Database Develop

[NOOB] Question about Stock ROMs and Bootloader

Dear all, I'm new at rom flashing for Sony, but I used to flash roms on my old Motorola Milestone,
The question is that if I flash a stock rom from another region, do I have to unlock bootloader? For example mine is Thai and I want to flash stock SO-02E rom. How about flashing SO-02E rom but maintaining C6602 Thai baseband?
I'm concerning about losing DRM keys.
Thanks in advance

romeokk said:
Dear all, I'm new at rom flashing for Sony, but I used to flash roms on my old Motorola Milestone,
The question is that if I flash a stock rom from another region, do I have to unlock bootloader? For example mine is Thai and I want to flash stock SO-02E stock rom. How about flashing SO-02E rom but maintaining C6602 Thai baseband?
I'm concerning about losing DRM keys.
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to unlock it. Just use the Flashtool and that's it. BUT I would make sure you get the original ROM of your phone before you flash any stock ROMs. You will need your original ROM so you can flash it back just for warranty purposes.

shadowboy23 said:
No need to unlock it. Just use the Flashtool and that's it. BUT I would make sure you get the original ROM of your phone before you flash any stock ROMs. You will need your original ROM so you can flash it back just for warranty purposes.
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By "the original ROM of your phone", do you mean latest Thai stock rom or exactly the rom in my device? In the latter case, what are reasons?
Another question, Are DRM keys unique to each device?
Thanks

romeokk said:
By "your original ROM", do you mean latest Thai stock rom or exactly the rom in my device? In the latter case, what are reasons?
Another question, Are DRM keys unique to each device?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you have a unbranded XZ then it would not matter if you use the latest or the one in your phone now. BUT if you have a branded phone meaning it has the pre-installed software of the telco you are using then you will need the ROM that comes from the telco you are with.
For example I got my XZ from Telstra (in Australia). My phone has Telstra splashscreen and some Telstra apps pre-installed. Now if I flash the another ROM and something breaks on my phone (hardware) and I sent it back to Telstra for warranty repairs they MIGHT refuse to repair it under warranty because I used a different software.
This may not not be the case but it is safer to have the original ROM back in your phone before you send it away for repairs.

DRM: Keys are unique to each device
By unlocking the bootloader you will looose them permanently and special functions like Bravia Engine may not work withouth them.. i unlocked my previous phone XU and B.Engine wont work anymore i recomending having it locked if you only want to flash another official firmware ...unlocking is only needed if you want to install custom kernel
Odoslané z C6603 cez Tapatalk 2

shadowboy23 said:
Well if you have a unbranded XZ then it would not matter if you use the latest or the one in your phone now. BUT if you have a branded phone meaning it has the pre-installed software of the telco you are using then you will need the ROM that comes from the telco you are with.
For example I got my XZ from Telstra (in Australia). My phone has Telstra splashscreen and some Telstra apps pre-installed. Now if I flash the another ROM and something breaks on my phone (hardware) and I sent it back to Telstra for warranty repairs they MIGHT refuse to repair it under warranty because I used a different software.
This may not not be the case but it is safer to have the original ROM back in your phone before you send it away for repairs.
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Click to collapse
NetSkill said:
DRM: Keys are unique to each device
By unlocking the bootloader you will looose them permanently and special functions like Bravia Engine may not work withouth them.. i unlocked my previous phone XU and B.Engine wont work anymore i recomending having it locked if you only want to flash another official firmware ...unlocking is only needed if you want to install custom kernel
Odoslané z C6603 cez Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks both you you. So, it I get it right, DRM keys are not stored in the firmware but the bootloader itself.

romeokk said:
Thanks both you you. So, it I get it right, DRM keys are not stored in the firmware but the bootloader itself.
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Click to collapse
From what I can understand that is correct. Once you unlock bootloader your DRM keys are gone FOREVER! Even if you re-lock your bootloader you will never get it back. So unlock your bootloader only if you really have to and you understand that your DRM keys will be lost.

Flashing FTF
Nevermind, worked well once TA was checked in EXCLUDE list.

Oh Gawd Help Me!

I've just recently acquired the Z and coming from a Samsung (s, s2,tab plus), I've rooted and flashed so many times that now I'm getting the shivers just waiting for my warranty to expire (in 10 months).
My question is, for those who have rooted and then unrooted their Z and have taken it to the service center, did they notice?
My experience with Samsung centers was that they had no clue that i rooted it(or reverted to stock), but i think a bit more highly of Sony folks so they may not be as clueless as the Samsung techs in our area.

neuropsychosis said:
I've just recently acquired the Z and coming from a Samsung (s, s2,tab plus), I've rooted and flashed so many times that now I'm getting the shivers just waiting for my warranty to expire (in 10 months).
My question is, for those who have rooted and then unrooted their Z and have taken it to the service center, did they notice?
My experience with Samsung centers was that they had no clue that i rooted it(or reverted to stock), but i think a bit more highly of Sony folks so they may not be as clueless as the Samsung techs in our area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DId you perform root alone or you have unlocked your bootloader as well? Taking into consideration, if you are able to flash that means you have unlocked your bootloader and that will void warranty and sony will be able to trace even if the bootloader is re-locked.
Regards

If only root>unroot has been done, it wont be noticed...
but as mentioned if u have unlocked the bootloader, then u'r dead

That's what i was worried about. I haven't done anything yet but i pretty much have all the files needed. Let's see how long I can go without doing anything. Good thing that stock experience is really good already.

