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Hi i want to sell my xperia play but its rooted

Hi all my question is i have a rooted xperia play R800i on android 2.3.3 its been rooted using the zergrush method the bootloader is still locked but i have removed alot of bloatware and disabled software update. The phone runs very well but i want to sell it due to having bought another phone.
So my questions are, how can i remove all my personal data like email adresses passwords etc without unrooting?
Can i reset it to factory defaults in android or will this brick it in its current state? (as alot of the factory rubbish has been removed)
Is my only option to restore all the bloatware with titanium backup and then unroot (which seems a shame as the phone runs perfectly as is)
I would really like to just remove my personal info and sell it in its current state. Its fast reliable the battery lasts well and i really dont want to mess around with it to much now, the game pad is scratched though :-(
Help needed from those who know there stuff.
Thanks for reading.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

Just use flashtool and flash it. It will wipe root and reset it to factory everything. Make sure you check you box to wipe user data though.
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

Is that easy to do? Ive never used flashtool before is it just a case of installing flashtool to my pc connecting it to my play and hitting a button? anyone got a link to a tutorial? :-/
Also is this my only option? Ive avoided this flashing firmware the whole time ive had the phone and would rather not get involved in it now.
Thanks for the speedy reply though
Cheers
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

I'd recommend using the thread marked in red in my signature. It gives, among other things, a comprehensive list of firmwares to flash with Flashtool and a quick flashing guide.

Unroot with sugarRush search on google.pc required though.
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

Again thanks for the replies, sugarRush sounds like an option to avoid learning how to reflash my device. Ok another question for you all...
I have a complete titanium backup of my phone prior to removing any bloatware. If i restored the phone using the backup and then unroot using sugarRush do u think it would then be safe to use the reset to factory default option in android to clear my phone and make it good to sell?...
Im sure flashing the phone probably would be best but not knowing what im doing i dont feel that confident doing it.
Cheers
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

b4d5h0t said:
Again thanks for the replies, sugarRush sounds like an option to avoid learning how to reflash my device. Ok another question for you all...
I have a complete titanium backup of my phone prior to removing any bloatware. If i restored the phone using the backup and then unroot using sugarRush do u think it would then be safe to use the reset to factory default option in android to clear my phone and make it good to sell?...
Im sure flashing the phone probably would be best but not knowing what im doing i dont feel that confident doing it.
Cheers
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be safe but flashing is a lot better imo.

How can he flash with flashtool his boot is locked
Sent from my VS910 4G using Tapatalk
(LOL I forgot to change my build.prop back)

Its better if you dont sell the phone and enjoy life

fma965 said:
How can he flash with flashtool his boot is locked
Sent from my VS910 4G using Tapatalk
(LOL I forgot to change my build.prop back)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashtool doesn't need unlocked bootloaders.

I wanna sell the phone to get some cash so i can enjoy life ;-)
Rooting my xperia play did make it run slightly better, snappier and better battery life (once bloatware was removed). But at the cost of updating android becoming a pain and now ive got this agro now i want to sell it.
Fellow noobs be warned ;-)
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

Listen, b4d5h0t, seriously. Go with the Flashtool FTF flash. If -I- can do it, anyone can. Takes only a few minutes and makes it totally stock.

b4d5h0t said:
Hi all my question is i have a rooted xperia play R800i on android 2.3.3 its been rooted using the zergrush method the bootloader is still locked but i have removed alot of bloatware and disabled software update. The phone runs very well but i want to sell it due to having bought another phone.
So my questions are, how can i remove all my personal data like email adresses passwords etc without unrooting?
Can i reset it to factory defaults in android or will this brick it in its current state? (as alot of the factory rubbish has been removed)
Is my only option to restore all the bloatware with titanium backup and then unroot (which seems a shame as the phone runs perfectly as is)
I would really like to just remove my personal info and sell it in its current state. Its fast reliable the battery lasts well and i really dont want to mess around with it to much now, the game pad is scratched though :-(
Help needed from those who know there stuff.
Thanks for reading.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The safest is just to do a factory reset, if you don't want to go over the hassle or flashing and other methods of wiping your data.I've done factory resets while my phone was rooted,so it should be fine.

