Develop Bugs

[Q] Help with Flashing my Xperia play R800i

Ok hey all So i been reading here on xda for some time.
And i have been reading about the development for the our play and the nice progress the devs been doing with ICS.
My phone is a R800i
Baseband: 8x55A-AAABQMAZM-203028D-56
Kernel: 2.6.32.9-perf [email protected]#1
Version: 4.0.2.A.0.42
Locked Bootloader
Not rooted
No sim lock works with all providers never been locked.
I havn't flashed so much phones in my day, some wm mobiles, and iphones and a lg gt540
So i need some help with what to do
I know the first thing is to unlock bootloader
but after that? If some one could point me to the files i need, just the specefic files just for my phone. And a step by step what to do like flash a rom first then kernel or kernel first then rom and if there is any other files i should use before i flash rom/kernel
And if some nice people could give me some hints on the best ICS rom.
I want this either this one http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1524159
or http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1404712
those two seems to the most stable atm. Or if anyone other have suggestions like CM9 or something like that
Cheers!
//Virtualxp

Well I do know is that you don't have to unlock bootloader to root
sent from my Xperia PLAY using XDA Premium

Instructions for flashing the kernel+rom can be found on the threads...Read some more ;P

Nabeel_Nabs said:
Instructions for flashing the kernel+rom can be found on the threads...Read some more ;P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have but hey would be nice if you helped out instead of commenting like that

You said it's sim unlocked, right? If you bought one that isn't carrier locked, you can unlock your bootloader using the guide on the Sony mobile site. After unlocking the bootloader, flash a cwm kernel, and all the possibilities have then been opened.
Seriously though, the guides are easy to find. Google is your friend. Just tell it to search xda specifically.
Sent from a parallel universe

captain67 said:
You said it's sim unlocked, right? If you bought one that isn't carrier locked, you can unlock your bootloader using the guide on the Sony mobile site. After unlocking the bootloader, flash a cwm kernel, and all the possibilities have then been opened.
Seriously though, the guides are easy to find. Google is your friend. Just tell it to search xda specifically.
Sent from a parallel universe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey yea i been reading alot and i think i know now how it all works think i'll wait for some time. People seem to have alot problems with battery drain =/ Seems it can be fixed through Setcpu. And how about the overlock? i did read that some kernel have the phone overclocked to 2.0 ghz. Does it shorten the life of the phone? Not the battery life but the phone's life?
//Virtualxp

Right I have been doing the same read all the Info available and been on the Sony site check to see if I can unlock the boatloader but that's were I have come unstuck as it's saying that I can't unlock my boot loader. Some help guys would be great the ics update is taking ages and want to play about with my phone.
Sent from my R800i using XDA Premium App

Alex Slane said:
Right I have been doing the same read all the Info available and been on the Sony site check to see if I can unlock the boatloader but that's were I have come unstuck as it's saying that I can't unlock my boot loader. Some help guys would be great the ics update is taking ages and want to play about with my phone.
Sent from my R800i using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is yours carrier locked? If so, you need to unlock the bootloader with something like omnius or setool.
@virtualxp - Overclocking anything too high will always shorten it's life. Going to 1.4-1.5 ghz shouldn't make a difference, but 2ghz is very high.
For battery drain issues, there are solutions. A lot of people noticed the battery getting worse after the 2.3.4 update, so either they're sticking with older firmware, or mixing builds and kernels.
My phone for example has the 2.3.4 (.42) firmware with a stock kernel from 2.3.3, and a baseband belonging to a separate build altogether. And I managed to combine those without an unlocked bootloader.. Mind you, it was a pain in the ass doing it without getting stuck with boot loop. But this way, I have less battery issues, and I can still use the themes and mods made for the .42 build.
Sent from a parallel universe

Could u tell me how u did it with not unlocking bootloader plz would be very much appreciated. im not a noob to flashing just stuck as i have never unlocked bootloaders befor and mine cnt be unlocked the ways others can as its brand locked thanks

Sirus2012uk said:
Could u tell me how u did it with not unlocking bootloader plz would be very much appreciated. im not a noob to flashing just stuck as i have never unlocked bootloaders befor and mine cnt be unlocked the ways others can as its brand locked thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In flashtool, there's an option to exclude the kernel and another for baseband. I flashed one firmware, then flashed another while excluding kernel, and then again while excluding the kernel and baseband, using three different ftf files.
For applying themes and mods without unlocking the bootloader, I used the T.E.A.M. locked bootloader recovery installer, and flashed them with the update.zip files through that recovery. You can get it here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1437840
Sent from Asgard

[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.

