yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tuanlaqb:
Please Help

My Xperia Arc is bricked.

I did like follow intruction in this forum, but nothing change.

When I use flashtool an follow the steps and connect my phone in flashmode. Nothing happen, not blue or green led.

And the Flashtool screen is:

05/033/2011 14:33:33 - INFO - <- This level is successfully initialized

05/033/2011 14:33:37 - INFO - Preparing files for flashing

05/033/2011 14:33:38 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:38 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:39 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:39 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:40 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:41 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:42 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:42 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:43 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:43 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:44 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:44 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:45 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:45 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:46 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:46 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

05/033/2011 14:33:47 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

05/033/2011 14:33:47 - ERROR - Please plug you device in flash mode

Some body can help me, please
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kabuts:
Just like to say a big thanks to Jerpelea & Bin4ry.

You guys are absolute legends. Fix worked perfectly, had to disable my AV program first, but all good after that!!

Beers coming your way.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jacpinksteren:
tuanlaqb I think jerpelea in freexperia arc thread states you can always unbrick your device using the stock rom he links to. Make sure you turn your device off and keep it that way long enough (1 minute or so) - then hold the menu button (bottom right) en plugin usb cable. Make sure your device gets recognized in windows device manager (proper drivers should be installed). Try fastboot getvar version first before you flash and see if it responds well.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] tuanlaqb:
Thanks to jacpinksteren. But it is not help.

After OTA update. My Arc can't Turn on or Turn off.

When I plug in usb cable, nọthing happen.

There is no led on my arc.

Sombody can help me. Please.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhisheak.bansal:
there is fix available in development section.....go find it
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shue249:
I did the stupid OTA yesterday and phone ended up bricked.

However, I followed the tutorial fix using flashtool 0.2.9.1 with no success. Does anyone has any suggestions?

20/031/2011 13:31:44 - INFO - <- This level is successfully initialized

20/031/2011 13:31:47 - INFO - USB\VID_0FCE&PID_ADDE\5&1692825F&0&1 : OK

20/032/2011 13:32:14 - INFO - Preparing files for flashing

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - INFO - Searching Xperia....

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - INFO - Found at USB\VID_0FCE&PID_ADDE\5&1692825F&0&1

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - INFO - Start Flashing

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - INFO -

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - ERROR - Error flashing. Aborted

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - INFO - Now unplug the device and power it on

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - INFO - Then go to application settings

20/032/2011 13:32:15 - INFO - turn on Unknown Sources and Debugging
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jtdc:
tuanlaqb and shue249 :

Was your phone that got bricked by OTA, bootloader locked or bootloader unlocked?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shue249:
My phone was bootloader-unlocked and it was bricked after i did the OTA.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lil_devil:
What I am not able to understand is that if your phone was bootloader unlocked then SEUS would not let you update your arc at all. It shows a message that the software ob yoyr device has been changed..

Realli confused
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] shue249:
I have installed Titanium backup to remove pre-installed apps, so I am sure I have unlocked my phone.

I also dun remember seeing any messages that block me from OTA. I remember that while doing the update, the software prompted me to restart my phone and that's when it no longer starts up again.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jtdc:
The general rule is that all the Arc are bootloader locked. Then Sony Ericsson provided codes for the SIM-free units to have them unlocked (so it is open for custom rom flashing in the future, or for whatever reason). However in doing so, they essentially lose "control/quality-assurance compatibility" over your phone since it is bootloader unlocked so official updates coming from them will not work. Hence those who have unlocked bootloaders and updated via official OTA ended up bricked.

There's separate thread here on how to unbrick the units

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1126358

And how to re-lock the bootloader back.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1134335

Hope you get your phones back alive.

The general consensus for now is, there is no real gain yet on unlocking the bootloader since there's no custom rom yet for the Arc, correct me if I am wrong on this.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] MSZwolle:
I still have the Market issue. I cannot download new apps, or update apps already on my phone.

I have contacted jerpelea and he tried to help me, but that didn't work. I have flashed my phone about 7 or 8 times now, and still the Market doesn't work, yet I can call, text, use the browser and the facebook app. A new (to me unknown) app called Hanashi doesn't work. Neither does Applanet, that I installed to see if I could get apps from that. Applanet's apps lists just don't even fill up, it doesn't find apps whatsoever.

Is there any way I can fix this myself, if so, how? If I need to flash anything, please do tell me what button combination I have to use to be able to flash.

