This is a long shot, but this is something I've love to know whether it is possble or not. I have heard a couple people say that they pulled this off.
Obviously, the R800x Xperia Play on Verizon is the stripped down version of the UK version. The R800i has the whole Sony Experience, and I wish to have that on mine. So I thought to myself, couldn't I just flash the R800i 4.0.A.2.368 UK ROM found here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1221105
onto my R800x Xperia Play? And before anybody says it, I KNOW that the network won't work, no phone and no sms. Only Wifi would work. That is fine by me. I would be perfectly fine with this just being an Android WiFi gaming device with the whole Sony Experience that the R800x lacks.
I've tried flashing this R800i ROM with FlashTool, and it keeps failing. Which sort of surprises me, because a couple of others in the thread in the link I posted above claim that it worked for them. (I can't post there. Dev section. Not enough posts yet)
Is is just a fantasy that will never come true? Or am I simply doing something wrong? If I was not very clear about something, please let me know, and I will edit this post with corrections. Thank you for your kind advice or suggestions.
(trying to avoid buying an unlocked GSM Xperia Play)
i think its been confirmed that itll brick it someone tried to see if they could enable the sim card slot flashing a generic rom to the r800x yes the r800x has a sim card slot has a plastic thing covering it right behind/on top of the sd card
edokassiah said:
i think its been confirmed that itll brick it someone tried to see if they could enable the sim card slot flashing a generic rom to the r800x yes the r800x has a sim card slot has a plastic thing covering it right behind/on top of the sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I'm not trying to enable the sim card slot. I just want the ROM on there so I can replace the horrible VCast with the Playstation Store, give me the Sony Ericsson widgets, basically all of the stuff that the R800i gets to have.
And since this phone is just my backup (WiFi only) device anyway, no network access does not concern me at all.
TSBroich said:
Well I'm not trying to enable the sim card slot. I just want the ROM on there so I can replace the horrible VCast with the Playstation Store, give me the Sony Ericsson widgets, basically all of the stuff that the R800i gets to have.
And since this phone is just my backup (WiFi only) device anyway, no network access does not concern me at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i get what ur saying but im sure itll brick it
i mean it if it was that easy why is there gsm roms and cdma?
keep trying is your bootloader unlocked? if not prolly y ur getting a failed error
TSBroich said:
Well I'm not trying to enable the sim card slot. I just want the ROM on there so I can replace the horrible VCast with the Playstation Store, give me the Sony Ericsson widgets, basically all of the stuff that the R800i gets to have.
And since this phone is just my backup (WiFi only) device anyway, no network access does not concern me at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, yes, this! I may not want the whole she-bang, but if I can find a way to replace the framework that wants to pull everything from the VZWapps store *shudder* then I would be a tad happier. Just replacing the "Play" app doesn't do it. So where is the framework that tells it where to go?
Second, I know there are portions of the SE Experience framework still in the R800x, as some of the widgets, when installed, still work. Also, there is something blocking the normal facebook app from installing an account hook like on other stock phones, even though the rest of the r800x is "stock". I think we can pretty much all see that the R800x was not "Stock" but rather just stripped. Almost all the hooks are still there, plus some that are VZW specific.
UPDATE:
I have gone ahead and tried this, done some testing. So far, I'm making progress!
I have gotten the European R800i ROM on my R800x Xperia Play.
It boots up just fine (new boot animation).
However, I am stuck at one spot. I cannot do anything except bring down the notification bar, view the Xperia Play games when I slide out the gamepad (VCast is gone!), and change USB options when plugged into the computer.
Here are the steps that I have taken:
-Full stock restore with FlashTool
-Flashed doomlords boot.img with the command "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
-Flashed frasertag's system.img with the command "fastboot flash system system.img"
-Flashed the system.sin from the R800i Firmware (I extracted it) with the command "fastboot flash system system.sin"
-Disconnected USB then turned the phone on. It boots just fine.
Now the reason that nothing actually functions at this point is because I only flashed the system.sin from the R800i firmware (this is just a theory!). Trying to flash the whole ROM in FlashTool will result in an error and fail. I have read in another post that a trick to bring full functionality (besides the network) is to create a Nandroid backup before flashing all of this, delete the system.img from the backup, then restore the Nandroid backup after all of the flashing is done. The restoration part has got me stumped so far..
I will keep trying, and will ask the guy who I got this idea from how he got past the restoring backup stage (where I'm stuck).
I am determined to make this work! haha
edokassiah said:
yeah i get what ur saying but im sure itll brick it
i mean it if it was that easy why is there gsm roms and cdma?
keep trying is your bootloader unlocked? if not prolly y ur getting a failed error
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes my bootloader is unlocked.
dam thats badass been alot of confirms that itll brick do us a favor and try inserting a sim card take the batt cover off and right under the sd card theres a sim card slot a piece of plastic is covering easily comes off see if it detects it
edokassiah said:
dam thats badass been alot of confirms that itll brick do us a favor and try inserting a sim card take the batt cover off and right under the sd card theres a sim card slot a piece of plastic is covering easily comes off see if it detects it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
During my experimentations, I bricked my Xperia Play a couple times. Luckily it must have been a "soft brick" or something, because I was able to restore it by doing a full restore to factory stock. Nothing else would register in the bricked state.