[Q] Unlocked bootloader wanting to root

Hi guys!
Well, I'm new in what concerns to root, unlock, ROM's, kernels (no idea of what it is still), etc. I have a Xperia Arc, GB 2.3.4, branded for T-Mobile.
As I'm fed up with the bunch of bloatware, I wanted to root/debrand it, in order to get rid of it.
First I tried with this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1035276 Post #2
Links for the ROM were dead, so I searched for some other thread. After a lot, I found this one: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1042978
I found it easy to lead, so i tried. I got so far, to even unlock my bootloader, but then, trying to root, I found the images link for the Global firmware was dead.
Then I realized, I wanted to change to the global versión for the mere reason of having ICS sooner (branded phones take longer to receive it, as far as I know). Then I saw, that actually I went in the full wrong direction when unlocking the bootloader.
I tried to relock thebootloader, by following the steps in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1324703
It appears to have worked well, but I'm not sure.
My questions are:
1) I want the SE ICS update, that is due to be available this month anytime. Since unlocking the bootloader might have turned my phone to brick (or not?) when upgrading, how can I be sure I did actually re-lock my bootloader? The guys from Android Soul Comnunity used a "Test" on their videos, which was running a program in fastboot mode, which apparently does something if the phone is unlocked, although it said "it needs to be rooted". Is there a way to know if I did it correctly relock whitout damaging my phone or flashing it by mistake in the process.
2) I really want to flash it to a global version and get rid of the bloatware (maybe rooted if posible), but also getting the official upgrade. Is there a way? I have the latest flashtool version and I downloaded the ftf file for the global version, but whenever I press flash in flashtool, it doesn't show anything (nor sin files or anything else). Maybe I will give it another try if someone else provides me with a functional link to the functional ROM (I really don't remember where I got the one I have).
I hope you guys can help me. I'm not a native english speaker, so forgive me for any mistake. Thanks in Advance
HerrJuancho

seems like you are new to this....so was I about 4 months ago.
if your bootloader is unlocked, good - keep it that way.
the best way to learn how to mess around is follow this thread step-by-step:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1299729
I know that this thread is instructing you to flash cm7 - but dont worry, once you have done that, you will understand the basics and the processes involved.
if you really want ICS - then you can just us Arconium 2.2 as it is the closed custom rom to a stock ICS - it is tweaked and customized, so it will be better than any global rom you try to flash.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1515148

kaatisu84 said:
seems like you are new to this....so was I about 4 months ago.
if your bootloader is unlocked, good - keep it that way.
the best way to learn how to mess around is follow this thread step-by-step:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1299729
I know that this thread is instructing you to flash cm7 - but dont worry, once you have done that, you will understand the basics and the processes involved.
if you really want ICS - then you can just us Arconium 2.2 as it is the closed custom rom to a stock ICS - it is tweaked and customized, so it will be better than any global rom you try to flash.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1515148
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I thought no one would answer.
I don't know if I actually still have a unlocked bootloader. How can I tell the difference? By doing what?
If it is really that good, the I would prefer it over the official. Thanks

HerrJuancho said:
Thanks, I thought no one would answer.
I don't know if I actually still have a unlocked bootloader. How can I tell the difference? By doing what?
If it is really that good, the I would prefer it over the official. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do this
1)Connect your phone on fastboot mode.
2) open cmd prompt in the fastboot folder
3) type this in the command window
fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce get var version
4) if you get a value like 0.3 or something its unlocked
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium

king-iyokan said:
Do this
1)Connect your phone on fastboot mode.
2) open cmd prompt in the fastboot folder
3) type this in the command window
fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce get var version
4) if you get a value like 0.3 or something its unlocked
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's actually one of the steps before unlocking, I thought it was just a sign that the device was well connected and that the drivers were up to date. My phone wasn't unlocked, and it did show 0.3 right before trying to unlock it.

