Xperia X10 Forum

I've been on this forum for some time now and have helped many root and flash ROM's on there X10's, with the new SE 2.3.3 I didn't think this would be relevant any longer but I have recently read some threads inquiring about rooting, xRecovery and flashing ROM's.
I have decided to create one thread that will hopefully answer all question relating to the above, if you think I have missed anything then please post or PM me and if I think it is relevant I will add it to the thread.

I will include links to the direct files needed such as Androxyde & Bin4ry's Flashtool, Zdzihu's xRecovery etc.

On to the topic, this first post will cover rooting of android 2.1 only.

Rooting

Rooting in basic terms is unlocking the phones internal memory, this gives access to the internal system files of the phone and gives the user the ability to edit those files, install new files, run root only apps, flash custom ROM's and many other features.
To root a device your are attacking the device with malware known as an Exploit, the exploit such as "Rage Against The Cage" or "psnueter" use script to attack the system security files until root is gained.
The term root comes from the Linux operating system world, where the most privileged user on the system is called root whereas with Windows that privilege is known as Administrator.

A quote from myself on a thread I answered, some of which is still relevant and some of which is not.

JayJ wrote:Mmm, I wouldn't say rooting was risk free as such as you are infact attacking your phone with malware!
Some PC anti-virus software do not like the software used to root so be aware of that.

"Rageagainstthecage" & "Psneuter" are exploits and are compiled code that basically fools the system into root privileges, "rageagainstthecage"has been patched by SE in the last firmware update 2.0.2.A.0.24 but "psnueter" is the new exploit that has been used to gain root again.

Superuser is a application installed on your phone in most cases at the time of rooting, this app gives you control as to what has Superuser permissions and can gain access to the root of your device. It serves as protection for your phone and only you can control what is given SU permissions.

The advantages of rooting your phone are, being able to uninstall default apps like Moxier, Office Suite, Creatouch, Quadrapop etc, enabling JIT v2, root access apps like Barnacle and ShootMe, being able to flash the DoCoMo kernel for DualTouch and the installation of xRecovery with which you can install themes, flash AOSP (Android Open Source Project) Custom ROM's and do Nandroid Back ups.

Rooting can be undone by doing a software repair via SEUS or PC Companion but you are basically re-flashing the software back onto your phone, therefore any hacks or mods done like uninstalling system apps will be back on your phone. Best if you want to root to leave it rooted unless you need to send it in for repair.

The easiest way to root an X10i (or Mini/Mini Pro) is with Androxyde and Bin4ry's Flashtool, currently at version 0.3.0.0 and a very well thought out Tool. Flashtool in it's current standing will only root SE devices with android 2.1 but I will cover that more later.

Rooting your phone comes with risks, do not do this unless you are confident. I do not take responsibility for you doing something wrong, you do this at your own risk and I will not be held responsible for a bricked phone.

Rooting your Android 2.1 X10i

Step 1. Download Flashtool from here

Step 2. Extract the downloaded zipped file, this will create a folder caller "FlashTool".

Step 3. Double click to open and then double click the bottom application, "X10FlashTool" and this will open up the application.

Step 4. On you phone press, Menu> Settings> Applications> Development> Tick "USB Debugging".

Step 5. Connect your X10i to your PC via the USB cable and click "Root" in the top left corner of the X10FlashTool window. The application will run the script and upon reboot your device will be rooted. Superuser will also be installed during this process.

Step 6. Once reboot is completed you can check root by clicking "Ask Root Perms", make sure your screen is active so you can grant Superuser permissions when the pop-up appears on your phones homescreen.

Root access complete.

You now have Read/Write privileges to system files, you can install root needed applications such as "Titanium Back Up" to remove system applications and "Root Explorer" to edit system files such as the default.prop, build.prop and bootanimation zip etc. These applications will require you to Superuser permission to be Allowed once at the start of the application.

Rooting 2.3.3

I've decided that rather than me explain this I'm going to link DooMLoRD's thread on XDA Developers Forum, this is an excellent guide and much better than I could do so click the link.

