yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android General] fre78:
me too. I have a feeling that this device doesn't like android 4.3 so much.

Some functionnalities and apps that I use work better under android 4.2.2. with this device.

For example the wifi problem I described in my earlier post (#467 on June the 30th) does not occur under 4.2.2.

For this reason, I'm very curious if kitkat will ever be available for the ME302C. Being almost September 2014, I begin to have serious doubts...
[Android General] mpgrimes:
I've got the. 21 update on mine and have zero WiFi issues. I'm connected on the 5ghz band and never have anything cut out. And speeds are easily 10-12 MB/s. But I do need root... Lol
[Android General] fre78:
wow, I can't almost believe that.

Max speed I get (I set my router on '5 ghz only' for this test) is 6 MB/s. And I hold my ME302C near to my router.

In sleep mode speed drops down to less then 500 KB/s. (only with firmware V5.0.9 or later)

If you need root for version .21, one possibility is to install the .21 WW firmware version on your US device + install the fake WW update version .22 that you can find on androidhilfe.de.

I switched many times from SKU between WW and US without any problems. (As long as you flash the recovery473.img and the fastboot.img at the beginning, which is discussed here in previous posts).

Or you can wait for someone that makes the .22 fake update for the US version of course.
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
Dumb user question. If I use the following process to switch to WW, does this wipe out everything and reset it to 'factory' or does it just update/modify the system? Since the last step is to "flash update" I would assume that it just updates the system files but assuming is never a good idea!!

EDIT: My bad. Just noticed the 'fastboot -w' entry which will erase userdata. So, my revised question is this: Will the process still work if I don't issue the fastboot -w? Will this accomplish the switch to WW while preserving my apps and setup?

*****************

Connect device in "Droidboot" modus (Power&VolumeUp) to PC.

check connection with: fastboot devices

flash recovery:

fastboot flash recovery recovery473.img

now choose on the tablet "Reboot droidboot" and wait for restarting bootloader

flash fastboot:

fastboot flash fastboot fastboot.img

again choose "Reboot droidboot" on Tablet and wait for restart

now type in fastboot:

fastboot -w

fastboot erase cache

fastboot flash update WW_ME302C_V5_0_21.zip

*****************
[Android General] fre78:
I never tried to skip the step of erasing userdata or cache, so I don't know if it will work without.

fastboot -w does 2 things: it erases userdata and it erases cache.

the way I always do it, is performing all 3 erases:

fastboot-w (which is the same as fastboot erase userdata + fastboot erase cache)

fastboot erase system
​

did you rename the firmwarefile to WW_ME302C_V5_0_21.zip?

because the firmware zipfile you have to flash has usually the following namepattern:

WW_ME302C-V5.0.21-0-ota-user.zip

so be sure the file you use is the right one (it has to be a zip file which does not contain another zipfile).

so, the process you described should be completed as follows:

Connect device in "Droidboot" modus (Power&VolumeUp) to PC.

check connection with:

fastboot devices

flash recovery:

fastboot flash recovery recovery473.img

now choose on the tablet "Reboot droidboot" and wait for restarting bootloader

flash fastboot:

fastboot flash fastboot fastboot.img

again choose "Reboot droidboot" on Tablet and wait for restart

now type in fastboot:

fastboot -w
fastboot erase [B]system[/B]
fastboot flash update [B]WW_ME302C-V5.0.21-0-ota-user.zip[/B][/INDENT]
[Android General] ioneng:
Once I realised that a sku change isn't impossible from previous posts, I downgraded to 4.7.3 and flashed 5.0.21, ww version, exactly as what the instruction said. Now I'm on rooted 21 and cant be any happier.
[Android General] fre78:
-

glad it worked for you
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Any real difference between the two versions?
[Android General] fre78:
Can't see any difference. Same bloatware in ww and us sku ... at my knowledge there's also no changelist published by asus with changes between .21 and previous version..
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
Thanks for the response. Yes, I knew that the file name had to be changed - I just copied/pasted those steps from another post to save typing. My bad for not correcting it. :D I've gotten my memo pad setup the way I like it so I'm really not in the mood to start over from scratch. Guess I'll just stay where I am until some kind soul creates a root file for 5.0.21. Wish I knew what they were doing to create it - I'd do it myself.

