Database Develop

{Q} Doubts regarding unlocking and Flashing

Hi,
I unlocked the bootloader and took a TA backup. I tried to flash the CM kernel, but could not do it as the instructions seemed too vague. Hence I wanted to go back to stock. So this is what i did.
I used the flash tool and flashed the stock ROM again. After that I restored the TA backup again. But I still see that my camera is not working. Hence wanted to know.
1. How to get the camera working after unlocking the bootloader ? Is flashing TA enough?
2. Will restoring the TA backup lock the bootloader again? If not, how to lock the bootloader again?

ravi_buz said:
Hi,
I unlocked the bootloader and took a TA backup. I tried to flash the CM kernel, but could not do it as the instructions seemed too vague. Hence I wanted to go back to stock. So this is what i did.
I used the flash tool and flashed the stock ROM again. After that I restored the TA backup again. But I still see that my camera is not working. Hence wanted to know.
1. How to get the camera working after unlocking the bootloader ? Is flashing TA enough?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it should be, try clearing data or repairing using pccompanion
EDIT
Did you take the TA backup before or after unlocking the bootloader? your post implies you did it after
2. Will restoring the TA backup lock the bootloader again? If not, how to lock the bootloader again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes

gregbradley said:
it should be, try clearing data or repairing using pccompanion
EDIT
Did you take the TA backup before or after unlocking the bootloader? your post implies you did it after
yes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also after flashing a custom rom (which needs unlocked bootloader), can i flash the TA partition to get the camera functionality?

No, as I said, restoring the TA relocks the boot loader, which means you can't boot a custom kernel. So any custom rom that needs a custom kernel will result in boot loops.
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

As Greg's already said flashing the TA file will restore you back to normal, which means that it's kind of pointless unlocking the bootloader as of yet, unless you can live without your camera, personally i can't.
Just root the device and flash Monx's rom, at least until someone fixes it (unlikely) or Sony release a new version of android and hopefully fix the issue with the camera, keep those TA back up's safe by the way, each one is unique so you couldn't borrow someone else's.

dladz said:
Just root the device and flash Monx's rom,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This Rom is good? Can you post the link?

Www.Google.com
Or look in the dev section...
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

gregbradley said:
Www.Google.com
Or look in the dev section...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good one.

eclyptos said:
Good one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing as that there are only a handful of rom's on the Z1 it's not hard to find, just hop over to the android development section.

dladz said:
Seeing as that there are only a handful of rom's on the Z1 it's not hard to find, just hop over to the android development section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I was just asking from your experience how it was.

eclyptos said:
I know, I was just asking from your experience how it was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh sorry, yea its decent enough, ive got the kitkat launcher on it I find it better and the "Ok Google" is brilliant, strictly speaking you don't need a rom from here, having a stock rom will work as all the mods that you can get will come from xposed anyway.
Give it a whirl and see how you go, thats the best way to know with rom's m8 as some people just don't like what others do.

How to relock bootloader without TA backups.. Android 4.3.. Please help mr

Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app

Nuwan75n said:
Sent from my C6903 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is possible to lock it without a backup, is your camera not working anymore ?

You can try flashtool, BLU option tries to relock it if it's unlocked, theres a good chance you will brick your device!
Have fun
Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

AntiDroid said:
it is possible to lock it without a backup, is your camera not working anymore ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure this is good and/or informative advice? I thought a locked bootloader not finding valid keys in the TA will refuse to ever function usefully again - no boot, no fastboot, no flashmode, nothing, totally bricked, and no way to convert it back to unlocked and get your phone back.
I would like to know if I am wrong about any of that. And... it seems that I was:
** Correction - it is Ok to relock the bootloader without having the pre-unlock data in the TA partition
** Flashing in data from any other TA partition (some other phone) seems certain to brick the phone though.

n0bleINtP said:
Are you sure this is good and/or informative advice? I thought a locked bootloader not finding valid keys in the TA will refuse to ever function usefully again - no boot, no fastboot, no flashmode, nothing, totally bricked, and no way to convert it back to unlocked and get your phone back.
I would like to know if I am wrong about any of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never read about those damages but I read things like the known camera bug.
I unlocked my Z1 on .290 - the Sony release which fixed the problem (4.3). I flashed a Recovery and rooted it with it and my device is working like it was with a "untouched" ROM.
That's all I know.
We could wait for a dev to answer deeper questions.

