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

[1Jester1]

Will the telstra sbf work on a Korean Atrix? (OLYEM_U4_1.4.2) I heard it would work on international atrixes (atrices?) and I am trying to recover from a soft brick caused by my impressive stupidity.

I rooted with gingerbreak, tried to install gingerblur, soft bricked, factory reset (i know... im an idiot)... stuck in boot loop with blinking red light and dont have a korean sbf to flash with. If this doesnt work Im going to chunk the phone on the ground and go cash in my insurance, but would prefer to avoid that.

Kindve at an "up for anything" state... appreciate any help I can get, if you solve my problem Ill donate

 

[1Jester1]

Confirmed that Telstra sbf OLYEM_U4_1.4.2 will work on korean atrix... back up and running! Many thanks to Sevenz0rs

 

[-Roze-]

Ririal, I was wondering what's the differnce between a Nandroid backup and backing up all of my apps and their cache data with Titanium backup? I was told doing a Nandorid backup doesn't back up the Radio.

 

[Ririal]

Ririal, I was wondering what's the differnce between a Nandroid backup and backing up all of my apps and their cache data with Titanium backup? I was told doing a Nandorid backup doesn't back up the Radio.

Nandroid backs up everything it can. It does not backup the bootloader or radio firmwares, as we don't have access to those right now.

Titanium Backup should really only be used to backup user apps, not system apps. On this phone, as well as many others, restoring system apps and settings causes problems.

IMO a Nandroid backup is much cleaner and safer.

 

[thebeardedchild]

Alright so I had a stock Atrix with the 1.5.7 update, which I rooted with Gingerbreak (I'm now reading that perhaps Gingerbreak isn't quite "healthy" for the phone? Any confirmations on this?), enabled sideloading and downloaded Tenfar's, backed up, and then I flashed GreyBlur 2.1 or whatever version at the time and that's what I'm running now. I'm interested in updating to 1.8.3 and such...what exactly is the best way to do this now? There are too many root options, RSD flash things (I don't know that that is), etc. etc.
At first I thought I was going to have to flash the SBF (1.2.6) and then use Gladroot or whatever, then update normally and then do the retain root method.
Or I could just recover with the Tenfar's backup I made? I'm not sure about that either, because of what I heard about Gingerbreak.
Is it possible to just flash straight to the 1.8.3 version, or do I actually need to do every individual update?

 

[Ririal]

Alright so I had a stock Atrix with the 1.5.7 update, which I rooted with Gingerbreak (I'm now reading that perhaps Gingerbreak isn't quite "healthy" for the phone? Any confirmations on this?), enabled sideloading and downloaded Tenfar's, backed up, and then I flashed GreyBlur 2.1 or whatever version at the time and that's what I'm running now. I'm interested in updating to 1.8.3 and such...what exactly is the best way to do this now? There are too many root options, RSD flash things (I don't know that that is), etc. etc.
At first I thought I was going to have to flash the SBF (1.2.6) and then use Gladroot or whatever, then update normally and then do the retain root method.
Or I could just recover with the Tenfar's backup I made? I'm not sure about that either, because of what I heard about Gingerbreak.
Is it possible to just flash straight to the 1.8.3 version, or do I actually need to do every individual update?

Backup everything on your phone, flash to 1.8.3, use GingerBreak to root. If you don't have an update chain to follow with and don't mind wiping your phone and starting fresh stock, this is the easiest way.

EDIT: Oh, about GingerBreak, it has a very good chance that it will wipe your SD card (internal or external) so make sure you're aware of that and back EVERYTHING up you need to keep. Past that, it should be fine.

 

[thebeardedchild]

Backup everything on your phone, flash to 1.8.3, use GingerBreak to root. If you don't have an update chain to follow with and don't mind wiping your phone and starting fresh stock, this is the easiest way.

EDIT: Oh, about GingerBreak, it has a very good chance that it will wipe your SD card (internal or external) so make sure you're aware of that and back EVERYTHING up you need to keep. Past that, it should be fine.

So there isn't really anything wrong with GingerBreak (besides wiping the SD card, which I already experienced with no problems)? Someone mentioned something in a post I saw recently that it was just bad for the phone or something of that sort...untrue?
And anyways, so if I just follow those steps, it'll be like I just bought the phone brand new pretty much (minus the root of course)? Also, where is this 1.8.3 flashable update, and is it just a .zip I can use with Tenfars? Sorry, too many questions, I know haha.

 

[1Jester1]

I am running OLYEM_1.4.2 with (initially) Gingerblur 2.5, and then followed it with Greyblur 2.1. In both of those ROMs my "home" button does not work. When I tap on it I get a vibration (so it is sensing the touch) but even using launcher pro and trying to assign an action to it didnt get me anywhere.

Also, I cant get my screen to lock. Assigning a pattern, pw, etc. none of it locks the phone... any suggestions?

 

[Ririal]

I am running OLYEM_1.4.2 with (initially) Gingerblur 2.5, and then followed it with Greyblur 2.1. In both of those ROMs my "home" button does not work. When I tap on it I get a vibration (so it is sensing the touch) but even using launcher pro and trying to assign an action to it didnt get me anywhere.

Also, I cant get my screen to lock. Assigning a pattern, pw, etc. none of it locks the phone... any suggestions?

Sounds like an issue with those two ROMs. They replace a lot of the system APKs with modified versions. Unfortunately, I don't support Ginger/Greyblur ROMs. You'll have to post your problem in the appropriate thread and see if anyone there can help.

