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xda-developers is a great site for learning all sorts of tricks and tips. However, sometimes it's been excruciating trying to get straight answers to what should be simple questions. You can get lost for hours or days in some of these threads, and still not be certain of the answer. And some people just can't seem to resist giving a n00b a hard time instead of a helpful hand.
Hopefully, this short guide will lessen someone's pain a bit. This guide is intended for use primarily by those of us who own a Verizon Xperia Play, model R800x.
Basic terminology you should know before using this guide:
1. What is Root, and why should/shouldn't I do it?
2. What is a locked Bootloader?
3. Can I unlock my bootloader, and do I have to in order to customize my R800x?
4. What is a kernel?
5. What is a Custom Recovery?
6. What is a Nandroid?
7. What is a ROM?
Use Wikipedia or Google to get the answer to those basics before moving on. You need to understand the whys and wherefores before going further.
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OK - You're back, so hopefully you have a better understanding of what we'll be doing from here on out. This guide is intended for those of us who for one reason (money) or another (caution, anxiety or fear) choose not to unlock the bootloader but still want to do some customization. I'm going to gather together the threads you need to perform the following tasks:
1. Root the R800x - [HOW-TO] Root Phones w/ Android v2.2.x-2.3.x (zergRush Method)
2. Install a Custom Recovery - The easiest method is found here: [APP]/[RECOVERY] Auto-Installer 5.0.2.7-nAa-r2 (Locked/Unlocked Bootloader) 10/1/12 That's an apk you install on your phone and run to install CWM to the \system folder. No cable or PC needed!
3. Make a Nandroid backup - Turn off your phone. When you see the words Sony Ericsson, repeatedly push the volume down button to enter Clockworks Custom Recovery. Using the volume down button, highlight Backup and Restore. Use the Home key to select it. Use Home again to select Backup. When it finishes, congratulate yourself on making your first Nandroid Backup! Reboot your phone to get out of CWM.
4. Choose and install an alternate ROM The following ROMs have been tested by me and have been shown to work. Each of them is available as a Nandroid, so you will copy them to your SD Card in \clockwork\backup and then use CWM's Backup and Restore menu to restore them to your phone.Follow the directions as provided by each thread. NOTE: In most cases, these ROMs may be used on either locked or unlocked bootloaders.
- GBTweaked0 - the Basic Gingerbread stock ROM, debloaded and tweaked out with the Icecream Sandwich look.
-R800x with UK Firmware - 2 links here and both work. Verizon 2.3.3 Timescape works as is. UK firmware needs a little extra effort to enable the hardware keys Tutorial Fix R800X UK nandroid Back,Home,Menu, and Search buttons and the wifi which can be downloaded from here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?rps86s1qxbbe6vo
-UPDATE For the button fix above, I found that if you follow those instructions, your buttons for the gamepad stop working. Follow the tutorial but insert the lines above the line that says "# KEY_UP, KEY_LEFT, KEY_RIGHT, KEY_DOWN" instead. This lets both the front buttons and all the gamepad buttons work properly. (See my post in the tutorial for the total script.)
-UPDATE: Hogwarts has added another customized ROM called COLA just for our R800x with the locked bootloader. When Hogwarts says it's the smallest and fastest ROM currently available, he's not kidding! This is about as bare minimum as you can get, lean and mean. Interested? Check out his post for COLA.
-UPDATE XperianceIT has posted up another customized ROM, a variation based on Hogwarts COLA. He calls it IT-ROM
-UPDATE From KeiranFTW comes Darkforest CDMA Rom (3.0.5) - [ROM] Darkforest ROM 3.0.5 UPDATE | GSM 2.3.4/.62 | CDMA 2.3.3/.145 [WIP]
5. Return to Stock - Download Flashtool from here: Flashtool-0.6.8.0-windows.exe and the stock ROM ftf from here: R800x 2.3.3 Full 3.0.1.E.0.88 FTF
Please be sure to READ AND FOLLOW the instructions provided on each of those threads. I bear absolutely NO RESPONSIBILITY if you do something to damage your phone.
