[Xperia Z][INFO][REF] All the info you need before you begin

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hello friends,

let me begin by introducing myself, i am developer for Xperia devices (X10, ARC, PLAY, S, T) and am the Lead Developer of Team UtterChaos, member of Team ICX and was associated with Team FreeXperia, ... i have some experience in development for Xperia devices, specifically in kernels, rooting & recoveries and i have various how-to, reference threads which are very helpful to new & advanced users alike across various device communities... i hope even this thread will be useful to everyone... if you would like to know what things i have worked on before feel free to check some of the links in my signature below...

so some of u must be new to the Sony Xperia family & even if u are not this should be useful... this thread should get u up to speed on what you need to know for this device...


i will try to cover some very basic things and try to touch upon some advanced topics...



i will be dividing this thread into various sections, and each section will point to an individual post...

following is the list of sections covered:

• Basics
  
• FlashTool
  
• Bootloader Unlocking & Relocking
  
• Rooting
  
• Recovery
  
• Flashing Custom Kernel
  
• Flashing Custom ROMs

for those who are interested in development are free to contact me via p.m.... BUT PLEASE do not ask generic questions, post all generic queries at the forums/threads...


regards,

DooMLoRD

Basics

[ various bootmodes ]

newest Sony devices have three boot modes... these bootmodes can be reached when device is powered off...

• Normal - just press power button and device starts booting
• Flashmode - this mode is used to flash stock OFFICIAL firmware using flashtool, denoted by GREEN LED (this is similar to DOWNLOAD/ODIN mode of the Samsung devices)
• Fastboot mode - this is a special mode, denoted by BLUE LED, used when we want to flash custom kernel, custom system images, for that we need to unlock bootloader, i will tell more details about this later...

[ various key combinations ]

this is most important part...

known key combinations so far:

while device is power OFF

Volume Up + USB cable connected to PC -> FASTBOOT MODE (BLUE LED will light up)

Volume Down + USB cable connected to PC -> FLASHMODE (GREEN LED will light up)


while device is power ON

Volume Up + POWER (for 10 seconds) -> resets the battery, its like removing the battery and putting it back in [device will vibrate once]

Volume Up + POWER (for additional 5 seconds, total 15 seconds) -> will power off hard, device will power down [device will vibrate thrice]





[ understanding About Phone ]





(check attached image if this one above is not showing up)



What it all means for u:

Kernel version:
Sony has released this device with 3.4.0 kernel. When custom kernels are released (they will surely be soon) this string will change.


Model number:
The Xperia Z has model number as C660x and has some models. They differ in the spectrum of frequencies supported for 3G/WCDMA http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z-5204.php
C6602 - HSDPA
C6603 - LTE
C6606 - T-Mobile
C6616 - Bell Canada


Android version: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)
Sony officially launched this phone with android version 4.1.2 (aka Jelly Bean).


Baseband version: [linked to firmware version]

(Crudely) this is a software interface which communicates with radio -> gsm/wcdma (2g/3g)/LTE, basically acts as a base for the main OS to ‘talk-to’ the hardware on the phone [I know this explanation isn’t precise even partly incorrect.. if someone can help me out I will update it]
This is similar to the "radio" image of the HTC devices.


Build number: [aka firmware version]

This is dependent on which firmware u flash on ur phone and is linked to the baseband version.
Btw some devs use this field to add their own ‘signature’ to the ROM so if u are using custom ROMs this field might be varying. Though the Baseband version for a particular firmware remains same.




what is firmware?

The firmware is a package containing all the official software for a particular build. It will contain system, kernel & baseband files. Generally the firmware is supplied (on forums) in form of FTF package (a container file ending with .ftf) which can be flashed via FlashTool.



what are the ways to update/repair firmware?

SEUS (Sony Ericsson Update Service) / PCC (PC Companion) / EMMA are all official ways to update to new or repair existing firmware on your device. SEUS/PCC are available to all users (consumers), EMMA is special and is only available to select individuals. This requires you to connect device to PC and then the software will check for updates and download them over the internet.

Updates can also be sent as FOTA (Firmware over-the-air)/OTA (over-the-air) updates where in you can download and install the updates without the need to connect to PC/any software.

FlashTool is an unofficial user-created tool, but the best way to flash official firmwares. Generally the firmware is supplied in form of FTF package (a container file ending with .ftf) which can be flashed via FlashTool. Thus FlashTool is the easiest way to do offline updates, just download the FTF file, it keep on PC and flash ur device when ever you want to.

FlashTool

Flashtool is one of the MOST IMPORTANT piece of software for ur phone, it is an unofficial, but the best way to flash official firmwares on both locked and unlocked bootloader devices. Generally the firmware is supplied in form of FTF package (a container file ending with .ftf) which can be flashed via FlashTool. Thus FlashTool is the easiest way to do offline updates, just download the FTF and keep on PC and flash ur device when ever you want to. One can also flash select partitions using FlashTool, say you want to flash baseband(radio) from newer/older firmware but want to keep the main system the same u can do that using newest FlashTool! FlashTool also supports fastboot modes! so if you are not very comfortable with command line then u can use the FastBoot Toolbox inbuilt into FlashTool to fastboot the kernels!

FlashTool can be used to flash both locked and unlocked bootloaders devices.

For all flashtool informations (download links, release notes, FAQ) go to the Flashtool Homepage


Flashtool specifically for Xperia Z released!


