New questions (i think) about unbranding

I've looked at this forum for answers to some of my questions, but I haven't had any luck.

Here are my questions:

1.What is the difference in the R8BA024_RED52, R8BE001_RED52 & the R6BA020_RED52 and so on? I understand that they are different versions of the firmware. But does it matter which one I use?

2. I understand that people who use the internet and MMS on there phones have to go to the Sony Ericsson site to get the settings for those things. I do not use MMS, Internet or anything like that on my phone, yet. So after rebranding, will I need to do anything like that? I have read a lot of people having a "Configuration Error" when they turn on the phone. I want to try and avoid that.

3. What are the Custom Packs? And what are the differences in them i.e., HB1-06_Gen_CDA102568_106_R8A_GENERIC_AMERICA_1 & Laura_i_CDA102774_20_R1A_Generic_Trade_USA

4. XS++ or SE Tool Lite? Which is better?

5. One final question. Like I said earlier, I don't use internet on my phone yet. But if I want to later will flashing my phone to the Sony Ericsson firmware cause me to not be able to use Pandora internet radio. http://www.pandora.com/att This is my only concern.

6. What's the difference between flashing and patching?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this and answer my questions.

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1.What is the difference in the R8BA024_RED52, R8BE001_RED52 & the R6BA020_RED52 and so on? I understand that they are different versions of the firmware. But does it matter which one I use?

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Newer Firmwares Have Lesser Bugs Than Others. It Is Always Recommended To Use Latest.

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2. I understand that people who use the internet and MMS on there phones have to go to the Sony Ericsson site to get the settings for those things. I do not use MMS, Internet or anything like that on my phone, yet. So after rebranding, will I need to do anything like that? I have read a lot of people having a "Configuration Error" when they turn on the phone. I want to try and avoid that.

3. What are the Custom Packs? And what are the differences in them i.e., HB1-06_Gen_CDA102568_106_R8A_GENERIC_AMERICA_1 & Laura_i_CDA102774_20_R1A_Generic_Trade_USA

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Your 2nd And Third Questions Are Interlinked. First, After Rebranding, You Wont Have To Install Settings. "Configuration Error" Is Due To Custom Packs. CustomPacks Are Flashing Finalizers Which Are Responsible For Network Communication. Installing Them Correctly Wont Create Trouble.

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4. XS++ or SE Tool Lite? Which is better?

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Both Are Good. I Personally Use XS++ To Flash And Finalize And SeTool To Apply Patches. Heres My XS++ Step By Step Guide: XS++ 3.1 Guide-Flashing,Customizing,Recovering - Top Sony Forums

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5. One final question. Like I said earlier, I don't use internet on my phone yet. But if I want to later will flashing my phone to the Sony Ericsson firmware cause me to not be able to use Pandora internet radio. Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music This is my only concern.

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It Wont. You May Use It Even After Reflashing But You Need To Put Correct Settings(Ask Your Operator).

Is their a way to backup the AT&T firmware before attempting this? Can XS++ do that?

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Originally Posted by detonator

Is their a way to backup the AT&T firmware before attempting this? Can XS++ do that?

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Making It Simple NO.

Interesting. It seems like any type of software would be "backupable" :p with the right software.

I really want to do this. I just don't want to get stuck with a brick that I just paid for and received in the mail. I don't understand AT&T's point in disabling flash themes, :30+ MP3 ringtones, etc.

I bought a W550 two years ago. Two weeks later I accidentally jumped in a pool with it in my swim trunks. I forgot it was there. I didn't have insurance. I was stuck using a very old phone for the next 2 years. I don't want a repeat.

I guess I just need to decide if this is worth it.

You can enable flash themes and MP3 ringtones by creating and copying "customize_upgrade.xml" to the phone using XS++ or FAR manager, without touching ANYTHING ELSE on the firmware. After you have done this, should you need to send the phone back for service, it is virtually impossible to tell you made these changes unless someone spends 10 minutes to check for it.

You can find info on flash themes on the net easily.


To enable MP3 ringtone, the code is:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<customization xmlns:scs="http://scs.sonyericsson.net/xsd/CDAGInput.xsd">
<drm>
<settings>
<enable-ringtoneplayer-mp3>true</enable-ringtoneplayer-mp3>
</settings>
</drm>
</customization>

Ok, let me see if I have the right files for debranding. I'm on the east coast of North America. I have these files:

W580_R8BA024_MAIN_GENERIC_LA_RED52.rar
w580_r8ba024_fs_america_2_red52.rar

Laura_i_CDA102774_20_R1A_Generic_Trade_USA.zip OR
HB1-06_Gen_CDA102568_15_R8A_GENERIC_AMERICA_1.zip

Do i have the correct files? Also, what is the difference in these two custom packs?

W580_R8BA024_MAIN_GENERIC_LA_RED52.rar
w580_r8ba024_fs_america_2_red52.rar Is Fine And You Should Use AMERICA_2 Rather Than AMERICA_1 As Custom Since Your FS Is AMERICA_2. Else Its Fine.

North American FS is supposed to go with North AMerican Main (at least that's how they are when the phones leave the factory for the north american market):

W580_R8?????_MAIN_NAM_1_LA_RED52

But people have been using GENERIC with american FS and it seems fine.

Ok, I am trying to find the file W580_R8BE001_MAIN_NAM_1_LA_RED52.rar

I cannot find it anywhere. I know it is here in the downloads section, but I don't have access yet to it. I'm not going to ask for it, because I know that is against the rules.

I think I'm going to go with the R8BE001 Firmware because it's newer. Ok, i have these files now:

W580_R8BE001_FS_AMERICA_1_RED52.rar




Which one of these Custom Packs should I use? They are very similar in name.


HB1-06_Gen_CDA102568_106_R8A_GENERIC_AMERICA_1.zip

or

HB1-06_Gen_CDA102568_15_R8A_GENERIC_AMERICA_1.zip



So after I figure out which Custom Pack is the one I need, all I will need is W580_R8BE001_MAIN_NAM_1_LA_RED52.rar