AntiDroid said:
I unlocked my Z1 on .290 - the Sony release which fixed the problem (4.3).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this absolutely fine and is what I did with my Z1, ie do not unlock until after the 290 update is applied - you will see that advice on the Sony unlock website. However if you want a TA backup you need to do that before unlocking as the unlock process will wipe the keys, and you also need root in order to make that copy. (let me know if I am wrong about that)
My process was to root on earlier firmware, copy the TA, update to .290, then unlock. After unlocking full root on .290 is easy with a custom kernel and everything is good: unlocked, rooted *and* working camera.
But you *will* need a copy of the pre-unlock TA partition to regain any of the functions that use the DRM keys if you decide to relock the bootloader later.

It is impossible to get the DRM keys back, and there is no gain from relocking without them, all you're doing is locking down the bootloader without enabling BIONZ, etc, but you can certainly run a stock system if you want.

n0bleINtP said:
Yes this absolutely fine and is what I did with my Z1, ie do not unlock until after the 290 update is applied - you will see that advice on the Sony unlock website. However if you want a TA backup you need to do that before unlocking as the unlock process will wipe the keys, and you also need root in order to make that copy. (let me know if I am wrong about that)
My process was to root on earlier firmware, copy the TA, update to .290, then unlock. After unlocking full root on .290 is easy with a custom kernel and everything is good: unlocked, rooted *and* working camera.
But you *will* need a copy of the pre-unlock TA partition to regain any of the functions that use the DRM keys if you decide to relock the bootloader later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, yesterday I downgraded to rooteable 4.2.2 rom in order to backup TA partition. Once I had backup, I updated to 4.3 (290) and unlocked bootloader, then flashed recovery. With recovery was easy to flash superSu. Now I have "stock" rom with root and unlocked bootloader, but I realized that x-reality wasn't warking anymore (because of the DRM keys loss).
I tried to recover TA partition, but I caused a soft-brick, wich I only could solve flashing a 290 ftf through flashtool, but I lost root. My question is: It is possible to have root and DRM keys (TA partition restored)??
Thank you very much.

yanbee said:
Hello, yesterday I downgraded to rooteable 4.2.2 rom in order to backup TA partition. Once I had backup, I updated to 4.3 (290) and unlocked bootloader, then flashed recovery. With recovery was easy to flash superSu. Now I have "stock" rom with root and unlocked bootloader, but I realized that x-reality wasn't warking anymore (because of the DRM keys loss).
I tried to recover TA partition, but I caused a soft-brick, wich I only could solve flashing a 290 ftf through flashtool, but I lost root. My question is: It is possible to have root and DRM keys (TA partition restored)??
Thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, never.

Just2Cause said:
No, never.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, apart from losing x-reality and some Sony apps functionalities (which I dont care). Do you lose something else? I heard about losing bionz processor, but camera still works, then I dont know how far this is true.
The incompatibility problem of root and restored TA partition, is because flashing recovery (which modifies kernel) or supersu.apk it self?
Thank you VERY much!

You loose bionz, but not x-reality. I unlocked my bootloader and I have x-relity enabled.
Some ROMs won't have working camera, for example: android 4.4 KitKat ported from xperia z ultra GPe, and some other ROMs.

