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...a pain in the ass for the Fascinate. The gf has one of these phones, and after seeing what I've done with my G2, she wants me to root and flash a nice rom.
Problem 1 (not so small): we both use macs at home.
Problem 2 (huge): after reading through the development forum - it doesn't look that easy to root, nor flash a decent rom on the Fascinate!
not only do some roms require you to have a specific kernel flashed to use them. Some roms require that you don't use the latest CWM. Also, none of roms seem to be using Gingerbread AOSP completely. They seem to be pieced together with Froyo.
Believe you me, I am not a dev in the slightest. Therefore, I am looking for a safe way to root and flash a decent rom to her phone. If there isn't, then I'll just let her run stock.
Is this easier than I'm seeing it?
enserio said:
...a pain in the ass for the Fascinate. The gf has one of these phones, and after seeing what I've done with my G2, she wants me to root and flash a nice rom.
Problem 1 (not so small): we both use macs at home.
Problem 2 (huge): after reading through the development forum - it doesn't look that easy to root, nor flash a decent rom on the Fascinate!
not only do some roms require you to have a specific kernel flashed to use them. Some roms require that you don't use the latest CWM. Also, none of roms seem to be using Gingerbread AOSP completely. They seem to be pieced together with Froyo.
Believe you me, I am not a dev in the slightest. Therefore, I am looking for a safe way to root and flash a decent rom to her phone. If there isn't, then I'll just let her run stock.
Is this easier than I'm seeing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, it is not that difficult. Just takes some getting used to. Obviously you have done a bit of reading, I know it seems daunting, but I promise, once you have it down it is nothing. The kernels...Most ROMS are kernel switchable, within reason. MOST of our ROMS require the RED CWM, which honestly is not a big deal, the orange is just too glitchy. And as far as the ROM's being pieced together with Froyo...Well, I am no dev either, but yes, I believe most of the ROMS are a Frankenstein of sorts, but we don't even have a Froyo source to work with yet. So the dev's, in my opinion, have done an AMAZING job. In terms of flashing on a Mac, I am not sure if Odin works on a Mac, Heimdall does though I believe. Rooting is extremely simple, it is only the flashing the right CWM, modem, etc. that may confuse you. Honestly, if you just keep reading the right things, you'll see it is pretty simple. I recommend Adrynalyne's Super Clean 2.9, and Big Loof's Steel Blue theme, with the EB16 kernel (Also Adrynalyne's).
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=948722
This thread has a good walkthrough, I'd follow it through Post #5... using Superclean. It's an incredibly performing full Froyo rom. Remember that Froyo is not officially out on this phone, she's running Eclair right now. Gingerbread is a ways off (though punk kaos is making great progress).
Before EB01, rooting for me was just clicking a single button.
I never had to root again since flashing EB01. For flashing itself, its just download, reboot to recovery, and flash. Not sure how its a pain in the as as it doesnt even take a minute or so.
I did end up installing 3.XX CWM from ROM manager, but I only reboot into orange CWM if i reboot using ROM manager. If I dont, I end up rebooting to red CWM.
Thanks for the responses. Put a few things in perspective. I totally forgot that she is still running Eclair and Froyo isn't officially out for these phones. My mistake, and now that makes complete sense to me why most of the roms are froyo based or patched. Another thing that made me hesitant is that Odin doesn't run on mac, and I would have anything to save the phone (unless I use one of the pcs at work) if something goes awry. I will read up on Heimdall and see if I can use that.
My apologies if I sounded bothered or uptight about the situation, thanks for the well-mannered responses to my mini-rant. Of to read up a bit more, starting with the link postd and Heimdall.
Found a quick guide for rooting the Fascinate with a Mac. Now my issue is...switching to EB01 without Odin because SuperClean needs it, correct?
Hi,
I've been reading and reading but am not fully comforatable making a decision on what to do here, really want to avoid bricking my baby I'm running a Bell Atrix with Version 4.2.11.MB860.Retail.en.FR. I really want Gingerbread and am tired of waiting for Bell to release it, even if they did, I would have to somehow return to a stock Bell Rom. What is my best option to upgrade right now avoiding any kind of bricking, memory or battery issues? Links would be great
I don't have any links for you, as I'm on my phone right now, but as a first step you need to flash the IHOP_bell.sbf to unlock your bootloader.
This is probably the riskiest part since you're flashing an sbf, but it's small and quick. If you have osx or linux, sbf_flash actually feels safer to use than the glitchy rsd lite from moto. After that install cwm using moto-fastboot. Once you have the clockwork mod recovery system it becomes very easy to switch roms from directly on your phone. Look for gobstopper by nfhimself. He was kind enough to put together some really good stuff for us.