 

[1Jester1]

I would, however, need to get up to my 10 posts before I can post in the Dev threads. Guess Ill try out Gladiatrix and see if that narrows down the issue. Thanks

 

[zir4]

how can i disable hdmi mirroring on build.prop file /system to enable video playback hd entertainment center? do i need a special tool to get to that file?

 

[1Jester1]

I know there has been questions as to whether it is bad to flash your sbf often, but I was wondering what the downside to not flashing your sbf is. I have been bouncing back and forth between roms for the past few days while trying to get everything sorted out on my phone, and I was wondering if it is actually better to start with a clean slate every time (flash sbf, unlock, deodex, rom, etc.) or if it really matters that much

Thanks for all the help

 

[Ririal]

how can i disable hdmi mirroring on build.prop file /system to enable video playback hd entertainment center? do i need a special tool to get to that file?

change

ro.hdmi.mirror.enable=true

to

ro.hdmi.mirror.enable=false

Use root explorer to edit the file.

I know there has been questions as to whether it is bad to flash your sbf often, but I was wondering what the downside to not flashing your sbf is. I have been bouncing back and forth between roms for the past few days while trying to get everything sorted out on my phone, and I was wondering if it is actually better to start with a clean slate every time (flash sbf, unlock, deodex, rom, etc.) or if it really matters that much

Thanks for all the help

There isn't really any harm in flashing your phone, it just returns you to stock. You shouldn't really be installing the different ROMs over eachother, as they change different things and this can lead to many issues.

I would recommend starting with a clean slate each time.

 

[misiek93]

Basic root questions

I have an ATT atrix, 4.1.83. I never rooted before. There's so much information about rooting out there that it is hard to get the facts straight. I might sound like an idiot, but I am new to android, and I want to be certain that I don't lose any valuable information/settings. I figured I should come here to ask my basic questions about the gingerbreak rooting method for atrix 4.1.83

I have to back up my internal storage before I attempt this because it will wipe the internal storage. I know this. Do I simply turn on USB mass storage and copy the entire folder? Will this copy everything necessary to root without losing any data after root? Will this root method have any adverse effects? E.g. after root, will my applications/settings/application settings/homescreen layout/etc. remain untouched after I root? Or will I lose some things? If so, what will I lose/have to redo?


And just as a note, I don't care about the external sd card. I know you need one to do this, so I will have to borrow a friend's or even buy a cheap one, so losing data on the physical sd card is not a worry.

Thanks for reading my post, you've probably seen a bunch of these.

 

[Ririal]

I have an ATT atrix, 4.1.83. I never rooted before. There's so much information about rooting out there that it is hard to get the facts straight. I might sound like an idiot, but I am new to android, and I want to be certain that I don't lose any valuable information/settings. I figured I should come here to ask my basic questions about the gingerbreak rooting method for atrix 4.1.83

I have to back up my internal storage before I attempt this because it will wipe the internal storage. I know this. Do I simply turn on USB mass storage and copy the entire folder? Will this copy everything necessary to root without losing any data after root? Will this root method have any adverse effects? E.g. after root, will my applications/settings/application settings/homescreen layout/etc. remain untouched after I root? Or will I lose some things? If so, what will I lose/have to redo?


And just as a note, I don't care about the external sd card. I know you need one to do this, so I will have to borrow a friend's or even buy a cheap one, so losing data on the physical sd card is not a worry.

Thanks for reading my post, you've probably seen a bunch of these.

Copying the whole SD card with USB Mass Storage should be fine. You can just copy everything back and you should be good to go. I'm not certain if there are any other adverse effects, as I don't use this root method myself. I don't like it for the reasons discussed here, and I feel it's messy and we have other methods available, even if they are slightly more complicated. This is a personal opinion though, and users can certainly make their own choice.

 

[ears1991]

Hi guys I just got an atrix but its a uk model not the 4g one, am i able to root and use any of these roms on this site? any help would be much appreciated!

 

[thebeardedchild]

Hey I was wondering how I can remove the AT&T logo from my top notification bar? I used to have GreyBlur, which had it removed, but when I reverted to stock so I could get the 1.8.3 update I haven't really wanted to flash one of these pseudo-roms again, for whatever reason. But I do kind of miss all that space I had up there. I tried searching, but I don't really know if this would be in devs, themes, or what...Thanks guys!

 

[Ririal]

Hi guys I just got an atrix but its a uk model not the 4g one, am i able to root and use any of these roms on this site? any help would be much appreciated!

I'm not sure which model you mean, do you have any other information?

Hey I was wondering how I can remove the AT&T logo from my top notification bar? I used to have GreyBlur, which had it removed, but when I reverted to stock so I could get the 1.8.3 update I haven't really wanted to flash one of these pseudo-roms again, for whatever reason. But I do kind of miss all that space I had up there. I tried searching, but I don't really know if this would be in devs, themes, or what...Thanks guys!

You can remove it the same way you would on any other android device, do a search in the general android section for tutorials on how to do this.

 

[ears1991]

it is this model: ok im not allowed to post links, but if you go on the orange uk website its the motorola atrix on there.

i figured seeing as in some threads ive read that people with bell atrix's shouldnt use stuff for at&t atrix's, that the same would be true here, especially seeing as the uk one isnt 4g so might have some other differences :S. hope you can help, bit of a noob to all this

 

[Ririal]

it is this model: ok im not allowed to post links, but if you go on the orange uk website its the motorola atrix on there.

i figured seeing as in some threads ive read that people with bell atrix's shouldnt use stuff for at&t atrix's, that the same would be true here, especially seeing as the uk one isnt 4g so might have some other differences :S. hope you can help, bit of a noob to all this

Anything that isn't a rom or theme should be safe. Root methods and sideloading enabling (if it's needed) should work fine.