Develop Bugs

[Q] Verizon Xperia Play Failed to OTA! Please Help!!??

I have the Verizon Xperia Play r800x, the bootloader is unlockoed, the phone is rooted and i removed some system apps.
- i did relock bootloader
- i temp removed root
- the apps i removed were, Sims, Tetris, Visual Voice Mail, Skype Mobile
It lets me download the OTA update, after its finished, it reboots my phone and shows that its downloading. but when it turns on its still at 2.3.2 and a blue box pops up saying Update Failed! So im just wondering how can i fix this problem and update??
Any help is appreciated, thank u

Can't OTA if any pre-installed apps are deleted. That includes games.
The only way is gonna be flashing stock and starting over.
Sent from the best phone ever

Thing is, I've seen a fair few posts with this problem now.
I have this problem, but I removed nothing. I froze, then unfroze.
Thinking it could be a bigger problem than people think?

same deal i got failed update don't know what im doing wrong i have bloatware and same, never messed with it but i do have unlocked bootloader can that be the problem?

biggyhead said:
same deal i got failed update don't know what im doing wrong i have bloatware and same, never messed with it but i do have unlocked bootloader can that be the problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your bootloader is unlocked or any bloatware is moved/removed, its not gonna work, no matter what.
Theres a thread in general and a thread in development on this already, take a look.

Rogue Leader said:
If your bootloader is unlocked or any bloatware is moved/removed, its not gonna work, no matter what.
Theres a thread in general and a thread in development on this already, take a look.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it also depends on which unlock method was used. Mine was unlocked by the testpoint method by Alejandrissimo and I was able to OTA update with no problem. But it is a well-known fact that the other methods will soft-brick if you try to update via OTA.
Sent from my R800x using xda premium

Go to the update thread. On page 51 follow the instructions from Rogue Leader. Did mine last night and have update and root installed.
Sent from my R800x using XDA

[Q] sony noob. feel stupid...

ok guys i just picked up a play for att. sucks cause i have tmobile and wont get the 3/4g data. im almost always in wifi spots anyway so no big deal.
anyway i have already called att and got the phone sim unlocked. now if i think i understand this correctly this should be the order to follow. if you guys can confirm and provide latest links i would appreciate greatly.
1. sim unlock (done)
2. unlock bootloader (not yet)
3. root (not yet)
4. load rom (not yet)
correct??? did i miss anything? any preferred method on any of these? please advise.
thanks!!!

First of all, if you bought a xperia PLAY, you should probably post in the xperia PLAY forums.
Second of all, questions go in the Q & A forum.
To answer your question, that's pretty much the right order.
Sent from my LT15a using XDA

DdcCabuslay said:
First of all, if you bought a xperia PLAY, you should probably post in the xperia PLAY forums.
Second of all, questions go in the Q & A forum.
To answer your question, that's pretty much the right order.
Sent from my LT15a using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i deserve the flaming. i did edit my post in hopes that a mod would see and put in the right forum for me.

kdm212 said:
ok guys i just picked up a play for att. sucks cause i have tmobile and wont get the 3/4g data. im almost always in wifi spots anyway so no big deal.
anyway i have already called att and got the phone sim unlocked. now if i think i understand this correctly this should be the order to follow. if you guys can confirm and provide latest links i would appreciate greatly.
1. sim unlock (done)
2. unlock bootloader (not yet)
3. root (not yet)
4. load rom (not yet)
correct??? did i miss anything? any preferred method on any of these? please advise.
thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeh, thats right, but you need a recovery after root and before loading rom

TheHaso said:
yeh, thats right, but you need a recovery after root and before loading rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well somewhere along the line i bricked the phone.
i was able to install clockwork recovery. i then tried to install a rom. and it froze for well over 30 min. so now all i can get to is the se logo. cant boot into recovery on boot up at all. how do you check to see if you have an unlocked bootloader?
any chance of restarting over? loading the stock rom?

flash a generic global world img from here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330314
next time take a backup.

Retrosid said:
flash a generic global world img from here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330314
next time take a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i flashed an ftf world file and now i just have a black screen. no booting up.