Just2Cause said:
You loose bionz, but not x-reality. I unlocked my bootloader and I have x-relity enabled.
Some ROMs won't have working camera, for example: android 4.4 KitKat ported from xperia z ultra GPe, and some other ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see that the x-reality option is still on menu, and you can enable/disable it, but it doesn't work. Before, I could see in the first second of picture showing how x-reality improves the image (its an effect that can be seen with the naked eye), this is not happening now. By the way, its for sure that bionz stop working? How could I take pictures without it?
Thank you

yanbee said:
I can see that the x-reality option is still on menu, and you can enable/disable it, but it doesn't work. Before, I could see in the first second of picture showing how x-reality improves the image (its an effect that can be seen with the naked eye), this is not happening now. By the way, its for sure that bionz stop working? How could I take pictures without it?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure about bionz, but I guessed it as I had the x-relity option enabled. I can't tell if it works or not as I don't have camera (I'm using ported 4.4)
It would be nice of someone confirmed it.

Correct me if i am wrong.
Bionz is a service which improves the pictures after a shot, isn't it ?
Bionz and X-Reality are things u can't detect that easy like "oh that effect is from X-Reality" or something else.
I thought the main reason for not working cameras on other roms was that the dev's didn't apply those 4.3 changes :S

AntiDroid said:
Correct me if i am wrong.
Bionz is a service which improves the pictures after a shot, isn't it ?
Bionz and X-Reality are things u can't detect that easy like "oh that effect is from X-Reality" or something else.
I thought the main reason for not working cameras on other roms was that the dev's didn't apply those 4.3 changes :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bionz it's a image processor that includes xperia Z1, it process the pictures taken instead the cpu. I dont know if it's easy to detect if it's working or not. But in the case of x-reallity it's very simple, when you open a picture in Sony gallery app, you can see how the picture "improves" quality in the first second. It is no so evident in all pictures, but can be detected by a naked eye, as I do.
My only doubt is about bionz processor, I already know that I loss x-reality. But I want to be SURE if bionz processing is also lost. I want to have full root (with unlocked bootloader), and have bionz enabled. I dont care x-reality or Sony apps.
Thank you very much

Just2Cause said:
No, never.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true. If you have a TA backup, install .290, unlock bootloader, install a recovery, root, reflash stock boot partition, restore TA partition, you will end up with a booting, rooted, .290 installation.

Rekoil said:
Not true. If you have a TA backup, install .290, unlock bootloader, install a recovery, root, reflash stock boot partition, restore TA partition, you will end up with a booting, rooted, .290 installation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that? :fingers-crossed:

Just2Cause said:
Are you sure about that? :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that and it worked
Sent from my iPad Air using Tapatalk

Rekoil said:
Not true. If you have a TA backup, install .290, unlock bootloader, install a recovery, root, reflash stock boot partition, restore TA partition, you will end up with a booting, rooted, .290 installation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jjpro45 said:
I did that and it worked
Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you VERY much!!! Could someone tell me how to reflash boot partition only?? The TA partition which I must restore, could be restored in 290 if backups comes from 534?

[Q] How to backup TA, MAC and IMEI with unlocked BL?

Greetings to everyone
I have already unlocked BL & rooted my 4.3 xperia Z1 with CWM recovery installed... the camera and everything works fine
So, how to backup TA, MAC and IMEI with unlocked BL? I want to avoid any furthur losing possibility of them
Sorry If this a repeated question but I have searched a lot before posting this
thank you

You can't Backup your TA if you Unlocked your Bootloader. You lost your DRM keys permanently. You will not be able to re-lock you bootloader and you are not covered by your warranty. Sorry but you should read carefully before do anything.

Yeah, too late, you should have done this before the unlock....

eclyptos said:
You can't Backup your TA if you Unlocked your Bootloader. You lost your DRM keys permanently. You will not be able to re-lock you bootloader and you are not covered by your warranty. Sorry but you should read carefully before do anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh.. I hope everything will still fine .. but I saw option in flashtool to relock BL.. it won't relock my phone ?? ... and what is the safe way to update my device firmware when 4.4 kitkat arrives to xperia z1 ??? and what are the risks now ?? what I must avoid and never do ?? any advices for me ???... sure it's better to stay one 4.3 without root rather than breaking my phone
thank you

ghostman2 said:
Yeah, too late, you should have done this before the unlock....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah I realize that .. I was on HTC before and I didn't know that the unlock BL is like that in SONY .. it's all my fault

