Asus warranty and bootloader unlocking - Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

so i have been thinking of unlocking the bootloader on my prime but didnt know if it was worth it. i was reading the warranty info: http://support.asus.com/warranty.as... Pad Transformer Prime TF201&os=&hashedid=n/a and i saw that it only covers defects in materials and workmanship. theres a part that says "We apologize for not be able to provide service for individual components (such as hard disk or CPU)" so does that mean if something happens to any of those things asus wont cover it or they just wont service it and i get a new one? what problems had you guys had caused by unlocking the bootloader if any, and what problems have you had that didnt have anything to do with unlocking the bootloadefr? and did asus cover those problems?so final question is it worth unlocking or is the warranty worth more? because asus customer service pretty much sucks. it took them 1 week to replay back to me with a useless answer when i needed help recovering deleted pictures. and every time i try to contact them thru live chat no one ever connects. so who recomend unlocking and why and who doesnt and why?
i have also seen people that have the problem where their screen craked. did asus replace your screen even if you were unlocked?

these forums get more views than replies. 194 views and no replies. does that mean everyone is on locked bootloader?

I would say that if you are afraid of paying for repair then never unlock your device unless you know how to fix it or have a backup plan. I personally got a 3rd party warranty for any hardware issues that happen that aren't normal for the Prime.
Is the prime better unlocked? Yes tremendously better.
Is the Asus Warranty worth not unlocking? No IMHO

I've seen too many hardware issues posted here to take a chance on unlocking as it voids the warranty. Most people I've seen are simply rooting their device. I'm waiting to see if Asus is going to give us NVFlash which would make it safer to play and a way to recover a bricked Prime.

i am rooted but locked.

RMA'ed twice since Dec when I bought it. I'll never RMA again and wait 2 months like the past 2 times. I chose to unlock recently when I got it back and it was the best decision I've ever made.

fcortes626 said:
these forums get more views than replies. 194 views and no replies. does that mean everyone is on locked bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason that people aren't replying, is because this question has been asked and answered a dozen times already.
If you unlock your tablet's bootloader, you basically void your warranty.
Unless you know for certain that you never want to get an OTA update, or warranty repair again, don't unlock your Prime.
If you think you may have hardware issues in the future, and you don't want to buy a new tablet or pay to have them fixed, don't unlock your bootloader.
If all you bought the Prime for was playing around with custom ROMs, or if the only way Android has ever made you happy is through a custom ROM and you don't mind not having a warranty, then yes, go ahead and unlock your bootloader.
And yes. Asus knows when when a tablet's bootloader has been unlocked.

