[Q] Firmware crossgrade - Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi all.
I have one of the AT&T Atrix phones, and was wondering whether, when my local carrier (Telstra) bring out their own branded version, it will be possible to install the Telstra firmware over the AT&T one. Perhaps when they bring out the update to 2.3?
I know the bootloader will only allow signed firmware, but I'm wondering whether they also check whether you're trying to install firmware from a different carrier or not. If not, it could be a way to get both localised features as well as remove some of the AT&T restrictions.
Any thoughts?

For anyone interested, it turns out that this is possible to do (but may cause reception issues because their firmware will be for the international version of the Atrix, which has different radio capabilities).

Thanks for the info. I was wondering the same thing. Could you keep us informed if you hear anything else?

Related

New Atrix User - Firmware Q's

Hi all
I recently purchased a Motorola Atrix (having previously had a Galaxy S). I have a couple of questions I thought you fine folk may be able to help with:
I bought the phone unlocked, though originally it was on Orange UK. The firmware version is 4.4.20.MB860.Orange.en.GB - Is this the most up to date? Also, will the fact I am not with Orange affect my ability to gain future updates? (I.e. does it validate that you are an Orange customer when it checks for OTA updates?). I would prefer to just get official OTA updates if possible, rather than mess with manually installing firmware.
Many thanks
James
When you say "unlocked", do you mean just sim-unlocked? If so, then there would be no reason for it to not be updated. As far as getting OTA, I don't see why not. If not, Motorola has the MSU that basically does the update automatically through your computer, you just have to make a few clicks.
For your FW version, I don't know. You can probably Google that.
surrealjam said:
Hi all
I recently purchased a Motorola Atrix (having previously had a Galaxy S). I have a couple of questions I thought you fine folk may be able to help with:
I bought the phone unlocked, though originally it was on Orange UK. The firmware version is 4.4.20.MB860.Orange.en.GB - Is this the most up to date? Also, will the fact I am not with Orange affect my ability to gain future updates? (I.e. does it validate that you are an Orange customer when it checks for OTA updates?). I would prefer to just get official OTA updates if possible, rather than mess with manually installing firmware.
Many thanks
James
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what I can gather, it is indeed the latest version. Thanks for the response - I shall await the UK Gingerbread release patiently in that case!

[Q] Can you load the developer ROM on to another RM-821 variant?

I'm wondering if anyone has done this and what it does (if anything) to the available frequencies. I'm hoping that an unlocked international variant with the developer ROM will allow access to the 1700/2100 frequencies, so the device could be used on TMo USA. Is this possible, or are the available frequencies simply not affected by the installed ROM?
Thanks.
jandref said:
I'm wondering if anyone has done this and what it does (if anything) to the available frequencies. I'm hoping that an unlocked international variant with the developer ROM will allow access to the 1700/2100 frequencies, so the device could be used on TMo USA. Is this possible, or are the available frequencies simply not affected by the installed ROM?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of right now, you will likely brick the phone if you flash a firmware not designed for your version of the phone. I don't think anyone has figured out how to flash the radio separately from the firmware yet. I'm holding off buying the 920 until someone figures it out
hawc1506 said:
As of right now, you will likely brick the phone if you flash a firmware not designed for your version of the phone. I don't think anyone has figured out how to flash the radio separately from the firmware yet. I'm holding off buying the 920 until someone figures it out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bummer. Thanks anyway.
May have to go with an unlocked Rogers, but the branding and lack of colors beyond black and (eventually) yellow is disappointing.

[Q] Problems with LG G3 D855 Operating System

Hi everyone,
I'm having issues with my LG G3 D855! It was originally locked to Optus in Australia, but I have recently wanted to root it. To do this I found I had to downgrade to Android 4.4, which I did successfully using the LG Flash Tool. It worked well, but it messed up at the same time. I actually flashed the European version of 4.4 over instead of an Optus version. As someone with little experience in the field, the European/International version seemed the right one since there was no Australian versions on the site. LG wouldn't replace the firmware unless I coughed up $350, seeing as I voided the warranty. After doing further digging online I found a Telstra version of the LG G3 firmware but the phone repair shop said that flashing a Telstra version over would lock it to telstra and that I would require a Telstra sim to use the phone! At the moment my phone is functioning okay, I'm able to text, call and mobile data and wifi both work. The issue is the missing Australian apps and the many European ones that aren't mine. Also out of curiosity, has the European G3 received 5.0 yet? It didn't show up in the software updater for me. Looking for any advice I can get with this... If you have any further questions about the functionality I will reply as soon as I can.
Thanks!