If you have unlocked bootloader since I can't figure it out of your posts, flash another kernel
Sent from my Xperia Arc

Retrosid said:
If you have unlocked bootloader since I can't figure it out of your posts, flash another kernel
Sent from my Xperia Arc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats where my problem is i believe. i dont think the bootloader was ever unlocked.
edit: tried rebooting the phone and the flashlight turns on lol but nothing else!

kdm212 said:
thats where my problem is i believe. i dont think the bootloader was ever unlocked.
edit: tried rebooting the phone and the flashlight turns on lol but nothing else!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried to use SE PC companion to restore phone to factory state?
From support start update and click repair phone.
That could bring your phone back to life.

Muurahainen said:
Have you tried to use SE PC companion to restore phone to factory state?
From support start update and click repair phone.
That could bring your phone back to life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ill give that a shot. im willing to try anything now...
no software available...what about flashing an img file? do i need root or the bootloader unlocked for that? if i dont need those items how do i go about flashing the img?

kdm212 said:
ill give that a shot. im willing to try anything now...
no software available...what about flashing an img file? do i need root or the bootloader unlocked for that? if i dont need those items how do i go about flashing the img?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That repair button didn't work?
For img flash you can use flashtool.
You don't need root or anything to use flashtool on your phone.
Just pick correct .ftf for your phone and flash it to the phone.

Do normal firmwares work on at&t's 4G version?
Maybe that's the problem
Sent from my iPad 2 using Tapatalk

finally!!! got it i was continuing to search everywhere for an answer and i stumbled upon another guy here on the site that had a similar issue. sooo i went to the site he found, xperiagamer.com and got the att firmware. flashed it and bingo im back!
thanks for all the help and suggestions men. this truly is a great site!
i do have some additional questions though. now that im back to square one im pondering trying again OR just rooting so i can remove the bloatware. if i just go the root method what the best way?
thanks!!!

kdm212 said:
finally!!! got it i was continuing to search everywhere for an answer and i stumbled upon another guy here on the site that had a similar issue. sooo i went to the site he found, xperiagamer.com and got the att firmware. flashed it and bingo im back!
thanks for all the help and suggestions men. this truly is a great site!
i do have some additional questions though. now that im back to square one im pondering trying again OR just rooting so i can remove the bloatware. if i just go the root method what the best way?
thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you were rooted before you don't need to re-root unless you purposely unrooted it. IF you aren't rooted anymore superoneclick or the zergrush(however it's spelled) is the easiest. I'm 99% sure you don't have an unlocked bootloader though, so you have very few options. I'd say re-root if you need to and unlock your bootloader so you can flash flash and flash custom roms like crazy

kdm212 said:
well somewhere along the line i bricked the phone.
i was able to install clockwork recovery. i then tried to install a rom. and it froze for well over 30 min. so now all i can get to is the se logo. cant boot into recovery on boot up at all. how do you check to see if you have an unlocked bootloader?
any chance of restarting over? loading the stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It got bricked because you didn't unlock your bootloader.
1.Root your phone
2.Install Recovery
3.Unlock Bootloader
4.FINALLY!! you install a rom okay?
I was a noob too so it's okay now I'm a higher class noob.try flashing your ftf again.
Sent from my R800x using XDA

MrHaPpY66 said:
It got bricked because you didn't unlock your bootloader.
1.Root your phone
2.Install Recovery
3.Unlock Bootloader
4.FINALLY!! you install a rom okay?
I was a noob too so it's okay now I'm a higher class noob.try flashing your ftf again.
Sent from my R800x using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i got the phone back up and running. its now rooted again. i was doing some research. if i understand correctly the att version cannot have the bootloader unlocked. can anyone confirm this?

You need to pay Setool credits in order to unlock the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader allows you to lose the sin lock as well, so you could have killed two birds with the same stone.

Logseman said:
You need to pay Setool credits in order to unlock the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader allows you to lose the sin lock as well, so you could have killed two birds with the same stone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ya i just found the website. seems like thats the one everyone is sent to on this site.
im wondering now that im rooted if i can clean this stock rom up enough to use on a daily basis. i mean im using tmobile on the device so sharing internet would only be edge lol. i guess the only thing i really want ics for is that fact that its ics.

open the dial pad and use this code*#*#7378423#*#* . Then go to -> "Service Info" -> "Configuration".
If it says unlock bootloader = no, then you have to use the paid service, if yes, then you can do it for free yourself.

