Atrix 4G Unlock Instructions

Sadly until I do some extensive research, I am unable to locate a viable solution using GNU/Linux as the host OS.  For the process I needed to use Windows.  The process works fine, but I would vastly prefer a solution on GNU/Linux or BSD, of which I located ones with tools that no longer existed at the mentioned/linked location.  Once I can do this on GNU/Linux, I will post the steps, and host the files so that dead filesharing hosts or changed links are a non-issue.

That said, here we go!

Unlocking:

1. Read over the following links, as they are handy and will have useful info for the remainder of this whole process -- General Atrix 4G Modding info    Unlock procedure that I followed
2. Backup your data folder on the Atrix itself.  This will go bye-bye when you are unlocking.
3. Download and install the Windows Motorola Drivers
4. Download the unlock tool
5. Unzip the archive.  Open the file that was enclosed called MAIN.BAT
6. Follow the instructions.
7. Note -- there may be a part in which you will error out with a missing/unbootable OS 'ERROR 0x1000' message.  Thats normal.  Get back into FASTBOOT mode as instructed earlier in the procedure.  You may continue along then just fine.  I did run into this, and had no issues.  There are some allusions to other errors that can crop up that can be alleviated by just continuing.

Some Notes to keep in mind:

1. If you rooted your device, when complete, re-root.
2. If you installed CWM recovery, you may need to reinstall to fix things.  CWM recovery requires an unlocked and rooted device to properly install and function.  The ROMManager utility did the trick for me, and did not need to go hunting for other recovery ROMs.  That said, I don't have nandroid support, which most others tout as a main feature.  So, perhaps I should :P
3. And a forewarning, any use of CWM recovery to do backups or restores will require the unit to be plugged into a charger -- not a PC.

Atrix 4G Root instructions

I recently broke down and couldn't tolerate a non-rooted Android device in my possesion.  THe steps on linux and OSX are quite simple.  Eventually when a ROM that suits my taste is out of development, I will detail how to install and a review on what I think of it.  Sofar, there is a CyanogenMod v7 ROM out in testing that supposedly is essentially ready for prime time.  The fingerprint reader and WebTop do not function, but progress is being made.

On to the rooting!

1. On your Atrix running Android 2.3.4, goto Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB Debugging and tick that box.
2. Download and extract the following tools.
3. Naviagate in a terminal or in the GUI to that location.
4. Run 'run_to_root_your_droid3.sh' (yes it says Droid3, but works for the Atrix 4G too)
5. Follow the instructions that the prompt gives you.  This is in a terminal window.
6. For me, I had to set the USB mode to Windows Media Sync for the process to kick in.
7. The Atrix 4G will reboot several times, if the process doesn't proceed, unlock the phone.  It will automatically continue.
8. If you are uncertain as to the success of the rooting procedure, install and run 'Root Checker Basic' from JOEYKRIM off the App Store and it will say either way the result of your rooting.
9. Done!

 Furter reading:

CyanogenMod Atrix Page

Original Instructions I followed

Linux Tip -- m4a to mp3 converter

Install via your package manager the program "Sound Converter".  You can then add individual songs or folders of songs to convert.

Beats the long and hard way of transcode or faad on the terminal :D

One of my side-projects -- Netbook jukebox

One of my sideprojects is now complete!  I turned my eeePC and MacBook into protable jukeboxes.  I found that the A2DP bluetooth headsets to be to my liking.  I cannot discern any quality drops that are truly meaningful.  For starters I have been shocking and aweing my eardrums with copious amounts of heavy metal for God knows how long now.  Plus most of my music acquisitions have been Amazon MP3s, so not exactly pushing the limits of acoustic magic.

So what exactly did I do? 

1) Gather supplies.  You want a laptop or netbook with storage, bluetooth, and a spare power brick if need be.  I use mine at work for metal and podcast consuption, so I need ~7 Hrs of charge which means have a brick handy.  You will also need an A2DP compatible bluetooth headset.  In the future I am looking to utilize one's mobilie phone to tap in via a shoutcast stream, but thats another project nearly.

2) Wipe system.  Drop a GNU/Linux distro on it.  I found that Fedora 15 is great, but CentOS 6 and Scientific Linux 6 are great too.  My two systems are actually on SL6.  I had to see if an EL6 distro could hack it.  Actually in many ways its better.  But to each their own.  I can see SuSE doing splendid too.  Go minimal with the install.  You won't need much.  Codecs, players and a desktop are all you need.  Hence why I kind of prefer an EL distro -- they tend to be much more lightweight than the more bleeding edge flavors. 

3) Install your media player of choice.  I found that in all its faults, Rhythmbox actually is pretty damn nice.  Exaile, and Clementine are good choices too for the GTK fanboys.  Amarok is a sweet choice for the KDE crowd. 

4) Enhace with codecs.  Grab all the codecs you need.  I tend to go ape here, just in case I have a video that I feel like pulling up, I can.  The one perk is, if you want, you can make this a portable DVD player too rather easily.  I find that although it sounds obvious, few actually put that feature to use.  Why not?  You paid for it.

5) Streamline your services.  You don't need a mail server most likely, so kill that.  Kill off all daemons that are not helpful to music, video, or podcast playback.  I do leave the cron stuff there though, since the cleanup runs are worth it.

6) Tweak the power management.  Allow for lid closure.  Dont have power down when you slap the lid down.  This allows for you to tuck it away somewhat and keep it out of danger while you work or whatever it is you do while entertaining yourself.

As stated, I plan to have more to this when I am all done.  A kickstart file for Fedora and EL6 are in the works.  And shoutcast capabilities are shortly thereafter.  I see no reason not to put the old machines to good use :D

Figured out how to block some junk mail I have been receiving

As the title says, I have finally gotten off my duff, and found out how to block some of the crap that has been filling up my physical inbox.  The two wost offenders have been RedPlum and Clipper magazine.  Thru some Googling around, I have found I am hardly the only bloke that has that sentiment :P

I was able to using simple Google search terms such as, "red plum opt out", the removal pages.  But for convenience I shall share them.  I have also found a direct marketing group that has an online management form, and a physical mail stop for those (like me) who are going to be damned if they get an email and telephone number in order to satisfy their online tactics.

Red Plum Opt Out

Clipper Magazine Opt Out

DMA Choice Web Form & Information

FTC FAQ

Consumerist Article which has a wealth of things to do

OptOutPreScreen.com

Happy computing! (And happy mailbox contents :P )

Andrew.