I do not have a SIM card for this phone at the moment. The only SIM card I have on me is the 4G card for the Droid Charge.
I tried restoring the Nandroid backups without including the system.img in the restore, and it still wouldn't fix the problem.
Here are a few theories I have on why it didn't work, and what might work:
-The Nandroid backup was from factory stock, and NOT rooted.
-The inability to do anything on the homescreen may be due to the lack of a launcher.
So what I'm going to try next is:
-Do a Nandroid backup while in a rooted state, and all of the Verizon related software removed. Try restoring that.
-Download the system dump from the R800i, and install the Launcher APK via ADB Shell.
Not giving up.
I have succeeded in putting the Sony Ericsson Experience from R800i onto the Verizon R800x.
I'll post pictures a little later.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
TSBroich said:
I have succeeded in putting the Sony Ericsson Experience from R800i onto the Verizon R800x.
I'll post pictures a little later.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
post tut buddy and try to include any important info
Posted edited. Scroll down.
how did you manage to flash it. can you help me with the procedure
please post step by step method. please,.. for everyone...
Search in development about using flashtool.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
NahuXtrme said:
how did you manage to flash it. can you help me with the procedure
please post step by step method. please,.. for everyone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sorry for "abandoning" this thread, but I got incredibly busy with school. Here is what's going on. I got good news, and bad news.
Bad news, I got the ROM to flash onto the R800x, but encountered problems to the point where it's not even worth posting anything for.
Good news, so instead, I took a good chunk of goodies from the R800i dump, and put it on the R800x. A good number of the stuff works, but some doesn't. All these apps/widgets come straight from the R800i.
I am not taking the credit for any of these finds. I am just sharing things that I have found after searching the internet high and low.
First is the SE launcher. This will make your phone look and act a lot like the R800i. This includes the SE app drawer, the folders, the dock and the "jiggly" movements. Everything works except for the themes. Here is a download link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?zuq8hsexodjk3bx
Next is the Playstation Pocket/Suite app. This is the official Playstation app from SE. On the R800x, the widgets work perfectly, the app works fine, and the game launcher looks beautiful. The only problem is that when going to the section to buy more games, it doesn't show any games available for USA. But that's what PSXperia is for. If you aren't familiar with PSXperia, you must check it out.
Here is the link for Playstation Pocket:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mmhduygvlmsjdim
Here is the Media Shortcut widget. This just lets you select music, wallpapers or videos all in one widget. This of course comes from the R800i.
http://www.mediafire.com/?w41bp8wr7d81rb8
Here is the Photo gallery widget. I really like this one. It revolves in a circular motion with your fingers. Works fine in portrait mode, but does not work in landscape for me.
http://www.mediafire.com/?1yuvjhf2f7m1b4l
[ROOT REQUIRED:] And lastly for now, here is the Sony Xperia Play game launcher WITHOUT the VCast. You must remove the Xperia Play game launcher, and VCast. You can remove these using Titanium Backup. Then install this one. This removed VCast for me, and instead gave an icon in the corner that takes you to the Xperia Play optimized games from the Android Market.
http://www.mediafire.com/?5kmog06w4s3qn3i
UPDATE: jgregoryj1 has posted a better and easier method to remove VCast. See his post below (it's #18). It's way simpler, but know that root is still required.
I cannot seem to get the SE R800i music widget to work without crashing. But of course, the R800x stock one and others work like normal, so oh well...
Again, I am not taking any credit for these finds. I just tried these things for myself, and I am now sharing them with any who are interested in making their Verizon R800x's look and feel like the way the Xperia Play was MEANT to look.
In closing, I just want to reiterate, I am very sorry about not accomplishing the task of getting the ROM to work 100% (it was still unusable). But for anybody who wants the R800i look, these should tide you over.
Thank you guys for your understanding, and thanks to everyone for making XDA such a good place.
Travis
I wasn't even aware that verizon held out on these features. Thanks for getting then out there.
These features were indeed stripped from our model(s), and it was very disappointing to learn that they didn't include the Playstation Suite on these. Oh well, for I'm glad I didn't return it now. I love this thing.
Sent from my R800x using xda premium
TSBroich said:
I've tried flashing this R800i ROM with FlashTool, and it keeps failing. Which sort of surprises me, because a couple of others in the thread in the link I posted above claim that it worked for them. (I can't post there. Dev section. Not enough posts yet)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use flashtool. Use Fastboot (ie Fastboot flash system system.sin)
Also the radio will still work if you flash chevys nandroid backup after flashing the UK firmware.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
I was able to get rid of the vcast market in the xperia play launcher by removing the vcast app from the /system/app folder and rebooting. If thats all you want to get rid of then just do that. The android market will then be in plce of the vcast. Although I have flashed te UK rom and have the full Timescape rom onmy phone for a few weeks now. Its pretty sweet and fast. But kudos for posting the helpful information
iliketrains said:
Don't use flashtool. Use Fastboot (ie Fastboot flash system system.sin)
Also the radio will still work if you flash chevys nandroid backup after flashing the UK firmware.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also you need to flash Doomlord's kernel for 3.0.1.A.0.145 found here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=15805471&postcount=2
Then apply chevy's FTSv05 CDMA Patch v2. You will have a fully functional phone with the exception of multimedia messaging.
