[Q] [Help] Changing custom ROM from eXistenZ Ultimate to another? - Xperia Z Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi, I rooted my Xperia z around 5 months ago and completely jumped straight into installing a custom ROM and not really done much after that and pretty much forgot everything I knew about rooting, ROM and kernels etc. - The ROM I currently have installed is eXistenZ 3.0.0 with build .283. i also have NDR Utils installed as my recovery option(?) - The installer i used was AROMA if that also helps with my problem. I can't even remember if i unlocked my bootloader or not, if there's a way to find out if it's locked/unlocked then i would be more than happy to try it
okaay so my problem is that I would like to change to a new custom ROM from the current ROM I have, I am aware of all the risks / dangers such as data loss etc. If you could post a tutorial for me to follow, i would be more than grateful. I hope you understand my problem Thanks for reading.
-Cynicaal :cyclops:

Cynicaal said:
Hi, I rooted my Xperia z around 5 months ago and completely jumped straight into installing a custom ROM and not really done much after that and pretty much forgot everything I knew about rooting, ROM and kernels etc. - The ROM I currently have installed is eXistenZ 3.0.0 with build .283. i also have NDR Utils installed as my recovery option(?) - The installer i used was AROMA if that also helps with my problem. I can't even remember if i unlocked my bootloader or not, if there's a way to find out if it's locked/unlocked then i would be more than happy to try it
okaay so my problem is that I would like to change to a new custom ROM from the current ROM I have, I am aware of all the risks / dangers such as data loss etc. If you could post a tutorial for me to follow, i would be more than grateful. I hope you understand my problem Thanks for reading.
-Cynicaal :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is from official Sony website
Please note! It will only be possible to unlock the boot loader for certain releases. You can check if it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your device in the service menu by following the steps below:
In your device, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.
Tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.
To change a rom, you would need
an unlocked bootloader or a ROM that supports locked bootloader
A custom recovery
a ROM zip.
Head to the ROM thread you want to flash and read the instructions carefully.
I hope this is enough, however, if you need any further assistance, make sure you quote me for an answer.
Good Luck

Related

[Q] Vodafone Nexus Stock to > Custom Rom Instructins Please

hi guys i need to know the basic instructions from scratch, with links to the needed files. i need the safest possible way to do this. am looking to update with a hybrid Sense and a stable android 2.3.3 fully working.
This rom looks excellent, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1123997
first time with good knowledge of the subject. however simple and safe instructions needed
thanks in advance
ps. i looked at other post but there are too many methods and am confused as Sh*t
Ok well do you want to unlock the bootloader or keep it locked? Cause there are methods to do it with or without.
Also sorry for my ignorance but what is the base android version for the vodafone ROM.
well am not sure if i should unlock the bootloader of what the benafits are but can you upload a tutorial video or text thanks
Well unlocking the bootloader will give you access to fastboot which can come in handy if you get into trouble and can flash a few things (but very few) that you can't via recovery. The down side is that it will void your warranty if you still have some left and it will wipe your phone.
I am using http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=995445 at this moment.
use this guide to root and flash your room
just replace the CM7 rom with your rom at the last part
http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php?title=Nexus_One:_Full_Update_Guide

[Q] Need help with my 4x

hi
first of all i apologize for my retarded questions , but i'm late to the android party as this is my first droid
Loving the phone so far other than the horrible battery life that's why i thought about roms and kernels , but then i got very confused and i have a few questions.
Do all roms require root or unlocked bootloader ?
I read a thread saying that the new cyanogenmod is rooted , Does that mean that it automatically root the device? , if so how do i install it exactly ?
Do i need root to install kernels ? do i have to install a kernel with a specific rom ? can i install a customized kernel on official rom ?
I read someone saying that i need to wipe cash before installing a rom , again how do i do that ?
Sorry i asked so many questions but i tried to read about it and i got overwhelmed , if there are any guides that i missed kindly point me to it and i'll be glad if anyone can recommend a rom and a kernel for improved gaming and battery life
thanks a lot
please bear in mind that i have no idea what adb is or kdz or any of this stuff , i hate myself right now
There are many wonderful guides for all of your information just a few clicks away.. But anyhow..
1. Stock roms - firmware (from LG) do not require rooted and unlocked device.
2. Yes, CM is already rooted.
3. First you need to upgrade your phone to 4.1 (v20a) Jelly Bean Android, root it and then unlock bootloader. After that, you have to install a recovery like CWM or TWPR so that you will be able to install roms, do backups, restore, wipe partitions etc. Easiest way to get CWM for example, is to install it via Rom Manager app.
4. Yes and unlocked BL.
5. Every rom has it's own kernel already but you can install a different one. (Which must be compatible of course and made for the device specifically)
6. Yes, but only on a rooted and unlocked device.
7. It's advised/needed to wipe CACHE not cash hehe which can easily be done by selecting "wipe cache partition" in CWM (recovery mode)
About roms, I would recommend either CM 10.1 RC1 + WerewolfJB kernel or just WerewolfJB which already has that kernel installed. (There are also some other nice roms and kernels but I did not try them yet so I cannot tell you. I just tried those 2 and they are great)
Read some of these guides.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2147879
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2225910
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2230934
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2264616
thank you
you cleared some of the fog on my mind , will try those guides
Np at all. Yes do that, they are great and easy to understand.

