You've stumbled across here because you're either a noob, or a very confused person, or ran across some errors that made you choose another ROM. (Or some random lurker) I've created this thread to make it as detailed and user friendly as possible. Anyways without further ado:
Instructions for installing Lollipop:
Requirements:
- Bootloader unlocked Xperia L
- USB cable for the phone
- A computer with flashtool installed along with the necessary drivers.
1. Download the latest version of CM12 or any other lollipop rom along with the Gapps package. I recommend that you use this (use 5.0x for CM12). Download Thunderzap 4.1 as well. (Don't ask why, but make sure you have this in your computer.) Place the ROM and gapps zip files in your SD card or internal storage.
2. The best way to install any custom ROM is to flash them coming from a stock rom. (Skip this step if you're already on stock 1.17) So if you're not on stock, go ahead and grab an FTF from my thread. (Latest version 1.17 - recommended) Flash the stock rom. If you don't know how to do that use this guide as a reference. Do NOT exclude anything.
3. Now you need to flash a custom kernel. To do this, locate and extract the thunderzap 4.1.zip you downloaded earlier on your computer. Then pull out (or copy it somewhere else) the bootjbcwm.img file. You'll need to flash this file via fastboot. If you know how to do that, skip the next step and proceed to step 5.
4. Power off your phone. Open flashtool and select the flash icon. Now hold the volume up button and plug in your Xperia L to your computer via USB. Select fastboot mode. Under "By DoomLoRD", select the option, "select kernel to flash". Now right above the open button you should see an arrow where it says *.sin. Select that and choose *.img. Locate the bootjbcwm.img file and select it. In a matter of seconds the kernel should be successfully flashed. Now turn on your phone, and hold the volume up button when the LED lights up. You have now entered CWM recovery.
5. Enter CWM recovery if you haven't. (when turning on your phone, and hold the volume up button when the LED lights up.) Once you're here select factory reset and select yes. Then select wipe cache, and under advanced select wipe dalvik cache. Once you've done all of this go back, and select 'mounts and storage' and select wipe system. Now go back and select Install zip, and locate the CM12 (or any other lollipop ROM) zip file. Flash the CM12 zip file and allow it to be completed. Once completed flash the gapps zip file.
6. Now go back and select reboot system. If it asks you to root select no. And there ya go! this is all that you need to do for a clean installation. This method allows to reduce the existence of bugs encountered due to dirty or a disorganized way of flashing roms. Sit back and relax and allow your phone to boot.
I will not be responsible for anything that happens to your device. Follow my instructions carefully, and everything should work fine. This thread is here inorder to prevent the constant reporting of misleading bugs due to a dirty or unorganized way of flashing roms.
Instructions for installing Lollipop:
Requirements:
- Bootloader unlocked Xperia L
- USB cable for the phone
- A computer with flashtool installed along with the necessary drivers.
1. Download the latest version of CM12 or any other lollipop rom along with the Gapps package. I recommend that you use this (use 5.0x for CM12). Download Thunderzap 4.1 as well. (Don't ask why, but make sure you have this in your computer.) Place the ROM and gapps zip files in your SD card or internal storage.
2. The best way to install any custom ROM is to flash them coming from a stock rom. (Skip this step if you're already on stock 1.17) So if you're not on stock, go ahead and grab an FTF from my thread. (Latest version 1.17 - recommended) Flash the stock rom. If you don't know how to do that use this guide as a reference. Do NOT exclude anything.
3. Now you need to flash a custom kernel. To do this, locate and extract the thunderzap 4.1.zip you downloaded earlier on your computer. Then pull out (or copy it somewhere else) the bootjbcwm.img file. You'll need to flash this file via fastboot. If you know how to do that, skip the next step and proceed to step 5.
4. Power off your phone. Open flashtool and select the flash icon. Now hold the volume up button and plug in your Xperia L to your computer via USB. Select fastboot mode. Under "By DoomLoRD", select the option, "select kernel to flash". Now right above the open button you should see an arrow where it says *.sin. Select that and choose *.img. Locate the bootjbcwm.img file and select it. In a matter of seconds the kernel should be successfully flashed. Now turn on your phone, and hold the volume up button when the LED lights up. You have now entered CWM recovery.
5. Enter CWM recovery if you haven't. (when turning on your phone, and hold the volume up button when the LED lights up.) Once you're here select factory reset and select yes. Then select wipe cache, and under advanced select wipe dalvik cache. Once you've done all of this go back, and select 'mounts and storage' and select wipe system. Now go back and select Install zip, and locate the CM12 (or any other lollipop ROM) zip file. Flash the CM12 zip file and allow it to be completed. Once completed flash the gapps zip file.
6. Now go back and select reboot system. If it asks you to root select no. And there ya go! this is all that you need to do for a clean installation. This method allows to reduce the existence of bugs encountered due to dirty or a disorganized way of flashing roms. Sit back and relax and allow your phone to boot.
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