HerrJuancho said:
Well, that's actually one of the steps before unlocking, I thought it was just a sign that the device was well connected and that the drivers were up to date. My phone wasn't unlocked, and it did show 0.3 right before trying to unlock it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh sorry. My bad. Try to boot a custom kernel via fastboot.
Fastboot.exe boot boot.IMG
If you get a notice "device not rooted" or similar the bootloader is loced.
If you are able to boot the kernel the bootloader is unlockd
Sent from my LT26i using xda premium

No lockscreen or Market/Google Play

Hey there,
So I just got my GSM Galaxy Nexus in the mail today and found a couple things to be a bit odd. You see, my package came with 2 Galaxy Nexuses (or nexi?) and my brother's phone seemed completely normal. It had Android 4.0.4 which he instantly got an update for Jellybean. My phone on the other hand was a bit off, as stated previously. My Galaxy Nexus shipped with Android 4.0.1, when i went to the "about phone" tab, there was no option to even check for a system update, my lock screen doesn't work (security settings are on slide yet the power button just wakes my screen and no sliding to unlock required), I have no market or google play store, I can't add a Gmail account under the "accounts and sync" tab, and my home button wasn't working (factory resetting fixed this).
I'm honestly just stuck on what to do about this device. I've factory reset this device 5 times already and nothing else has worked except for fixing the home button which wasn't working on my initial boot up.
Is there any solution to this Nexus or do I just have a defective one?

U can get rif of lock screen in the setting>security>screen lock<none
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

In Settings - About Phone, what is your Build Number? Also your brother's?
Any why couldn't you have picked your brother's phone out of the box?

netbuzz said:
In Settings - About Phone, what is your Build Number? Also your brother's?
Any why couldn't you have picked your brother's phone out of the box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Build Number: full_maguro-eng 4.0.1 ICL23D 347 test-keys
And why couldn't I have picked my brother's? Haha I don't know!

They sent you a phone with an early engineering build. This can be easily fixed by flashing the stock Google image.
Here's a guide with all the info you need. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
If you are in the US flash the takju build. Elsewhere the yakju build.
I'll hang out here for a while. If you have any questions reply here and I'll help!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

airkenada said:
U can get rif of lock screen in the setting>security>screen lock<none
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that my settings are set to slide yet my phone is acting as if it's set to none

El Daddy said:
They sent you a phone with an early engineering build. This can be easily fixed by flashing the stock Google image.
Here's a guide with all the info you need. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
If you are in the US flash the takju build. Elsewhere the yakju build.
I'll hang out here for a while. If you have any questions reply here and I'll help!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this void any warranty?

BrokeEven said:
Does this void any warranty?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't have a problem with warranty if you are running a stock build.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/11/nexnex20111117103746mat400mat400.jpg
Can you compare whether your phone and your brother's have some of these apps? I'm betting its your phone.....

maschiosoosai said:
Can you compare whether your phone and your brother's have some of these apps? I'm betting its your phone.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha yeah! The not-so-normal apps that I have on my phone include "Angry GPS", "Dev Tools", and "SUB PBA Test". I checked with my Brother's Nexus running JB and he's got none of those. I called into Google's hotline for Nexus support and was able to get in touch with one of the supervisors. I was told that the device I received was a Developer's Model and that it was the "strangest thing ever".

El Daddy said:
You won't have a problem with warranty if you are running a stock build.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, the instructions involve unlocking my bootloader (a task I know very little about!). To be honest, I don't have much experience with the mobile development. The only thing I've done in terms of tweaking with phones is following the instruction with the ace hack kit to root my phone (which seemed a lot more simplier than these instruction) and flashing custom ROMs.
To further my previous question, since the instructions say unlock the bootloader, does that invalidate my phone's warranty if I were to return anytime within its warranty period with an unlocked bootloader running stock android? (Would they even check/realize?)
And lastly, how safe is this procedure (returning the stock?) Is there a chance to brick my device?

BrokeEven said:
So, the instructions involve unlocking my bootloader (a task I know very little about!). To be honest, I don't have much experience with the mobile development. The only thing I've done in terms of tweaking with phones is following the instruction with the ace hack kit to root my phone (which seemed a lot more simplier than these instruction) and flashing custom ROMs.
To further my previous question, since the instructions say unlock the bootloader, does that invalidate my phone's warranty if I were to return anytime within its warranty period with an unlocked bootloader running stock android? (Would they even check/realize?)
And lastly, how safe is this procedure (returning the stock?) Is there a chance to brick my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to unlock your bootloader to flash the images. You can always relock your bootloader if you wish. You won't have an issue with the warranty.
Flashing the images the way I provided is a good way to learn the basics and will be beneficial in the future. It's very easy to learn. Just follow the link step by step. Flashing with fastboot is the safest way to do things and there is a very small chance of you bricking your phone.
Also what did google tell you to do when you called them?

