Root procedure for GPE?

Search This thread

b22ri22an

Senior Member
I know there's a thread in general that tells how to root.... but it bounces around between models and was hard for me to follow what steps I need to do and what I don't. If someone could someone please post just GPE steps here in a newb friendly fashion I'd be happy to donate a few bucks for a beer or a cup of coffee :D
 

blueether

Senior Member
Jan 21, 2011
3,391
1,639
Te Awamutu, New Zealand
At the moment there is no root exploit for GPe so in rooting it you will lose the TA partition and the DRM keys, and may lose warranty, you have been warned!

So here goes:
  1. Unlock the Boot Loader with flashtool (padlock icon). you will need a key from the Sony dev website http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
  2. Download and copy to SD card SuperSu Update http://download.chainfire.eu/382/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.93.zip?retrieve_file=1
  3. Boot a 4.4 recovery & recovery using flashtool or fastboot (this last one is a command line tool) DONT'T FLASH http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2548092
    • fastboot boot RevolutionKernel-ZU-v#.img (replace # with version no.)
  4. from recovery flash SuperSu Update
Enter recovery when you see the GOOGLE or Sony logo and the LED light turns on. Pressing VOLUME UP key for CWM & VOLUME DOWN key for TWRP

I believe that DoomLords kernel will also work above and can be flashed http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2579005
For this kernel do as above but you can do "fastboot flash boot boot.img"

This is off the top of my head, and LordManhattan's guide so not tested by me. Any questions just ask
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: b22ri22an

b22ri22an

Senior Member
At the moment there is no root exploit for GPe so in rooting it you will lose the TA partition and the DRM keys, and may lose warranty, you have been warned!

So here goes:
  1. Unlock the Boot Loader with flashtool (padlock icon). you will need a key from the Sony dev website http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
  2. Download and copy to SD card SuperSu Update http://download.chainfire.eu/382/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.93.zip?retrieve_file=1
  3. Boot a 4.4 recovery & recovery using flashtool or fastboot (this last one is a command line tool) DONT'T FLASH http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2548092
    • fastboot boot RevolutionKernel-ZU-v#.img (replace # with version no.)
  4. from recovery flash SuperSu Update
Enter recovery when you see the GOOGLE or Sony logo and the LED light turns on. Pressing VOLUME UP key for CWM & VOLUME DOWN key for TWRP

I believe that DoomLords kernel will also work above and can be flashed http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2579005
For this kernel do as above but you can do "fastboot flash boot boot.img"

This is off the top of my head, and LordManhattan's guide so not tested by me. Any questions just ask

thanks for the reply, I guess I'll have to do a lot more reading, don't know what a TA partition is and what the impact of losing it is, also the DRM keys would that mean I would lose the Bravia Engine for video display? As far as booting into recovery I wasn't aware we had one available. I thought root was needed to install recovery to make a recovery boot (sounds like a catch 22) I'm kinda freaked of bricking a device with no warranty and it being my only phone.

Only reason I need root was to run gesture control I sorely miss from my Nexus 7. I'm probably better off just getting used to the fact I wont be able to use gesture control on this device :(

making good on my word you should have a donation show up for a beer or cup of coffee your choice
 

blueether

Senior Member
Jan 21, 2011
3,391
1,639
Te Awamutu, New Zealand
The bit about recovery was for when you had it installed after rooting. But read up an the drm and TA issues and then make up your mind if it's worth it for you. Yes you will lose xreality/bravia2, but they only work on video and gallery, not on the display

Sent from my Xperia Z Ultra using Tapatalk
 

CCJ22

Senior Member
Jun 11, 2011
1,061
176
Little Rock
I did it. Could give a damn about the DRM keys for sony's "xculsive" apps.
I also didn't care about the bravia engine then again I can't tell a difference in my devices display while watching movies cause I'm not a videophile.
 

CCJ22

Senior Member
Jun 11, 2011
1,061
176
Little Rock
At the moment there is no root exploit for GPe so in rooting it you will lose the TA partition and the DRM keys, and may lose warranty, you have been warned!