Something to note: 2.3.4 and cm7 are both somewhat buggy at this stage. Buggy enough that I've gone back to 2.2.2 for now. I can put up with fc's but I can't have my main phone rebooting or freezing, or having irregular battery so often
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Not sure of all the differences between the Bell and ATT versions but there is a great n00b guide here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1154600
You still have to look around a bit to find all the things you need. Unlocking the boot loader and rooting really aren't all that difficult.
Like maledyris said, its really easy to switch ROMs once you get CWM (Clockwork Mod) installed.
I'm a n00b and had no issues following Swiftks instructions.
Be sure to pay attention and don't try something for ATT only.
Have fun!
I recently purchased a rooted, and I believe an unlocked (says unlocked on startup screen) atrix for my mom.
Here's what I can tell you about it:
Android version 2.3.7
Baseband N_01.77.36P
Mod Version RedPill Hybrid V1
Build number GWk74
Now I have a few issues. The font on here is WAY too small for my mom, I'm looking for some sort of stock rom or a way to return to stock. I'm not an atrix owner, I own an unrooted SGS2. I've rooted phones before but I know nothing about this one.
Can anyone help me please with these two things? Sorry if I seem noobish, but I'd like her to have the best experience she can. And I really don't know much about these phones.
Thanks!
Oh and also, there's no google apps on the phone so I can't download another launcher :/
This is a good place to start. Should have everything you need just make sure you read all of it. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1154600
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
I ran across that earlier. I'm under the impression that using fruit cakes is where I want to head with this, but I'm not really sure where to get started. I didn't root this phone so I have absolutely no idea what version it was on before. I'm assuming it has an unlocked bootloader because it says unlocked when it's booting up.
I really don't want to brick a phone that my mom just paid for. Not to mention we got a multimedia dock with it which is unuseable with this rom
sawah said:
I ran across that earlier. I'm under the impression that using fruit cakes is where I want to head with this, but I'm not really sure where to get started. I didn't root this phone so I have absolutely no idea what version it was on before. I'm assuming it has an unlocked bootloader because it says unlocked when it's booting up.
I really don't want to brick a phone that my mom just paid for. Not to mention we got a multimedia dock with it which is unuseable with this rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes fruitcakes is what you'll need to return to stock rom and can be found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1163009 2.36 is the latest gingerbread version released
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
I appreciate your help so far, I apologize I've never really used an atrix. I apologze if I ask any completely dumb questions.
So using the 2.3.6 system and boot, I'm assuming. Will these return me to stock motoblur or just stock gingerbread?
After this, will I be able to get updates if there are any?
Also, I don't really see total directions on how to flash these. I assume I can use cwm from rom manager, or do I need some other recovery?
Edit: none of the links work for those files.
whatever you do, once you use fruitcake to get to stock 2.3.4 or 2.3.6 you should probably freeze Updater using titanium backup to prevent your mom from clicking 'ok' and install any future official OTA updates.
sawah said:
I appreciate your help so far, I apologize I've never really used an atrix. I apologze if I ask any completely dumb questions.
So using the 2.3.6 system and boot, I'm assuming. Will these return me to stock motoblur or just stock gingerbread?
After this, will I be able to get updates if there are any?
Also, I don't really see total directions on how to flash these. I assume I can use cwm from rom manager, or do I need some other recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes the 2.36 system and boot will install stock Atrix gingerbread with motoblur on your device. Unfortunately you won't be able to update as they will likely brick your phone. Fruitcakes are the safest way to upgrade
Rom Manager's recovery is what I use just make sure you have the latest version and backup your current rom
Forgot the links were down on the fruitcakes thread let me see if I have the files somewhere
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
You guys have no idea what lifesavers you are. I can't get to the market because the phone has no google apps, how do I know if I have the latest rom manager? I'm assuming it will just automatically install the latest version of cwm?
I eagerly await your fruitcake files. Thankyou!
Honestly.. I wouldn't fruitcake.
The easiest thing for you to do would be to just install a custom GB ROM. She won't have all the sluggish bloatware, and it'll be almost identical to stock. Easier, too..
Just my opinion.
I'd really rather have her on stock.
However, can you recommend a rom in case I can't find these fruitcake files? I need something stable that's going to work with the hd multimedia dock.
sawah said:
I'd really rather have her on stock.