Related

Unlocking the Bootloader Vs. Selling the prime later

Hi guys,
So with the Bootloader unlock (hopefully) coming right around the corner, I'm curious about the possible controversy behind unlocking the bootloader and trying to sell the Prime used on XDA/eBay/Craigslist.
What are everyone's opinions?
--Would it be wrong to unlock the bootloader(AKA void the warranty) and then try to sell the prime later down the road when something new and better comes out?
--Would you buy a used prime if the previous owner fully disclosed that the bootloader is unlocked and the warranty is voided if the prime still fully functions?
--(Warning: my nooby question)Would it be possible to re-lock the bootloader? (I'm assuming it wouldn't be possible due to not having Asus' actual encryption key, but on the other hand, XDA has some wickedly smart minds)
--Is this even an issue? Am I making this a bigger deal than it really is?
bscotth said:
Hi guys,
So with the Bootloader unlock (hopefully) coming right around the corner, I'm curious about the possible controversy behind unlocking the bootloader and trying to sell the Prime used on XDA/eBay/Craigslist.
What are everyone's opinions?
--Would it be wrong to unlock the bootloader(AKA void the warranty) and then try to sell the prime later down the road when something new and better comes out?
--Would you buy a used prime if the previous owner fully disclosed that the bootloader is unlocked and the warranty is voided if the prime still fully functions?
--(Warning: my nooby question)Would it be possible to re-lock the bootloader? (I'm assuming it wouldn't be possible due to not having Asus' actual encryption key, but on the other hand, XDA has some wickedly smart minds)
--Is this even an issue? Am I making this a bigger deal than it really is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes and no. Everything about unlocked bootloaders and the ROMs and such that come with them is either open source or someone else's property. Therefore directly profiting from it without permission from owner/changing source code would be illegal. But you wouldn't necessarily as you're just passing the physical tablet along.
2. Yes and no. I personally wouldn't mind as that's just one less thing I'll have to do to be prepared for my levels of customization. At the same time, I wouldn't buy it too close to full price as I'd just get it new and would scrutinize the seller's wording and overall advert very closely. I would not trust you out-right and most likely would still choose the unlocked route just as a safety precaution.
3. I do think it's possible to revert to an unrooted, locked state, but you'll be dependent on a dev here actually putting it together. Unroot is easy, putting back to complete stock with all security on is a bit tougher but doable (I could still have warranty work done to my phone)
4. Again, yes and no. Anyone who generally even knows what unlocking and rooting and ROMs are would most likely enjoy the experience of a new device that they get to do these things to themselves. But some more layman users who wish to have full control but don't know how are even willing to pay others to do this for them.
You'd definitely be able to sell it. Probably more easily locally since you could show off the customizations and pros of custom software vs. that from the manufacturer/carrier.
*EDIT: Also, I don't believe many people are going to be worried about warranty on used devices. That's usually the trade-off: Lower price, but no real support + any past damage that could have been done and gone unreported vs. Higher price, (USUALLY) complimentary service for malfunctions for a limited time, and generally a return policy to a retailer.
bscotth said:
--Would it be wrong to unlock the bootloader(AKA void the warranty) and then try to sell the prime later down the road when something new and better comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but inform they buyer that the device is unlocked and potentially without warranty.
