So I imagine that you have bought your new Atrix 4G? I hope you love it, and love all it's features...but if you want to take all the "juice" from it, take a look to my newbie guide.



* *I am trying to do this guide the most friendly for both AT&T and International (and Bell) users.**







Terminology (please notify me if I forgot something important or if you want me to add something else to the post)



SBF File:

SBF stands for Single Binary File, and contains a firmware image that can be installed on your device.

So when you flash a .sbf file it will return you to a stock/retail device.





Root:

Root is the name for the administrator in Android, and this gives you the permissions to control the whole OS, with this you can install apps to make changes on your Android, like making backups, using the CWM Recovery from the market, and even loading custom ROM's.



Bootloader:



The bootloader is code that is executed before any Operating System starts to run, also depending on the manufacturer the bootloader can

come locked or unlocked. The bootloader must be unlock in order to use custom ROM's, boot animations, or kernels.



CWM Recovery:

This is a custom recovery software that let's you flash what I've previously mentioned (Custom ROM's, Kernels, Themes, etc.) If you are interested in utilizing extra features on your Atrix, you MUST, install this.



ROM:

A ROM, is a modified firmware for the phone, this is made from the official ROM package. Some ROM's have a tiny mod like changing the theme, the icons, etc. But some other are more complex, that change the whole UI (User Interface) and add some features like having custom widgets, overclock, underclock, etc.



Kernel:



Note: As being a new user, or even being an experienced user, you shouldn't mess with the kernel.



The kernel is like the translator between the hardware and the performance of your software, i.e: Processor, RAM, Graphic Processor, etc. Using custom kernels can make your device better but if this isn't used in the right way the results could be bad.



ADB:



ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a tool that comes with the Android SDK

that allows you to control and interface with your Android device, like setting permissions, moving things, install programs and apps.



Here are some useful commands: ADB - Android Wiki





Fastboot:



Fastboot is protocol used to update the flash filesystem in Android devices from your PC over USB. It allows flashing of unsigned partition images.





Now let's go with the software part..









HOW TO UNLOCK A BOOTLOADER FOR ANDROID 2.3.x



WARNING : If you are on Gingerbread 2.3.4 / 4.5.91. with an unlocked bootloader, DO NOT flash an early .sbf file. DOING THIS WILL BRICK YOUR PHONE.







Requisites



Backup /Data

SBF File - - - IHOP for International Users: IHOP_Bell.rar

- - - IHOP for International Users: IHOP_Bell.rar SBF File - - - For AT&T Users: pudding.rar

For AT&T Users: pudding.rar RSD Lite - - - http://www.mediafire.com/?zz81vf1o2y73d4

- - - http://www.mediafire.com/?zz81vf1o2y73d4 Fastboot Package - - - fastboot.zip

fastboot.zip And patience



Instructions

If you're on Gingerbread, you still have to flash your phone, NO one has to skip this. Power down your Motorola Atrix Take out your microSD card and SIM card for the flashing process While turning the phone on, hold the Volume Up button until it acknowledges RSD Your device will say “Starting RSD protocol support” Run “RSD Lite” on your computer Press the “. . .” button next to the box labeled “Filename” Load up the SBF file

The SBF file is located inside of the .zip file, you must extract it out before loading it into RSD Lite

Use WinRAR or 7-Zip to extract the .zip file on your computer

Plug your device into your computer

Use the USB ports on the back side of your computer for safety

RSD Lite should recognize your device and say “Model: NS Flash Olympus” and “Connected…” Press the “Start” button Be patient while the phone reboots. It will take a long time. Open and extract the Fastboot package from above Open a command prompt window

On Windows, press Start and type “cmd” then press the enter button

Type the following command. Your directory will be the folder where you extracted the Fastboot package.

(Example: cd C:\Users\Kenneth\Desktop\fastboot-package)

cd your directory her e

Power down your Atrix device Hold the power button and the downward volume button until you see “Fastboot” Let go of the buttons and press the upward volume button once You will now see “Starting Fastboot protocol support” Plug your device into a USB port in the back slot of your computer

Front slots sometimes do not have enough power to stay connected to the device.

Type the following command:

fastboot oem unlock

You will now receive a warning along with a unique device ID Type the following commands using your unique device ID in place of the ####:

fastboot oem unlock ####

fastboot reboot

Wait for your device to reboot. You now have an unlocked bootloader.



HOW TO ROOT ATRIX ON 2.3.4 or earlier









To avoid the pain following large instructions to root your phone, follow this:





Your phone must be connected via USB data cable to your computer and recognized.



If your phone is connected, but not recognized, you may need to install one of these software drivers:



Download this one-click root package: Pete's Motorola Root Tools - - - PetesMotorolaRootTools_v1.07.zip



Extract the contents of the one-click root package to a new folder on your computer.



Make sure USB Debugging is enabled on your device. This should be under Settings / Applications / Development / USB Debugging.



From the new folder on your computer, double-click on Pete's Motorola Root Tools to begin the root process.



Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the root process.



HOW TO INSTALL CWM RECOVERY ON 2.3.4







Personally I prefer RomRacer's CWM Recovery...just to mention some highlights:



Dual SD card support



ADB support

USB Mass Storage support

Nandroid additions/changes

EXT3/4 formatting

Unified kernel for international users



Instructions:





Download the recovery image (If there is any update I will put it over here)





Orange 5.0.2.7-atrix5

.

