yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Feralbender:
Nice work amrmo. I think you know what you are doing but maybe if the idea of analyzing the official zenfone 2 bootloader unlocking tools doesn't lead you anywhere it could be a good idea to try and contact the guys who made the unofficial one for the zenfone 2. They could have a few ideas considering that the Zenfone 2's hardware is almost the same as the Zenpad S.

The same thing applies for the Cyanogenmod ROM, what are the hardware differences between the Zenfone 2 and the Zenpad S that would have to be sorted out?

It's good to see some activity in here, thanks.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] amrmo:
Recovery from droidboot/fastboot screwup (white USB symbol)

I have made the dangerous attempt of trying to flash a 'fastboot droidboot.img' from a similar specs ZenFone 2, for which people already figured out how to unlock the bootloader without waiting for Asus.

That work was reported here: http://xdaforums.com/zenfone2/general/congrats-to-bootlocker-unlocked-t3138547

and I've seen that the official firmware 2.19.40.20 for the ZenFone 2 ZE551ML (downloaded from: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/ZenFone/ZE551ML/UL-Z00A-WW-2.19.40.20-user.zip) contains indeed a 'droidboot.img' file which the ZenPad S8.0 CA allows to flash, without complaints about signatures.

However, upon rebooting via 'reboot bootloader', the 'Droidboot provision PS' no longer shows up. The screen shows a white USB symbol, no more, and is no longer visible from a PC through 'adb devices' or 'fastboot devices'. The rest still works; but have we lost fastboot forever?

NO: if the device was rooted before (strongly advised...), a trick allows to flash without passing from 'fastboot' at all.

1) Get the official full firmware archive from Asus ( file UL-P01M-JP-4.6.1.0-user.zip ), and copy it on the device.

2) run: adb shell

3) became root: su

4) move that archive on a 'safe' place, i.e. /data

5) magic trick: create a recovery command via:

cat > /cache/recovery/command <PRESS ENTER, CONTINUE WRITING UNDERNEATH>

--update_package=/data/UL-P01M-JP-4.6.1.0-user.zip <ENTER>

<CONTROL+D>

6) reboot recovery

The device will reboot, and start a reinstallation which will, in particular, restore the Droidboot system and get rid of the white USB symbol.

Fastboot is back with us! ;)

I wonder now, if this route may allow flashing also non-signed new_droidboot.img

Have fun,

--

a.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] bg_man:
Have you tried to unlock the zf2 bootloader and then flash cwm recovery with this method? If this is possible will resolve our misery.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] ithvrean:
Hi, guys. i need some help here. i have followed the original post and done successfully root. But after some time i was trying to get the xposed working but unfortunately due to some SD card reason. my tablet got stuck in boot loop. then i used the CWM recovery to restore the Nandroid backup that i have saved before. but no luck it still stuck in boot loop. then i decided to flash the stock rom from http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/Eee...3.8.0-user.zip But i guess the mistake i made is that after finishing flashing the rom just before rebooting the device, i chose root the decive option. after i chose that option from the CWM recovery, the tablet turn black and until now i was never able to turn it to fastboot mode. it stays black all the time. but i guess it is still a soft brick, because when i plug into my computer, my computer can recognize there is a android decive. but ADB does not recognize the device.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] RusWolf:
Hello all.

Im new to android and i need a cheap and powerful tablet to pair up with my drone.

I was looking at Nvidia K1 or zenpad 580CA.

Question is, can the Zenpad be updated to Marshmallow ?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] amrmo:
Can't try, I don't have a ZenFone 2.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] bg_man:
I meant you flashed ZF2 bootloader on zenpad, right.

If this is the case after that you can try to unlock it with following commands:

adb shell (press enter)

su (press enter)

getprop ro.isn > /factory/asuskey ( press enter)

reboot bootloader ( press enter )
[Miscellaneous Android Development] amrmo:
Thanks a lot, now I understand.

Indeed it was my thinking too, when trying first to reflash the Droidboot image with the Zenfone 2's one - those files pass the signature check, and fastboot works out fine.

However, I haven't tried yet the splash image - I would be afraid about recovering, if something goes wrong.

