[Q] Afraid to Unlock Atrix 4G - Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey all,
I'm fairly new to unlocking/rooting (I'm from the simple iPhone jailbreak world).
I have my Atrix 4G rooted with no issues and ClockworkMod installed... that was the easy part it seems.
Where I am struggling is to figure out IF I can unlock my Atrix 4G and if it is safe to do.
I am running Android 2.3.6 on the Bell network. I see a bunch on unlocks for bootloader 2.3.4 and am confisued if that bootloader version has any relation to the android version? How can I figure out what bootloader I have? Would it also be 2.3.6?
If it is indeed 2.3.6, is it possible to unlock, I see no specific unlocks for that version.
Thanks,

You cant install a different recovery with out being unlocked. so if you can boot into CWM then your phone is already unlocked.
Where did you get the phone? was it new?
Its possible if its used that it was already unlocked and someone RSD back to stock for sale purpose, if its new and you havent unlocked yet then you dont have CWM installed.

Random Canadian said:
You cant install a different recovery with out being unlocked. so if you can boot into CWM then your phone is already unlocked.
Where did you get the phone? was it new?
Its possible if its used that it was already unlocked and someone RSD back to stock for sale purpose, if its new and you havent unlocked yet then you dont have CWM installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry should have been a little more clear, I have installed ROM Manager and choose the CWM install, but I cannot boot into it, I get a boot error 2 (I think). Sorry phone is at home now so I can't recall exact error will post later.
I got phone 6 month ago, was used phone. I am fairly certain its not unlocked because I cannot boot with CWM, hence cannot install custom ROM.
Thanks for the reply.

Random Canadian said:
You cant install a different recovery with out being unlocked. so if you can boot into CWM then your phone is already unlocked.
Where did you get the phone? was it new?
Its possible if its used that it was already unlocked and someone RSD back to stock for sale purpose, if its new and you havent unlocked yet then you dont have CWM installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to be unlocked to have CWM on your Atrix. I had it on at least 1.83 if not the original stock firmware. I know it was possible with only root on 1.83 because that was what I was running up until a month ago and I had CWM on it with a locked bootloader.

cerps said:
You don't need to be unlocked to have CWM on your Atrix. I had it on at least 1.83 if not the original stock firmware. I know it was possible with only root on 1.83 because that was what I was running up until a month ago and I had CWM on it with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, my phone is rooted so I have CWM, just can't boot it. My understanding is because I need to unlock, but I don't know how to unlock because I don't know how to figure out what bootloader I have.

cerps said:
You don't need to be unlocked to have CWM on your Atrix. I had it on at least 1.83 if not the original stock firmware. I know it was possible with only root on 1.83 because that was what I was running up until a month ago and I had CWM on it with a locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locked or it just didnt say unlocked at the top? two very different things.
avalanche333 said:
Right, my phone is rooted so I have CWM, just can't boot it. My understanding is because I need to unlock, but I don't know how to unlock because I don't know how to figure out what bootloader I have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dur im pretty sure that unlocking the boot loader allows unsigned code to run at boot, I could be wrong but I think you two are out to lunch on installing CWM with just root.
That or you can install it but you cant run it because the boot loader wont allow something with out motorolas signature to execute. making the point of if it is or is not, installed, a moot one. Aside from the fact you no longer have any sort of a functional recovery mode.
There is a LOT of info on how to unlock the bootloader and its not exactly hidden. I dont know if its even still done with RSD but that would be a place to start as that is how I did mine in sept of last year.

