Develop Bugs

[GUIDE] R800x owners - You got Custom ROM questions? I've got Answers!

xda-developers is a great site for learning all sorts of tricks and tips. However, sometimes it's been excruciating trying to get straight answers to what should be simple questions. You can get lost for hours or days in some of these threads, and still not be certain of the answer. And some people just can't seem to resist giving a n00b a hard time instead of a helpful hand.
Hopefully, this short guide will lessen someone's pain a bit. This guide is intended for use primarily by those of us who own a Verizon Xperia Play, model R800x.
Basic terminology you should know before using this guide:
1. What is Root, and why should/shouldn't I do it?
2. What is a locked Bootloader?
3. Can I unlock my bootloader, and do I have to in order to customize my R800x?
4. What is a kernel?
5. What is a Custom Recovery?
6. What is a Nandroid?
7. What is a ROM?
Use Wikipedia or Google to get the answer to those basics before moving on. You need to understand the whys and wherefores before going further.
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OK - You're back, so hopefully you have a better understanding of what we'll be doing from here on out. This guide is intended for those of us who for one reason (money) or another (caution, anxiety or fear) choose not to unlock the bootloader but still want to do some customization. I'm going to gather together the threads you need to perform the following tasks:
1. Root the R800x - [HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method)
2. Install a Custom Recovery - The easiest method is found here: [APP]/[RECOVERY] Auto-Installer 5.0.2.7-nAa-r2 (Locked/Unlocked Bootloader) 10/1/12 That's an apk you install on your phone and run to install CWM to the \system folder. No cable or PC needed!
3. Make a Nandroid backup - Turn off your phone. When you see the words Sony Ericsson, repeatedly push the volume down button to enter Clockworks Custom Recovery. Using the volume down button, highlight Backup and Restore. Use the Home key to select it. Use Home again to select Backup. When it finishes, congratulate yourself on making your first Nandroid Backup! Reboot your phone to get out of CWM.
4. Choose and install an alternate ROM The following ROMs have been tested by me and have been shown to work. Each of them is available as a Nandroid, so you will copy them to your SD Card in \clockwork\backup and then use CWM's Backup and Restore menu to restore them to your phone.Follow the directions as provided by each thread. NOTE: In most cases, these ROMs may be used on either locked or unlocked bootloaders.
- GBTweaked0 - the Basic Gingerbread stock ROM, debloaded and tweaked out with the Icecream Sandwich look.
-R800x with UK Firmware - 2 links here and both work. Verizon 2.3.3 Timescape works as is. UK firmware needs a little extra effort to enable the hardware keys Tutorial Fix R800X UK nandroid Back,Home,Menu, and Search buttons and the wifi which can be downloaded from here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?rps86s1qxbbe6vo
-UPDATE For the button fix above, I found that if you follow those instructions, your buttons for the gamepad stop working. Follow the tutorial but insert the lines above the line that says "# KEY_UP, KEY_LEFT, KEY_RIGHT, KEY_DOWN" instead. This lets both the front buttons and all the gamepad buttons work properly. (See my post in the tutorial for the total script.)
-UPDATE: Hogwarts has added another customized ROM called COLA just for our R800x with the locked bootloader. When Hogwarts says it's the smallest and fastest ROM currently available, he's not kidding! This is about as bare minimum as you can get, lean and mean. Interested? Check out his post for COLA.
-UPDATE XperianceIT has posted up another customized ROM, a variation based on Hogwarts COLA. He calls it IT-ROM
-UPDATE From KeiranFTW comes Darkforest CDMA Rom (3.0.5) - [ROM] Darkforest ROM 3.0.5 UPDATE | GSM 2.3.4/.62 | CDMA 2.3.3/.145 [WIP]
5. Return to Stock - Download Flashtool from here: Flashtool-0.6.8.0-windows.exe and the stock ROM ftf from here: R800x 2.3.3 Full 3.0.1.E.0.88 FTF
Please be sure to READ AND FOLLOW the instructions provided on each of those threads. I bear absolutely NO RESPONSIBILITY if you do something to damage your phone.
NONE of these programs or solutions are my own work. All I have done is hunted down and tested these different links. All credit goes to each thread reference's OP and their respective affiliates. SOME of the people to be thanked are: DooMLorD, PaxChristos, KeiranFTW, Chevyowner, 216Monster, 007shark, odst0016, Leraeniesh, Androxyde, CrimsonSentinel13, Hogwarts, pvyParts the ICX Developers, and the Dark Forest Developers. Oh yeah, Sony (Ericsson) for making the phone, and Verizon for challenging all the devs creativity! If I've missed anyone, it's because I have a lousy memory and not because I wanted to shaft them from the glory they so richly deserve.
I hope this helps someone out. I sure could have used this post myself!
02/16/2012 - Updated some of the links that had been pointing at MultiUpload to new links on MediaFire
03/38/2012 - Removed ROM info for Unlocked Bootloaders as this thread is for LOCKED R800x Phones Only