Thanks again.

​
[Android General] mpgrimes:
for those of you wanting to root .21 but are on US version, all you have to do is wipe cache.

this is what i did to switch to the WW version and KEEP all my installed stuff.

C:\tablet files>fastboot flash recovery recovery473.img

sending 'recovery' (9867 KB)...

OKAY [ 2.568s]

writing 'recovery'...

OKAY [ 3.438s]

finished. total time: 6.008s

Reboot

flash 473 fastboot:

C:\tablet files>fastboot flash fastboot fastboot.img

sending 'fastboot' (10025 KB)...

OKAY [ 2.595s]

writing 'fastboot'...

OKAY [ 3.444s]

finished. total time: 6.041s

Reboot

C:\tablet files>fastboot erase cache

erasing 'cache'...

OKAY [ 3.616s]

finished. total time: 3.617s

C:\tablet files>fastboot flash update ww_me302c-v5.0.21-0-ota-user.zip

sending 'update' (782015 KB)...

OKAY [ 55.002s]

writing 'update'...

OKAY [ 3.263s]

finished. total time: 58.267s

after this, let it reboot, then power off and boot into fastboot/droidboot again

when it booted back into droidboot, droidboot version was funny so to be safe i re-flashed recovery and fastboot (not going to hurt)

C:\tablet files>fastboot flash recovery recovery473.img

sending 'recovery' (9867 KB)...

OKAY [ 2.568s]

writing 'recovery'...

OKAY [ 3.438s]

finished. total time: 6.008s

Reboot

C:\tablet files>fastboot flash fastboot fastboot.img

sending 'fastboot' (10025 KB)...

OKAY [ 2.595s]

writing 'fastboot'...

OKAY [ 3.444s]

finished. total time: 6.041s

Reboot

then flashed the .21 fake root update from the German forum. (its labeled .22, im assuming so the tablet will see it as newer)

C:\tablet files>fastboot flash update ww_me302c-v5.0.22-0-ota-user.zip

sending 'update' (1404 KB)...

OKAY [ 1.637s]

writing 'update'...

OKAY [ 2.560s]

finished. total time: 4.200s

when it rebooted it got to the asus logo (blue one) and rebooted again, after that all was good, all my apps are still there as well.

then of course download and update supersu from the market.
[Android General] fre78:
[MENTION=2634745]mpgrimes[/MENTION]: Thx for sharing this. If i understand well you did not do a reboot to droidboot between flashing recovery and fastboot and after flashing fastboot? I thought this was necessary. Good to know if it isn't.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Sorry, yes reboot required. Edited
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Only issue i have come accross using ww version, some apps say not compatible with your device.
[Android General] fre78:
Maybe clearing cache of those apps can help.

Or a 'fastboot erase cache' in droidboot could resolve inconsistencies that were created by a 'dirty' flash from WW over US version.

(it rebuilds the dalvik cache next time you reboot)

just guessing here...
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Sorry, i meant In play store. Couldn't install.
[Android General] enriquejones666:
You can download, unzip, and compare the 5.0.16 and 5.0.19 US roots. This should tell you what changes need to be made to make a 5.0.21root.
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
Wish it was so simple

I went back in this thread and on pg 19 perpe documented how to change the WW root update to US. The problem is, I don't know where to get the test keys to sign the update with. Without this the update won't apply. Also read further discussion and challenges gbkelly had getting the process just right (permissions, etc.) so unfortunately it's not just a matter of reverse engineering the previous updates.
[Android General] bisbal:
Guys, we need a ME302C forum.

I clicked on the triangle with the exclamation mark to report my own post :)

I selected 'other-urgent' and i asked for a forum, I hope it is ok.

Please feel free to do the same, the more the merrier!

Cheers!
[Android General] mpgrimes:
I agree. Would be nice to have one. More users might find it.
[Android General] enriquejones666:
Ah yes, I forgot about the signing. Thanks for the correction. If you still wanna give it a shot, the app "ZipSigner" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kellinwood.zipsigner2) will sign the .zip for you. It has testkeys built in.