Random Canadian said:
Locked or it just didnt say unlocked at the top? two very different things.
dur im pretty sure that unlocking the boot loader allows unsigned code to run at boot, I could be wrong but I think you two are out to lunch on installing CWM with just root.
That or you can install it but you cant run it because the boot loader wont allow something with out motorolas signature to execute. making the point of if it is or is not, installed, a moot one
There is a LOT of info on how to unlock the bootloader and its not exactly hidden. I dont know if its even still done with RSD but that would be a place to start as that is how I did mine in sept of last year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I see what your saying, but I am saying that I cannot run CWM. I can only install onto my SD card. But the boot in recovery does not work (ie it will not run CWM). I'll post the error little later tonight when I try at it again.
I realize there is lots of info on unlocking bootloader and I am not concerned about doing the unlock, once I find a way to verify my bootloader version. Ive seen a few posts warning that bootloader must be v 2.3.4 or you can brick the phone.
So I guess ultimately my question is, how can I figure out my bootloader version? Have not seem this answers after some googling.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1136261
Read that and your version will be in settings and then about phone. although I do believe that 234 and 236 unlock via the same method.
If you are going to install Custom roms CM7/9/10 or a blur based then you dont need to even worry about root. otherwise there are instructions in that thread to root that SBF

Random Canadian said:
Locked or it just didnt say unlocked at the top? two very different things.
dur im pretty sure that unlocking the boot loader allows unsigned code to run at boot, I could be wrong but I think you two are out to lunch on installing CWM with just root.
That or you can install it but you cant run it because the boot loader wont allow something with out motorolas signature to execute. making the point of if it is or is not, installed, a moot one. Aside from the fact you no longer have any sort of a functional recovery mode.
There is a LOT of info on how to unlock the bootloader and its not exactly hidden. I dont know if its even still done with RSD but that would be a place to start as that is how I did mine in sept of last year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm positive it was locked, running 1.83, and had CWM on it. I bought the phone at an AT&T store myself. I rooted it and put CWM on it. The early version of CWM for the Atrix only was accessible by turning the phone on while plugged into the wall charger that came with the phone.