Would you buy a used prime if the previous owner fully disclosed that the bootloader is unlocked and the warranty is voided if the prime still fully functions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely. I'd prefer if it was unlocked posibbly with some neat, fast ROM installed, one less thing for me to do. I bought my phone rooted and with CM installed.

[Q] can the prime be repaired?

I REALLY want to root and apply a custom rom. I'm not concerned about breaking it though rooting, my main concern is that if some hardware in it is just waiting to break after I root it I have no way to send it to Asus and get it fixed since my warranty will be void. So is their any other recourse besides Asus like a outside company that can fix it. I don't mind paying someone to fix it once the warranty is void(just don't to have to buy another one) since I'm getting the benefit of putting the software I want on it. Thanks to anyone with ideas .
fd4101 said:
I REALLY want to root and apply a custom rom. I'm not concerned about breaking it though rooting, my main concern is that if some hardware in it is just waiting to break after I root it I have no way to send it to Asus and get it fixed since my warranty will be void. So is their any other recourse besides Asus like a outside company that can fix it. I don't mind paying someone to fix it once the warranty is void(just don't to have to buy another one) since I'm getting the benefit of putting the software I want on it. Thanks to anyone with ideas .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Squaretrade has 2 yr warranty, Accidental Damage and hadling as well, for $99 ...cheaper if you can find a coupon code. There is a thread going in the General section.
Apparently they are very reputable, I got one myself a couple of weeks ago.
fd4101 said:
I REALLY want to root and apply a custom rom. I'm not concerned about breaking it though rooting, my main concern is that if some hardware in it is just waiting to break after I root it I have no way to send it to Asus and get it fixed since my warranty will be void. So is their any other recourse besides Asus like a outside company that can fix it. I don't mind paying someone to fix it once the warranty is void(just don't to have to buy another one) since I'm getting the benefit of putting the software I want on it. Thanks to anyone with ideas .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honesty, I would wait to ROOT and unlock. I rooted/unlocked and now Asus has my serial number blacklisted. I knew all this going in and didn't care, because that is what Android is too me...freedom,choice, and making my device how I want it to be. But, now I'm finding there isn't much gained from root/unlocking. I've tried the 3 top ROMS, and 2 of them were 95% stock and added no features or functionality. The one I'm on now is AOKP and it's the best so far with fairly nice features and mods, but because its still in the works, it has problems with the dock, games and apps comparability, and it sometimes freezes and reboots, therefore I wouldn't recommend rooting/unlocking for ROMs. The Primes is fairly new,so more mods and ROMs will be coming for sure. I would definately root and unlock, but not just yet.
jaycustom said:
Honesty, I would wait to ROOT and unlock. I rooted/unlocked and now Asus has my serial number blacklisted. I knew all this going in and didn't care, because that is what Android is too me...freedom,choice, and making my device how I want it to be. But, now I'm finding there isn't much gained from root/unlocking. I've tried the 3 top ROMS, and 2 of them were 95% stock and added no features or functionality. The one I'm on now is AOKP and it's the best so far with fairly nice features and mods, but because its still in the works, it has problems with the dock, games and apps comparability, and it sometimes freezes and reboots, therefore I wouldn't recommend rooting/unlocking for ROMs. The Primes is fairly new,so more mods and ROMs will be coming for sure. I would definately root and unlock, but not just yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't void the warrenty if Asus doesn't know, and it's not done with the Asus boot unlocker, it doesn't do any harm generally to root it.