[Q] Just a few questions ;)

What i have done in the last 24 hours:
1. Updated to 4.3 on stock ROM
2. Unlocked bootloader on my Z1
3. Flashed "PhilZ Touch 6" dual bootloader (idk what "dual means" :S) (Dec 3 2013 version)
4. Used the built in root tool in "PhilZ" to root my phone and installed the corresponding app "SuperSU"
Questions:
Does bootloaders come with a custom kernel?
My bootloaders "About" says its made for the "Z" (not Z1). Did i **** up or is this incorrect?
If i flash kernel (for my device) via CWM will i break something?
Does roms require a certain kernel?
Can i flash .img files via CWM or is it required that the file is .zip?
I see kernels on the forum that advertise being 4 kitkat, do i need to flash that kernel WITH a kitkat rom to use that kernel?
Why shuld i flash a kernel?
As CM is not officially supported on the Z1 yet is there a cool alternative rom i can use?
Thats all the Q's i came up with, hope you can help me answer my ridiculous questions and wish me luck on my first android phone! :good:
bump
I won't get my device until tomorrow, but there a few things I could explain:
Some ROMs need to have a specific kernel. You cannot use Stock kernel with Cyanogenmod, or vice versa. Custom kernels are often a good idea to flash if you want some extra optimizations, you can get extra performance and save battery life with an enhanced kernel.
As for an alternative ROM, why don't you just check out the dev forums? There are Cyanogenmod ROMs, they're just unofficial.
Also, did you back up your TA? Otherwise, you'll be in for some real big trouble.
kusanou said:
I won't get my device until tomorrow, but there a few things I could explain:
Some ROMs need to have a specific kernel. You cannot use Stock kernel with Cyanogenmod, or vice versa. Custom kernels are often a good idea to flash if you want some extra optimizations, you can get extra performance and save battery life with an enhanced kernel.
As for an alternative ROM, why don't you just check out the dev forums? There are Cyanogenmod ROMs, they're just unofficial.
Also, did you back up your TA? Otherwise, you'll be in for some real big trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
****, i did not backup my TA. What does that mean for me?
I read in some threads that TA only gives you the option to revert back to absolute factory defaults. As i am having no problems i dont see why i would do that.
Edit: Thats wierd, my TrackID still works after unlocking bootloader, flashing recovery and rooting. Am i super lucky?
mrzone64 said:
****, i did not backup my TA. What does that mean for me?
I read in some threads that TA only gives you the option to revert back to absolute factory defaults. As i am having no problems i dont see why i would do that.
Edit: Thats wierd, my TrackID still works after unlocking bootloader, flashing recovery and rooting. Am i super lucky?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's mostly needed for Bravia engine stuff, as well as the BIONZ image processor. I guess if you don't care too much about that, and you don't have any reason to have to go back to absolute factory settings in the case of a warranty return, then it should be fine.

Z1 how to install CWM on 4.4.4 official help !

