[STICKY] [FAQ] Official Atrix "Ask A Dev" & FAQ Thread (Last Update: 05/31/2011)

mbobak said:

That's cool! I didn't want to take too many liberties with *your* thread.

Hey, BTW, Ririal, I got my sideloading enabled. I did as you suggested, and downloaded GladEnable.

As it was a .bat file and I'm a Linux guy, I used the exercise of translating from .bat to .sh as a way to pick it all apart and see what's going on. Very neat little package. I now see what you mean by that other method having way too many steps. Once you've got the sqlite3 ARM binary that can be copied to the phone, that simplifies things greatly.

So, there's actually three things you have to set in settings.db to get sideloading to work:
set install_non_market_apps = 1, that's pretty straightforward.
Then there's 'set_install_location=1'. What does that do?
And finally, there's 'force_only_market_apps = 0'. that seems like the opposite of the first one?

Note also, the manual method that I originally asked about, only sets 'install_non_market_apps'. It makes no mention of set_install_location or force_only_market_apps. I wonder if that's why it soft-bricks my phone when I do it?

Oh, also, is any of this stuff (contents of settings.db) documented anywhere?

Anyhow, thanks again.

-Mark

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Nah it's all good. I just didn't want it cluttered with DISCUSSIONS. If someone knows the answer, by all means

The settings do the following:

• install_non_market_apps: This is the actual setting that allows you to sideload. If this is set to 0, you'll get the error about trusted source when installing anything non-market.
• set_install_location: This opens up the option in the Settings -> Applications menu for choosing the preferred install location to either the internal SD, or external SD. By default, it installs to the internal SD card.
• force_only_market_apps: This is what shows or hides the menu option for 'Unknown sources' in the Settings -> Applications menu. While it's not required that it be enabled, since we're already changing the other settings, why not turn it on?

These settings are all independent. None of them require any of the others to work. My guess is that you soft bricked because when the file was edited, you either saved it incorrectly or the permissions got screwed up somehow.

Hope this helps!

jimbush3 said:

So, as an aspiring themer:

- When replacing the common files such as framework-res, services, android.policy, etc. what needs to be done to make the theming effective on other builds (such as the French SBF)?

I've been told that P-ROMS work fine on these and replace those same files. Is there something else that needs to be edited for the themes to be more universally accepted? Thanks,

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

I'm actually not entirely sure. I've avoided theming so far, and don't really have a desire to get into it. I think Kennethpenn had a set of files for theme modders to use to keep everything compatible, but I can't seem to find the thread anymore.

harryjan said:

Hi guys,

Unfortunately ive decided to return my Atrix (really really disappointed by the battery and the glitchiness of the current software) its running Orange's version of 4.1.31 and has been rooted with GingerBreak. Before sending it back I really need to get it back to retail configuration so does anyone know how to unroot it ect.?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Just do a factory reset. If all you've done is root, factory reset should take care of it for you.

Rubb said:

Hey guys
I´m new here at xda-developers and I have a lot of questions about the atrix and android.
I just bought the atrix and this is my first android smartphone.
I´ve read the Q & A thread and it was quite enlightening.
But I still have many questions regarding both the atrix and android. Here they are:

1. I´ve SIM unlocked it and rooted it using SuperOneClick.
2. A few days ago, my atrix downloaded the new Motorola atrix updates. If I install this update, will I lose my root permission?
3. I´ve read about the Roms and GingerBlur and GladiAtrix. Are they custom Roms?
4. I didn´t like the looks of my atrix (the software) and after using my wife´s Nexus S, I wanted something like that or just different. Is there any way to change it?
5. Is there a way to update the android version to latest release (2.3.5 I guess)?
6. Could you guys give me some tips about how to save more battery life etc?
7. I´m advanced task killer and a friend told me to install watchdog lite so I could see wich apps were running in background and consuming my battery life
8. Some apps keep popping even after I killed them with the task killer. Some of them are useless for me. Is there any way to block them? And what about Motorola bloatware? I hate that blur stuff…
9. Could u tell me some must have games for atrix? I already have angry birds, battleheart, 3tdk… I really like tower defense games.

