yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Yeah, from what I've heard the Pro is the same as the Neo....just with a keyboard attached. Sony was even rumored to be calling it the "Neo Pro" last winter.

Pressing a key during startup to access the recovery menu i all I was looking for. Just something so we don't have to always connect to our computer to be able to take a nandroid backup, or restore a backup. I'm constantly fiddling with things, and at least I was with my old Milestone, so having nandroid accessible at all times was really important to me.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] ichidakira:
Sorry I dont mean to hijack you your thread. I already started my own but not will care because we dont have our own forum. If anyone here can kindly give any input please check here.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=18290823#post18290823

Thanks
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alvaroag:
On a first day try, I got nothing. I've tried hijacking chargemon, as some developers did to have ClockWorkMod on the X10 Mini Pro. That worked well before, but I'm not sure why it doesn't works. I'll try some things tomorrow.

About porting NEO Roms, I'm not sure. We should first look at the hardware specs for both devices. The most similar they are, the most easy it would be to port ROMs from Neo to Pro. The bad part is I have searched through SE website and cannot find any detailed specs. I would continue tomorrow.

Update: Still nothing with CWM. I'm having some trouble with shellscript, as "if [ -f /data/local/tmp/recovery ]" produces allways false, even when the file exists and the partition is mountes. Any idea?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] robsaw:
Is this method of rooting dependent upon the android version installed? I've upgraded my Xperia Pro via SEUS to 2.3.4 from the original 2.3.3.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alvaroag:
Rooting via recovery is version-independent. It worked for me with 2.3.4, as I had already updated, but will work for any version.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] robsaw:
Hey guys, I can't get the fastboot drivers to install. The bluelight on the phone comes on and Windows tries to install and fails. So, I try manual install with drivers included in this thread but it always says no compatible driver found. I'm using Windows 7 64-bit.

OK, I found a fix. Use the drivers installed in

C:\android-sdk-windows\google-usb_driver

And I successfully rooted my FIDO Xperia Pro using this method.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alvaroag:
Okay, I give up trying to hijack chargemon. That worked for my old U20, but I'm sure, for some still unknown reason, will not work for MK16.

I'm now trying to build a custom kernel. That way, I'll be able to integrate CWM recovery.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
I'll update the instructions to try that. Welcome to the world of rooted MK16's :)

This method we used, while it works, can be modified to be much easier now that we have a working hotboot recovery. You can just boot that and install rootxperia.zip.

I'll update the step by step instructions and upload appropriate files later tonight or tomorrow.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
custom kernels are always a good thing :D
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jezrick:
I need help. The adb window does not pop up when I type in "ADB Shell" exactly as quoted in the command prompt, all I get is a bunch of jargon in the cmd window. And if I type "adb shell" I only get "error device not found." Am I missing something here? Help would be much appreciated.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] robsaw:
After you've done the "fastboot boot recoveryNEO.img" wait a few moments and then open Device Manager, you should see an adb device of some sort in there. If you see an "unknown device" with "?" then proper drivers haven't been loaded yet. You'll have to manually install the drivers.

Also, the adb shell doesn't open a new window, but you will see a new command prompt in the existing Command Prompt window.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jezrick:
I'm looking in here and I see neither. I see nothing that says ADB nor Unknown device.

EDIT: When in Fastboot it says Android phone > Android ADB interface. After I do "fastboot boot recoveryNEO.img" it says "SEMC Mass Storage USB Device"

EDIT EDIT: I tried uninstalling "SEMC Mass Storage USB Device" to see if that would help but it came up again under the same name.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------

I seriously cannot figure out what's going on. I tried this on a different computer only to receive the same results. =__=
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
OK, first, does the phone's Blue LED light turn off after you type the fastboot command in step 7?

If so, then you're OK...you're likely just in the wrong folder in step 8 and 9. You're probably still in the Fastboot folder. Close the existing command prompt you used to run the fastboot command. Open a new one in “C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools”.

what you're seeing with SEMC Mass Storage USB Device is correct.

just follow through onto step 9
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jezrick:
Yes, it does turn off. It seems I am fine here.

And I am in the correct folder.

Here: "C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools" right?

Depending on how I do step 10 I get different outcomes. One is "device not found" if I type "adb shell" and another is a bunch of cmd jargon when I type "ADB Shell." Neither of these lead to a adb shell window. Which is where I'm stuck. At the bottom of the jargon is "C:\android-sdk-windows\platform-tools" again.

I can't figure out what's going wrong. I followed every step to the letter.

It's doesn't matter where the fastboot folder is located, does it? Is it my firmware? I have 2.3.3 The default that came with my phone.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
No, the firmware doesn't matter. Just out of curiosity, where did you get the phone? Is it branded?

