My Android is the 2.3! - Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I buy the Motorola Atrix 4g with the Android 2.3.
So i read everything, and i sense if i try to unlock the bootloader i get a hardbrick, right?
So how can i unlock my bootloader to install Custom Kernels and Custom Roms?

Unlocking from 2.3 won't give you a hard brick. It either gives you an error when trying to flash pudding, or nothing happens at all. Though, you can try because no one knows which batch of Atrixes can't be unlocked.
You can only be hard bricked if you try to flash a Froyo SBF. NEVER ATTEMPT TO DO SO.
Sent from that Atrix.

Related

unlock the gingerbread OTA

Just curious if the new 2.3.4 gingerbread OTA can be unlocked using pudding. I'm having to get my atrix replaced via warranty and if the replacement happens to come with gingerbread already on it i want to know if i'll be able to unlock it or if i'll be stuck using p-roms.
You should be able to unlock it with pudding since its the same version of gingerbread that we have. Also, don't flash any sbf files (except pudding) because it has the new bootloader and you'll hard brick it if you do.
You can unlock with pudding and fastboot BUT there's a high chance you'll soft brick first with 0x1000 ... all you need to do is get into fastboot mode and redo the oem unlock command.
mysticdrew said:
You can unlock with pudding and fastboot BUT there's a high chance you'll soft brick first with 0x1000 ... all you need to do is get into fastboot mode and redo the oem unlock command.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, just to be absolutely, completely, all the way, 101% sure: does this OTA have ANY bootloader restrictions, be they a brick or non-unlockable bootloader. Has anybody tried to unlock the bootloader and run a custom ROM on the AT&T OTA? I just want to be able to run custom ROM's down the road (as in full ROM's, as in Cyanogenmod).
Do the OTA and never, never go back to any older stock version via RSD. Or you'll brick your phone.
@Chairsofter1138: the ota bootloader is locked. flash the pudding to unlock.
Alright, has anyone actually attempted to unlock the OTA via the pudding method? I'm being extra cautious here because I don't want to be stuck with a permanently locked down phone. Does it matter, then, if I use Kenthepenns (sp?) installation method or OTA straight from AT&T/ Motorola?
Chairsofter1138 said:
Alright, has anyone actually attempted to unlock the OTA via the pudding method? I'm being extra cautious here because I don't want to be stuck with a permanently locked down phone. Does it matter, then, if I use Kenthepenns (sp?) installation method or OTA straight from AT&T/ Motorola?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes everyone has been unlocking via pudidng because it's the same leaked version that has been out for the past couple weeks.
Yes Going to this OTA will make a brickable phone. You WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DOWNGRADE via traditional SBF.
This is the question everyone has been asking on every thread and the devs aren't answering.
I am locked and stock on 1.83. My fuse HAS not been burnt. I want to be
1. On Gingerbread
2. Unlocked
The problem is that all the current gingerbread sbfs said you had to be ALREADY unlocked to flash them, so I don't know how anyone has been testing this OTA with a locked bootloader. If you had the new Gingerbread, you were already unlocked, is how I understood it.
Questions in follow up to the above:
1. If I OTA before unlocking, what do I flash afterwards to unlock? Saying 'pudding' because there's 10,000 files in that thread, including links to an 'unlocker.sbf', as well as a full sbf operating system. What specific file?
2. Lots of new builds say they have an 'unlocked bootloader' built in, but nobody can figure out what that means. Does that mean you can flash them without being unlocked to unlock? What do you need to do to unlock after you flash them?
3. If I unlock now at stock 1.83, and take the OTA, what happens, is the bootloader locked again? I know OTA installs a new bootloader.
Please someone help me understand. There's too much hard bricking and misinformation out there on all the dev threads. What's true (and please tell us how you know).
I noticed everyone talking about the OTA. I saw on the Moto site that the new update is only available OTA but there's a link for download for the file "Blur_Version.4.5.91.MB860.ATT.en.US". Can anyone confirm that this can be installed without brick on an unlocked bootloader? I've seen other threads stating so but they're not really clear on what's being said.
m0use1 said:
This is the question everyone has been asking on every thread and the devs aren't answering.
I am locked and stock on 1.83. My fuse HAS not been burnt. I want to be
1. On Gingerbread
2. Unlocked
The problem is that all the current gingerbread sbfs said you had to be ALREADY unlocked to flash them, so I don't know how anyone has been testing this OTA with a locked bootloader. If you had the new Gingerbread, you were already unlocked, is how I understood it.
Questions in follow up to the above:
1. If I OTA before unlocking, what do I flash afterwards to unlock? Saying 'pudding' because there's 10,000 files in that thread, including links to an 'unlocker.sbf', as well as a full sbf operating system. What specific file?
2. Lots of new builds say they have an 'unlocked bootloader' built in, but nobody can figure out what that means. Does that mean you can flash them without being unlocked to unlock? What do you need to do to unlock after you flash them?
3. If I unlock now at stock 1.83, and take the OTA, what happens, is the bootloader locked again? I know OTA installs a new bootloader.
Please someone help me understand. There's too much hard bricking and misinformation out there on all the dev threads. What's true (and please tell us how you know).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to everything this guy said..There is a ton of guests in this forum wondering the same **** too. Devs are doing a fantastic job, but us end users (including myself) don't really have a sense of direction right now.

