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

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bongd

Senior Member
Jun 20, 2010
1,533
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Ririal said:
Yeah, I wish I could be of more help :( If you do find out a way to fix it, be sure to let me know or post here, I'll add it up to the FAQ just in case anyone else makes the same mistake. Hope you get it sorted out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks for the PM. I'm determined to fix this! There must be a way. Will post back if/when I fix it. Wife will be out of town so I can nerd it up hardcore after work :cool:
 
Y

YaPeL

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2011
453
154
Hi there, I'm kind of new to android, however, I'm aware of the dis-advantage of having a locked bootloader, so I Have a few questions: Can we have this kind of "themed" roms like MIUI ? Is it possible to port the dalvik VM from gingerbeard to our phones even if we have the 2.6.32 kernel? thanks
 
M

meztizo_kid

Member
Mar 22, 2011
22
1
Firmware Auto-Update

Hello,

I just had a quick question. I've done some google searches, as well as done a little poking around on these forums, but can't seem to find this question addressed.

I'm still running 1.26, and wouldn't mind bumping up to 1.57 but the CWM isn't in the most stable of states at the moment, and it appears that all of the MODs are all incorporating this tool.

Is there a way to turn off this auto-update feature for the Atrix 4G?

I'd just like the dang phone to stop prompting me to update. Because sometimes I accidently hit the update button, which takes me to an android, with an exclamated triangle, and it hangs there for hour(s), until it finally asks me to revert the update changes [VERY ANNOYING].

Thanks for the time, and to all DEV's, thank you for EVERYTHING you do!!! It makes owning a smartphone that much more fun to have! :D
 
Ririal

Ririal

Retired Recognized Developer
Feb 21, 2011
785
393
Grayslake
www.rirnef.net
YaPeL said:
Hi there, I'm kind of new to android, however, I'm aware of the dis-advantage of having a locked bootloader, so I Have a few questions: Can we have this kind of "themed" roms like MIUI ? Is it possible to port the dalvik VM from gingerbeard to our phones even if we have the 2.6.32 kernel? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Currently, it's /possible/ to have a ROM like Miui run, but it would be in appearance only, if all the components are even compatible. My GladiAtrix rom already uses the 3D Gallery app from Miui in it, so certain components are compatible outside the ROM itself. A full Miui wouldn't be possible until we get an unlocked bootloader.

meztizo_kid said:
Hello,

I just had a quick question. I've done some google searches, as well as done a little poking around on these forums, but can't seem to find this question addressed.

I'm still running 1.26, and wouldn't mind bumping up to 1.57 but the CWM isn't in the most stable of states at the moment, and it appears that all of the MODs are all incorporating this tool.

Is there a way to turn off this auto-update feature for the Atrix 4G?

I'd just like the dang phone to stop prompting me to update. Because sometimes I accidently hit the update button, which takes me to an android, with an exclamated triangle, and it hangs there for hour(s), until it finally asks me to revert the update changes [VERY ANNOYING].

Thanks for the time, and to all DEV's, thank you for EVERYTHING you do!!! It makes owning a smartphone that much more fun to have! :D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If you freeze the FOTA app using Titanium Backup or another freeze app (There's a few in the market, I forget their names.), it should prevent the update from downloading automatically. Even if it does, the update will NOT install unless you accept the installation prompt.
 
Y

YaPeL

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2011
453
154
Ririal said:
Currently, it's /possible/ to have a ROM like Miui run, but it would be in appearance only, if all the components are even compatible. My GladiAtrix rom already uses the 3D Gallery app from Miui in it, so certain components are compatible outside the ROM itself. A full Miui wouldn't be possible until we get an unlocked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thanks, and what about the gingerbread dalvik port? is it possible?
 
Y

YaPeL

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2011
453
154
looks like there's not much to do on this device... really turns me off from buying it
 
Ririal

Ririal

Retired Recognized Developer
Feb 21, 2011
785
393
Grayslake
www.rirnef.net
YaPeL said:
looks like there's not much to do on this device... really turns me off from buying it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Says who? There's plenty you can do with it. My GladiAtrix rom is constantly being updated with new features. Show me another phone that hooks up through an HDMI cable to become a full linux box, eh? ;) With root access you can customize it pretty heavily. The point where we run into issues is custom kernels which on this device, in my opinion, aren't really needed. Most custom kernels have the goal of speed in mind, and the Atrix is already crazy fast. The only limitations we're seeing is just from lack of developer involvement. Everyone is avoiding the Atrix because of some useless stigma surrounding it. Talk to anyone here who has one, we all love it to death. What REAL benefit or features would you get from running Miui or CWM or even just Gingerbread that you can't already do? It's all relative to what you're looking for. If you're a heavy power user who wants to modify the kernel yourself, yeah, maybe the Atrix isn't for you right now. But other than that? Sky's the limit.
 
