yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] wha2do:
Thanks for the quick answer! I'd noticed that regarding the guide and original thead. I did find http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1962350 (NVFlash - Recovery - Trouble - Guide - WIP) and seems to have a bit more info. Still not a formal guide but some steps/command and would think if careful (or ask first), should be able to recover if ever needed. Main thing for me is looking to have a solid backup before installing TWRP, rooting, and installing the latest stock update. Not really into all the various custom ROMs, etc.

I am curious - when you mention many of the bricks are caused by NVFlash. That's from folks trying to use it to recover and not during the initial install and backup, right? If it's the former, I'd be comfortable installing it knowing I'd have them for a rainy day but hopefully never need to touch them. And again, when the time comes hopefully a guide is available or confirm the commands first! Anyone experienced in using NVFlash that can comment on their experience with it? One concern/clarification - what exactly gets backed up? Read the comment by tobdaryl that folks using NVFlash commonly make the mistake of mixing and matching JB and ICS versions of bootloader, rom recovery, etc. But doesn't NVFlash back up everything while in ICS so restore should be all ICS versions, right??

In terms of once I've unlocked, installed NVFlash, made backups and rooted, can I run Goo Manager to install TWRP and stock JB update? Not sure which version of TWRP is installed but thinking its v2.3 and is this compatible, or do I want to use v2.2 instead? Or should I just use Flashboot/ADB instead?

Oh and as far as testing, I uninstalled the old driver had initially used for my TF300T (didn't uninstall & remove the HTC driver for my EVO3D but that should cause a conflict, I think) and installed the Universal Naked Driver for ADB. I can see my TF300T via ADB but is there any way to test Flashboot? At the moment if I hold the Power & Down volume buttons, I just get the tipped over Android w/the red exclamation mark. I take it once I unlock the bootloader, I can get into Flashboot USB mode this way and test/use fastboot?

Thanks!
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
Did you notice the op for that thread?

I wrote it because no one else would. As stated there I was on jb when nvflash made its entry so I don't have nvflash

As you may have seen people use it and refer to it but no help with info for betterment of the thread. No one rates thread and no one posts in thread hence it is on page 5 of General. This means it is soon to wither away as if page 5 is accessed except by search. I could use some help from others making this thread more useful. Yesterday I searched through all Q&A and General posts and read everyone that mentions nvflash. I read the all the new posts in the nvflash thread as well. Then I added my thoughts from all copied info. I know the info is not organized but I can't prove any and as stated I need help so I can state as facts.

Rant over, sorry!

The bricks are both installing and trying to recover. Look through the first one or two pages in Q&A and General and you will get the idea.

Use twrp 2.3, install with fastboot not Goo Manager.

On some devices your method is good not this one. CWM has issues at this time. Don't use rom manager to install anything on this unit as it installs for tf201 only and will brick your unit.

Before you do anything to your unit get adb and fastboot working; except unlock which is required to use fastboot so you can flash twrp.

Access to fasbtoot is only available after you unlock. To get there power on while holding down volume you will get a menu, move with volume down until you are at the usb symbol and press volume up to select. Both adb and fastboot can be tested with devices. ( adb devices ) ( fastboot devices ); if they are working completely correctly your serial number will be returned. I don't have windows so can't speak to drivers etc.

Sorry I missed one. Mix and match ICS, JB. With nvflash restore there is a point in time when there is a mix and match but if you follow through you should be ok. If you reboot with that situation I can't be sure because that is one of the two highest rated bricks. Number two is mix and match and then use the bootloader menu to wipe data and then reboot. Most of either don't get recovered even with nvflash as with either it is likely you can't get back into nvflash to recover.

I believe that's it. I'll try to answer what I can and no more rants.:good:
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] usbrelic:
what happens next

I have a TF300T on .29, well it was on that FW before I blew it up. Luckily for me, I have created my NvFlash files before that, I also created a backup with TWRP. I am in the process of recovering the tablet. I accidentally flashed a "system" partition into a "boot" partition.

I am guessing that, I screwed up the partitions. I have been working for two days, trying to recover my tablet. I ran the bricksafe and I was at least able to boot the tablet, but anytime I tried to load anything into system, it never actually will boot into the Android system.

I took this time to learn everything I can about NVflash. It seems that, if you purchased a TF100, TF101 and TF201, you would be an expert enough to be able to NVflash a TF300T with your eyes closed. Here lies my problem, this is my first time flashing and I dont have the prior NVflash knowledge. After painstaking and constant research to restore my $333 investment, I am using NVflash to backup ALL of my partition. Once they are all backed up, I am going to use my recovery to try repartition my device.