Edit: When trying do download an app, it finds the app, then says "Downloading" for one second, then for 0.1 second it says "Download unsuccessful" and abruptly cuts the download.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] kistigun:
installang titanium back up and removing pre-installed apps means you have root. Not that you bootloader is unlocked. If you bought yor device new and you did not unlock it yourself it's still locked!

Did you try and flash a rom with the flashtool?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] peacekeeper38:
i had the very same problem with all of you guys are facing and believe me it took me around a week working, flashing, and using all the methods internet can give you and nothing, until i got to this page i downloaded the file in the first post, but when i reflashed i did on a pc using windows xp 32 bits, before that i tried to use win7 64 bits and no answer, but with xp everything was ok, so i recommend if you are going to do that do it with that OS. maybe for someone it worked with other SO but in this case for me XP. :D
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] possession:
i still with the same problem... i'm getting no hope on fixing my xperia arc i used this fix that is written at the beggining and next to that i've done the TA brick but it stills the same... can someone help me? my phone is unbooted cause i did that thing with the imei, this fix is to use with the unbooted phone or i have to relock the bootloader? plz someone...i don't sleep for a 4 days...since thursday .. :(
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] unlockberry:
somebody in sonny ericsson support forum had the same problem & solved it, chech this out: http://talk.sonyericsson.com/message/91917#19989
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] thedelusion:
Success at least!

hi there folks,

After a successfull! un-rooting process in order to update my xperia arc via OTA ( thought I was clever, eh ? no re-locking bootloader, tasted my own medicine :) )

Anyway, as all you can guess my device went out black blank after downloading OTA update and did not boot back. I tried lots of solutions with in about 5 hours I spent during last night before my wife yells at me. They all finished up with " Flash aborted " result of Flash tool.

Because I am Turkish and an old user of Sony Ericsson, I know some tips about the sony flashing.

I have ended up with the same results as you all did just ilke I stated above, unless;

I have changed my regional setting to " United Kingdom " and my keyboard setting to " British "

It doesn't matter if your O/S is xp, vista neither Windows 7, FlashTool works like a charm. But please keep the hint in your mind, even if your language is English, just change your language to British and change your region from the control panel / regional settings to " United Kingdom "

Then you will see Flash aborted message flies away and your phone's bootloader gets back within a few seconds.

I tried to post this to development area, but seems to be I can't post there unless I reach ten posts in normal forum areas.

But I believe that's a must for me to update you guys about this point since I got the every single error during your reviving processes.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] lammy29:
anyone got the link mines stuck on se screen and telling me to turn on debugging
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] elguapohasahemi:
Similar issue here. Trying to find the generic UK .184 rom but EVERY link I find is dead.

ANYONE know where I can get this file????

Thanks.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
I have just discovered to go into flash mode I have to hold the menu button whist connecting the USB cable and the LED will go blue (for flash mode) this does not happen, the LED does not light up at all but as soon as I release the menu button the LED goes green, I think its knackerd to be honest :(
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alesscam:
Are you sure that you have in your pc Android SDK and adb shell???
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
I have SDK installed, how can I check for ADB shell? is this a service that should be running?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alesscam:
android sdk\platform-tool\adb.exe

and adbwinapi.dll adbwinusbapi.dll(driver)
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BluechipJ:
If you can get into flash mode, you should be able to flash any firmware onto the phone.

NOTE: Flash mode (holding back key) and bootloader mode (holding menu key) are different.

[YOUTUBE]Keo61Zffh5Q&hd=1[/YOUTUBE]
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alesscam:
should it be know ...

the problem that does not solve the problem with new flash and can not start fastboot to run a erase system for try to solve
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Yep, got that
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Is there any way to clear dalvic cache etc from adb whist in flash mode?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] im_iceman:
hey - blue light is not flash mode - it's fastboot mode..

SWITCH THE PHONE OFF..

HOLD the BACK KEY when plugging in the USB cable.. when flashtool tells you to.

That will work.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alesscam:
please..read old post......flash mode don't solve this problem....

fastboot was an attempt to erase system and reflash Rom

but it seems nothing works
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Hi, thanks for your sudgestion but unfortunatley it didnt work :(
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Dont know if this makes sence but ive got a feeling that the bootloader has gone missing :mad:
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] im_iceman:
have you tried this..

switch phone off.. leave it for 30 seconds..

hold the MENU key and plug in your USB cable..

you might need to have a command shell ready if it's not holding Fastboot mode for long..

get the UK .145 firmware image in the same folder as fastboot..

type in the command line

fastboot flash system imagename.img

(imagename.img is the name of the image you've downloaded)...

as soon as you get the blue light... press enter..
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alesscam:
I hope some guru of Android would solve this problem ... I'm sorry mate but those are all my chances being i'm new to the world of Android

I'm really sorry
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Yep cant get into fastboot mode or anything bloody SE and their updates.

thanks anyways.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Unfortunatley after 3 mins of holding the menu button i have to give up, thanks anyways.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] pato_bato:
Try this you never know without trying.