Related

[Q] Help 2.3.4 locked boot

Okay guys, i flashed the 2.3.4 ota as soon as it came out (before all this trouble with it of course) and now i am stuck because i was under the impression that the new bootloader would be unlocked so i had never even though about eating any pudding before the fact. Now i come to my trouble, im running a totally stock 2.3.4 att and i cant seem to find a way out.
Question #1- If i have a locked bootloader can i fruitcake back?
Question #2- Is there a possible way to unlock the new bootloader?
Question #3- How in heck do i get root, im on windows 7 and i recently tried the two bat files that one of the devs released and they were a no go, it didnt seem to flash the preinstall when i tried to look for it, it wasnt there. I have been quietly trying to fix this on my own for days now i am asking for a little help. Im stumped.
I got root using the /preinstall method with those 2 .bat files posted yesterday.
From page 30-35 is the guidance I followed from mramirezusa.
Other than that we are in the same boat.. I read puddings will flash relatively safely.http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1159950&page=30
cthomas5714 said:
Okay guys, i flashed the 2.3.4 ota as soon as it came out (before all this trouble with it of course) and now i am stuck because i was under the impression that the new bootloader would be unlocked so i had never even though about eating any pudding before the fact. Now i come to my trouble, im running a totally stock 2.3.4 att and i cant seem to find a way out.
Question #1- If i have a locked bootloader can i fruitcake back?
Question #2- Is there a possible way to unlock the new bootloader?
Question #3- How in heck do i get root, im on windows 7 and i recently tried the two bat files that one of the devs released and they were a no go, it didnt seem to flash the preinstall when i tried to look for it, it wasnt there. I have been quietly trying to fix this on my own for days now i am asking for a little help. Im stumped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Question #2- Is there a possible way to unlock the new bootloader? yes use pudding
cthomas5714 said:
Okay guys, i flashed the 2.3.4 ota as soon as it came out (before all this trouble with it of course) and now i am stuck because i was under the impression that the new bootloader would be unlocked so i had never even though about eating any pudding before the fact. Now i come to my trouble, im running a totally stock 2.3.4 att and i cant seem to find a way out.
Question #1- If i have a locked bootloader can i fruitcake back?
Question #2- Is there a possible way to unlock the new bootloader?
Question #3- How in heck do i get root, im on windows 7 and i recently tried the two bat files that one of the devs released and they were a no go, it didnt seem to flash the preinstall when i tried to look for it, it wasnt there. I have been quietly trying to fix this on my own for days now i am asking for a little help. Im stumped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hey man first things first. dont panic, you are not stuck. this is temporary at best, in the mean while theres plenty of stuff you can do, sbf is not safe to begin with. so actually be gladd you only got to use RSD one time
first things first, get yourselfed unlocked, pudding will do the trick. once after pudding, you never have to touch RSD
Once you are done with pudding go ahead and get tenfars unlocked cwm
once you are done with that you are free to flash pretty much all the roms, as usually custom roms, or fruit cakes dont have bl, only the rest
enjoy
Okay guys, thanks for your help. but let me get this clear, i do not have a unlocked bootloader, im a pudding virgin. I can simply rsd the 1.83 with pudding and thats it? No worries no nothing?
cthomas5714 said:
Okay guys, thanks for your help. but let me get this clear, i do not have a unlocked bootloader, im a pudding virgin. I can simply rsd the 1.83 with pudding and thats it? No worries no nothing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but you still can't use any other sbf. I'd use the raw pudding sbf, unlock, then use CWM from here on out. No more rsd
Sorry about that. There is just the unlock and then the unlock packaged with 1.8.3. The one that has has been causing bricks from my understanding is the packaged one. Be sure you flash just the unlock.
Anyone know what exactly will be erased from /data after flashing the unlock? Also I don't want to restore backed up files that will conflict with new ones. Any guidance on this is appreciated.
snudmusk said:
Sorry about that. There is just the unlock and then the unlock packaged with 1.8.3. The one that has has been causing bricks from my understanding is the packaged one. Be sure you flash just the unlock.
Anyone know what exactly will be erased from /data after flashing the unlock? Also I don't want to restore backed up files that will conflict with new ones. Any guidance on this is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All user data is wiped when unlocking. The 1.8.3 sbf with pudding is safe to flash but i recommend just using pudding and then CWM and ditch rsd.
jruweaver said:
All user data is wiped when unlocking. The 1.8.3 sbf with pudding is safe to flash but i recommend just using pudding and then CWM and ditch rsd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agree, just use the pudding only sbf. to unlock , then preinstall to get root.
Make sure to have 50 or so battery so you don't run into the trouble I had with battery being to low to fastboot. Also once you flash pudding you wont be able to boot the phone, don't panic just follow steps to fastboot oem unlock and phone will boot fine afterwards.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
woahh no bad idea, im scared. I did exactly as you all said and it acts like its hard bricked, SVF:105 error but then it says no OS detected and i have 14 options
1RSD
2Fastboot
3Nvflash
4-9BP something
9Android recovery
10Boot android (no bp)
11Device UID
12Console
13early usb enumeration
14BP tools
WHAT DO I DO?
cthomas5714 said:
woahh no bad idea, im scared. I did exactly as you all said and it acts like its hard bricked, SVF:105 error but then it says no OS detected and i have 14 options
1RSD
2Fastboot
3Nvflash
4-9BP something
9Android recovery
10Boot android (no bp)
11Device UID
12Console
13early usb enumeration
14BP tools
WHAT DO I DO?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which did you flash? Pudding or 1.8.3 with pudding?
Try connecting your phone to pc select fastboot and finish the pudding instructions (fastboot oem unlock)
It might boot then.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Here is what I did.
1. If you were to update to the OTA 4.5.91. Or already on the OTA 4.5.91 you can still unlock your bootloader.
2. Flash pudding only SBF so you can unlock the bootloader. http://diamantephoto.com/fastboot.rar direct link. Flash this one.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1136261 Original Post about pudding.
It will go to a text only 14 option screen and say something like boot failed 0x1000. Don't freak out and tell me you bricked you phone blah blah blah. You still have to unlock the bootloader by choosing fastboot from your phone and connecting it to the computer via usb. Make sure you have ADB with fastboot tools installed on you computer.
Open command prompt from you computer and type fastboot oem unlock. It'll display warning about voiding warranty and a unique device id. Type again fastboot oem unlock ############. The # are the unique device numbers. Don't type # it wont work. The instructions are posted on the pudding thread if you would like to read more about it.
Then type fastboot reboot to reboot. Unlock should be displayed on top left of screen and it'll take 5 long mins to boot up.
3.Then you need to install CWM and root.
You'll find instructions in the developers form. But if your lazy here is the CWM link. http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1138541 follow the instructions or every time you reboot you will loose CWM. For root there are two available for gingerbread. http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1140110 I used this one and got root.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1138204 I hear this works too.. Haven't tested read the post if you want to use this method.
As always don't blame me for bricking if you happen to do so. DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK. these are the steps I took to unlock and everything works great. Absolutely no problems with my phone after wards.
One thing unlocking your bootloader will format/erase data. Basically a factory data reset so make sure you backup everything with titanium or you favorite app. I would not restore system apps as i've had a few problems with email and motoblur force closes.
Is there a way to root without unlocking the bootloader?
five3zero said:
Is there a way to root without unlocking the bootloader?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Follow the instructions listed on here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=15023030
The 3rd post has the instructions I followed.
If you have problems be sure to read through the thread as someone else has most likely already had the same issue.
This worked for me.
cthomas5714 said:
woahh no bad idea, im scared. I did exactly as you all said and it acts like its hard bricked, SVF:105 error but then it says no OS detected and i have 14 options
1RSD
2Fastboot
3Nvflash
4-9BP something
9Android recovery
10Boot android (no bp)
11Device UID
12Console
13early usb enumeration
14BP tools
WHAT DO I DO?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just do: fastboot oem unlock (or whatever tthe code is)
Them: fastboot reboot
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