However, can you recommend a rom in case I can't find these fruitcake files? I need something stable that's going to work with the hd multimedia dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I don't use the GB ROMs anymore (they use entirely too many resources for my liking lol), but I've had good experiences with Aura, Alien, and Ninja.
GingerMod looks pretty solid as well - I tested it for a few minutes but had to go back to a CM based MOD due to preference.
I know the ones I've listed above all have functionality with the HDMI cable, so I assume they work with the multimedia dock, as well. I don't own one, so I've never been able to test/been interested in that functionality.
If I were in your situation, I'd download a bunch of different GB ROMs, test them all, see if any suit all of her needs - if none do, then go for stock
nthon9 said:
Personally, I don't use the GB ROMs anymore (they use entirely too many resources for my liking lol), but I've had good experiences with Aura, Alien, and Ninja.
GingerMod looks pretty solid as well - I tested it for a few minutes but had to go back to a CM based MOD due to preference.
I know the ones I've listed above all have functionality with the HDMI cable, so I assume they work with the multimedia dock, as well. I don't own one, so I've never been able to test/been interested in that functionality.
If I were in your situation, I'd download a bunch of different GB ROMs, test them all, see if any suit all of her needs - if none do, then go for stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm open to downloading a few, but is there any other way to go back to stock besides fruitcake that isn't going to blow up the phone? I don't want to brick it my mom would kill me.
Saw this the other day, might be worth a look in to: [Batch/Script] MFBSR - Moto-Fastboot: Stock Restore
This looks like good information, I think I can work with this. For fear of sounding stupid, I'm sorry Ive never done this stuff with an atrix.
Can you please give me a quick step by step for this:
1. Download MFBSR.
2. Boot into fastboot.
3. Run the script.
4. Your done!
I downloaded the script, I just have no idea how to boot into fastboot and run it. I don't have any of the stuff on my computer for this phone since I wasn't the one that rooted it. I'm going to read through the whole thread, but any help you could give would be great.
EDIT: Ooh because my rom is 2.3.7 some say I shouldn't flash this and I need a fruitcake instead, which I can't find a dang download for.
ATT 4.5.140 - 2.3.6
2.3.6 System and Boot
That's the fruitcake I need if anyone knows of a working download link.
fastboot (from briefmobile's instructions)
Put your device into Fastboot mode:
– Turn off your device.
– Hold down the power button and downward volume button until you see “Fastboot” on your screen
– Push the upward volume button
sawah said:
This looks like good information, I think I can work with this. For fear of sounding stupid, I'm sorry Ive never done this stuff with an atrix.
Can you please give me a quick step by step for this:
1. Download MFBSR.
2. Boot into fastboot.
3. Run the script.
4. Your done!
I downloaded the script, I just have no idea how to boot into fastboot and run it. I don't have any of the stuff on my computer for this phone since I wasn't the one that rooted it. I'm going to read through the whole thread, but any help you could give would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you turn the phone off, and hold the VOL down key while it's powering back on (the boot screen (moto logo with unlocked in top left corner)), you should see "fastboot" pop up underneath the "unlocked" - hit VOL up key to select fastboot - have phone connected with USB.
If you pull up a cmd prompt and nav. to the dir. where the fastboot files are (I'm assuming they came with the script), type "fastboot devices" and see if it pulls anything. You should see an id for the atrix if it's connected.
---------- Post added at 06:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:03 PM ----------
Beaten to it
Is it safe to do this when I'm on redpill 2.3.7? Seems like downgrading might be a bad idea?
I'm not sure about going from RedPill straight to stock 2.3.4, but I know that many ROMs use different versions of android, and there are no repercussions for jumping from, say, 2.3.7 to 2.3.4. If you're worried, you could jump down to a custom ROM that uses that same version of android, and then run the script.
Alright, that seems like an alright idea. Going to go for it and I will get back to you guys. Thankyou again for the help. Messing with a phone that doesn't belong to me is rather scary.
SO I finally bought the laptop dock and it does not work.
I read that it could be a motoblur 2.3.4 update error causing it not work.
All I did was root the phone so I can use titanium backup.
Still running the stock at&t rom.
Is I keep reading about a Fix I have to flash but I cannot find it.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
To start flashing anything you have more to go than root.. You need to unlock the boot loader and get a CWM (ClockWorkModRecovery) on there... you could very well have bigger things going on that the factory should deal with... If you still have warranty..... if you decide that flashing stuff is fun...(I sure do)...Here is some reading to do http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1154600
Thanx @Swiftks
I don;t want to start flashing roms and such. I just want this laptop dock to work with the atrix like it should.
