yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] junrider:
I think a video would do a great of wonders.

1. Video of the prime's perfomance with the screen on no mods.

2. Opened prime and re-test the performance. If the results of the test run similar means no connection.

3. Opened prime with the alligator mods for contact with performance testing

4. While moded video the GPS satellite locks while moving.

This would definitely be an open and shut case if the pogopins are the real culprit. Then we can spread this to the other sites and the reviewers and push Asus to fess up.

Try thickening the contact plate rather than mess with the pogopins. Or maybe using a thin piece of copper plate fold it to form a "<" and soldering it to the contact plate. This way this should thicken the contact plate and at the same time it will act as a spring that when the pogopins hits it it will exert more pressure = more contact as you lock the screen back to the metal plates.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Two Dogs:
Fantastic job , well done ....im sure it took quite a lot of thought and courage to pull this beast apart ... since it could have turned into a very expensive brick :-) .
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] blinky44:
The key is that the signal strength with the cover open and the antenna disconnected was about the same so that is what caught my attention because that is exactly what we would expect to see with a weak or broken connection. The device it self may have enough of a partial antenna and a partial connection would give the squeeze theory more credibility too and for those like me who saw little or no change we may have a very bad connection. Also consider what I mentioned before any contamination in the cup, contact or in the metal itself could add to the issue. Lets see what comes out of the tests with soldered wires. I see now he has finished a chunk of this already and the BT issues make sense too since that is really what got ASUS to review this issue when wifi by itself they kept ignoring. They new that if BT turned on reduced wifi they had a signal issue. interesting that other people have comment other devices in the past have also had some reduced signal strength with BT on, not sure where I read that.

I agree with the well done, wonder if I would have done that when I was 38 and working in manufacturing with connections and electronics, somehow I think the $500 would have had the wife laughing at me. Definately would have been up my ally though, way to go Erusman.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Norcalz71:
I am not saying they are "wrong", but i believe they are saying the backplate is not emitting anything. If having the antenna even near the backplate, inside or out, is a problem, then it

IS

emitting something, or something else very weird is going on. Yes, they are correct that having the antenna outside and near the backplate causes problems, but the backplate must be emitting noise for that to happen.

Two tests to try:

#1- get the antenna outside the backplate and put it right up against it with GPS test on. Should see no sats right? or very very weak. Slowly, very slowly, move the antenna away from the backplate until you start getting a good signal and see how far the antenna really needs to be in direct line physical proximity to the backplate to get a good signal. repeat a few times to see if the distance is consistent.

#2 - get the antenna outside of the backplate and put some manner of shielding material on the outside surface of the backplate, then lay the antenna directly over that so it is very near the backplate but separated by a shield of some type. If the shielding is sufficient to block the noise generated by the backplate, then the antenna should get a free and clear signal from the sats even if it is 1mm away.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1509794

So can anyone explain this?

Some have tried shielding on the inside with no luck, but this works fine? Could our backplates along with something screen-side be causing our problems?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Doktaphex:
Interestingly I just tried this with anti-static bag material and got a similar effect. my download speed doubles fairly consistently. Most peculiar.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Most peculiar indeed. Wouldn't anti-static bag actually absorb as opposed to reflect signal like the foil?

*EDIT:

Also, couldn't we just put a strip of foil inside at the same location on the glass, just make sure the foil doesn't contact the antenna with some foam/tape/whatever?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
He is basically reflecting his wireless signal and directing it right into the factory antenna. If he had the aluminum foil in more parabolic shape it would increase even more. Very cool idea.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Norcalz71:
Tried what, put anti-static bag material in the same location as the foil in that linked thread?

How is he reflecting the wifi signal directly at the antenna?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
lol I finally figured out what this switch was for. Located up above headphone

jack. Its the ON/OFF switch for mobo. So be sure to turn off your mobo power before you solder on any mods. :p
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] pileot:
Potentially.... If the window is big enough it would give enough room, however the best solution is figuring out WHAT is causing the interference, isolating that, and THEN give a RF window.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
So, finally started playing with my Tycos since I've yet to find decent/small telescopic antenna online.

I use a carbon-fiber Skinomi case, and although I haven't thoroughly tested (will this afternoon) it seems as though I keep decent signal strength when placing the antenna directly next to the backplate outside the skin (as in still keeping 14 sats in view but getting slightly worse signal, and still keeping about an extra 10 dBm with WiFi).

My minisuit case will be here tomorrow and my keyboard Friday, so then I'll really start playing. Unless the keyboard is no good and needs returning, at which point I'll return both and get a new serial number just for the heck of it (see if I can land one with no light-bleed). So let's hope the keyboard's fine lol I'm ready to really get into this thing.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sheeloo:
Hi !