NONE of these programs or solutions are my own work. All I have done is hunted down and tested these different links. All credit goes to each thread reference's OP and their respective affiliates. SOME of the people to be thanked are: DooMLorD, PaxChristos, KeiranFTW, Chevyowner, 216Monster, 007shark, odst0016, Leraeniesh, Androxyde, CrimsonSentinel13, Hogwarts, pvyParts the ICX Developers, and the Dark Forest Developers. Oh yeah, Sony (Ericsson) for making the phone, and Verizon for challenging all the devs creativity! If I've missed anyone, it's because I have a lousy memory and not because I wanted to shaft them from the glory they so richly deserve.
I hope this helps someone out. I sure could have used this post myself!
02/16/2012 - Updated some of the links that had been pointing at MultiUpload to new links on MediaFire
03/38/2012 - Removed ROM info for Unlocked Bootloaders as this thread is for LOCKED R800x Phones Only
Great thread whenever I post something new ill send you the details in a pm if I remember
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Very good thread! I wish this was here when i started out looking for answers. Hey if you want you can add a link to my thread on how to change the carrier name for the r800x. That way even after flashing to a custom ROM, your not stuck with "Verizon Wireless" in your notification pulldown. The link is in my signature.
Thanks for the info.
Specifically the hardware key fix on the UK ROM
If you dont mind please add my Cola rom to this list of R800X roms
thanks.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442557
Any news on overclocking?
Cl8rs said:
Any news on overclocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For locked bootloaders requires a module ive been learning about how to make them. So maybe in the future.
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
Bumping so it doesnt get lost
Sent from my R800x using XDA App
It should be stickied/pinned.
Hogwarts said:
Thanks for the info.
Specifically the hardware key fix on the UK ROM
If you dont mind please add my Cola rom to this list of R800X roms
thanks.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1442557
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, Hogwarts! I know we ALL appreciate another ROM to work with. I hope to test yours this weekend. I'll try to comment on your thread when I do.
netizenmt said:
Thank you, Hogwarts! I know we ALL appreciate another ROM to work with. I hope to test yours this weekend. I'll try to comment on your thread when I do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome
I've made alot of improvements to it.
You can read changelog to see everything
I think it's the fastest setup possible for R800X locked bootlader
kernel
So do these roms come with a custom kernel (e.g. doomlord) to allow for overclocking?
Apersonx said:
So do these roms come with a custom kernel (e.g. doomlord) to allow for overclocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
doom lord is working on one hopefully since i requested it.
i'll be adding it to my rom and others can to
This is fantastic! Thanks for the guide. This is my first time trying out a custom rom and it was super easy thanks to your instructions.
Currently testing out COLA and holy **** it's fast. Loving it so far.
gchaggy said:
This is fantastic! Thanks for the guide. This is my first time trying out a custom rom and it was super easy thanks to your instructions.
Currently testing out COLA and holy **** it's fast. Loving it so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I could spare you some pain! And, yeah, COLA is friggin' fast. Too lean for my particular tastes, as I like to load up on games and what not, but Hogwarts has done an amazing job with trimming the fat, for sure!
dos any one no if there will be a android 2.3.4 or android 4.0 for the R800x?
Thank you for this post i was having a problem trying to comprehend all the stuff needed to install a ROM on the CDMA locked bootloader R800x but this cleared it all up.
Now im running the IT-ROM. Works great
Hello, is posibel install a stock Android 2.3.4 (Ginger) in the xperia play? ... and then edit some files allow the functionally of the hard keys as does this tutorial?
Hey guys im having issues, i tried using about every rom that was posted in this thread, the only one to install without error was cola6, anyway all the others give me a md5 sum mismatch. can anyone clerrify how to resolve this issue
Agito504 said:
Hey guys im having issues, i tried using about every rom that was posted in this thread, the only one to install without error was cola6, anyway all the others give me a md5 sum mismatch. can anyone clerrify how to resolve this issue
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Redownload it and try copy pasting again. I've had an issue with arch Linux where I'd get continual MD5 errors, but no md5 errors on xp.
