What is the big deal with a locked bootloader? - Motorola Droid RAZR

I know everyone was *****ing about Motorola Verizon keeping the bootloader locked on the RAZR.
Well now that I have used/flashed/installed custom ROMs I like it.
Several brilliant Devs have overcome the "problem" (Safestrap and BMM, et al) and we can load custom ROMs and even multiple ROMs for multi-boot operating systems.
And, short of a hardware failure, we still have the ability to restore to factory image if something goes awry while we are playing with our phones.

Feels like troll bait.

Not trolling. Serial question. Bootloader is locked and anything that anybody wants to do to the phone can be done.

I too, don't understand. Isn't a locked bootloader supposed to prevent custom ROMs? I don't own this device, but I may plan to, so I want to know whether to avoid it or not...

stephendt0 said:
I too, don't understand. Isn't a locked bootloader supposed to prevent custom ROMs? I don't own this device, but I may plan to, so I want to know whether to avoid it or not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can run custom ROMs even though the bootloader is locked. I am running two custom ROMs.
That's why I am asking what the BFD is.

NO custom kernels. If we had an unlocked BL then problems like camera, bluetooth, screen rotation could be fixed much faster. Now all the devs are doing is using motorolas kernel 3.0.8 and no one is using kexec (dont ask my why...)

There is no posibility for a custom kernel.
Have you tried any CM10 rom?
Sure its fast at the beginning, but in dayli use, with dozens of apps. It is slower than stock.
All roms that are not stock based will have some extra lag besides all the bugs. Because of problems with the libraries in the kernel.
Also, the jpeg compression, 120fps recording and all those wonders aren't available because of the kernel limits...

romdroid. said:
NO custom kernels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Olao99 said:
There is no posibility for a custom kernel.
Have you tried any CM10 rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answers guys. That is why I asked. It also answers why the CM10 roms I have tried also have BT, camera, and screen rotation problems. Two birds with one stone!!

The Razr Developer Edition has the unlocked bootloader. Can the devs find a way to unlock the bootloader of the normal Droid Razr if they'll have this phone?

well, thanks to the big guys.
but i am still dreaming an unlocked bootloader for a much more easier way to flash roms and other changes like recovery and radio
maybe it is not suitable for me to buy moto phones

Related

Samsung Galaxy Nexus image Firmware realeased.

Hi,
I read that the original firmware of the Samsung Galaxy nexus has benn released here.
Can this be usefull to coock something for our Razr?
thanks
I hope the ICS stock room
In my razr
Sent from my XT910 using Tapatalk
No it dosn't help.
What helps is the source which have been out for a while now.
But before we can use the source to do anything we need to unlock the bootloader. And I think everyone is waiting for Motorolas ICS as the bootloader will be unlocked.
pajn said:
No it dosn't help.
What helps is the source which have been out for a while now.
But before we can use the source to do anything we need to unlock the bootloader. And I think everyone is waiting for Motorolas ICS as the bootloader will be unlocked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locked bootloader ONLY prevents custom kernels. You can still root, rom, and overclock with the bootloader locked. Not that big of deal.
jcutter347 said:
Locked bootloader ONLY prevents custom kernels. You can still root, rom, and overclock with the bootloader locked. Not that big of deal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But a rom without a custom kernel is pretty worthless. Some apps and settings you easily could change yourself.
CM7 and MIUI both uses custom kernels.
Maybe we could get AOSP booting on Motorolas kernel but I guess it would be easier to do that with a custom.
Overclock can be done with a kernel module, but it would be better to do that in the kernel itself as we wouldn't have to see so the module is loaded all the time.
Rooting isn't very fun, it is like a jailbreaked iPhone. How much does it help to get out of you cell if your still trapped inside the prison wall.
pajn said:
But a rom without a custom kernel is pretty worthless. Some apps and settings you easily could change yourself.
CM7 and MIUI both uses custom kernels.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um no, have you ever dropped by the Droid X section?
Hey,I'm New to Galaxy Nexus,Can Anyone tell how can i flash Firmware on my Galaxy Nexus,Also I'm Not using Linux.So Pls help me
pajn said:
But a rom without a custom kernel is pretty worthless. Some apps and settings you easily could change yourself.
CM7 and MIUI both uses custom kernels.
Maybe we could get AOSP booting on Motorolas kernel but I guess it would be easier to do that with a custom.
Overclock can be done with a kernel module, but it would be better to do that in the kernel itself as we wouldn't have to see so the module is loaded all the time.
Rooting isn't very fun, it is like a jailbreaked iPhone. How much does it help to get out of you cell if your still trapped inside the prison wall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's totally wrong.
I've owned a Droid 2 Global with a locked Bootloader, with CM7 loaded on top through an AOSP ROM, which completely changed the phone.
With a 2nd-init, you can load any custom ROM you want, which basically circumvents the locked bootloader, and allows the phone to be just as open as an unlocked bootloader.
My Mom even owns a Droid X, and has CM7 loaded on her phone, and I had to give her instructions on how to do that over IM. She did it in 20 minutes, and now loads updates on her own without my help. She's 60+ years old.
She even taught my Dad, who's probably one of the least tech savvy people on the planet, how to do the same on his phone.
Rooting is such an easy process these days, and I have my RAZR rooted, and running like a charm completely unbloated, and have ZERO issues at all.
I'm waiting for the first DroidTh3ory ICS release, and I'll be flashing immediately over to that when it's available.
Locked bootloaders, while fun to debate about the policy and the legality of the situation, are really not that important at all.
In fact, I would even argue, that having a locked bootloader, if you have the source code, is easier to work with than having an unlocked phone but no source code (HTC doesn't release there's) or have an unlocked bootloader but terrible dev support (Samsung is notorious for this).
Motorola actually has one of the better dev communities out there, because the source code makes it's so much easier to do a custom ROM.
I don't know where you got your theory on this, but it's not backed up by my real world experience.....