[R800x] Questions About Overclocking

Hey guys!
I have a Verizon Sony XPERIA PLAY [r800x] that I'd like to overclock to increase my FP/S while playing emulators.
I've seen the guides, and I would need to root, unlock the bootloader, and then finally install a custom ROM.
My question is, is it possible to unlock the bootloader of a Verizon Sony XPERIA PLAY [r800x]?
From what I've read on this forum, the only way to do this, is doing it through a paid service, and they will be able to unlock it for me.
A site I came across was http://unlock-bootloader.com/
Would that service actually work for me? If not, can someone please list one that does, or is even better than that one?
~Thanks for any and all help! It's really appreciated

Yes, that unlocking service should work for an R800x. I've been told the owner is hard to reach anywhrere but on his Google Talk though. FYI, you only need to install a custom kernel, not necessarily a custom rom to gain access to overclocking. That being said, you'd still need an unlocked bootloader. Be prudent when overlocking, as well. It's not fun frying your phone

jacklebott said:
Yes, that unlocking service should work for an R800x. I've been told the owner is hard to reach anywhrere but on his Google Talk though. FYI, you only need to install a custom kernel, not necessarily a custom rom to gain access to overclocking. That being said, you'd still need an unlocked bootloader. Be prudent when overlocking, as well. It's not fun frying your phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your response!
I got my R800X's bootloader unlocked. I flashed the Doomkernel onto it with no problems. I flashed the phone to 2.3.3 first though, since when I go to update the phone through setting, it doesn't say there's a new update available. I'm not sure why…
http://puu.sh/1iR9r
But, after installing FPSE, I noticed that the performance of the emulator actually went down, even after Overclocking!
The gamepad on the Xperia was severely delayed as well, and unresponsive. I had to constantly spam buttons in the emulator for it to respond.
Those two problems were most apparent in one game, and not others. The strange thing is though that, while on Stock FW, that particular game ran with no problems at all, and no gamepad delay.
So, I wanted to know if there's a Doomkernel compatible with the Xperia's 2.3.2 FW?
Unless there's a better kernel for Overclocking my Xperia Play that's compatible 2.3.2?
I think the problem is that the device doesn't want to update from 2.3.2, and that's why I faced the problems that I did. I think it wants to stay on 2.3.2, or I'll suffer… lol

DooMKerneL should be used on the international 2.3.4 firmware to be most effective (eg. 4.0.2.A.0.42 or higher)

jacklebott said:
DooMKerneL should be used on the international 2.3.4 firmware to be most effective (eg. 4.0.2.A.0.42 or higher)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since my XPERIA PLAY won't update through the normal method of going to "Settings>About Phone>Software Update>Check For Updates" since the Check For Updates option is grayed out. Should I download the international 2.3.4 firmware from here, and then update my XPERIA PLAY with flashtool?
Also, is this the right FW you were referring to? "R800i 4.0.2.A.0.42 Generic UK"

That's the correct firmware, but it's a bit tricky putting it on an R800x. You need to extract system.sin from the FTF file (using 7zip or winrar, etc.) then flash it in fastboot (fastboot flash system system.sin). There should be a guide somewhere on how to do it, but don't just go rushing into it lest you think you've "bricked" your phone (that happens way too often around here)

You can also flash that system.sin with fastboot command
Fastboot flash system system.sin
I do it all the time and it works. Same with kernel.sin
Sent from my R800x using xda premium

ozzmanj1 said:
You can also flash that system.sin with fastboot command
Fastboot flash system system.sin
I do it all the time and it works. Same with kernel.sin
Sent from my R800x using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, I just said that

jacklebott said:
Dude, I just said that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right, my apologies. Also I thought that as a CDMA version we couldnt flash the firmware you specified? THat by flashing it we would lose phone funtionality and the homescreen?