[Q] 2.3.4 software/Unable to Unlock Bootloader

Hello everyone. I am new to the world of android, but I'm a quick enough learner. Here is my specific problem:
I have an AT&T Atrix 4g. It is currently superuser rooted. It is currently running Android ROM 2.3.4.
Shortly after rooting the device, I downloaded ROM Manager and successfully installed through the application Clockwork Recovery. I tried to select the option to back up the current ROM (the stock android) on my SD card.. however, during the load screen, I got an error message stating
"Failed to boot 2
Starting RSD protocol support"
So doing some research, I came upon the conclusion that the reason I can't backup or really do anything with ROMs is that I needed an unlocked bootloader.
I went to Atrix4ghacks and followed the instructions on how to unlock bootloader and install permanent recovery.
This is the critical part: When I entered into the command prompt "fastboot oem unlock", instead of proceeding normally I got the return message:
"OEM unlock is not implemented"
Again, did a google search and read that Android 2.3.4 on Atrix 4g does NOT allow unlocked bootloaders.
So, the questions that I have that result from this are:
1.) Can someone here confirm that, in fact, I am unable to unlock the bootloader on my phone?
2.) If so, is there a viable workaround that is both reasonably safe and not overly complicated? Please note that I have no backup in case something goes wrong, leading me to
3.) Is there a way to backup my stock 2.3.4 ROM without an unlocked bootloader?
4.) Can I revert safely to an older android version that supports unlocked bootloaders?
5.) Can you actually install new ROMs without an unlocked bootloader?
6.) Am I totally screwed?
HUGE THANKS to anyone who actually bothered reading this, and even more thanks to anyone who can answer/point me in the right direction. Much appreciated!!!
thats becouse u havent flashed yet the bootloader ill give a post related to this and esay way to do it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1182871
and you CANT go back to 2.2 or 2.3 u can hard brick your phone
tufo430 said:
thats becouse u havent flashed yet the bootloader ill give a post related to this and esay way to do it
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1182871
and you CANT go back to 2.2 or 2.3 u can hard brick your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a ton for that link. I'm sorry to ask once again, but I'm very wary of possibly bricking my phone... so I must ask: Is your solution possible with 2.3.4? Or will the phone softbrick?
If you did the Over The Air (OTA) update to 2.3.4 then yes your phone will softbrick after flashing the bootloader. Re-enter fastboot and issue the unlock commands and everything will be fine when you reboot.

