Develop Bugs

[Q] How to Backup stock Kernel + ROM ?

Hello Guys !
I wanna try some custom ROM so before doing that want to backup my Kernel & ROM. If anything gone wrong so I can revert back to original ROM.
My Cell details:
Xperia Arc S
LT18i
Android Version 2.3.4
Baseband Version -64
Build number
4.0.2.a.0.62
Locked bootloader
& unrooted.
Please someone guide me....
Thanks in advance...

If your bootloader's locked then you can't back up. You can only reload(repair)it from PC companion.
sinkster©

Thanks sinkster !
Ok done unlocked bootloader.
Then advice the further steps...

XPERIA CWM AUTO INSTALLER
download this app and install CWM recovery on ur phone...
Then reboot ur phone into recovery mode...
TO DO THIS, LONG PRESS BACK BUTTON WHILE THE PHONE RE-BOOTS
(OR)
KEEP TAPPING VOLUME DOWN BUTTON...
After it boots into recovery, go to BACKUP & RESTORE and Select Backup...
This will create a NANDROID BACKUP on your phone exactly as it is...including apps n contacts n all other data..
you can find it in SDCARD/Clockworkmod/Backup/
Good day...

If you wanted to take a backup without installing CWM you can use fastboot to boot (not flash) a kernel that has CWM built in.

thanks amulbaby
I will try and get back here with comment ...
EDIT:
I tried that steps but it will works only on rooted phone ..., can not enter in to recovery mode by pressing any key, it normally boots up and appear home ...

smartarse93 said:
If you wanted to take a backup without installing CWM you can use fastboot to boot (not flash) a kernel that has CWM built in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How to do so... any guide links pls .. .

ShresthasR said:
thanks amulbaby
I will try and get back here with comment ...
EDIT:
I tried that steps but it will works only on rooted phone ..., can not enter in to recovery mode by pressing any key, it normally boots up and appear home ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why don't you root it with flashtool then?
But for that u wud have to downgrade to .42, with flashtool before rooting

Hey I am also wondering about this. I have lt15i flashed with Official .562, locked bootloader and CWM installed via flashtool.
Which ICS roms will work with official .562 and locked bootloader? I have been searching all morning but not a lot of updates regarding this since the official .562 release.

djsneak1 said:
Hey I am also wondering about this. I have lt15i flashed with Official .562, locked bootloader and CWM installed via flashtool.
Which ICS roms will work with official .562 and locked bootloader? I have been searching all morning but not a lot of updates regarding this since the official .562 release.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PROBABLY THIS ..... NOT SURE ....
T.E.A.M. Stock Rom for 2011 Xperia devices

amulbaby said:
Why don't you root it with flashtool then?
But for that u wud have to downgrade to .42, with flashtool before rooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the point I was looking for these alternative . . .
I have STOCK ROM with 4.0.2.a.0.62, actually I want to backup these stuff, I read about that downgrading via flashtool and root, if I flashed via flashtool that STOCK ROM will wipe...
Anyway here what I did to make a copy of my stock firmware & upgraded to ICS firmware & rooted.
Repaired my phone using Sony update service to download and backup STOCK firmware
Flashed with flashtool official firmware LT18i 4.1.A.0.562 NCB Icecream Sandwich Official

First you need to download a kernel that has cwm built in, I would search for recoveryARC.IMG then you also need fastboot from the SDK.
All you would do is connect your phone I'm fastboot then run in a command prompt fastboot boot recoveryARC.IMG. Your phone would then boot using that kernel and you can enter cwm by pressing the vol down several times. This process wouldn't flash your kernel only load it temporarily.
I would try and find a guide about them but I'm on my phone.
Sorry just noticed you've already done it, congrats enjoy ics.
Sent from my LT18i using XDA

smartarse93 said:
First you need to download a kernel that has cwm built in, I would search for recoveryARC.IMG then you also need fastboot from the SDK.
All you would do is connect your phone I'm fastboot then run in a command prompt fastboot boot recoveryARC.IMG. Your phone would then boot using that kernel and you can enter cwm by pressing the vol down several times. This process wouldn't flash your kernel only load it temporarily.
I would try and find a guide about them but I'm on my phone.
Sorry just noticed you've already done it, congrats enjoy ics.
Sent from my LT18i using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks bro ...
I already upgraded, anyway I want to know the process, you mentioned here this process wouldn't flash kernel only load it temporarily, I am confused...
Could you describe in details .. ? Actual what happens if we flash recovery img...