Is somebody more confident / familiar with the device?

Thanks a lot,

--

a.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] BitOBSessiOn:
Hi to all and first of all thnx for your work [MENTION=7271345]amrmo[/MENTION] ,

I understand that it isn't possible to flash a repacked droidboot.img with droidboot bin from Zenfone 2 because signing, right ?

I've compared two droidboot binaries and they are very different (zenfone2 is about three times zenpad size), maybe zenfone2 one has the needed features to unlock...

Anyway, I've compared both imgs for both devices and repacked a hybrid droidboot.img version suitable (theoretically) for Zenpad (attached), with kernel and partition definitions for Zenpad but some binaries and utilities from Zenfone 2 img.

I haven't tested it... I suppose that you can't flash it... I attach it as "exercise" and because [MENTION=7271345]amrmo[/MENTION] maybe wants to check it... If you flash it, and it gets flashed, remember... it can break your tablet (I thinkt is safe enough... buuuut...) and most important.: it can kill all kittens in your neighbourhood....

If I feel brave enough when get to home maybe I try to flash... :P
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Who is Asus really hurting by not releasing a unlock for the bootloader? Not the consumer, the consumer will move on to a different product. Some companies would rather die off than change. In reality is there a good reason to even lock the bootloader on a Android device?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] amrmo:
Actually an attempt to flash which fails due to unsigned images seems rather harmless: if you try first the original 'good' file, you get no error messages (and no behaviour changes, of course):

$ fastboot reboot-bootloader

rebooting into bootloader...

OKAY [ 0.892s]

finished. total time: 0.892s

But if you try a custom image, fastboot is blocked before doing any real change, see my previous post:

$ fastboot flash fastboot new_droidboot.img

sending 'fastboot' (12230 KB)...

OKAY [ 1.223s]

writing 'fastboot'...

FAILED (remote: check_sign_key fail: no allow update droidboot)

On the positive side, I've tried and it is possible to pass the fastboot signature checks by using another Asus ZenFone 2 image instead. At least the version I tried though, firmware: 2.19.40.20 for ZenFone 2 ZE551ML: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/ZenFone/ZE551ML/UL-Z00A-WW-2.19.40.20-user.zip, was prevented from running by the bootloader upon rebooting. It was possible to go back, and recover a working Droidboot, see past post. But it was a bit hairy, and I didn't try yet to flash other *.img instead.

As pointed out by bg_man in fact, if we manage to have a minimally working firmware for the same SoC and an unlockable software stack (either through the official tool, or those figured out by the community), we could then remove the lock and otherwise go back to a modifiable Asus installation. I suppose, somebody can have success, if trying some more.

A compromise solution I'm having a look at, from a different angle, continues attempts such as the successful official Asus firmware debloating. There I could remove quite a few bloatware packages, and otherwise keep perfect functionality and no signature complaints.

I'm wondering if, since the kernel version may be the same and so to great extent the hardware too, we can pick a Cyanogenmod distribution for the ZenFone 2 (I'm downloading http://xdaforums.com/zenfone2/orig-development/rom-unofficial-cyanogenmod-12-1-nightly-t3164144 ), and take from that all the /app and /priv-app packages, instead of the Asus ones; which could be removed without problems.

We'd have a bit more control, while being still on the way...
[Miscellaneous Android Development] darkimage404:
very cool thread, i hope in a bootrom unlock from asus as made it for zenfone 2
[Miscellaneous Android Development] phez:
I have the exact same question and decision. Do I go Nvidia which already has android 6.0 or wait for Asus and *hope* they do Marshmallow. I spoke with ASUS chat today and he was vague and said, yes your device is capable but no time frame and no beta programme for you to join. Wait for google.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] RusWolf:
No one seems to know or give a definite answer if zenpad can be upgraded.. I think i will just go with K1.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] phez:
This is what I am afraid of. Another piece of ASUS hardware with no support or updates.

Maybe go Nvidia Shield K1
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Isn't the nvidia k1 like the Amazon fire, in that the Android is changed to a hybrid?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] RusWolf:
What do you mean?