[Q]Root/Unroot

Ive been through the forum and i want some input. I would like to root.my play but im not sure which method.to use. What I want is to get n option to unroot. Im running 2.3.3, R800i. There was this option to downgrade frst to 2.3.2 and use Gingerbreak but that seem to to have a clear unroot path. And there's the doomlords easy root. Can anyone point me to th right direction?
Sent from my R800i using XDA App

Why would you want to unroot btw?

acehazard said:
Ive been through the forum and i want some input. I would like to root.my play but im not sure which method.to use. What I want is to get n option to unroot. Im running 2.3.3, R800i. There was this option to downgrade frst to 2.3.2 and use Gingerbreak but that seem to to have a clear unroot path. And there's the doomlords easy root. Can anyone point me to th right direction?
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go with Doomlord's Easy Root. In that thread, found here, when you scroll down through the instructions, he has also provided an Unrooting method for use ONLY if you use his method to root to begin with.

warranty
swebosdev said:
Why would you want to unroot btw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand that rooting voids the warranty so just in case I need to use that warranty I can just unroot the device. Im not sure though if they'll know if the device was rooted even if you unroot it.

netizenmt said:
Go with Doomlord's Easy Root. In that thread, found here, when you scroll down through the instructions, he has also provided an Unrooting method for use ONLY if you use his method to root to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something tells me Im gonna go with this method. Question though, would I still be able to get the official upgrade to ICS if ever sony releases one next year?
Also, any idea where I can get the adb drivers for the Xperia Play?

acehazard said:
Something tells me Im gonna go with this method. Question though, would I still be able to get the official upgrade to ICS if ever sony releases one next year?
Also, any idea where I can get the adb drivers for the Xperia Play?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony will be releasing Ice cream sandwich (They released an alpha build already) and yeah you will be able to upgrade (Pretty sure of it)

acehazard said:
I understand that rooting voids the warranty so just in case I need to use that warranty I can just unroot the device. Im not sure though if they'll know if the device was rooted even if you unroot it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats called fraud you know!
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk

AndroHero said:
Thats called fraud you know!
Sent from my R800i using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only if they catch you that's why you just flashtool back to stock and your good on that front (as long as you don't have a bootloader unlocked through se website)
Sent from my R800x using XDA App

Thanks for all your help guys.. Im rooted now. Just need to know what to do next. LOL

Factory unlocked Neo with root getting ICS?
guys, but what about this situation? (don't be surprised at my possibly noob questions)
I bought my Neo unlocked, I rooted it some time ago, but now I'm curious about the ICS update..will i have to unroot to do the update safely? I didn't delete any of the junk/unnecessary apps, i just froze them..so, I've been reading across different threads dealing with updates for rooted phones, and it seems that I'm gonna have to have to unfreeze the apps, unroot and then do the update via PC and not OTA..is that right?
what I would like to know is this: is it possible for me to uninstall all the unnecessary apps and then upgrade to ICS? I would uninstall only a few apps such as the chinese and japanese (POBox) keyboard, News & Weather, Office Suite, and probably just a few more minor ones..
Some say I can both keep root and upgrade to ICS without any problems but I read in many threads that I shouldn't do that, especially if I uninstalled any pre-installed apps..

[Help] I tired to root my phone but it did not work

I tried to root my phone with super onclick and it did not work. i have a xperia play (R800i) wit android 2.3.4 kernel version 2.6.32.9-perf. i Don't want to unlock my bootloder somone have any idea what to do? and do you need more info?

Have you connected using USB Debugging?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda premium

CTU_Loscombe said:
Have you connected using USB Debugging?
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course i am not that stupid

I was not able to root mine either so I installed CWM with fastboot, but I don't know if that's what you want to do.
Have you tried using the FlashTool?

noahmay said:
of course i am not that stupid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasnt meant in an offensive way lol
Just I've seen a few people who've done that
Anyway, I used Root Unlocker on mine. Occasionally it doesn't work. Sure there's a way using ADB as well.....
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda premium

CTU_Loscombe said:
Wasnt meant in an offensive way lol
Just I've seen a few people who've done that
Anyway, I used Root Unlocker on mine. Occasionally it doesn't work. Sure there's a way using ADB as well.....
Sent from my Xperia Play using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i did not take it in a ofensive way i just say that kinda a stuff thats how i am
and if build number and frimware is the same thind i don't work on my build number i got 4.0.2.a.0.62

eksasol said:
I was not able to root mine either so I installed CWM with fastboot, but I don't know if that's what you want to do.
Have you tried using the FlashTool?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I herad that can destroy your phone easier

Have you tried with the Zurgresh method? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321582 It's very simple indeed.
P.S. Fasboot never bricked my phone and I have used it lot of times!

from what ive heard you cant root .62, .69 firmware or above, you need to downgrade or flash doomkernel which is prerooted
there is another method which involves flashing rootxperia.zip from cwm by booting binary's recovery, but i don't know it that will work

Even though I flashed my phone from instruction, I am new to the lock bootloader idea. Is it possible to use fastboot while the bootloader is locked?

eksasol said:
Even though I flashed my phone from instruction, I am new to the lock bootloader idea. Is it possible to use fastboot while the bootloader is locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you cannot use fastboot unless you're unlocked

Supervenom said:
Have you tried with the Zurgresh method? http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321582 It's very simple indeed.
P.S. Fasboot never bricked my phone and I have used it lot of times!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried it can you maybe give me a good fasboot tutorial?

jacklebott said:
No, you cannot use fastboot unless you're unlocked
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then i take back my statement.
Do anyone know if iy will be possible to root my frimware in the future?