None of this works with 4.0.A.2.368 Roms though. I have been working on trying to get the radio functional on the newer Roms.
Or you could pull the kernel from a tft file like I did. dooms kernel had too many problems for me. No wifi, low volume, etc.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Related
I've come into possession of an Arc that belongs to a friend. She says she's been having error messages & force closes (although it's done nothing but run perfectly for me so far today - sod's law!).
It's running 2.3.2 Build 3.0.A.2.181 and after a quick look through the dev and general section here, I gather I can root it using Gingerbreak, and install a standard 2.3.3 rom.
* Any known issues with (2.3.3) 4.0.A.2.368 or 3.0.1.A.0.145?
* Is there any reason for me not to go with 4.0.A.2.368?
* Also, is there any Nandroid or equivalent for the Arc yet?
Ideally I want to root, back up the current rom (as it has all my friend's preferred setup), and then install an updated rom.
* If there's no Nandroid then I assume I can just downgrade back to 3.0.A.2.181 by flashing that rom?
It all seems straightforward and I'm far from new to rooting/flashing (HTCs mainly), but just thought I'd check in case I'd missed something, as I don't have time to properly read all the Arc forums before I deal with this phone tonight!
The Namaste guide is worth reading and should help.
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
XperienceD said:
The Namaste guide is worth reading and should help.
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did read that, and it's quite comprehensive so that's why I feel confident in the process. What I really need to know is, are there any show-stopping bugs in the newer roms? I don't want to go through the hassle of rooting and flashing a new rom if there are obvious problems with it?
Also no mention in the guide of nandroid/backups (unless I'm being blind - very possible!) :-D
setspeed said:
Also no mention in the guide of nandroid/backups (unless I'm being blind - very possible!) :-D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Might be an idea to find out if the bootloader can be unlocked first and unless it was bought simfree it probably can't unless you pay for it.
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
XperienceD said:
Might be an idea to find out if the bootloader can be unlocked first and unless it was bought simfree it probably can't unless you pay for it.
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a TMobile phone, although unlocked since my friend uses a 3 sim, and I've had a Vodafone sim in it all day.
I've been reading a bit more and apparently the Arc doesn't have a recovery partition, so no ClockWorkMod - how would unlocking the bootloader help me with back ups?
I've only ever used Nandroid as part of CWM (as I said before, I'm an HTC guy).
EDIT: Forget that last part, of course the bootloader would need to be unlocked, I'm being der....
In which case I guess my only options are to use something like Titanium (once it's rooted) to backup apps, and then restore later on.
My bootloader isn't unlocked so can't really advise on that front, and as I only really need to root I'm not too fused for now, but would make life a tad easier I guess.
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
setspeed said:
It's a TMobile phone, although unlocked since my friend uses a 3 sim, and I've had a Vodafone sim in it all day.
I've been reading a bit more and apparently the Arc doesn't have a recovery partition, so no ClockWorkMod - how would unlocking the bootloader help me with back ups?
I've only ever used Nandroid as part of CWM (as I said before, I'm an HTC guy).
EDIT: Forget that last part, of course the bootloader would need to be unlocked, I'm being der....
In which case I guess my only options are to use something like Titanium (once it's rooted) to backup apps, and then restore later on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arc does not have a Recovery partition but using Custom Kernel our Developers has made CWM Recovery possible. There is a backup and restore function. But only work with unlocked bootloader. You would need to use Fastboot Mode and flash the kernel.
Custom Kernel (Recovery is included): http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1172885
More info about Recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044874
Hello everybody. I just picked up a Verizon Xperia Play today, and I am now aware that there is no free solution to unlock the bootloader at this time, but there is a paid solution.
After playing around with this phone for a few hours, I am desperate for root now. All of this bloatware and this auto-brightness "feature" is driving me absolutely insane. So I have reached the point where I am willing to pay for a bootloader unlock solution so I can root. I wish to know how I can go about going through with the paid solution?
I have tried sending a PM to Ashergray, and Blagus regarding this solution (as instructed to do in his topic), but for some reason I cannot send PMs..? Also, I couldn't reply to the thread in the dev topic to ask this question because I don't have ten posts yet. If a kind fellow nerd could tell me what I should do? There is nothing to click on Blagus' site that allows me to obtain this service.
I really don't want to regret buying this phone. The gaming experience on this is so fantastic, and an unlocked bootloader with rooting would make this guy happy.
Thank you for any replies.
<waits to be flamed for doing something wrong>
PMs are a pain in the butt, sometimes they show up when you send them, sometimes they don't
Over in the General section, Alejandrissimo has the paid solution to rooting/unlocking your play.
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1232050
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
@TSBroich you don't have enough posts yet to send pm's, you'll need 8 I think.