This page on androidforums also has a good tutorial on building update.zips (http://androidforums.com/one-sv-all-things-root/828952-tutorial-how-make-flashable-zip.html)
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
Thanks! Alzheimer's kicked in and I forgot all about ZipSigner. I gave it a first shot which of course was a complete failure (update comes up with a dead android when trying to apply). I'll keep plugging away and see if I can beat this thing.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
How about put it on your Google drive, then share it with each of us in here, we can transfer it to our drive and dload it from our own..? Just a thought, not sure if it will work that way
[Android General] jostrus:
Well I created some links but it won't let me put them in the post because I haven't posted enough and am still a "new user". Will update it once I actually have enough legitimate posts to allow me to. In the mean time I attached a text file with direct download links.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Pm them to me, I'll post them
[Android General] jostrus:
Done. Thanks.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Links from [MENTION=3679859]jostrus[/MENTION]

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/29157236/US_ME302C-V5.0.21-JB_4.3-system.gz

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4BW8EUeJX8-Sl9nVGV6cENwbzg

http://1drv.ms/1oBVrVw

https://mega.co.nz/#!2wdzGTDK!UWixw3PRmPmhHZX5cBx1Vhf0ghWKME5ND6lppHzUHMs

http://www.mediafire.com/download/zakjb9f5zk9o0rd/US_ME302C-V5.0.21-JB_4.3-system.gz

---------- Post added at 03:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:10 PM ----------

Thanks a lot for your work! I'll be flashing this tonight.
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
Dumb user question

I've been trying (unsuccessfully so far) to create the small root zip that others had previously provided. I'll post it if I ever succeed. In the meantime, dumb question for you - can a user do a "fastboot flash update" to apply your package rather than erase system / flash system? Seems to me that this would be a safer method of applying it, no?
[Android General] mpgrimes:
The partition image works flawless. Even when coming from the ww version. No need to flash stock us first
[Android General] jostrus:
In short no. The "fastboot flash update" command is intended for an OTA style zip that is extracted to an existing or empty partition (depending on the type of update zip). Mine is a complete image that wipes out anything that is already there. You probably could do without the "fastboot erase system" command and do flash only but I've heard of people having issues with that before.
[Android General] Ramer:
THANK YOU! It's so good to see some activity on the US version. I downloaded the full file from your .txt link, went to step 4 and it worked perfectly. The filename was different from the name in step 4, but it only took 1 attempt to see that (I'm a cut and paste type of guy). Took about 10 minutes or so, all apps were untouched on reboot. :good:

Now if we could just get a custom recovery and a custom rom for this tablet. :eek:
[Android General] mpgrimes:
Custom kernel would be nice, interesting that Asus has the source code on the site...
[Android General] jostrus:
Custom recovery would be so nice. Sadly it's beyond my skill set.

---------- Post added at 11:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 PM ----------

Well I did have a note at the top that said to remember to change it. But I added another reminder down in step 4 just in case.
[Android General] Ramer:
Lol, you are correct. I missed it. Great work :)
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
[MENTION=3679859]jostrus[/MENTION] - adding my thanks for putting this together. I applied it without erasing system first and it worked like a champ.

I haven't given up on the small update file just yet. I've been chatting with [MENTION=4177701]perpe[/MENTION] but so far no luck. I'm wondering if the signing tool I'm using might be the problem. I'm going to try a windows based signing tool when I can get back to my main pc. Will update if I ever figure out what I'm doing wrong.
[Android General] jostrus:
I tried previously using zipsigner from the play store on other versions with no luck. It's possible the key(s) it's using are not compatible with the recovery image this device uses. I saw somewhere that they took out test key support in the recovery image but I did not see any substantiated proof of that. So it may have just been a troll. I figure it's easier for me to make a full rom image than mess with making an update zip. Future versions aren't all that hard to make. I'll be posting Regular Expression's (after more testing - I hope) that can be used to easily convert the updater script for future releases, or other roms.
[Android General] flickyourbic:
Hey guys I could really use some help here. I posted a thread over here but it hasn't gotten any attention so maybe some of you could shed some light. http://xdaforums.com/android/help/help-me302c-memopad-fhd10-unknown-root-t2866858

"Hello there,

I have this Asus ME302C that I have no idea what to do with. It has some kind of custom rom on it. However I have no way of getting the firmware version off of it to re-root it or make it like factory again. It's running on 4.3 but when I go to about and in the settings the build number does not say the firmware like it should. Just says something about local build. It does say 4.3 Jss15Q WW_epad_Local_build with a 20130415 test keys at the end.