In some countries manufacturers legally need to prove the defect was due to faulty software. Unlocked bootloader is not a valid reason to deny warranty, despite Sony's claim on their website. So if you're in one of those countries it is pretty save to unlock your bootloader
Verstuurd vanaf mijn Xperia Z

Before unlocking your bootloader you have to back-up some specific 'factory files' which will be tempered with after unlocking the bootloader. Please read the tutorials carefully!

Make sure you backup all your **** and follow the tutorials here on how to backup bravia engine files and such. I accidentally deleted my backups now i get no bravia engine on videos, which sucks. But I'm always rom hopping now anyway so whatever. The choice really is yours. unlocked = no TA files (Think that's what they're called) relock + restore TA = bravia engine back.

[Q] Cyanogenmod on XZ

So, I want to install Cyanogenmod on my XZ, using flashtool to unlock the bootloader and doomlord's expliots to root.
However, won't rooting first re-lock the bootloader? Or unlocking the bootloader remove root? Both things wipe the everything, so... Help lpease?

Whatever you do, be sure to backup your TA partition before you unlock your bootloader: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598. To do this, you first need to root your device without unlocking your bootloader.
Otherwise you will lose your DRM keys permanently and you will never be able to use certain functions (like Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2) anymore, not even if you relock your bootloader and restore to a stock ROM.
Please also note that by requesting a bootloader unlock key from Sony, the IMEI number of your phone gets blacklisted and your warranty is void.

Apollo89 said:
Please also note that by requesting a bootloader unlock key from Sony, the IMEI number of your phone gets blacklisted and your warranty is void.
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Hi Apollo89, are you sure about that?

CiscoX said:
Hi Apollo89, are you sure about that?
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Click to collapse
Go to http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/unlock/step1. At step 2, you need to agree with the following legal terms before you can continue:
I acknowledge that use of the boot loader may void the phone’s warranty.
I acknowledge that, if Sony does perform any warranty repairs, Sony may charge a service fee for additional costs associated with the modified software.
So if a phone with an unlocked bootloader (or relocked bootloader) needs to be repaired, your warranty may be void, it's completely up to Sony to decide about that and they have the legal right to charge you for the repair because you agreed to those terms. If that's fine with you, you can continue to unlock your bootloader and flash a custom ROM like CyanogenMod. I myself would only consider this after official firmware updates have been discontinued.

Apollo89 said:
Go to http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/unlock/step1. At step 2, you need to agree with the following legal terms before you can continue:
I acknowledge that use of the boot loader may void the phone’s warranty.
I acknowledge that, if Sony does perform any warranty repairs, Sony may charge a service fee for additional costs associated with the modified software.
So if a phone with an unlocked bootloader (or relocked bootloader) needs to be repaired, your warranty may be void, it's completely up to Sony to decide about that and they have the legal right to charge you for the repair because you agreed to those terms. If that's fine with you, you can continue to unlock your bootloader and flash a custom ROM like CyanogenMod. I myself would only consider this after official firmware updates have been discontinued.
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Click to collapse
Damn, so you say if i request an unlock key for my bootloader, but never use it. Do it still void my warranty. I mean, maybe some people change there mind after they request the unlock key and never use it to unlock the bootloader.

CiscoX said:
Damn, so you say if i request an unlock key for my bootloader, but never use it. Do it still void my warranty. I mean, maybe some people change there mind after they request the unlock key and never use it to unlock the bootloader.
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Click to collapse
You should only request the key if you're going to unlock your phone. Sony has no way to check if you unlocked your phone and then restored a TA backup, so that's why they require you to register your IMEI number.

Apollo89 said:
You should only request the key if you're going to unlock your phone. Sony has no way to check if you unlocked your phone and then restored a TA backup, so that's why they require you to register your IMEI number.
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ahhh, Thanks you so much for the information Apollo89

CiscoX said:
ahhh, Thanks you so much for the information Apollo89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyway, if Sony refuses warranty, you could go to court and argue that you only requested the key, but didn't use it. Then it's up to the judge to decide if requesting the key (and agreeing to those terms) is enough evidence or not. However, I think most people won't go to court and just pay for the repair or buy a new phone. What I meant to say is: just be careful and think twice before doing such modifications

I think Denmark have pretty strict rules to protect the consumer, so I really doubt that Sony would get away with applying these rules here - but this definitely makes me not want to unlock the bootloader before I have seen Sonys 4.4 firmware.
Thanks for the info!
That being said, I think Sonys stock ROM works really well.
I'm rootet, running SwiftKey, Handcent SMS, Aqua Mail, HD Widgets an Apex Launcher Pro. I get 3 - 4 hours of screen time on stock settings.
I have no reason to really want another ROM.
Had it been a Samsung or HTC device I would have needed to strip the device of all the bloat
ware and get rid the massive battery drain, caused by wake locks from the manufacturers ROM.
Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk 4