[Q] Why no CyanogenMod?

I ran CM7 nightlies on my DInc2 and updated to the stable version the day it came out. Technically, I am a noob so I really don't know what I am doing, I just know what I like and I can follow directions. (Except for Matt's ICS update when I forgot to protect the root and had to start over with .181, doh!)
Why is it that CyanogenMod is unavailable for one of the hottest phones on the market? Is it because of the locked boot loader? (which I will have to look up cause I don't even know what the heck a boot loader is anyway)
It's not über important, I just really miss my CM7 and was wondering if anyone knew the answer.
Locked bootloader= no custom kernals also there is cm9 but not cm7 nobody wants cm7 anymore ....
Sent from my Spectrum....Verizon's most underrated phone
You don't need custom kernels to have official CM.
That being said, our devs are hard at work on making a fully functional CM ROM - thing is though, since we have to work around the kernel that our devices are working using a process called "2nd-init", since we have locked bootloaders, everything is taking a lot longer and is a lot harder.
We have a partially working CM9 ROM over at http://droidhive.com. We also have AOKP.
Would you recommend a partially working version for noob who really loves CM?
jdadad23 said:
Would you recommend a partially working version for noob who really loves CM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get the fist leaked ICS. It is cool.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using XDA Premium App
I am running 4.0.3. I agree, it is cool. I still think I prefer CM.
CM isn't necessary at this point in time.
hy,
i am quite sure this questions wer answered x-times, but i didn´t find the answer in the forum, so i will ask:
1) Can we expect that the Bootloader will ever be UNLOCKED?
2) Are some DEV´s (and who?) working on it? Do they inform the folk on ex. twitter or so, like the iPhone guys (musclenerd, pod2g, ionic,...)
3) I already updated to ICS-TMobile-Leak, is my bootloader now different to the one in GB?
somehow i thought, i shoud write a NEW post, but i hope its okay to ask here, coz +1(wanna hav CM9 toooo)
greets
lordvampire said:
hy,
i am quite sure this questions wer answered x-times, but i didn´t find the answer in the forum, so i will ask:
1) Can we expect that the Bootloader will ever be UNLOCKED?
2) Are some DEV´s (and who?) working on it? Do they inform the folk on ex. twitter or so, like the iPhone guys (musclenerd, pod2g, ionic,...)
3) I already updated to ICS-TMobile-Leak, is my bootloader now different to the one in GB?
somehow i thought, i shoud write a NEW post, but i hope its okay to ask here, coz +1(wanna hav CM9 toooo)
greets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. I think only Moto can unlock the bootloader, cause someone else told me it's an hard work because of 3 layers of encrypted code (I don't know what it means!)...it requires a lot of time and a powerfull machine
2. see n°1, Eternity project team are working on a bypass for bootloader (kexec)
3. ICS Bootloader is different from GB one, I guess.
draga277 said:
1. I think only Moto can unlock the bootloader, cause someone else told me it's an hard work because of 3 layers of encrypted code (I don't know what it means!)...it requires a lot of time and a powerfull machine
2. see n°1, Eternity project team are working on a bypass for bootloader (kexec)
3. ICS Bootloader is different from GB one, I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and if this kexec is developed, we can flash costum kernels and so CM9 too???
yes.
lordvampire said:
and if this kexec is developed, we can flash costum kernels and so CM9 too???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait a moment...kexec is not necessary for CM9 flashing...you can flash modded rom, yet.
kexec (or unlocked bootloader) is required for mod kernels!
I am on icsleak, means i cannot flash costum rom as long as devs are not developing roms for my existing kernel right?
So i need to have kexec to bypass the kernel flashing to flash a costum rom...
Sent from my XT910 using Tapatalk
lordvampire said:
I am on icsleak, means i cannot flash costum rom as long as devs are not developing roms for my existing kernel right?
So i need to have kexec to bypass the kernel flashing to flash a costum rom...
Sent from my XT910 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First phrase. Yes, I think so, if you can't downgrade to GB, as I guess
Second hrare. I don't know if kexec gives you this opportunity. You have always to flash a compatible kernel with a custom rom, its or others. This is my guess, someone else can confirm or not?