[Q] Need help in transforming my Atrix to a lean mean machine!

Hello. The subject matter says it all.
I currently have a rooted and unlocked AT&T Atrix on 1.26 version (yeah...still in ice age ) with a locked bootloader. Im with a non-US telco carrier. It came unlocked and rooted so that was great. No hassle but now I have started doing research on custom roms and webtop mods. I am trying to get around the info overload, so pls bear with my questions.
The overall goal is to have a stock/custom rom devoid of all the bloatwares and can run webtop2sd, and if that is not possible then, webtop. Very simple needs.
Option 1
======
To remain on stock rom and update to 1.83 version, and then to install the webtop2sd mod. Ideally I would like to boot off Debian from the microsd card. There was a post in which a forumer mentioned that he was able to "frankenstein" the webtop2sd and webtop mods. Thats great if I understood correctly.
Option 2
======
To update to 4.5.91 (probably a custom rom like Aura) and then install the webtop2sd/webtop mod.
What should be done?
I am going to update 1.26 -> 1.57 -> 1.83 -> 4.5.91 via system update. (which means I now have to signed with moto account...yes I have not as I read that there were some privacy issues.)
Through the update process, I would lose root. To keep everything clean, I am going to go through factory reset and then perform the update.
Once I am in 1.83 or 4.5.91, I will apply the root and unlock the bootloader. Which is the best way to go about this? Should I just follow the instruction here or this way. Or is there any other better way?
This is all I have for now until I install the webtop mod or the custom rom...
update your phone to wherever you want it at, then use this script to unlock the bootloader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1182871
after that, you can easily root your phone using the preinstall method found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1138204 (second post)
if you update to 4.5.91 though, as you attempt to unlock the bootloader you will get a semi-hard brick, just have it boot up into fastboot mode and continue using the script. easy as pie!
I never got a semi-hard or *soft* brick from unlocking but that's just cause I must love to eat pudding =D . Do all the OTA updates, unlock / root, and then install the 2.3.4 fruitcake and install webtop. Best option by far, IMO, as far as the ease of transition goes. Should be cake. That's what I did and as long as you don't RSD lite with an .SBF back once on 2.3.4 OTA yer good to go.
eat yer fruitcake once updated to 2.3.4 OTA *stock gingerbread*-http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1163009
Install a custom kernel if ya wanna overclock or undervolt, I would personally suggest Faux123's. -http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1156040
aaand freeeze all that bloatware!-http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=972459
I read that its easier to update via SBF than OTA? What have your experiences been so far?
Alcapone263 said:
if you update to 4.5.91 though, as you attempt to unlock the bootloader you will get a semi-hard brick, just have it boot up into fastboot mode and continue using the script. easy as pie!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I should try to unlock it now... And then update.
tech_girl said:
I read that its easier to update via SBF than OTA? What have your experiences been so far?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, i can't find it anymore but there is an SBF in the development forum that will allow you to update to 2.3.4 android without getting the brickable bootloader, but i personally don't see a point in using SBF. it's not meant for the end user, and using it can be risky.
SBF flashing is faster i believe, but as i said can also potentially harm your device if you're unsure of what you're doing.
SamCripp, one of the most esteemed devs here, suggests for the average person to completely stay away from sbf flashing after you've unlocked your bootloader unless you absolutely have to use it for something.
remember though, if you use the OTA update you CANNOT downgrade your device through SBF flashing, you HAVE to use the fruitcakes method. it WILL brick your device to downgrade, but only with the OTA update.
EDIT: and it's a semi-hard brick, it doesn't hurt your device in the least. you might panic at first, but it's as simple as booting into fastboot mode and finishing the script. or if you're more tech inclined, you can just do the fastboot oem unlock command through fastboot.
Phalanx7621 said:
....
