Android Bricked Xperia Play

[.Chris]

I have tried to flash a Kernel onto my Xperia Play (R800i), and I've failed. Now I cannot access the home launcher, it just shows up with a black screen, but the Status Bar is working. I can take screenshots, and load up other apps, such as GMail, or Facebook

Most of the time, whenever I boot up my Xperia Play, it will freeze at the "Sony Ericsson" screen. Is there a way to fix this? Maybe instead of fixing the Stock Rom, I can somehow Flash a Custom ROM using fastboot?

Also, if I flash a Kernel, how would I enter into recovery?

Thanks!

 

[SifJar]

If you can load other apps and everything else seems to work, it sounds like the problem is with your launcher. Try installing another one from the Play Store (if you can't access it on the device, just visit it in an internet browser on your computer and click "Install" on the page for some other launcher, provided your phone is connected to the internet it should automatically install after a minute or two. Alternatively, just email the URL to yourself and tap the link in the GMail app. It'll automatically open in the Play Store). Try something like Launcher Pro (there are plenty of other options too, just search "launcher" in play store).

Once installed, press the home button and it should either load the new launcher or else prompt you to choose which launcher you want to use. Select the new one. Hopefully that will work. Once that's working, you can work on getting the stock one working again if you want.

 

[.Chris]

@SifJar
I have tried that, it worked. But the Home Button does not work at all.

I have then tried to reboot my Xperia Play, but now it's stuck at the Sony Ericsson screen once again. I think it might be better to flash a Custom ROM, but I don't know how to do so. I have tried flashing this Kernel, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1804003 , but I don't know how to boot into Recovery.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Vampire Lied]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1239083
Note, I dont have xperia, just saw this and wanted to help.
A quick Google took me to xda of course. Looks like kernel and boot are stored in the same place. From what they say, you have to have both in the same img file. Hopefully my link helps. From what I understand, it looks like you overwrite the boot sector with just a kernel.
I didn't look at it extensively, but it looks like that thread might get u on track. Good luck.

 

[SifJar]

@SifJar
I have tried that, it worked. But the Home Button does not work at all.

I have then tried to reboot my Xperia Play, but now it's stuck at the Sony Ericsson screen once again. I think it might be better to flash a Custom ROM, but I don't know how to do so. I have tried flashing this Kernel, http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=1804003 , but I don't know how to boot into Recovery.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

It says in that thread to press "back" when the phone vibrates. That should get you into recovery (if you want to be sure, just turn on and then start rapidly tapping back), provided you flashed the kernel properly.

Failing that, you could use the recoveryPLAY.img available here: http://forum.xda-dev...d.php?t=1130639

Get into fastboot mode, then you can boot that image (although make sure you DON'T flash it) and you'll be in recovery.

EDIT: As Vampire Lied mentioned, recovery and kernel are both on the boot partition on the Play, unlike pretty much every other Android device, where the boot partition is just the kernel and recovery has a separate partition. That's why you need to flash a custom kernel on the Play to get a custom recovery.

 

[The Milkman]

Your Bootloader is unlocked right? If it is then I suggest reflashing the stock kernal, and downloading CWM and using that to install your custom rom.

Also with CWM all you have to do is tap the down volume button then your phone boots boom, a nice menu to enter recovery with.