How to Root, Unlock, and Flash Recovery to the ASUS Transformer Prime [Video]

OK guys, I finally got around to creating this how-to video on getting your ASUS Transformer Prime all ready for modding! In this video you will find directions on how to root, unlock, and flash ClockworkMod Recovery to your tablet. This all-in-one tool, ViperMod PrimeTime v4.5, will do everything I just mentioned and can even unroot your Prime in case you need to send it in for service. This tool works on any version of ICS, and will even work on Honeycomb. For those of you OG Transformer owners, you can even use the root tool as well but do not try to flash recovery. Reports show that trying to flash recovery will bork your original Transformer (TF101).

Once rooted, you will not loose the ability to receive future OTA updates from ASUS, but it is highly reccomended to grab Voodoo OTA RootKeeper from the Android Market to prevent any future updates from breaking root. You can find the download link at the end of this post.

Big thanks to ViperBoy for creating this super easy tool, it's by far the easiest method available for doing any or all of these steps. You don't have to complete every step if you dont want (i.e. remain locked), and if you are already rooted or unlocked you can still use the tool's other features as well. I will include brief instructions below, but for a more detailed walk-through refer to the video. You can also find the necissary download links at the end of this post. Ready? Lets get started! 

How to root:

1. Download the ViperMod PrimeTime v4.5 .zip file, save it to your desktop, then extract to the desktop as well.
2. Install new drivers – see video (unless you can already adb into your tablet)
3. Remove from keyboard dock (if you have one), turn on USB debugging, turn off ASUS Sync and force close Splashtop. These are very important!
4. Connect your TP to the computer using the factory cable only (be sure no other Android devices are connected).
5. Open the unzipped ViperMod PrimeTime folder and select ViperMod PrimeTime v4.5exe and run it.
6. Select an option based on your version of Android, hit any key. Two more confirmation messages will pop up and you will need to hit any key two more times to initiate the process.
7. Tablet will reboot and the root precess is complete.
8. To unlock the Prime, leave the tablet plugged in and move to the next phase. If you want to remain bootloader locked then you are done but be sure to get OTA RootKeeper from the link below.

How to unlock:

1. Plug in your Prime (unless coming from root process), USB debugging enabled.
2. Select option 5 and wait for the process to complete.
3. Locate the Unlock Device app in your app drawer and open.
4. Agree to the ASUS EULA, enter your Gmail password and the tablet will reboot.
5. You are now bootloader unlocked! If you want to flash CWM recovery, leave tablet connected and move to the next phase, step 1. If you don't want recovery for some odd reason, X out of the PrimeTime tool now.

How to flash CWM recovery:

(The following paragraph only applies to folks who are flashing recovery only, not those who completed the above steps) If you have already unlocked your device using the standalone ASUS unlock tool, you can use this ViperMod PrimeTime tool to flash recovery. You will need get your Prime connected to your computer and install the tool using the directions above. Select option 5 to unlock device and you will get an error message saying your device is already unlocked. From there you can follow the directions below.

1. Press any key to complete the recovery flash.
2. Wait for tablet to reboot.
3. You now have CWM recovery! To verify, power off your tablet, hold power and volume down until you get to the first ASUS splash screen (you will also see small white text in the top left of the display), let go of power and volume down and then press volume up within 5 seconds. You should now be in recovery mode.
4. Make a backup!
5. Flash away!!

See, now that wasn't so bad, was it? Now would be the time, if you haven't already, to install Voodoo OTA RootKeeper from the Android Market. This will allow you to fall back to a rooted state if and when any future ASUS OTA updates break root. Simply download the app and select “Protect Root”.

Now you are safely rooted, unlocked, and (should!) have a nandroid backup handy in case anything goes wrong in the future. I know there are a few custom ROMs out there right now (CM9) but it is still early in the Prime's development stage. At least now you are all ready to flash and mod to your hearts content. If you use this guide be sure to let us know in the comments how it went, and be on the lookout for a future tutorial on how to flash custom ROMs.

ViperMod PrimeTime v4.5 .zip

Voodoo OTA RootKeeper

source: XDA