[Motorola Droid Bionic] chrisp6825:
I've noticed that some new people are still trickling in to the Bionic scene, and stumble over old/outdated guides, ROMs, root methods, etc. So I figured I'd post up a refresher on the current state of things. Hopefully this is more helpful than spamful.

(this is the first time I'm writing one of these posts, so please judge hard ;)

TLDR tips:

HDMI can only be used on Stock based ROMs, or alternatively in AOSP ROMs by installing the JBX-kernel.

You must use Linux, or a Virtual Machine running Linux (easy method) to root JB (though there is apparently one other way using safe root).

ROMs that predate the JB update won't boot on JB firmware.

Bootstrap will (soft) brick a Bionic on JB firmware.

The Bionic is locked, we use "SafeStrap" as our recovery to install ROMs, flash zips, etc.

Downgrading below JB is not (yet) possible. Maybe one day, but I don't cross fingers.

House of Moto is your (soft) brick buster, RSD alternative for clean wipes, upgrade tool to JB from ICS/GB.

Firmwares / Moto updates / Android Versions

There have been just a few official updates from Moto for the Bionic, and none have been reversible (excluding some ICS leaks). The current most updated official version is moto-98.72.22 on android-4.1.2 or Jelly Bean. Updating to JB will cause removal of any previous root access.

A much easier way to update is to use the House of Moto; it'll perform a FDR and optionally wipe your SD card, but it is the easier/more thorough/recommended update path.

Current official update : cdma_targa_9.8.2O-72_VZW-22_cfc.xml.zip

md5sum : 1481ac6035682b732f76a621a36a9153

Info about other firmwares/updates/OTAs (.905, .2233, .232, .246 FXZs)

The Bionic has had a number of updates, some official and some leaked. There was a security change during its course of history, and because of it we are not able to downgrade the firmware after a certain point.

You may find some threads lingering around about old updates and OTAs. Here is a bit of info about them, in chronological order (or at least to the best of my knowledge).

GB

Blur_Version.5.9.902.XT875.Verizon.en.US FXZ

Blur_Version.5.9.905.XT875.Verizon.en.US.zip OTA

ICS leaks

232

235

238

6.7.242

6.7.244

ICS

Blur_Version.6.7.246.XT875.Verizon.en.US FXZ

JB

Blur_Version.98.72.22.XT875.Verizon.en.US FXZ

twinkyz1979 outlines which versions can downgrade back to 905 and below here.

Basically, there was a change in some security code between the leaked firmwares .232 and .235. Before this change, the Bionic was able to jump back and forth from 902 to 232 and between. Once the Bionic is updated to 235, it is not able to go back down any more, and can only go up on each firmware.

Root

A thread here detailing the easy method, using a VM by marty45714

Thread describing the Linux-only method, for native *nix users

As of this post, there is only one root method for Bionics on the official JB firmware. The method requires a Linux installation, and uses a samba share exploit. There is

NO

way to get around this requirement, though it is possible to run a Virtual Machine on top of Windows to achieve this.

An alternative way to root may be to use "safe root". I am unfamiliar to this method and haven't tried it myself. A youtube video shows the process. I haven't come across any threads detailing any further (feel free to tip me if you find any).

Recovery / Safestrap

You can get it from Hashcode's website.

We used to have a tool around called Bootstrap, but it does

not

work with the current JB update so please do not try it on JB. It will cause a (soft) brick and other messes.

Safestrap is a work around for our locked bootloaders. Once you install it, you have the option to make up to 4 "safe" slots to flash ROMs to. It's comparable to dual-booting. Although it is possible to flash ROMs over your stock/"unsafe" slot, it's unnecessary and dangerous (in my opinion, of course).

The slots reside on your internal-SD, and can each have your choice of 2/3/4 GB in size of a Data partition (for app installs).

ROMs

This section can sort of be divided into 2 subsections; Blur/stock based ROMs and Kexec/AOSP ROMs

Kexec ROMs do not (yet)can now support HDMI (not docks?) with the help from a kernel. Webtop is not found on these ROMs.

Kexec ROMs can be more or less stable than Stock ROMs, but usually contain more experimental and reversed code.

As far as loading pre JB Kexec ROMs onto a JB Bionic, I've never wondered about that until this moment. If anyone knows, please let me know.

-----

Stock ROMs cannot be updated/based on a version of android that Moto has not updated us to (nothing greater than 4.1.2 JB as of this post).

Stock ROMs are pretty likely to be your stable ROMs, being mostly based on moto's code and not so much including experimental code.

There are still some GB/ICS stock ROMs that are floating around, and these cannot be loaded onto a Bionic that is updated to JB.

Stock ROMs

can

use the HDMI port and docks.

Kernels

A third-party kernel can be loaded with some AOSP ROMs to add/change features. A project called JBX-kernel is being developed by dtrail1 for 4.4 ROMs and is aimed primarily at low power consumption, while having options for performance as well.

House of Moto

A guide written by bigv5150 (Windows/Linux/Mac)

It is posted in the droid ultra forums, but can apply to the Bionic. The root method (if still included) will not work on JB Bionic.

A very handy tool, put together by SamuriHL. If you find yourself stuck with a non-booting Bionic, this is your next step. It is also handy for completely wiping your Bionic (think FDR but for all partitions in the phone) (this wipe will erase root).

If you need to use this tool, you're expected to read all the instruction before downloading, reading the instruction again before launching it, and reading the instruction while using it just in case. You can mess some things up using this tool, and you can clean some big messes with it as well. Pretty much every question about using it has been asked and answered already. Tread carefully my friend :P

Verizon alternatives

I haven't played in this area yet, but I may be soon.

So far I've seen people use their Bionics on pageplus, cricket, T-mobile, and I've seen efforts for getting on Boost mobile and at&t. But I don't know much about this.

Some helpful links :

Patch to fully enable GSM on Verizon CDMA Android phones

Thanks to bedwa for the tip

If any thread or download links become dead, let me know. I have found many alternates, made copies, and have backed up and stored most Bionic related material I've come across, except for most ROMs.