[Bounty]: Revert to Gingerbread via Kexec

This is a thread for USEFUL discussion about the logistics involved in reverting the Razr back to GB (please keep the discussion on topic). I know there are those out there that want it.
I am throwing 50 bucks into a pot to the Dev that first finds a way.
What I have gathered. With the release of kexec, we now have the ability to flash custom kernels to our Razrs. From what I understand, the thing preventing the reversion to GB is the change from the GB kernel to ICS kernel...
So in theory, we should be able to fllash the gingerbread kernel, then the stock GB rom and we should be good?
Thinkin out loud, is any of this sound feasible?
EDIT: Bounty withdrawn, seems impossible due to locked bootloader as well...
asuhoops8628 said:
This is a thread for USEFUL discussion about the logistics involved in reverting the Razr back to GB (please keep the discussion on topic). I know there are those out there that want it.
I am throwing 50 bucks into a pot to the Dev that first finds a way.
What I have gathered. With the release of kexec, we now have the ability to flash custom kernels to our Razrs. From what I understand, the thing preventing the reversion to GB is the change from the GB kernel to ICS kernel...
So in theory, we should be able to fllash the gingerbread kernel, then the stock GB rom and we should be good?
Thinkin out loud, is any of this sound feasible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
This is a feature request. There's no development involved. You should post questions in QA section. Or make the same question in kexec thread.
Thank you!
sorry for the wrong spot.. i didnt want to hijack the kexec thread and move it off topic. I thought there would be development involved in getting a GB kernel ported to work with kexec.
maybe someone else with more knowledge can chime in. My bad if i am mistaken
Sorry, but for what i understand,
Kexec able us to load a custom kernel after boot and not flash a custom kernel.
so i think dev have to find an other way. But they have more stuff to do than finding a way to downgrad i guess
sevenup30 said:
Sorry, but for what i understand,
Kexec able us to load a custom kernel after boot and not flash a custom kernel.
so i think dev have to find an other way. But they have more stuff to do than finding a way to downgrad i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. Many devs are focusing on stabilizing CM9 and working to bring us CM10, I dont think GB is on their agenda but maybe some dev is willing to do it.
sevenup30 said:
Sorry, but for what i understand,
Kexec able us to load a custom kernel after boot and not flash a custom kernel.
so i think dev have to find an other way. But they have more stuff to do than finding a way to downgrad i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is anyone able to confirm this is actually how Kexec works? and along these lines, i mean why couldnt we just load the GB kernel like any other custom kernel?
romdroid. said:
I agree. Many devs are focusing on stabilizing CM9 and working to bring us CM10, I dont think GB is on their agenda but maybe some dev is willing to do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i realize most are, thats why i was putting my money where my mouth was. ICS has been a disaster for me on 3 razrs i am currently back on my bionic. I was hoping it would be a fairly simple project since all i was thinking needed to be done was to update the existing moto GB kernel for Kexec, and make a flashable zip of the stock moto GB rom
but i :dunno: im not a dev by any means
asuhoops8628 said:
This is a thread for USEFUL discussion
Thinkin out loud, is any of this sound feasible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not Development. Moved to General
asuhoops8628 said:
Is anyone able to confirm this is actually how Kexec works? and along these lines, i mean why couldnt we just load the GB kernel like any other custom kernel?
Yes i realize most are, thats why i was putting my money where my mouth was. ICS has been a disaster for me on 3 razrs i am currently back on my bionic. I was hoping it would be a fairly simple project since all i was thinking needed to be done was to update the existing moto GB kernel for Kexec, and make a flashable zip of the stock moto GB rom
but i :dunno: im not a dev by any means
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it will verify the signature of your stock kernel then at just the right time hijak the boot process and load the custom kernel. I'm not a dev so i can't say if it can be done or not, but i would imagine not.
Edit: meant to add i think the biggest problem is that the bootloader changed between gb and ics. So without am unlocked bootloader don't think its happening.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda app-developers app
kintwofan said:
Yes, it will verify the signature of your stock kernel then at just the right time hijak the boot process and load the custom kernel. I'm not a dev so i can't say if it can be done or not, but i would imagine not.
Edit: meant to add i think the biggest problem is that the bootloader changed between gb and ics. So without am unlocked bootloader don't think its happening.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically, without being able to also revert my bootloader version, i am up the creek as they say.
Thanks for the info, definately an educational experience...
I ended up buying a new Razr Maxx off ebay that still has GB, now i just need to root and freeze the updater and im golden