MD5 aebe29124d8c6d6c4b9873bd9ea4ca3b / 1f9a1d6fc83610e5c7c8f2d60e489b69

.

MD5 eb44b910983434d3996383098dff53b6 / 91365993488a9ae060b22c8b820d1c5b

.

MD5 e7c7ec152e9e3269ef2ab1ce99b8943e / 1e720c8760898549226a10d4776f5077

.

MD5 c8a4438e5889d5e681a754555c40bc51 / 121d8d9102eac3ed24f1e0be6f8cd5d1

.

MD5 9a1fd3c8796d2e768b54d39143c17ea3 / 9059c0c37fd2c547ec8508c893986815

.



MD5 036a9d9cc390a6071011d4d50b008875 / aa069d1aed20c5cbd13b2098b6a88975



Now, place the .img file onto the folder where you have your previously downloaded fastboot package.

After this, put your device on fastboot mode.

Then run the following code:



Code: moto-fastboot devices moto-fastboot erase recovery moto-fastboot flash recovery recovery-atrix5.img moto-fastboot reboot











ROMS & KERNELS







Now after you done all explained above you're ready to flash the phone. So just follow the steps I've written below this.



Download the ROM or Kernel you wish to flash on your SD Card.

Make a backup of your data, I recommend to download Titanium Backup from the market: https://market.android.com/details?i...umBackup&hl=us

After you done the backup boot your phone into CWM Recovery

First go and wipe Dalvik Cache (under advanced in CWM)

Then wipe Cache Partition

And finally wipe data/factory reset

Now go to install .zip from SD Card, and choose the .zip you downloaded

In case that you're installing a theme, kernel, etc. on top of a ROM, I would recommend making the whole wipe process again between flashes.

And finally when you're done just reboot the device.

PD: If you get a boot loop, try entering Android recovery and re-wiping the cache and data, and perhaps try reflashing the ROM/Kernel.



ROMS





Stock Gingerbread 2.3.4 :

*Note: This is useful if you need to return to stock Gingerbread. Both CWM & Fastboot install available.









RedPill CM7 Hybrid 2.3.4 ROM:



- ROM - RedPill Beta - v3 - 7/23



-ICS Themed

-CM7 Based

-And with all the features of CM7





GingerMod 2.3.6 ROM :





[ROM] GingerMod 2.3.6 #3 - xda-developers

- MotoBlur Based ROM

- Stock Kernel

- Pre-Rooted

- Multiple updates & hacks (see ROM OP)





Home Base ROM :





(ROM)Home Base 4.5.9.1/4.5.2A.. (9/30 Blue-Chronic )FASTEST ATRIX (DE)BLUR ROM - xda-developers



This is a "stock" Android base ROM, with multiple versions ranging from almost stock with only a few tweaks, to a stock feel with multiple mods, extras, etc.





ASOP Atrix ROM :





[ROM][DEV] Pure AOSP for the Atrix - xda-developers



ASOP = Android Open Source Project - - in other words, it's supposed to make your device as close to a stock Google Android device as possible (i.e. like a Nexus device).



*Note: since this rom is essentially a stock Android experience, many of the Atrix's stock features will not work; like the fingerprint scanner, webtop, etc.





Alien ROM & Theme :



http:// http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1186537



*Note: The ROM is separate from the theme, which can be applied afterwards if you wish.



This is a very stable ROM, however there are a few issues with the Theme portion. The Kernel is stock 2.3.4.





Ninja ROM :



[ROM] Ninja v0.4.5 Alpha 7/21/11 [ATT][READ POST #2] - xda-developers



Super fast ROM, with Faux123's Kernel included.





Cherry Pie & Pie Crust :





[ROM] Aura [GB] [AT&T] [1.2.2.2] [Updated: 10/27] [Stable EXT4] - xda-developers



Includes Faux's Kernel

3 versions to choose from (de-bloat, de-bloat with accounts, & with all bloat)





DarkSide ROM :





[ROM] The DarkSide v4.4 [2.3.5][EXT4][Tweaks] - xda-developers



Includes Faux's Kernel

Multiple Mods available to add to ROM

Theme incorporates many apps





HoneyComb ROM/Theme :





(ROM)....AT(HoneyComb)RIX 3.4 EXT4[9/11]..1.3GHZ CyBORG SPEED HONEY - xda-developers



Based off of Alien ROM with a Honey Comb Theme. Different versions are available for different kernel choices.





iBlur ROM :





http:// http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1305015



Like the look of the iPhone. If you like iPhone, give this ROM a try then.





StarWars Rom/Theme :





http:// http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1244852



Nice black/white ROM, with all the latest tweaks, mods, etc.







KERNELS





Faux Kernel (1.0 - 1.3. - 1.45Ghz)

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1156040







This kernel is one of the most stable on the Atrix world, it has different styles, so choose wisely which one you need, Faux's kernels allow you UV(Undervolting) profiles, underclock, etc. And it allows you to choose a FroYo, Gingerbread and CM7 kernel, so choose the right for you.







Clemsyn's Kernel (1.6 Ghz/CM7/ - 1.5 Ghz/ATT/) :

This kernel is based on Faux's but it has some optimizations.

Has AT&T versions and CM7 version too

Also, this kernel may

not

work on your device (in mine didn't worked) and you will not be able to boot correctly.

Please! make sure you have a backup kernel (Nandroid Backup) to flash incase this happens to you.