Try typing "ADB devices" before ADB Shell just to see if your phone is actually connected.

My other suggestion would be changing USB cables. I know you used a whole other computer, but did you keep the same cable?

If you're still struggling we can arrange a time I can help you out via teamviewer, if you're OK with that.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jezrick:
I got the phone from a seller on buy.com, if somehow important the same seller was also on amazon.

Yes I kept the same cable, it's the only one available to me atm.

I did what you said and it says "List of devices attached" and that's it. Is my phone not connected?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Nope, your phone isn't connected after running fastboot. I'm honestly not sure what's going wrong, since you're following step by step. These exact steps have worked on a lot of phones so far, so it's strange that yours isn't.

I think I've worked out another much easier method for rooting, using a different boot image. But I haven't written out the instructions yet. Nor have I confirmed it actually works or not. It's using files from Team FreeXperia. I'll cobble together some instructions later tonight and post them along with the files needed. You can be the first test subject ;)

No worries about the seller. I was simply curious.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jezrick:
I'm eager to try, no doubt.

What is teamviewer if you don't mind me asking?

I THINK I rooted it. I put the .img and fastboot files in the folder with the adb files and it worked like a charm. The reason I think it's hacked because Titanium Pro says "Root: OK"
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Can someone more experienced than I am look over these instructions/files I just put together? It should root the phone in a FAR FAR easier way for users.

Until then, consider these instructions beta ;)

1) download this zip:

http://www.mediafire.com/?vp2zw9wmzh2wbx0

Everything you need is in there

2) Extract the zip to somewhere you'll remember it.

3) Copy the file RootXperia.zip to your phone's SD card.

4) Put the phone into fastboot mode:

Power off the phone and make sure it’s not plugged into anything.

Hold down the MENU button and connect the USB cable. A blue light will appear. If a blue light does NOT appear, then your phone can't get into FastBoot, and probably still has the bootloader locked. You can also try a different USB port on the computer, and even a different USB cable.

Note: If Windows asks you to install the drivers, install the driver from the folder “Fastboot Driver” in the archive you downloaded.

5) double click the file Root-Xperia-PRO.bat

6) a dos window will open temporarily for a few seconds, and close. you might not even see it it's so fast.

7) look at your phone's screen. You should have an orange colored recovery menu.

Slide Open the phone's keyboard. The up and down arrow buttons move the selection up and down. the Enter button selects something. the power button goes back.

8) go to install zip from sdcard

9) go to choose a zip from sdcard

NOTE: from here I haven't tested it yet. You won't do any harm to your phone, and it SHOULD work, but I'm just saying I don't know exactly what will happen. My phone is already rooted so I can't try this.

10) find RootXperia.zip and select it, then flash it.

go back to the main screen, reboot the phone

you're now rooted (HOPEFULLY)

thanks to Bin4ry for the recovery image!! And FreeXperia in general :)
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
teamviewer is a program that lets someone connect to another person's computer and virtually control it as if they were there. The difference between it and regular RDP is the person who's in front of the computer still sees what's going on and has full control as well. Plus teamviewer gets around firewalls pretty easily. It's great for virtual assistance.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Were you able to run steps 14-17 of my original instructions? The ones where you download and then update the Superuser app on the market, and download the busybox installer from the market and install busybox?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alvaroag:
Well, I'm not the most experienced user, but those instructions seem to be okay. It's a very good idea to use the RootXperia.zip update now we have a working CWM.

If Titanium doesn't refuse to run, you may have got root. Just to confirm, try uninstalling a system application. Be carefull, as deleting the wrong application may make you stuck at the SE Logo. I'd suggest to delete "Retail Demo", "Sakura" or "Chinese Input". Those applications are not commonly required, and deleting them will never damage your system. If you can delete any of them(or other system app), you have really got root.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Jezrick:
Yeah It's definitely rooted. All the files from step 6 to 10 had to be in the same directory for the device to be seen and to continue pass step 10. Thank you! I've been trying to root this phone since august!

Team viewer sounds awesome. I'll definitely have to use that with my friends when they're in need of my help.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Congrats! I know the feeling about trying to root it. That's why I started this thread in the first place. Amazing what a simple post on XDA can do ;)
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Not to hijack my own thread, but this is important.

All Xperia Pro users NEED to go to this thread and vote for an Xperia Pro section here at XDA

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1301121

Without your votes we won't get our own forum section.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
This CWM is in beta. It's not fully functional yet. As far as I know, the backup/restore portion needs work. Bin4ry can comment more if he chooses to. I'll link to his original post with the CWM once I find it again.