[Updated 4.5.12] Operation NVFlash - Asus emailed me back about warranty and NVFlash

So, I emailed Asus because I was confused about how they could completely void our warranty because of an unlock. The part that confuses me is how they can void warranty even for a manufacturer defect or hardware fault when we only modified software. Also, I asked them why, if I warranty is completely void, we do not have access to NVFlash.
Here is the e-mail that I sent to Asus:
Hello,
I have a few questions:
1. If I use the Asus bootloader unlock tool to unlock my Transformer Prime, does it
void every part of the warranty?
2. If it does void every part of the warranty, wouldn't their be issues that would conflict
with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act?
3. If every part of the warranty is not void, what does it void exactly?
4. How come you will allow me to unlock my device and say that my warranty is void
but you will not give me access to NVFlash? I paid for this device. It is MY device. Give
me access to every feature on the device! Especially if you are saying that my
warranty is void!
I am emailing you because all of these questions are of major concern to myself and many others. Thank you for your time.
Here is what I got back from Asus:
Dear Mr. Lyon,
1) As stated for the Unlock tool:
"the Revised Product will no longer be covered under the warranty of the Original Product"
So yes, you void the warranty coverage.
2) No, there is no violation of the act, since it's a consentual agreement when you download and use the Unlock tool. No one is forcing youto unlock it, and you are aware beforehand that using it voids the warranty.
3) Using it voids all warranty coverage.
4) If an application no longer functions after unlocking, like NVFlash, you will need to discuss this with the developer. (NVIDIA)
Sincerely,
Chris A
Asus Customer Care Specialist
So, I wonder if NVFlash is really controlled by NVIDIA or if that is what Asus is saying so that people will bug NVIDIA about it. I know other devices have access to NVFlash but I don't know if any of them were unlocked with an unlock tool from the manufacturer. I just think that it is complete BS that we do not have access to something that could save a lot of us who have voided their warranty.
Anyway... Apparently we need to bug the s***t out of NVIDIA until they 1) make NVFlash available or 2) tell us that Asus has control over it and then we bug Asus for access to it.
UPDATE: Below is an e-mail that I have drafted about getting the SBK for NVFlash. Let me know what you guys think about it. If it looks good, everyone send it to Asus. If I missed something or need to correct something, please let me know. I am not a developer so I don't know exactly what is needed.
UPDATE2: I have been tweeting this to them twice a day and we need as many people as possible to tweet and post this on their Facebook and anywhere else they else they will see it.
@ASUS, still no word about NVFlash on the TF201!? Give complete unlock if you are going to void the complete warranty! #HalfassedUnlockTool
The problem is not that nvflash is *incompatible*, the problem is that we need specific information from ASUS to get nvflash working. This has nothing to do with nVidia
Diamondback said:
The problem is not that nvflash is *incompatible*, the problem is that we need specific information from ASUS to get nvflash working. This has nothing to do with nVidia
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what I thought but wasn't sure if I was correct. What do we need from Asus to get NVFlash working? I am going to bug the S**T out of them until we get it. If I'm voiding my warranty to unlock this SOB, they better give me full access to everything.
Also, it seems to me that they are voiding the complete warranty because they know people in the dev community are most likely to return for all the issues like BT+Wifi, Wifi signal and GPS and we are also the most likely to unlock, in turn voiding our warranty.
lyon21 said:
That is what I thought but wasn't sure if I was correct. What do we need from Asus to get NVFlash working? I am going to bug the S**T out of them until we get it. If I'm voiding my warranty to unlock this SOB, they better give me full access to everything.
Also, it seems to me that they are voiding the complete warranty because they know people in the dev community are most likely to return for all the issues like BT+Wifi, Wifi signal and GPS and we are also the most likely to unlock, in turn voiding our warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contact Gary Key, the Asus rep on this board.
We need the secure boot key(sbk) to get nvflash to work.
Nvidia supplied the version that supports tegra 3, Asus blocked functionality (all) to nvflash.
I'm pretty sure if they completely 100% unlock the boot loader nvflash could work without it, but I could be way off here.
di11igaf said:
We need the secure boot key(sbk) to get nvflash to work.
Nvidia supplied the version that supports tegra 3, Asus blocked functionality (all) to nvflash.
I'm pretty sure if they completely 100% unlock the boot loader nvflash could work without it, but I could be way off here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has anyone spoke Gary Key about this at all before? I will continue emailing Asus until they do something about this. If no one has contacted Gary about this yet, I will PM him and see if I can get him to check into this.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
Can some maybe draft an email that we all can send with accurate questions?
I understand enough to get myself into trouble....lol...so NVflash would be a god send to myself and others like me.
Idont completely understand why we cant get NVflash to work, but if someone can explain to me what i need to ask i would do my part and send some emails. Maybe we need to make our wheel squeak the most.