[Q] Need some info about flashing kernel - locked/unlocked bootloader.

Hey guys,
First of i'm not sure if this is a appropriate thread to ask this, if not i'm sorry and will move/remove it.
Anyways it's been awhile since i've been in the android scene and xda in general, had an iphone for about a year or two and just recently got my Z2:victory: so i'm back but things changed a little and i need a little info if anyone can help,
Basically i'm looking to flash [Xperia Z2] DooMKernel v09 kernel but i read it requires an unlocked bootloader... so basically i need to know if my bootloaders unlocked now that i flashed recovery (check signature) (Does flashing recovery unlock a bootloader?) and can i just flash the zip?
or do i need to still unlock my bootloader even though i have dual recovery and then flash the kernel?
Your bootloader is still locked, what you did is you installed recovery for locked bootloader.
Do not try to flash custom kernel on locked bootloader, you'll soft brick your phone.
What you need in order to flash custom kernel is to unlock bootloader, but firstly you need to back up your TA keys ( click here )
For more info click HERE (about unlocking)
Proceed carefully!
Regards!
hey thanks for the info, that' clears up everything, I did already backup my TA partition so I guess all I need to do is unlock bootloader then flash the kernel! quick question have you flashed your kernel? I know I read the info an features of it but is there any upside to it on a z2? my device is pretty fast an stable as is, just looking for a reason to flash mine, any further advice you can give me? is it worth it?
Zeyn Karim said:
hey thanks for the info, that' clears up everything, I did already backup my TA partition so I guess all I need to do is unlock bootloader then flash the kernel! quick question have you flashed your kernel? I know I read the info an features of it but is there any upside to it on a z2? my device is pretty fast an stable as is, just looking for a reason to flash mine, any further advice you can give me? is it worth it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well to be honest, I haven't, I didn't find any reason to do so, the stock is doing good for me at the moment.
As for the side affects, or as you say upside downs, there is no any, not at least that I'm aware of, but as far as I saw it's not compatible with every rom, only with stock as with stock based ones, I mean developer does not guarantee for it's stability if it's being used along with any other rom. I have rooted and flashed recoveries only to use existenz rom. I heard for Doomlord's kernel, that it has "fix" for a video recorder mic, you can control it's sensitivity and it's far more battery friendly.
Ah I see! thanks, think I'll stick with the stock kernel for the time being, I don't have any complaints at the moment with it but if I ever do decide to switch to the doom kernel atleast I know what to do first, I've got one last question though sorry, do I need to unlock my bootloader to flash a custom rom? I don't think I do, I'm pretty sure I don't, but just want to make sure, used to have only low end droid devices back in the day when I used to be here, didn't have things like dual recoveries etc so yeah I'm kind of reading an learning as I'm going along, pretty awesome device though sleek and powerful I've only been doing minor adjustments to the stock rom using xposed modules, haven't used a custom rom as yet but I will soon...
Zeyn Karim said:
Ah I see! thanks, think I'll stick with the stock kernel for the time being, I don't have any complaints at the moment with it but if I ever do decide to switch to the doom kernel atleast I know what to do first, I've got one last question though sorry, do I need to unlock my bootloader to flash a custom rom? I don't think I do, I'm pretty sure I don't, but just want to make sure, used to have only low end droid devices back in the day when I used to be here, didn't have things like dual recoveries etc so yeah I'm kind of reading an learning as I'm going along, pretty awesome device though sleek and powerful I've only been doing minor adjustments to the stock rom using xposed modules, haven't used a custom rom as yet but I will soon...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, yes and no, LB means its for locked bootloaders and UB means for unlocked bootloaders, search for those to two words when you find the rom which you can flash.
Some roms require unlocking, some do not. All stock based roms usually dont require, but as I told you, it will be stated in Rom's thread name or in OP.
Regards!
Ah! I'll be sure to look out for those, thanks for the valuable info, think that's all I needed to find out. I should be ok from here on out

Which Rom's can be flashed with safestrap?