[Q] Help with updating to 5.0

I just got a new unlocked AT&T M8, switched over from iPhone. I'm going to be using it with T-Mobile, and I'm still struggling to learn how all this stuff works. So the phone is running on Android 4.4.4 currently, and I want to install a custom ROM on it, but I need Android 5.0. Since I have a T-Mobile sim card, I don't have any OTA updates. From what I understand, if I wanted to switch to a T-Mobile ROM, I'd have to pay $25 for Sunshine, which I'd rather not do. Would I also need to do so to get an international ROM? Also, from what I'm reading, my other option is to use the AT&T RUU from HTC's website to update to 5.0, and then install a custom ROM from there. Is this correct, would that remove my unlock, and are there instructions/recommended readings before I try anything? Thanks for any help.
grant523 said:
I just got a new unlocked AT&T M8, switched over from iPhone. I'm going to be using it with T-Mobile, and I'm still struggling to learn how all this stuff works. So the phone is running on Android 4.4.4 currently, and I want to install a custom ROM on it, but I need Android 5.0. Since I have a T-Mobile sim card, I don't have any OTA updates. From what I understand, if I wanted to switch to a T-Mobile ROM, I'd have to pay $25 for Sunshine, which I'd rather not do. Would I also need to do so to get an international ROM? Also, from what I'm reading, my other option is to use the AT&T RUU from HTC's website to update to 5.0, and then install a custom ROM from there. Is this correct, would that remove my unlock, and are there instructions/recommended readings before I try anything? Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You probably want the T-Mob radio software, so you can enable the 3G and LTE bands used by T-Mob. Otherwise, you will find that the AT&T radio does not give you 3G and LTE in many locations.
In order to flash another carrier's radio, you need s-off, and there is no way around that. Then you need to change the carrier ID (CID) and model ID (MID) to that of T-Mob.
At that point, you may as well RUU to a stock factory T-Mobile software image (not just the radio) and that would be recommended, is it will get you a complete T-Mobile "baseline" phone as opposed to an AT&T ROM with T-Mob radio, etc.
After running the T-Mob RUU, your phone will be "fully converted" to the T-Mob version in terms of software. Others here have converted the AT&T version for use on T-Mob. So I'll try to find one of those threads instead of trying to explain it all again.
None of these mods will change your SIM unlock. That will remain unlocked.
---------- Post added at 11:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------
Here you go: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-htc-one-m8/help/installing-tmobile-rom-att-branded-phone-t3069388
Another point: You can update to the latest AT&T Lollipop software by RUU. And you can flash custom Lollipop ROMs after that. But neither of these will enable the 3G and LTE bands used by T-Mob. So that is why I suggest "converting" the phone to T-Mob stock software instead.
Thanks for the response! Appreciate it. A few more questions, since I'm not sure I fully grasp the concept of radios.
If I first flash a T-Mobile ROM, and then install a custom ROM, is that any different from updating with a AT&T RUU and then installing a custom ROM? Will I still be missing the bands?
If yes, then should I just stay away from Custom ROMs all together? Is this a problem because I bought an AT&T phone?
Thanks again!
grant523 said:
Thanks for the response! Appreciate it. A few more questions, since I'm not sure I fully grasp the concept of radios.
If I first flash a T-Mobile ROM, and then install a custom ROM, is that any different from updating with a AT&T RUU and then installing a custom ROM? Will I still be missing the bands?
If yes, then should I just stay away from Custom ROMs all together? Is this a problem because I bought an AT&T phone?
Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it's different the AT&T ruu won't give you the T-Mobile bands. And you can install custom roms if you want but I would reccomend paying the $25 to s-off and fully converting to t-mobile and either stay on stock or flash a custom t-mobile rom
grant523 said:
A few more questions, since I'm not sure I fully grasp the concept of radios.
If I first flash a T-Mobile ROM, and then install a custom ROM, is that any different from updating with a AT&T RUU and then installing a custom ROM? Will I still be missing the bands?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think your first phrase was intended to read "flash the T-Mob RUU, then install a custom ROM".
The radio is not contained in the ROM, and flashing a ROM doesn't affect the radio in any way.
The radio is contained in what many folks here called the "firmware package" or firmware.zip; and it can be installed by flashing the RUU.
Another thing that will help you understand, is that the phone has something like 36 (or more) partitions. The ROM is just one of those. The radio is a separate partition (as bootloader, recovery, and others have their own separate partitions as well). Flashing one partition, does not effect the others. The RUU is a complete software image that flashes all the partitions to factory stock for a certain carrier version.
You can also flash the radio or firmware.zip manually (without flashing the whole RUU). But my personal recommendation would be to baseline to a fully stock T-Mobile software profile, since you are on the T-Mob network, to make sure every partition plays well together (as opposed to mixing T-Mob and AT&T software components).
grant523 said:
If yes, then should I just stay away from Custom ROMs all together?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say that. Custom ROMs have their place. But a custom ROM will not open up the T-Mob bands. As mentioned, you can only do that by flashing the radio, which isn't affected by flashing the ROM.
After baselining to a T-Mob stock config as I've suggested, you can feel free to flash a custom recovery and flash custom ROMs if you like. But if would be for other reasons than the radio bands; such as performance, customization, debloating, etc..
grant523 said:
Is this a problem because I bought an AT&T phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically yes. If you want to be sure a phone works fully on a certain network "out of the box", you should buy the phone that is branded for that network. Otherwise, you should always thoroughly research a phone (not branded for your carrier) before trying to use it on your network.
Luckily for you, on this device the radio bands can be changed in software using the mods I've noted above. On past devices, the band support was set in hardware, meaning where was no way to change it in software. In that case, you would really have some buyer's remorse to deal with.
Ah OK thanks for the responses! I think I'm starting to understand. I did research how an At&t m8 would work with T-MOBILE but I didn't realize i would have to go throw this whole software process to make it work! Anyhow I appreciate the help and I'll buy a Sunshine license when I get a chance. Thanks again!
You are quite welcome.
Here is a thread with more info on changing from AT&T to T-Mob software: http://forum.xda-developers.com/att-htc-one-m8/help/installing-tmobile-rom-att-branded-phone-t3069388#post60606278
Good luck!

Looking for the official Y300-0151V100R001C557B184 firmware. It's for Bell Canada.

Well I found a working set of tools that see's my phone. Now all I need is a back-up of the stock firmware in case I need it. Anyone know where I can get a Y300-0151V100R001C557B184 official Bell Canada firmware? I know it's an older phone but it was a "hand-me-down" and I can't afford to buy a new one right now.
Thanks!

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