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk
thanx for your quick feedback @paxChristos
Ok, it should be a stupid question. but a bit scary if it is true.
i readed in a forum it said when flashing ROM with a long gap version number (for example 2.3.4 to 4.0.0) will causing damage (or hard brick). so if currently you are now in 2.3.4 you should upgrade if first to 2.3.7 (one step above) then 4.0.0 (if you know the version step properly will be fine, if not?? who know if there is 2.3.5??).
so guys is it true or not? for me it is sound not so logical.
want to get info through the net about this, but a bit confuse what keyword to use to search..
ktutnik said:
Ok, it should be a stupid question. but a bit scary if it is true.
i readed in a forum it said when flashing ROM with a long gap version number (for example 2.3.4 to 4.0.0) will causing damage (or hard brick). so if currently you are now in 2.3.4 you should upgrade if first to 2.3.7 (one step above) then 4.0.0 (if you know the version step properly will be fine, if not?? who know if there is 2.3.5??).
so guys is it true or not? for me it is sound not so logical.
want to get info through the net about this, but a bit confuse what keyword to use to search..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope...its all fine..
This my Archie history :2.3.4-4.0.4-4.1.1 and nothing happen...
Just root+unlock bootloader for the best experience
Hit thanks if somebody help you
Sent from my Xperia Arc
AndriyeZ said:
Nope...its all fine..
This my Archie history :2.3.4-4.0.4-4.1.1 and nothing happen...
Just root+unlock bootloader for the best experience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, actually i do the same, i switched from JB and GB frequently, no problem so far, but in the forum i mentioned they are so concern about this, that make a big question on my mind.
ktutnik said:
yes, actually i do the same, i switched from JB and GB frequently, no problem so far, but in the forum i mentioned they are so concern about this, that make a big question on my mind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So...nothing to worry dude...
Just doing all back up before doing anything..
Sent from my Xperia Arc
It should be all OK. Greatest concern is flashing bootloader, that might "brick" your phone, but there are solutions for this all over the forum. Anyway dont worry about that, if you have some approved bootloaders for ROMs from this forum, you should be OK, then flashing ROMs is without problems. I have been flashing official ICS to GB, then to JB, and nothing bad happend.
I think it's ok
My Archie history is the same w AndriyeZ
GenieLeo said:
I think it's ok
My Archie history is the same w AndriyeZ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice...
Sent from my Xperia Arc
so, seems everyone said the same.
event there is no proof about this, but logically it is impossible you brick your phone because long gap of version.
thank you every one for the answer.. you worth my thanks
ktutnik said:
so, seems everyone said the same.
event there is no proof about this, but logically it is impossible you brick your phone because long gap of version.
thank you every one for the answer.. you worth my thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you flash anything just be sure to follow the roms instructions and also keep in mind that you should backup your phone before you start to flash anything incase anything does screw up. I went from 2.3.4 to 4.1.1 (AOKP rom) and have had not too many issues that haven't been solved from the rom.
I think you're refering to the "0 percent battery" issue which occurred for some users flashing back while 2.3 was all we had, not so much an issue these days.
XperienceD said:
I think you're refering to the "0 percent battery" issue which occurred for some users flashing back while 2.3 was all we had, not so much an issue these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for sharing, yes that was my though, but mentioned issue causing something damage (boot sector damage or something damage i forgot it) and it is different than 0% battery issue right?
i have upgraded to FXP201, but my wifi doens't work, can anyone help???? it was working with FXP 151 beforeeee
demo_demo said:
i have upgraded to FXP201, but my wifi doens't work, can anyone help???? it was working with FXP 151 beforeeee
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem... :crying:
Did you flash the new kernel?
Also, wrong section.
Someguyfromhell said:
Did you flash the new kernel?
Also, wrong section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i couldn't post in the android development board, so i thougth i should post here
no, didn't flash the new kernel...do i have to?? cos i didn't for some of the other versions~ will i lose my apps once flashed the new kernal??
thanks
You won't lose your apps if you flash a new kernel
NO wifi...
demo_demo said:
i have upgraded to FXP201, but my wifi doens't work, can anyone help???? it was working with FXP 151 beforeeee
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just on the wifi.. ofcourse it wont on.. just on it . and reboot it... then wifi works.. click thanks if i helped ..
demo_demo said:
no, didn't flash the new kernel...do i have to??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should actually READ the instructions before flashing anything or applying any mods to your Phone, if more People did xda wouldn't be filled with pointless posts like this reporting things have absolutely nothing to do with the ROM/kernel/mod or whatever.