Isn't there a CDMA patch or something, to allow data? I don't follow to closely to such things, as I don't use data on mine anyway

There is a CDMA patch specifically for the cyanogenmod based roms. Generally flashing a GSM rom the homescreen is blank and only the notification drop down works. Xdarkmario released a patch that supposedly miss these GSM roms work I. The sense thy you will have a working homescreen but no working CDMA. I tried this patch last night and it was the same results. The only GSM Rom I Yvette found that will give you a full functioning rom without working cell phone ability is true ancestor. So currently flashing any GSM rom leaves you with either no home screen thus useless or flashing true ancestor working rom but no cdma functions.
Sent from my R800x using xda premium

ozzmanj1 said:
There is a CDMA patch specifically for the cyanogenmod based roms. Generally flashing a GSM rom the homescreen is blank and only the notification drop down works. Xdarkmario released a patch that supposedly miss these GSM roms work I. The sense thy you will have a working homescreen but no working CDMA. I tried this patch last night and it was the same results. The only GSM Rom I Yvette found that will give you a full functioning rom without working cell phone ability is true ancestor. So currently flashing any GSM rom leaves you with either no home screen thus useless or flashing true ancestor working rom but no cdma functions.
Sent from my R800x using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you flashed true ancestor are you using the GSM kernel or the CDMA kernel for 2.3.3? With Xdarkmario's CDMA patch.

chery2k said:
When you flashed true ancestor are you using the GSM kernel or the CDMA kernel for 2.3.3? With Xdarkmario's CDMA patch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am flashing T.A and staying on CDMA kernel 2.3.3, and xdarkmario's patch. But to be honest you can flash T.A. without having to flash xdarkmarios patch. Found this out months ago. For some reason his is the only ROM that a R800x user can flash and still have a working home screen. All others cause the home screen to be missing.

[Q] R800x Xperia Play issues

I'm probably not the only person to experience these problems on the R800x, and I couldn't find any other threads pertaining to a fix for my specific problem. I went to Verizon and Sony, and got frustrated very fast with them not even remotely having a clue on how to help.
My first issue is after rooting my phone and unlocking the bootloader, I flashed an ICS 4.0.1 ROM to my phone, it works great!
Problem is, I didn't realize the difference between the R800i and R800x. So now my phone lost its Radio image/Baseband Version, making my not have any servies (1x/2g/3g or bars) It's Wi-Fi only right now.
I read into flashing Radio images back to the phone so it can access the services, but I can't find one specifically for my phone. Any help there?
My second, and biggest issue with the phone is it's just not taking a charge. I've been flip flopping batteries with my other R800x to keep this one going. I tried a few things to fix that, but they just don't work and I'm tired of going in threads and reading crap and trying things that don't work.
Basically, I want my phone back to working order again, while keeping the ICS firmware.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
THINGS I HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT
-Flashing back to original firmware
-Adding a new charger file into .bin on phone itself
-Factory reset
-2.3.3 and 2.3.4 flashed firmwares

oVSwaziVo said:
I'm probably not the only person to experience these problems on the R800x, and I couldn't find any other threads pertaining to a fix for my specific problem. I went to Verizon and Sony, and got frustrated very fast with them not even remotely having a clue on how to help.
My first issue is after rooting my phone and unlocking the bootloader, I flashed an ICS 4.0.1 ROM to my phone, it works great!
Problem is, I didn't realize the difference between the R800i and R800x. So now my phone lost its Radio image/Baseband Version, making my not have any servies (1x/2g/3g or bars) It's Wi-Fi only right now.
I read into flashing Radio images back to the phone so it can access the services, but I can't find one specifically for my phone. Any help there?
My second, and biggest issue with the phone is it's just not taking a charge. I've been flip flopping batteries with my other R800x to keep this one going. I tried a few things to fix that, but they just don't work and I'm tired of going in threads and reading crap and trying things that don't work.
Basically, I want my phone back to working order again, while keeping the ICS firmware.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
THINGS I HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT
-Flashing back to original firmware
-Adding a new charger file into .bin on phone itself
-Factory reset
-2.3.3 and 2.3.4 flashed firmwares
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't have radio working because the rom was meant for GSM xperia plays. If you want ICS I sugget purchasing a GSM xperia play. Otherwise stick with stock to have everything working.