Unlocking bootloader and custom recovery questions

I have a few questions on unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery. I switched over from the nexus s and things are a little different then what I am used to.
I have already rooted the phone but I was looking at unlocking the bootloader and installing the CWM Recovery to flash over the Alien Rom. My question is if I decide to go back to stock will flashing the 4.5.1A SBF file through RSD Lite return everything back to stock including the recovery. And to lock the bootloader would just be a process of flashing nopudding4u.sbf and runnning moto-fastboot oem lock? If not what is else needed?
This might be a stupid question but I have looked around for a stock recovery file and couldn't find one.
forumx2 said:
I have a few questions on unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery. I switched over from the nexus s and things are a little different then what I am used to.
I have already rooted the phone but I was looking at unlocking the bootloader and installing the CWM Recovery to flash over the Alien Rom. My question is if I decide to go back to stock will flashing the 4.5.1A SBF file through RSD Lite return everything back to stock including the recovery. And to lock the bootloader would just be a process of flashing nopudding4u.sbf and runnning moto-fastboot oem lock? If not what is else needed?
This might be a stupid question but I have looked around for a stock recovery file and couldn't find one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was an update yesterday the 25th in the pudding thread found here with a file that will lock the bootloader for you. I don't know it has been tested yet but it is only the bootloader not the recovery it could potentially bork something according to the OP but the sbf will fix it. So long story short you are correct welcome to the photon I left from the nexus as well and this phone is just fantastic!
[email protected] said:
There was an update yesterday the 25th in the pudding thread found here with a file that will lock the bootloader for you. I don't know it has been tested yet but it is only the bootloader not the recovery it could potentially bork something according to the OP but the sbf will fix it. So long story short you are correct welcome to the photon I left from the nexus as well and this phone is just fantastic!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perfect, thank you for answering my questions. I agree, I absolutely love this phone and the download speeds are way faster then my nexus s. Do you think with google purchasing motorola they will release an update with an unlocked bootloader?

[Q] So i bought an Atrix, and installed OTA, whats next?

Hi guys! I have a couple of questions. I just updated my Atrix to 2.3.4 by OTA update, so i created a brickable device, haven't i? I would like to know what i have to do know, i want to root the phone and unlock the bootloader to install custom roms, but im afraid to brick my new phone. I have read a lot the past two hours, but im still not sure about what to do now in order to unlock the phone and achieve root.
Also, the device will brick if i try to flash any 2.2 rom, no matter how i flash it (via CWM for example)? Or only if i flash a 1.8.3 SBF via RSDLite? Are there any other files that i have to avoid if i don't want to brick my phone?
Thanks for helping me out guys!
djluis48 said:
Hi guys! I have a couple of questions. I just updated my Atrix to 2.3.4 by OTA update, so i created a brickable device, haven't i? I would like to know what i have to do know, i want to root the phone and unlock the bootloader to install custom roms, but im afraid to brick my new phone. I have read a lot the past two hours, but im still not sure about what to do now in order to unlock the phone and achieve root.
Also, the device will brick if i try to flash any 2.2 rom, no matter how i flash it (via CWM for example)? Or only if i flash a 1.8.3 SBF via RSDLite? Are there any other files that i have to avoid if i don't want to brick my phone?
Thanks for helping me out guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After you unlock the boot loader, do not flash any sbf prior to 4.5.91. In fact after you unlock the boot loader, there's no need to flash a sbf at all, b/c you can just flash a fruitcake to return to stock.
As far as picking a ROM, it doesn't really matter... any ROM that requires a unlocked boot loader (which they all do), it is at least based off of gingerbread Android 2.3.4+
Use the pudding unlock sbf to unlock your boot loader. Most rooms include root. See my sig for further info.
Sent from my CM7 Atrix 4G
Swiftks said:
After you unlock the boot loader, do not flash any sbf prior to 4.5.91. In fact after you unlock the boot loader, there's no need to flash a sbf at all, b/c you can just flash a fruitcake to return to stock.
As far as picking a ROM, it doesn't really matter... any ROM that requires a unlocked boot loader (which they all do), it is at least based off of gingerbread Android 2.3.4+
Use the pudding unlock sbf to unlock your boot loader. Most rooms include root. See my sig for further info.
Sent from my CM7 Atrix 4G
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your fast response! So, if i use the auto-unlocker on that thread, it wont brick my device right? Thanks for pointing me that, it seems very usefull. Now, this leads me to the next question, i also have to SIM Unlock my Atrix, because its locked to ATT and im trying to use it outside the US, so i need to SIM unlock it, i have seen several threads of users reporting problems SIM unlocking the phone, should i wait for the SIM Unlock code before proceding to unlock the bootloader? I have already ordered one, the guys should email it any time now, it will take less than 24hrs, and no less than 2hrs (which have already passed).
Thanks for your answers guys!
EDIT: Couldn't resist, unlocked the bootloader and achieved root. It was super easy with the automated batch. I hope i don't run into problems when i try to SIM unlock the phone lol