See if you can boot to safe mode.

Hold back and menu button

Press the power button still holding the 2 buttons. Keep holding it may take longer. My ARC took 3 mins or so to get in safe mode. Just try it
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] animboo:
Dont know but can you try pc companion then click repair, might work..even if u have bootloader unlocked.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Nimche:
My PC Companion says that I have altered the OS and it can't be repaired... it is because of unlocked bootloader
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] animboo:
all out of ideas..lol..hope you get your phone fix.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jakhan86:
Try on a different pc before giving up. just install sony ericsson pc companion, Sony Ericsson Update service (for flash drivers) and run flashtool 2.9.1 on it.flash the 2.3.3 version and check if it works.

Arc is one of the things too beautiful to die! :)
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] thephilip:
Hi,

I bought my arc on ebay, Which was previously on vodafone but got sim unlocked as i am on o2. I unlocked bootloader & rooted as I only did this to remove the vodafone bloatware. I read that you could update with SEUS even if bootloader unlocked on xperiablog's website as it was said by someone from sony ericsson. After I unlocked it the blog got updated to say another staff said you can't & they are working on it to let this happen. Obviously I'm quite annoyed now as i can't use SEUS.

Would sony ericsson replace my arc for this reason?

Thanks in advance!

Sorry for the long story LOL, help would be appreciated!
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] animboo:
It was actually here in the xda forum that that question was raised and answered by a sony ericsson employee.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Im going to have another crack at this tonight, I spoke to SE today via the website and have arranged a warantee repair, they said I may be charged but ill fight it all the way as it was their update that killed it, bootloader unlocked or not.

Anyone else experienced this at all?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
OK I have something different now after performing another flash, I now get the notification flashes red 3 times, anyone know what this could be?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gilly_uk:
Hey,

My phone has done the exact same thing when i tried to update to 2.3.3 on tuesday and I haven't been able to solve it. When I hold the power button in the green LED flickers but nothing. When its plugged into the charger again it keeps flickering green.

Plug the phone into my laptop and the green light goes solid and u can hear the USB detect it. Fastboot cannot find the device and sits there saying Waiting for Device. Flashtools seems to be able to flash it but still nothing happens.

I think whatever controls the booting has got corrupt and it cant load anything.

I have spoken to SE support who told me to send it to SBD LTD i think they are called but researching their name on the internet and they come across as a bunch of cowboys.

I going to send my phone back to Dial a Phone and if that doesn't fix it then ill go through my insurance.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Thats exactly what mine does, let me know how you get on, im sending mine off today also.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhisheak.bansal:
i know it is a bad advice but still worth trying

try to install flash tool on window xp 32bit edition then flash the rom......may be it work.......

I read in a thread somewhere ,that a person was not able to update his phone using flash tool on vista...then he tried xp and it worked

hopefully it works in your case too.............
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ImS0Raw:
Let your phone charge, then download a firmware and try reflashing with the NEWEST flashtool. Just try diffrent firmwares. Also look if Flashtool DOES flash the firmware.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] russelk:
Exact same problem!

Same thing happened to me during the OTA update. I had around 50 percent battery, the phone went blank during the update and never came on again. I also have an unlocked bootloader so SEUS refuses to update/repair it. I've used Flashtool 0.2.9.1 and 3 different ROMs but no luck. The phone vibrates briefly when I power it on but the display never comes on. I don't even get the Sony Ericsson logo. Like the OP reported, the LED flashes green when I press the power button, but there's no other sign of life.

It seems well and truly bricked. I bought it second hand from a forum user (another forum) so there's no warranty from the carrier. I will SE on Monday and try to arrange a repair.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] titox94:
same problem

Hi I had the same problem can not be flashed with Flashtool my phone can not start. the only solution I have found it by flashing with fastGsm software. It pays, but now it works.

sorry for my english, i'm french:)
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] titox94:
after I was able to flash with FastBoot, the 1 st time I try with windows 7 x64 Flashtool flash aborted, and fastboot did not work, but after I tried with windows xp 32bit and it worked nice. you need to flash again with updated generic ROM (unrooted) with flashtool or like me with FastGsm
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] blackhawk1:
Suggestion... you might have not have latest usb driver..

