Develop Bugs

[Q] Xperia Play won't boot - doesn't even reach Sony Ericsson screen

Hey guys
After having a look at some custom roms for my Xperia Play R800i, I decided to try and install Cyanogenmod 9.0. After a long and stressful ordeal, I managed to root the device, install Clockworkmod Recovery, and flash the rom. I wasn't happy with this rom, so I flashed ICX. After being dissatisfied with this also, I decided to return to the stock rom, using Flashtool and Xperia_Play_Release_Generic_UK.ftf. When I went to update to Android 2.3.4 using the Sony Ericsson PC Companion software, it said that the phone contained modified software which could not be updated. Thinking this was an error, I re-flashed the ftf file, then tried to download the update through the Software Update option in the About Phone settings menu. The update seemed to be going fine, but soon after it began, the phone simply switched off. Now, when I press the power button, the phone vibrates, but does nothing else. It doesn't even get past the black screen. I viewed some similar problems on the Sony Ericsson support site, and they all advised use of the Update Service program. Once again, I was told that my phone contained modified software and therefor couldn't be updated. I also tried to flash the ftf again, but my phone is still as unresponsive as ever.
I imagine that the problem is to do with the software that is currently installed on the phone, and that it needs to be removed/replaced for me to switch it on. However, I can't know for sure because I can't switch it on.
Sorry for the long post, but I'm desperate to get my phone working again. Any and all suggestions would be useful. Thank you in advance

Ya... not supposed to FOTA on unlocked bootloader, it bricks you. As you've seen SEUS doesn't like locked bootloaders so the only way to use it again is to relock the bootloader. Unfortunately in order to do this you need to flash the relocker, which is a .ftf, which you can't do because your phone isn't recognized by flashtool. I dunno, you don't have a lot of options here, but lets lay them out:
1. Get into flash mode and recover via either a .ftf or use it to relock your bootloader so you can use SEUS
2. Get into fastboot and boot or flash a kernel or recovery. You could try flashing a CM7 kernel and installing its .zip
3. If nothing else works your only other option is to turn here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1322827

This is what happens when you use official Sony update service with an unlocked bootloader.
Sent from my R800i using xda premium

Sorry to be a pain, but do you have a link to the specific .ftf I need to relock the bootloader?

Actually, ignore my last post. I Googled it and found the file quite easily. I flashed it with Flashtool and everything is working perfectly. Thank you so much for your help BuckM. You saved my phone

Here you go. I wouldn't bother relocking though. Just flash the ftf file that you want.
You will find them here.
Beaten too it by OP

d31b0ys right, you don't really NEED to relock your bootloader, its just an option to get SEUS working again. That being said keep in mind you can reunlock your bootloader again at any time using the same unlock code as before, just try to be a little more careful

did you try to pull out the battery then put it back, then hold the search buttion (wile the phone is still off) then put in the usb cable? if done correct your power buttion will turn blue. then download a stock .tft for your phone and flash with flashtool. this unbricked my phone

Please help. R800x boots into a weird screen?

(Just expaining how i got to the screen...in a lot of detail) Okay so yesterday i unlocked my bootloader through sonys website and everything was fine. Then i decided to try to put CM9 on it from a tutorial i found, didnt work. I then flashed back to verizons 2.3.3 through flashtool and everything was fine...but then i decided i wanted to go back to ZeuscNXTLite rom, i was lazy and used the recoveryPLAY.img to go to CWM. I forgot to clear the cache, data, etc. and i thought it was in a hard-brick because i could hold the power button all it would do is vibrate and i could still put it into flash boot(or whatever the green light means) but the screen always stayed black. I left it on my charger all night hoping it would magically come back i guess...today i got home to find the green light on it flashing faintly and quickly. I decided maybe its working now if i flash the .ftf so i did. Nothing happened so i thought maybe it was the bootloader so i tried using a bootloader relocker .ftf file but that just made my computer inable to recognize my phone. It would flash red a few times now when i plugged it into flashboot then go to flash mode and i could use flashtool. I tried adding the 2.3.3 .ftf back to my phone but it failed halfway through. So about 4 mins after doing this i look at my phone and see the Sony Ericsson screen but after that screen i see a triangle with an exclamation point inside of it and a phone under it. It keeps booting to this screen then shutting off over and over again. Now my question...does anyone know how to fix this? I dont really think its still in a brick since it goes to this weird screen.
Sorry for the extensive explanation. Also sorry if this was a repeat i tried searching but honestly have no clue what to search or even call this.