Hello, not new to rooting and such but I'm a little confused. Just got this Note 2 after breaking my G2. I'm on ND7, managed to root and install safestrap. I've made a stock back up and flashed over my stock as there is no rom slot support yet. I've flashed Alliance 30 and it worked well. My question is, can I flash other Rom's like Wilson's CM12? My bootloader is still locked. Is there a safe way to unlock it? I've searched and found that if you have a locked bootloader you can't flash kernels. I think? Not trying to be annoying. Just confused. I haven't used safestrap since my old Razr days, lol. Any help would be awesome. Thanks in advance. ..
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
I think you can flash any rom using safestrap. The only ones I tried so far are DN3 and Alliancerom. They flashed with no problems. I would like to add on to this question though, Can I flash any mods using safestrap?
Right. Or kernels for that matter? It's strange because there's some people with unlocked bootloader's, some with safe strap, and some just plain old stock rooted (which was a pain in it's self).
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
Did a little more digging into the thread, basically if your bootloader is locked, the only Rom's that you can flash are those with the same build and kernel that you are currently on. So you were right. As far as flashing mods with safestrap, still unsure. ???
Sent from my SCH-I605 using XDA Free mobile app
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
any group pricing?
Installed Mocha DrIzzle, liking it so far except the network speed mod
If I couldnt stand to be without telelphone....
stoph8n24 said:
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be on the "Send it Off" wagon.
I've seen destructions for using ODIN to flash a KIES image in, and then go about fixing it that way but many many more posts saying this is impossible.
What I'd like to know, if I have to go with the same darn kernel etc, is how the everloving **** to get rid of ALL and I mean *ALL* of the crapware/verizonware/amazonware/etc and completely strip the touchwhiz down to just what I need....
This phone thing is a nasty addiction....:cyclops:
stoph8n24 said:
No other ROMs besides the above mentioned? Seems almost worth sending it to that company to downgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone know if there is a list? I was just given this phone. I rooted it, but also stuck with the locked boot loader. I did install Safestrap and did a back up, and was able to create a ROM slot, but that is all I've done so far.
Since I'm "developmentally chsllenged" (I can follow instructions, but I can't do any development work or anything) I try to just go with trusted info, which has worked so far. I just came from a RAZR Maxx HD with CM12 and am not happy with the way this phone runs.
I'm in the same boat as you guys, and I believe you can only flash 4.4.2 ROMs. That's what I gathered from the Safestrap thread. However, you can (and should) backup your stock ROM in Safestrap and flash other ROMs over that.
I'm currently using Alliance, and it's decent. Nowhere near the amount of modifications as CyanideL, which is really what I want, but can't install because it's currently on Android 5.x.
Ridiculous what Samsung has done to this phone. Glad it was relatively cheap though, good lesson to avoid any manufacturer who locks the bootloader in the future.
Does anyone know if we can just flash an older version of the stock ROM? Couldn't we odin, or something, down to 4.1.x and go from there?
adobrakic said:
I'm in the same boat as you guys, and I believe you can only flash 4.4.2 ROMs. That's what I gathered from the Safestrap thread. However, you can (and should) backup your stock ROM in Safestrap and flash other ROMs over that.
I'm currently using Alliance, and it's decent. Nowhere near the amount of modifications as CyanideL, which is really what I want, but can't install because it's currently on Android 5.x.
Ridiculous what Samsung has done to this phone. Glad it was relatively cheap though, good lesson to avoid any manufacturer who locks the bootloader in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have SS and did a back up, but I thought I read about people running into problems and then bricking? I think they got them back after doing some stuff but since I am no where as talented with this stuff I try to be cautious. I've rooted and SS' ed a Bionic and ran several ROM's on that one until replacing it with a RAZR Maxx HD that I rooted (and was able to take advantage of the exploit before they pushed a patch and unlocked the bootloader).
If I can just flash over the stock ROM safely, then I'll get flashing right away
I read the issues with bricking as well, but I think those people were trying to flash 5.x ROMs. I agree about wanting to avoid it though. I have a HTC One S that I saved from being bricked a few times, but I don't even wanna have to go through the process of that for the Note 2. Here's the Safestrap thread, if you're a little wary and would like to read more about it.
As far as I can tell, you should be good with flashing 4.4.2 ROMs, since that's what I did and we seem to have the same config (4.4.2 Note 2, Safestrap 3.72). The only thing I wonder is what TWRP you have. I have the latest 2.7.0.x. If that's what you have, you should be just fine with flashing a 4.4.2 ROM over the stock ROM.

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