Just one question... Is it complicated to fix a light bleeding at the bottom left of the tablet ? I know where the screws are, but i don't know if there is any parts glued at this place.

If i just need to open the back, i think i'll try it but if i had to cut something to access at this screw, i'll don't !

Thanks (and sorry for my bad bad english) !
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Ok, I just finished up another mod to my prime. My goal was to be able to mount the prime in a vehicle and use it on the road. So i needed the best WIFI and GPS I could get. And I did it!

Meet Optimus Prime :D

I replaced the old mod with external SMA male connectors and was able to mount on some external WIFI antenna. Large ones atm. But I have some small 2.4ghz stubby antenna on order.

I still need to mod my leather case to be able to insert the SMA connectors in it. However, I noticed with just the SMA connectors sticking out and NO WIFI antenna attached I still get good WIFI :D

(Both Factory WIFI PCB removed with soldered connection to SMA's)

The WIFI range on this thing is AMAZING! Full bars every place in my house and even out in my yard! 50+ feet away from my router. I think its limited to the range of my router more than anything now.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Screwedupsmitty:
that is one sexy looking prime, i can only imagine the amazement of a prime with above sub-par wifi. I almost wish I had the tools/saavy to do this myself. I might even consider going and buying another one if I could stupid proof this method, because damn was that thing sexy when it was in my hands.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Hey thank you. Yes, I think it looks alot cleaner than some of the previous mods I had done. (Especially the Frankenprime with all the wires sticking out:eek:)

Wifi antennas are optional at this point. The cool thing is I get pretty good wifi at close range with just the bare SMA's connectors attached!

The prime is a sexy tablet. Best thing is to hold off for a little bit. I am sure ASUS will improve WIFI with future serials. Not sure about GPS.

OR just wait for the TF700. Basically will be just as sleek. Difference will be in the top backplate. It will have a plastic strip across the top.

And of course higher resolution IPS display.

This prime will end up in a vehicle. So I have no regrets doing what I done to it ;).

Plus I had fun doing the mods:D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] kemoschwabbie:
Extremely Sweet Mod!

Very very nice! When / If I get my TP back from RMA land if it does not perform up to par I will be making this mod.

Can you post up the parts site links for the deck-mount connectors and any pix of the way you mounted it on the back cover?

Thanks in advance.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Screwedupsmitty:
Yea, I was thinking the same thing. I honestly can live without it for another few months, and I'm sure by then there will be a tegra 3 tablet that has wifi antennas that work properly through barriers and decent distances at least 99% of the time
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Fantastic Erusman! Oh man how I want retractable ones though lol

I know you're a busy man, but in small bits of spare time you should go through a kind of step-by-step and let everyone know what tools you used and everything.

I'm just so skeptical of my soldering techniques, but something must be done, I can't keep living with the degradation of signal.

*EDIT:

Also, if nothing else, a picture of the inside of the Prime?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] rmsingh:
Erusman,

Good work!! I would be interested to know if the stubby antenna works for the GPS http://www.gpscity.ca/garmin-dc-20-short-antenna.html.

Also can you confirm if the model of the other antennas? Are they VHF antennas http://www.gpscity.ca/garmin-vhf-antenna.html?

And finally are your antennas foldable?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Thxs guys. Well right now I am just using regular 2.4ghz rated antenna for the GPS. Seems to be working fine. I would imagine a GPS antenna would work better for the GPS though. Up to you what you want to do. Just as long it will screw into your SMA connector. You can use male or female SMA's, depending what type of connector you have going in your antenna.

Basically I found it cheaper just to use the parts from this.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004TIK8UG/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

The antenna are foldable. The space is very tight in the prime. You want to drill holes just right above the PCB where your Pogo pins use to be at. Place your SMA connectors in there. The connectors that came with this wireless adapter I had to mod. The back end of these things are too long. So I cut off and grind down to make them flush with the hex nut.

The SMA connectors with the wireless adapter are "B" in this photo

I should have probably went with these:

Of course with this SMA connector you would have to drill a couple holes for the screws as well. Stick tail end in the prime, and then solder on to your pogo locations.

Lots of options you can do. Just google SMA connectors and find a site that offers what you want. Solder on center pin of these things where your pogos use to go and you are in business. Most WIFI antenna the connectors are female. So you want to go with a MALE SMA connector.

Sorry I didn't take pics during this mod. It was a three day long project. With work/family I only had a few hours a night.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] notown775:
I tried PMing you but what would you charge to do this. I imagine your trun around rate would be faster than Asus and I unlocked my boot loader so I'm out a warranty but I could care less. lol
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Yes, I had a number of PM's about performing these mods to other peoples primes. And let me go ahead and make myself clear on this. I will not mod anyones prime! Even *IF i had alot of time to spare. I wouldn't want to take the risk of doing it. Especially if something didn't turn out right.

