[REF][GUIDE][05.05.12]Rooting,BL unlocking,Recovery,Kernel installation[Noob's guide]

Thread overview

Post 1 : process overview --26/12/11
post 2 : Rooting , Bootloader unlocking/relocking ,CWM installation -- 20/02/12(added alternative rooting method )
Post 3 : Kernel installation -- 26/12/11
Post 4 : custom rom installation (SOON)

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[1].Rooting
Rooting is like a main gateway which will unlock all you android's hidden abilities , it gives the user full control over your phone .Linux Super User = Android Root . Rooting is made as easy as possible , thanks to developers at XDA .

1. Rooting 4.1.b.0.431 , 4.1.B.0.587 Firmware [Thanks to MADFYSH]

Download .ftf file according to your location

4.1.b.0.431

i = international
MT11i 4.1.B.0.431 RU, CDF-1254-9477_R1I
MT11i 4.1.B.0.431 Iberia, CDF-1254-6304_R1I
MT11i 4.1.B.0.431 Central Europe 1, CDF-1254-9708
MT11i 4.1.B.0.431 India CDF-1254-8478, SI-1254-8966
MT11i 4.1.B.0.431 NCB Nordic, CDF-1255-1755, SI-1254-9263
MT15 4.1.B.0.431 NCB, Nordic, CDF-1247-0875 -- [ALT LINK 1]
MT11i 4.1.B.0.431 Central Europe 3, CDF-1255-1494, SI-1254-3429 -- [ALT LINK 1] -- [ALT LINK 2]

a= american
MT11a 4.1.B.0.431 US, CDF-1254-9468


4.1.B.0.587

i = international
MT11i 4.1.B.0.587 NCB, Nordic, CDF-1255-1755, SI-1254-9263
MT11i 4.1.B.0.587 India CDF-1254-8478, SI-1254-8966
MT11i 4.1.B.0.587 Central Europe 1, CDF-1254-9708
MT15i 4.1.B.0.587 NCB, Nordic, CDF-1247-0875 -- [ALT LINK 1]

a= american
MT11a 4.1.B.0.587 US, CDF-1254-9468


Download Flashtool from this thread -- [ALT LINK 1]
Help GUIDE for flashtool

Rooting

(For unlocked Bootloaders)

RootXperia.zip or SU method

This is an one click PC app for easy rooting created by Bin4ry .

Steps
1. follow the instructions of this thread & install CWM recovery(there are two methods ,since you dont have root follow the first method i.e direct pc install)
2.Download RootXperia.zip or Superuser-3.0.7-efghi-signed..zip & place it in your SDCard
3. switch off your device & power it on & when you see the sony ericsson logo start pressing the volume download button repeatedly untill you see recovery options
3. select the install zip from sd card option and select the RootXperia.zip
4. after flashing the zip is completed reboot device & voila rooted !!!

(For locked Bootloaders)

Go to these threads , instructions are provided by madfysh ,thank him

4.1.B.0.431
4.1.B.0.587

[2].Bootloader

Bootloaders are used to boot operating system on our device . Usually our phone's bootloader will be locked by Sony Ericsson during its production itself . Almost every custom rom we install has its own KERNEL which is responsible for overclocking the cpu & other stuff.To install custom roms which contains custom kernels we need UNLOCKED BOOTLOADERS .

Unlocking via Sony's Official website

Sony has provided a website where we get an unlock code for each IMEI no. type in that code and your bootloader will get unlocked officially . This is the easiest unlocking method possible . Wait there's more , official unlocking method does more bad than good , like
1. will void warranty
2. Will loose DRM & track Id related stuff
3. No official phone updates via SEUS/PCC or OTA

If you don't care about them please go ahead and click this LINK and follow on-screen instructions on that site

RELOCK : TO relock use this LINK

There is an alternative way to avoid the above mentioned limitations , it is called SEtool


Unofficial Unlocking (S1tool)

This method overcomes all the three limitations , but you will need to do a little work manually , this method introduces us to a new word called TESTPOINT(Of all those 8 golden points , only the point which is indicated by the arrow is the TESTPOINT) .For NEO V testpoint is located deep within a slot covered by a black patch which is above our SIMCARD slot (see this picture and remove the black covering) .
It is used for function-test during production. & we are going to ground that testpoint using a simple wire .instead of that pin you can use any conducting material (wire , safety pin , paper clip , but make sure its diameter is not more than that of the testpoint else it will touch other points and might brick your phone)
Ground : ground is refereed as the negative battery pin of the phone