EDIT: here's the link

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=18395981#post18395981
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] 6sicSIX:
Thank you so much, I just rooted my MK16i with these instructions and I only got the phone yesterday :)

I honestly cannot find the 'thank you' button anywhere... Anyone?

One happy user :)

EDIT: Found the thanks button X)
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Enjoy! Welcome to the club

Just curious...Which instructions did you follow? My original ones posted in the OP, or the Beta instructions located on page 6?

Don't forget to go vote for an Xperia Pro MK16 forum here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1301121

Just reply in that thread with "+1 Sony Ericsson Xperia Pro (MK16a and MK16i)"
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daxomega007:
hello i have been trying to get this unlock my bootloader from SE and it,s not working the blue light comes on as soon as i hit menu and plug in the phone but thats it nothing else happens
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Open device manager on the computer and see if there are any new unknown devices. If so, install the drivers from inside device manager. If not, just continue to the next step and see what happens.

Just to confirm, your bootloader is unlocked, right?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daxomega007:
i Don,t Know if the bootloader is locked

I Assume That it Isn't since i bought the phone unlocked online so it was carrier unlocked so i don,t know if it was bootloader unlocked as well and nothing i do makes me see the recovery screen as per your instructions so i need more help a single step by step instruction.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
A few things: first, Which instructions are you following? The very first post (aka the long way) or my condensed BETA version in post #50?

If you're following my original instructions, your phone's screen will remain blank after running the first fastboot command (step 7). aka there will be nothing displayed at all. As I said in the instructions, this is normal. There is no recovery screen when using my original instructions.

If you're running my condensed beta instructions, after the first fastboot command you'll see the recovery screen and it should be pretty easy to follow my instructions.

Next...

Just because the phone is carrier unlocked does't mean its bootloader is unlocked. By default bootloaders are locked by Sony Ericsson. You have to first unlock the bootloader, or confirm that it is already unlocked. You can follow the instructions from here to unlock it yourself: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1034087

However, I think your bootloader is probably already unlocked because A) you're getting the blue light and B) the phone isn't booting into normal mode after the fastboot Boot command.

Finally, this may help you/us get a clearer picture of whats happening:

Follow my original instructions up until step 7. Once you have your phone connected to your computer and the phone's blue light is on, then try this. Instead of running the fastboot command I give there, run this command instead:

fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version

Verify that you get a response back (for example "0.3"). This means your phone is connected properly.

If Fastboot displays <waiting for device>, check device manager on the computer. If any unknown devices are present, then check the driver installation. If your phone boots as normal and Fastboot is not starting, even though the USB drivers are working, the boot loader on your phone CANNOT be unlocked.​

If you got a response back, then continue with my original instructions. You're on step 7 at this point. If not, check your drivers and device manager.

I'm honestly not sure how to make my original post any easier or more step by step, so I'd recommend following them. The 2nd set of instructions, while easier by means of less to type and do, are not as well defined for beginners.

It would help if you outline EXACTLY where you're having problems, and verify each step before that has been performed properly.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daxomega007:
Do You Have MSN Or Google Talk It Would Be Simple That Way

---------- Post added at 06:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 AM ----------

ok i am up to step seven and i just can,t seem to get that orange recovery screen to come on my phone stays off the whole time i think thats the problem.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Not to sound annoyed, but I've said this 3 times now: if you're following my original instructions in the OP, which is what I recommend you do, THERE IS NO RECOVERY SCREEN. Your phone's display will stay totally blank after step 7 onward. THIS IS NORMAL. Even though the screen is blank, the phone is still on and responding to the commands from the computer.

The orange recovery screen is only present if you're following the 2nd set of instructions I've marked as Beta, located in posted #50 of this thread. Again, don't follow those for now. Please follow my original instructions in the OP since they're totally step by step and confirmed by many many people as working fine. They're the same instructions I'd be copying and pasting to you in gtalk.

And yes, I have gtalk, but won't be able to help you with it until tomorrow night or Tuesday night. If you're still having problems by then I can try and figure out where you're going wrong.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daxomega007:
ok thanks

My Phone Screen Does Remain Completely Blank So I,ll Be Here Waiting For You Whichever day you,re available.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Where EXACTLY are you running into problems? Which step? What is the error message you're getting, or describe what exactly is going wrong with that step you're on.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daxomega007:
Finally I Am Rooted

Yes Finally I Am Rooted, LOL Too Bad I Lost All My Stuff Before But I,ll Get Them Back Thanks
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alvaroag:
Guys, I was checking the Xperia Play forums looking for some ROM with the PlayStation emulator to try some things on my MK16a, when I got into a new rooting method, called zergRush.