Hello can anyone help me install a cwm for my 4.4.4 z1 c6903 unlocked bootloader (also rooted . version 4.4.4 with the .108 on the end) ?! I really want to flash a new custom rom for this phone and unlike samsung phones the tutorials on youtube for 4.4.4 are missing !
Drewmk20 said:
Hello can anyone help me install a cwm for my 4.4.4 z1 c6903 unlocked bootloader (also rooted . version 4.4.4 with the .108 on the end) ?! I really want to flash a new custom rom for this phone and unlike samsung phones the tutorials on youtube for 4.4.4 are missing !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Check this out ...
http://prntscr.com/4ow7hp
Download file, then unzip. Run BAT file and follow screen directions. You will end up with three recoveries to choose from.
Need help
Hello, i'm newbie here, trying to learn some stuff, i searched the forum but i couldn't find it, i think this page is most appropriate to post it here.
Well i want to flash a custom rom, but my first attempt went not good for me. I've lost my imei and panicked, anyway by flashing stock sony rom i recovered it.
Now i unlocked my bootloader again (it was locked again after i flashed my stock firmware back), rooted my phone, and learned that nandroid app can make a full backup, and even i screw things up (except hard bricking i guess), that backup will save me. So i downloaded it made a full back up, but it says "back up type: clockwork or TWRP,"
And i heard that TWRP is not for Xperia Z1. Thats why i decided to not install it,
Then i installed clockwork rom manager, it said "this app requires clocwork recovery", but i couldnt find a appropriate version of clockwork recovery, the ones i found on play store were for android 4.0.4, and mine is 4.4.4
You guys probably understand that i know almost nothing about this stuff, (i have only got what i read form forums), so what should i do, which version of clockwork should i install or is there any other supported apps that i can use my nandroid backup?
Soka, i checked your link but couldnt be sure about which link should i click.
And another question, do i still need titanium backup while i have nandroid?
Thanks in advance
My device is C6903
4.4.4
14.4.A.0.157
CWM Recovery
There two methods:
1. Unlock your bootloader and flash a custom kernel (Bootloader Unlock is required for flashing custom roms which are not stock based; for example cyanogenmod)
-> with a custom kernel you have cwm and often twrp also.
2. check this out: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z1/development/newroot-z1-t2807092
maybe you have to flash .108 kernel to use newroot, after rooting you can flash the actually kernel from your firmware....
---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 PM ----------
Özgün Özerk said:
Hello, i'm newbie here, trying to learn some stuff, i searched the forum but i couldn't find it, i think this page is most appropriate to post it here.
Well i want to flash a custom rom, but my first attempt went not good for me. I've lost my imei and panicked, anyway by flashing stock sony rom i recovered it.
Now i unlocked my bootloader again (it was locked again after i flashed my stock firmware back), rooted my phone, and learned that nandroid app can make a full backup, and even i screw things up (except hard bricking i guess), that backup will save me. So i downloaded it made a full back up, but it says "back up type: clockwork or TWRP,"
And i heard that TWRP is not for Xperia Z1. Thats why i decided to not install it,
Then i installed clockwork rom manager, it said "this app requires clocwork recovery", but i couldnt find a appropriate version of clockwork recovery, the ones i found on play store were for android 4.0.4, and mine is 4.4.4
You guys probably understand that i know almost nothing about this stuff, (i have only got what i read form forums), so what should i do, which version of clockwork should i install or is there any other supported apps that i can use my nandroid backup?
Soka, i checked your link but couldnt be sure about which link should i click.
And another question, do i still need titanium backup while i have nandroid?
Thanks in advance
My device is C6903
4.4.4
14.4.A.0.157
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can install twrp on z1 as well: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261606
for cwm check my other post in this thread
hope this will help
Thanks, ive already unlocked my bootloader and rooted my phone as a mentioned above, just needed to know if i can use TWRP and CWM, got my answer thanks, both will work fine with Nandroid backup right? Should i prefer one over another? Cause i dont want any problems
Özgün Özerk said:
Thanks, ive already unlocked my bootloader and rooted my phone as a mentioned above, just needed to know if i can use TWRP and CWM, got my answer thanks, both will work fine with Nandroid backup right? Should i prefer one over another? Cause i dont want any problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there bro...
In the Link ...
Check this out ...
http://prntscr.com/4ow7hp ... download the one the red arrow is pointing at. Unzip and run BAT file. When Prompted onscreen connect device to PC.
This will install recoveries and an app called NDR Utils. With this app you can choose the primary recovery of your choice.
I prefer using Philz...(CWM) based. Important rule i've always followed make backups ( Nandroid).

Good start ?