Hani88 said:
oh.. I hope everything will still fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be all fine but the safest way was backup TA first because if one day happen something on your phone you can't go via warranty.
Hani88 said:
.. but I saw option in flashtool to relock BL.. it won't relock my phone ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You still losing your DRM keys so even if he does it's compromise, no x-reality, bionz engine and bravia.
Hani88 said:
... and what is the safe way to update my device firmware when 4.4 kitkat arrives to xperia z1 ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a problem, the FTFs will be upload here on XDA like for .290 and Custom Roms as well.
Hani88 said:
and what are the risks now ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what we said already, the risk is if you brick the phone and the warranty will not cover that.
Hani88 said:
what I must avoid and never do ?? any advices for me ???... sure it's better to stay one 4.3 without root rather than breaking my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to avoid anything just read carefully everything when you try to do something. My advice is now to wait for the confirmed and safe way to root or update. In your position you already lost the safest way so I will root, update or flash custom roms to enjoy the phone but remember, it's your own risk and responsability.

Ive done the same, came from HTC.....so I will still have all tge features unless I flash say cm11 and try to go back to a Sony based rom?
Sent from my C6903 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] A pretty messed up situation. Can I get some help please?

Ok, so after using AOSP based ROMs for a month, decided to switch back to stock. So flashed NUT's .757 fw. After succesfully booting up i restored my TA backup which i had made before unlocking my bootloader. Restored fine. Ater rebooting, without even thinking i flashed doomkernel v16 through recovery and the device did not reboot rather just vibrated on pressing the power button, no lights. Used flashtool and flashed the stripped ftf. Magically the device rebooted into system. So my doubts are:
1. Have i relocked my bootloader by restoring the LB's TA?
2. How to unlock it again if i have indeed done it?
PS: I have not made a TA backup after unlocking the bootloader
Can someone please help me?

satvik7star said:
1. Have i relocked my bootloader by restoring the LB's TA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes
2. How to unlock it again if i have indeed done it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just the same way you unlocked it last time
PS: I have not made a TA backup after unlocking the bootloader
Can someone please help me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just did

gregbradley said:
YesJust the same way you unlocked it last time Just did
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate the help man, though figured it out

[Q] Rooting issues - 4.3, IMEI, not actually rooted etc....

Hi All
So firstly I should say I only have myself to blame. I'm quite a techy guy so I just assumed i'd be able to root my phone without any issues and pick it up as I go. What i've quickly found out is i'm in way over my head and i'm an absolute noob!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated from those guys out there that actually know what they are doing. I have read many forums but i'm still lost.
My story is as follows:
- I have a Z1 that was locked on stock firmware 4.4
- I read that it would be a good idea to unlock the bootloader so i did this
- I wanted to root my phone but from what I read I could see I would have to downgrade the firmware to 4.2. So this is what i did.
- By doing this I lost my IMEI number, got very worried i'd ruined my phone. I tried many things to restore it, there were a variety of different solutions online, none of them worked. I eventually flashed a 4.3 firmware i found on this forum which restored my IMEI.
- I then read through a few posts of people who had similar issues and advice was given to downgrade again (if i wanted to root) but this time exclude the baseband etc. I did this, but lost my IMEI again! the advice didn't work
- So I then went and updgraded again! to 4.3 to restore my IMEI and network access
- There doesn't seem to be a way to root on 4.3 so my phone isn't rooted, that's ok. But when i try to use my banking apps they don't work! they say my phone is rooted even though it isn't! I have checked with root checker
- Like an idiot, i didn't back up the phone when i first started doing all of this, i didn't really know what i was doing so I am now in a situation where i have the worst of both worlds. They are, i can either 1. downgrade the firmware to 4.2, root my phone but not have a valid IMEI and network access or 2. stay on 4.3, have a valid IMEI and not be rooted but certain apps think i'm rooted so i can't use them.
So all in all i've just messed things up and i'm in way over my head. I would really appreciate some advice
Thanks