Well you can use fastboot to install the kernel which overwrites the previous one, or you can use it boot the kernel which just sends the kernel to the phone which the boots and temporarily uses the kernel. However when the phone next shuts down it will return to normal use.
If you flash a kernel it writes the .IMG to the boot partition. So if I wanted to use a kernel that stayed between reboots I would use 'fastboot flash boot kernelname.IMG'
However if I was running stock I could use recoveryARC.IMG with cwm, and do fastboot boot recoveryARC.IMG then run update.zip as normal. Then all you have to do is reboot, you'll be back to stock but the update would still be installed.
Sorry if it's not cleat, the best I could do on my phone.
Sent from my LT18i using XDA

Please elaborate on backing up STOCK ROM
ShresthasR said:
Here is the point I was looking for these alternative . . .
I have STOCK ROM with 4.0.2.a.0.62, actually I want to backup these stuff, I read about that downgrading via flashtool and root, if I flashed via flashtool that STOCK ROM will wipe...
Anyway here what I did to make a copy of my stock firmware & upgraded to ICS firmware & rooted.
Repaired my phone using Sony update service to download and backup STOCK firmware
Flashed with flashtool official firmware LT18i 4.1.A.0.562 NCB Icecream Sandwich Official
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you please give me details on you did this? It is precisely what I want to do (ie. Backup the stock carrier rom on my Xperia Arc before flashinging an old ROM in order to root it).
Did you use the "repair" option from "Sony PC Companion 2.1>Support Zone>Phone software update>repair phone"?
Or did you use the software from here: http: // w ww(dot)sonymobile(dot)com/gb/tools/update-service/
Can you please tell me the whole procedure on how you did the backup of the STOCK ROM? Thanks!

King of Procrastinators said:
Can you please give me details on you did this? It is precisely what I want to do (ie. Backup the stock carrier rom on my Xperia Arc before flashinging an old ROM in order to root it).
Did you use the "repair" option from "Sony PC Companion 2.1>Support Zone>Phone software update>repair phone"?
Or did you use the software from here: http: // w ww(dot)sonymobile(dot)com/gb/tools/update-service/
Can you please tell me the whole procedure on how you did the backup of the STOCK ROM? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually what I did just followed this guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1304634
At this thread just follow the video tutorial under section
"How to backup your carrier firmware using Update Service"
Youtube link: http://youtu.be/bB77gWRUI_A
Thanks XperienceD for nice guide

just want to ask, does CWM backup also backups the kernel or firmware?
and how do i restore stock kernel with or without using ODIN?
how do i go on flashing custom firmware? i really do need explanation especially for the .img file that i have been seeing guys.
please help me out because i really want to learn more about software and stuff.
thank you very much and god bless you guys.

ROM backup OK; How to take backup of Kernel
I am using Sony Xperia Ray ST18i
used it for a year with stock kernel and ROM
rooted it long ago, but was afraid of custom ROMs
last month I unlocked bootloader, flashed ROM and custom ROM (beanstalk 4.3.075), enjoying it but obviously not so stable like stock
Now if I wish to move back to my stock kernel and ROM
what steps are required.
I suppose
1. flash the stock kernel
2. restore from backed up ROM (I do have nandroid backup of stock ROM)
but how to achieve the step 1, as I learnt nandroid backup doesn't backs up ROM.
My collegue is having same phone still on stock, Can I use his phone somehow to extract kernel. I searched and found a zip to be used through CWM which backs up kernel it was meant for some samsung phone I tried but failed.
Thanks in advance.
Do I need to supply some more information to get help?

Backup stock ROM
I used this backup guide, but dont know if it will work for you http://helpadude.com/how-to-backup-your-android-rom/
If it does plz give thanks

[Q]Root and flash kernel Xperia Arc s

hi guys, i have bought a XPERIA ARC S and i would to root my phone.
I have also checked if is allowed unlock bootloader and it's ok!
So, i have the last rom 4.0.4 stock, is possibile have root with this tool http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1320350?
so, if i want flash a kernel with root included, i must only unlock bootloader and then flash kernel?
The last question is: the rom/kernel are the same for ARC and ARC s?

