yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Ok, I just flashed the phone. Once it finished and I booted up, it asked me to update to the latest 2.3.3.

I clicked later and will now run the gingerbread root.

Once rooted will I then be able to update or will I get the same message as before regarding a software issue?

---------- Post added at 11:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:16 AM ----------

Ok, I'm almost done, I'm just rooting it now with Gingerbreak.Apk

It will take a while, around 10 minutes to finish. I just hope it doesn't freeze/crash.

Once it has been rooted with the second link, what's the final steps to finally root the phone, also running 2.3.3 along with future updates?

---------- Post added at 11:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------

I just tried to update to Android 2.3.3 via the usb cable and I get the message ''unable to flash due to modified software''

Any suggestions?

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:45 AM ----------

Ok, some good news & some bad...

The good news is that the phone is now READING my sim card!

The bad I'm stuck with Android 2.2.3 and it will not update due to the above message, something to do wth modified software.

All I'd like to do now is update to 2.3.3 & more importantly properly ROOT the phone.

The last thing I did was the GingerBreak root. It doesn't seem to have rooted as I have a program that is supposed to work when the phone has been rooted but it just force closes.
[Xperia Play General] ps3taker:
Try OTA update from phone directly over wifi. Hope it helps

Sent from my R800i
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
I will try this once I get home from work.

The WIFI at work is ****, I'm getting 1 or 0 signal and I cannot even access the market place.

Tried a wifi update from the phone but it is not able to even search since the connection is so bad.

Will try it shortly and report back.

Thanks all.
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
You HAVE to update OTA to preserve root and it sounds like your bootloader is still unlocked? If so don't do anything until you have locked it, them proceed with OTA and only OTA otherwise you'll loose root. OTA only updates some parts of the phone whereas pc companion/SEUS does like flashtool, flashes the whole FW.

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] Deoxlar:
If he had followed the guide to rooting the phone that he originally posted then he has already unlocked his bootloader. DO NOT do the ota update or it will brick the phone again. If your bootloader is already unlock, you can just directly flash it to a rooted 2.3.3 rom and preferably doomlords kernel at the dev forums. Someone link it for him, i can't using XDA App. I'm not 100% sure about the flashing part. Because my bootloader is still locked. But i am 100% sure if you followed the instructions you posted on your link, your bootloader is now unlocked and you cannot ota update or else it will brick your phone.
[Xperia Play General] Deoxlar:
OK found the links on my browser

This is doomlords kernel, i believe it's pre rooted.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1176502

I think you need to flash the newest rom after you complete the above step. Let me link that for you. One sec.

Pick One

North American generic rom

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1255095

UK Generic

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1221105
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
He tried with unlocking the bl and then flash a rooted system .IMG. The problem was that his phone wouldn't detect his sim card and wanted to go back to stock to see if that would make it work. So I gave him the links to do that and still get rooted and I made it clear that he needed to lock the bootloader prior to doing any flashing/updating to avoid a brick in the end.

It also seems that he wants to update to the newest FW hence he needs to lock the bl.

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Thanks guys. I tried updating to 2.3.3 at home.

When it got to the end and went black it stayed there forever, as though it was stuck.

I then took out the battery and restarted it.

Now the phone is ****ed as it no longer turns on, it just vibrates everytime I attempt to turn it on.

I even tried going into bootloader mode by pressing the back button and then connecting it via usb cable into my laptop.

Instead of going into bootloader it simply charges the phone.

Anything I can do or have I just ****ed up the phone?

It's really doing my nut in, never knew it was such a nightmare to update & root a phone!
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
It sounds like you didn't relock your bootloader. Check this thread out to recover:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1126354

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
You sir are a ****ing genius! I ran the bricked recovery in the link you sent, phone was rebooted & I am now on the homescreen!

Boy did it take ages to boot though, around 5 minutes at the Sony Ericsson logo.

I will now relock the bootloader & attempt the update again.