Development Tools
maschiosoosai said:
Can you compare whether your phone and your brother's have some of these apps? I'm betting its your phone.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got another Nexus from Play Store.
It's in developer mode, without Google apps and filled with a bunch of testing tools, like AngryGPS and Screen Test, the same menu in this image from maschiosoosa.
I tried to call Google Support and they give me two options.. One is doing exactly what everybody does.. Flash a stock Google image (but they said: "it's a very difficult way" lol) or the second, they will call Samsung for a replacement.
It's not a defective device, but it's kind of getting a Windows 8 Consumer Preview. A thing that it's not finished yet. Shame on Goole. lol
I'll flash of course.. It seems the bootloader is unlocked and its probably easy to do the flash thing.
Hey BrokeEven, if you got your device from Play Store you can ask for a replacement (if you are not sure of the flash image).
And probably your bootloader is already unlocked (at least if you received this same dev tool device).

El Daddy said:
You need to unlock your bootloader to flash the images. You can always relock your bootloader if you wish. You won't have an issue with the warranty.
Flashing the images the way I provided is a good way to learn the basics and will be beneficial in the future. It's very easy to learn. Just follow the link step by step.
Also what did google tell you to do when you called them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, I'm gonna give it a shot!
When I called Google and talked to one of the supervisors, he was almost excited to hear about such an "interesting" story and said, "It looked like you may have gotten a rooted or developers model" and "If i got a dev model, I'd just keep it haha - but that's just me" I proceeded to ask him about whether or not it'd be a safe idea to keep the phone and do my own tweaking and such. He responded by telling me that even if i was to safely flash back to stock, it'd be "hard to prove" to Google or Samsung that I hadn't tampered with it. He was a cool guy
So let's say I did in fact get a rooted model by mistake, is there any way I'd be able to figure out if the bootloader is locked or not (even though rooted doesn't necessarily mean it has an unlocked bootloader)?

BrokeEven said:
Thank you, I'm gonna give it a shot!
When I called Google and talked to one of the supervisors, he was almost excited to hear about such an "interesting" story and said, "It looked like you may have gotten a rooted or developers model" and "If i got a dev model, I'd just keep it haha - but that's just me" I proceeded to ask him about whether or not it'd be a safe idea to keep the phone and do my own tweaking and such. He responded by telling me that even if i was to safely flash back to stock, it'd be "hard to prove" to Google or Samsung that I hadn't tampered with it. He was a cool guy
So let's say I did in fact get a rooted model by mistake, is there any way I'd be able to figure out if the bootloader is locked or not (even though rooted doesn't necessarily mean it has an unlocked bootloader)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep... The same case... The guys on Google are very funny. lol
Reboot your device and check if theres a unlocked locker at the bottom of the Google logo screen.

BrokeEven said:
Thank you, I'm gonna give it a shot!
When I called Google and talked to one of the supervisors, he was almost excited to hear about such an "interesting" story and said, "It looked like you may have gotten a rooted or developers model" and "If i got a dev model, I'd just keep it haha - but that's just me" I proceeded to ask him about whether or not it'd be a safe idea to keep the phone and do my own tweaking and such. He responded by telling me that even if i was to safely flash back to stock, it'd be "hard to prove" to Google or Samsung that I hadn't tampered with it. He was a cool guy
So let's say I did in fact get a rooted model by mistake, is there any way I'd be able to figure out if the bootloader is locked or not (even though rooted doesn't necessarily mean it has an unlocked bootloader)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reboot the phone, when it's rebooting (showing google logo) if there's unlocked sign (lock that is unlocked) under the google logo, then it's unlocked Nexus. If you only see Google logo, then it's just locked Nexus

I don't know whether this is a curse or a blessing... I remembered when i ordered this phone I said "meh, I'm not gonna bother with rooting and flashing ROMs. I'll just stick to stock. And so Google sends me a Nexus with an unlocked bootloader and now force me to flash back to stock (or root) in order to get my phone fully functional
One pic is my unlocked bootloader, the other is a picture of my ALL the apps on my phone

Cool so you are already unlocked. Just download the images and flash away!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

El Daddy said:
Cool so you are already unlocked. Just download the images and flash away!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just one question and this may be a simple one...
It's step 8 under subsection C. What does it mean to open the command prompt in the same directory? And sorry in advance! I need you to be very simple in explaining this to me. To my knowledge, I thought you just open the command prompt. How do you open the command prompt in the same directory?

