[Q] A few questions about the boot loader and unlocking it. - Xperia Play Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have the R800a model that I had not used for about a month. I had/have root access on it, but never put a custom rom on there.
Yesterday I started using it again, but wanted to start over new, so I did the factory reset that you find under settings > Privacy >Factory data reset.
After this the device booted up with no problem, but my home button does not work and notifications do not happen, it doesn't make noise or vibrate (and notifications are set to do both).
I figured I'd just put a custom ROM on there, I'd been meaning to do it for a while, so while reading the tutorial from my understanding it said I needed to unlock the boot loader to be able to flash custom roms.
Went to the Sony Mobile website and tried following the instructions there to unlock the boot loader.
According to step one I don't have access to unlock the boot loader, but I figured I'd give it a shot anyways. When I get to step 12/13 in the instructions my computer doesn't prompt me to point it to the correct drivers. I tried manually installing it in the device manager under both things that my device shows up as (SEMC mass storage usb device, and usb mass storage device). However when trying to manually install the driver to both of those it said that it did not contain any information about the device.
Double checked in the command prompt to see if maybe I just didn't need to point the computer to the right place, but it wasn't picking up the device the way that is required.
I'm assuming this means I can't unlock the boot loader after all, but I'm just curious if I should still be able to complete this step and get to the end of the instructions for it to fail, or if I don't even get the option to connect the device with the unlock button.
It won't let me post a link to the guide I was using because I'm a new user, however googleing xperia play unlock boot loader will show you the guide.
Alternatively, is there any way I will be able to reload software on my device, or flash a custom rom to get the home button to work without losing root?

Related

Is unlocking the bootloader my only option?

Hi,
I own a Nexus One with CyanogenMod 7 RC1. I've rooted my phone without unlocking my bootloader (with super1click) using ClockworkMod as the Recovery console. The "wonk" was starting to drive me crazy.
Yesterday, for some "strage" reason (probably a bubble to the head!!) I decided to Flash the stock Rom to my phone (I wanted to try the official release of Gingerbread). My mistake was doing it through Rom Manager.
It sorta "semi" briked my nexus.
When I do a normal boot, I see the android X loading, then, the screen goes blank. I know something's going on on the device because my trackball is flashing white. I even get heptic feedback from the four bottom buttons. But the screen is always black!
When I boot into the bootloader menu (power+down) and try going into the Recovery console, my screen is also all black! There again, something must be going on because my computer detect the attached device, but unfortunately, I can't ADB (device not found!!)
Finally, when I boot into the bootloader menu (power+down) and I enable Fastboot USB, I cant "flash" anything onto the device (I get an error at the signature verification). This is probably due to the fact that my bootloader is still locked (I guess).
Here are my questions:
1- Is it a lost cause? Is my nexus forever in this semi bricked state?
2- Is my only option to solve the issue is unlocking the bootloader?
3- Will that work?
I would like (if possible) not to unlock the bootloader but if that's my only option, I'll do it without any issues.
If I unlock the bootloader, what then? Do I "fastboot flash recovery" a working recovery image and then, from the recovery console reflash any good rom?
Thanks for reading this long post and for helping me out!
Have you decided which ROM you want to use yet? When you have found one, extract the contents of the .zip and flash the contents using fastboot. Obviously you'll need to unlock the Bootloader first but what's the point of having that ability if you're not going to use it?
Lot's of info in the WIKI.
Hi Thanks for the reply!
I'll probably go back with CyanogenMod 6.1.1 (Stable release).
So you're telling me that I have no other choice and I'll need to unlock the bootloader?
What If I decide to flash the Stock ROM? I'll still need to unlock it right?
Thanks
From your original post it doesn't sound like there's any other option. Consider it a blessing in disguise though. Fastboot is a terrific feature to have as it makes flashing safe and easy.
THIS would be a good ROM to start with if you want to try out the stock Gingerbread experience.