Regards Dousan...
Got the paid service, and now my bootloader is unlocked. It was very easy.
Thank you guys for your suggestions and input.
No problemo, just be careful when an OTA comes out, the euoropean edition (800i) was bricked by having an unlocked bootloader...
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Wow that sucks. I will definitely be extra careful, especially since I'm trying to install the European R800i stock ROM onto the Verizon R800x Xperia Play.
I've gotten it to boot up, I just cannot do anything except bring the notification bar down, and browse through the Xperia Play games cover flow..thing.
Still trying everything to get this to work.
Why would you have regretted buying it without the root ability? I'm still on the fence about this phone and trying to gather info
Sent from my MB860 using xda premium
Well if you like playing SNES, N64, GBA and PS1 games, it shouldn't even be a question about whether you should buy it or not IMO.
Although, if I could go back in time, I would have bought the unlocked R800i version instead of the one from the Verizon store (R800x).
Even without root, the R800x is still a great phone, and gaming is top notch. However, without root, you will have to live with quite a bit of bloatware and the screen is permanently set to auto-brightness.
But the one thing that really gets me is that the Verizon version is stripped of the whole Sony Experience (No Playstation store, etc).
I dould definitely recommend this phone to you, but root it and get the unlocked version.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using xda premium
Are you using a CDMA or GSM Verizon for your image? I know Verizon is CDMA and AT&T is GSM, so make sure you're using a CDMA version.
Also, try installing a home replacement app, see if that lets you do more...
Also, downloading the 800i apks (they are in the system dumps somewhere in the development section) can allow you to install the apps we're missing on the 800x.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
paxChristos said:
Are you using a CDMA or GSM Verizon for your image? I know Verizon is CDMA and AT&T is GSM, so make sure you're using a CDMA version.
Also, try installing a home replacement app, see if that lets you do more...
Also, downloading the 800i apks (they are in the system dumps somewhere in the development section) can allow you to install the apps we're missing on the 800x.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The CDMA version is Verizon's version, so it doesn't have the features I'm looking for. That's why I'm flashing the EURO R800i image. Here is my process so far, and the outcomes:
It boots up just fine (new boot animation).
However, I am stuck at one spot. I cannot do anything except bring down the notification bar, view the Xperia Play games when I slide out the gamepad (VCast is gone!), and change USB options when plugged into the computer.
Here are the steps that I have taken:
-Full stock restore with FlashTool
-Flashed doomlords boot.img with the command "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
-Flashed frasertag's system.img with the command "fastboot flash system system.img"
-Flashed the system.sin from the R800i Firmware (I extracted it) with the command "fastboot flash system system.sin"
-Disconnected USB then turned the phone on. It boots just fine.
Hmm, you don't say. I wonder how I would go about installing APKs (including a new launcher) on the device even though I cannot navigate through any menus...or anything else.
ADB here I come..haha.
Hope this helps, it's a quick guide on using adb to install apps:
http://androidcommunity.com/forums/f4/how-to-install-apps-using-adb-4482/
Thank you for this reference. I was going to look for that myself, but you saved me the trouble.
A theory I have on why it didn't work is that the Nandroid backup was from factory stock, and NOT rooted.
So what I'm going to try next is:
-Do a Nandroid backup while in a rooted state, and all of the Verizon related software removed. Try restoring that.
-Download the system dump from the R800i, and install the R800i Launcher APK via ADB Shell.
With a launcher installed, hopefully we'll be able to, you know...do stuff.
Once the launcher is there, and it's confirmed that we can navigate the pages, we can go about installing the R800i apps if they aren't already there. But I shouldn't be getting ahead of myself now.
Haha, you good sir, are my hero, i read the other thread you opened, and i think i'll start following that one now
I'm curious if they were lazy and left the framework for the apps in there, but just removed the apps... well, we'll know since you're our brave guinea pig.
Got the Playstation Pocket Widget/App/Store onto the R800x successfully, along with the other Sony Ericsson widgets.
If I can confirm that the launcher will work, then I will do a Nandroid backup of this (so I can come back to it later, and to test in the restoration process), and go ahead and try all of this again. haha
2.3.3, really wishing gingerbreak would work right about now :/
retrogrymlyn said:
2.3.3, really wishing gingerbreak would work right about now :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't you re-unlock the bootloader and root again even on 2.3.3? I have seen it done by other people (not me though. I am sticking with 2.3.2 unlocked and rooted).
Also, if anybody wants to make their R800x Verizon Plays look, feel and act like the R800i, here is the link to my long post about using the R800i launcher, widgets and apps. I failed at getting the ROM to fully function, but these are almost as good as having it on there.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18516468#post18516468
kexec-tools
Hey everybody first post so I hope I don't sound like a total noob. I don't know if this will work but after rooting my phone and exploring some of the files I found a kexec-tools file. I have read that some phones have been able to have a custom kernal flashed using kexec-tools. Just thought I would put it out there and see what others had to say.
can a verizon be unlocked and used on gsm carriers?
