[Q] Xperia neo 0% battery workaround (locked bootloader)

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Hi there.

I tried downgrading my 2.3.4 xperia neo to 2.3.2 to root it. It worked, but I have the battery problem and I've heard it's a common issue.

I tried removing the battery for more than 10 min and reinserting it.

I tried upgrading to the latest official ICS with PC companion (strangely enough I could upgrade from 2.3.2 although it showed no new upgrades while in 2.3.4). Didn't solve the problem.

I tried flashing a the stock 2.3.4 rom. Didn't solve the problem.

I found following two threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1312398
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1510703

Unfortunatly, both of these workarounds require an unlocked bootloader. The problem is, I don't seem to be able to connect my phone to the PC in this unlock bootloader mode, maybe because as soon as I remove the USB cable it thinks it has no battery left and turns all systems off?

I also found this thread for locked bootloaders, but only applicable for the arc: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1465702
Is there something like this for the neo? If not is it easy to make?

To summarize, I can flash new roms, but I'm not able to unlock my bootloader. Is there something I could do? Thanks in advance for your help

charge your phone to 100%
take out sim card and memory card .highly recommend to format your card
flash phone using suse or flashtools
and when done replace sim and memory card

then everything is clean
works a treat i have amazing battery life on ics 4.0.4

@OP: Have you try to unlock bootloader wit unofficial way? With s1tool? Check neo v development section for more info.

Originally Posted by jasonvoor

charge your phone to 100%
take out sim card and memory card .highly recommend to format your card
flash phone using suse or flashtools
and when done replace sim and memory card

Have you even read his post?
He already tried flashing.
Which wont help him, because he have 0% problem, because he flashed 2.3.2.
If you don't know about that bug, google a bit.

Originally Posted by Madfysh

@OP: Have you try to unlock bootloader wit unofficial way? With s1tool? Check neo v development section for more info.

Thanks, I'm not sure I like this method, but as it's my only choice at the moment I will try it out, as soon as I can get my hand on the needed materials.

In the meantime, is there any chance somebody could make an locked bootloader workaround like this for the xperia neo? http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1465702
How much programming skills does it require?

It seems to be the easiest method. I just need my phone to realise it's charged for a few hours, until I can unlock the bootloader and install one of the custom roms workarounds

Thanks again for your quick replies

That kernel module would need to be compiled against whatever kernel you have installed. Chances are it may work 42.
But if you're going to unlock anyway, it's pointless. It's kernels that support the workaround not roms. S1tool works even with the battery out, therefore unlocking is the better option.
There's good tutorials here for unlocking, once done insert battery and leave connected to s1tool, some power will reach the battery, flash your custom kernel of choice.


Sent from my MT11i using XDA

Thanks a lot, I found and followed this guide http://androidflip.com/unlock-xperia...ck-id-working/ (bad english, but pretty detailed) and now my bootloader is unlocked.

Unfortunatly, I have a pretty noobish question now: where should the boot.img be stored to upgrade the kernel with s1tool? I tried the s1tool file or the SDcard of the phone, but I just get this message:

Selecct firmware packages
You can select few packages with CTRL button

without any option to actually select anything? Am I doing something wrong? (I decided to take the patched stock kernel v9.6 from this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1468043)

Until now I've flashed the roms using flashtool and .ftf images. Is it possible to do something similar now? (I'd like to use the patched Cyanogen mod, but in my limited understanding you need to flash the kernel first)

Once your bootloader is unlocked, use flashtool to flash kernel.
Click the lightening symbol, select fastboot mode select kernel to flash.

One more thing, not all kernels match all roms, however most of them have the battery patch, for cm7/9 you need to use the fxp kernel. 9.6 nightelf is for gingerbread.

Sent from my MT11i using XDA

For kernel installation, read this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...81&postcount=3

EDIT: damn, I really need to start refreshing threads before replying
mpiekp was faster

I think I need a clarification: if you need to flash a new rom you hold the back-button while plugging the USB-cable and see a green LED, if you need to flash a new kernel or unlock the bootloader you hold the menu button and see a blue LED?

Because my problem is that I the green LED part works (for example when I flashed my stock 2.3.4 rom), but I when I hold the menu button and plug the USB cable nothing happens (after a while it shows the red LED for charging I think). ThatI was my problem when I wanted to unlock the bootloader the official way and now I see you have to do the same to flash a new kernel

EDIT: According to the thread you kindly provided

EDIT2: Never mind, I think this time it works. Wish me luck

Thanks a lot, you've both been very helpful

It seems to work just fine right now