Phone stuck on Google Screen

I need help, When I turn on my Nexus the screen stays stuck on the Google start up screen. My phone is rooted with JellyBean. I have the Verizon version of the phone. I was also wondering how can I unroot my phone back to stock ICS?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
Follow that to return to stock.
biscuitownz said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
Follow that to return to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
Right now I'm still stuck at the google start-up screen which still won't load up. I don't know if I messed up my phone.
I'm not really tech savvy with the entire flashing and fixing, but I'll help you best as I can.
You're not in trouble even if the phone hangs on the google logo upon a boot up. If you can hold the volume up and then the power, you should have access to bootloader. You can boot cwm to install stock rom, which I believe will remove root (superuser) and return to stock ics or jelly bean depending on which stock rom you install. If you've unlocked the phone (which I assume you did), you can lock it again by using the command "fastboot oem lock," which will lock the device back to factory settings.
I've basically surmised the linked thread above. If you're still confused, look at this thread here. Cheers!
biscuitownz said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
Follow that to return to stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is facing same problem, but with a twist and need help.
I did not unlock, root, or install any bootloader before, no CWM.
But my phone is now in bootloop, after a hang for unknown reasons.
I tried recovery, reboot, even fectory reset, but it just goes into a continous loop of google word logo, flashing trapezoids, and then a glitchy stop, then loop.
Sometimes it will just loop at the google word logo.
So I thought my original ROM must be damaged, and wanted to flash a new rom, hoping to fix things.
Problem is, I managed to unlock, but cant get through to rooting as whenever I try to root, it will attempt to run, but will end up saying :
FAILED <status read failed<too many links>>
Also i did not have USB debug before my phone went into bootloop. So now during rooting and attempts to install CWM, there is supposed to be a reboot and a change of USB debug setting required, which can't happen in my case as it couldn't even reboot to stock android.
So I am stuck with a bricked phone currently, when I didn't do anything in the first place...
details of my phone when in fastboot mode:
Product name - tuna
Variant - maguro
HW Version - 9
BOOTLOADER VERSION - PRIMEKK15
BASEBAND VERSION - I9250XXLA2
CARRIER INFO - NONE
SERIAL NUMBER - sorry not disclosed
SIGNING - production
Please let me know what i should do next... Hope to recover my phone
Thanks.
Make sure before you start, you have the correct drivers for your phone. Use this for your driver, and put the phone on bootloader. Make sure when you type fastboot devices, it shows the device. You can then unlock, boot cwm, flash either stock or other roms from there.