XperienceD said:
You should actually READ the instructions before flashing anything or applying any mods to your Phone, if more People did xda wouldn't be filled with pointless posts like this reporting things have absolutely nothing to do with the ROM/kernel/mod or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trouble with that is, the original post makes no mention of a new kernel. And there's nothing on the FXP Google site, either about a new kernel for 201.
I would've thought a problem with wifi would definitely be a problem with the ROM/kernel/mod. Trouble with this site is there are far too many posts knocking people down - and with a thread that's only 7 posts long prior to this, a little patience and a point in the right direction to the kernel sources - as you appear to know everything there is to know - wouldn't have gone amiss.
TheHurf said:
Trouble with that is, the original post makes no mention of a new kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
demo_demo said:
no, didn't flash the new kernel...do i have to??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TheHurf said:
And there's nothing on the FXP Google site, either about a new kernel for 201.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's in the instructions for flashing....
FXP said:
HOWTO
Install instructions:
1. Install a Recovery (there are some around this forum)
2. Flash Rom
3. Flash gapps
4. Wipe (only required 1st time)
5. Flash kernel (fastboot flash boot boot.img)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...which is pretty much a condensed version of what's posted at the CM Wiki - http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/index.php?title=Install_CM_for_anzu
TheHurf said:
Trouble with this site is there are far too many posts knocking people down - and with a thread that's only 7 posts long prior to this, a little patience and a point in the right direction to the kernel sources - as you appear to know everything there is to know - wouldn't have gone amiss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've replied to a post in the exact same manner I would of with someone who had made 50,000 posts, should you read the instructions before flashing anything, YES as I've stated, and if you or anyone else doesn't like my opinion in response to a user who's started a thread to report an issue then gone on to state they haven't followed all the instructions, tough, you either understand my methods or you don't.
The kernel is in the zip they downloaded which they should already know as they've been running 151.
XperienceD said:
What's in the instructions for flashing....
I've replied to a post in the exact same manner I would of with someone who had made 50,000 posts, should you read the instructions before flashing anything, YES as I've stated, and if you or anyone else doesn't like my opinion in response to a user who's started a thread to report an issue then gone on to state they haven't followed all the instructions, tough, you either understand my methods or you don't.
The kernel is in the zip they downloaded which they should already know as they've been running 151.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your help, because i have been upgrading from 147 to 151 without flashing the boot.img in the zip file, so i would assume that i dont have to flash it, because the wifi was working all along when i upgraded to the different versions
now that i have flashed the new kernal, it works all fine now!! thanks for everyone who has helped though!
demo_demo said:
thanks for your help, because i have been upgrading from 147 to 151 without flashing the boot.img in the zip file
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ALWAYS update the kernel, then if you do run in to issues like this you know it's something else.
I am using ignorance rom currently and i want to change to aokp...what should i do now?? Jst having the zip in sd card and on the bootlander wiping the data and installing the new zip will do or is there anything else to do?? Pls help
ranjithm said:
I am using ignorance rom currently and i want to change to aokp...what should i do now?? Jst having the zip in sd card and on the bootlander wiping the data and installing the new zip will do or is there anything else to do?? Pls help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
flash proper kernel (no, I won't provide any links, you have to find it by yourself by using "search" tool... aokp is CM9 [ICS] or CM10 [JB]) and then flash aokp ROM
ranjithm said:
I am using ignorance rom currently and i want to change to aokp...what should i do now?? Jst having the zip in sd card and on the bootlander wiping the data and installing the new zip will do or is there anything else to do?? Pls help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh and its bootloader .. click the kernel tab on one v home page for kernels
Help
parkourz said:
flash proper kernel (no, I won't provide any links, you have to find it by yourself by using "search" tool... aokp is CM9 [ICS] or CM10 [JB]) and then flash aokp ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont get you...wat does proper kernel mean, isn't stock kernel enough???
