UPDATE[7/22/12] The Beginners Guide !!! (NOOBS)[ALL IN 1 RESOURCE GUIDE]

iB4STiD said:

very nice... sticky this please

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dolph8886 said:

Great post, this may be a bit preemptive but my first questions are;
What is an FXZ and is it used the same way an sbf is?
What are the recovery options before(if any) and after there is an unlocked bootloader?

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matt99017d said:

i tried to flash my atrix 2 with rsd lite, it all goes well until it gets to the "preinstall.img" it just says failed, and stops.
the phone will still boot up but nothing is there except a stock background.

no pull down screen, icons, nothing.

what can i do to get back going?

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JRW 28 said:

Hopefully this will get some attention and help some people out before they dig that treacherous hole that they cant get out of and of course for the ever present (NOOBS) The guys that are brand new to Android and hit the ground running full speed with the itch to do something but just dont know what to do

So with that said before you go junking up the forums asking for help. Do us all a big favor and USE THE SEARCH BUTTON!!!!!! Please read and abide by all the forum rules as this includes duplicate posts as well!! Do a little homework before you get the itchy finger and do something you foolishly shouldn't have! And before you delete something make sure you know what it is. THE SAFEST THING TO DO IS JUST FREEZE IT!!!!

Rules:
http://xdaforums.com/announcement.php?f=1058

Our Mod asking to keep the place clean:
http://xdaforums.com/show....php?t=1337004


** IF YOU ARE HAVING APPS DISAPPEAR, A MESSAGE OF NOT ENOUGH STORAGE SPACE FOR APPS, OR COMPUTER NOT RECOGNIZING THE SD CARD LOOK HERE!! MAKE SURE ALL APPS ARE INSTALED TO INTERNAL MEMORY AND NOT ON THE SD CARD.IF YOU HAVE APPS ON THE SD CARD YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS!!! THIS PHONE DOESN'T PLAY WELL WITH CERTAIN CLASS 10 SD CARDS, THE SAFEST THING IS TO HAVE A CLASS 6 OR LESS CARD AND MAKE SURE THE CARD IS FORMATTED CORRECTLY!

First I want to thank Swiftks, as I am borrowing a lot of his work from the OG ATRIX forum

Lets start with some basic terminology & general understanding:

What is Root / Rooting?

Put simply, Rooting your device allows you, and/or rooted apps, to access parts of the Linux based Android software that is your OS, and that you would otherwise not be able to access. These tasks can be as simple and beneficial as backing up your system setting, or as complicated as installing custom ROMs, Kernels, etc. (more on this later).


What are Fastboot files or (FXZ) ?

Fastboot files (FXZ),contains a firmware image that can be installed on your device. i.e. they are more of less what you are installing on your device when you do a OTA (over the air) update; except an actual Fastboot file (FXZ) that you download and flash on your own will most of the time not only contain the updated info. in the OTA, but also all the other “stock” info. that came with the device. That’s why when you flash a Fastboot file (FXZ) it will return you to a stock/retail device.

What is ADB?

ADB = Android Debug Bridge. So what this basically is, is a command/terminal based interface you can run from your PC, to interact with your device and its file structure. You can PUSH (install) programs, apps, .apk files, etc. to your device, move things around, set permissions, etc. One of the primary things to remember when trying to use adb, is that you need to enable debugging on your device. In fact it’s a good idea to enable this, and leave it that way… forever! This setting can be found on your device under Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging

Here is a list of helpful adb commands:
http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=ADB


What is a ROM?

A rom is like a custom firmware image that is made by a Developer either entirely from scratch, or based off of the official firmware package. Some ROMs contain simple changes like changing icons and adding extra options to things, other more complicated ROMs can change the entire Android experience. Which one you will want to flash, will be entirely up to you. Read carefully, and make sure you understand what you are getting into before you flash.


What is a Kernel?

As a rule of thumb, if you have to ask, you probably shouldn’t be messing with this anyway. But hey, best for you to at least know what it is. A kernel is the heart of the device's OS. In simplest terms it’s a connection between your apps and your device’s hardware; i.e. the processor, RAM, etc. A custom kernel can dramatically change the way your device’s hardware performs… for the better and/or the worse.

**Right now we currently have a LOCKED BOOTLOADER so we can not change Kernal's at this time, IF the Bootloader gets unlocked this WILL change !!


What is a Bootloader?

The bootloader is a program code that is executed before the device OS starts up, and that instructs that device to boot “normally”. The bootloader can come locked or unlocked from the manufacture. A unlocked bootloader will allow you to install custom ROMs & Kernels (as well as some other neat things) on your device.

**Currently our BOOTLOADER IS LOCKED!!! but you can take a look here and join in if ya want to!
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1328714



What is a odexed and de-odexed framework, and what is the difference between the two?

Just read this:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/what-is-odex-and-deodex-in-android-complete-guide/

What is CWM Recovery (ClockWorkMod Recovery)?

CWM is a custom recovery program that allows you to backup / restore a full or partial system backup of your device. It also allows you to install flashable .zip files; which is one of the primary installation methods for custom ROMs. It also provides other neat features such as cache wiping, battery reset, and other processes. Long story short, if you are thinking about flashing custom ROMs or just want a really good backup program, incase you FUBAR your device, you need to install this.



What is Fastboot?

Again, just read these for description & helpful Commands:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=619153 [Thanks briggie108]
or
http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=Fastboot


What is all this CM7 stuff about?