BrokeEven said:
Just one question and this may be a simple one...
It's step 8 under subsection C. What does it mean to open the command prompt in the same directory? And sorry in advance! I need you to be very simple in explaining this to me. To my knowledge, I thought you just open the command prompt. How do you open the command prompt in the same directory?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On windows just hold down shift while you right click in the folder. You will see open command prompt here or similar.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Unlock/Root/Flash prototype Arc?

OK so we got a SE Experia Arc S LT18i with 1253-8238_4.0.1.A.0.165 ('prototype' model on loan from a friend = prehistoric!) and looking into upgrading the thing if at all possible.
So if I am correct it's a case of: 1st: Root, 2nd: Unlock bootloader, 3rd: Install recovery, 4th: Flash ROM of choice
Bootloader is locked and phone not rooted.
Tried using Flashtool to root phone but it is greyed out so tried Tools > Root > Force zergRush = fail, (not tried Force psneuter/Emulator ?)
Tried unlocking bootloader using Flashtool, but this also failed (SE unlock website wanted IMEI code one digit less than the phone reports?!! got a code by ditching the first 0 of the IMEI, but didn't work anyway - crashed phone)
Attempted to root using command line ADB method to push zergRush and execute the script, but this too doesn't work (phone crashes and reboots).
Fastboot? I have it installed but not yet come across any how-to's that use this (did I say yet? )
The apps available on Play Store seem to be automations of above methods for one-click users.
Further exhaustive reading/searching here and on talk.sonymobile.com leads me to believe that the first step might be to flash a different kernel version before it's possible to root, after which everything else should fall into place...I'm up for trying this but of course don't want to risk bricking the phone, so backing up first would be a good plan, *but* I need root to be able to install recovery! I know enough about booting operating systems to know that changing kernel version with a locked boot loader might just result in bork! This is where the expertise of you guys comes in!! Maybe you know that flashing another (similar?) kernel will be fine with Fashtool even without unlocking bootloader and rooting phone? Perhaps I missed a simple and easy way of rooting? Any suggestions very welcome - thanks in advance!
FYI: *I only run Linux* so pointing me at any of the windows tools on offer is of no help to me
Oh and PS: yes I have searched and found a ton of helpful info, well actually *way too much* info to the point of saturation and confusion!! :laugh:

There can never be too much information, yours and others problem is that you try rushing through it, because if you didn't you'd find the answers you were looking for.
Sent from my CM9'd Arc

XperienceD said:
There can never be too much information, yours and others problem is that you try rushing through it, because if you didn't you'd find the answers you were looking for.
Sent from my CM9'd Arc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it's not the quantity of info, but the quality of info! Failing that the filtration system used to distill the good stuff out!
Anyroads, I was still hoping for someone to chip in with something like "Yeah go for it, that will work fine"! or "Don't do it, try this instead"!
I'm believing from my readings so far, that short of flashing an incorrect radio, or interrupting a flash process, it isn't easily possible to brick an Arc?

acesabe said:
Anyroads, I was still hoping for someone to chip in with something like "Yeah go for it, that will work fine"!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would have just tried it instead of starting a thread to ask, failing that I would have then read the stickys/guides explaining how to unlock and root.
acesabe said:
it isn't easily possible to brick an Arc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you would just use the flashtool to flash a stock ROM.

XperienceD said:
I would have just tried it instead of starting a thread to ask, failing that I would have then read the stickys/guides explaining how to unlock and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, that's because you are XperienceD!
No, you would just use the flashtool to flash a stock ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok cool, so Flashtool can be used to save an unbootable device too then...

acesabe said:
Well, that's because you are XperienceD!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's how I got to be experienced. :silly:
acesabe said:
Ok cool, so Flashtool can be used to save an unbootable device too then...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, you just need to flash a stock ROM.

XperienceD said:
I would have just tried it instead of starting a thread to ask, failing that I would have then read the stickys/guides explaining how to unlock and root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too.
Thread closed.