Thanks a million Dousan.

I will keep you informed on how I get on.
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
You're welcome, but the real geniuses are the devs that came up with this :)

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Yeah, if it weren't for them pro's we'd be in trouble with regards to destroyed phones!

It's basically near impossible to destroy your phone since the other geniuses came up with all the solutions to common problems!

This was a DISASTER for me, hours and hours, all day at work and even at home messing about having problem after problem...

It's past 3:00am now and I will be getting up at 6:30 for work, so a little over 3 hours of sleep & have 9 hours of work tomorrow. :(

Anyway I managed to download the 2.3.3 official rom from a forum in one of xda's site.

After flashing the phone did NOT want to update to 2.3.3, whether by wifi or usb, kept on displaying ''unable to flash due to modified software''

So all is working fine, wifi, bluetooth, sim card and oh yeah my ''disable auto brightness app''

Brilliant program, only problem is you must be rooted to use it, that's why I was so desperate to root the phone.

It's annoying that the brightness is auto, many times the screen is dark and simply not bright enough.

The other reason I had to stick with Android 2.3.3 is that it's smoother, faster, much louder volume & better looking than the previous 2.2.2!
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
I know it can be time consuming to fix the phone when it's simi bricked.

It sounds as your bootloader is still unlocked hence the message you get when trying to update. Did you relock it with blagus method.

You can check it by going into fastboot mode (bluelight) and booting bin4rys cwm .IMG. If you can boot it your bl is not locked and you should lock it and then try to update again. Make sure to test that you're bl is locked prior to updating. (this is harmless as long as you only use the command that bin4ry issued, will boot into android when rebooted again). I can personally say it works. I tested my relocked bl by trying to flash doomlords kernel wich it wouldn't. You'll get a error message while trying to use fastboot when the bl is locked.

Link for cwm (clockworkmod). Just follow instructions:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1130639

If your bl is locked and you're sure about it, then no need for this and I don't know why it won't update?

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Everything is working perfect now.

Just one issue, I'm not rooted and am unable to root.

After trying Gingerstreak it simply runs forever, does not complete...

As for Superoneclick, it gets upto step 5 and freezes everytime... :mad:

Sorry for being such a pest but have I missed something?

All I got to do now is root and it doesn't want to.
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
I take that you're on 2.3.2 cuz if it's 2.3.3 it won't root ever as the loophole gingerbreak uses has been patched ;)

Gingerbreak can take up to 10 min. if more reboot and do it again. I've rooted 4 or 5 times with gingerbreak and only once did it root in the first run within 3 min. The other times it took 2 or 3 tries. If you haven't done that try it.

I don't know superoneclick so can't really comment on that.

If you're already on 2.3.3 you need to downgrade again then root then update.

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Lol, what a pain in the backside! So it looks like I may have to wait weeks or even months for a developer to root 2.3.3?

And yes I am running 2.3.3 because when I was rooted previously and was on 2.2.2 it did not want to update to 2.3.3, whether by usb or wifi, kept saying modified software bull**** and as for wifi kept saying error... :(

I wish there was a more simple way of rooting!
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
You could always flash the newest FW with flashtool, then unlock your bootloader again and flash doomlords kernel, it comes pre rooted and there you go. I think after that you can flash kernel.sin (extract that with winrar from the .ftf file) with flashtool and relock and still be rooted on newest FW and ready for new updates in the future.

Newest FW (.ftf file for flashtool):

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1221105

Doomlords kernels:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1176502

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Will doing the above lose my data/memory card files? Would I still need to reinstall all my apps?

Thanks for the response.
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
Yes you'll loose all your installed apps/data on your phone. The sdcard will be untouched. You just have to take a titanium backup before doing the above. You could even take the sdcard out while doing it if you want to be safe. Then restore from TB when done. So TB will be the only appyou have to redownload.

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
I will attempt this later on this evening after work.