Hi mate,
The rooting tool that you have linked to needs you to have CWM working before you root. So to use that method you need to unlock your bootloader and then flash a custom kernel. Then enter recovery and flash the latest image.
If you don't want to flash a different kernel, look at this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1868455. (Might cover your next question as well)
All the roms and kernels are interchangeable for the arc and the arc s, since the only difference is the clock speed. (On some rom's you might need to change your build.prop from LT15i to LT18i, but that's all. If it does have the option though, always pick the LT18i)
Hope I was able to help

Jon565G said:
Hi mate,
The rooting tool that you have linked to needs you to have CWM working before you root. So to use that method you need to unlock your bootloader and then flash a custom kernel. Then enter recovery and flash the latest image.
If you don't want to flash a different kernel, look at this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1868455. (Might cover your next question as well)
All the roms and kernels are interchangeable for the arc and the arc s, since the only difference is the clock speed. (On some rom's you might need to change your build.prop from LT15i to LT18i, but that's all. If it does have the option though, always pick the LT18i)
Hope I was able to help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, so if i have understand right:
1)i will unlock bootloader
2)will flash custom kernel with root in fastboot mode
it's ok?

danispal said:
ok, so if i have understand right:
1)i will unlock bootloader
2)will flash custom kernel with root in fastboot mode
it's ok?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yep if you want. (It's not needed to flash most ROM's and will void your warranty)
2. Yeah, flash custom kernel via fastboot.
You will have to have the superuser.zip on the sd card. The enter CWM and flash it. This will give you root.

That helped me as well before. Now itd time to say thanks
Sent from my LT18i using xda app-developers app

[Q] Trying to install Xperia Play Z final version, very confused. (r800a)

Hey guys, as the post title says, I'm trying to install the xperia play z rom, and I'm hitting a lot of road blocks. First one is, I don't even know if my phone's bootloader is unlocked! I'm pretty sure it is, because I thought all r800a's came with an unlocked bootloader, and I also used the flashtool, unlock bootloader tool, and it said it was already unlocked.
So, naturally what I do, is I flash the firmware in the guide (located here - http://www.android-hilfe.de/root-cu...a-play/417392-rom-xperia-play-z-v1-1-0-a.html), and after that I want to root it so I can install a recovery. But when I try to root it, it always fails on part 1. So I tried to install cyanogenmod recovery without it. But after the apk is installed, i'm not able to install the actual recovery because it is not rooted.
My main problem with the guide is that it says to just boot into clockworkmod recovery, but I don't know how to. I turn on the phone and press the up button, but without installing the CWM/X-parts recovery, there's no way I can expect it to come up.
Any help please? I'm totally lost here. I know how to get roms that are based on gingerbread, but for some reason, Ics/Jellybean roms don't work at all, and I don't know if it is whether because my phones bootloader isn't unlocked (even though it says it is), or it's something else, like me missing a tutorial specifically for ics/jellybean roms.
Thanks in advance.

fishvtt said:
Hey guys, as the post title says, I'm trying to install the xperia play z rom, and I'm hitting a lot of road blocks. First one is, I don't even know if my phone's bootloader is unlocked! I'm pretty sure it is, because I thought all r800a's came with an unlocked bootloader, and I also used the flashtool, unlock bootloader tool, and it said it was already unlocked.
So, naturally what I do, is I flash the firmware in the guide (located here - http://www.android-hilfe.de/root-cu...a-play/417392-rom-xperia-play-z-v1-1-0-a.html), and after that I want to root it so I can install a recovery. But when I try to root it, it always fails on part 1. So I tried to install cyanogenmod recovery without it. But after the apk is installed, i'm not able to install the actual recovery because it is not rooted.
My main problem with the guide is that it says to just boot into clockworkmod recovery, but I don't know how to. I turn on the phone and press the up button, but without installing the CWM/X-parts recovery, there's no way I can expect it to come up.
Any help please? I'm totally lost here. I know how to get roms that are based on gingerbread, but for some reason, Ics/Jellybean roms don't work at all, and I don't know if it is whether because my phones bootloader isn't unlocked (even though it says it is), or it's something else, like me missing a tutorial specifically for ics/jellybean roms.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you have to flash an ICS kernel first and it will already have a cwm recovery in it. Then you can just boot to recovery and flash the rom
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)