Besides modding is fun and you can learn alot! That is what modding is all about. This thread is full of all kinds of information to help you. If you have a tech question about modding. Feel free to PM me, or ask others in this thread. I will help you out as much as I can bud.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] rmsingh:
Thanks, great idea using the antenna of an old wireless adaptor. I'm sure that I can find one kicking around at work. Now if I can just build up the courage to drill the 1st hole:D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Nomad 666:
I'll do it to YOUR Prime. ... now where did I leave that Dremel. These mods really wouldn't be that difficult. I've always been a bit of a tinkerer though.

If I gave a toss about GPS I'd possibly have a go on my Prime. It's a shame no flat antennas work otherwise I'd be straight in there.

I can understand why someone wouldn't want to mess around with another persons expensive new fondle-slab. You would feel terrible if you cocked it up.

Kudos to you Erusman.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Any way we could do some kind of cluster of small loop antenna on the outside, say towards the center and relatively flattened out?

Do them to say 1/8 of wavelength.

And speaking of which, I wonder if the 1/2" resonance or whatever we're seeing from the backplate has anything to do with the fact that 1/2 an inch is about 1/10 wavelength (give or take a bit depending on your channel), and isn't that about as small as you generally want to get in antenna length?

Also seems to me that those connecters are right around that threshold, which would be the decent signal even without antenna attached?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] opentoe:
I do love your motivation but the reason I bought a tablet was for the foot print. Throwing those antenna's on it makes it date back to the early 90's. You have though probably proved there is indeed a physical hardware issue involved. Right now everyone says the back plate, but in this technology could be a chipset itself. Who knows. I just want mine fixed! :)
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tedr108:
Can any of you with the Tyco's tell me the dimensions of the ends (gold plastic things)?

Here is my idea for a mod (please give any input you wish):

-- Remove the GPS/Wi-Fi PCB and pogo pins

-- Drill 2 small holes about where Erusman did for his mod

-- Thread the Tycos thru the small holes (leaving the gold pieces outside) and solder directly where the pogo pins were

-- Stick the gold pieces on the glass in the bezel area (upper glass, but not the active screen area itself) ... have the wire tightly against the Prime

Seem reasonable? I wonder if the Tyco would even do much for GPS -- could not find any such antenna built specifically for GPS.

Would appreciate thoughts on this.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] buxtahuda:
Too big for the bezel IMO. They're just above an inch square.

I've considered going on and soldering them, just giving them a go in my leather case since I didn't see too much degradation outside my skin. But I really don't want to get to soldering until I find a solution that does leave the Prime's form-factor mostly intact.

*EDIT:

You know, you probably could put them on the bezel! But you'd complicate your opening process. You'd just have to find something to hold it down real well, and curve the antennas' edges around those of the Prime.

**EDIT:

Just had a thought. If I do end up settling on these for a while, I'll cut a couple slits into my skin and run everything under the skin and just let the shielded copper flay out in the middle where I won't brush up on them. I guess I'd Gorilla glue them down to the outside of the skin at that point...

You know, screw it. I think I'll get those pogo's out of the picture this weekend, after I run some more tests. Drill a couple tiny holes with some grommets from work, run the Tycos from the outside of the skin to inside the tablet and glue 'em down. Guess I'll live with the little screen bleed I have, don't feel like waiting on ASUS to fix things when I'm going to bypass it all still. Can always solder other stuff in the Tycos' place, just never the pogopins again I don't think.

After a while I hope I can find some retractable antenna that can handle the GHZ frequencies, if not I'll have to make some...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tedr108:
Thanks ... I had a bad feeling about the Tycos being too big.

Like you, I was also considering just leaving them loose in my case. And, if that doesn't work out, I can always drill the holes bigger and do the Erusman mod! (Would be more interested in the smaller antennas that Erusman currently has on order, however -- the ones he has now are huge!)

***EDIT:

I did consider the opening process being a little complicated, but if I stuck them on with silicone or even sticky-sided velcro, they would be easy to remove. Velcro would have the advantage of being able to detach if had a really weak AP signal, which might improve the signal. (I do not plan on opening my Prime all that often, mind you, so a little extra work there is not much of an issue for me.) With velcro, you could also have longer strands of wire, and just have the Tyco ends velcroed to your case some place ... then the Tycos could be well away from the Prime when you opened the case.

Heck, I might as well just order the Tycos (they've been in my Amazon basket for weeks now!)...

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

I'll sit tight for a while ... do some more research ... and see what others come up with.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] opentoe:
You can always use that black rubber stuff. Goes on like a glue type feel then dries in a nice rubber feel that flexes and sticks real well. Even though that Gorilla glue is good, some times it is toooo good.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] slayvus:
Has anyone opened up a C2O Prime yet to see if the same antenna is being used?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] RipplingHurst:
I suspect new buyers with c2 are either:

A. Don't care for GPS, just want the wifi to work,

B. If it doesn't, they return it until they find a good one...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Thenits:
BEWARE!!