[Q] Preparation before service (UB/Custom Rom)

Hi, I'm having the squeaky vibration problem. My phone is about 6 months old and I've been having this noisy vibration squeak for at lease 6 weeks now. I'm running slimkit evo 8.1 on a unlocked bootloader. Before I try to get it fixed by Sony, do I need to reset back to stock and lock my bootloader?
Could anyone give me some pointer to what I could say to get the phone exchanged for a brand new one? I can't be without a phone for 2-3 weeks (estimated service time by resale store).

macooz said:
Hi, I'm having the squeaky vibration problem. My phone is about 6 months old and I've been having this noisy vibration squeak for at lease 6 weeks now. I'm running slimkit evo 8.1 on a unlocked bootloader. Before I try to get it fixed by Sony, do I need to reset back to stock and lock my bootloader?
Could anyone give me some pointer to what I could say to get the phone exchanged for a brand new one? I can't be without a phone for 2-3 weeks (estimated service time by resale store).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lock the bootloader via flashtool and install a stock rom..The chance that they repair or exchange the device is far better with locked bootloader. If it is unlocked they may recognize it and refuse to repair the device.

FahmyAbou said:
Lock the bootloader via flashtool and install a stock rom..The chance that they repair or exchange the device is far better with locked bootloader. If it is unlocked they may recognize it and refuse to repair the device.
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Click to collapse
Hmm, without the drm keys they will still know you unlocked it.
Restore the TA partition (that you should have taken before you unlocked) to relock and restore the DRM keys. then flash a stock FTF

gregbradley said:
Hmm, without the drm keys they will still know you unlocked it.
Restore the TA partition (that you should have taken before you unlocked) to relock and restore the DRM keys. then flash a stock FTF
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Yes the most important thing.. Thanks for mentioning it
Sent from here

[Q] Unlocking?

I'm trying to figure out exactly what you lose when you unlock Z3(C).
So far I've discovered that:
- Sony has a webpage that allows you to unlock your device
- Unlocking your device will void your warranty
- Unlocking is the only known way to get root (at least right now)
- Unlocking your device will kill the "TA partition" that contains DRM keys
- Loss of the aforementioned DRM keys will cause some stuff to stop working
I found a huge thread on backing up TA partition for older xperia devices, but no good information RE: what exactly you lose if you wipe out the DRM keys by unlocking.
Do any of you know definitively: what the DRM keys are for and what you lose?
As an aside - it looks like backing up TA partition is only possible before you unlock bootloader and if you've rooted your phone (so probably not possible on Z3C until someone finds a working exploit to get root with a locked bootloader).
Thanks in advance for any insights.

I don't think there is a definitive place which says exactly what you lose by unlocking the boot loader but judging by what people having been saying after unlocking the Z3C and other Xperia phones on 4.4 it seems like the answer is nothing. Nothing is lost on the software side at all.

On the z1c I neglected to back up the TA partition. And apparently lost native mirror cast and some camera features when I rolled the device back to stock.
Back up your TA partition before unlocking BL... If not for the I'm tact features turn for your warranty!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
Those that have rushed into unlocking the BL without backing up the TA partition risk voiding warranty I'm afraid.

dillalade said:
On the z1c I neglected to back up the TA partition. And apparently lost native mirror cast and some camera features when I rolled the device back to stock.
Back up your TA partition before unlocking BL... If not for the I'm tact features turn for your warranty!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2292598
Those that have rushed into unlocking the BL without backing up the TA partition risk voiding warranty I'm afraid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem is, you need root to use those backup tools... So we would need a temp root exploit to backup before unlocking. But from what I've read so far, it doesn't seem like you lose that much, if anything.

I am also curious about this as I need root access but would like to preserve the warranty. Somebody else has also started a thread with what breaks with unlocking: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2890936

TiMiN8R said:
Problem is, you need root to use those backup tools... So we would need a temp root exploit to backup before unlocking. But from what I've read so far, it doesn't seem like you lose that much, if anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most important consideration is your warranty such if your happy to lost it then unlock your BL.

dillalade said:
Most important consideration is your warranty such if your happy to lost it then unlock your BL.
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Click to collapse
It's not that definitive that you will lose warranty. Sony says it may void your warranty. Known issues with the specific model or batch, or other hardware problems that could not be caused by flashing custom ROMs/kernels will most likely still be covered.
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Sony...oader-unlock-tool-voids-your-warranty_id32972
I myself have sent in my Xperia T twice since unlocking the bootloader and on both occassions it was covered by the warranty.
Mind you, I did relock the bootloader and flash a stock FTF before doing that.
Flashtool has a function to relock the bootloader
http://www.digitalinternals.com/mobile/keeping-warranty-intact-sony-xperia-unlocked-phones/264/
I don't know if this works on our phone already, maybe someone who has already unlocked would like to try?