You don't need Fastboot to use the script I posted and and your bootloader doesn't have to be unlocked.

Try the DooMLord Easy Rooting toolkit....google it...or search here in the forums....

Make sure you're not on the latest .62 or higher firmware, download doomlords zergrush one-click, follow the instructions in the thread for it. Simple.
Here, since you probably didn't search the forums properly first -_- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1312859
And for crying out loud you DO NOT need fastboot to root, or flash (stock) roms with flashtool!!
I'm getting really annoyed with ignorant people who spread false information. If you don't know what you're talking about, if you're new to xda and can barely do things yourself, don't try to give people advice!
I can't even count how many threads where we had to clear up false info about rooting, fastboot, flashing etc. because some new guy thought he was an expert and gave incorrect info to other new members.
Why do I care so much, and why bother ranting you may ask? It's simple, really. False information leads to mistakes that can leave a poor, unsuspecting newbie with a nice brick instead of a working phone.
Make sense? I should hope so. And for the love of God read the rules before you post! They clearly state to SEARCH the forums before posting, yet it seems nobody does. I'm pretty sure the forum tells you to read them when you sign up, and agree to the terms of use..
Sent from Asgard

captain67 said:
Make sure you're not on the latest .62 or higher firmware, download doomlords zergrush one-click, follow the instructions in the thread for it. Simple.
Here, since you probably didn't search the forums properly first -_- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1312859
And for crying out loud you DO NOT need fastboot to root, or flash (stock) roms with flashtool!!
I'm getting really annoyed with ignorant people who spread false information. If you don't know what you're talking about, if you're new to xda and can barely do things yourself, don't try to give people advice!
I can't even count how many threads where we had to clear up false info about rooting, fastboot, flashing etc. because some new guy thought he was an expert and gave incorrect info to other new members.
Why do I care so much, and why bother ranting you may ask? It's simple, really. False information leads to mistakes that can leave a poor, unsuspecting newbie with a nice brick instead of a working phone.
Make sense? I should hope so. And for the love of God read the rules before you post! They clearly state to SEARCH the forums before posting, yet it seems nobody does. I'm pretty sure the forum tells you to read them when you sign up, and agree to the terms of use..
Sent from Asgard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry i am on the .62 frimware and then i got the answer that i can't root. I serached first but i maybe serached bad then so i can understand if you are angry sorry again.

noahmay said:
Then i take back my statement.
Do anyone know if iy will be possible to root my frimware in the future?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YOu can use flashtool, doesn't mean you will do some hardcore flashing.
The flashtool has the option to apply the zergrush method to root and is very easy to use. You can even install a more trustable busybox (1.19) for other rootie candies. (Even tought I update to 1.19.4)
But first thing I made when I bought is to unlock the bootloader, maybe don't work for you, but will NOT destroy your phone in case of failure.

[Q] rooting and internal memory

Hi all,
I recently got an Xperia play and so far I love it but I am running out of internal memory (it only has 380mb available for apps etc). I'm relatively new to android so please stick with me!
I read on a forum that you can partition a section of the SD card then use an app called "Link2SD" to use that partition as additional internal memory. As part of this you have to root the phone. I tried this and the software didn't work.
My main question is regarding rooting, is it worth doing? I'd heard that if you root your phone you risk bricking it and also you can't get future software updates. If that's true then I won't get ice cream sandwich in the next update.
So, can anyone advise me on if rooting is a good thing to do and if so, how do I do it? If not, do you know of any good ways to increase the internal memory that don't need rooting? I am already using the App2SD application which helps a bit but not enough as I've already moved all I can to the SD card in normal settings.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!

It's REALLY worth it and you'd be super unlucky to brick or cause any damage by trying to root.
Use superoneclick. Really quick and simple.
Then Link2SD works fine (it needs root to work). You can move all of your apps across stopping the annoying messages about low memory.
Then when you get a bit more brave get titanium backup, backup everything.
Then google safe removal list xperia play xda and get rid of the sony bloatware you don't use. Will be like a new phone my friend. Enjoy your Play!