I'm kind of at a loss. Is there any way I can figure out what the firmware version actually is? Or is there an easy way to restore the thing? I tried KingoRoot and it failed, but did say it was infact rooted."

Copy/paste from my other thread. Droidboot (pwr vol up) says local build or eng version.

Please help! I just want to use this thing the way I want to.
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
Before trying to help you, it would appear that you have a WW version of the tablet. Are you located outside of the U.S.? Just want to make sure that you're in the right place for help. There is a large support-community on a German forum: http://www.android-hilfe.de/ (thread "HOWTO Root für das Memo Pad 10 FHD" by Switchgott) where you might get better help.

If you are located in the U.S. then there are a couple of options, depending on how comfortable you are technically.
[Android General] flickyourbic:
Thank you for the quick reply. I am located in the US and I am comfortable with whatever I have to do.
[Android General] jostrus:
More appropriately, is your tablet the US version or the German version? If it is the US version, and you have the fastboot application and supporting drivers, you can download the partition image I posted at http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=55193266&postcount=521 and flash that directly. That will overwrite any rom you have installed (and my image is pre-rooted) so you don't have to screw around with different recoveries and fastboot bootloaders to go backwards just to come forward again. It will flash directly to the US v5.0.21 version of rom from Asus. Instructions are included if you wish to build your own image using the OTA zip and have some Linux knowledge.

If you do not have fastboot already installed you can get it as part of the Android Software Development Kit http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html.
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
From the name of his build number he has a WW version tablet, that's why I asked. It seemed from his post like he wants to get back to stock before applying your rooted system img.

Earlier in this forum there are directions for converting between the two versions. Once on the U.S. version he can do a factory reset to get back to pure stock, then apply your system image for root. Make sense?
[Android General] jostrus:
Well it was unclear from his post if the tablet is a US or WW model. He stated it was running the WW rom but he is located in the US, which would typically mean he has a US model running WW rom. In such a case he has 2 viable options I know of

Flash my system partition image which will take him directly to Asus stock 5.0.21 with root. No need to downgrade fastboot or recovery or any such nonsense. This would switch from any rom straight to stock 5.0.21 with root.

Alternatively as previously stated in thread. He could flash the 4.7.3 fastboot and recovery then fastboot install update from the 4.7.3 OTA zip. Then upgrade to another OTA release of choice. Then install a root, with varying luck.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
If flashing the 4.73 recovery /fastboot you don't have to flash stock 4.73 first you can just wipe and flash the 5.21.
[Android General] jostrus:
Updated links and instructions for root image creation.

For those that care and are following. I've updated my original posting at Post 521.

Short change list

Updated web links for direct image download files. I forgot to put in the recovery image patch.

Instructions for non US image creation.

Also added a script to automate generating the image file.

Restructured and modified terminal commands to more streamline the creation. This requires less interim disk space and less time to create.

Added recovery image patch file commands.

I should also make note, in case it wasn't obvious, that my image does not flash a kernel, wifi radio firmware, splash, or recovery update that may be included in an actual OTA zip. I've intended this to be used as a method to get root after doing an update from the stock (or rooted) 5.0.19 to 5.0.21. It can be used to switch from a non US variant rom direct to US without having to mess with flashing older bootloaders and such.

I think that's pretty much it.

On a side note, I've noticed recently that my wifi keeps disabling itself upon reboot. It is not consistent that it happens every time. I don't believe it to be related to the rom as it could be a setting that is messed up. I thought I would mention it though just in case others upgrade to 5.0.21 (actual OTA or my image) and encounter the issue.