abdel12345 said:
Well you have to flash an ICS kernel first and it will already have a cwm recovery in it. Then you can just boot to recovery and flash the rom
Sent from my Xperia Play (r800x)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OHHHHHHHHH. Thank you so much. But how am I supposed to flash the boot.img for the modified doomkernel v3, which it says it includes in the guide? Am I supposed to extract it from the rom zip or something? Thanks again.

fishvtt said:
OHHHHHHHHH. Thank you so much. But how am I supposed to flash the boot.img for the modified doomkernel v3, which it says it includes in the guide? Am I supposed to extract it from the rom zip or something? Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, boot.img is inside the zip. Unpack just that file and flash it with flashtool (in fastboot mode). But you must have unlocked bootloader to be able to flash any custom kernel

Bakisha said:
yes, boot.img is inside the zip. Unpack just that file and flash it with flashtool (in fastboot mode). But you must have unlocked bootloader to be able to flash any custom kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright. Thank you so much. So that's what I was missing.

Bakisha said:
yes, boot.img is inside the zip. Unpack just that file and flash it with flashtool (in fastboot mode). But you must have unlocked bootloader to be able to flash any custom kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, another question. What happens is that when I try to flash an ics kernel, it goes into an infinite bootloop, but when I flash a gingerbread kernel, it works fine. Is this a sign of a locked bootloader? Cause I thought you wouldn't be able to install any kernels if it was locked.

fishvtt said:
Sorry, another question. What happens is that when I try to flash an ics kernel, it goes into an infinite bootloop, but when I flash a gingerbread kernel, it works fine. Is this a sign of a locked bootloader? Cause I thought you wouldn't be able to install any kernels if it was locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash ics kernel, you won't be able to boot your old gb rom. Ics kernel only boot into ics rom.
When you flash ics kernel, go to recovery and install ics rom.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

Bakisha said:
If you flash ics kernel, you won't be able to boot your old gb rom. Ics kernel only boot into ics rom.
When you flash ics kernel, go to recovery and install ics rom.
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much. Worked like a charm.
For future readers -
a. The r800a indeed does come with bootloader unlocked
b. It is normal for the phone to bootloop, Just go into recovery like normal and install the rom .zip. (It's usually tapping back while starting the phone, but if that doesn't work, try up volume or down volume)

[Q] problem in xperia s

i cant instal cwm
i need to install iHackers [MIUI v5] v1.3 rom but i cant because i dont know how to reboot recovery
thanks

you need a unlocked bootloader + kernel with recovery
you also need to press volume up when it shows first screen when you power your phone up
Sent from my LT26i using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

elzaim2010 said:
i cant instal cwm
i need to install iHackers [MIUI v5] v1.3 rom but i cant because i dont know how to reboot recovery
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't install that ROM on locked bootloader!
Read this carefully! Here is solution, if you really want to install this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42101358
Sent from my LT26i using xda app-developers app

pracas said:
You can't install that ROM on locked bootloader!
Read this carefully! Here is solution, if you really want to install this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=42101358
Sent from my LT26i using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have aleardy unlock bootloader but when i was trying using cwm rom he tell me that i dont have root really i dont understand what can i do
i can use flah tool if there any kerenal unable cwm i need it and how to install
thanks

elzaim2010 said:
i have aleardy unlock bootloader but when i was trying using cwm rom he tell me that i dont have root really i dont understand what can i do
i can use flah tool if there any kerenal unable cwm i need it and how to install
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The MIUI thread has a complete tutorial of how to unlock bootloader (okay you did that), but after that it explains you how to root and install CWM. What firmware are you on? From what I can see the instructions for how to root .200/.211 are a bit daft though (the author expects you to already have a custom recovery). If you're on .200 or .211, skip the rooting step and just flash one of the custom kernels with fastboot (for how to flash a kernel with fastboot, you can also use Flashtool to do this, see here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1963961). Depending on which recovery you installed/tried to install, there are different ways of accessing it. If you used RecoverX, you need to tap the Sony logo a few times when you're rebooting. If you used a custom kernel or the 6.0.3.0 recovery for JB DooMLorD has posted, you need to press volume up when rebooting.
If we're to help you, we'd like a little more information. So what firmware are you currently using, which recovery were you trying to install?