Thank you very much and sorry for so many questions. Oh…and sorry about my English.
Thanks again

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

1. Avoid using SuperOneClick in the future for rooting.
2. Yes, you will. If you have any mods done past just rooting, the update will fail as well.
3. They're pseudo-ROMs. More of a collection of tweaks and simple mods in an easy-to-install package than a real ROM.
4. There are plenty of themes available in the Themes and Apps section.
5. Nope. 2.2.2 is the newest version available.
6. Run less background apps This is a tricky question because it's all about usage habits, the types of apps you run, etc. Just use your head if you want to squeeze the most out of your phone.
7. Those kinds of apps might actually decrease battery life, so be careful. You generally don't need much past the built-in task manager app.
8. Titanium Backup has a freeze feature that does just that.
9. Whatever kinds of games you like. There are relatively few that are Atrix specific, and those that are, you can find in the Tegra Zone app.

adroidnoob said:

hey guys. I'm new to android and was after doing some reading i'm thinking about doing this - [GUIDE] – Flash SBF/Root/Recovery/DeOdex -> A to Z - SBF 2.1.1 + 1080p + P.ROMS! - my question is, under supported device Canadian Atrix (OLYLA 0.37.4) is listed but not Canadian Atrix (OLYLA U4 0.37.4). Is there a difference between the two?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Nope, they all say U4 as far as I've seen.

Demonfang said:

i followed the comprehensive list in the first post here :link, making sure not to delete anything that i thought was related to the webtop and using a lapdock. today i got a lapdock, and it doesn't launch. i made sure to leave webtop connector installed. are there any specific apps i need to make it work? if so, can someone toss them in a zip for me so i can shove them in the system apps folder?

i really don't feel like going through the process of re-doing everything

any help or info is appreciated

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

List what you all deleted and I can tell you what you shouldn't have.

Updated first post with some new links and addressed newer versions.

spuzzum said:

Just curious about which if any of the roms are compatible with the bell atrix and whether their worth the trouble. Most of them say not to install on bell. And some say nothing.Should i just wait for a month or two and see what comes out of the 2nd init? Thanks for any input.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

There's a few deodexed systems you can flash to a Bell Atrix. Past that, none of the current pROMs work on the Bell firmware. If you flash one of the other SBF's (which I don't recommend, as you can't go back to stock Bell right now.), I've heard that the pROMs work.

Kenright73 said:

Hello Ririal,

I, like many others before me, am about to make the jump into the world of Android. I'm leaving behind my 3GS iPhone and am looking hard at the Atrix 4G again. I admit that the Samsung Infuse 4G really got my attention lately with it's screen, but I think I may just get the Atrix like originally planned.

I have never rooted any of my phones before, but plan to when I make this jump; for it's customization ability, as well as to improve certain "shortcoming's" I have read about the Atrix 4G. So again, I am a complete beginner when it comes to rooting and phones. I am however, extremely comfortable behind a keyboard, at least ones with a Windows OS in front of them, lol!

Some questions:

1. I have spent the past week looking around the Infuse and Atrix forums; is customizing the Atrix any more complex than the Infuse (or other phones for that matter)? I ask because when I read the Atrix threads, I actually have to research what certain words mean; like SBF, bootloader, GingerBreak, GreyBlur, CWM, miui, etc. They just seem to be a lot more complex in nature, not that I have a problem with that; it just equates to a lot more reading time for me.

2. I have read how MotoBlur kind of kills the user experience for some. Does rooting let one remove it completely.

3. Do the P-ROM's suffice for most, instead of having a true custom ROM? I mean, are there limits as to what can be changed or removed/added?

4. I also have no problem sending a donation or two to those that are working hard to make the Atrix the best that it can be. However, I don't just like to sit on the sidelines while others do the work; I will learn as much as I can so that possibly I can make a contribution one day. It probably wont happen in this lifetime but it may let me share with others what I have learned.

I'm sure I have a lot more questions to ask that I will remember later.

Thanks for your patience!

Ken

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

1. I'm not sure what's all available for the Infuse, but I'm pretty sure they'll have actual custom ROMs. Right now, we just have collections of mods (and maybe a theme). 2nd init is now working on our device, and when that was released on the Defy it really opened the door to modders to make some impressive stuff. As soon as the rest of the community notices, I'm sure we'll see the same on the Atrix.

As far as complexity, it really isn't all that complex. You root, you install CWM, you install a mod. That's about all there is to it. The complexity comes from idiots asking the same questions over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and not bothering to read up on any of the available information.

2. Motoblur isn't really all that terrible. It works pretty well on the Atrix, it's just a bit boring. Rooting and using Titanium Backup (or another program that can freeze apps) is the best way to "kill" it. I'd recommend AGAINST deleting any system apps as it can very likely cause issues with other features.

3. Right now the limits are with how creative we can be. My GladiAtrix pROM contains all of the basic performance mods and customizations that I use myself. I don't usually do much past that, other using a different launcher. I've tried a few themes, but most are buggy and low-res ports I've noticed (no offense to any themers).

4. Best way to learn is just jump in. Everything I release I have no problems sharing any sources (even though it's all in the files you download anyway) or explaining how I'm doing anything. Taking a look at the current mods and how they're doing what they're doing is a good way to start. Read up on general Android tweaking and customization as well. I'm always available to answer questions any way I can.