---------- Post added at 06:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:21 PM ----------

Oh good to know. I wasn't aware about that. I guess it's just the old recovery doesn't bother checking if the requested "update" is actually a valid update for the existing rom or not. That's good.
[Android General] Ramer:
Regarding wifi, for me it's always been off after reboot. I use an app to reboot nightly and another app to turn on WiFi.
[Android General] flickyourbic:
Thank you very much jostrus. I've got it rooted on 5.0.21 per your instructions. Was pretty painless once I read everything three times and then did it.

Now, one more thing if you fellas don't mind. I need to somehow flash a different kernel on here. I don't care what it is. Right now it's 3.4.43 custom kernel that just does some funky stuff.
[Android General] jostrus:
Well if you want to go back to the stock kernel for 5.0.21 (which is also 3.4.43) you can just extract the boot.img from US_ME302C-V5.0.21-0-ota-user.zip and use fastboot.

C:>fastboot flash boot boot.img

You could as well use any other kernel you get your hands on and substitute boot.img for the filename of the kernel you wish to flash.
[Android General] flickyourbic:
Sorry a bit confused here. When I open the US_ME302C-V5.0.21-JB_4.3-system.gz all it shows is the same file name with .ext.img at the end. There is no boot.img and I don't know what you mean by extracting that from it?
[Android General] jostrus:
I'm sorry. It was my mistake. I misunderstood what you originally meant.

The zip I referenced US_ME302C-V5.0.21-0-ota-user.zip is found at Asus website and is the over the air update that was used to create the pre-rooted image I posted. I have uploaded the boot image in a zip so you don't have to download the entire 800mb zip from them.

Download boot_(5.0.21-kv3.4.43).zip

Extract the boot.img from this and proceed with previous instructions.
[Android General] flickyourbic:
OKAY I got the kernel flashed it looks like. Thank you very much for all your help.

Unfortunately the tablet is still "broken". There is no sound coming from it whatsoever. I thought it was a kernel/firmware issue but it might actually be hardware related afterall. :'(
[Android General] nvrpayretail:
I'd recommend going back to full ota 5.0.21 stock and see if your sound works then. If it's working, then go ahead and apply [MENTION=5552279]jostu[/MENTION]s' 5.0.21 root.
[Android General] jostrus:
I don't think it would make any difference as the OS /system partition would have the same content but it's worth a shot. It would be more likely to be settings of some sort stored in /data which would require doing a factory reset to erase the data and all settings. Obviously you'd want to backup any apps, pictures, videos, etc prior to doing that. It sounds more likely to actually be a hardware failure though. We get lots of tablets in for repair at work for either no audio or no power which all seem to be motherboard problems. Brands we get have a wide variance but we get a note worthy number of Asus. I would try doing the factory reset just to be sure though.
[Android General] gbkelley:
Update via .zip Not Working

Glad to see this thread is alive and well, been away for a bit this summer.

Decided to take the plunge and update my 4.7.3 to 5.0.16 using the zip files. I seem to have hosed something on the tablet as nothing I do will get it to recognize the zip file in the root of internal SD or external SD. Unplugging USB, rebooting, power off, nothing. I never get the update notification triangle, so whatever process that monitors the root for an update zip file isn't working any more. I've cleared data for DMclient, CMclient, Google Services Framework, didn't help.

Anyone know what triggers the update from zip file?
[Android General] mpgrimes:
The file name. You could always install the update with fastboot. Fastboot flash update <filename >
[Android General] gbkelley:
I meant what process is running that monitors a USB unplug or SDcard insert to read the file and start the update.

Can't use fastboot if it can't update from zip file as I'd lose fastboot on the 5.16.0 update then not be able to root with 5.17.0 because of this issue.
[Android General] mpgrimes:
You can reflash 473 bootloader and recovery after updating so you can still root. Why not do 5.21?
[Android General] gbkelley:
If you have been following this thread the past 20 pages or so fastboot is not a recommended update method - only as last resort and not guaranteed to work. Besides, I now run Kubuntu (Linux) and fastboot doesn't work for some reason (can't find the ASUS attached as USB device in fastboot mode). I prefer to find the cause of the update trigger not working so I can use the preferred method of loading the zip file into SDcard and having the update process fire off on it's own. 5.16 is the last update that has a US fake update root file available.