I see it more convenient than the fastboot/recovery based ones, as this one doesn't requiers unlocked bootloader. It works giving root privileges to adbd, just as the old psneuter for eclair did, so then the root files could be pushed directly with adb.

I tried it on my phone. It's already rooted, but using the zergRugh binary I got root access via adb with just using "adb shell", without using "su". That means, this method will most probable work for MK16a.

Here's the link to the post where I found it:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1312859

I tried the binary only, not the bat file, but it may work anyway. Could someone try it to see if it works?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
Cool. Thanks for the info. But I'd be interested in seeing if it works on a phone that's not already rooted. That would be the true test. An even better test would be phone with a bootloader that has never been unlocked.

Soooooo....does anyone know someone like that, that wants to try this for us?

Once we get confirmation, I'll put a link to it in the OP to this thread.

Later today I'm also going to put my 2nd way using Bina4ry's Xperia Pro recovery in the OP as well. I've had enough people tell me my way of doing it works now. Though I'm going to leave my original long set of instructions there as well, because I've had MANY confirmations that that method for sure works. People have messaged me to say thanks, and the zip with all the needed files has been downloaded a whopping 6000 times.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daer0n:
Hi together

I tested it and it works fine. I never rooted a device before, but your posts were very helpfull. Thank you for that.

Xperia Pro Mk16i

Android 2.3.4

The bootloader has never been unlocked (i think, because i did only the instructions given by this "zergrush" thread: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1319653).

I allways liked zerg :)

greetings from switzerland.

Daer0n
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alvaroag:
If it's correct, then we can confirm the zergRush definitely works for Xperia Pro. So bad it's only with the BAT for widnows. I'll port it to Linux.
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
I'll change the OP to refer people to Doomlord's thread with the oneclick zergRush solution. Much easier than the 2 we have here.

Of course we'll still have n00bs asking how to setup adb drivers...
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daer0n:
I would say, that i am a noob (i don't say this gladly), but with a little effort and friend google it was no problem to find out what adb (and adb drivers) are, where i can find them and how i have to install them...

And yes, this way is really much easier than the two ways here (i tried to find out how it works exactly, but there were some parts i did not understand for 100%). Maybe it was a litttle bit the language, as you can see, my english is not on a really high level. so i was very happy with this zergrush method.

Have a nice sunday.

Edit: Relating to adb for noobs, this guide helped me to find out the necessary steps: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=502010
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] rcummings100:
That's actually the same place I got the ADB files for my first set of instructions. I even put a txt file inside the zip I asked people to download linking to that thread. And I included the exe file from that thread in my zip file. So agreed, excellent resource.

As far as not understanding the language of my instructions, you or anyone else have been free to ask for help any time they needed to, as many have. We welcome help here at xda...that's what the whole community is about after all.

I'm sorry if I offended you or anyone else by referring to the term noobs. After all, we're all noobs at something or other at some point. It wasn't my intention to offend. It was just a comment on where the thread would go from here, because this new one click root tool doomlord's created is fantastic. The easier, the better.

In any event, I'm glad you got rooted properly. Now you can move onto the next step I'm currently about to try: flashing cyanogen(mod)7 onto my Pro :D

I just need to figure out how to backup my stock kernel first...
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Daer0n:
hmm, after i rooted my device, it was not necessary to ask. i think it was not so much the language, more the knowlege about technical things. But thanks for your nice statement. it's nice to know to be welcome.

it was not my purpose to give the impression that you offended me, when somebody knows, that i'm a noob with android, then i. :) there is nothing false about this word (in some communities maybe), but i saw the introducion video and i laughtet (not only a little).

i know i got a little off topic, so back to it. if you figured out, how to backup the stock kernel, please let me know in any way. i want to flash roms to my device too, but at the moment i am very cautious, i dont want to destroy something on my new phone.

Edit: i googled this cyanogenmod (i never heard it bevore), i knew, that there are mods, but i didnt know, that they are that fantastic. now i know one thing, i need it. thank you for giving me a new challenge (hehe).
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mneu777:
Help please!!!

Hi!, i sucessfully root my phone, but yesterday i recive a message in my screen saing "New ROM Version" (officialy from Sony).

I install this, but my phone never turn on again!, i try to flash stock rom with SEUS, and PC Companion, but is impossible becouse says "Modified software".

I flash a ROM with "FlashTool_0.2.9.1", but after finish never turn on the phone, the screen still black.

Please help! i think i bricked my phone!!!

Thanks!!
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] alvaroag:
Which ROM did you flashed?
[Xperia Arc Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] mneu777:
Hi!, this ROM: "Xperia Pro (MK16a)_4.0.2.A.0.42_US".

I can flash sucessfully, but the phone still bricked, i can't turn it on, the screen is black.

Any idea??

Thanks!