[XPERIA X10 General] agentJBM:
Fellow AT&T X10a users "unbrand" and update to 2.1 and beyond; including rooting, optimizing with JIT, removing SE bloatware, installing xRecovery and custom ROMs (2.1/2.2/2.3), and finally the OFFICIAL 2.3.3 Gingerbread update directly from SE when available in Q2-Q3 2011.

This is guide was written especially for noobs like I was a few months ago. At first I found some guides to be overly simplified, outdated, or just plain confusing. I have tried to take any guess work out of the equation, so there shouldn't be any extra steps or things you are assumed to already know. It's a long guide, but don't let that scare you. It is just overly simplified on purpose. My hope is that you will learn enough here to be able to follow those other brief guides when you are done, and hopefully pass this on to others still suffering with 1.6.

This will unbrand your AT&T X10a, meaning you will be running Sony Ericsson 2.1.A.0.435 X10a 2.1 Global Generic firmware (1234-4820) with DUALTOUCH! :D There will be none of the AT&T apps preinstalled on your phone, and you will no longer be blocked by AT&T from installing certain Market apps or non-market apps. This means you can use free navigation & text message apps, Skype, and Voice Search just to name a few.

AND since you are on Global Generic you will be certain to get the official updates including 2.3.3 Gingerbread update in Q2-Q3 2011 directly from PC Companion or SEUS when it is available.

On top of updating to 2.1, I also explain how you "Root"(allows you to "Clean" or remove system apps that are eating up your system), "Optimize"(enable JIT Memory), and install "xRecovery"(allows easy install of custom ROMs). All with one click each with the new Flash Tool 0.2.9 by Bin4ry and Androxyde(special thanks to them for doing all the real work).

"Root" is not necessary, but if you don't use all the SE apps like Timescape or Face Recognition, you can uninstall/"Clean" them and get rid of any lag, save battery, and free up RAM for smoother performance. You also need Root to "Optimize"(enable JIT memory), which will make your phone fly and increase your Quadrant scores from 450 to 800+, and Linpack scores from 7 to 31+. You will be amazed.

This should be all you need to know. Don't skip any steps or add any steps.

***There is also always the risk of damaging your phone or voiding the warranty, so do this at your own risk.

However, I will give you a little hint, because of the tight security on the bootloader, it is impossible to brick your phone permanently. If you mess something up, you can always run repair software via SEUS or PC Companion and get you back to where you were (data wiped/factory reset).

Also, if you ever do have a hardware or warranty issue, you can flash back to 1.6 before you send it for repair. see phase 2/post#5 below).

That being said, I am not responsible for anything that might go wrong, but I will help you as much as I can... Just post or PM me. Have fun with this, and if you have trouble the problem is almost always due to not following the steps.

Prerequisites:

Make sure you have hooked up your x10 via usb cable and run Sony Ericsson update service with PC Companion or SEUS on your computer at least once before trying this. This will make sure you have the usb drivers on your computer. Also, if anything goes wrong, you can run "Repair Software" to get you back to 1.6.

Go here to download Update Service or PC Companion. I use Update Service.

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/support/phones/topic/updateyourproductsoftware?cc=gb&lc=en

Make sure your battery is fully charged. Plug usb cable into your computer, but NOT into your phone yet.

Backup data and apps:

AT&T blocks you from using the SE Backup and Restore app to backup your data before updating (Bastards :), so you will need to find one in the Market. "Mybackup" (free in the Market) is good.

Using a Backup and Restore app make a full backup to sdcard of all your user data and apps.

Also, go into contacts and "export contacts to memory card/sdcard". Mybackup should restore contacts, but I have heard of people not being able to restore contacts with other apps. I am not sure why, but it is always good to backup your contacts as many ways as possible, just in case.

Downloads(PC):

Disable any antivirus software or firewalls to allow download of files.

Go to the link below and download the two things mentioned in the paragraphs below the link...

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=920746

First, find "Flash Tool 0.2.9.1" and click on it and download it to your computer. Open the download. Install wizard will open in a foreign language, but it will change to English. Make a note where the "Flash Tool" folder is saved on your computer. (It may be inside a folder called "software" depending upon your computer.)

