issue may well be on asus server side too :(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] staciejo:
got updates

I updated manually last week but low and behold, with serial unknown, i received the update and the camera update tonite automatically.....rebooted but still says serial number unknown. At this point i don't care as long as asus sends me updates and my device keeps working perfectly like it is!! Thankyou gary and asus! :):) And other valuable people on the forum!!!....I may try the ratchet thing anyhow now that i read all the posts....but am getting ota updates without it now. Strange
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] muskt:
Got a New One -- OK So Far

I got a new TP last evening at Best Buy in Anchorage, Alaska. The first one a couple of weeks ago had the serial number issue plus others. Returned it after 4 days.

So far (hoping) this one is near 100%.

Serial number is OK

Wireless is possibly a bit weak, but not terrible (I have an Asus Netbook, Dell laptop & the wifes desktop to compare it to).

GPS wouldn't lock on at my home, so tried at work where I have a corner office--5 sats in less than one minute, & 12 within 2 minutes. Power down & reattempt and received lock-ons in less than one minute.

Updated to 9.4.2.11 OTA with no apparent problems.

So far, zero auto-reboots.

Tried U-Tube, Browser, Huge PDF files -- all successfully, so far.

Ever so slight bleeding along the bottom left & right, but nearly nonexistent.

My new one has serial number BCOKASxxxxxxx.

I am not bragging (that would be tempting the demons), rather I'm just thrilled with this one.

If it fails in the near future, I'll submit a report to the forum.

Jerry in Anchorage, Alaska
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
Run cmd.exe as administrator
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] JohnPrime:
Problem happens for me on Windows 7 64bit and I did run command as admin
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] KBanause:
Please try the following steps:

Open cmd.exe and execute the following command:

adb kill-server

Then open the taskmanager and check if there are any adb processes running (you have to press the button to let you show the processes of ALL users). If there are any adb processes running, kill them. Then try to fix your serial number again.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] GernBlanston:
It did this "server is out of date - killing" thing on Win7 64 bit for me, regardless of whether there was anything akin to adb running or not...then it wouldn't recognize or list the debugging-mode-enabled, connected tablet in any way. An "adb devices" command listed nothing, even if the adb drivers showed loaded correctly in device manager, and even with a full install of just about everything available in the developers suite. I would also get varying errors mentioning the daemon and its status. I had read from at least one user that uninstalling the second set of drivers for the tablet, listed under "portable devices" in windows enabled adb to function properly; I tried that to no avail.

For me, the answer was simple, but took a long time to find: Load the sdk on a x86 machine. It simply would not work on my 64-bit windows install. Once on the 32-bit machine, the tablet showed up correctly, and the process of rooting and installing the fix went smoothly. I got root, which is 90% of what I wanted out of this serial number fix to begin with, but I also loaded a different launcher and got CIFS support up and running (direct access to an 8-terrabyte server for all apps is a beautiful thing). I now have cifsManager working correctly, superuser permissions functioning well, stable root, a command line/scripting interface on the tablet, a serial number (dunno how much I care any more if the serial number actually enables OTA or not, I was more interested in root, tbh, and I thought the serial number issue was holding me back), and life is good.:)