Great thread whenever I post something new ill send you the details in a pm if I remember
Sent from my R800x using XDA App

Very good thread! I wish this was here when i started out looking for answers. Hey if you want you can add a link to my thread on how to change the carrier name for the r800x. That way even after flashing to a custom ROM, your not stuck with "Verizon Wireless" in your notification pulldown. The link is in my signature.

Thanks for the info.
Specifically the hardware key fix on the UK ROM
If you dont mind please add my Cola rom to this list of R800X roms
thanks.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442557

Any news on overclocking?

Cl8rs said:
Any news on overclocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For locked bootloaders requires a module ive been learning about how to make them. So maybe in the future.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App

Bumping so it doesnt get lost
Sent from my R800x using XDA App

It should be stickied/pinned.

Hogwarts said:
Thanks for the info.
Specifically the hardware key fix on the UK ROM
If you dont mind please add my Cola rom to this list of R800X roms
thanks.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442557
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Hogwarts! I know we ALL appreciate another ROM to work with. I hope to test yours this weekend. I'll try to comment on your thread when I do.

netizenmt said:
Thank you, Hogwarts! I know we ALL appreciate another ROM to work with. I hope to test yours this weekend. I'll try to comment on your thread when I do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome
I've made alot of improvements to it.
You can read changelog to see everything
I think it's the fastest setup possible for R800X locked bootlader

kernel
So do these roms come with a custom kernel (e.g. doomlord) to allow for overclocking?

Apersonx said:
So do these roms come with a custom kernel (e.g. doomlord) to allow for overclocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doom lord is working on one hopefully since i requested it.
i'll be adding it to my rom and others can to

This is fantastic! Thanks for the guide. This is my first time trying out a custom rom and it was super easy thanks to your instructions.
Currently testing out COLA and holy **** it's fast. Loving it so far.

gchaggy said:
This is fantastic! Thanks for the guide. This is my first time trying out a custom rom and it was super easy thanks to your instructions.
Currently testing out COLA and holy **** it's fast. Loving it so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could spare you some pain! And, yeah, COLA is friggin' fast. Too lean for my particular tastes, as I like to load up on games and what not, but Hogwarts has done an amazing job with trimming the fat, for sure!

dos any one no if there will be a android 2.3.4 or android 4.0 for the R800x?

Thank you for this post i was having a problem trying to comprehend all the stuff needed to install a ROM on the CDMA locked bootloader R800x but this cleared it all up.
Now im running the IT-ROM. Works great

Hello, is posibel install a stock Android 2.3.4 (Ginger) in the xperia play? ... and then edit some files allow the functionally of the hard keys as does this tutorial?