If you can still use flashtool follow this great guide http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2054512 so you can fastboot a kernal and get into cwm then you can flash a new rom after wiping everything. :fingers-crossed:

The yellow triangle means you're in download mode, but I don't know what to do since I never had it on the Play.
Flashing the ftf will fail sometimes, you can keep re trying, its finicky so you have to make sure to use a good cable, preferably on a USB port that is not 3.0, and have few other USB devices connected at the sametime as possible.
The reason why CM9 didn't work because sometimes the kernel included does not boot. The boot.img from the FXP152's CM9 rom is one of the working one, you can separately flash it using fastboot.

I flashed a bootloader lock ftf file so wouldnt installing a kernel brick my phone again? Also could flashing the stock ftf file again while my phone is in download mode brick my phone? I'm just being extra careful now...dont want a hard bricked phone.

bandoncontortion said:
I flashed a bootloader lock ftf file so wouldnt installing a kernel brick my phone again? Also could flashing the stock ftf file again while my phone is in download mode brick my phone? I'm just being extra careful now...dont want a hard bricked phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did flashing the bootloader lock ftf file work? you need to find out if your bootloader is locked or unlocked.If you have phone off, and hold on to search and you plug in USB to computer and get blue light your bootloader is unlocked (flashboot mode)If its unlocked just flash a kernel wipe and install a custom rom
If it is locked and you can use flashtool you can flash a stock ftf. Kernal is included in stock rom which you can find on forum

Ok i just put the stock ftf on it through flashtool. I tried to turn it on and it shows the Sony Ericsson screen and then the Android screen the turns off. Any help? It's at least showing the charging screen right now...
Also bootloader is locked. Just checked with the fastboot.exe

bandoncontortion said:
Ok i just put the stock ftf on it through flashtool. I tried to turn it on and it shows the Sony Ericsson screen and then the Android screen the turns off. Any help? It's at least showing the charging screen right now...
Also bootloader is locked. Just checked with the fastboot.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That good :good: Not bricked did you wipe data & cache in flashtool when you flashed ftf?

Yes i wiped cache, app log, and data. Im also using an older version of flashtool...maybe upgrading will help? Gonna check

[Q] Boot Loop / Bricked Arc S

Good Day to everyone, My phone is Xperia Arc S lt18i, 4.1.B.0.587,
Rooted ,
So my phone now would not boot normally . It only show the Sony logo only not even to the Xperia logo.
Here's the story how I actually got my problem.
Ive installed MIUI anzu.2.9.21.zip and it was a success but after i reboot the phone and VOILA!! a "boot/reboot loop"
if thats what you call it.
Now i cant go to recovery with the power + Volume down method.
And my Root is GONE! i dont know what happened.
IF ANYONE.. ANYONE could help me I would really really really appreciate it.
--forgive me for my english--

reflash stock firmware with flashtool, root phone, and try to install custom rom again

Thanks for the immediate response
jman2131 said:
reflash stock firmware with flashtool, root phone, and try to install custom rom again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for replying immediately, but , after I successfully flashed the 4.1.A.562 I still cant boot up to the stock firmware and I seem not able to root my phone, I mean, I still go through the boot/restart loop (sony logo only) and cant access recovery mode the ( power + Vol down) method.
i used Doomlords toolkit to root it. Tell me where im wrong. Im not so good at this stuff.

janyjan said:
Thank you for replying immediately, but , after I successfully flashed the 4.1.A.562 I still cant boot up to the stock firmware and I seem not able to root my phone, I mean, I still go through the boot/restart loop (sony logo only) and cant access recovery mode the ( power + Vol down) method.
i used Doomlords toolkit to root it. Tell me where im wrong. Im not so good at this stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
download this stock firmware for arc s and root it with this and see if it works