Once you unlock, the things that work without much difficulty are:

NvFlash

loading TWRP2.3

Just dont look for a quick and dirty guide, read, read and re-read everything you can, or else you will be quickly bricked :eek:
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
Hey G p!:laugh:

I see you got beyond the black screen.

I am confused about your post.

You tell of your problems and then tell that nvflash works without much difficulty. So are you unbricked?:good:

By the way I had two more success stories for the paperclip since we last talked, both nvflash customers.
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] usbrelic:
my issue - tf300t unlocked with unbrickable files

First let me say, I didn't mean any offense when I lol'd. I am happy just to have received a response. Also, you can add me as the third person who tried the paperclip and had success.

Its true, I am still having a problem with my tablet. Its a problem that I created. I backed up all my files fine with nvflash. I was able to get TWRP2.3 installed fine as well. The problem started when I flashed "system" onto "boot" instead of "system" onto system. If I have success with my last step, I will write the complete restore guide for TF300T devices, using nvflash. I have it already written, just need to be cleaned up and I need to find out from someone if the syntax on this line is correct:

"nvflash --bct create.bct --setbct --bl blob.bin --configfile factory-config.img --create --verifypart -1 –go"

Will that reinitialize my partitions and allow me to flash data onto the partitions that I can boot with?
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
No one owes me an apology of any kind, I didn't take anything personal as nothing was presented in that manner.

I just want to get someone or multiple persons that have nvflash involved so we can get a thread up that presents facts.

Anyone who would like is more than welcome to post such a thread and use any info from my post if it can be of use. I'll try to help anyone with a new thread ( research, etc ) or try to clean my thread once we have known facts. It would probably be best if someone with nvflash did create such a thread, I'd be happy to help and remove mine.

In my rant I mention the way threads work here. My thread has gone from page 5 ( to be found only by search ) to page one of general where it is now very visable. That is from one new post and a reply to that post. So any thread you you wish to succeed rate it and keep it alive by posting new info here and there or asking a question until it is noticed by more people.

My rant was not aimed at anyone and was just frustration from the fact that after this long there is not a guide that present facts for use by people in trouble. Such a thread would stop many, many bricks. I'm sorry for not properly stating that in my rant and for offending anyone. I didn't mean for anything to be taken on a personal level.

I'll try to reread the above posts and reply later. I have required things to handle till later today.
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
I took what was said in fun as I thought it was meant. It was not a direct personal attack so can't be taken wrong. I thought funny.

Now to your command.

"nvflash --bct create.bct --setbct --bl blob.bin --configfile factory-config.img --create --verifypart -1 –go"

Your command string appears correct. I am bothered by one part and I suspect it may be lack of proper help strings in nvflash.

--setbct

tobdaryl@reload:~$ nvflash --cmdhelp --setbct

Nvflash v1.5.66719 started

--setbct command usage ->

as in full fledged nvflash command

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

used to download bct to IRAM, must be used with --sync command to update

it in mass storage.

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

If we assume the above is correct we should use --sync with --setbct but

tobdaryl@reload:~$ nvflash --cmdhelp --sync

Nvflash v1.5.66719 started

Unknown command --sync

next try

tobdaryl@reload:~$ nvflash --cmdhelp --setbct --sync

Nvflash v1.5.66719 started

Permission Denied

Help dosen't work with --sync command even says unknown command and yet the last try shows an attempt to use --sync when I was asking for cmd help. ( confusing ) In some circumstances --sync is obviously recognized.

This does not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

You'll probably have to read this several times to understand and if you do understand you have me beat.

I did notice –setbct is the only time –sync is addressed.
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
NvFlash, the missing manual v1

Thanks great info. It's good I'm a speed reader.

Actually I copied and pasted into openoffice as I do when collecting other Nvflash I'll digest later.

Once again thanks!:good:

More partition info:

10. APP - system.img

6. LNX - boot.img

5. SOS - recovery.img (e.g. regular boot.img)

4. EBT - bootloader.bin

I would like very much to have the sizes for the named files that were created with nvflash.
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] wha2do:
Ok, I'm putting the cart ahead of the horse still looking to unlock and run NVFlash. Still wanted to comment (while the post was fresh) on a few spots that at least raised a flag for me - and also ask a few questions, go figure! Hope this helps rather than adds to your workload.

Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but if bricksafe.img is 2944 sectors (0-2933), wouldn't it include only partitions 2-4?

Again I may not be reading it correctly & realize this was posted in the TF101 section, but the OP has instructions on backing up all partitions. Then it was found that partition 2 (BCT) and partition 4 (EBT) are encrypted and states NVFlash does not handle encryption so 2 & 4 should not be restored. I'm curious with the TF300T how if these are restored correctly if they're contained in the bricksafe.img (realize different model, but same partitions and using NVFlash)... Or does the rawdeviceread address this (sorry, asking without having done very much digging on my own!). Also gets me wondering - does it make any sense backing up all 18 partitions for later recovery or am I oversimplifying a more complex concept (and see my comment/question at the end)?

Being mostly experienced with flashing on my EVO3D and a TF300T newbie, the command messed up despite directing the boot.img be flashed to the boot partition? Any ideas how it picked up a system partition to flash onto the boot partition instead? Asking because concerns me running a fastboot flash command if it doesn't do what one expects!

I take it this is due to the wrong size partition (700mb system partition) extending past and overwriting other existing partititions. Right now has me wondering if the general thought having the 8 backup files making recovery possible from a brick holds true. If the partitions are still intact, but "corrupted" is a brick recoverable via the steps culled by tobdaryl and included in his guide? Not all bricks fit one mold, but am I being overly optimistic thinking recovery is possible in many cases using the bricksafe.img and then restoring TWRP and an ICS nandroid?
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
wha2do

I would like to have the size and name of each file you made with nvflash. I know the names I just need them related to sizes.

We could be talking about partition size vs actual data size in a partition. Partitions in general are not completely filled with data. Even things like boot allow slack for later expansion to make updates possible.

To see what is used for partition sizes, names, etc in nvflash look at the cfg file in the nvfalsh directory (open as text). It contains the config info for nvflash to use.

---------- Post added at 11:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 PM ----------

usbrelic

Let me know when you post your new thread. I'll change mine from [WIP] to [RIP], remove all info and link to your thread.

If I can be of any help let me know.
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] wha2do:
I've been cautious and still reading and rereading on each of the steps. I'm about set to run each and will get these posted for you asap. Makes sense about the partition sizes (figure akin to other pc/device partitions), so sizing shouldn't change between ICS versions - only the amount used will vary, I assume?

Am curious about responses to my earlier comments/questions on both yours' and usbrelic's earlier posts though maybe we're beyond some of these questions. Still interested so as not to either I don't repeat or to just have a full understanding of what previously was written.

In terms of usbrelic's partition breakdown & bricksafe.img contents, am I just misinterpreting/misunderstanding? And figure my comments about encryption concerns were TF101 specific and from their method of individual partition backups?

With more reading and going back to old posts, do you need to remove all info? While I had some questions and though order/description could be modified, doesn't this still apply for at least some folks? Seeing other posts, such as orion42's post: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1918313 (thread 1 & 3) who unbricked by just using nvflash of imgsafe.img and reinstalling TWRP. Not saying this should be included as-is, but it's at least a template to be consider for inclusion for a basic unbrick? Plus that post is not 100% clear on reinstalling ICS TWRP nor there's no mention of reinstalling an ICS nandroid (which I'd thought was needed).

usbrelic's info is great and especially like the inclusion of thoughts and command descriptions! Truly like this because it helps explain what each step is doing rather than just typing a set of commands blindly. Like I'd said before, seems there's no singular type of brick and resolution. But in this case, the partitions got overwritten by an img file being written to the wrong partition. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this needs more extensive recovery steps than some (many?) others such as Orion, etc? What I'm getting at is both yours/orion42 and usbrelic's have useful info that seem pertinent for a complete guide. And no negativity towards your post usbrelic - just trying ask/make suggestions for a complete guide.

And yes, figure I'm a step or two behind you all on my comprehension/knowledge (though do have a very solid tech backround). So do correct me if I'm off base and/or hurting more than helping!
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
OK! You made me do this! I have a theory that keeps me grounded, and now you will hear it.

It is possible I may have more exposure to one subject but on another subject you rule. My experience is that more opinions are a huge plus. The difference in the way we look at things can and does play a major role in most large projects that succeed.

Don't stop contributing and voicing your opinions as they are more important than you have realized. :laugh::good:.

I have only given my opinion on these subjects as have you. I hope we can all meld our thoughts and decide how to proceed.

Here's one for you to think about as I can't come to a conclusion on this one either.