Second, click on and download the "X10a generic firmware 2.1.A.0.435" ftf file to your computer from the same thread you found Flash Tool 0.2.9.1.

Flashing:

Using My Computer or Windows Explorer find the folder where you saved the "Flash Tool". Inside of the Flash Tool folder there are additional folders. Find the folder labeled "firmware" inside.

Copy and paste the 2.1.A.0.435 ftf file you downloaded into the "firmware" folder located inside the "Flash Tool" folder.

Once the ftf file is in the "firmware folder", you are ready to flash. Click on X10flashtool.exe just below the "firmware" folder inside the "Flash Tool" folder.

The Flash Tool will open. Click "Flash". Select 2.1.A.0.435 firmware and select OK. Make sure all the sin files are selected. Check box to allow wipe data (the Backup you made will be used to Restore data).

It will tell you to connect your phone in flash mode. Turn off your phone. Once it is off for 10 seconds, press down and continue to hold the back button on your phone, while plugging in the usb cable. Release the back button once the Flash Tool starts working. Wait until says "Finished". DONE Flashing!

It will tell you to unplug and turn on your phone, and enable Usb debugging and unknown sources. Skip that for now.

***If you get an error flashing or flashing aborted, make sure your battery is fully charged. If that doesn't work, there may be a problem with the ftf file you downloaded. Download a new copy of the X10a 2.1.A.0.435 ftf firmware and replace it with the ftf file you put in the "firmware" folder before.

Setting up 2.1/mobile data(APN):

Turn on your phone. When you first turn on your newly unbranded 2.1 X10a it may take a lot longer than usual to boot. This is normal.

Once it finishes booting, it may be in Spanish. Just scroll up to the TOP and select English(United States). Follow the set up, including Wifi and Google Account.

When you finish the set up you will still have to set up data and mms(APN). Go into Settings / Sony Ericsson / Auto search for internet settings. This should set up ATT as your APN (mobile data).

Depending on your location, you may be lucky enough to get an "H" instead of "3G" in your notification bar. This is a good thing. "H" is for HSPA or 3.5+G, faster than 3G! :D

*It should download them automatically from there, however if it is unable to download settings, you will have to enter them manually. There are 2 APN's found in 2.1 that both need to be added, Media Net (internet) and Media Net MMS (mms). To set up the APN Settings manually go into Settings / Mobile Networks / APN / Create New. Enter them exactly and save. Make sure MEdia Net is checked as active.

APNs settings AT&T SE 2.1 x10a (internet and mms)

------------------Number1

(INTERNET) ----------------------------

Name: MEdia Net

APN: wap.cingular

Proxy: wireless.cingular.com

Port: 80

Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM

Password: CINGULAR1

Server: leave blank

MMSC: leave blank

MMS proxy: leave blank

MMS port: leave blank

MCC: 310

MNC: 410

Authentification type: None

APN type: defaul.supl

-------------------------Number 2 (MMS) ------------------------------------

Name: MEdia Net MMS

APN: wap.cingular

Proxy: leave blank

Port: leave blank

Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM

Password: CINGULAR1

Server: leave blank

MMSC: http//mmsc.cingular.com

MMS proxy: wireless.cingular.com

MMS port: 80

MCC: 310

MNC: 410

Authentification type: None

APN type: mms

Restore Data:

Once you have setup data, wifi, and google account go into the Market and download/reinstall whatever Backup and Restore app you used to backup your data. Then Restore your data and apps. REBOOT.

If the app you used doesn't restore your contacts correctly, go into "contacts" and "export contact from memory/sdcard". REBOOT.

Root, Optimize (enable JIT), Remove Unused System Apps, and Install xRecovery:

Hit the physical menu button(left), then go into Settings / Applications" and check "unknown sources". You can now install non-market apps. Then click on "Development" tab in the same Settings / Applications, and check "usb debugging". You can now start to modify your X10, including root your phone with the new flash tool, install xRecovery, and enable JIT (optimize), among other things.

After usb debugging and unknown sources are checked from above, open Flash Tool again(X10flashtool.exe). While the phone is still ON, connect via usb cable, BUT DO NOT "MOUNT USB CONNECTION" Choose "Charge Battery".

To ROOT: Click on "Root" tab in Flash Tool, and wait until says finished. Then click on "Root Permissions" tab to install SuperUser and Busybox. SuperUser.apk will open on your phone Click on "Allow".