chery2k said:
You can't have radio working because the rom was meant for GSM xperia plays. If you want ICS I sugget purchasing a GSM xperia play. Otherwise stick with stock to have everything working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how is that true??
cm9 works for the r800x and the r800i
OP did you use flashtool for any of the flashing?

chevyowner said:
how is that true??
cm9 works for the r800x and the r800i
OP did you use flashtool for any of the flashing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used a flashtool, yes. I assume that was bad? It was the only way I could find for the R800x.
That's not where it messed up and lost my baseband and radio signals. When I got the kernel, then flashed an ICS ROM to the phone, that's where it removed my radio signals.

chery2k said:
You can't have radio working because the rom was meant for GSM xperia plays. If you want ICS I sugget purchasing a GSM xperia play. Otherwise stick with stock to have everything working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you'd read what I put, none of that worked. I know radio isn't meant to work on a GSM ROM, buying a whole new phone was a silly suggestion of you.

first try flashing a zeusc(r800x) rom, because when you have a zeus(r800i) rom installed the radio won't work the way your are explaning.

Can you link me to it? I really don't feel like getting the wrong file yet again.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

here

I can't flash it from my bootloader...
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

oVSwaziVo said:
I'm probably not the only person to experience these problems on the R800x, and I couldn't find any other threads pertaining to a fix for my specific problem. I went to Verizon and Sony, and got frustrated very fast with them not even remotely having a clue on how to help.
My first issue is after rooting my phone and unlocking the bootloader, I flashed an ICS 4.0.1 ROM to my phone, it works great!
Problem is, I didn't realize the difference between the R800i and R800x. So now my phone lost its Radio image/Baseband Version, making my not have any servies (1x/2g/3g or bars) It's Wi-Fi only right now.
I read into flashing Radio images back to the phone so it can access the services, but I can't find one specifically for my phone. Any help there?
My second, and biggest issue with the phone is it's just not taking a charge. I've been flip flopping batteries with my other R800x to keep this one going. I tried a few things to fix that, but they just don't work and I'm tired of going in threads and reading crap and trying things that don't work.
Basically, I want my phone back to working order again, while keeping the ICS firmware.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
THINGS I HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT
-Flashing back to original firmware
-Adding a new charger file into .bin on phone itself
-Factory reset
-2.3.3 and 2.3.4 flashed firmwares
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just want to clarify have you tried flashing the 2.3.3 Verizon R800x FTF? When you mention 2.3.3/2.3.4 flashed firmwares I am guessing you mean that? If you have flashed successfully and still having issues then I dont know off hand why it wouldnt work just FTFing (lol) back.

oVSwaziVo said:
I can't flash it from my bootloader...
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that is because it is flashed from recovery
if you don't have recovery flash the boot.img in the zip using fastboot, then powerup the phone and press vol- during bootup when the notifaction light is on

Did you try flashing markypythons ICS converter? If you did, then flash R800x's baseband.

Yes I've flashed the FTF files. No luck doing so. DubleJay I have it, yet I haven't flashed it yet. The problem I have is not able to find the baseband to flash for this phone in specific.
No one's figured anything about my charging issue yet?
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

Have you tried flashing the basebands of the 2.3.3 or 2.3.4 ftf files.... But what happened when you flashed the 2.3.3 ftf file?
Sent from my R800x

Baseband version was within the FTF file but didn't show up on the phone. :/ its so frustrating.
I'm honestly more curious about my charging issue right now. I'm tired of flip flopping batteries.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

So it doesn't register that its connected even if you connect it to PC...To charge
Sent from my R800x

A computer will recognize it, but it won't take a charge.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

& when you changed the chmod file in the system did you set the proper permissions...777
Sent from my R800x

No clue how to.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

In your root file manager go to system/bin look for a file named chargemon... Long press that file... Go to properties.... Make sure its 755... Should look like this -rwxr-xr-x-
Sent from my R800x

[Q] R800a on Rogers, help getting fastboot working!