Download the driver from sony unlock bootloader website and reinstalled it per its instruction. Then flash again. Hope it work
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BenWorkman:
I've just tried doing the install in windows XP x86 and it did not work. Arc is still not booting, wont enter fastboot mode (blue light), and when i try and turn it on just get green flashes every few secs.

Been on this for 4 hours now, going to call it a night and go get a replacement tomorrow.... How annoying!!

Tired fastboot with android usb file, wotanserver & x10flashtool. All have not worked.

blackhawk1, have you had the exact same problem? rooted your phone and then tried to update via sony. crashing your phone and making it in this unbootable state? Green led flashes etc...... Ive tried all the tools in xp, it just wont work... The tools say flashing completed but when i go to boot the phone it wont respond.

If 100% did the same problem, please can you give step by steps to your fix and provide links to the tools/drivers used etc.

Goodnight!! Ben.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gourdouli:
Same issue for me - bootloader unlocked, accepted update, and then death. Flashing does nothing, as previously said. Not detected by fastboot or adb.

Will beg carphone warehouse tomorrow for a warranty repair.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Well mine was sent off on Friday for repair, hoping they dont try to charge me as it was their update that messed it up,I feel sorry for them if they do try to charge me.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gourdouli:
I think we're all in the same position RE warranty. Did you send it off directly to SE or through carrier/shop?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] blackhawk1:
If you are in fastboot and not detected. Try to install the usb driver from sony unlock bootloader . It will allow fastboot flash.

Once get the light blink check device manager for unknowndevice. If not you can right click the .inf file and choose install
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Been sent direct to SE
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BenWorkman:
trust me, that wont work. CPW said "older than 28 days, sorry!". I was there thismorning for 2 hours trying to sort it! CPW estimated 3/4 weeks turnaround time if they send it to SE. However may be quicker if i do direct! w*****s!!!
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gourdouli:
Did they give you a time frame for its return?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
The turn around is apparently 7-10 working days, but ill beleive it when I see it.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] BenWorkman:
will wait to see how u get on before i contact and send mine i guess.... :S
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] justFaisal:
Pull out the battery for some time (1 day if u can) then try flashing again and be patient, dont hurry...
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
mine had nealy a full day before trying to flash again but no dice, I think the update messes up the bootloader or something as it goes straight into flash mode when plugged in telling me that the phone is in its primary programming/install OS mode or its seing it has no OS and is awaiting input.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] abhisheak.bansal:
May Be I Found A Solution

YOU MAY BE HAVING A Trim Area [TA]

if u had make the backup of TA then restore it with omnius,i am 99.99% sure that your phone will work again

if u have not made the backup of TA,then i cant help

EDIT:- may be u should ask a working xperia arc owner to provide you a TA backup,i am not sure that this will work.........

IF U WANT MORE HELP REGARDING THIS PM ME
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gilly_uk:
Im sending mine back to Dial a Phone today. I heard bad things about SE repair shop in the UK, SBD LTD, apparently they are really bad.

If they send me a refurbished phone back then im going to claim on my insurance as that isn't what I want, another persons faulty phone potentially fixed.

Think SE need to really sort this out their SEUS program should be able to be used on rooted phones but flash it back to their original ROM.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gourdouli:
I've just got off the phone with SE, they tell me to use their update service and it will work. I stressed several times that I have an unlocked bootloader and he didn't seem to grasp what that was, and told me it will work. I'm suspicious to say the least.

Unfortunately, I run linux on my computer so this could take a while to sort out...
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gourdouli:
To my shock and amazement, callcentremonkey was wrong. Phone is being sent for repair, turnaround is 5-7 working days from their receipt of phone.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Yay, its with them, lets see what happens next, its almost exciting ;)
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] dardour3:
Hi,

I have the same issue with my ARC which refuses to start after the upgrade. Anyone who can explain how to do the flashing with generic software in more details or at least post the links to the right threads to do so?

Thanks a lot in advance...
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gourdouli:
Is your bootloader unlocked?

We have all tried and failed to restore our phones - you need to send it to SE for repair.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
As Gourduli says we have all failed to recover our phones after this happens with the update, if you contact SE they will arrange for freepost for you to send it off to an authorised repairer to fix it.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] gourdouli:
Any update from SBE on your repair?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] fig_jam_uk:
Still the same status unfortunatley :(
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Tunatje:
Pff... I've got exactly the same thing. But lucky as I am, there is a Official Sony Ericsson Service Center in my town.(Netherlands, Hoorn). I've got an off-day tommorow so i can bring them my Arc, hope they can repair my baby...I'll keep you guys up to date...