Reasons why it won't display the webtop from what I can find is that many of the factory updates broke things. I read that the GB update broke the fingerprint reader and that moto blur 2.3.4 update broke the webtop. I am happy with the stock rom. I just want this laptop dock to work. I read there is a FIX or something I can flash that can help. That is all I am looking for. I am not looking to make webtop work without the dock or anything - I am not looking to use another ROM - I just want the laptop dock to work.
Any advice on what might be wrong? What I might need to flash? would be helpful.
Comp1demon said:
I don;t want to start flashing roms and such. I just want this laptop dock to work with the atrix like it should.
Reasons why it won't display the webtop from what I can find is that many of the factory updates broke things. I read that the GB update broke the fingerprint reader and that moto blur 2.3.4 update broke the webtop. I am happy with the stock rom. I just want this laptop dock to work. I read there is a FIX or something I can flash that can help. That is all I am looking for. I am not looking to make webtop work without the dock or anything - I am not looking to use another ROM - I just want the laptop dock to work.
Any advice on what might be wrong? What I might need to flash? would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of the updates have compromised any of the functionality on my phone.
Did you buy the phone new? If you got it used someone might have inadvertently erased the webtop. Try using Motorola's software updater tool on their website to update to the latest release.
I guess this can be closed. Turns out the brand new laptop dock is not functional.
What's up community, I'm a little confused with the sbf. I think I have used it successfully but not sure. I have the mx2 on NTelos. I use the proper sbf file and followed instructions to the letter. I've read thread after thread to make sure I was comfortable before I started. So the process went well I guess but my phone info still said I was on 2.3.6 even though I used the 2.3.4 sbf file. I thought I read somewhere that that was normal, so I proceeded to flash eclipse2.2. Worked perfectly and eclipse runs great! I did want to experiment with other roms since I got the sbf down but no others work. So I'm confused if either the sbf never really worked and I am lucky to have eclipse working so beautifully, or if the other roms (CM7,MIUI) just aren't working right. I can follow instructions great, that's how I've accomplished the progress on my devices but I still don't understand alot of what I read. You guys here are great with all you teach and contribute, so thank you for any help or feedback that may come.
Anyone have any guidance to offer? Thx!
Nook Tablet on CM7 Soft-Mod ICS_Ribbon Rom
Milestone X2 on Eclipse 2.2 Rom, V6 Supercharged
If you haven't already. Follow this guide by DAG425. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1175300.
all the correct sbf files should be there. If you have further questions let me know =D
that is one of the pages i used in my elaborate search for sbf answers and procedures, i did do the steps correctly and ive even done it a couple of times, once to bring the phone back to life, i guess my main question is should my phone read that its on 2.3.4 after i sbf or will it still read 2.3.6 even though its really 2.3.4, my confusion is because nitro states that you have to be on 2.3.4 to flash eclipse, i sbf'd with the 2.3.4 file, phone read that im on 2.3.6, i flashed eclipse anyway and it runs great
i tried the sbf and flashed cm7 and miui but neither of them would install, thats why im confused, thank you for your time and help
Mr.Holmes said:
that is one of the pages i used in my elaborate search for sbf answers and procedures, i did do the steps correctly and ive even done it a couple of times, once to bring the phone back to life, i guess my main question is should my phone read that its on 2.3.4 after i sbf or will it still read 2.3.6 even though its really 2.3.4, my confusion is because nitro states that you have to be on 2.3.4 to flash eclipse, i sbf'd with the 2.3.4 file, phone read that im on 2.3.6, i flashed eclipse anyway and it runs great
i tried the sbf and flashed cm7 and miui but neither of them would install, thats why im confused, thank you for your time and help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If after you sbf and it shows 2.3.6 you did not sucessfully sbf to 2.3.4 it should read 2.3.4
If you are on 2.3.6 you have a mx2? I have no experience with sbf on those phones. But with x2 it should read 2.3.4
yes, i have a milestone x2, i used the proper file for the mx2 from ntelos which is my service provider, i couldnt install eclipse (or even cm7,miui) before i ran the sbf, after i ran it i still cant use cm7,miui but eclipse installed great and even reads 2.3.5, i flashed twobrare/dkz's cm9 last night and as i tried going back to eclipse i got stuck on boot, nandroid wouldnt even factory reset so i used the sbf again and it brought the phone back but still reads 2.3.6, had to reroot and then was able to use bootstrap to get to my backups, so this sbf thing is being depeptive