Redstarr1 said:
The MIUI thread has a complete tutorial of how to unlock bootloader (okay you did that), but after that it explains you how to root and install CWM. What firmware are you on? From what I can see the instructions for how to root .200/.211 are a bit daft though (the author expects you to already have a custom recovery). If you're on .200 or .211, skip the rooting step and just flash one of the custom kernels with fastboot (for how to flash a kernel with fastboot, you can also use Flashtool to do this, see here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1963961). Depending on which recovery you installed/tried to install, there are different ways of accessing it. If you used RecoverX, you need to tap the Sony logo a few times when you're rebooting. If you used a custom kernel or the 6.0.3.0 recovery for JB DooMLorD has posted, you need to press volume up when rebooting.
If we're to help you, we'd like a little more information. So what firmware are you currently using, which recovery were you trying to install?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MY PHONE INFORMATION
model number lt26i
android version 4.1.2
baseband version 86660-AAA065-BQOLYM-314010-39
KERNEL VERSION 3.4.0+1.0.21100-313065-G1CCEBB5-00193-GCBC50FC
BUILD NUMBER 6.2.B.1.96

[Q] [Newbie]Troubles reading ftf files

Hi,
I'm new to rooting and flashing custom ROMs, so any help will be greatly appreciated
I'm using an orange xperia lt15i, that I've decided to root and on which I want to run CyanogenMod 9.1
Here's what I've come up with :
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader
install recovery
unlock boot loader
flash CM
The catch is, flashtool (0.9.16.1) can't read any of the ftf files I put in the firmware directory..any idea ?
Did I get the steps in the right order, is there any way to achieve this at all ?
Thanks

Deathtiny said:
Hi,
I'm new to rooting and flashing custom ROMs, so any help will be greatly appreciated
I'm using an orange xperia lt15i, that I've decided to root and on which I want to run CyanogenMod 9.1
Here's what I've come up with :
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader
install recovery
unlock boot loader
flash CM
The catch is, flashtool (0.9.16.1) can't read any of the ftf files I put in the firmware directory..any idea ?
Did I get the steps in the right order, is there any way to achieve this at all ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe file is wrong download here a new one. this works 100% LINK
also use normal flashtool not 64bit.
install drives from flastool install dir/drivers for your phone
install android sdk (just leave all like it is & press install)
now to the process:
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader i dont think this is need. on sony bl unlock site theres mentioned how to get in service menu & look if bootloader unlock allowed: yes or no. if yes just proceed. any way, CM requires flashng stock ics ftf b4 so do it after unlock...
install recovery no need if you flash CM's kernel later it was recovery built in (all custom)
unlock boot loader
flash cm kernel via fastboot
flash CM dont forget gapps! (google apps)

bejunk said:
maybe file is wrong download here a new one. this works 100%
also use normal flashtool not 64bit.
install drives from flastool install dir/drivers for your phone
install android sdk (just leave all like it is & press install)
now to the process:
flashing a generic ftf to debrand my phone, in orded to unlock the bootloader i dont think this is need. on sony bl unlock site theres mentioned how to get in service menu & look if bootloader unlock allowed: yes or no. if yes just proceed. any way, CM requires flashng stock ics ftf b4 so do it after unlock...
install recovery no need if you flash CM's kernel later it was recovery built in (all custom)
unlock boot loader
flash cm kernel via fastboot
flash CM dont forget gapps! (google apps)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so I rechecked service info and status says no, eventhough I remenbered differently and got an unlocking code from sony..
Anyway, guess the best I can do is now limited to rooting...
Thanks

Deathtiny said:
Ok so I rechecked service info and status says no, eventhough I remenbered differently and got an unlocking code from sony..
Anyway, guess the best I can do is now limited to rooting...
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are several methods of unlocking the bootloader such as testpoint...but its not that easy for newbe...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2737846
look at this maybe it helps