[Q] Nexus 7 stuck at Google logo and can't unlock bootloader

Hi all
Interesting issue that I've searched here and Google for and not getting far, my searching skills may not be the best though as I'm fairly new to this.
My Nexus 7 was working fine, put it on the side, came back and it's turned off. Thinking it's flat I charge it and try to boot it with no success. Pressing the power for a while does get it to turn on but it gets as far as the Google logo and stays there.
I've factory reset it in the recovery and nothing
I've tried to flash the stock image from Google but when unlocking the bootloader it just sticks on "yes" forever and nothing happens.
What can I do at this point?
Cheers
Acksaw said:
Hi all
Interesting issue that I've searched here and Google for and not getting far, my searching skills may not be the best though as I'm fairly new to this.
My Nexus 7 was working fine, put it on the side, came back and it's turned off. Thinking it's flat I charge it and try to boot it with no success. Pressing the power for a while does get it to turn on but it gets as far as the Google logo and stays there.
I've factory reset it in the recovery and nothing
I've tried to flash the stock image from Google but when unlocking the bootloader it just sticks on "yes" forever and nothing happens.
What can I do at this point?
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you heard of Wugfresh Tool kit ? (aka Nexus Tool Kit) It is in the development section or you can google it. It is quite famous.
It will do anything actually from drivers to repair a device stuck on google logo. Just make sure you select the correct option.
You will need unlocked bootloader to flash stock images. And to do either of those, you will need drivers!
Install drivers and use it to recover your device. If you still have trouble, quote me back and I will help you to my best of ability.
Look into the forum before posting your questions. There are so many similar problems and you can easily find a solution by reading their questions and their possible solution.
Good Luck!
I'm having issues with my nexus 7 (2013). It will not boot up,it's stuck on Google logo. I am able to put in fastboot mode. I'd like to do a hard reset/wipe but I cannot enter recovery mode; it just goes to the Google logo and doesn't show me the recovery menu. I thought I could try doing it through adb but bootloader is locked. Downloaded WugFresh toolkit but it requires correct build number, which I do not know. I tried different ones but everything fails. AND USB debugging is not enabled, but I cannot do it through my tablet because it won't pass bootloop. I haven't been able to enable it remotely. So, any help with getting this tablet up and awake?! It's not rooted BTW, its running stock 6.0 marshmallow
MGreen1216 said:
... issues with my nexus 7 (2013) ... stuck on Google logo. I am able to put in fastboot mode ... doesn't show me the recovery menu ... bootloader is locked. Downloaded WugFresh toolkit but it requires correct build number, which I do not know. I tried different ones but everything fails. AND USB debugging is not enabled, but I cannot do it through my tablet because it won't pass bootloop. I haven't been able to enable it remotely. So, any help with getting this tablet up and awake?! It's not rooted BTW, its running stock 6.0 marshmallow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, and troubling for you, I'm sure.
-- What do you mean, in fastboot it doesn't show you the recovery menu? If you are into (more properly) bootloader mode, the Recovery option has to be there. Do you mean you just can't select it, or that it won't work when you do select it?
-- Using fastboot, you might be able to boot into custom recovery without flashing it. (e.g. "fastboot boot twrp.img", not "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img".
-- Have you tried unlocking the bootloader via fastboot? Is it possible OEM Unlock is already/still enabled somehow?
-- Also.... Wug's NRT doesn't need the correct verion/build. The last option in the drop-down menu on the NRT is this: << Android *.*.* - Any Build >>
HTH
-- When i go into bootloader/fastboot mode, the option is there for recovery mode along with 'start' and 'power off',etc.. However, when I select it,it just hangs on Google logo and never shows me the Android man and recovery options.
-- Sorry, not sure what you mean by this: "Using fastboot, you might be able to boot into custom recovery without flashing it. (e.g. "fastboot boot twrp.img", not "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img"."
I may need some instructions on how to do this please.
-- I have tried unlocking bootloader via WugFresh and Nexus toolkit and via adb but it hangs on erasing user data and also hangs on 'unlock bootloader's screen (left it for over 12 hrs). I doubt anything is unlocked.
--Yes, I tried the "any build" option and nothing works.
Thank you
I'm open to any suggestions.
MGreen1216 said:
--- not sure what you mean by this: "Using fastboot, you might be able to boot into custom recovery without flashing it. (e.g. "fastboot boot twrp.img", not "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img"."
I may need some instructions on how to do this please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, right. I didn't read closely, and didn't realize you might not have used fastboot tools... and please, I'm no expert, so if I'm saying somthing inaccurate, I very much hope someone will correct me.
I'm never sure how much a poster knows, so I'm not sure if you meant you don't know fastboot commands at all, or just the specific ones I mentioned .. fastboot commands are like ADB commands, but run in the bootloader environment. We know you have fastboot commands installed and fastboot drivers installed on your computer because you have adb installed - which includes fastboot, and you said WugFresh's tool was able to run, which means you also have the right fastboot drivers (the NRT uses the same fastboot commands).
fastboot can be used to flash/install custom recovery packages, among a whole lot of other things. So what I mentioned in that command was a possible way to maybe get into a custom recovery if you have to do things like wipes or whatever, even if you can't actually fully install the custom recovery. You might need to do this stuff, if you can't unlock your bootloader and flash the whole official Google Factory Image from their website (which is what I'd try - simple instructions are right there, too).
Flashing the full factory image will wipe your device, of course, but there are simple ways around that, which you can find on this very forum. Good luck.
Let us know how you get on.
<<< Any device that's bootable at all is recoverable...... usually... >>>