TSBroich said:
The CDMA version is Verizon's version, so it doesn't have the features I'm looking for. That's why I'm flashing the EURO R800i image. Here is my process so far, and the outcomes:
It boots up just fine (new boot animation).
However, I am stuck at one spot. I cannot do anything except bring down the notification bar, view the Xperia Play games when I slide out the gamepad (VCast is gone!), and change USB options when plugged into the computer.
Here are the steps that I have taken:
-Full stock restore with FlashTool
-Flashed doomlords boot.img with the command "fastboot flash boot boot.img"
-Flashed frasertag's system.img with the command "fastboot flash system system.img"
-Flashed the system.sin from the R800i Firmware (I extracted it) with the command "fastboot flash system system.sin"
-Disconnected USB then turned the phone on. It boots just fine.
Hmm, you don't say. I wonder how I would go about installing APKs (including a new launcher) on the device even though I cannot navigate through any menus...or anything else.
ADB here I come..haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Editing, since I posted in the wrong place, sorry.
(SIM card on Verizon issue)
Tks
dead link
Hi. I've already rooted my phone. Now I want to try the ICS firmware from Sony and need to unlock my bootloader. The link provided. Above appears to be dead. I would be happy to pay for the unlock code or service. Thanks for any info.
Unlocking R800x
Okay I don't think I'm a complete noob at this as I've already rooted an HTC Hero, Droid1, and Nook Color. Could someone please explain how I'm supposed to unlock my R800x bootloader in simple terms? I'm getting conflicting directions everywhere I go and I'm more than willing to pay for it but no one I pm will reply for the unlock code.
So, I installed Cola on my XPeria Play - my first custom ROM ever, and also my first true "root" ever. Yay!
So, it seems like all is well... except, well, I can't access the 'net... period. I have no 3G/4G at all, and I can't enable wireless without the phone rebooting... and disabling wifi again.
Anyone experienced this or know what might be going on?
I would post this in the Cola thread... but, well, I don't have the required 10 posts yet... heh.
For what it's worth - all I want is a WORKING (fully) phone that doesn't have all the pre-loaded crap (like some of the games) taking up space.
(reposted from the general forums per another members request)
Yeah, I'm kinda new to the whole custom-rom thing... like I said, I really just wanted something faster that didn't have all the bloatware - it's the 800at as far as I can tell, but it looks like I can't unlock the bootloader (the info doesn't show when I attempt to view it, and from what I read here, that means I can't unlock it?)
Kittamaru said:
So, I installed Cola on my XPeria Play - my first custom ROM ever, and also my first true "root" ever. Yay!
So, it seems like all is well... except, well, I can't access the 'net... period. I have no 3G/4G at all, and I can't enable wireless without the phone rebooting... and disabling wifi again.
Anyone experienced this or know what might be going on?
I would post this in the Cola thread... but, well, I don't have the required 10 posts yet... heh.
For what it's worth - all I want is a WORKING (fully) phone that doesn't have all the pre-loaded crap (like some of the games) taking up space.
(reposted from the general forums per another members request)
Yeah, I'm kinda new to the whole custom-rom thing... like I said, I really just wanted something faster that didn't have all the bloatware - it's the 800at as far as I can tell, but it looks like I can't unlock the bootloader (the info doesn't show when I attempt to view it, and from what I read here, that means I can't unlock it?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you flashed a CDMA rom and you have a GSM phone, try my rom and see if it works, folow the Instructions and you'r done
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1631144
Is this from a stock kernal or Doomlords? If its doomlords, you might need to add the network modules.
I havent done this thing before myself, but have hung around the boards to gather the above advice.
Best of luck
I think he is talking about this rom:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442557
Did you set up your apn for your carrier?
Sent from my R800i using XDA
As vokal1992 said, you flashed CDMA rom on your GSM (R800at I see) phone. That's why 3G/4G doesn't work and WON'T WORK AT ALL.
Sent from my beautiful Xperia PLAY using Tapatalk 2
Ah, aha... thank you so much! Lol, told you I was new to all this
I'll give the suggested ROM a try and let ya know how it turns out!
Well, quick update - i flashed the new firmware - that seems to have worked well, but I have no 3G/4G again - I'm attempting to install the new ROM now - I'll report back how that goes.
I did have one issue - my computer still reports that clockworks mod is installed even after the firmware flash... but I can't seem to run it within the system - I'll try to run it from boot to do the flash - if it doesn't work... well... I'll have to think of something lol
EDIT - so, further update... I can connect to wifi, but can't go anywhere on it, including the play store or to put in my google account info. I also still have no 3G/4G access... and clockworks mod doesn't work.
I'm... really not sure what to do at this point. Followed the instructions to the letter but... well, yeah. Now I've got a smart phone that apparently isn't so smart lol
Okay, so, in a "stroke" of genius, I realized that it was the APN's causing the issue (I didn't have any) - so I simply copied them over from my wife's phone (she also has an XPeria Play). So, yay, now I have internet access and 3g/4g again...
Now, next thing I need to do is figure out how to put clockworks back on this thing with my computer thinking it's already there lol
OH, and for what it's worth - at present, my network mode is WCDMA preferred / GSM - trying to use the GSM only doesn't work... at all SO I guess I have a WCDMA phone?