I openend up my prime for the 20th time to have yet another go at reconfiguring the GPS antenna. Everything was going well until when booting up, the screen remained dark. I noticed that the display ribbon cable had come partially disconnected. I turned my prime off and reseated the ribbon cable with no problem. Turned it back on and verticle lines appeared (refer the photo below). I disconnected the ribbon cable connector thinking it was just a bad connection - checked both the connector and ribbon cable. All looked fine and rechecked that it was reseated correctly...still not good. It really appears that I may have stuffed the display circuitry when the ribbon cable came lose while energized. It appears not to be a connection issue.

BEWARE when opeining your prime that the display ribbon cable does not come out partially, particularly while energized and it remains well seated.

In summary I think I am totally screwed....no warranty etc. I am at the total mercy of friggin ASUS who if they had even attempted to fix their GPS/WIFI issues in the first place, I and countless others would not be in there trying all sorts of crazy arse sh!t to make the GPS and WIFI work better.

Anyone else experience this?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tedr108:
@Thenits: Did you try a Hard Reset/Cold Boot? Turn Prime off. Then, hold Vol Down and Power button until white writing appears in top left corner, then let go of both buttons. Since you probably will not be able to see the writing, you may have to play around like a 10 second hold time, give or take -- I just tested and it takes between 8 and 9 seconds for the writing to appear (go for 9 secs after pushing both Vol Down & Power button, to be safe). Let is boot up naturally at that point and see what happens.

Thanks for this warning, by the way ... I will make sure that all ribbons stay seated, that is for sure, assuming I open my Prime (I have been considering it).
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Thenits:
Thanks for the suggestion, but yes, I did try a hard reset. The display cct (I don't think the display) is definitely stuffed.

The ribbon cable is inserted into the connector and uses small tabs (on the white connector) to align with two small holes (on either side of the cable) to lock it in place. I would just place some tape over it like the other ribbon connectors have to help secure it. I might add I have had mine apart many times and usually check the cables etc. This time it got me by surprise. I had always been careful of course.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dime_veyron:
I confirm, that cable in TF-201 is preaty ****y. One man (he repears notebooks, mp3 player, displays, etc), tells that, it can be broke even if you drop your prime.

So be carefull

ps. sorry for my bad english.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Sorry to hear this. Yes, I have had the exact same problem. The ribbon cable came out partial. That is when the lines appeared.

Be sure to turn off your prime. See OP and picture of the dip switch that turns the power off to mobo. Take the ribbon cable completely out. Take a small eraser from a pencil and VERY carefully go over the connetions on the ribbon cable. This will basically clean them up a little. (same process you do on PCI card copper etching to clean up the connection). Find yourself a very sharp point. I have a some soldering picks that I used. Place the ribbon cable in the connection level. DO not use your fingers to jam the ribbon in. On the side of the ribbon cable is small little notches. These notches are for the tools that the factory uses to place the cables in. Use your sharp pick and puch down on either side with notches. You will see a fine white line. And you may hear even a slight snap when it goes in. But that white line should be flush with the connection on LCD. I hope you get it working again. Let me know. PM me if you have any more problems.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ham67high:
got another prime

well i had a C1 prime that i was messing around for about 3 weeks returned that and just picked up my C2 prime. and i get a GPS lock that i never even got 1 in view with the C1 prime.... hmmmm no mods done to either primes all stock.. 11 in view and 10 locks. i wish i could attach a pic with this prime to show you guys. this is with the C2 prime.. yayyayay
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] opentoe:
There is a confirmed hardware fix that Asus has to do with their current productions models. Even the C2's fall under this. If you don't use bluetooth, care about wifi speeds, etc... then you are fine. GPS lock ups are random and don't say much at all. I'm not sure why anyone would use that as a test to say their Prime is from good stock????
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dannb:
For the folks with opened Primes, are there any hopes for JTAG recovery? I mean specifically for bootloader related hard bricks.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] pvdwaal:
Hi, do you have link for this information?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Erusman:
Well all depends just how bad you bricked it. Many levels. I don't know of anyone yet on XDA who has unbricked via opened prime and JTAG. However this thread has a few methods that may work.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1514088

I remember the good old days of using JTAG method on certain Satellite receivers to flash newest keys... lol. (not that I have ever done anything like that) :D
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] dannb:
I'm merely curious because this is a method used on many other phones (especially Samsung phones) when the secondary and primary bootloaders were unmatched. It could be a way to recover from the hard brick in the thread you linked.