As far as i know K1 is running pretty much native android.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Nvidia hybrid.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] RusWolf:
Thats why im staying away from samsung!
[Miscellaneous Android Development] portezbie:
It's pretty amazing that on top of Asus never releasing a full os update, they also stopped providing even minor bugfix updates months ago. They really just dropped support for the zenpad as quick as they could.

Really disappointing from a company I used to really like.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] RusWolf:
I really like the look and feel if this tablet, but i am 90% sure i will just go with K1.

I think is absurd how they release and drop the product immediately. If they dont care why should we care or tell them.

Asus should know what to to keep customers happy, apparently they do not care or need customers because they are sure that people will buy their brand no matter what.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] portezbie:
If you need a tablet now, the k1 seems to be the way to go. Although, it seems like their is a good chance that there will be a new nexus tablet released this year, so it might be worth waiting, we should know by at least July if they have something in the works for this year.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] RusWolf:
Yeah i need one now for my UAV.

I have my brothers Air2 that i use but i need an android tablet to use full functionality of a certain app.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Same here. I went with this one over the k1 because 4gb RAM is great for me over the k1 2gb. I am still hoping for a unlocked bootloader and a custom ROM but I certainly am not holding my breath.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] BitOBSessiOn:
I know well both tablets... K1 is mainly for gaming, Zenpad is for work. K1 is a graphic beast but Zenpad is more suitable for daily use. K1 is 16:10, Zenpad 4:3... They are very different and for different users.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] wxman123:
You know, I just received an update for my quite old ASUS tab running Kitkat. It basically put its newest launcher on top of Kitkat. I think the way ASUS views it, as long as their launcher works on the platform who cares what version of android is running. I used to be bummed about getting stuck with the android version my tab shipped with, but really everything runs even on Kitkat. Plus, it is a bit absurd how frequently android comes out with "new" OS's. I'm not a power user so I'm sure I'm missing something in my analysis. And, of course, I WOULD love an update to at least Marshmallow just because.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] erickh:
Wxman123,

Not updating the os for the various android devices has implications beyond not running the latest software. In addition to the latest software there are also bugs that affect performance of the device, i.e. Lag/speed/stability and bugs that affect the security of said device. There are known memory leaks in version 5.0, thats more than 1 that affect stability and performance of android devices. Some vendors fix these bugs and do not update to a later release, some upgrade the devices. Asus's release notes say increased stability but i have noticed my device crashing within a week consistanly if not rebooted. This is a possible sign of a memory leak that would have been fixed with a new update. Regardless of the aformentioned i would like to see this os updated to Marshmallow for the security updates. Marshmallow has significantly improved vulnerability management by releasing monthly patches to the OS. Some of the phone vendors have a bad habit of releasing these patches late, but ill leave that for another discussion.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] wxman123:
I have no basis to disagree with anything you said. My experience with the Zenpad, though, is the best of any pad I've owned, by a mile. I hope ASUS at least keeps the security up to speed.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
+1
[Miscellaneous Android Development] bg_man:
This tablet have very good specs and a very good price. It's a shame for Asus to leave it without support.

My suggestion is to gather money to buy a Zenpad and handover it to an experienced developer.

When we have bootloader unlocked we could try to compile the TWRP.

If we can't we have to buy a tablet for the TWRP team as well :).
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Explore3:
I still find it hard to believe that they are not updating the Zenpad line.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] jockyw2001:
A serious warning that you are likely to end up with a brick :crying:

I tried similar things. See here: http://xdaforums.com/android/development/flash-ifwi-lenovo-p90-t3357903

/JockyW
[Miscellaneous Android Development] wymaan:
I am just sending tech support a complaint. In my message, I asked them to send the message up the chain that we deserve more than 5.0 for a machine that is under 1 year old.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] wymaan:
Got this back. They are fast, and they will transfer our wishes, but who knows what that will do.

"Dear wymaan,

Thank you for reaching out to Asus customer care. We are very sorry that you are having issues with your unit.

After consulting related department in TW, up till now, they still have no schedule for next update but we will transfer customers' wishes to them for further development.

Regards,

Aries A.