NguyenHuu

NguyenHuu

Senior Member
Nov 14, 2007
1,753
128
California
A new update should be coming this month to enable hsupa.

1. Would we need to flash back to 1.26 again before we can update to that newest one just like how we are doing it with 1.57?

2. Or would it be possible to just flash the new one on top OTA-style?

3. Or if someone does a deodex version, can we just flash that through recovery and be done with it?

All of this is to retain root of course. It might not be possible for you to answer now, but do let us know your thoughts. Thanks!
 
Ririal

Ririal

Retired Recognized Developer
Feb 21, 2011
785
393
Grayslake
www.rirnef.net
NguyenHuu said:
A new update should be coming this month to enable hsupa.

1. Would we need to flash back to 1.26 again before we can update to that newest one just like how we are doing it with 1.57?

2. Or would it be possible to just flash the new one on top OTA-style?

3. Or if someone does a deodex version, can we just flash that through recovery and be done with it?

All of this is to retain root of course. It might not be possible for you to answer now, but do let us know your thoughts. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The answer to all 3 is unfortunately: "I'm not sure yet."

We'll have to wait for the update to be released and then play around with it to see if the same methods of keeping root are working or not.
 
Y

YaPeL

Senior Member
Mar 1, 2011
453
154
Okey, one last question, Why the mods made for the at&t model don't work on the bell model? and how hard is to make them work there?
 
G

Girgizzlemuf

Senior Member
Apr 8, 2009
78
22
Mukilteo
I think the biggest problem with the fact that nothing works on bell is there is no stock firmware recovery for it. Designgears before he left gave us a nice little cookie of a full sbf flash of the stock att rom, so if we break something we can go back to it with minimal problems.
 
Ririal

Ririal

Retired Recognized Developer
Feb 21, 2011
785
393
Grayslake
www.rirnef.net
YaPeL said:
Okey, one last question, Why the mods made for the at&t model don't work on the bell model? and how hard is to make them work there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

It's not really /hard/ it's just that it requires a bit of testing and troubleshooting to get things to work, and if we end up with a bricked phone, there's no way to recover it. If we can get a proper CWM with ADB support that doesn't need to be invoked from the phone booted, then we can make our own recovery points and start modding on Bell phones.

Girgizzlemuf said:
I think the biggest problem with the fact that nothing works on bell is there is no stock firmware recovery for it. Designgears before he left gave us a nice little cookie of a full sbf flash of the stock att rom, so if we break something we can go back to it with minimal problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

It should be noted that you CAN NOT flash an AT&T SBF to a Bell phone. It won't work.

YaPeL said:
Phones I returned because they suck:
Motorola Atrix 4G

well thats funny

Edit: okey, I really like the phone, I'm going to see what version do they bring here, thanks a lot for the answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Please keep that kind of crap out of my thread :)
 
H

hluk

Member
Apr 16, 2011
38
1
Originally Posted by YaPeL View Post

Okey, one last question, Why the mods made for the at&t model don't work on the bell model? and how hard is to make them work there?

It's not really /hard/ it's just that it requires a bit of testing and troubleshooting to get things to work, and if we end up with a bricked phone, there's no way to recover it. If we can get a proper CWM with ADB support that doesn't need to be invoked from the phone booted, then we can make our own recovery points and start modding on Bell phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

follow up question to the above...

since we don't have a Bell firmware SBF available right now, would it be the same if we backed up the stock rom from a Bell Atrix? I have no idea if this is totally wrong but i want to root my phone, ASAP!. But before i do anything to it, i want to be able to restore it back to the stock state just in case anything happens.

two more questions:
1) as far as i know, doing a factory reset WILL NOT unroot the phone right?

2) I saw there was an unroot.bat before for atrix with the aRoot script method, but this is no longer available in GladRoot v4.1 right?

thank you very much!
 