[Q] Xperia Play R800at in bootloop USB Debugging off cannot get in fastboot mode

Trying to fix an Xperia Play R800at. It was running the R800a 2.3.4 North American Generic ftf, and my son had rooted it using gingerbreak (he thinks) on flashtool. Also at one point he attempted to unlock the bootloader but doesn't think that worked
Anyway, the phone was running fine for a long while, and then we switched from a 16gb sd to a 32gb sd. During the switch my son moved some games from the phone memory to the sd. Other than the loss of game progress, everything seemed to be working fine. About a week later the screen started going black during games or when he closed the phone. Because of the feedback he could tell the phone was still operating, just no lit screen. The problem would clear on reboot.
So we researched the problem on Sony and XDA, and it appears the best solution was to reload the software. However since the phone was rooted we had to reload using flashtool first, and then force a recovery reload via PCC. Meanwhile the phone display stopped working altogether and the phone would vibrate but seemingly not boot up.
Steps we have taken so far:
- flashed back to AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 using flashtool Result: flashtool said successful but phone would vibrate but not boot
- used PCC to load the Xperia R800 Play software Result: software for phone not found
- used X10_V1_BLRelock.ftf just in case my son was able to unlock the bootloader
- flashed back to AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 using flashtool Result: flashtool said successful but phone would vibrate but not boot
- used PCC and the Sony Recovery to load the Xperia R800 Play software onto the phone Result: successful load but goes into bootloop (SE logo comes up bright, fades, blacks out, and does it again and again
- tried various other play ftfs in flashtool - flashtool now telling me USB Debugging is off, and WARN - This file is ignored : simlock.ta - ftf loads otherwise, but Sony's Recovery tool does not recognize anything but the AT&T software
- went back to AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 and then re-updated on Sony - same bootloop
- tried to boot the phone in fastboot mode by holding the search button and plugging the usb in - appears to connect in flash mode
So - I believe it is now un-rooted, and relocked, USB Debugging is off, the standard AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 software is on there, it goes into bootloop
Any ideas how to fix from here?

I got a soft bick recently in my Xperia Play r800a, but the screen always worked. What I did was flash an r800i ftf and it worked. The simlock.ta omission is maybe an effect of flashing the x10 BL unlock bundle, but it doesnt work to unlock the xplay, and maybe thats why the phone is like that (who knows..... just never flash something made for other model until it is confirmed to work on yours, like some arc and neo v basebands and scripts)
The debugging off state is caused by the stock ftf flashed. When you flash it you get a complete new system with stock configs, so the debuggin is set off by default and thats what you got. Its also unrooted, just if you were wondering
Maybe you should try flashing an r800i ftf (all r800a,at,i work on your device, cause they are all GSM. But NEVER flash an r800x Rom cause it works on CDMA, and it will surely brick your phone.
You could also try to flash a custom stock-based Rom. They can work on stock kernel and will give you a clean sytem as well, but since your screen is not working, it has to be in .ftf format. Just check 'skip kernel' and 'skip confirmation' when doing so.
The only method for a branded phone for unlocking bootloader is to use testpont method (paid) by alejandrissimo (look unlock-bootloader.com). He maybe repair your phone btw
Sent from my SK17a using xda app-developers app

rlpip said:
Trying to fix an Xperia Play R800at. It was running the R800a 2.3.4 North American Generic ftf, and my son had rooted it using gingerbreak (he thinks) on flashtool. Also at one point he attempted to unlock the bootloader but doesn't think that worked
Anyway, the phone was running fine for a long while, and then we switched from a 16gb sd to a 32gb sd. During the switch my son moved some games from the phone memory to the sd. Other than the loss of game progress, everything seemed to be working fine. About a week later the screen started going black during games or when he closed the phone. Because of the feedback he could tell the phone was still operating, just no lit screen. The problem would clear on reboot.
So we researched the problem on Sony and XDA, and it appears the best solution was to reload the software. However since the phone was rooted we had to reload using flashtool first, and then force a recovery reload via PCC. Meanwhile the phone display stopped working altogether and the phone would vibrate but seemingly not boot up.
Steps we have taken so far:
- flashed back to AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 using flashtool Result: flashtool said successful but phone would vibrate but not boot
- used PCC to load the Xperia R800 Play software Result: software for phone not found
- used X10_V1_BLRelock.ftf just in case my son was able to unlock the bootloader
- flashed back to AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 using flashtool Result: flashtool said successful but phone would vibrate but not boot
- used PCC and the Sony Recovery to load the Xperia R800 Play software onto the phone Result: successful load but goes into bootloop (SE logo comes up bright, fades, blacks out, and does it again and again
- tried various other play ftfs in flashtool - flashtool now telling me USB Debugging is off, and WARN - This file is ignored : simlock.ta - ftf loads otherwise, but Sony's Recovery tool does not recognize anything but the AT&T software
- went back to AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 and then re-updated on Sony - same bootloop
- tried to boot the phone in fastboot mode by holding the search button and plugging the usb in - appears to connect in flash mode
So - I believe it is now un-rooted, and relocked, USB Debugging is off, the standard AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 software is on there, it goes into bootloop
Any ideas how to fix from here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when you did this were you using the latest version of flashtool? installed all adb drivers? is the AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 the original back up image of the phone it was rooted? or did you download this from any other source?

