[Sony Xperia S, Acro S, Ion] Deleted member 5133333:
Hello madacek,

I wish I could help you out with all the questions,

But just explaning them will not be sufficient.

This requires lot of reading the forum and learn the basics of flashing in installing roms.

But I'd try to explain you the best as possible.

1. Is Your Phone Bootloader Unlocked?

Dial *#*#7378423#*#* . Then go to -> "Service Info" -> "Configuration". If there is:

Bootloader unlock allowed - Yes << this means that your Bootloader is Locked

Bootloader Unlocked - Yes << this means that your bootloader is unlocked

2. Which Firmware?

Well Actually Every Firmware from Are Very Amazing Developers are Great To Use.

What matters is, Is the firmware stable or not?

Developers Publish 3 Types of Firmwares.

- Nightly Builds : Generally published every week or so for developing perpose

- Monthly Builds : Much Stable Then Nightly.

- Beta Versions : Most Stable.

These may vary depending on developers,

There are a lot of Custom Roms for Xperia. And every one of them is Unique And Great.

List of ROMS for Xperia S is Given Here.. ---> http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1950706

3 How To Instal Firmware.

First of All.

You need to know What problems You can have if You are not flashing Step by Step.

Soft Brick -- Flashing was Not Proper

Hard Brick -- If an any case your phone shuts down during flash.

Bootloops -- This is when your phone goes on doing a same repetitive boot again and again. (Possible Fix - FLash boot.img in downloaded rom zip via FLashtool)

Now Step by Step Process. :

1.Device Unlocking

All info regarding unlocking procedure is on SONY website

http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/

2.Copy update on phone

a.copy update

copy update-xxx-xxx-xxx.zip coresponding to your device to sdcard

b.copy GAPPS

due to legal rules gapps are not provided into main rom

google for gapps package and copy on sdcard

3.Flash CM kernel

a. extract boot.img from zip file

Plugin The Device To FLASHTOOLS on PC

And Follow These Instructions ---> http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1963961

4.Boot into recovery

While FXP logo is displayed (and lights are lit) press several times volume up to enter CWM (recovery)

5.Flash ROM

To update main rom select

a.Install zip from sdcard

b.choose zip from sdcard

c.select your update (copied at step 2)

To flash gapps redo steps a-c and select gapps package

!!! use gapps version designed for your android version !!!

6.Wipe device

!!! if after boot you experience ForceClose then is recommend to reboot to recovery and wipe device

7.Partition format

Is not recommended to format your partitions unless you are advised to do otherwise

8.Reboot and Enjoy

4 Something Important You Need To Know

Do Not Panic. Your phone will not Brick Until You do Something Crazy Like Throwing The phone on wall while Flashing or Plug out the USB when everything is Flashing fine. This requires patience and time. Dont freak out or do something crazy.

5.What is Fastboot?

There are two types of Boot,

Flashmode Boot.

And

Fastboot.

Flashmode is generally used for official stock firmware flashing.

Fastboot is used by developers to flash custom ROMS.

You can go into

Flashmode by Pressing Volume Up Button While Connecting Usb into PC before Starting A Flash

Fastboot by Pressing Volume Down Button While Connecting Usb into PC before Starting A Flash

Slim ROM Its really nice ROM actually And I Have Used The Slim Bean Build 5 Nozomi for a long time now. But currently on CM10 Team FXP. TeamFreeXperia are very professional and release stable builds, So i'd advice you to try one of CM10.

link ---> https://sites.google.com/site/projectfreexperia/‎

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any doubts and questions.

Regards,

Dwarkesh