[Q] Xperia Mini - NOT Pro - with front camera

[lucasgouveiatwo]

an update is not necessary. you can flash a custom roms

truth

 

[Feanor88]

I rooted the phone with DoomLord's method and it all went just fine. Anyway, to flash a new ROM I have to open the bootloader, am I right?

 

[BudgyN1]

I rooted the phone with DoomLord's method and it all went just fine. Anyway, to flash a new ROM I have to open the bootloader, am I right?

Yeah, you will have to unlock the bootloader

 

[Feanor88]

I'll think about it... don't know if I really want to bother the bootloader... I'll let you know.

Thanks anyway!

 

[Feanor88]

Hi guys. Sorry for bothering you, but I thought I could ask you some questions.
What I was thinking to do is to try and install the latest firmware on my Xperia Mini. Anyway, there are sooooo many things I don't understand that a little help would be really appreciated. I'm just asking, and I'd be happy if you answered me, now or next year, whenever you find some time to do it

My phone has Android 2.3.3, build version 4.0.A.2.368. I would like to try and get Android 2.3.4, build version 0.58 (not 0.62, obviously because I want root access to the phone).
So...
1) Can I use FlashTool to do that? Does it allow me to switch from a 2.3.3 firmware to a 2.3.4 firmware?
2) IF I can use FlashTool, do I need to unlock the bootloader? I'm asking because I was reading about downgrade from 0.62 to 0.58, and it looked like the bootloader was not touched in the process.
3) I'm aware that my phone has some hardware peculiarities: I should at least suspect that installing a new firmware, which is written for a slighly different hardware configuration, could give me some problems. Do you agree?

Point 3) leads me to point
4) How do I create a COMPLETE backup of my phone, granting myself the chance to restore it to its original, slightly modified firmware? Someone told me to use CWM Recovery... but what's CWM Recovery? Does it grant me a 100% chance to restore the phone?

I know, I'm really annoying... but this is my first Android phone, so.......

 

[Someguyfromhell]

Hi guys. Sorry for bothering you, but I thought I could ask you some questions.
What I was thinking to do is to try and install the latest firmware on my Xperia Mini. Anyway, there are sooooo many things I don't understand that a little help would be really appreciated. I'm just asking, and I'd be happy if you answered me, now or next year, whenever you find some time to do it

My phone has Android 2.3.3, build version 4.0.A.2.368. I would like to try and get Android 2.3.4, build version 0.58 (not 0.62, obviously because I want root access to the phone).
So...
1) Can I use FlashTool to do that? Does it allow me to switch from a 2.3.3 firmware to a 2.3.4 firmware?
2) IF I can use FlashTool, do I need to unlock the bootloader? I'm asking because I was reading about downgrade from 0.62 to 0.58, and it looked like the bootloader was not touched in the process.
3) I'm aware that my phone has some hardware peculiarities: I should at least suspect that installing a new firmware, which is written for a slighly different hardware configuration, could give me some problems. Do you agree?

Point 3) leads me to point
4) How do I create a COMPLETE backup of my phone, granting myself the chance to restore it to its original, slightly modified firmware? Someone told me to use CWM Recovery... but what's CWM Recovery? Does it grant me a 100% chance to restore the phone?

I know, I'm really annoying... but this is my first Android phone, so.......

1) Yes, Flashtool is to install any version of stock firmware to your Xperia.

2) Bootloader can stay locked, Flashtool doesn't need it.

3) I do not understand what you mean by that. Phone hardware files are the same or improved in newer firmware, very unlikely that you get problems.

4) Complete backup can be done indeed. If you have rooted phone, install CWM. If you do not have rooted phone, you could try adb pull command.

Sent from my Xperia Live using xda premium.

 

[Feanor88]

1) Yes, Flashtool is to install any version of stock firmware to your Xperia.

2) Bootloader can stay locked, Flashtool doesn't need it.

3) I do not understand what you mean by that. Phone hardware files are the same or improved in newer firmware, very unlikely that you get problems.

4) Complete backup can be done indeed. If you have rooted phone, install CWM. If you do not have rooted phone, you could try adb pull command.

Sent from my Xperia Live using xda premium.

Thanks for your answers. As for point 3), my Xperia Mini software is consideredup to date by SEUS and PC Companion. And has got a working front camera. That's why I started to think that my phone's software is a little different from the one installed on other Xperia devices. If this is true, should I use a custom .368 firmware to restore my phone, I would end up with a slightly different software if compared to the one my phone has now.
But I'm not sure of what i'm saying, nor I know how to check if this is true... I'm a noob
I''l let you know anyway... btw, I can't find a guide for CWM... is there anyone here? Or is it easy enough for me to learn to use it without help?


EDIT
Ok, I found this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1345741
When I install CWM, I can then backup my firmware. Is the backup saved on the SD card? And does the backup include my data, such as contacts, applications and so on?
And what if I ever needed to delete CWM from the phone? Would it be possible?

 

[Feanor88]

UPDATE

- Installed CWM Recovery.
- Created backup.
- Flashed 0.42 firmware using FlashTool.

My phone is working great, and... front camera is working too! Only thing is, I can't use it with Skype. But I don't mind. Later I'll try with Google Talk.

Anyway, I couldn't be happier

Thank you all for your support!

 

[hijagdeep]

See next post......
This is the first time I post from y mobile using app
Sent from my SK17i using XDA

 

[hijagdeep]

UPDATE

- Installed CWM Recovery.
- Created backup.
- Flashed 0.42 firmware using FlashTool.

My phone is working great, and... front camera is working too! Only thing is, I can't use it with Skype. But I don't mind. Later I'll try with Google Talk.

Anyway, I couldn't be happier

Thank you all for your support!

Now root ur mobile with (Root/unroot toolkit v4)
And then update ur mobile with latedt firmware from mobile over wifi.....
Then u can use ur front camera with skype plus u get 3dcamera and more new feature from latest firmware.

I completed all these steps om my mobile just three days...mobile running fast, more ram available....even after update to latest firmware

Sent from my SK17i using XDA

 

[Feanor88]

The thing is, I still can NOT update my phone through official channels (not with SEUS, nor with PC Companion). I don't know why, but I don't really care. If I ever need an update, I'll do it manually again. And of course I've rooted it already

 

[SharpnShiny]

I personally think that this is a modded phone (modded before you got it). I once had a bad experience of this with a phone from Hong Kong on eBay. Was a total spoof...on the eBay fora they said that happens very frequently with phones from Hong Kong, especially phones. I'd say that this is a PRO but installed with Mini software...or ID.

 

[Feanor88]

A PRO without keyboard? Dunno... anyway I found a way to videochat with Skype, so who cares? It is perfect now

 

[ChavitoArg]

Still no pictures? You can say what you want bus this looks fake without pics.

Sent from my Xperia Mini Pro using xda premium

 

[Feanor88]

Still no pictures? You can say what you want bus this looks fake without pics.

Sent from my Xperia Mini Pro using xda premium

Oh, really?

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25746578&postcount=7

 

[ChavitoArg]

Thats a big lens xD congrats.
You should make a video to see how it works

Sent from my Xperia Mini Pro using xda premium

 

[brymarti]

WOW this is a RARE PHONE

 

[Feanor88]

Thats a big lens xD congrats.
You should make a video to see how it works

Here you are:

http://youtu.be/dZczXGx0ePM