Ririal

Ririal

Retired Recognized Developer
Feb 21, 2011
785
393
Grayslake
www.rirnef.net
hluk said:
follow up question to the above...

since we don't have a Bell firmware SBF available right now, would it be the same if we backed up the stock rom from a Bell Atrix? I have no idea if this is totally wrong but i want to root my phone, ASAP!. But before i do anything to it, i want to be able to restore it back to the stock state just in case anything happens.

two more questions:
1) as far as i know, doing a factory reset WILL NOT unroot the phone right?

2) I saw there was an unroot.bat before for atrix with the aRoot script method, but this is no longer available in GladRoot v4.1 right?

thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Rooting your phone should be ok, and I can add an option to unroot if people really need it. It's as simple as deleting superuser.apk and /system/bin/su.
 
K

kiet159

New member
Apr 16, 2011
3
0
I'm new to Android so maybe I'm missing something but I'm sure that I followed the instruction for Gladroot v4.1 for Bell Atrix. After I run the gladroot and followed the instruction of the cmd promt, it said root completed but I see no difference in my phone, especially that the phone failed the root check. I try to root like that 2 times and still see no difference.

Did I miss something afterward?

Thanks for your hardwork firstly
 
Ririal

Ririal

Retired Recognized Developer
Feb 21, 2011
785
393
Grayslake
www.rirnef.net
kiet159 said:
I'm new to Android so maybe I'm missing something but I'm sure that I followed the instruction for Gladroot v4.1 for Bell Atrix. After I run the gladroot and followed the instruction of the cmd promt, it said root completed but I see no difference in my phone, especially that the phone failed the root check. I try to root like that 2 times and still see no difference.

Did I miss something afterward?

Thanks for your hardwork firstly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

This should be in the gladroot thread, but rooting doesn't change how your phone looks. Not sure what you were expecting?
 
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    Ririal
    Ririal
    [STICKY] [FAQ] Official Atrix "Ask A Dev" & FAQ Thread (Last Update: 05/31/2011)

    Official Atrix "Ask A Dev" & FAQ Thread
    So, there's a ton of misinformation and confusion going around about the Atrix. I'm gonna go through this section best I can and pick out questions that I think should be in here. If you have one you'd like added or have a question to ask, post here and I'll answer and update the first post with the results. I will do my best to provide links, explain as best I can, and keep things UP TO DATE (which is the most important thing). I hope that users will see this thread and use it to their advantage. There's a lot of info out there, and I know it can be confusing, so I want to give everyone a place they can come ask questions or read information they know will be up to date. Feel free to ask anything you wish to know and I'll do my best to answer :)

    PLEASE try to keep the thread clean. Post questions, keep discussion at a minimum (if there's a relevant discussion thread, I will link it here), and be polite.

    Without further ado, let's get started with the basics.​
    Frequently Asked Question - Updated 05/31/2011
    • Q: "What is"/"How do I" root?

      A: If you don't know what root is, chances are you don't need it. This is the basic of the basics of Android modification. Go ahead and do a little research first if you don't know what it is. You can root almost all Atrix devices using the method in this thread, just identify what device you have an follow the appropriate tutorial: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1016060

      If your device isn't supported by GladRoot, you can follow this guide by jug6ernaut: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1046626

    • Q: What is a ROM/P-ROM?

      A: This is one of the more tricky questions when it comes to the Atrix. Designgears set the standard by calling Adeo a ROM. This is loosely based in truth. When we refer to an Atrix ROM, what we are doing is basic Android customization. It could be themes, a few added features (reboot/recovery in power menu, sideloading, adding a tethering APN for certain carriers, etc), or just an automated install for a deodexed system. They are not true ROMs, but we'll take what we can get.

      As of GladiAtrix3 beta, I changed the name of these mods to Pseudo-ROM, or P-ROM for short (yes, pronounced 'prom').

    • Q: What is an SBF? How do I flash it?

      A: An SBF file is the Motorola base firmware. There are only a few SBF files available, and instructions (Thanks to seven2099) to use them can be found here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=13604217&postcount=2. The guide was written with the Bell Atrix in mind, but this process will work with any version provided you have the correct SBF for your device. This guide by kennethpenn contains links to a few of the SBFs for AT&T devices: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=991072

      It should also be noted that these files are NOT community provided. They are leaked from Motorola, are are technically for internal Motorola use only. Do NOT ask where we get them, how we get them, or if we can make you a custom one. We cannot.

    • Q: What does "deodex" mean?