I have NO problem getting some beers in me and sending some emails...lol.
Di11igaf, and Diamondback could you guys explain a little bit in lay mans terms what i could ask?
Thanks guys...
-Jason
Mcoupe said:
Can some maybe draft an email that we all can send with accurate questions?
I understand enough to get myself into trouble....lol...so NVflash would be a god send to myself and others like me.
Idont completely understand why we cant get NVflash to work, but if someone can explain to me what i need to ask i would do my part and send some emails. Maybe we need to make our wheel squeak the most.
I have NO problem getting some beers in me and sending some emails...lol.
Di11igaf, and Diamondback could you guys explain a little bit in lay mans terms what i could ask?
Thanks guys...
-Jason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 I think this would be a great idea.
Sent from my ICS lovin 3D!!!
If I've helped you in any way... hit the "Thanks" button.
Yeah, we should get something like a template and everybody sends to asus a nice email.
I think we should focus on the "if you're voiding my warranty because of a unlocker tool, i want full access to my device since asus don't support unlocked devices" part.
they should learn more from google and maguro.
I'm up for this as well but lack the technical expertise, however I do enjoy dealing with customer service reps
+1...i do not like to compromise either...
If I get a chance in a little bit, I'll attempt to write something up and post it and see what you guys think. I should be able to do when my wife goes to bed here shortly.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using xda premium
I attached an e-mail draft that I just typed up to the OP. Look it over and let me know what you guys think. If there is something that I missed, should add or needs to be changed, please let me know.
We need the BCT, ODM and flash.cfg in addition to the SBK, so you may want to ask for those as well...
I personally think its crap considering they void your hardware warranty, my prime is screwed with a Defective Micro SD slot. I don't see HOW unlocking a boot loader affects the slot. My SD card doesn't click into the lock, no custom software caused this. Its a common problem also, Ive seen plenty of other people complaining about broken SD slots. I have not tried to contact asus yet, I figure there's probably no way to restore to factory boot loader state, and I'm pretty sure that unlock tool blacklist your serial.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium HD app
ear0wax said:
I personally think its crap considering they void your hardware warranty, my prime is screwed with a Defective Micro SD slot. I don't see HOW unlocking a boot loader affects the slot. My SD card doesn't click into the lock, no custom software caused this. Its a common problem also, Ive seen plenty of other people complaining about broken SD slots. I have not tried to contact asus yet, I figure there's probably no way to restore to factory boot loader state, and I'm pretty sure that unlock tool blacklist your serial.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I had to take a guess, someone in middle management was taking alot of heat for the prime and made a bad decision. "Look boss, now our losses are this much lower!"
The decision doesn't really make much sense to me, so I can only ASSUME it was a shortsided decision because someones career was on the line.
Edit: letter seems fine, but I doubt they care anymore. I feel like we have been written off. Its OK, I have squaretrade warranty and if this thing breaks I will get a Samsung tablet. Possibly Motorola if they get their act together. I am actually happy with my prime and its limitations, but I have also written Asus off which is too bad considering they were in my top 5 company list.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk
Namidairo said:
We need the BCT, ODM and flash.cfg in addition to the SBK, so you may want to ask for those as well...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll revise the email draft when I get home later and add those things.
Sent from my ICS lovin 3D!!!
If I've helped you in any way... hit the "Thanks" button.
ear0wax said:
I personally think its crap considering they void your hardware warranty, my prime is screwed with a Defective Micro SD slot. I don't see HOW unlocking a boot loader affects the slot. My SD card doesn't click into the lock, no custom software caused this. Its a common problem also, Ive seen plenty of other people complaining about broken SD slots. I have not tried to contact asus yet, I figure there's probably no way to restore to factory boot loader state, and I'm pretty sure that unlock tool blacklist your serial.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is why I assumed the magnusson act does come into play in some way. They say when you unlock you void your warranty, ok fine. But what if the product was broken before you even unlocked?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-4
Thanks Lyon....I am in.
Lol....its amazing how much gets done when the ol lady goes to bed! I thought I was the only one!
This is crazy.....they give us a "key" to unlock our prime and void our warranty. But its only half assed! What's the big deal, if they let us unlock it....why not FULLY unlock the thing. Where is the **** block coming from? Asus, Tegra...what's the big deal, they let us in this far....
Coderedpl said:
This is why I assumed the magnusson act does come into play in some way. They say when you unlock you void your warranty, ok fine. But what if the product was broken before you even unlocked?
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would anyone knowingly void their warranty on a defective product. If anyone were foolish enough to do that, well then, what can I say.
Proud Owner of a Transformer Prime on Tapatalk

