[Xperia Play General] eksasol:
This guide is strictly for people who have a Verizon R800x and wants to update to Gingerbread 2.3.4 with root and ClockworkMod recovery, without having to unlock the bootloader nor have a Verizon data plan. Without a data plan you can not update the Verizon Play from 2.3.3 to 2.3.4 because they don't allow updating through WiFi. Also if you flash the 2.3.4 ftf image directly, you will not be able to root it, therefor will not be able to install CWM unless you unlock the bootloader. This guide show you to will get around that.

Note: With this method, although you have CWM, you still will not be able to install custom roms and kernels until you unlock the bootloader. This guide was written before Sony allow the Verizon Play bootloader to be unlocked from their site. Go here to unlock your bootloader, which will allow you to flash custom roms and kernels to your Play: http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com. If you choose to do this, you can skip this entire guide.

Instructions:

1. You must be running Gingerbread 2.3.3 on your R800x. If you aren't, download the stock Gingerbread 2.3.3 firmware and use Flashtool to flash it. Drag the ftf firmware file onto the Flashtool screen and follow the onscreen instruction to install. This step will wipe all your phone data except the SDcard.

(You might need to install drivers for your device first, you can find "Flashtool-drivers.exe" in the "drivers" folder in your Flashtool folder.)

2. Enable "USB debugging mode" on your device (Settings -> Applications -> Development).

3. Use SuperOneClick created by CLShortFuse to root your R800x. Then reboot the phone.

(This program might trigger a false positive on your antivirus software, so disable your antivirus while using it. This rooting method only work with Gingerbread 2.3.3 for the Play.)

4. Use specifically the "CWM installer v5" created by pvyParts to install ClockworkMod. That's version 5 btw.

Note: At this point, if you are content with using GB 2.3.3 with root and CWM, stop here. Proceed if you want to update to 2.3.4 with root.

5. Download either the "nandroid backup of stock Gingerbread 2.3.4 w/ root" created by netizenment or this NXT Lite CDMA rom which is already debloated and optimized.

(Put the nandroid backup into the correct directory in your microSD card so ClockworkMod will recognize it, it should be extracted into a folder named "backup" within a folder named "clockworkmod".)

6. Boot the phone into ClockworkMod recovery by: Turning it on, when the Sony logo appear, keep pressing the Volume Down button until you see the blue ClockworkMod menu appear.

7. Restore the stock GB 2.3.4 nandroid backup you just downloaded. Then turn off the phone.

(This will only install the system files, it will not install the 2.3.4 kernel.)

8. Installing the stock 2.3.4 kernel:

a. Download the stock Gingerbread 2.3.4 firmware (this is for Verizon only).

b. Drag and drop the ftf onto the Flashtool window. When you see the "Firmware selection" window appears, look to the right column, under "Exclude" and check to exclude all the items in the list, except the kernel. Then flash it.

(This will install just the 2.3.4 kernel while leaving the rest of your rooted Gingerbread 2.3.4 alone. You need to do this for the Camera and WiFi to work.)

9. In the process of restoring the nandroid backup above, the ClockworkMod recovery might become lost. However, you still have root, so you can install ClockworkMod recovery again using the CWM installer.

Other tips: LBE Security Master have can help lighten the bloatware from your rom. Among its many features, can remove system apps and prevent apps from autostarting, which will leave more free rams.

The end.