So here goes:
  1. Unlock the Boot Loader with flashtool (padlock icon). you will need a key from the Sony dev website http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
  2. Download and copy to SD card SuperSu Update http://download.chainfire.eu/382/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.93.zip?retrieve_file=1
  3. Boot a 4.4 recovery & recovery using flashtool or fastboot (this last one is a command line tool) DONT'T FLASH http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2548092
    • fastboot boot RevolutionKernel-ZU-v#.img (replace # with version no.)
  4. from recovery flash SuperSu Update
Enter recovery when you see the GOOGLE or Sony logo and the LED light turns on. Pressing VOLUME UP key for CWM & VOLUME DOWN key for TWRP

I believe that DoomLords kernel will also work above and can be flashed http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2579005
For this kernel do as above but you can do "fastboot flash boot boot.img"

This is off the top of my head, and LordManhattan's guide so not tested by me. Any questions just ask

Do you have a link for this flashtool (padlock icon) you speak of? Only one i can find is Emma.
 

CCJ22

Senior Member
Jun 11, 2011
1,061
176
Little Rock
So the above instructions worked without a hitch? did you try with DoonLords kernel or the one in the guide?

The farthest I have gotten has been unlocking the bootloader thanks to your guide.

Past that (I'm using Sony MObile flasher by ANdrodyde) I haven't figured out how to get a kernel on there so I can root.

I presume I MUST root BEFORE flashing a rom. Even if I do get to rooted status I believe us GPE guys have to have a special boot.img file if I'm not mistaken
 

blueether

Senior Member
Jan 21, 2011
3,391
1,639
Te Awamutu, New Zealand
The farthest I have gotten has been unlocking the bootloader thanks to your guide.

Past that (I'm using Sony MObile flasher by ANdrodyde) I haven't figured out how to get a kernel on there so I can root.

I presume I MUST root BEFORE flashing a rom. Even if I do get to rooted status I believe us GPE guys have to have a special boot.img file if I'm not mistaken

No you dont have to be rooted to flash a rom, just have recovery.

Yes the boot.img is different on the GPe to a stock c6806. DoomLord has made one that works from what I have read
 

CCJ22

Senior Member
Jun 11, 2011
1,061
176
Little Rock
Steps 2, 3, and 4 are the parts I'm stuck on.

I've tried not only DoomLords kernal img but also revolution kernal. Neither of which "stick" the flashtool says it loaded it. The phone restarts but there is no recovery.

I don't understand where to put the 4.4 recovery. Your method is the only one I've read that says I need a recovery. All others say flash a kernel either DoomLords or Revoultuion.

---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 PM ----------

And it gets stranger.
If I put the either kernel on the SD card, it won't flash. If I put the kernel on my computer in the correct folder, then it will flash to the phone. Really strange.
But phone will not stay on kernel. It acts like it takes it, reboots, and back to stock kernel.
 

Top Liked Posts

  • There are no posts matching your filters.
  • 1
    At the moment there is no root exploit for GPe so in rooting it you will lose the TA partition and the DRM keys, and may lose warranty, you have been warned!

    So here goes:
    1. Unlock the Boot Loader with flashtool (padlock icon). you will need a key from the Sony dev website http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/
    2. Download and copy to SD card SuperSu Update http://download.chainfire.eu/382/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.93.zip?retrieve_file=1
    3. Boot a 4.4 recovery & recovery using flashtool or fastboot (this last one is a command line tool) DONT'T FLASH http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2548092
      • fastboot boot RevolutionKernel-ZU-v#.img (replace # with version no.)
    4. from recovery flash SuperSu Update
    Enter recovery when you see the GOOGLE or Sony logo and the LED light turns on. Pressing VOLUME UP key for CWM & VOLUME DOWN key for TWRP

    I believe that DoomLords kernel will also work above and can be flashed http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2579005
    For this kernel do as above but you can do "fastboot flash boot boot.img"

    This is off the top of my head, and LordManhattan's guide so not tested by me. Any questions just ask