Steps
1. download & extract SEtool from this thread , if not available [LINK 2] , [LINK 3] , [Thanks to Madfysh & Wurstwa55er]
2. Connect test point to the ground and attach USB cable. Wait while Windows shows finding new device, disconnect test point immediately. Windows won't find appropriate drivers. select drivers manually from the archive of SEtool. Agree to install 'untrusted' drivers.
3. Reboot your PC
4. Run s1tool, press 'Patch semcboot' and follow tho on-screen instruction.

RELOCK : : ONLY THE RESTORE BUTTON PRESENT IN S1TOOL WILL RELOCK YOUR BOOTLOADER , other procedures will not work.Connecting TP to ground while using RESTORE button is not necessary.

EXTRA info : (thanks to DooMLord)


[3].ClockWorkMod Recovery

ClockWorkMod Recovery also known as CWM ,is a Custom recovery for android devices which is very useful for
1. Installing custom roms ,kernels,patches , flashable zips.
2. Backup & restoring your rom
3. Wiping system , cache & other partitions
4. Mounting sd-card & other partitions
5. & more

Steps
1. Enable USB Debugging on device
2. Connect your device using usb data cable
3. download and extract CWM install.RAR
4. Download ADB Drivers ADB drivers & install them & Run install-cwm1.cmd
5. Follow on screen instruction

Switch off your phone , press the power button and keep pressing the volume down button when you see Sony Ericsson for the first time until you see CWM(not the logo/boot animation , the SONY ERICSSON screen which appears first) task COMPLETE
[4].Nandroid Backup

Nandroid backup is a backup/restore option available in your CWM . Backup you current SE rom for saftey , select backup option and let it do its work . The backuped files will be in ClockWorkMOD folder of your SD card , keep a backup of this backup in your PC in case when anything goes wrong this backup will save you


this total information has been taken from several threads thanks to the following who made it possible
DooMLord , puppet13th ,nobodyAtall , illus4 , Qwerty123 \m/

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[5].Kernel Installation

Kernels(boot.img) are the main base for any custom rom you install , kernels are installed using FASTBOOT feature of android ADB , there is a simple logic you need to remember before you flash any kernel

Stock Rom = Stock kernel
MIUI Rom = MIUI Kernel

before you flash any custom rom make sure you've installed its related kernel (boot.img)

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Requirements :
1. Flashtool
2. Download Flashtool package & Drivers
3. CWM backup of stock rom
4. Fastboot

Instructions : (thanks to doomlord)

Flashing Kernel (boot.img):

1. this WILL NOT WIPE ur data
2. the custom kernel will be provided as boot.img file
3. just copy this file to fastboot folder(folder where fastboot package is extracted)
4. power down device and get into FASTBOOT MODE (LED notification turns BLUE)(switch off device hold menu key & plugin usb) with usb-cable connected to PC
5. once u are in fastboot mode open command prompt and navigate to the folder containing fastboot files then just use the following command to flash custom kernel:

fastboot flash boot boot.img

6. once flashing is complete you will get a prompt on pc saying that everything is ok
7. now just unplug ur device and u are on the custom kernel


Overclocking

1. DOWNLOAD SetCPU from XDA
2. Select automatic detection of speeds ,and allow root access to Setcpu
3. default speed is 1024Mhz & maximum overclocking is based on the kernel you flash

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Visit this thread for list of available kernels http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1313445

maximum overclocking may harm your device

reserveD for custom rom post

Reserved for future use

final reserve..........

thank you

(http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1134335) This link is to relock OFFICIALLY UNLOCKED BOOTLOADERS

To relock Unofficially unlocked bootloaders use RESTORE BUTTON in S1TOOL

sdhanush1 said:

Sry i dont see a link to download s1 tool.... am i missing anything? can a phone get bricked while flashing kernels?

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sry : http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1285285

if service menu shows 'no' then you definitely need paid setool to unlock your bootloader...