eat yer fruitcake once updated to 2.3.4 OTA *stock gingerbread*-....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alcapone263 said:
......
remember though, if you use the OTA update you CANNOT downgrade your device through SBF flashing, you HAVE to use the fruitcakes method.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fruitcakes??? All this jargon.... Hmmm...gotta check this out.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1163009
yep, Fruitcakes. it's a CWM alternative to sbf flashing, much safer since it doesn't edit the bootloader at all, so there's no risk in hard bricking your device.
after you unlock your bootloader, you should install Romracer's CWM recovery here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1204500
do all of your flashing through CWM after you unlock your bootloader, just remember to clear cache/dalvik/data between each ROM or you might get stuck in a bootloop.
Ok...CWM sounds more familiar....
If I understand correctly, I actually dont have to go via OTA. As long as I have the img file for flashing to each version, I could just use the CWM and not via OTA, right?
tech_girl said:
Ok...CWM sounds more familiar....
If I understand correctly, I actually dont have to go via OTA. As long as I have the img file for flashing to each version, I could just use the CWM and not via OTA, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, you have to have an unlocked bootloader to get CWM. and to unlock your bootloader, you have to update to 1.8.3 or later.
after you unlock your bootloader, you can install CWM and proceed to just use CWM for your flashing needs.
i repeat again though, after you unlock your bootloader you should stay away from SBF flashing altogether. it's the quickest way to brick your device.
Alcapone263 said:
well, you have to have an unlocked bootloader to get CWM. and to unlock your bootloader, you have to update to 1.8.3 or later.
after you unlock your bootloader, you can install CWM and proceed to just use CWM for your flashing needs.
i repeat again though, after you unlock your bootloader you should stay away from SBF flashing altogether. it's the quickest way to brick your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Once you unlock and get CWM installed its just a case of wiping the device and flashing zip files.
Yep after unlocking and getting rom racers cwm in, you get to have lots of fun and almost zero chance of hard bricking. Make sure you understand the pudding part. After you unlock throw rsd lite away.
After updating to 1.83 and unlocked, can I immediately installing a GB custom rom like Aura or Alien? Or do I need to update to 4.5.91 stock before I can install a custom rom? Which I assume is pre-rooted, which mean I dont have to root it..
tech_girl said:
After updating to 1.83 and unlocked, can I immediately installing a GB custom rom like Aura or Alien? Or do I need to update to 4.5.91 stock before I can install a custom rom? Which I assume is pre-rooted, which mean I dont have to root it..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to start flashing if you used pudding. No need to upgrade to .91 stock. I didn't. I think most roms are pre rooted now. Not that the rooting method was hard for the atrix.
I voided my warranty.
pukemon said:
You should be able to start flashing if you used pudding. No need to upgrade to .91 stock. I didn't. I think most roms are pre rooted now. Not that the rooting method was hard for the atrix.
I voided my warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep thats how it works. once BL unlocked and CWM installed you can flash anything, including yes .91 stock.
Note that .91 stock OTA is not only the operating system but also modifies the bootloader hence all the hard brick warnings about flashing sbfs. When you flash zip files you don't touch the bootloader, so there is no chance of hard bricking. i.e. if you flash .91 stock from zip file from CWM as opposed to OTA, you get only the OS, not the bootloader update (which doesn't matter ).

[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] Cant unlock bootloader

I already SBFed back to1FF-sunfire-user-2.3.4-4.5.1A-1_SUN-154_5-CM-release-keys-signed-Sprint-US to my Motorola Photon. Its flashed successfully. Then I tried to flash derpunlock.sbf but RSD give me FAILED. Ummm, I dont know what to do and whats the solution for it..
Never mind. look like that normal. Anyway, I already unlocked my Bootloader. HAPPY DANCE!:laugh:

[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 canĀ“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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