Root Some Questions Regarding Bootloaders and Root Access

[Zerosu1t]

Hey there, I'm not exactly new to this scene but when it comes down to things I like to be sure, so please bear with me.

I recently bought a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play R800i, running android 2.3.4 and the latest Sony apps and stuff I also know that is unlocked to any carrier. I had read some things about locked bootloaders on this phone and was interested in rooting.

Question
1. What is a locked bootloader and what does it do? Can I unlock and relock it?
2. What's the easiest way to backup everything, except games on my phone?
3. If I root will I still be able to upgrade to ICS when the time comes? If so what's the easiest method to root?
4. If I install the ICS beta, can I return to stock GB?
5. What are some benefits of rooting this phone, I know about Custom Roms and such, is there anything else?
6. Can you dual boot between to different versions of android on the phone?

I think thats it, I'm used to my cheap Huawei U8180 that I could do anything too, I just don't wanna **** something up on this one.

Thanks


Sent from my Xperia Play R800i using Tapatalk Android

 

[eraoof]

Hey there, I'm not exactly new to this scene but when it comes down to things I like to be sure, so please bear with me.

I recently bought a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play R800i, running android 2.3.4 and the latest Sony apps and stuff I also know that is unlocked to any carrier. I had read some things about locked bootloaders on this phone and was interested in rooting.

Question
1. What is a locked bootloader and what does it do? Can I unlock and relock it?
2. What's the easiest way to backup everything, except games on my phone?
3. If I root will I still be able to upgrade to ICS when the time comes? If so what's the easiest method to root?
4. If I install the ICS beta, can I return to stock GB?
5. What are some benefits of rooting this phone, I know about Custom Roms and such, is there anything else?
6. Can you dual boot between to different versions of android on the phone?

I think thats it, I'm used to my cheap Huawei U8180 that I could do anything too, I just don't wanna **** something up on this one.

Thanks


Sent from my Xperia Play R800i using Tapatalk Android

hey there! i saw that this thread had 130 views and no replies and that u must be going mad so i'm gonna try to help as much as i can.

1. A bootloader is the thing that tells the phone what firmware to run, yes it can be re-locked

2. Well i used Titanium backup, i would personally recommend u use that.

3. yes you can, you could return to stock to upgrade or you could just use the latest version that will come out which will be stable. (I used the Super oneclick method)

4. This is something I have just done this morning actually. It will be a pain if no-one will help u (like my situation) but yes you can.

5. there are many thing i can say but honestly, the best thing to do is just see for urself. you can over-clock/under-clock, increase internal memory, it's basically like this; "the average phone is like the guest user on a computer, rooting your phone will give you administrator access, letting you use 100% of your android instead of just the normal 80%"

6. in some cases yes, but unfortunately in the case of the xperia play, it is not possible, i had to research that to be sure but its really no sweat, it's not really an inconvenience

If you want any links or references or sources then just ask, otherwise i hope i have helped you. if so just pay it forward

Sincerely,
An Xperia Play R800i user

 

[Zerosu1t]

hey there! i saw that this thread had 130 views and no replies and that u must be going mad so i'm gonna try to help as much as i can.

1. A bootloader is the thing that tells the phone what firmware to run, yes it can be re-locked

2. Well i used Titanium backup, i would personally recommend u use that.

3. yes you can, you could return to stock to upgrade or you could just use the latest version that will come out which will be stable. (I used the Super oneclick method)

4. This is something I have just done this morning actually. It will be a pain if no-one will help u (like my situation) but yes you can.

5. there are many thing i can say but honestly, the best thing to do is just see for urself. you can over-clock/under-clock, increase internal memory, it's basically like this; "the average phone is like the guest user on a computer, rooting your phone will give you administrator access, letting you use 100% of your android instead of just the normal 80%"

6. in some cases yes, but unfortunately in the case of the xperia play, it is not possible, i had to research that to be sure but its really no sweat, it's not really an inconvenience

If you want any links or references or sources then just ask, otherwise i hope i have helped you. if so just pay it forward

Sincerely,
An Xperia Play R800i user

So do I unlock the boot loader before I root? If I wanted to go back to gingerbread and re lock the loader to claim warranty is that easy? How would I install the ICS Rom?

 

[eraoof]

So do I unlock the boot loader before I root? If I wanted to go back to gingerbread and re lock the loader to claim warranty is that easy? How would I install the ICS Rom?

ok, so what you want to do is root ur phone first according to: How to Root Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (R800x) - SuperOneClick - YouTube

then you want to unlock the bootloader. First you must find out if you are able to. go to the dial pad and dial *#*#7378423#*#*

go to service info-->Configuration

at the bottom under rooting status: it should say
bootloader unlock allowed: yes

check if ur phone says that.

yes, that is the plan for me anyway.

ok so the part about loading a rom is difficult to explain, so here goes...

actually first watch this video, Install fastboot drivers and custom kernal Xperia 2011 by Jinx13 - YouTube

ok, hopefully that cleared things up, if not please ask id hate for u not to fully get it

See you in a bit,
An Xperia Play R800i user

 

[eraoof]

So do I unlock the boot loader before I root? If I wanted to go back to gingerbread and re lock the loader to claim warranty is that easy? How would I install the ICS Rom?

so, how is everything going?

 

[Zerosu1t]

Rooted and unlocked bootloader via the Sony Mobile method, installed ICS and it looks great, got over it and flashed doomloards kernel, flashed 2.3.4 again I am currently overclocking. However, Sony has said that if I flashed the beta there would be no official update for me. Hopefully I can succeed in relocking the bootloader.