Asus Customer Care"
[Miscellaneous Android Development] allanzzz:
It is a template reply which many have received.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] gary93:
The zenpad S 8.0 is quite heavily advertise in China. If they don't at least push a 6.0 update, they would lose a lot of customer in a short period of time.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
They don't have 6.0 on any of their devices yet.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Can someone link the windows drivers pls.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
It appears Asus support is only for their phones?

https://www.androidpit.com/android-marshmallow-update-overview-for-smartphones-and-tablets

http://www.androidauthority.com/android-6-0-marshmallow-update-649110/
[Miscellaneous Android Development] 32F:
Any luck?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] amrmo:
I am not really able to follow the matter right now, but would still like to see progress. I will try to continue in some weeks. However, personal advice would be not to give up asking Asus support directly.

Security updates and complete access to regularly bought devices should not be an optional, or something relegated to best effort commitment / time consuming and risky reverse engineering. Please consider voicing your interest here, https://www.asus.com/Tablets/ASUS_ZenPad_S_80_Z580CA/HelpDesk/ ; as I and others have. I wouldn't keep hopes too high, but not give up that easily either.

Best,

--

A.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] 32F:
Thanks for the quick response.

I have blasted ASUS with requests to unlock the bootloader and received the same canned response as everyone else in here.... I'd hope for the best, but hope is isn't a course of action.

Thanks for your input!
[Miscellaneous Android Development] theodorius123:
maybe some sort of campaigning would help....someone just needs to know some important bloggers/tech-journalists/...

don't know if this would help, but it feels like all inquiries to Asus will be answered with this template-mail followed by the junk folder :(
[Miscellaneous Android Development] wifesabitch:
I don't pay attention to benchmarks or know anything about the testing. Is this showing our ZenPad with 6.0.1 has been tested???

https://gfxbench.com/device.jsp?ben...Asus+ZenPad+S+8.0+(P01M+Z580C)&testgroup=info
[Miscellaneous Android Development] tjupille:
It looks like it, but I can't find any substantive details.

I did a DuckDuckGo search and came up with this:

"http: //android-marshmallow60.net/tutorial/upgrade-update-asus-zenpad-s-8-0-z580c/", but it's a scam. The download links just trap you into a series of "surveys" and "offers" designed to skim your info.

Bottom line: no unlocked bootloader, no custom roms, and no upgrades. It's a shame that is was abandoned at birth by ASUS, really; I like the screen and form factor, the speed is OK, but the battery life sucks. I have a Samsung Tab Pro 8.4 that was similarly abandoned (and had similar battery issues), but that was popular enough to get a good dev community. CM13 made a huuuuge difference.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] allanzzz:
Look on the bright side, at least we can still root and xposed. And those wonderful front speakers.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] mikeruss:
Is it safe to flash exposed? Have rooted but concerned I wouldnt be able to reflash the rom should there be a problem with xposed.

Do you find the Asus rom close enough to ASOP for there to be no compatibility problems?

Thanks Mike
[Miscellaneous Android Development] allanzzz:
I have no problems with xposed. I have very little modules, just YouTube ads and YouTube back ground play back.

Split screen don't seems to work.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Anyone have any luck unlocking the bootloader yet?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] darkimage404:
rooted + xposed + gravity box (and debloated) here.

i wish asus will unlock bootloader, after all why not?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Gianni:
Interesting... Could you be so kind to expose in details the procedure?

I rooted at the end of last year, but then an ota briked it. Now I'm on stock un rooted.

Thank you
[Miscellaneous Android Development] mikeruss:
follow the process to root, but flash xposed instead of supersu

once rooted you cannot ota

the issue for me is what happens once xposed is flashed if there is a problem, you cant reflash the original rom so how do you get rid of xposed ?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] darkimage404:
reflash original rom is simple with CWM

download and leave .zip format from here

asus.com/Tablets/ASUS_ZenPad_S_80_Z580CA/HelpDesk_Download/

ASUS ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580CA) Firmware: V4.6.1.0 (for WW SKU version only)

this is latest for worldwide edition

upload via usb to root directory of internal memory

run the CWM recovery tethered as for root but flash that .zip instead

system partition now is fully refreshed

(optional) wipe USERDATA from bootloader for a total refresh of device
[Miscellaneous Android Development] mikeruss:
many thanks for that.