I would of done this NOW whilst at work only the usb cable has been left at home unfortunately.

As for the apps already installed, aren't they installed on the sd card?

I was thinking of using a spare sd card for flashing, rooting, etc & upon completion re-insert the other sd card with all installed apps.

You did mention Titanium backup, only you need to be rooted to use it. :(

It's annoying I need to do all of the above JUST to root, they make things awkward...
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
My mistake I thought you where rooted.

The thing is your phone won't update for some reason and that's why it's a bit more complicated to gain root for you on the newest build.

Could you check if your FW in settings says 4.0.A.2.368 if yes then you just need to unlock bootloader again and then flash doomlords kernel and you're rooted. If no then post the number here.

One more question, did you make a TB while you where rooted at some point.

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
My firmware is 4.0.A.2.368. So basically all I need to do now is unlock the bootloader and flash doomlords kernel?

Could you please tell me again how to unlock my bootloader? Reason I'm asking this is because last time I unlocked my bootloader the phone stopped reading my simcard.

Also do you have a link for Doomloads kernel?

I found in youtube a video of some guy flashing his Xperia Arc using doomlords kernal.

Would following it for my Xperia Play be the same or would it not work?

Thanks Dousan for your help & advise.
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
That's correct all you need now is to flash doomlords kernel v3 and yes it's the same way as the arc, with fastboot commands :) If you don't need/want to overclock just don't install any oc app. The kernel is set to stock clock (256-1024 mhz).

About the unlock, it's straight forward. You just issue the unlock code you get from SE's official unlock page in fastboot mode in a cmd window on your pc. No need for flashing a rooted .img afterwards as doomlords kernel will provide that. I think it was the rooted .img tthat somehow gave the issue with your simcard. In short just follow the guide in the unlock link ;)

Link for doomlords kernel (just follow his instructions):

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1176502

Link for tutorial on how to unlock your bootloader (you should be able to skip to number 2) :

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=12878445&postcount=1

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
I tried everything to try and root, it does not work.

When trying fastboot.exe, when typing in the command ''fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar versio'' it says ''waiting for device'' and does not change.

I start the phone in boot mode, the top lights up green, after a few seconds it then goes orange.

The very first time the program worked the first time.

Ever since it's not working.

I'm able to do EVERYTHING apart from rooting.

I'm now on the stock 2.2.2 rom and it will not root no matter what. Superoneclick does not root & always freezes when getting to step 5 or 6.

Gingerbreak also does nothing, stays forever saying rooting.

I'm able to flash, upgrade/downgrade, do everything only none of the programs seem to want to root my phone.

The link that takes you to Sony Ericsson's site and asks your name, imei and then gives you a unique key.

This does not work period, no matter what rom/version I have.

How can I simply root?

Even with the boot loader locked/unlocked it still refuses to root.

Could you please assist if you have any suggestions?

Thanks

---------- Post added at 04:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:40 PM ----------

When attempting to run ''fastboot'' the phone status light does not turn blue, it goes green and shortly afterwards goes orange, it won't detect the phone no matter what I try, version, whether boot loader is locked or not...
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
If it goes green then you're getting it into flash mode. You need to turn off your phone, then press the hardware 'search' button and then connect while still pressing and it should turn blue.

If you're on 2.3.2 then you can't use the newest doomlord kernel. You have to upgrade again.

About gingerbreak, have you tried rebooting after 10 min. or so and started it again. As i said earlier it tok up to 3 tries in a row to root at one time with GB.

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
I finally managed to get the blue colour hardware button. It was my fault.

Instead of pressing the search button I was pressing the back button the whole time making it green. :(

Anyway I have now unlocked, gained root access.

As usual I tried to update to 2.3.3 and it refuses to do so saying cannot connect to the internet...

Instead I am flashing the 2.3.3...

I hope I don't lose root access once flashing to 2.3.3

I locked the bootloader before upgrading to 2.3.3

When it was last on 2.2.2 it was rooted and I was the black logo with the skeleton.