EDIT AGAIN - Okay, so I got Clockworks back on it, I'm re-rooting it now... hopefully i can get the ROM installed then!
New Edit - Okay, I'm at the point of using Clockworks to install the new ROM - however, it gives me an MD5 mismatch... hm...
Uh oh
Since you have the MD5 mismatch I would try downloading the file again. Also make sure you wipe the cache partition and Dalvic cache in advance before flashing.
You don't have an unlocked bootloader. You must install ROMs specifically meant for locked bootloader.
Sent from my R800x using XDA
savage24x said:
You don't have an unlocked bootloader. You must install ROMs specifically meant for locked bootloader.
Sent from my R800x using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Far as I can tell, Vokal's works for a locked bootloader, does it not?
@ Zack - wipe the what and the who now?
Okay, so, the phone is working normally now with just the updated firmware - however, I still am having a few issues with MD5 errors with Clockworks, and I'm not sure exactly how to remedy this - found a few suggestions online, but I'm afraid to try any of them without a little more guidance
Hello, and sorry for bugging everyone, but I have somewhat of a problem. I'll just start from the beggining.
First of all I own a SGS II, so I'm used to flashing roms and kernels custom stuff and all...on that. My girlfriend is the one who owns a Xperia Arc S (LT18a, US version if it's relevant or not). And for the live of me, I can't summon the courage to flash it, the process being somewhat different than the flashing of a S2. That's just idiot proof in my opinion, can't go wrong. I'm seeing all over the place guides and stuff for flashing a Xperia Arc S, and don't really know wich one is good/bad etc. So...the actual questions :
1. Where can I find the stock firmwares for Xperia Arc S ? I was hopping on a website something like sammobile for samsung, where I can find every release etc.
2. She now has 2.3.4 (I think not 100% sure) build 4.0.2.A.0.62 and from what I heard that cannot be rooted, or it involved something like unlocking the bootloader or something like that, safe to say that kinda freaked me out a bit.
3. I'm guessing that this build 62 is like on my samsung, where different stock rom's are differentiated by letters (eg. XXLPG, XWLPQ etc) so, someone please confirm that.
4. Is there any noticeable difference between these gingebread builds, cause if build 62 can't be rooted, I'll downgrade to previous build that can be more easily rooted.
5. I really need a idiot proof guide to flashing this thing. She has no warranty on it and I really don't want to mess it up
6. And last (finally, I know ) some links for safe versions of flashtool (equivalent of odin from what I understand) and firmwares, stuff I need to root it etc.
I apologise for such a long post but this stuff is pretty overwhelming for me. Also I apologise for spelling errors (english is not my first language)
Wow, the things we do for love...
OK, here's a quick run-down of how it works.
Firstly the bootloader thing: -
The bootloader is where the "kernel" sits. If you unlock the bootloader then you can pretty much put anything on the phone.
You can flash a custom kernel, and from there on you can use ClockworkMod recovery the same way you do on your Samsung.
(
custom kernels have ClockworkMod recovery built into them since the XPERIA doesn't have a "/recovery" partition for the standard ClockworkMod recovery.
If that didn't make sense then here's a translation "There's no special space for CWM recovery on Sony phones! So custom kernels have CWM recovery built in for easy access."
When one of these kernels starts up the phone there's a point where the hardware buttons light up, and the LED flashes purple. If you press "volume down" at this point then the kernel starts up ClockworkMod recovery instead of booting the phone.
Most roms come with their own kernel that you can use like this. The XPERIA is different to the SGS phone because you can't flash a kernel from the phone itself. You need an unlocked bootloader and fastboot to flash a kernel.
)
So unlocking the bootloader is a good idea, but only after you've made a backup of all your stuff off the memory card.
Here's a really good thread that brings together all sorts of pieces of information that you might need to root the phone - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1653188
OK, so that's the unlock thing, and the kernel thing. Once the kernel has CWM recovery built in you can pretty much flash any rom you feel like flashing. There are already some JellyBean roms out that are fast and usable if you're prepared to read up on them and experiment a bit.
Next thing is the "BaseBand". This is the driver for the "cell phone radio". The part of the hardware that's actually responsible for behaving like a phone
Here's a thread where you can get all of the different base-band versions: - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688049
Personally I know that base-bands 72 and 77 both work perfectly. Since they are the 2 newest versions you can choose which-ever one you want. The newer basebands give much better signal strength on the phone, and the call quality is really good.
Good luck with the experimenting - hope you enjoy.
Are you looking to upgrade her arc to ics? It is much easier to find the resources if that is the case
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
navras1719 said:
I can't summon the courage to flash it, the process being somewhat different than the flashing of a S2. That's just idiot proof in my opinion, can't go wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is flashing on the Arc/S, so long as you can read.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1304634
Thanks for taking the time to answer such a long and frankly, annoying post Seems I got a bit of homework, manny things to read, so...coffee and patience Hope everything will add up nicely
jman2131 said:
Are you looking to upgrade her arc to ics? It is much easier to find the resources if that is the case
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really, from what I hear ICS dumbs down the phone sort of speak. Now I really can't say, but I would test it out a bit, as long as I learn how to go back to GB.