Hey guys im having issues, i tried using about every rom that was posted in this thread, the only one to install without error was cola6, anyway all the others give me a md5 sum mismatch. can anyone clerrify how to resolve this issue

Agito504 said:
Hey guys im having issues, i tried using about every rom that was posted in this thread, the only one to install without error was cola6, anyway all the others give me a md5 sum mismatch. can anyone clerrify how to resolve this issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Redownload it and try copy pasting again. I've had an issue with arch Linux where I'd get continual MD5 errors, but no md5 errors on xp.
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk

thanx for your quick feedback @paxChristos

[Q] HOW TO INSTALL Official MIUIv4 for LT18i (ArcS) ON MY ARC LT15i

I am asking this question here on the NOOB Q&A section and not in the respective forum due to the fact that I am a NOOOB. I have to bother the servers and make a NEW THREAD about this dumb question. Here we go, I want to install Official MIUIv4 on my ARCLT15i from the following thread::
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1565194
since, I cannot post in the development section, I have to ask HERE how to install this on the LT15i as I am not sure how to do it and how to get the ICS BETA on the phone. If anyone from THAT FORUM can let me know, I would appreciate it. Thanks and I am sorry for creating yet another useless question.
**WINK WINK BEE-OTCHES

First thing first;
Is your phone rooted ?
Unlock boot loader ?
Do you know how to flash image/kernel/rom ?
If you answer NO to any of the questions above then I'd recommend not to touch your phone yet but read through the forums and learn all about the things I posted.
I'm also a newbie but I took time to learn. All these flashy roms are quite attractive but believe me nothing worse than a bricked phone.
Good luck

Oh yea dude. My phone is rooted and unlocked bootloader and overclocked 1.5GHz using doomlord kernel and running sinmiui 2.3.7 android. i just don't know how to go about getting this version of MIUI V4.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

The boot image is in the zip file which you have to flash in fastboot mode either in command prompt or using Flash tool.
Btw for LT15 see this post. The same but rather simple.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=24077483&postcount=74

[Q] Pure google ICS on ARC s available ?

Hey guys,
advance i get started with the topic i must say im not english and im very new in this forum, so please forgive me little mistakes like using the wrong thread or something like this
so now to topic.
I own the Sony Ericsson Arc S, its all ready rooted and modded.
since the Google I/O 2012 a few days ago, im realy in love with the pure android feeling with out manufacture specific launcher like Xperia home, htc sence or so. :victory:I'd like to have the pure google nexus experience right on my arc s.
I don't want jelly bean pls don't missunderstand, im searching for ICS.
Is there any way to get the pure nexus ICS feeling on my arc s ?
i searched allready in here, but the only thing i found was the other direction to get xperia on nexus ( WTH ?! who wants? xD )
thanks for your help and feedback :good:

all you have to do is install CM9 on your arc s....it is based on AOSP..so it will look same like google nexus OS

oh really ? yeah man thanks, so easy ... i I didn't expect
thanks man :good::victory:
but one little question. is it also including all apps like contacts telephone and so on ? must i used a specific Arc s CM9 ? I must know whether i must search for cm9 or for arc s cm9

no probs...happy to help

i'd find this link -> download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=anzu&type=stable
but i gues its the worng ?! i own the LT18 but there it is named LT15 so the "old" arc, is it familiar ( because of cpu frequency and the 3D camera ) ?

GO here dude
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1356685
Old one is Arc and it has less cpu frequency..

thanks for that.
oh man, it looks extremly hard to do. Kernel, Baseband, rom ahhh omg. if i do it right i got the jackpot and make a big party xDD
I am searching nearly one hour for an tutorial to get cm9 on xperia, dont finding any at all? is it so unpopular on arc ? i never done that before i dont know WAHT i must install and HOW :/ whats with the baseband, the kernel and the rom how can i put it rightly on my phone? i cant find anything, not in google and not here
ah okay, i found one, can i use this is it actual and correct for my usage? forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1676135