It's easy to root on 2.2.2 but when running 2.3.3 it's more complicated to root.

I referred to the link with doomlords kernal and though theres a download there are no instructions whatsoever.

I'm now on 2.3.3 and the root icon has gone.

Is there a way to root on 2.3.3? Everytime I downgrade to 2.2.2 I am able to root only when upgrading to 2.3.3 it is no longer rooted.

Is there any guide which explains how to root 2.3.3 without having to downgrade?

Thanks Dousan & sorry to be such a bother.

---------- Post added at 07:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:42 PM ----------

After manually upgrading to 2.3.3, locking the bootloader and then rooting the phone, upon restarting the phone went back to 2.2.2, why?

I connected to wifi & when attempting to update to 2.3.3 I get the message ''Could not update, could not connect to network''.

When trying to update via usb cable I get ''You already have the latest software''.
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
I even followed the instructions from this site and I get stuck at the Sony Ericsson Logo:

http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-root-xperia-arc/

I will now attempt to follow doomlords guide...

I cannot believe that it's been 3 days and I'm still unable to get 2.3.3 rooted.

I will get back to you soon should I get any luck.

I followed all instructions &
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
I came across this in xda developers. It's quite a good guide but the instructions were not that great and I was not able to root.

I'm currently on stock 2.3.3. Here is Doomlord's guide on rooting stock 2.3.3:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1196808

I followed the first set of instructions fine.

However, when getting to number 5, the part about the Flash -- Kernel downgrade, removing the cable & attempting to root I did not get the same results as the instructions, example, the busybox was blanc when it was supposed to say none.

Also it did not run busy helper. Just before half way down the page, the part about rooting and installing busybox was not working.

It's almost 3:00 in the morning where I am and I've been trying to root since 7:00 which was when I got back from work.

Could you please give me a little hand with the guide or even better an alternative guide with better and easier instructions?
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
I see your point on the instructions given in the link is long and can be confusing. I don't think i can shorten that down any further.

What i would surgest is this.

1. Unluck bootloader.

2. Flash 4.0.A.2.368 with flashtool, boot device and enable unknown sources and debugging.

3. Flash doomlords kernel v3 for 4.0.A.2.368 with fastboot. Boot up and check that superuser is there.

4. Relock bootloader and enjoy root.

If superuser is not there we'll take it from there. It should be installed when you boot up from step 3. I checked doomlords thread and states that it installs su/superuser/busybox ;)

How to flash doomlords kernel (copied from his thread):

[ how to install ]

1. download the boot.img

2. save the boot.img in the folder with fastboot binaries (fastboot.exe files)

3. power down device

4. start device in fastboot mode

5. use the following command to flash the boot.img

Code:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
I followed your instructions step by step.

All seems to have worked as there is an android logo with coloured lines which comes before the Sony Ericsson Logo , I'm on 2.3.3 & there is the Superuser icon!

I cannot test any rooted apps as there is no wifi to use. :(

Once I get home I will try some apps which require root.

You mentioned on the last sentence to relock the bootloader. Would this be done with the flash tools program which comes with another file called Xperia_Relock_bootloader and then I would simply run the flash program & lock bootloader?

Again thanks a million for your help.

Have you got paypal as I'd like to donate you something, you very much deserve something for your effort & time put in.

Will update you shortly when I've properly tested the phone.
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
Awesome sounds like it worked. Yes that is the way to lock your bootloader again :)

It's a very nice thought and i appreciate that. There's no need to donate to me though, your thanks is really enough. I help out here on the forum where i can cuz i like it and believe that what you give is what you recieve. So if you feel like donating you could choose to sent some the devs way, that made this possible :)

You don't need to lock your bl unless you're afraid you might forget about it and update or it needs to go to service and forget about. Anyway you can always unlock it again if needed.

Looking forward to hear how it goes.

