Recovering Dead/Bricked phone.

Definition: Phone doesn't start or goes into continuous  loop while booting.

Procedure:

1.Dont Panic!

2.Flash  ftf file using Flash Tool. - Downloads.

[ Detailed post on how to flash ftf files. - View Post.] 

3.Root phone using SuperOneClick.

4.Install Xrecovery. - View Post.

5.Restore your original backup image. (Or use this - W8 ROM [  Downloads ].)

6.Done. :)

Note: Use it only when necessary!

Installing new Roms.

Download ROMs.

ROMs are provided in various forms:

• Zip packages containing complete live filesystem.
• Collection of .img files.
• Flash tool .FTF files.

Note:  Before installing new ROMS: 

                  Make Backup!! - View Post.  

                  Upgrade your baseband. - View Post.

 

Installing Zip packages:

1. Copy the zip file to your memory card.
2. Boot into xrecovery.
3. Select "install custom zip". 
4. Browse to your zip file and select it.
5. Then let Xrecovery do its work. ;-)
6. Done!

Note: Make sure that the zip files are made for Xrecovery. (zip files for cwm are different)


Installing .img files:

1. Copy the folder containing "System.img","Data.img" "cache.img"  "nandroid.md5" to '/xrecovery/backup' folder in sdcard. [Dont rename the folder!]
2. In Xrecovery menu...goto "Backup and Restore".
3. Select restore. Then select the folder to restore.
4. Done. :) 

Installing .FTF files - View Post.

Using Flash tool to install .ftf files.

1. Install Flashtool.
2. Copy the *.ftf files that you `ve downloaded  to 'firmwares' folder from Flashtool.
3. Click "Flash" button from flashtool and select the *.ftf file firmware and click "OK"
4. Relax and wait a while. When the proccess is completed you will get a popup message. (don`t click on that!!!)
5. Unplug your USB cable from PC.
Power off your phone.
Press back button and keep your finger on button.
Plug USB cable to PC.
Check if the green LED appears.
On popup message press "OK" button.
When "Found at USB/........" appear on flash tool you may release "back button", sit down, relax and wait.

6. IF the "Start Flashing" message appear everything`s ok if not...repeat. Sitdown and relax.

7. When last message appear unplug/plug USB cable.
8.Restart Phone.
9.Done.:)



-original guide by Ricardo Rendeiro.

Updating BaseBand.

Short Description: 

Update your phone to latest baseband before installing new ROMs.[current for W8 - 015]

Kernel and baseband are related to each other, so if you have baseband 006, you'll have 2.0.2.A.0.24 kernel, and with baseband 015 you'll get 2.1.1.A.0.6 kernel.

To check baseband -  Settings > About Phone > Baseband version. 

Actual Process:

• Download Baseband 015 -  Downloads. and install using Flashtool.
• Put the .ftf file on 'firmware' folder and just press flash on tool. - Detailed procedure.

Making and Restoring Backup.

Assuming you have rooted your phone and installed Xrecovery:

Making Backup:

1. In Xrecovery menu...goto "Backup and Restore".
2. Select Backup.
3. Your backup will be saved in "/sdcard/xrecovery/backup/". Copy it to a save place in your pc.

Note:

• Backup makes an image(copies) of the entire phone along with all settings,messages,applications installed,etc!
• Preferably make 2 images....
•  After doing factory reset(full wipe) which will act as a clean image.
• After Installing all required applications and settings - which can be used to make quick restore when needed. 
• DO NOT RENAME THE FOLDER!! (else you will get a md5 mismatch error during restore!)

 Restoring:

1. In Xrecovery menu...goto "Backup and Restore".
2. Select restore. Then select the folder to restore.
3. Done. :)

Installing and using Xrecovery.

Xrecovery is a tool that can be used to install new Roms, backup/restore your existing ROM,apply patches,batch install applications & many more things.
Its very easy to install and use.

Files:
Xrecovery.
Root Explorer.

Installation:
1.Root your phone.
2.Install Root Explorer.
4.Copy xrecovery folder to SD card.
3.Copy 3files from "/sdcard/xrecovery" folder to "/System/bin"
4.Reboot.
5.Keep taping the 'back' (the rightmost one) button when 'Sony Ericsson' is displayed.
6.You will enter xrecovery menu.

Using Xrecovery:
1.To move around in xRecovery you use the volume buttons, to select an item you press the Home button (the middle one), and to go back you press the Back button.
2.Use common sense!

First thing to do - Make Backup!! - View Post

Rooting our Sony Ericsson W8.

Definition from Wikipedia:

            "Rooting is a process that allows users of cellphones and other devices running the Android operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's Linux subsystem, overcoming limitations that the carriers and manufacturers put on such phones."

Warning:
First off, let me start by saying that if you don't think you need rooting, don't root.
It can be dangerous if done wrong, so be sure you know what you're doing.
With that out of the way, let's get going then.
Rooting voids Warranty!
[ but we can unroot our device before submitting to service center... ;-) ] 

Actual Process:
We can use SuperOneClick or any of the following softwares for rooting our W8

• Flash tool,Universal Androot ,Recovery Flasher,Easy Root,Unrevoked...use google to find them.

1. Download SuperOneClick.
2. On your phone, go to Settings -> Applications and enable Unknown Sources.
3. Next, go to Settings -> Applications -> Development and enable USB debugging.
4. You also need the proper USB drivers.(Install PC Companion to get the drivers.) To check if you have them, start SuperOneClick.exe and click Driver Check. If the driver check fails, update your phone with PC Companion.
5. Now, connect your USB cable from your W8 to your computer. When connected it is VERY IMPORTANT to select CHARGE PHONE.
6. Start SuperOneClick.exe and just click ROOT. Everything should go normally. You might get a message asking you if your OS is 2.0 or higher, just go ahead and click Yes.
7. You should now be rooted! :)

Note: After rooting you will have application named SuperUser in you phone which is used to allow/deny root access to other applications.

Disclaimer: I wont be responsible if u damage your phone!

[dont worry....i have tried it myself......and you can restore your phone most of the times in case of software problems! :) ]

The new Sony Erricson W8.

Name	:	Sony Ericsson W8 Walkman
Other Name	:	Sony Ericsson E16, Sony Ericsson E16i
Network	:	2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 3G HSDPA 900 / 2100, HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
Dimension	:	99 x 54 x 15 mm
Weight	:	104 g
Screen	:	TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 320 x 480 pixels, 3.0 inches, Scratch-resistant
		surface, Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate, Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, Timescape UI
Camera	:	3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 pixels, Geo-tagging, Video VGA@30fps
Connectivity	:	3G HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, HSUPA 2 Mbps, EDGE, GPRS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth v2.1 with
		A2DP, MicroUSB v2.0, 3.5 mm audio jack
Memory	:	128 MB storage, 168 MB RAM, MicroSD up to 16 GB external
Battery	:	Li-Po 1200 mAh
Other features	:	Android OS v2.1 (Eclair), 600 MHz ARM 11 processor, Adreno 200 GPU, Qualcomm MSM7227
		chipset SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, Push email, IM, HTML browser, GPS with A-GPS support, Java (via Java MIDP emulator), SNS, Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk Games, Digital compass, Voice memo, Predictive text input, Stopwatch, Alarm, Calculator, Calendar Walkman player, Audio player (MP3 / eAAC+ / WMA / WAV), Video player (MP4 / H.263 / H.264 / WMV), Video recorder, MP3 ringtones, Stereo FM radio with RDS, TrackID music recognition.

Awesome looking Android phone from Sony Ericsson! :)