Why do we need eight nvflash files if we only need two to recover? Obviously there are different circumstances that would dictate which files are needed. I'll try to refine my search to include circumstances of brick vs files and commands needed. I think I may need to expand beyond tf300 for this to be meaningful.
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tobdaryl:
I'm not suggesting not making and saving the files per the guide page.

I am bothered by having eight files and only finding the need for two. I wish to find the uses for the others. Different methods of bricking require different files and methods for restoring?? I can't leave this stone unturned and this information can be added to the thread as found.

---------- Post added at 08:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------

I forgot to respond to the thought about what is required after bricksafe image and twrp are restored.

I believe when you have restored with nvflash you still need to flash a rom with twrp before you boot.

The following info has been provided several times within the tf300 threads. No info provided either of the times I found it.

hold volume down after the --go command to boot into recovery ---

enter TWRP and restore the rest.

I can only think this means flash rom or restore backup.

I believe at this point the rom or restore should be ICS!

---------- Post added at 09:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 PM ----------

Also, in regards to wha2do's comment about removing all posts, you make a good point here. tobdaryl, if possible, you can take out the commentary and include the objective parts, that’s fine with me. Include it in your original post on top. I will leave my original comment intact, except for some typos!

Once you have made your corrections let me know.

In the meantime I'll try to organize some of the other info we have available.
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] usbrelic:
After I replied, I cleaned up the spelling for both of my posts. Also, you are correct about the next steps. I couldnt get to the next steps, I flashed my recovery, I received success, I rebooted, and got nothing. I rebooted with volume down, and I got the options to, fastboot, wipe data (which doesnt do anything anymore) and android (which also doesnt do anything).

I am assuming, it didnt work for me because I screwed up the original flashing. In theory, the final process you described, should be enough to get going with installing other ROMs or even your original backup. Wha2do, if you are able to flash TWRP, I strongly I suggest that you boot into that, create a full backup and copy that backup off of the tablet. Keep that original factory image with your other NvFlash files, in the event you want to make the device look, almost stock, again. I say almost stock becuase, you can't get rid of the small text during boot, on the top left of your screen, "AndroidRoot."
[Transformer TF300T Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] wha2do:
Have to see there's a good bit to read through and digest now! Worked about 17 hours yesterday and likely only an hour here and there until the weekend. I'm bypassing quoting since only have a few minutes, lol but a few quick thoughts/comments.

I agree a community effort is ideal and will only make the guide/information better. Each person reads posts with different perspectives and can provide added info, corrections, and ideas for improved wording for clarify. Often I think I've written something clearly and later find I needed more detail so my exact point or idea is understood (I know what I mean so obviously everyone else does too, right? lol).

Case in point - I commented on tobdaryl saying "I'll change mine from [WIP] to [RIP], remove all info and link to your thread". What I'd meant was I hope you (tobdaryl) don't mean removing all your original steps/info for running NVFlash to recover?! As I see it you still have good info on getting into APX and step by step for recovering with bricksafe.img. I'd provided the link to orion42's post because he'd used those same steps to recover successfully (he ran into one problem with a missing -r switch but ultimately was back in business). Do have a few recommendations such as putting "Enter APX" first, possibly remove "Unbrick" since that's included in the "Enter APX" section (or break APX into two to cover "Unbrick"), etc. I'll write that up in more detail later when I have more time if you'd like.

As for usbrelic's writeup, again I really liked the command explanation and detail. Might pull out the partition specific info as a separate viewable section to keep the steps closer together (or refer to it as being at the bottom?). Have to look at it more later. Also, are you making corrections to this thread or another? I noticed it still says bricksafe.img is partitions 2-5...

I think we're getting there - one suggestion depending on time available is to set up a shared doc (dropbox or ?) for review and edits. Guess early alzheimers, but starting to get lost in the posts. Plus would then end up with a completed guide that could then be put up for sticky or similar. Only issue is how to recommend edits before actually applying them...perhaps a changelog type doc in addition? Ok, maybe this will take more time than you all (and I) have?

Ok, outta time here - and haven't gone back to my initial intent of my post - getting mine set up with root, unlocked, TWRP, NVFlash, and their associated backups!!

One last (big) question. With having my free time split, am worried will overlook/forget something in completing my steps. And with being very cautious, am thinking best to build my own "guide" with links to the pertainent files for each step. I know it's rehashing things, but if I posted it would you all review it before I leap (and take a mistep)? It'd be greatly appreciated - and who knows, while specific for ICS and most are rolling out with JB now, it may be of use to others!

Thanks :D