[Sony Xperia Miro, Tipo (Dual), J, E] gavster26:
Basic Tools, Knowlage & Files You Will Need

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Ok lets begin i have been asked quite a few times so here it is. These are the basic tools files etc. you will need. I will write an brife explanation of what these tools, files are for and what they can do and installation instructions.

7Z.​

used to extract zip file contents used mainly to compress data files to save space and time uploading & downloading find it here: http://www.7-zip.org/download.html

Winrar​

Used also to extract zips but also rar & tar files download from this link: http://www.win-rar.com/download.html?&L=0

Flashtool​

Flashtool was created by Bin4ry & Androxide legends around here it is used to do various things the main reason you will probably use it for is recovering from a brick ;) The Main uses are flashing flashing stock firmware that come in ftf file format (which stands for "flash tool file") kernels can come in this format to and are flashed using "flashmode" enterd by holding down the volume down key while connecting the usb cable when you see a green led that indicates "flashmode". Flashing custom kernels these normally come in .img format (which is an image file) and require an unlocked bootloader. Sony lock there bootloaders to protect their DRM key which are security key for media apps like track-id & facebook inside xperia. Custom kernels are needed for custom roms like Cyanogenmod, AOSP, & AOKP A custom recovery can come in this format to to flash .img files we use "fastboot" for this (which is enterd by turning off phone and holding volume up key while connecting usb cable a blue led will indicate your in fastbootmode then click on the lightning bolt on flastool and select fastboot mode to open the fastboot toolbox) These ate the basic operations you need tho know...

download flashtool from the flash tool home at: http://androxyde.github.io/index.html?1350585408000

Installation​

download flashtool from link if its in a zip format extract with 7z. You will get a flashtool launcher double click and follow the on screen instructions then reboot you pc/laptop.

Driver Installation

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next we need to install the flash tool drivers Tipo/Dule/Miro/J/E dont have the drivers in the package so you will have to download them separate do a search get use to that you will be doing a lot of it ;) when you have found and downloaded the flashtool drivers extract the zip with 7z. you will get an FTD file (flashtool driver file) copy and past it in the flashtool sub folder devices (to get to flashtool folder right click on start menu then click on expolore you will see all the files on your computer find and click on flashtool you will see more sub folders we want the devices folder) after you have pasted it there exit to desktop start flashtool and click the devices tab then import a window will pop up with you device click ok then it will import you devce drivers when its finished your done flashtool is all set up congratulations! :)

FTF Files

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Ok ftf files are the bundled parts of the Sony stock firmware created buy someone through flashtool & SUS (sony update service) mainly used to recover from a soft brick or if you have unlocked your bootloader then it will be the only means you can update stock firmware as sony will not let you officialy update your phone as they will class it as modified. when downloaded it would probably be in a zip file (se 7z. is coming in handy ;) ) Then start flashtool and drag the extracted ftf file into the flashtool window (the big white box) click ok and files will begin to prepare. when they are raedy a window will popup with a phone and a usb cable on it this is telling you to connect a phone in flashmode do by holding the volume down key while connecting the usb to your phone (keep hold of volume down until flashin process starts) when its all finished reboot there you have it you flashed a firmware. You can flash between platforms like Gingerbread to ICS or Jelly bean to ics.

Find all the ftf firmware files here http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2385526 and make sure you thank the member for making the thread by pressing the Thanks button

Rooting Your Phone

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Rooting your phone is hacking in to the software to gain access to the root system files hence the term "ROOTING". This allows you to modify your phone install apps that require root permitions, run performance tweaks and flash custom firmware.

Root ICS

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There are several methods but unlockroot roots all ICS Roms Link: http://www.unlockroot.com/download.html

Root Jelly Bean

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To root Jelly Bean 11.2.A.0.21, .31,.33 Firmware's http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=23 and thank the great and powerful DoomLord

Clockworkmod Recovery​

Clockworkmod recovery All so known as (CWM) was developed by Koushik Dutta (Koush), a well-known name in the Android development community. It is a custom recovery that backs up and restores android roms exactly how you left it at the time of the backup. It also is used to flash CWM flashable zips like mods apps or even an entire firmware. CWM has not been ported to our device running jelly bean only ICS there are 2 but the best one is here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2003069

For CWM on jellbean look a this thread http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2333078

I think thats it to get you started fellow xperia users hopefully i will change or add things when needed or when new things are released happy modifying and

Welcome To The XDA Community

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE XDA RULES!!

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Maybe push for this to be a sticky so ita easy to find :D