[Sony Tablet S] stifilz:
The Sony Tablet FAQ Thread

Why this thread, I am sick of repeating myself :P LOL

Why trust me?? I have been through a fair bit of crap with this tablet (Original Tablet S)....

Bricked after messing with build.prop (BIG NO NO) sent to Sony repair....

Well it was sort of repaired the second partition was not quite right. I could not update if I wanted to.

Tried to fix using Flasher but did not have enough room to deflate files = semi-brick

Managed to install 3.2 HoneyComb but the non rootable version so I am stuck.

First thing. HoneyComb 3.2 with kernel 10 maybe rootable by flashing updates. 3.2.1 (big difference) kernel 10 IS NOT ROOTABLE.

However ICS is now rootable, thanks to the 'adb restore' loophole in ICS.

JB is also rootable thanks to the motochopper exploit.

Both are compiled in All in One tools by condi

Next thing some HOUSEKEEPING

Install drivers here @ Sony

or On XDA here thanks to BluechipJ

and driver for R5a recovery thanks to andyabc THEN:

Options:

a. install Android SDK

b. download zip attached to this post

Best thing to do is create a folder on main drive such as C:/ADB

Next we want to 'link' the adb.exe file so it can be opened without having to be in that folder.

Goto My Computer > Properties > Enviroment Variables > Select Path then edit > Scroll to the end of textbox and add ;C:\ADB

Note the entries are seperated by ;

Now you can open cmd: Windows Key + R, type cmd then enter. Or windows key, type cmd, then enter.

Lots of ways to do that. :)

Then type 'adb devices' without ' ' it should come up with a device listed

When you have that working shut down tablet. Hold vol+ and turn on tab (still holding vol+) this should boot into recovery.

Once again 'adb devices' and now it should say blahblahblah recovery

If that went well then adb is set up and you won't any problems rooting :)

FAQ

Q. Can I install a cutom rom?

A. NO! You can not, there is no such development for Sony and Xperia Tablet S'. If you want development try Sony Tablet Z.

Q. But, why not?

A. Bootloader is locked down tight and because both Sony and Xperia Tablet S are developed by Sony VAIO not Sony Mobile. The VAIO team knows nothing about Android compared to Mobile team.

Q. I am a noob, how do I install (flash) these update zips that everyone is talking about?

A. Good question, firstly go to here for current files or here for my 4Shared older zips.

Then copy file(s) to sd card, turn off tab, insert SD card, hold VOL UP and turn tablet on by pressing POWER button

but keep holding VOL UP until recovery menu, then use UP and DOWN keys to navigate and POWER button to select.

Recovery Menu > Update System From SD Card > signed-...............

Q. Arrrgh I think I am bricked!

A. Ok firstly calm down and DO NOT factory reset if you haven't already. Next try the step above (installing zip) twice in a row, any zip will do and then use the command adb pull /tmp/recovery.log

Once the file is pulled please rename it from .log to .txt and create a new thread and add attach the file to it and don't forget to tag me "@stifilz" so I see it. :)

Q. I unistalled an app and need a copy!

A. Don't be lazy.... First of all you should have an update.zip for your region. If not see question 1 for the links (or my signature).

Once you have the file use desklunvr.exe thanks to robin. You can simply drag the zip onto the .exe file and it will output a decrypted zip.

Next you will need to extract the zip using your favourite zip program (I use 7-zip from http://7-zip.org)

After this you will see a bunch of files. You can use ext2explore.exe to open system.img. (See attached) NB: Hidden.img is just that hidden, it CAN NOT be accessed.

In ext2explore you can open the img you want and then navigate the file you want and right click and select save.

Q. Can I root Jelly Bean in Xperia Tab?

A. Yes you can!!! See here.

Q. WAIT!!! Xperia S has JB... WTF.. Do we get JB for Sony Tab?

A. NO. It seems Sony is being dumb and not going to give us JB. :(

Q. How do I root ICS or JB? Easiest AIO Method

A. To do it the easy way follow this post here for the AIO tool.

Q. How do I root ICS? Manual Method

A. Try to use AIO first, it is the most effectve. To do it manually follow this post here for step by step instructions.

Q. How do I root ICS? Above is not working... Semi-Auto Method

A. Try to use AIO first, it is the most effectve. To do it semi-auto go here and download the latest zip. ( I used 13)

Q. I have a non US Tab S can I flash down to HC?

A. Kind of. Use region changer to change to US region. Download this. And then either

flash normally and then root tablet using HC method (see post #2).

Q. I have a new Xperia Tab S can I flash down to HC?

A. At this stage NO, HC was not released with this Tablet (that I know of) and there is no way to 'fake' as old Tablet atm (to go down to HC).

Q. I have a new Xperia Tab S can I change region?

A. At this stage NO, although it would not be hard to implement this into condi's AIO tool.

Q. I have 4.0.3R5 rooted and want to downgrade to something else

A. When you install R5 OTA or flash normal file the recovery is 'upgraded' you will not be able to use AIO to pre-root future updates :( nor flash them. You can still root using the ICS method (if it is still current for the update. You can however flash either ICS or ICS R1A by lowering your incremental and manually flashing through recovery. Or see below for condi's amazing solution.

Q. I want 4.0.3R5 rooted and don't want the stupid new recovery

A. See this post here.

-- Now with double flash (flashes both system0 & system1)

UPDATE: Now you can also use FLASHER

Q. My region is not US?

A. Then you may be out of luck. But check here to see if we have a 3.2.1 for your region:

Click Here or PM Me.

Q. AIO still isn't working 100%?

A. Please dowload the attached file ADB v1.0.31, extract and replace the files in the "files" directory.

This has helped a user at post #4 with AIO. This is somewhat obsolete.

Well that was a short FAQ but will add more questions as I think of them, or they pop up.

Please feel free to ask any questions here and I will try answer and post to OP.

Thanks

Stifilz