      A: This guide has a pretty good explanation of what the difference between odexed and deodexed is: http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/what-is-odex-and-deodex-in-android-complete-guide/

    • Q: What is sideloading?

      A: Sideloading lets you install any applications, regardless of carrier or market restrictions. This is also sometimes called "Unknown sources." It can be enabled several different ways. Both the GladiAtrix (for 4.1.26, 4.1.52,, 4.1.57, and 4.1.83) and GingerBlur ROMs contain it. You can also enable it using the GladiAtrix Enabler.

    • Q: <app> in the market doesn't work! Help!

      A: There are several applications still that have not been updated to support the Atrix. It uses a lot of new hardware, and does things a little differently. Before jumping on and making a thread saying Motorola sucks for your app not working, contact the developer first and ask them to update.
    User Submitted Questions - Updated 04/27/2011
    • Q: Is there a way to install an apk without finding it and tapping on it? Maybe through terminal emulator and if so what would the command lines be? (submitted by drock212)

      A: Yes! You can install applications through ADB on your PC with the command 'adb install <app>.apk' where <app> is the filename of the app you want to install. You can also use a file manager, or as metk@ mentioned, the Android Market website. Finally, there is a command line that you can use to install: pm install <app>.apk

    • Q: I have a Bell Atrix (unlocked to work with Rogers). Are there any precautions I need to keep in mind when flashing ROMs, installing the new 1.5.7 update and rooting it all using the At&t files in the Dev forum? (submitted by TareX)

      A: Absolutely. As far as I know, you cannot flash any of the AT&T firmwares on a Bell Atrix. This will cause a brick and you will be unable to recover since there isn't a Bell firmware SBF available right now. If anyone has been brave enough to try and flash a Bell Atrix with AT&T firmware and has SUCCEEDED, please let me know.

    • Q: The atrix has 1GB of ram. Is all of that memory used on the phone or is it like what was rumored and some of it is reserved for the webtop? (submitted by RacecarBMW)

      A: The webtop shares memory with the phone side. There is about 800mb free for use by both, with roughly 200mb reserved for system processes.

    • Q: Are more ROMs in the works? (submitted by danboard)

      A: I've been working hard at getting GladiAtrix 2 to a point where I feel comfortable releasing it in CWM format. Unfortunately, I can't speak for other developers. The tools available for the Atrix are relatively limited, and we don't have a very strong base of talented people like other Motorola phones do. I'm pretty proud of what we've managed to accomplish even with such a small userbase.

    • Q: Can I use my phone on a carrier other than AT&T or Bell? (submitted via PM by metk@)

      A: You can, but you need to make sure that the carrier you want to use the phone on supports the same frequencies as AT&T/Bell. There are a few different ways you can get the phone unlocked. The easiest, and honestly best, way to do it is to call the carrier and ask them for an unlock code. If you're persistent and polite enough, make your case as to why you need the phone unlocked, there's a good chance they'll accommodate. Getting mad and upset rarely works. You can also get an unlock code through several different online sites. This thread talks about sites with unlock codes, and gives you a good idea which to trust. General consensus seems to be that cellunlock.net worked for most users and has a 20$ rebate coupon code: android50

    • Q: Can I use the Webtop without a dock? (submitted via PM by metk@)

      A: You sure can. It requires modifications to the system files, so if you don't fee comfortable making permanent changes to your phone's OS, you shouldn't be doing this. This thread has a very detailed explanation on how to get it working on your phone, but make sure you match up the proper firmware version or can potentially brick your phone.[/B]

    • Q: Is there a way to install a full version of linux on the Webtop? (submitted via PM by metk@)

      A: There is a project running to unlock the Webtop OS and allow you full access to install anything you wish. You can read about the progress here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1000316

    • Q: I don't use the webtop. Is there any way to remove it completely to regain the space on the phone? (submitted by Girgizzlemuf)

      A: Unfortunately, you cannot. The Webtop is directly integrated into the Android OS, so removing it would render your phone inoperable. I'm unsure if an unlocked bootloader will allow it to be removed either, as the entire build of Android running on the Atrix was built around the Webtop.

