[n00bs] Root and Install CyanogenMod7 after Unlock Your Bootloader Step by Step

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Hello pals

A lot of user wants to unlock their BootLoaders to be able to use custom roms or just to get root perms on new Stock firmwares.

So I guess this Step by Step guide is what they need.

First note This process only works if you have your Bootloader UNLOCKED

If your bootloader is Locked and you want to Unlock it please see this thread:

Bootloader Unlocking / No Signal Fix for Locked ARC/NEO/PLAY/PRO

That unlocking process works with all Xperia Family even X10 family.

NOTE: If you want to know how install CyanogenMod 7 go to second post

So lets go to the guide...

A) Root a Xperia Phone after Unlock the Bootloader

1. Download the pack that you need for your phone:

• Xperia Arc
• Xperia Neo
• Xperia Play

Once downladed uncompress and you will find 7 Files and 1 folder inside.

2. Install S1 Boot Fasboot Drivers

Put Your phone in Fasboot Mode.

Fastboot Mode: Turn off your phone, then press and hold menu key (Arc/Neo) or Search key (Play) and attach USB cable to phone. You will get a beauty Blue Light.

There are 2 ways to install Fastboot drivers:

a) Normal manual way

• Open Device Manager
• Right click on "S1 Boot Fasboot" device
• Select Update Driver
• Select Second Option and path to the "fastboot_driver" inside pack that you downloaded before

b) Hard YES or YES way

In case first normal way doesn't work do this:

• Open Device Manager
• Right click on "S1 Boot Fastboot" device
• Select Update Driver
• Follow this pictures (My windows is in Spanish but is same on all languages):
• -
  
• On Update Driver window select second choice
  
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• Again select second choice to choose driver from a list
  
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• Just click on next with default option selected
  
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• Click on "use disk" or "have disk"
  
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• Select browse and go to "fastboot_driver" inside pack that you downloaded before
  
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• Select "android_winusb.inf" file on driver folder
  
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• Select "Android ADB Interface" from the list
  
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• Confirm to install unsigned driver
  

3. Rooting the device

• Copy "RootXperia.zip" file to sdcard (this file is inside the pack you downloaded nefore)
• Connect the phone in Fastboot mode
  Fastboot Mode: Turn off your phone, then press and hold menu key (Arc/Neo) or Search key (Play) and attach USB cable to phone. You will get a beauty Blue Light.
• Execute "root-xperia-xxx.bat" file inside the root folder on your PC
  It will execute the command to lauch the proper recovery image and you will hot boot into ClockworkMod.
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  Note: To move use Volume buttons, to select user Power button
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• Select "install zip from sdcard"
  
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• Then select "choose zip from sdcard"
  
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• Search and selecy "RootXperia.zip"
  
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• Confirm Installation by select "Yes - Install RootXperia.zip"
  
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• Wait to see something like this and reboot the phone.
  

Congratulations. Now you are Rooted

How to Install CyanogenMod 7 after unlock your Bootloader

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How to Install CyanogenMod 7 after unlock your Bootloader

First note This process only works if you have your Bootloader UNLOCKED

If your bootloader is Locked and you want to Unlock it please see this thread:

Bootloader Unlocking / No Signal Fix for Locked ARC/NEO/PLAY/PRO

That unlocking process works with all Xperia Family even X10 family.

First. Download and unpack the CyanogenMod7 that you need for your phone. Is a 7zip file.

Arc: {ARC/ARC S}[DEVELOPMENT] - CM7.1.0 - FXP041 FreeXperia Project

Neo: {NEO}[DEVELOPMENT] - CM7.1.0 - FXP041 FreeXperia Project

Play: {GSM/CDMA}[DEVELOPMENT] - CM7.1.0 - FXP041 RELEASED - FreeXperia Project

Ray: {RAY}[DEVELOPMENT] - CM7.1.0 - FXP041 FreeXperia Project

NOTE: Remember to use the BASEBAND that CyanogenMod or MIUI needs, otherwise you will not get GSM signal.

Second. Get the fastboot pack for your phone and unpack it (you will get a folder called root-xxx - that "xxx" is the model):

• Xperia Arc
• Xperia Neo
• Xperia Play

Note: For Xperia Ray you can use any of the files below.

Third. Copy CyanogenMod and gapps addon to sdcard. Both are .zip files.

Fourth. Install CM7 Kernel by FreeXperia Team

On your CyanogenMod7 7zip file is the CyanogenMod rom itself, a boot.img file which is the kernel, gapps and a few apk as plus.

Put the boot.img file inside the fastboot folder (root-xxx folder that you unpacked before)



Now execute "Install_kernel_boot.img.bat" file and connect your phone in Fastboot mode

Note: If you dont know how to get into fastboot or need help with drivers go to first post.

Fifth. Install CyanogenMod and gapps in ClockworkMod

After install the kernel turn on the phone and as soon as you see the FreeXperia logo press several times volume down button and you will get into ClockworkMod.

To move use Volume buttons, to select use Home button.

• Select and confirm "Wipe data/factory reset"
• Select and confirm "Wipe cache partition"
• Go to "advanced" menu
• Select and confirm "Wipe Dalvik Cache"
• Select and confirm "Wipe Battery Stats"
• Go back and select "Install zip from sdcard"
• Select "Choose zip from sdcard"
• Search and install CyanogenMod zip and gapps zip aswell
• Reboot your phone and enjoy CyanogenMod 7 stable

hi there mate...
some noob questions here.
i assume that "Install_kernel_boot.img.bat" (this is auto execute) same "fastboot flash boot boot.img" (manually).
im having hard time to understand all these thing.

and boot.img are normally provided in the custom rom.zip it self and needed to extract and copy to fastboot folder am i right?
eg Cyanogenmod 7.1 by team FreeXperia.

Originally Posted by nujhum

hi there mate...
some noob questions here.
i assume that "Install_kernel_boot.img.bat" (this is auto execute) same "fastboot flash boot boot.img" (manually).
im having hard time to understand all these thing.

and boot.img are normally provided in the custom rom.zip it self and needed to extract and copy to fastboot folder am i right?
eg Cyanogenmod 7.1 by team FreeXperia.

Exactly, you need to extract and put the boot.img file on the fastboot folder to user the .bat

Please add the 64bit drivers form this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1034087

Originally Posted by Joe500

Please add the 64bit drivers form this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1034087

drivers posted works with 32/64 bits

I'm now at step Fifth but when I turn on my phone the screen keeps black Pls help.

EDIT: Ok I've found out the issue: You've to take the boot.img from the folder and not from inside the rom!

Does this rooting method work on 2.3.4? Without having to revert to older firmwares?

Originally Posted by Thelolinator

Does this rooting method work on 2.3.4? Without having to revert to older firmwares?

As the post says it works with any firmware. Please read carefully.

Sent from my LT15i using xda premium

I'm currently on 2.3.4 bootloader unlocked and rooted, do I have to downgrade to 2.3.3 before installing or can I go straight from 2.3.4?