Hi all, glad to find this
I have ..., guess what ? a RAZR i (Ok, it's a friend's one) that I repaired changing the mad battery after factory resets didn't do anything. Then found OTA was available, applied and the RAZR i was 4.1.2 IIRC and the new battery went OK. My mistake, another OTA went soon, which I applied too, making the RAZR i a 4.4.2 kitkat piece of crap (no more write access to sdcard, this is well known ... by the ones aware , know I'm one).
Then I thought I could make the phone free and search the web for days to try to understand, found a french forum which said I can't do anything without unlocking the bootloader, what I did.
They directed me there to remove the boot-logo-warning but that's a razr hd thread and nothing worked for me. I can't remember where I read I should have CWM to do this, but as the french guy said he rather like twrp I didn't do anything at the moment, only failed to flash some logo from fastboot with various errors....
Well, I'm there, and it's cool because I hope this is the good place to have answers to questions that are still in my mind for years, and 2/3 new ones... fortunately they'll overlap and self-resolve once I get one. I'm not at all skilled in android, I only flashed a phone in 2010 and that's why I still have android SKD in my ubuntu (I also have a xp box, but I couldn't do anything for my old Acer LiquidMT). As you see, I'm a vintage things amateur (... okay, I'm vintage too).
Now the scene is built, please let me dare ask what still puzzles me :
1) For the Razr i 4.4.2 (french from sfr-vodafone kia20.74 now used with another carrier) do I have to search a specifically dedicated recovery ? Parsing this RAZR i Q&A, I found twrp seems to the preferred recovery, but I'd rather like to get confirmation from skilled ones, and also for version.
2) And please tell me if I'm wrong thinking the [RECOVERY] Unofficial TWRP 3.0.2-0 thread aim is to bring support to the RAZR i which is not supported by official teamw.in ? (BTW, @Hazou, the 1st link in the thread - DataMedia - is dead)
3) Assumed I have to go the TWRP way and I only have currently the stock recovery, do I guess right the only way is download img.zip and extract then do
Code:
./fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
, then only after that the phone can be rooted ?
4) You see I'm puzzled here because I still don't have understood the logical path: is this one the good ? unlock boot loader -> fastboot flash reco -> is the device rooted at this point ? If not, install su from recovery option "install zip from sdcard", then it's done and I get a so called "rooted stock ROM" ? Then only I can figure installing a custom ROM if exists for the RAZR i ?
5) And I should always flash a custom ROM based on the same 4.4.2 android release as my current stock one AND disable OTA updates ?
I read so many threads with guys having issues with hard-bricked RAZR i and all are about ICS and JB, so I wander the only custom are for ICS or JB, and still don't understand why they want to revert back.
Thanks for advices.
1stStep said:
Hi all, glad to find this
I have ..., guess what ? a RAZR i (Ok, it's a friend's one) that I repaired changing the mad battery after factory resets didn't do anything. Then found OTA was available, applied and the RAZR i was 4.1.2 IIRC and the new battery went OK. My mistake, another OTA went soon, which I applied too, making the RAZR i a 4.4.2 kitkat piece of crap (no more write access to sdcard, this is well known ... by the ones aware , know I'm one).
Then I thought I could make the phone free and search the web for days to try to understand, found a french forum which said I can't do anything without unlocking the bootloader, what I did.
They directed me there to remove the boot-logo-warning but that's a razr hd thread and nothing worked for me. I can't remember where I read I should have CWM to do this, but as the french guy said he rather like twrp I didn't do anything at the moment, only failed to flash some logo from fastboot with various errors....
Well, I'm there, and it's cool because I hope this is the good place to have answers to questions that are still in my mind for years, and 2/3 new ones... fortunately they'll overlap and self-resolve once I get one. I'm not at all skilled in android, I only flashed a phone in 2010 and that's why I still have android SKD in my ubuntu (I also have a xp box, but I couldn't do anything for my old Acer LiquidMT). As you see, I'm a vintage things amateur (... okay, I'm vintage too).
Now the scene is built, please let me dare ask what still puzzles me :
1) For the Razr i 4.4.2 (french from sfr-vodafone kia20.74 now used with another carrier) do I have to search a specifically dedicated recovery ? Parsing this RAZR i Q&A, I found twrp seems to the preferred recovery, but I'd rather like to get confirmation from skilled ones, and also for version.
2) And please tell me if I'm wrong thinking the [RECOVERY] Unofficial TWRP 3.0.2-0 thread aim is to bring support to the RAZR i which is not supported by official teamw.in ? (BTW, @Hazou, the 1st link in the thread - DataMedia - is dead)
3) Assumed I have to go the TWRP way and I only have currently the stock recovery, do I guess right the only way is download img.zip and extract then do
Code:
./fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
, then only after that the phone can be rooted ?
4) You see I'm puzzled here because I still don't have understood the logical path: is this one the good ? unlock boot loader -> fastboot flash reco -> is the device rooted at this point ? If not, install su from recovery option "install zip from sdcard", then it's done and I get a so called "rooted stock ROM" ? Then only I can figure installing a custom ROM if exists for the RAZR i ?