    • Q: Do I need to unlock before rooting, or are the two completely independent from eachother? (submitted by dropshipinc)

      A: Unlocking and rooting are not tied together. You can root without unlock, and you an unlock without root. Unlocking is, in most cases, referring to the ability to use the phone on any carrier. This is called SIM unlocking. Rooting gives you root access to your device. On the Atrix, you cannot unlock your phone by having root. Some devices this is the case, but the Atrix is not one of them.
    • Q: Will installing a rom prevent OTA updates? If so, can they be easily removed so that we can install OTA updates? (submitted by ratkid2271)

      A: Installing any of the currently available ROMs will prevent the phone from applying an OTA update. You should still be able to download them, but the installation will fail. As for uninstalling, you should be making a nandroid backup of your phone with CWM before installing any of them. A simple restore of that backup will prep you for an OTA update.
    Special Thanks
    Thanks to: drock212, TareX, RacecarBMW, danboard, metk@, Girgizzlemuf, ratkid2271, and dropshipinc for their submissions. :)​
    View
    2
    Ririal
    Ririal
    mbobak said:
    Has anyone gotten the method outlined here:
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=969960

    to actually work? Cause, I've tried it twice, and wound up w/ a soft-brick both times. Doing factory data reset resolved the problem, so, no worries, but I'm wondering if that method is fundamentally flawed?

    Yes, I'm aware that there are automated, turn-key scripts that will enable sideloading. I'm as interested in learning more about the phone, as I am in enabling side loading, so, if I could learn to do it manually, I'd like to do that.

    I'd post to that thread, but, I'm still not at 10 posts. (Stupid post count rule!)

    Thanks,

    -Mark
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    That tutorial is VERY long winded. You don't need nearly as many steps as he's taking. It can be done much much easier. Just download GladEnabler and look at the script code, it's pretty straightforward and commented so anyone curious what it's doing can look for themselves :)

    intimnasc said:
    Does the Greyblur version written fro .57 work with .83?
    There is alot out there and some misinformation floating around on this and I just want to be sure before I screw something up.

    Are there plans to update Greyblur for .83?
    I loved everything about this ROM and so did alot of people. Kenneth is amazing in what he does with these ROM's and could or should be writing them for one of the big companies he has a definite gift for doing it right.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Installing mis-matched versions is always a bad idea. Don't install the GB for 1.57 on 1.83, and vice versa. You'll very likely run into problems.

    You'd have to ask Kenneth if he's updating his p-ROM. I'm not so sure what these mods do are really on the level of working for a big company, though ;) Ginger/Greyblur is really just a compilation of various mods from other users and a theme :)
    View
    1
    Ririal
    Ririal
    Girgizzlemuf said:
    So I understand the awesomeness that is the webtop. However, I have no use for it other than to say 'HAY i got a netbook in my phone wanna see??'

    Having said that... is there a way to *remove* the webtop entirely, or is this something we are going to have to wait for in the form of a custom rom / unlocked bootloader?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    Unfortunately, you cannot. The Webtop is directly integrated into the Android OS, so removing it would render your phone inoperable. I'm unsure if an unlocked bootloader will allow it to be removed either, as the entire build of Android running on the Atrix was built around the Webtop.
    View
    1
    -Roze-
    -Roze-
    Nice OP Ririal :) Thanks for being oh so helpful and contributing to the Atrix! Keep up the good work! I wish I can play with your ROMs :( Hoping that the Bell's SBF will be leaked one of these days (yes I know...wistful thinking...)
    View
    1
    Ririal
    Ririal
    smilen65 said:
    OK, I'm no expert on the difference between 4G / 3G / 2G / edge (please excuse if 2G/Edge are the same) I recently did the unlimited data thing with an iPhone but I'm getting text messages from att about needing to change to a 4g data plan. I've called several times and they keep up with the "no unlimited plans exist anymore". This may be because I have a discount plan through my employer so I don't get normal customer care I get business division. In any case I would like to be able to disable just the 4g portion of data for the time being, anyone know of a way to do it? I tried a few apps but none worked and I don't want to disable syncing.
    Thanks in advance!
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    You can't. AT&T's "4G" is just HSPA+, which is 3G. As far as I know, it's not even live anywhere, and nobody is getting anywhere near the promised speeds.

    If you go into an AT&T store and tell them about the text messages you keep getting, and just say you're coming from an iPhone and you'd like the messages to stop. Those messages aren't interfering with anything, it's just a glitch in their system since their rate plans are a clusterfuck right now.

    Ralf_g60 said:
    which languages are there in settings?
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese.

    bmi553 said:
    i flash the 1.2.6 and for some reason when it was done i couldn't used the touch key when ever i touch them noting happen pls help
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    This thread is not for support. Please post in the general forums or use the search function.
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