Update
fritzbored said:
when you did this were you using the latest version of flashtool? installed all adb drivers? is the AT&T 3.0.1.8.0.285 the original back up image of the phone it was rooted? or did you download this from any other source?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes - latest version of flashtool. AT&T ftf came from the one listed here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1603737
julian280 said:
... The simlock.ta omission is maybe an effect of flashing the x10 BL unlock bundle, but it doesnt work to unlock the xplay, and maybe thats why the phone is like that (who knows..... just never flash something made for other model until it is confirmed to work on yours, like some arc and neo v basebands and scripts)
When you flash it you get a complete new system with stock configs, so the debuggin is set off by default and thats what you got. Its also unrooted, just if you were wondering
Maybe you should try flashing an r800i ftf (all r800a,at,i work on your device, cause they are all GSM.
You could also try to flash a custom stock-based Rom. They can work on stock kernel and will give you a clean sytem as well, but since your screen is not working, it has to be in .ftf format. Just check 'skip kernel' and 'skip confirmation' when doing so.
The only method for a branded phone for unlocking bootloader is to use testpont method (paid) by alejandrissimo (look unlock-bootloader.com). He maybe repair your phone btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually did the Blagus relocking ftf which says it is for the Play too here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1134334 After I did this Sony Mobile Update Service started recognizing the phone and 285 sw version and allowed software download and repair.
I figured the Debugging setting and the rooting reset when I flashed it. I tried r800i ftf - same problem. Was thinking about a custom ROM but first things first. I am going to replace the ribbon cable and try again. I suspect the original problem was possibly ribbon cable related. (I shot alejandrissimo a note and he suggested I try this first as well.)
Thanks both for your reponses.

[Q] Saving My Xperia Play Phone

Hi Friends . Recently I Decided To Tinker With My Xperia Play Phone And Now I Can Put It In To flash and fast boot once to try something but then all I get is blinking red light and to be able to do it again I have to pull battery. Ok so here is the dumb thing I did I unlocked bootloader though sony which by the way I can relock if I need to . then I got excited about all the things I could do so I was bouncing between this site , free xperia , and some junk site with bad guides . So Im Reading and jumping around getting a custom rom and reading how to to use flash tools and im reading this vague guide on flashing a custom rom . I flash it and then in the guide it says to boot in recovery but I didn't now it at the time that you need to install a recovery I thought sony had a stock recovery like the boot and flash mode.. so now im stuck in a bootloop. So I got on this website and started digging . most of what I read is that I can save it by flashing stock firm ware with flash tools . everytime I try to flash it when it gets to system.sin I get a blocked verifaction error. Ive tried it with and without final verifaction checked. also ive tried different stock firmwares and on some of the firmwares they are compressed in a .rar file and when extracted it says file corrupt or broken. ive tried all the sony services PC Companion with bootloader locked again and it says no software available if bootloader is unlocked it says my phone has been modified . ive tried there update engine no software available And there flash tool EMMA no services available . Tried wotan I think but the client just keeps closing. So after all the flashing and stuff im where I mentioned in the beginning one flash attempt then red lights pull battery and try again.
I really think if some one knows why im getting the verification block error in flash tools and could give me the stock firmware I need id be set but im at an end and this is my cry for help . please ill try anything if it might work
phone breakdown -Sony Xperia Play R800x The Verizon one It was running GB 2.3.4 bootloader unlocked and not rooted
Thanks in Advance

All roms/kernels/firmwares are at
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2184897
Please note that kernel and recovery is in same file (you can't flash them separately). All custom kernels have recovery build in, but not stock kernel. And, important when choosing wich kernel to flash, flash kernel that match rom you are about to install (example, lupus ics/gb is for ics and gb roms, but not for jb roms).
To flash firmware, use flashboot mode in flashtool. Select firmware, and when asked, (phone turned off) hold back button and insert usb cable to xPlay.
To flash kernel, power off, hold search button and insert usb port to xPlay. Choose kernel from flashtool and wait few seconds. Power on and keep pressing back/volume down (depends on kernel), it will enter recovery. Choose "flash zip" in recovery and wait few minutes (again, kernel must match rom you are installing or you'll get "kernel bootloop" (kernel logo shown, then it restart).
Edit: what is your model? R800 x,i,a?
Sent from my R800i using xda app-developers app

solved
Easy Fix Changed usb Cable Flashed no problem