[Q] Installing TWRP on Locked boot atrix

Greetings, _I have a AT&T atrix 4g, with 2.3.6. OTA updated to 4.5.145 so i can´t unlock the boot loader, is there a way i can install TWRP to my phone, the only thing i've been able to do is to root it, but not unlocking the boot loader, so i'm trying to ake a nandroid backup to use freely the pimp my rom utility, and restore the backup in case something goes wrong, Thanks in advance!!!!
Well why do you think unlocking the bootloader is even needed? You cannot do anything but root if you don't unlock the BL. No way to install any recovery.
However, where did you get this that .145 cannot be unlocked? Unlockability has nothing to do with the firmware version. If you really cannot unlock (tried and failed), it is for different reasons.
Svereal people has told me that this update came with many security fixes, and one of them is for unlocking the boot, that if i try, mos likely it's gonna end in hard bricking my phone via RSD lite that i guess is the only way to flash the unlock sbf..... the point is that soooo many people has told me this, that now i'm very afraid to do it, everyone's has said that this compilation and because it's a AT&T phone, it can't be unlocked the boot.....
Wich could be the consequences if i try to unlock the boot and fail??? (Please, i know that you guys know a lot about this, so i want to be very sure that there's no really high risk of bricking just for the firm, or for the fact that is AT&T)
I'm trying to unlock the BL to put th CM7.....
Here you go.
diablogomez said:
Svereal people has told me that this update came with many security fixes, and one of them is for unlocking the boot, that if i try, mos likely it's gonna end in hard bricking my phone via RSD lite that i guess is the only way to flash the unlock sbf..... the point is that soooo many people has told me this, that now i'm very afraid to do it, everyone's has said that this compilation and because it's a AT&T phone, it can't be unlocked the boot.....
Wich could be the consequences if i try to unlock the boot and fail??? (Please, i know that you guys know a lot about this, so i want to be very sure that there's no really high risk of bricking just for the firm, or for the fact that is AT&T)
I'm trying to unlock the BL to put th CM7.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Old post, but here you go. I installed the 4.5.145 OTA update, then followed the guide written by "thekooliest" over on the atrixforums.com to unlock the bootloader after rooting. As always, no responsibility blah, blah. Make sure you post any further basic questions on that forum instead of here. They are better at dealing with new people. Good luck. As for a ROM, I'd recommend Epinter's 10.1 or NottAch if you want to have full functionality. If you want to overclock epinter's rom, use fech's 1.2 Kernel. Faux's 1.3 and 1.45 are on the Aroma Installer included in Nottach.

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