Another thing that I'm a bit concerned is that all the stuff I find are for LT18i and my gf's phone is a american model LT18a. Will this be a problem ? Or that's just to differentiate the hardware stuff in them ? I hope flashing a LT18i firmware doesn't screw anything up
navras1719 said:
Not really, from what I hear ICS dumbs down the phone sort of speak. Now I really can't say, but I would test it out a bit, as long as I learn how to go back to GB.
Another thing that I'm a bit concerned is that all the stuff I find are for LT18i and my gf's phone is a american model LT18a. Will this be a problem ? Or that's just to differentiate the hardware stuff in them ? I hope flashing a LT18i firmware doesn't screw anything up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, the differentiating factor is the hardware. the lt18i and lt18a roms are the same as far as I know. ICS does tend to be more resource heavy especially on the arcs but downgrading back to GB is basically the same method as flashing the ICS, just with another rom.
And also, in response to your first post, you can downgrade to the rootable build of GB, root that, and then flash the build 62 kernel back onto your phone so it's rooted and of the desired build
There's a lot of flashing guides on youtube regarding the arc s. I did a quick search and this one seemed pretty accurate and straight to the point.
Ok I pretty much understood the whole shabang, my last question is about the bootloader, if I unlock it once that's it ? I can flash whatever I want and not need to reunclock it...sort of speak. I read that for warranty reasons it can be relocked but that's not the case for me. Also for flashing a stock rom is it necessary to unlock the bootloader or that's just for rooting ?
Oh and almost forgot...if I understood right...I can downgrade...root...then upgrade to 62 and it will still be rooted ? On my samsung if it'a rooted and I flash abother stock rom...bye bye root, so pretty weird for me. Thank you again, I can't stress enough how helpfull you guys were.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
unlocking the bootloader allows a whole lot more things to be done with the arc, but does make some apps defunct such as track id and music facebook like (which many can do without). flashing and/or rooting a stock rom doesn't need an unlocked bootloader because it's stock and yep, you can downgrade/upgrade, root, and then go back to what build you want by flashing a kernel only
jman2131 said:
unlocking the bootloader allows a whole lot more things to be done with the arc, but does make some apps defunct such as track id and music facebook like (which many can do without).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That only applies if you use the official method to unlock, use SETool and you'll retain DRM.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray
XperienceD said:
That only applies if you use the official method to unlock, use SETool and you'll retain DRM.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the clarification. I never knew much about bootloaders and all that
XperienceD said:
That only applies if you use the official method to unlock, use SETool and you'll retain DRM.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you could help me out with a SETool link and a basic set of instructions that would be awsome
LE: From what I've seen there are 2 versions of SETool and one's free the other is not. Can the free version be used to unlock the bootloader or do I have to get the full version ? Or even simpler, is there anyway to unlock it (LT18a) free and without losing DRM ?
XperienceD said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1304634
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So basically from what I read there, no way for free unlock and retain DRM.
navras1719 said:
So basically from what I read there, no way for free unlock and retain DRM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Follow the instructions up to the point just before patching and tell me what it says please?
if you unlock the bootloader NEVER UPDATE OVER THE AIR this will brick the phone.
The're 2 ways to unlock bootloader
1 via Sony web site but this only works for non branded phones,
2 is to pay if you use a service with setools this will unlock bootloader and make phone SIM free.
Xda member jinx13 offers this service contract him for more info.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
zolaisugly said:
2 is to pay if you use a service with setools this will unlock bootloader and make phone SIM free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If SETool can unlock any handset I'm not sure why the S1Tool wouldn't, has anyone confirmed in the thread it doesn't work for the Arc S?
XperienceD said:
If SETool can unlock any handset I'm not sure why the S1Tool wouldn't, has anyone confirmed in the thread it doesn't work for the Arc S?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since my bootloader was opened the setools has been upgraded to setools2 which now covers more phones but not sure which.
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium
XperienceD said:
Follow the instructions up to the point just before patching and tell me what it says please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry but what are you refering to ? The process that involves opening the backcover under the battery ?
Some additional info, it's not carrier branded, not sim locked...and using the service code in the dialer says bootloader unlockable : yes
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Should have had this done already.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray
My current Xperia Play (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread 2.3.4, Verizon) of 3 years is starting to fail/shutdown when I open the slider - I have to restart the phone to get it running again - it works fine as long as I don't open the slider which fails randomly). I bought another Xperia Play online (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread, 2.3.3) to replace the existing one.
There has to be a way for me to copy the entire rom contents from the existing phone to the new one since the phones are exactly the same - correct? If so, how would I do this? (I currently have ROM Toolkit and Titanium Backup paid versions with installed key on both phones). The replacement phone works fine. It may be obvious to you how to do this but your help would be VERY much appreciated since I've never done this before. ROM Toolkit doesn't make it obvious if there's a way to do that. I've also searched the forums a bit and no luck so far unless I missed something. Thanks for your time!
haskamr2 said:
My current Xperia Play (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread 2.3.4, Verizon) of 3 years is starting to fail/shutdown when I open the slider - I have to restart the phone to get it running again - it works fine as long as I don't open the slider which fails randomly). I bought another Xperia Play online (r800x, rooted, Gingerbread, 2.3.3) to replace the existing one.