Google fetishist said:
thanks for that.
oh man, it looks extremly hard to do. Kernel, Baseband, rom ahhh omg. if i do it right i got the jackpot and make a big party xDD
I am searching nearly one hour for an tutorial to get cm9 on xperia, dont finding any at all? is it so unpopular on arc ? i never done that before i dont know WAHT i must install and HOW :/ whats with the baseband, the kernel and the rom how can i put it rightly on my phone? i cant find anything, not in google and not here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No dude.. Process is same for all custom roms.. Only files r different..
First flash kernel
Then flash baseband
Then flash the rom through recovery
Then flash Google Apps.
It might sound complicated but if u do these step by step I am sure u will see its easy. So now first search for how to flash kernel. M out now or else I could've sent u links.
Sent from SE Xperia arc s using tapatalk 2

okay if its same for every phone i would found it much faster sry for that :/
i found one, can i use this is it actual and correct for my usage? forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1676135
First flash kernel
Then flash baseband
Then flash the rom through recovery
Then flash Google Apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no bootloader unlock required?
another thing. what is the " cm9.0 GAPPS ADDON " are this the google apps you meant ?

GAPPS is the Google apps like gmail, the play store etc.
It is essential for you to flash it.
Swyped from my SE Xperia arc (LT15i) using Tapatalk 2

xtacy! said:
GAPPS is the Google apps like gmail, the play store etc.
It is essential for you to flash it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay good.
so for know i got the following files:
- Gapps
- LT18i LT18i_4.1.B.0.431_BB72 Baseband
- FXP127-cm-9-20120630-UNOFFICIAL-anzu ROM
- Kernel left -> where can i get the right one? in the thread linked at the top of these thread i only found thes 3 things but the kernel left

My suggestion
Google fetishist said:
Hey guys,
advance i get started with the topic i must say im not english and im very new in this forum, so please forgive me little mistakes like using the wrong thread or something like this
so now to topic.
I own the Sony Ericsson Arc S, its all ready rooted and modded.
since the Google I/O 2012 a few days ago, im realy in love with the pure android feeling with out manufacture specific launcher like Xperia home, htc sence or so. :victory:I'd like to have the pure google nexus experience right on my arc s.
I don't want jelly bean pls don't missunderstand, im searching for ICS.
Is there any way to get the pure nexus ICS feeling on my arc s ?
i searched allready in here, but the only thing i found was the other direction to get xperia on nexus ( WTH ?! who wants? xD )
thanks for your help and feedback :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,may I suggest JJ hybrid rom 3.1 which is basically still sony stock rom but with AOSP experience..in other words you will get pure google experience and at the same time everything works includng bravia engine and xloud,trust me..arc's speaker is way too quiet without xloud...it is also the fastest and stable rom for me..battery life is great compared to cm9..and for the kernel try arcknight 3.3 stock for performance n battery life..that's all

resoftes applications
its nice from you get me this tip but the status of flashing new rom is by putting the usb cable in to my arc, more i can't do for now, i never done that before. i only read words like fastboot and so but i dont find any tut that tells my what it is.
but i think i will get the CM9. and xloud aren't used by me anyway so i dont need.
And the bravia engine don't make a big difference i guess.
but back to my problem, i cant find the right kernel for my arc because i don't know for what what I'm looking for. is the kernel including in the Rom zip !? I'm totally confused and perplexed
if i got these, then i can searching a tutorial how to flash it, but for now i got nothing to flash, so a tut makes no sense for now i must have the files first.

Google fetishist said:
okay good.
so for know i got the following files:
- Gapps
- LT18i LT18i_4.1.B.0.431_BB72 Baseband
- FXP127-cm-9-20120630-UNOFFICIAL-anzu ROM
- Kernel left -> where can i get the right one? in the thread linked at the top of these thread i only found thes 3 things but the kernel left
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The kernel is there in the FXP package. It will be the boot.img file.
Swyped from my SE Xperia arc (LT15i) using Tapatalk 2

erforgiv received
i dont get it. how can i install the kernel first, if the kernel is same file as the rom ?
if i go to CWM and install form zip and select the rom with the kernel i cant choose kernel i must choose the hole zip. i dont understand it. how can i separate between kernel and rom if its the same file?
i searched in google and youtube: " flash android kernel " but i don't find any good tutorial, only a lot of tuts that left out mayor facts and steps or other wise i dont find any noob tutotials.
my nerves are ending in a nuclear meltdown. i got any facts and files i must have but they are swimming around like a letter soup
im not english or american that makes the hole thing for me double hard, particularly i dont understand video tut's because of the extrem bad voice quality and any kind of american slang or migrated american slang. so youtube tutorials complete out of use for me and google dont like me too seem so.
while im trying to unlock my bootloader, anything worked fine, but for now it doesnt boot anymore. pls guy can any body help me
I did it exactly with this tutorial! http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1676135
ho can i fix it ?