[How-To] Rooting & Installing Recovery on X10 Official SE GB [Picture & Video Guide]

Installing xRecovery

Flashing TFT files with FlashTool and Custom ROM's with xRecovery

Saved

I have 3 questions here.

Q1. If I follow carefully the instruction stated by the repair software, will I brick my phone in the unrooting process?

Q2. Will the malware be removed after applying the repair?

Q3. Since it is a malware, will it hack any privacy-related content?

Sorry for asking so many questions. I am a beginner..

Awaiting reply.

Q1. If you repair the software with PCC or SEUS you will not brick your phone but you unroot the device and reinstall any bloatware removed after rooting.

Q2. The malware is not installed on the phone even once root is gained, the malware just gains root access.
Some files are installed on the phone and these will be removed if the repair option is chosen.

Q3. The malware will not attack any private information on your device, it it there to gain root and that is all.

I will also add that if you root why repair as root will be removed, what is your reason for rooting in the first place?
If your rooting to flash custom ROM's or removing bloatware then repairing will remove the custom ROM or reinstall the bloatware.

Rooting is perfectly safe so long as the root package is from a safe source like XDA and so long as Superuser is installed on the phone which is done automatically with Flashtool.
Superuser gives the user the ability to grant or deny an app or program root access, it's your protection against being hacked from a malicious application.

Also there are far worse that have been discovered on the Android Market, these apps have been removed for now and the developers Market access removed.
The applications have the ability to root (without Superuser), create backdoors into your phone etc etc.
These applications are dangerous, more dangerous than rooting yourself with a known and trusted rooting application/software so be aware when installing applications from the market, check the permissions on all applications.

Hope that helps, anymore questions please ask or PM me.


Posted from my SE 2.3.3 X10i

I would like to unroot because I would like to revert back to stock gingerbread in case that there are bugs in custom ROMS that I would like to try.

Thanks for all the information. I learn a lot.

But I have few more questions. Does repairing process simply format my phone and clean install to stock gingerbread? the malware, deleted or remains there but have no effect? If phone bricked, possible to unbrick?

Big thanks to you.

I don't think it's possible to brick an x10

Rooting and installing xRec is a thing of the past with many GB roms now being prerooted w/busybox and xRec already installed.

@916x10

The first part is mostly correct, the X10 is virtually impossible to brick.

However both rooting and installing xRecovery are still relevant, most custom ROMs come in a zip package that is flashed to the phone via recovery.
There are some great custom ROMs on XDA including WB's Gingerbread and Z's CM7-ZMOD, these use xRecovery to flash the package and the phone must be rooted to instal recovery.
Rooting in only relevant the first time you need to instal recovery as all custom ROMs come pre-rooted with Superuser also preinstalled.

@Happymegaman

Yes a flash with SEUS (repair), will reformat the phone re-installing all files and removing root access.
Only a couple of small files are added to the phone in the root process, these will be removed with a fresh instal of SE GB.

Swyped from my CM7-ZMOD 2.3.5 X10i

Help!
I have tried to root my X10i (2.3.3) as told in the tutoril but missed out the first step..– (Enable Unknown Sources (Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Unknown Sources) & USB debugging (Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB Debugging) on your Xperia X10. ) Now my phone wont go past the SE logo. I know im a plonker but can you help ?

Ignore the above. Have got it fixed. Thanks.

hi,,,i`ve been using xrecovery to update or downgrade my x10...but this time i downloaded a custom rom whose file name was update.zip so in xrecovery i selected install update.zip from SD card. But when after wiping cache formating...i restarted my cell but it got stuck on SE logo...xrecovery isnt working. I tried to repair using pc companion but it said that "No software available for your phone". My phone is totally dead now. I`ve been repairing my X10 using pc companion bt its not working now. Can I install any rom in flashmode using flashtool?? or by some other method..?? I dont know how to install a custom rom by using flashtool. I just installed xrecovery using this software.!!! for God sake plzz help me...!! Thanx

That's fantastic. You da man !