Nexus 5X Bricked Google logo loop - HELP

Nexus 5x h790 - Android 6.0.1
Some day he restarted and frozen in Google Logo. I just access the Bootloader Mode, recovery and Download mode don't run.
The problem is I can't into in Android settings, so I can't enter in developer options, OEM unlock is not allowed and USB debugging to. Because this I can't unlock my bootloader in Fastboot mode. I try use NRT but for solving my problem I need unlock my bootloader and my OEM is not activated.
Yesterday I read some topic that talking about let the device restart several times, for my surprise this worked and enter in the initiation process of Android, but is not everytime that works and is too longer to wait this miracle happens.
Please help me with this problem I don't know what I do now.
Sorry for my English I am from Brazil
Most likely you have a hardware problem.
You can try sideloading the FULL OTA using adb sideload and recovery, but you said you can't get into recovery. I am not sure if you can't get into recovery, ever, or just can't get in most of the time, but sometimes you can. If latter, try adb sideload of FULL OTA.
Bootloader is useless if you can't unlock it.
The last option is to use LGUP and the TOT file, but I think you mentioned not being able to get into download mode.
Keep in mind if you flash the TOT file, it doesn't come with a vendor partition, so it is likely you'll get some error during startup. What I would do is immediately go to developer options and enable OEM unlocking, then go to bootloader and unlock, then flash a full factory image that includes the vendor you need.
That's pretty much your options.

Question Pixel 6 Pro (no root) stuck in bootloop after official Android update

Hello,
I usually come here to root my phone and choose the best ROM, but this time I'm here because of a problem with the official ROM. I did a simple OTA android update this weekend, and the phone never restarted. There was enough battery so nothing to report during the install. I'm stuck on an infinite bootloop and the recovery commands take me to a no command.
Beyond having lost all my data, I'm worried because no command is working. I have already followed all the tutorials on youtube (including the most improbable techniques of hitting the back of the smartphone or putting it in the freezer for 10min, I know it's stupid, but when you're desperate you try everything).
So I'm coming here to ask for your help, hoping that someone will give me a solution to at least flash a basic image and start over.
Regards
Thiiibs said:
Hello,
I usually come here to root my phone and choose the best ROM, but this time I'm here because of a problem with the official ROM. I did a simple OTA android update this weekend, and the phone never restarted. There was enough battery so nothing to report during the install. I'm stuck on an infinite bootloop and the recovery commands take me to a no command.
Beyond having lost all my data, I'm worried because no command is working. I have already followed all the tutorials on youtube (including the most improbable techniques of hitting the back of the smartphone or putting it in the freezer for 10min, I know it's stupid, but when you're desperate you try everything).
So I'm coming here to ask for your help, hoping that someone will give me a solution to at least flash a basic image and start over.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you can get into bootloader and it's locked, go to platform tools and unlock the bootloader. Then you can flash the factory image and proceed from there. This will wipe data.
The other image is the screen prior to entering recovery via pressing power button and vol up.
I would recommend turning on USB debugging first thing when getting any phone.
Android Flash Tool
flash.android.com
The No Command Screen is normal. You just need to press and hold the Power Button and while doing, so press and release the Volume Up key (after about 5 seconds) and then release the Power key as well. This will take you to stock recovery. From there, you could sideload the OTA package [works on a locked bootloader as well] but as already told in a post just above mine, you need to have enabled USB Debugging beforehand.
The bootloader is locked but you can access it, so go to platform tools and unlock it. After that, you can flash the factory image and carry on. It will erase all data.
To sideload an OTA in stock recovery you shouldn't need to have USB Debugging enabled. Being in sideload mode enables a very limited set of ADB commands on Pixels, including adb sideload <imagename>.zip. I'm not aware that this has changed.
To unlock your bootloader you will need to have OEM Unlocking enabled in Developer Options beforehand.

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