I am right in needing to flash xposed-v84-sdk21-x86 ?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] darkimage404:
sdk21-x86 correct!
[Miscellaneous Android Development] helfrez:
Finally broke down and decided to root my Z580CA this morning..downloaded everything last night to do it. Unlocked the tablet...System Update Available lol. Asus just pushed out 4.7.1 with May security updates.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
My mic doesn't work a lot of the time and a reboot doesn't help, but if I power the tablet down for a minute and power it back up the mic usually works after the bootup. I have to wonder if it's a software (OS) problem or a hardware problem? Anyone else have this problem?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] darkimage404:
I'd to know what is the main purpose of open source kernel on asus support site
[Miscellaneous Android Development] TYMO68:
Anyone give this method a try:

[youtube]U6w76ckMsZE[/youtube]
[Miscellaneous Android Development] giociampa:
I got the update notification - downloaded OK but failed to apply (I'm assuming root is responsible for that).

Happy to unroot/update/reroot if anyone knows where I can find the zip file (the support page stops at 4.6.1 )
[Miscellaneous Android Development] Gianni:
You've been lucky, after update to a root ted -> service repair
[Miscellaneous Android Development] darkimage404:
New firmware has no changelog, and no standalone download yet
[Miscellaneous Android Development] giociampa:
I/we will just have to wait I guess - cheers anyway
[Miscellaneous Android Development] ishamm:
still android 5.0?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] helfrez:
Yes, still 5.0,but at least has May security patch level.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] popozao:
There's also an uninstaller zip for xposed (can be downloaded in same place as the framework). Might be easier to try that first, should you have a problem.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] BitOBSessiOn:
OTA 4.7.1 zip file

Available here. WW version.

This is NOT the full firm, only the OTA from 4.6.1. Manage it at your own risk.

Renamed from original file, downloaded from ASUS OTA tool at:

/cache/dlpkgfile

Bootloader update in this file... anyone who successfully updated can confirm if still bootloader locked and not unlockable....? I would check but no time ATM... Thx.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Is this for the ww SKU?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] BitOBSessiOn:
Yes, WW
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Can't successfully flash it, the new bootloader makes it fail.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
When trying to flash the update, it crashes and says "unexpected content". To bad we can't use TWRP when tethering.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] mikeruss:
I am still confused about which version of xposed I should be flashing.

I tried sdk21.x86 which flashed OK but the installer refused to install - just came up with "not installed"

so I reflashed 4.6.1, then sdk21.arm, which failed to flash with error 255

I know its a Intel 64 bit chip, but there isnt a system/lib64 directory which the FAQ says means use the normal 32 bit arm version

help appreciated !
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
sdk21-x86
[Miscellaneous Android Development] mikeruss:
that was quick - thank you

no luck, error 255 in flashing

I noticed I have a x86 folder in framework, maybe leftover from the x86 xposed flash

I may not have wiped system before reflashing 4.6.1 - I wonder if thats the problem ?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] slipslip:
Use sdk21-x86.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] mikeruss:
I tried using sdk21-x86, and the installer apk failed to install
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
Use sdk21-86. When I suggested the arm64 I was on the wrong tablet.

What tablet and what installer exactly are you talking about?
[Miscellaneous Android Development] mikeruss:
zenpad 8 S z580C

installer is XposedInstaller_3.0-alpha4.apk

after flashing x86 I got "not installed" trying to install the apk
[Miscellaneous Android Development] slipslip:
I had that issue as well. After flashing the framework (xposed-v84-sdk21-x86.zip) and rebooting, I could not install any apps, let alone the xposed installer apk. To fix this, go back into CWM and clear the Cache partition and the Dalvik Cache then reboot.

EDIT: To be clearer, DON'T clear the Dalvik Cache until after you've rebooted at least once since flashing the xposed apk. Doing so will give you an infinite spinning circle and not boot.
[Miscellaneous Android Development] loner.:
You lost me there. I wipe Dalvik every time I flash the Xposed framework always have, never a problem.