All done thanks for your help
Gesendet von meinem - Xperia Arc S FXP127 CM9 - mittels XDA App

Help the complete noob!

I'm new to android and I don't know nothing about this wonderful OS .I have been using iOS and Windows Phone for a few years but it was time to make the change.
I bought two new android devices SGS3 and Xperia Arc S ,the SGS3 is the main phone and the Xperia is just for fun(modding ,everything custom and all that good stuff).
So this is what is what i want to known about the ARC S : how to root on 4.1.B.0.431 (ICS 4.0.4)
how to remove bloatware apps
how to flash cool stuff to the phone(beats audio ,themes lockscreens etc)
how to install custom Rom
I think I need an Idiot's guide for all this stuff.

Here a thing for ICS:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1330314
And here for GB, but with more information:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1133650

just lurk around the arc developer forum, i think everything you're interested in will be there

I am like you just a little noob here I was like you at first but after a little search around the forum I grasped all basics you just asked for try to search using Google and adding xda to the topic you searching for or search using the forum itself you will get way you asked for
Sent from my LT18i using xda premium

check this super thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1653188

super useful thanks a bunch!

[Q] upgrading the os

my htc dhd has a 2.3.7 android os, I want to upgrade for the new rom and new android os
I don't know nothing about nothing. all I nead is a good advice about nice tutorial/guides for work on it
Thank's!

Henm3000 said:
my htc dhd has a 2.3.7 android os, I want to upgrade for the new rom and new android os
I don't know nothing about nothing. all I nead is a good advice about nice tutorial/guides for work on it
Thank's!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go!
http://bit.ly/13VrMks

Unfortunately my friend this is not a hold my hand and guide me forum. You need to do some reading and learning like the rest of us. We all had to do it and we all were new at this once. So please read and search then read and search some more before you end up coming back to us requesting help to fix your phone.
Never attempt anything without some kind of basic knowledge of what you are trying to do.
To get anything higher than 2.3.7 means you have to go custom rom like JB or ICS. So my first advice to you would be reading up on how to get your bootloader unlocked since its a DHD. If its an inspire then read up on rooting if its still supported.
Good luck and enjoy the learning.
Sent from my GOLDENEYE S4

Reinaldo33897 said:
Unfortunately my friend this is not a hold my hand and guide me forum. You need to do some reading and learning like the rest of us. We all had to do it and we all were new at this once. So please read and search then read and search some more before you end up coming back to us requesting help to fix your phone.
Never attempt anything without some kind of basic knowledge of what you are trying to do.
To get anything higher than 2.3.7 means you have to go custom rom like JB or ICS. So my first advice to you would be reading up on how to get your bootloader unlocked since its a DHD. If its an inspire then read up on rooting if its still supported.
Good luck and enjoy the learning.
Sent from my GOLDENEYE S4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree...
To op. Please look through the forums, people have already done lots and lots of work already for you, creating guides and tools and roms and recoveries.
Now I don't want to sound mean, but at the end of the day your going to have to do all the work rooting and flashing yourself, this stuff is not easy for beginners (noobs) your going to have to do some reading and learning.
However this does not mean that some one is not going to help you after you've learned some skills.
Welcome to the xda DEVELOPERS community.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda app-developers app

ranger4740 said:
i agree...
To op. Please look through the forums, people have already done lots and lots of work already for you, creating guides and tools and roms and recoveries.
Now i don't want to sound mean, but at the end of the day your going to have to do all the work rooting and flashing yourself, this stuff is not easy for beginners (noobs) your going to have to do some reading and learning.
However this does not mean that some one is not going to help you after you've learned some skills.
Welcome to the xda developers community.
Sent from my gt-i9505 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah what he said!