CM7 stands for CyanogenMod. It's a very popular ROM, b/c of its built-in options, great enchantments and total removal of manufacture software; i.e. all that MotoBlur stuff on your device is gone. It is a stripped down fast and well designed ROM with a custom kernel, that allows for easy flashing of great custom themes (just check out the General Theme Section for Android on XDA). Only a small selection of Android devices have a "official" release of CM7, however almost all Android devices have a "un-official" port for it.

More info. on CM7 can be found here:
http://www.cyanogenmod.com/
And here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyanogenMod

The #1 rule of CyanogenMod is that you do not ask for timetables!!! You have been warned. If you choose to ignore my warning, ask away and prepare to be blasted until you cry.

HOW TO FLASH A FXZ:

FXZ Hints, Tricks & Guidelines:

- Always make sure to flash with a full battery! The last thing you want to do is run out of juice in the middle of a FXZ flash; that's a great way to brick your device.

- As a general rule of thumb before flashing a FXZ file to your device, you should always download the FXZ file to a file path on your computer with the least possible spaces (i.e. the shorter the file path to the FXZ file the better). So just download it to the root drive of your computer, such as C:\.

- If you are running Windows on your PC, open RSD Lite as a Administrator. Also, when you open RSD Lite, Instead of browsing for the FXZ file via the normal “…” button in the program, just drag the sbf file onto the file path bar in RSD Lite. Sometimes, the FXZ file will not load when you select it via the browser button in RSD Lite (again I have no idea why).

- Once your FXZ file begins to flash to your device, be patient… the device will re-boot at least a couple times in the flash process. Do not get jumpy and disconnect your device until RSD Lite says you are 100% done! Doing so can cause your device to BRICK! If for some reason you have waited for an inordinate amount of time, and it does not say finished, then ask for help on the thread, before unplugging. The same goes for pulling the battery. DO NOT DO THAT!!! Pulling your battery during a sbf flash, is one sure fire way to brick your device. Only pull the battery as a last resort and only after you have asked for help.

STEPS:

1) Have the correct Motorola drivers installed for your PC (i.e. x32-bit or x64-bit).

Here is the Motorola Driver site
http://www.motorola.com/consumers/v...59431210VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD&pubid=987654

2) Download RSD Lite & install on your PC.

Here is the latest version to download (RSD Lite 5.6)
http://xdaforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=784077&d=1321414457

3) Choose the FXZ file to download

Android 2.3.5 ---- Blur_Version.55.11.16.MB865.ATT.en.US
InlineFlashing_edison_5.5.175.16_cfc_p3_APBP_CID28 5.zip
http://www.filesonic.com/file/e95BAnx/InlineFlashing_edison_5.5.175.16_cfc_p3_APBP_CID285.zip
or
www.multiupload.com/W3UH3W5LU0



4) Make sure you alternatively boot into AP Fastboot mode by powering down (or pulling battery), then press and hold the volume up and down button while powering on.

5) Plug your phone into a back USB port on your computer.
Front USB ports are often unreliable when it comes to power levels. They should not be used for flashing.

6)Run “RSD Lite” on your computer

7)Press the “. . .” button next to the box labeled “Filename”

8)Browse and open the FXZ file or just just drag the FXZ file onto the file path bar in RSD Lite

9)Wait for the program to read the file, then choose “START”

10) Now, the device will slowly flash the FXZ file. BE PATIENT AS THIS MAY TAKE A WHILE!

11) Congratulations! You’ve restored your ATRIX 2!!

HOW TO UNLOCK YOUR BOOTLOADER FOR ANDROID 2.3.5

Still a work in progress but you can take a look here and join in if ya want to!
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1328714

HOW TO ROOT YOUR DEVICE ON ANDROID 2.3.5
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=18942700&postcount=1
as other ways become available I will continue to update.

HOW TO INSTALL CWM RECOVERY

ATRIX 2 BOOTSTRAP
http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=19355021&postcount=1.... everyone send a thanks to Nitroglycerin33 for taking the time to modify this for us

[Safestrap] (STILL A WIP)
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1427007

WHAT DO I DO IF MY DEVICE WILL NOT FULLY BOOT??? (i.e. Boot Loop or Soft Brick)

Follow the directions in the FXZ section to get that phone back to operational status

ROMs & Kernels:

For future reference

ROMS

[ROM] STOCK Deodexed - With 2Themes
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1420980

[ROM] Supercharged Atrix
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1441397

[ROM] CM9 Barely Alpha (WIP)
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1427026


KERNELS

For future reference

THEMES

[THeme] ICS Blue [THEME][WIP]
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1383779

[Theme] Darkened Blur
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1332470

OTHER MODS & FIXES

[Mod] Webtop via HDMI without a Dock
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1357600

[How to] get full ubuntu and your favorite desktop in webtop
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1375042#

[How to] Disable CarrierIQ on the Atrix 2
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1402657

[Overclock]
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1405964

[MOD by APP] Nebtop - Universal HDMI Webtop hack
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1410509

[Reference] List of things that are safe to freeze
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1330235

A lot of people don't like the stock camera and have purchased Camera FX Zoom from the market and have had great results

Enable Built In wifi Hotspot
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1328588

1% Battery Mod (MUST BE ON STOCK DEODEXED ROM!)
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1437712


As things progress I will continue to update and if you think I need to add anything send me a PM

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