Yes you are right.
Also, there is no issue with losing IMEI when downgrading, it happens to everyone, but it comes back when you upgrade.
Also, if you unlock the bootloader there is no need to downgrade, that is a locked bootloader method of rooting
You should root before unlocking the bootloader in order to backup the TA partition, but you are too late now...
Solution
1) Use flashtool to relock the bootloader
2) Use pccompanion to update to latest firmware
3) Unlock the bootloader again with flashtool
4) Flash a custom kernel for stock based ROMs
5) Install SuperSU from the play store.
DONE!

6317
gregbradley said:
Yes you are right.
Also, there is no issue with losing IMEI when downgrading, it happens to everyone, but it comes back when you upgrade.
Also, if you unlock the bootloader there is no need to downgrade, that is a locked bootloader method of rooting
You should root before unlocking the bootloader in order to backup the TA partition, but you are too late now...
Solution
1) Use flashtool to relock the bootloader
2) Use pccompanion to update to latest firmware
3) Unlock the bootloader again with flashtool
4) Flash a custom kernel for stock based ROMs
5) Install SuperSU from the play store.
DONE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Greg
Thank you very much for your quick response. I will try and follow your advice to the letter tonight/tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
Thanks again

retro100386 said:
Hi Greg
Thank you very much for your quick response. I will try and follow your advice to the letter tonight/tomorrow and let you know how it goes.
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..and if you want to see the Video which help you to understand better just check the @gregbradley Signature or mine.

eclyptos said:
..and if you want to see the Video which help you to understand better just check the @gregbradley Signature or mine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The video by shem is for locked bootloaders, he needs an unlocked bootloader method

gregbradley said:
The video by shem is for locked bootloaders, he needs an unlocked bootloader method
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So we have to ask @shem2409 to do another vid for Unlocked Bootloaders...

eclyptos said:
So we have to ask @shem2409 to do another vid for Unlocked Bootloaders...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, the unlocked bootloader method is very generic and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of guides and probably as many videos.

gregbradley said:
I don't think so, the unlocked bootloader method is very generic and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of guides and probably as many videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know but as you see the users still do mistake anyway, even if there is a lot of vids with a clear explanation.

conflicting messages?
gregbradley said:
Yes you are right.
Also, there is no issue with losing IMEI when downgrading, it happens to everyone, but it comes back when you upgrade.
Also, if you unlock the bootloader there is no need to downgrade, that is a locked bootloader method of rooting
You should root before unlocking the bootloader in order to backup the TA partition, but you are too late now...
Solution
1) Use flashtool to relock the bootloader
2) Use pccompanion to update to latest firmware
3) Unlock the bootloader again with flashtool
4) Flash a custom kernel for stock based ROMs
5) Install SuperSU from the play store.
DONE!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Greg, can you give me a bit more advice please.
i'm just looking at the tutorial to relock by bootloader. It says "before u relock bootloader u have to be on pure stock kernel (flash only the kernel.sin using flashtool), else the device WILL NOT BOOT after relock"
The problem is i'm already flashed on to an FTF image that was on this site. From so by doing this am i going to brick my phone? i'm confused and i don't want to make things work so your advice would be apprecaited
thanks

retro100386 said:
Hi Greg, can you give me a bit more advice please.
i'm just looking at the tutorial to relock by bootloader. It says "before u relock bootloader u have to be on pure stock kernel (flash only the kernel.sin using flashtool), else the device WILL NOT BOOT after relock"
The problem is i'm already flashed on to an FTF image that was on this site. From so by doing this am i going to brick my phone? i'm confused and i don't want to make things work so your advice would be apprecaited
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Greg
it's fine, i am just being stupid again, i just relocked without a problem, thanks again

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/0...oid-kitkat-devices-in-one-tap-no-pc-required/
check this out