Regards Dousan...
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Yeah, a great thanks to the developers too, a lot of effort and time is required for complex things.

They've put a great deal of time into making the impossible possible!

Without your help I'd still be stuck with 2.3.3 unrooted or 2.2.2 rooted...

As you mentioned many of the instructions were complicated & unclear.

Different people give similar though different steps/methods.

Many other guides I referred to were aweful, there was an instance where you had to constantly enable/disable the usb debugging as it would constantly freeze in SuperOneClick when attempting to root.

And even then it would never work, giving errors and not doing what it's meant to do.

And you wouldn't believe the amount of other people on forums having the exact same problems as myself. I went through several pages with hundreds of comments, many of which were having difficulty in obtaining root, etc.

This is due to different & unclear guides.

Thankfully your guides were nice and clear and worked the first time!

I finish work in under 2 hours so will update you shortly on the root.

I wanted the root mainly for the brightness as it's too dark since it's brightness is automatic and you cannot control it without rooting, a bit silly since the user should be the one who decides how bright he wants the phone to be, not having the screen constantly change from dark to light and light to dark.

Thanks once again, extremely appreciate your time in guiding me to rooting my phone.
[Xperia Play General] kanej2006:
Ok, arrived home from work, had a **** and tiring day but at least I'm happy to say I've tried an app that requires root & SuperUser popped up asking my permission!

I installed an app called ''disable auto brightness'' by hatchyl.

It requires root and after setting the brightness you want it keeps it, so the screen is no longer dark and dim!

I've set the brightness to the max & even when covering the sensor it remains bright, therefore the root worked!

Funny thing is after days and days and hours of messing about with my phone trying to root it & upgrading to 2.3.3, now 2.3.4 is apparently released!!

I was going to give it a try but what puts me off is the fact they got rid of xLOUD which means the sound will be low, not as loud as the current 2.3.3.

However, it's supposed to be far quicker/smoother and having an upgraded HD 720p camera as well as other extras...

Would you recommend upgrading to 2.3.4 or stick with 2.3.3??

I'm happy with 2.3.3 as it's fast and does everything I need, but should the newer version surpass it in everyway then it's tough to ignore it...
[Xperia Play General] Dousan:
Glad to hear it works :)

Also heard that xLoud is not working but have heard from more that it does indeed still work.

I would upgrade with the posted .ftf file (my play is at service for a broken volume button at the moment).

First make a fresh backup with TB and then flash the FW with flashtool. First you'll loose doomlords kernel and root, but you will be abel to gain root again with a little work and soon doomlords kernel when he release it (if you need/want it).

Do it like this (take you haven't locked your bootloader yet):

1. Download the new FW.

2. Download CWM.

3. Download rootxperia.zip

4. Connect your phone while on to your pc and place the rootxperia.zip at the root of your sdcard (only to make it easier) and disconnect agin.

5. Make a fresh TB backup.

6. Flash new FW with flashtool and boot and enable debugging and unknown sources and do setup (when you're at it download TB from market).

7. Boot the CWM with fastboot.

8. Flash root.zip from within CWM and reboot and enjoy rooted 2.3.4.

Link for CWM (ClockWorkMod) and rootxperia.zip:

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=14868019&postcount=1

Link for newest FW (nordic version):

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=17708233&postcount=1

How to boot CWM:

Place the CWM (recoveryPLAY.img) file in fastboot. Then connect your phone in fastboot mode. Then open a cmd window in path of fastboot and type this:

fastboot boot recoveryPLAY.img

(do not flash this or it'll brick your phone, very importend you only boot this file/.img)

How to flash from CWM:

When booted from fastboot just navigate to install .zip from sdcard (think it's called that). Then navigate to the file (rootxperia.zip on your sdcard) and press ok. When finished navigate to reeboot and prees ok. (how to navigate is decribed in the thread where the 2 files CWM/rootxperia.zip is downloaded from).

If any questions just ask :)

Regards Dousan...