Thanks mate, I'm still torn if I want to risk it! Would it be OK with future software updates if I did root? How do I use the rooting program you mentioned, download it to my PC then just execute it with the phone plugged in? Sorry for all the questions, I know nothing of the internal workings of android! Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA

Superoneclick is a program you run on your PC. Literally one click with your phone connected and you're rooted. There are practically no risks involved at all.
You'll still be able to update OTA if you don't uninstall any stock apps. ICS will be available for FlashTool when it's released anyway so I wouldn't worry about that

Sounds good, I've already got instructions for a program to partition the SD card and for link2sd. I'll give it a go! I'm assuming the stock apps will be the ones not on the safe list? Can I still move games that came preinstalled? Thanks for all your help, it's much appreciated!
Sent from my R800i using XDA

Basically don't uninstall any app that is installed to /system/app if you want OTA
This is irrelevant anyway since ICS won't come OTA. You'll have to use FlashTool or SEUS

hi !
When you are rooted ! uninstall those crap stock app list with Titanium backup (from market),
Warning ! It need root !
link to the list of safe removal app :
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1046699
See ya

do you know if there's an app to unroot my phone? I'll probably do the partition thing, remove the apps I don't need then unroot the phone again. Any ideas? Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA

wildone277 said:
do you know if there's an app to unroot my phone? I'll probably do the partition thing, remove the apps I don't need then unroot the phone again. Any ideas? Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Perhaps superoneclick does unroot as well (can't remember and not near a pc. But you don't need to unroot. Keeping root does no harm. If you're thinking about warranties then it's pointless as you'll have missing apps etc when you send it away.. Again though, root does no harm and you can quickly flash a stock xperia rom (they're linked in a thread here and all listed on xperiagamer website) should you need to send the phone for repair
Sent from my R800i using XDA

wildone277 said:
do you know if there's an app to unroot my phone? I'll probably do the partition thing, remove the apps I don't need then unroot the phone again. Any ideas? Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link2sd needs root access to run. If you remove root you won't be able to use Link2sd anymore

ah ok, you can tell I'm new to all this stuff can't you?!
Thanks!

How come ICS won't be coming as an OTA update? I'd read that it was being released in April for the Play?
I may need to pick your brains about how to get hold of ICS when it's released then!

Is there an equivalent to super one click for macs or will I be forced to use my 2009 eepc?
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk 2

I have uninstalled the apps, using titanium backup...but I think the data is still there cause the space has not improved...

Superoneclick will work on the .62 firmware as well right? ..
I let the phone do a software update and I thought I read somewhere that the .62 cannot be rooted.. please tell me I'm wrong..
this low internal memory is so freaking annoying

Hi all,
I think I've finally got all the info I need, just need to make the decision of which way to go now!
I found a hack that you can use to send apps to the SD card without rooting:
http://www.bongizmo.com/blog/moving-all-android-apps-to-sdcard-apps2sd-froyo/
but I'm more nervous of hacking that rooting because at least there is lots of guidance on rooting for novices like myself! What do you reckon? To root or not to root, that is the question!
I was thinking, now that my SD card will be taking the brunt of the apps data etc, is it possible to exchange the 16gb card I got with the phone for a standard 32gb micro sd to expand the capacity? I'm concerned that if I do this, links between the phone and SD card might not work anymore.
Thanks

Can anyone please confirm that superoneclick works with the xperia play, android version 2.3.4? If so, which version? I've downloaded v2[1].3.3 and I'm ready to take the plunge. Thanks
Sent from my R800i using XDA

I'm afraid I'll need step by step instructions for rooting my play, I can't get it to work. I downloaded superoneclick and tried to execute it and it just closed itself. Do I need to install SDK whatever that is? I have no idea what I'm doing! Please help!
Sent from my R800i using XDA

wildone277 said:
I'm afraid I'll need step by step instructions for rooting my play, I can't get it to work. I downloaded superoneclick and tried to execute it and it just closed itself. Do I need to install SDK whatever that is? I have no idea what I'm doing! Please help!
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you running as admin?
If you can't get it to work try DoomLord's Easy Rooting Toolkit - don't have a link as I'm on my phone but it should be easy enough to find

Michealtbh said:
Are you running as admin?
If you can't get it to work try DoomLord's Easy Rooting Toolkit - don't have a link as I'm on my phone but it should be easy enough to find
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just tried it, i just get "cannot find the path specified" on each line, I'm probably doing something fundamentally wrong! Does it need to be in media transfer mode? Here's what I did:
Downloaded the Zip file and extracted all the files into a folder.
Turned on USB debugging and unknown sources
Connected the phone via USB and skipped the prompt to open the phone folders
Executed the "run me.bat" file
Pressed any button as prompted
What am I doing wrong?

[Q] In need of 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).
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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?
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Since my bootloader was opened the setools has been upgraded to setools2 which now covers more phones but not sure which.
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XperienceD said:
Follow the instructions up to the point just before patching and tell me what it says please?
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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
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Should have had this done already.
Sent from my CM9'd Ray