Hi all!
Okay so I'm ready to bash my face off something till I die... lol I've been up all night screwing with my xperia play from rogers. First I did the touchpoint method to unlock the bootloader and s1tool confirms that it's unlocked. However, no fastboot and when I punch in the code provided by SE to see the value of "bootloader unlock allowed"... it's still "no". From what I understand the touchpoint method shouldn't change this value. However because this value is still set, I have a feeling that this is why I can't enable fastboot.
I'm trying to flash a custom jellybean rom using flashtool and because of the aforementioned situation, I can't. I'm wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction to get fastboot working. I hate that I've paid through the nose for all the android devices I own and I yet I still don't technically own them. Anyway I won't rant....
P.S. Just to be verbose, when I do fastboot.exe devices... just hangs saying waiting for device. Device shows up in Device Manager but is code 31 cannot start. Also if I hold search and plug in USB or any of those combos I absolutely cannot get a blue light. I can also assure anyone that I've spent probably 8 hours straight googling the bleep out of this issue and working on it so I'm not being lazy I've just reached the limits of what I can do on my own and am begging for any help that is available!
Thanks in advance!

Also just more info, I've got the devices rooted if that makes anything simpler or opens up options. I'm also wondering if this might be a driver issue because I was doing this on my windows 8 machine and from 7 up you have to do a bunch of stupid temporary system configurations to allow unsigned drivers plus wondering if it's a driver incompatibility issue. If that's the case can I use flashtool on my linux machine? Something I'll look in to... just wanted to post as much info as I can. Thanks again!

So no one in this forum has any idea?
No one here has absolutely any idea about what I can or can't do with this bootloader situation? Wow....

You dont have fastboot thats why but you can flash. Ftf custom kernels
Sent from my LT28i using xda app-developers app

psxpetey said:
You dont have fastboot thats why but you can flash. Ftf custom kernels
Sent from my LT28i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon my ignorance.... but you mean I can flash a custom kernel on my rogers r800a that will have fastboot? I'm asking basically because theres a working jellybean rom it but without fastboot I can't use flashtool to flash this custom rom. I'm a bit of a noob sorry and I ought not to be with what I do for a living. lol

Furinax said:
Pardon my ignorance.... but you mean I can flash a custom kernel on my rogers r800a that will have fastboot? I'm asking basically because theres a working jellybean rom it but without fastboot I can't use flashtool to flash this custom rom. I'm a bit of a noob sorry and I ought not to be with what I do for a living. lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you do test point unlock you don't get fast boot you have to use flash mode and .ft kernel and whatnot go into flash tool and press boot loader unlock it should fail and say its already unlocked
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

Got it!
After much struggle.. I've got it all working and running slimbean. It's quite a huge pain in the rear to get set up so I'll post a complete guide on this thread afterward... especially considering that this thread comes up in top google search results for me when I look up "unlock bootloader R800a" and other such similar phrases.

Furinax said:
After much struggle.. I've got it all working and running slimbean. It's quite a huge pain in the rear to get set up so I'll post a complete guide on this thread afterward... especially considering that this thread comes up in top google search results for me when I look up "unlock bootloader R800a" and other such similar phrases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So uh... what happened to the guide?

someguymartin said:
So uh... what happened to the guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly this was almost a year ago and I ended up chucking that damn phone out and getting my wife a new one. I barely remember the whole process I just remember it being about 3-4 days of me being intensely angry and frustrated lol. I do recall it involved ripping apart the phone and shorting out certain pins that are covered by the sticker under the battery, but I believe that portion was for unlocking the sim, I really can't remember. I'll see if I can dust off those brain cells and get the whole thing back and post nfo if successful.

someguymartin said:
So uh... what happened to the guide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This I used as for part of the process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM8lWE4Layc
However I don't believe this tutorial includes unlocking the bootloader. I believe sony provides a utility or something to unlock the bootloader but you're missing fastboot. I think the process involved flashing a custom kernel, not sure. I'll keep digging into my memory and post more nfo back later. Kernel was Lupus kernel I recall that much.
Edit:
Here is complete guide with bootloader unlock process explained as well.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2187172
More links http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com - but as I recall this doesn't work for rogers branded r800a.