TF201 Hard brick repaired at 0 cost

As i can't reply to the proper thread due to the 10 post limit, i'll have to write it here. After lurking the forums regarding the Failed bootloader error 0x04 issue, i'm pretty much condemned to submitting my TF201 Asus Transformer Prime to Asus to deal with it. I've been given the impression it'd cost over 200/300USD just to get the problem fixed due to a number of post here claiming about the requirement of sending the whole motherboard in for replacement.
Let me just debunk that, that is totally not true. True asus technical support branches are given tools to easily flash the whole firmware regardless of the "Hard brick" issue. So when i sent in my TF201 to get it fixed recently, it didn't take them long. Also, because it was still within the warranty period, i did not have to pay anything. However, i was told that it would cost around 25-30 USD for recovery services if it's out of warranty. ;D
So, why am i writing this? After reading the high costs of repairing the device, i was spooked into waiting for some messiah to bring in a solution to the problem. However, after talking to the support over the phone, i found out that i do not need to pay anything if i were to get them to inspect the device. Quotation will then be provided in order to proceed with the repairs. So, i thought to myself, why not? In other words, if you have access to a local asus technical support branch, head down and see what are your options. There's no harm in trying.
Also, a friend found this.
engadget.com/2012/04/24/transformer-prime-team-win-recovery-project/
Wow. Cool
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Now all we need is a leak of these mighty recovery tools
phr0zenx said:
As i can't reply to the proper thread due to the 10 post limit, i'll have to write it here. After lurking the forums regarding the Failed bootloader error 0x04 issue, i'm pretty much condemned to submitting my TF201 Asus Transformer Prime to Asus to deal with it. I've been given the impression it'd cost over 200/300USD just to get the problem fixed due to a number of post here claiming about the requirement of sending the whole motherboard in for replacement.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't mention whether you had unlocked the bootloader or not?
brick repair 200$ 12/1/12
You must have been lucky, or perhaps it is the repair location.
I unlocked my tf201, installed clockworks, and bricked it. Would not get past the initial ASUS screen no matter what you did.
After reading your post, I hoped for the best and sent it into the Grapevine TX. repair center.
They sent me a picture of the web page saying ASUS knew it was unlocked, and offered to replace the main board for 200$.
Had they been able to reload the software for 25, I'd have paid, but 200$ is ridiculous, I'll go but a new Nexus.
Just another data point.
phr0zenx said:
As i can't reply to the proper thread due to the 10 post limit, i'll have to write it here. After lurking the forums regarding the Failed bootloader error 0x04 issue, i'm pretty much condemned to submitting my TF201 Asus Transformer Prime to Asus to deal with it. I've been given the impression it'd cost over 200/300USD just to get the problem fixed due to a number of post here claiming about the requirement of sending the whole motherboard in for replacement.
Let me just debunk that, that is totally not true. True asus technical support branches are given tools to easily flash the whole firmware regardless of the "Hard brick" issue. So when i sent in my TF201 to get it fixed recently, it didn't take them long. Also, because it was still within the warranty period, i did not have to pay anything. However, i was told that it would cost around 25-30 USD for recovery services if it's out of warranty. ;D
So, why am i writing this? After reading the high costs of repairing the device, i was spooked into waiting for some messiah to bring in a solution to the problem. However, after talking to the support over the phone, i found out that i do not need to pay anything if i were to get them to inspect the device. Quotation will then be provided in order to proceed with the repairs. So, i thought to myself, why not? In other words, if you have access to a local asus technical support branch, head down and see what are your options. There's no harm in trying.
Also, a friend found this.
engadget.com/2012/04/24/transformer-prime-team-win-recovery-project/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which service center did you go to exactly? I have sent mine in for RMA, and they keep trying to tell me they need to replace the motherboard. I know a decent bit about these things, and im pretty sure they are just getting rid of inventory and making more money (my quote was $180). I keep asking them if reflashing the firmware is a possibility, and they totally dodge the question. If I could contact the service center in Georgia (which is the nearest to me) and verify the 30 dollar charge, I would happily pay that price to fix the tablet!
Somebody needs to get on this quick. I've heard that this is the way they treat bricked primes in Europe. Just flash a new bootloader; service charge of a few dollars and out the door. Wish someone knew somebody inside Asus tech centers somewhere that could get us that software.
Sent from my large and in charge GN2 using Forum Runner
any updates to this? Flash bootloader service anywhere?
bootloader
bspratt said:
any updates to this? Flash bootloader service anywhere?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My transformer is at the Asus service center right now with hard brick "error unrecoverable bootloader (0x0000000)" I'm waiting for their call. I hope they can fix it. The main problem is that the bootloader is unlocked and of course I don't have any warranty. If they ask more than $100 for a software problem I'll be very disappointed in Asus. I'll write the result later.
motorom said:
My transformer is at the Asus service center right now with hard brick "error unrecoverable bootloader (0x0000000)" I'm waiting for their call. I hope they can fix it. The main problem is that the bootloader is unlocked and of course I don't have any warranty. If they ask more than $100 for a software problem I'll be very disappointed in Asus. I'll write the result later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What was the result?
(Solved) TF201 Hard Brick
Thank God! I found this post it fixed my Transformer Prime I hard bricked it Saturday night trying out a kit kat rom that didn't take I didn't have my JB CyanogemMod zip with me so I tried to restore a back up no go. I tried everything then I found this post I had never tried to fastboot -i 0x0b05 erase misc check this out hope it helps someone else Thank You Jesus!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2179759&page=2
If this helps click on this link for free 15 gb of cloud storage plus an additional 5gb just for signing up
https://copy.com?r=2TgwBI
(Solved) TF201 Hard Brick
Asus is lying for something that is obviously a software issue and bilking $200 to $300 dollars out of people. I finally found a forum that had one or two steps I hadn't tried and it worked. They wanted me to create a RMA for $300 for something that only takes a download a 32 bit OS and fastboot to fix below is the life line that saved my Prime repost on any sights that don't have this it works. Thank God
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2179759&page=2
credzba said:
You must have been lucky, or perhaps it is the repair location.
I unlocked my tf201, installed clockworks, and bricked it. Would not get past the initial ASUS screen no matter what you did.
After reading your post, I hoped for the best and sent it into the Grapevine TX. repair center.
They sent me a picture of the web page saying ASUS knew it was unlocked, and offered to replace the main board for 200$.
Had they been able to reload the software for 25, I'd have paid, but 200$ is ridiculous, I'll go but a new Nexus.
Just another data point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[WARRANTY] Who's the best for Android phones?

