SonyEricsson k800i firmware update/restore
SonyEricsson k800i firmware update/restore
The firmware update with XS++ gave me some problems at first. This document described the process of updating the k800i firmware and restore the file system after it became corrupt. This corruption was probably due to the use of the USB file transfer mode and not properly closing the file system. Note that the procedure described in here erases all the user data from your phone, including the installed applications and user data. So make sure you back-up important data! (of course the original SE games and applications will be restored).
The Basics:
Start XS++ and use the USB cable that came with your phone. Press "connect" in XS++ and while pressing the "C"-key on your phone connect the USB cable to your phone. Release the "C"-key after XS++ report that it is ready.
First thing XS++ asked was to update the EROM to CID version 52. The original version was 49. I thought it would be a good idea to update but beware that you cannot revert back to a previous CID! This also means that it is not possible to install main firmware for the old CID code. In hindsight I would not have changed the CED version because the original firmware could therefore not be restored.
Several attempts to flash the phone with only the main firmware or the file system with different revisions failed and I kept getting stuck with the "backlight problem"; once the backlight turned off, it did not come on after a key-press (only after a period of approx. 15 seconds but only if the keyboard or joystick kept untouched). This is quite annoying and I really didn’t want this. So in the end I decided to flash both the main firmware and file system. In the progress reverting back to my original R1ED001 revision of the software.
The files were downloaded from the Top Sony site (www.topsony.com thank you guys!!). In the downloads are I found the proper files:
- K800_R1ED001_MAIN_GENERIC_WI_RED52.mbn
- K800_R1ED001_FS_VFE_LIVE_1_RED52.fbn
After flashing the phone with these two files, I found that after turning on the phone I got an error about the menu.ml file. The result was that an icon was missing in the menu and I was not able to make video calls any more. Furthermore, I got stuck with some pre-programmed internet and WAP accounts for Belgium while I live in the Netherlands...
To solve these two problems I had to install a custom pack (also available from the download are at Top Sony). The original custom pack was at revision R14A but this file was not available so I decided to move to a higher revision. The file I ended up with was:
K800i_CDA102511_52_R15A_Generic_Trade_NL_Netherlan ds.zip
Fortunately XS++ keeps a log of everything that it reports and I therefore could find the original CDA code.
I found the original k800 menu in the download area with file name:
menu_original_k800.zip
After a new (complete) programming of the flash with the main firmware, the file system and the custom pack (including the correct menu) everything seemed to work. This file gave me back all my menus and what’s more, I also didn’t have any locked accounts for the internet access.
You can also put the menu file directly in the correct directory with the file option in XS++. The correct path for the menu file is:
<XS++ directory>\own_custpack\tpa\preset\system\menu
Finally, I found that I was not able to install .jad files. This turned out to be a problem of having the correct cerificate. I found the Thawte certificate including the .xml file (thawte+customize_upgrade.zip) necessary to install the certificate on the internet (sorry, I can’t remember where exactly) but for future reference I include it in this document).
customize_upgrade.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<customization>
<security>
<certificate>
<name>Thawte</name>
<type>x509</type>
<storage>java-3p</storage>
<datafile>thawte-ca.cer</datafile>
</certificate>
</security>
</customization>
<XS++ directory>\own_custpack\tpa\preset\custom
and the two files:
thawte-ca.cer
customize_upgrade.xml
Note that this only installs only one certificate. If you need additional certificates some changes to the .xml file are probably needed but I haven’t looked into that until now. Maybe I’ll follow up on that in the future. After installing this certificate my phone works as it should and I am a happy guy again :)
Hopes this helps some of you guys that might be struggling with the same problems.
Best regards,
wega51.