ranjithm said:
I dont get you...wat does proper kernel mean, isn't stock kernel enough???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best way to learn something is to read ROM's first posts
First posts of many roms don't give much information actually... You'll probably have to read many ''first posts'' to get a proper understanding. People on here are annoying about telling new people how to get started because they in all likelihood learned by themselves though searching and reading. Flashing a new rom is easy but there is a learning curve and you will need troubleshooting skills, so the more you read and know the better!
leekohlbradley said:
First posts of many roms don't give much information actually... You'll probably have to read many ''first posts'' to get a proper understanding. People on here are annoying about telling new people how to get started because they in all likelihood learned by themselves though searching and reading. Flashing a new rom is easy but there is a learning curve and you will need troubleshooting skills, so the more you read and know the better!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We are all learning by making mistakes You think why I know more than e.g. OP of this thread? Because I'm too impatient to wait until somebody will answer my questions! I was doing things by myself, bricking phones, restoring them back and gaining knowlegde! So not more experienced users are "bad" because they won't tell everything, NEW USERS ARE TO LAZY TO SEARCH, MAKING MISTAKES AND LEARN!!!
ranjithm said:
I dont get you...wat does proper kernel mean, isn't stock kernel enough???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry!
Anyone coming to XDA forums for the first time, is "noob" and all the other names...
What IS important - you have "sticky" threads that will explain quite a lot. BUT, you'll have to read and read and read until you'll know what and where to ask... Well, we all learn until we die... :angel:
So, yes, read. Search and search and read again! Or, if you're in real trouble, send PM (you know what that is, right?)...
Regarding your question, well, you'll just have to look around and decide what you'll do with your hov :fingers-crossed:
But, to be on "friendly side",
read that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1598964 and that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1713257 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869667 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1806152 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1996665. I KNOW - a lot to read, but...
Oh, don't just pick a rom like pants or shirt, go through all of them, read and read all OPs until you're sure which one to put on your hov. And before you do that for the first time, learn how to do that again and again...
bratusm said:
Don't worry!
Anyone coming to XDA forums for the first time, is "noob" and all the other names...
What IS important - you have "sticky" threads that will explain quite a lot. BUT, you'll have to read and read and read until you'll know what and where to ask... Well, we all learn until we die... :angel:
So, yes, read. Search and search and read again! Or, if you're in real trouble, send PM (you know what that is, right?)...
Regarding your question, well, you'll just have to look around and decide what you'll do with your hov :fingers-crossed:
But, to be on "friendly side",
read that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1598964 and that: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1713257 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1869667 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1806152 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1996665. I KNOW - a lot to read, but...
Oh, don't just pick a rom like pants or shirt, go through all of them, read and read all OPs until you're sure which one to put on your hov. And before you do that for the first time, learn how to do that again and again...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know how to root or how to make nandroid backup...my question is just that do I need to flash the kernel, I have stock kernel and I read a post that stock kernel is sufficient for all roms but not sure if its true...need an expert suggestion for that like from u people!!!
ranjithm said:
I know how to root or how to make nandroid backup...my question is just that do I need to flash the kernel, I have stock kernel and I read a post that stock kernel is sufficient for all roms but not sure if its true...need an expert suggestion for that like from u people!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To make it short: every rom needs a kernel that it's likely not stock kernel. In every OP of rom it's written which kernel you have to use...
I wanted to share this nice tool from a local thread which gives someone the impression that the software is obsolet, but I find it quite useful and very practical as well.
I will give proper credit.No worries.
https://m.box.com/file/298146766463/download
PS
Flash the zip with OrangeFox/Twrp or when everything fails RedWolf...
Link is down
Mubasher96 said:
Link is down
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it shortly before and had no issues whatsoever.
I uploaded it again onto Mega just to make sure.
Hf
https://mega.nz/#F!hYhkSQ6I!IjXtBViG0aDkrUvunOQYFA
editedit
Should the problem remain please send me a short notice.
Sorry for asking, how does it debloat?
DarthKeizer said:
Sorry for asking, how does it debloat?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to apologize for wanting to get answersed a simple question.
I am not the dev, so I can't much say about the technichal aspects.
It is combined with aroma; you select manually what you want to be removed.
You can select every single app and some vendor stuff.
Just be careful not to delete anything essential.
Greets
It is compatible for NOTE 5 AI GlobaL? rooted already?