Flashtool is on github : FlashTool GitHub repo




[FLASHTOOL GUIDE] HOW TO for n00bies (excellent guide for new users, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! The info for Rooting, Recovery & Bootloader UNlock in that thread is for older Xperia devices...)

i will try n get more links for FlashTool and post it here




Sony also provides an official FlashTool but it can be used only with unlocked bootloader devices

Bootloader Unlocking & Relocking

[Tutorial] Xperia Z Bootloader Unlocking


Latest FlashTool 0.9.10.2beta4 onwards can correctly unlock (official way) and relock device... i recommend using the latest FlashTool version to unlock & relock device...


all question regarding bootloader unlocking, relocking should be posted in relevant thread

Rooting

[ROOT][Z] How-to for rooting newest firmware 10.3.1.A.0.244

[ROOT] DooMLoRD Easy Rooting Toolkit {perf_event exploit}



[ROOT] Xperia Z for LOCKED & UNLOCKED bootloaders! [Exploit by: goroh_kun & huhka_com]

[ROOT] Xperia Z for unlocked bootloaders ONLY!

Recovery

if you are not familiar with custom Android recoveries i suggest that u read this:
http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile...-and-how-to-use-it-on-android-complete-guide/


FOR LOCKED BOOTLOADERS:

The recovery for locked bootloaders becomes a part of the ROM...

[Recovery] CWM (LOCKED Bootloaders)

[Recovery] TWRP (LOCKED Bootloaders)



FOR UNLOCKED BOOTLOADERS:

Currently CWM & TWRP recoveries are available for this device and come as a part of kernel (stock or custom kernel)


Recoveries on stock kernel:

[Recovery] CWM (UNLOCKED Bootloaders)

[Recovery] TWRP (UNLOCKED Bootloaders)



kindly post queries related to specific recovery at the corresponding thead

Flashing Custom Kernel

CUSTOM KERNELS ARE SPECIFIC TO ROMs...

you cant use stock kernel on CM ROM and you cant use CM kernel on stock ROM....


there are two ways to flash custom kernel

first download the kernel file... if it is a boot.img then use Method 1 (fastboot mode) or if its a update.zip file then use Method 2 (recovery)



Method 1 - fastboot mode

if you get kernel in boot.img format then do the following

1. reboot device into fastboot mode
2. then flash the kernel using following command:
   Code:

   fastboot flash boot boot.img

3. then reboot from fastboot
   Code:

   fastboot reboot

4. thats it now device should start booting that kernel

Method 2 - recovery

if you already have recovery working on your device then do the following

1. save the update.zip on SDCARD
2. reboot into recovery
3. flash the update.zip which contains the kernel
4. reboot into system
5. thats it now device should start booting that kernel

Flashing Custom ROMs

Most custom ROMs are provided as update.zip. Its a technical term, basically its a special signed ZIP file which can be flashed via custom recovery.

1. Download the ZIP file and save it on ur PC
2. now connect ur device and save the ROMs ZIP file on the SDCARD
3. disconnect the device (after copying is over)
4. reboot into recovery
5. go to install ZIP from sdcard menu and navigate to the folder where you saved the ZIP file
6. now select it
7. recovery will start flashing the ROM
8. after flashing is over just reboot device and you will be on the custom ROM

Tips:

some CUSTOM roms require specific kernels (like CM9) in that case FIRST flash the corresponding kernel and then follow the instuctions posted above

sometimes the ROM requires cleaning /data & /cache partitions. you can wipe these before flashing the ROM! [WARNING YOU WILL LOSE UR DATA BY DOING THIS!]

binh462132 said:

I need use driver for window 7 64bit. i install fastboot fail. Please help me. Thanks a lot

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

http://icxperia.com/doomlord/Flashtool-drivers.exe

Haldi4803 said:

This is the second time reading this Text.... but i'm still not sure if it's not writen or i missed it twice.

If i wan't to flash a Kernel (ROM also?) i neet unlocked Bootloader?
Unlocking Bootloader works easy... but you loose your Waranty?
When you've Unlocked Bootloader is there any way to check this without extra apps /hardware ?

I think of maybe retourning my Xperia Z, but i really wan't to test Kernel & Stuff before. So you think they will realise that its Unlocked if i hand it over to them or not? Not sure yet if it's worth the 666CHF i've paid...

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

unless there is a root exploit for stock ROM u will not be able to flash any ROM...

Whether or not u lose warranty depends on the warranty policies in your country or that service center... if they bother to check if the device's bootloader was unlocked/relocked, even then some may honor the warranty...


well if u have unlocked bootloader if they company wants they can actually check the bootloader status..


relax mate.... do some searching around... go the service center and check up with them... ask around with other ppl in ur area if unlocking bootloader voids warranty...

Haldi4803 said:

hehe, the question is, can you see if the Phone is unlocked at boot? Like Samsungs Triangle...

I doubt the people, where i bought it, are smart(competent) enough to check Recovery or connect the phone to a PC and check if it's rooted.
So i'm certainly not gonna ask them if they take it back when it's rooted ^^ But i'll try and ask Sony switzerland about waranty! Might also ask them why the phone is getting 45°C and hotter while i'm at it ^^

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

no such "visual" indication

lilstevie said:

The EMMA utility is available to everyone these days from the Sony developer site.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

that's the official Xperia Flashtool...

zzcool said:

since you are a developer of the devices themselves and in sony

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Dude I don't work for Sony and neither am I affiliated to them in any way...



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