There has to be a way for me to copy the entire rom contents from the existing phone to the new one since the phones are exactly the same - correct? If so, how would I do this? (I currently have ROM Toolkit and Titanium Backup paid versions with installed key on both phones). The replacement phone works fine. It may be obvious to you how to do this but your help would be VERY much appreciated since I've never done this before. ROM Toolkit doesn't make it obvious if there's a way to do that. I've also searched the forums a bit and no luck so far unless I missed something. Thanks for your time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As your doing a straight copy from R800x to R800x, best thing is to make a nandroid backup from Clockwork Mod then take out the memory card dferom your old PLAY and put it in the new phone. Boot into recovery and restore the nandroid. BAM.... done
I wish it were that simple...still no luck
ozzmanj1 said:
As your doing a straight copy from R800x to R800x, best thing is to make a nandroid backup from Clockwork Mod then take out the memory card dferom your old PLAY and put it in the new phone. Boot into recovery and restore the nandroid. BAM.... done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know for sure the phone is rooted, which I did myself. It has Superuser access, I was able to remove Verizon bloatware, etc... I downloaded/paid for ROM Manager Premium v5.5.3.2 and I already had the paid version of ROM ToolBox Pro. I have tried to create a backup of my existing rom on both apps and no luck. It restarts the phone but it comes back up just like a regular reboot. ROM Manager didn't create the folder it designated for the backup.
There is no mention to do so but am I supposed to unlock the bootloader before trrying to backup my rom? When I goto Sony's page about unlocking the bootloader(http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions) it walks me through the first steps to check if the bootloader is locked or not - it tells me this:
"First, you should confirm that it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your device by checking the service menu. In your device, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu. If you have a tablet, click here to learn how access the service menu.
In your device, tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked." - well, I enter the code, goto Service Info, Configuration, and that's it - I can't get to "Rooting Status". The page shows the MEID #, MEID Software version, Available Speech Codecs, and Working Bands.That's it - and I get the same result on the other phone I have.
So if I don't need to worry about unlocking the bootloader(because it wasn't mentioned in several how to guides online like this one: http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/0...nandroid-backup-and-clockworkmod-rom-manager/ , then how come I'm not able to backup my existing rom using either apps before I attempt to copy over the rom from my other phone? *sigh*
Thanks for your time once again.
Yes you need to have an unlocked bootloader. For the r800x I would recommend doomkernel. If you need more help there is a thread for it on the developement thread, I believe that tells you exactly how to do it.
Sent from my R800at using xda premium
Here is the DoomKernel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1368636
If the download links in the thread are dead let me know and I will provide a link to my collection.
Thanks Ozzmanj1...but....
ozzmanj1 said:
Here is the DoomKernel:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1368636
If the download links in the thread are dead let me know and I will provide a link to my collection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided I don't want to go that far(messing with Kernel and Bootloader) since the phone is working great - I got all my games/apps installed with the 64gb MicroSDHC class 10 card, cleaned up all the dead files using SD Maid, deleted and restored the Dalvik Cache, cleaned out ../system/app/ folder of unneeded apks, and I'm running at optimum now(no low disk space icon showing which is a nag for this phone). This phone is "pimped out" to the max and I've decided to just use Mybackup Pro to save everything out and I'm going to make a full copy of the sd card in the next couple days so I don't lose anything again. I'm concerned that if I tinker with bootloader/kernel that something will go wrong. I have no problem rooting or doing extensive fiddling for optimal performance however. :cyclops:
Internal has 43MB free, 342MB used.
SD card has 24GB free, 35GB used.
Thanks again for your efforts & time to help out!!!
Have you tried using x-Parts? I got recovery through this way, and it doesn't require an Unlocked Bootloader, you just have to be rooted.
However, I'm unsure as to whether it would still work on yours, as yours is an R800x and mine is a R800i.
Link to the App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pvy.CWMinstaler&hl=en_GB
Thanks AzNTypeR!...
AzNTypeR said:
Have you tried using x-Parts? I got recovery through this way, and it doesn't require an Unlocked Bootloader, you just have to be rooted.
However, I'm unsure as to whether it would still work on yours, as yours is an R800x and mine is a R800i.
Link to the App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pvy.CWMinstaler&hl=en_GB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I will check it out - from the user comments in Google Play it appears that it does work on r800x's - to access installed recovery it was noted that the update says to push any button on reboot but users found that the volume down button was the only button that works(maybe this was fixed in an update?). It sure looks like the r800x is more of a pain to toy with than the r800i and other gsm phones. I love Verizon networks but I don't care for their extra headaches using cdma.
X-tools uses a portion of your system folder to store the recovery. So if you install x-parts/tools and flash a new rom you will lose the recovery an will have to re-install the software.