I've owned HTC, Samsung and Motorola Android phones and I've had negative experience with two out of 3 those vendors (more on that below). I'm now thinking of getting a newer phone quite soon (well, supposedly Google will be announcing 5 new Google-branded devices this Fall) and the warranty considerations are about the top of my list.
If you've had an experience (wherever positive or negative) with the warranty on your android phone, please post away and let me start the ball rolling. My goal here is to ideally find the manufacturer which would deal with end users directly on the warranty issues and would not shy away from the international warranty. I'll collect responses and then edit this post to reflect the actual warranty statements from the manufacturers rather than my own experiences.
[HTC] I've had a Google Ion device (given at the Google I/O conference) which was also sold known HTC MyTouch. I needed to flash Android 1.5 on it and bricked the phone. HTC spent about a month before they said they didn't have this IMEI in their database and would not offer *any* support (including paid) with that phone. What a bummer, I don't think I'd ever buy the HTC-made Google-branded phone.
[MOTOROLA] Had a problem with the phone not charging (when plugged to a computer) and I panicked and contacted Motorola. They ran the IMEI and suggested I go back to the provider (even tho I'm overseas and wouldn't be back home for a while they refused to accept the phone directly from me). Thankfully the phone charged just fine off the wall outlet, but what if I've had a genuine issue with the phone while overseas? Also, what if this had been a second-hand phone?
.
Thread moved to Q&A due to it being a question. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Failure to comply with forum rules will result in an infraction and/or ban depending on severity of rule break.
the best solutioin for ur problem is the following:
there are two different things
1. the warranty (it is given by the phone manufacture)
2. the service the seller gives to u
i would mention to find a seller wich has a own service station
cus if there are any problems u can bring the phone to them and let them check out whats wrong
I thankfully haven't had to make use of warranty thus far on my android phone (it's an HTC), but I'd say probably if you read some small text somewhere you'd find that the device you were given at Google I/O came without warranty or something like that. I'm sure on purchased devices, HTC will honour the warranty well.
Also, from what I've read, it's almost impossible to completely destroy an HTC phone with software (you should always be able to access bootloader via hardware button combo and from there reflash OS). So an HTC warranty is probably mainly useful for hardware problems.
Another thought worth mentioning is that many manufacturers will not honour warranties if the phone has been rooted or had the bootloader unlocked (at least, if they can tell )
SifJar said:
I thankfully haven't had to make use of warranty thus far on my android phone (it's an HTC), but I'd say probably if you read some small text somewhere you'd find that the device you were given at Google I/O came without warranty or something like that. I'm sure on purchased devices, HTC will honour the warranty well.
Also, from what I've read, it's almost impossible to completely destroy an HTC phone with software (you should always be able to access bootloader via hardware button combo and from there reflash OS). So an HTC warranty is probably mainly useful for hardware problems.
Another thought worth mentioning is that many manufacturers will not honour warranties if the phone has been rooted or had the bootloader unlocked (at least, if they can tell )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was i was thinking too but ive been resently involved into a discussion where a guy bricked his phone in a way he couldnt even get into recovery nor the bootloader
jiffer1991 said:
That was i was thinking too but ive been resently involved into a discussion where a guy bricked his phone in a way he couldnt even get into recovery nor the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On an HTC? Was he trying to get S-OFF or something? (Perhaps I am misinformed about the brick-ability of HTC phones)
Guys, the thread is about the warranty, not the brickability of the HTC phones.
Regarding the warranty from the seller -- who gives a **** when I'm half a world away from the seller for 4-6 months?
stangri said:
Guys, the thread is about the warranty, not the brickability of the HTC phones.
Regarding the warranty from the seller -- who gives a **** when I'm half a world away from the seller for 4-6 months?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sorry for going off topic there.
Anyway, I agree you should not have to rely on any warranty from the seller.
jiffer1991 said:
That was i was thinking too but ive been resently involved into a discussion where a guy bricked his phone in a way he couldnt even get into recovery nor the bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know im just saying this because i want u to be careful

Categories

Resources