5) And I should always flash a custom ROM based on the same 4.4.2 android release as my current stock one AND disable OTA updates ?
I read so many threads with guys having issues with hard-bricked RAZR i and all are about ICS and JB, so I wander the only custom are for ICS or JB, and still don't understand why they want to revert back.
Thanks for advices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey 1stStep,
A lot off assumptions and questions. And most of them are right.
1. Afaik there are 2 recoveries for the RAZR I. Stock and my build TWRP 3.0.2-0 unofficial. (Thanks for the heads up about the link)
2. Answered in 1.
3. Yep. If your bootloader is unlocked it gives u the function to flash non-stock firmware to the phone. Stock firmware are signed to prevent normal users flashing wrong firmware. Firmware consist of a couple of images. Those images contain data for the partition, just like in your PC. Every image does something else. Most known are boot, data, system, recovery and cache. There are many more. Some needed, some unnecessary.
To answer your question: when u have flashed the TWRP recovery u override the stock one. The TWRP can flash zip files and images to the most known device partitions. From here on u can flash a superuser zip(gives root access on the current ROM/system). Make sure u have the right superuser zip. There are many.
4.
Path to root on stock:
Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install superuser zip->reboot and test root on device
Path to custom ROM:
Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install ROM zip and extra's if needed like (Gapps(needed for Google playstore and more))->reboot and play with your new ROM.
Off course if u already have the bootloader unlocked and installed a custom recovery, u can skip those.
In the recovery u can also make backups, called nandroid backup. Read up on them and everything u wanna do.
5. The only thing u never want/should do is flashing Android 4.0.4 stock firmware without prior modifications. This is because from 4.0.4 to 4.1.2 there was a change in bootloader (the thing u unlock). If u go back it corrupt a part of the firmware which is difficult to overcome or even impossible without some factory stuff. Everything above 4.1.2 is save. And can always be flashed. The latest stock is 4.4.2 (KIA 20.74) and latest available custom ROM is 4.4.4 (CM11 or soon Lineage 11).
Good luck!
Thanks so mush great dev to spend time and even surely repeat yourself (hope you're not under stress) for a newb.
In your answer for path to custom ROM you say "Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install ROM zip and extra's if needed like".
Do I have to understand custom ROMs are yet rooted (OOTB), or root yet made on stock will survive flashing the custom (I though flashing a custom was some kind of infant clear brain graft?
BTW, is it general good advice to test recovery before flashing? I found this in Moto Play unofficial recovery 3.0.2-r5 from Vache:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery.img
?
Thanks again
1stStep said:
Thanks so mush great dev to spend time and even surely repeat yourself (hope you're not under stress) for a newb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not at all , just replying if I have some time.
1stStep said:
In your answer for path to custom ROM you say "Unlock bootloader->install custom recovery (TWRP)->install ROM zip and extra's if needed like".
Do I have to understand custom ROMs are yet rooted (OOTB), or root yet made on stock will survive flashing the custom (I though flashing a custom was some kind of infant clear brain graft?
BTW, is it general good advice to test recovery before flashing? I found this in Moto Play unofficial recovery 3.0.2-r5 from Vache:
Code:
fastboot boot recovery.img
?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Most custom roms are prerooted.
- Cyanogenmod/LineageOS are prerooted
- Root installed by a zip will not survive any system flashing (rom flashing)
- Any modification to your system partition will not survive and system flashing (rom flashing), though 1 exception:
- installed gapps package (google apps/play store etc.) will survive system flashing on cyanogenmod based roms. But only when updating the rom to a newer version on the same android version. So:
CM11 version 1 to CM11 version 2. (because of a special script in the install zip)
Pre testing a boot or recovery image is blocked on our bootloader. So u can't do it. It's a shame they did it. Working on any boot or recovery changes is a pain in the spoken ass.
If u flash the recovery with:
Code:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
there is nothing to be afraid off. The TWRP 3.0.2-0 recovery is well tested on this device.
Thank you again man for all detailed answer.
You're right, it's a shame all these locked things in our phones. I'm sure the guys that agree (our security, blah blah) with these ways to do won't be so happy the day their computers will be locked the same way.
bye bye Hazou.
[Edit] .... hmmm, how long does it take to flash? Yet a 1/4h elapsed and razr still says "Flashing recovery..."
Please, what is the md5 of the image (not the zip, this you give us)? Thanks
[Edit] : Downloaded twice and get md5sum 60dff26f3ee5e9338ee4a6f8cf7df098
but still same forever Flashing recovery ...
[Edit] : I've been puzzled for days being stuck in endless "Flashing recovery ..."
In the ended I decided, after saying 1 hour waiting a hypothetical "success/congrats message", NOT QUITTING the current fastboot screen, to select the recovery option in this very fastboot menu (on a Razr i : Vol- to highlight recovery item, then Vol+ to select) and bang I was in TWRP menu. What to do next once in, it is another story.

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