To ENABLE JIT(Just In Time Memory): Click on "Optimize" tab to enable JIT(only 2.1 roms).

To REMOVE SYSTEM APPS: Click on "Clean" tab. The following are safe apps to uninstall. Of course, don't remove apps that you use, but uninstalling Timescape and Face Recognition will give you major improvements. **You don't have to use the Flash Tool to remove system apps. They can also be uninstalled directly on your phone with the app Root Explorer or Titanium Backup, among others.

backupandrestore.apk

chinesetextinput.apk

creatouch-wvga.apk

FaceRecognition.apk

JapaneseIME.apk

moxiermail.apk

neoreader.apk

officesuite.apk

PcCompanion.apk

playnowappinstaller.apk

playnowback.apk

playnowclient.apk

quadrapop.apk

SEMCTouchPalKoreanQWERTY.apk

Sync.apk

SyncWizard.apk

TimescapeLargeUI.apk

TimescapeLargeUIThemeBlue.apk

TimescapeLargeUIThemeGreen.apk

TimescapeLargeUIThemeIndigo.apk

TimescapeLargeUIThemeOrange.apk

TimescapeLargeUIThemeSakura.apk

TimescapePluginManager.apk

TimeScapeProvider.apk

touchnote.apk

trackid.apk

usersupport.apk

wisepilot.apk

--and more......Click here for a full list

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=947974

To Install xRECOVERY: Click on "xRecovery" tab to install xRecovery menu. Reboot. DONE!

To enter xRecovery menu: Reboot and as soon as "Sony Ericsson" appears hit power button on top of phone or start tapping back button until xRecovery Menu appears. If the circular logo appears, you missed it and you need to reboot again. (Coming Soon, See phase 2/post#5 below to allow you to access recovery from gscript app shortcut on homescreen, instead of having to reboot and tap buttons)

Recommended Market Apps:

Root Explorer (a couple $, but one of the most useful apps for a rooted phone, if not the most useful. A file explorer with system write privileges R/W. It pays for itself every time you use it.)**Send me a PM if you cannot find or install Root Explorer**

Titanium Backup * Root (free, second most useful app on a rooted phone. Does what it says and then some. Easily remove SE pre-installed apps that are eating up your system, like Timescape, Face Recognition, SE Sync, Play Now, and all the other useless stuff)

Titanium Backup Pro (Does everything the free version does and a whole lot more. Allows for "freezing" of system apps, instead of uninstalling them, if you wish)

Quadrant Standard and Linpack for Android (Both free, Run benchmark tests on your JIT Enabled Optimized X10a, and see how fast your phone can go compared to stock X10 and other brands. Typical stock X10 benchmark score without JIT is 450 quadrant and 7 linpack, with JIT enabled 800+ quadrant and 31+ linpack)

X10a Missing Apps:

At the bottom of this guide you will find the 2 apps that are missing from the Global Generic X10a firmware that are present in the Regional Generic Kits for you to download to you sdcard.

Google Voice Search allows you to speak instead of type your searches (works great-my favorite new feature). You may have to trash the old Google Search widget on your home screen, and add Voice Search Widget to home screen. It will add a microphone icon to the search widget.

Cell Information Widget is a cell broadcast widget that allows emergency text message broadcasts in the event of an natural disaster or emergency from what I have been told. This will put an AT&T logo on your screen. Use this one if you wish, but it is by no means necessary.

I hope this helps make updating easy for you, and I hope you learned a thing or two. If were not successful, please post your situation below. If you were successful, enjoy! If you want to say thanks, just hit the Thanks Button. :D

Bookmark and share this thread, as I plan on adding much more.

Coming Soon:

Phase 2 (post#5): Further discussion of Root(Root Explorer and Titanium Backup), Optimize (safely removing unused SE pre-installed apps, enabling JIT and running benchmarks), Beginners xRecovery(how to access xRecovery menu and tools available), and implementing FreeXperiaRecovery(update xRecovery to access through homescreen)

Phase 3 (post#6) Installing themes and custom ROMs, including 2.2 Froyo and 2.3 Gingerbread, Optimizing 2.1 camera, and other tweaks.