DRM Keys - what's to lose? - Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini, Mini Pro, Xperia Pro, A

before you go into sarcasm-mode and start posting lmgtfy links, I've read this and this, but I need more info.
So, what's to lose by unlocking my bootloader using the official method?
Unlocking with the Test Point didn't work and it's getting on my nerves. Every tutorial I've read, and every video I've watched, all followed step by step, word by word, didn't work for my phone, but that's not relevant now.
Most of the time people say TrackID and Gracenote Music Info services (which I can't use anyways) cease to work without DRM keys, but some members have reported otherwise. I don't use/buy/have DRM'd content so I'm not worried about that.
All in all, it seems I stand to lose nothing, and being able to flash whatever I want seems so damn worth a try.
eagerly waiting for your answers

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ur ri8 dude!!!
INDEED THERE IS NOTHING TO LOSE AND UNLOCKING BY OFFICIAL METHOD IS FAR MORE SAFE AND EASY
Hell wid DRM Keys

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Thanks for your input, bud :good:
However, due to a very restricted mobile data cap (no DSL/Cable here), I'll have to wait till tomorrow. Not because of the unlock procedure, it's just I don't have any custom ROM worth flashing at the moment, and most of them are 100mb+
Hopefully, more members will drop by and post some thoughts (yeah, thoughts, because there seems to be no end-all-be-all concensus on this).

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Well i'll make also oficial one and after month of use still dont missing nothing.
Sent from my ST15i using xda app-developers app

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Try out cm10 with KrSH kernel
Enjoy d benefit of unlocking bootloader
Sent from my ST15i using xda premium

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redij59 said:
Try out cm10 with KrSH kernel
Enjoy d benefit of unlocking bootloader
Sent from my ST15i using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my only "reliable" phone at the moment and I want it to stay that way, so CM10 remains a no-go until it's stable enough for a daily driver.
BTW, I don't feel like I'm missing anything from JB right now. Quite a bunch of it's new features are merely internet services (which sucks in my area). Don't care that much about Project Butter either 'cause my XMP is smooth enough already

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Pixelado said:
before you go into sarcasm-mode and start posting lmgtfy links, I've read this and this, but I need more info.
So, what's to lose by unlocking my bootloader using the official method?
Unlocking with the Test Point didn't work and it's getting on my nerves. Every tutorial I've read, and every video I've watched, all followed step by step, word by word, didn't work for my phone, but that's not relevant now.
Most of the time people say TrackID and Gracenote Music Info services (which I can't use anyways) cease to work without DRM keys, but some members have reported otherwise. I don't use/buy/have DRM'd content so I'm not worried about that.
All in all, it seems I stand to lose nothing, and being able to flash whatever I want seems so damn worth a try.
eagerly waiting for your answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe there's at least a slight change of retaining your warranty if you unlock it via TP method, since you can relock it while still having DRM keys intact, where unlocking with official method, you leave significantly bigger footprint (SE site + no DRM keys), and there's no way Sony will cover any hardware damage to your phone afterwards.
And about TrackID, i never used it, and I consider it nothing more than a bloatware

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Nothing but this
Hi budd
1st :: DRM and S*** like that I guess can be replaced with SoundHound or Shazam
2nd :: As for Warranty ,hmm ,I unlocked my XMP 30 minutes after I bought it:laugh: ,Warranty is only for software or Factory building Mistakes ,it does't cover any hardware damage if it's done by you (I don't know if this is the situation in your country),so no need to it(as you're gonna pay to have it fixed if it got broken) ,every software problem is fixable be flashing a stock .ftf
3rd :: The only concern is This
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But I think FlashTool Is more than Enough ,It can do the same functions as PC Companion and SUS ,and even have a lot more than that ,(+ a Log):good:
4th :: on the long term ,UnLocked Bootloader gives you a lot of Flexibility
Like U don't have to root after Flashing Stocks ,just flashing Kernels will do ,custom Kernels ,CWM ..... etc etc:victory:
Try Real ICS r5.2 with KrSH Kernel 3.0
Or Stock .431 firmware with MESA 1.6
These are great Mix I think:highfive:
Or you can Flash FXP-132
Happy UnLocking & Flashing

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Now you can use trackID without any DRM on your phone. I agree with Un.Knowen trackID is garbage it could barely recognize my songs.
For my part I suggest real ICS lite r2 + KrSH Kernel V2! For stability and battery life
voyé dépi on ti SK17i!!

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Pixelado said:
Unlocking with the Test Point didn't work and it's getting on my nerves. Every tutorial I've read, and every video I've watched, all followed step by step, word by word, didn't work for my phone, but that's not relevant now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just last week used the test point method to unlock the bl of my Mini (ST15i). I was having a ton of issues and totally unable to go through with it using the tool under Windows 7 but when i booted into Windows XP, was able to accomplish it in the first go, so that's a consideration as well. I'd still recommend you give it one more shot but only for the following reason, not the DRM keys
Un.Knowen said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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rahimali said:
I just last week used the test point method to unlock the bl of my Mini (ST15i). I was having a ton of issues and totally unable to go through with it using the tool under Windows 7 but when i booted into Windows XP, was able to accomplish it in the first go, so that's a consideration as well. I'd still recommend you give it one more shot but only for the following reason, not the DRM keys
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No matter what tho, flashtool always saves the day so really, no point. I mean one more go sure but if you run into problems then meh who cares more on to the official method.

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Un.Knowen said:
Hi budd
2nd :: As for Warranty ,hmm ,I unlocked my XMP 30 minutes after I bought it:laugh: ,Warranty is only for software or Factory building Mistakes ,it does't cover any hardware damage if it's done by you (I don't know if this is the situation in your country),so no need to it(as you're gonna pay to have it fixed if it got broken) ,every software problem is fixable be flashing a stock .ftf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree, i had hardware damage, got it repaired free of charge thanks to warranty.
Un.Knowen said:
Try Real ICS r5.2 with KrSH Kernel 3.0
Or Stock .431 firmware with MESA 1.6
These are great Mix I think:highfive:
Or you can Flash FXP-132
Happy UnLocking & Flashing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Real ICS is basically stock rom with mods installed... I have already almost all of those mods installed on my stock rom Also, i believe you can install RealICS on device with locked bootloader.
Only reason i would ever consider unlocking bootloader would be to put better kernel (better: i would expect at least 20% performance boost, and longer battery life), or perhaps some bug-free version of JB

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Keeping a locked bootloader just for the sake of using OTAs and official updates is just silly IMO. It's not like Sony delivers updates faster than this community does, right?
Well, screw DRM, I'll do it tonight

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I used test point method with omnius during free easter holiday promotion.
Managed to do it myself. Don't be confused with no indication or visible sign that test point is pressed. Just connect dot and sim card holder, remove connection, plug phone and send unlock by program. (from my memory). That's it. Yes and drivers.
Now I'm free (unlocked bootloader) and DRM still there. Best combination.
You loose repair with pc companion or updater also.
Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 2

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loCe45 said:
I disagree, i had hardware damage, got it repaired free of charge thanks to warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well ,I was saying if your warranty is SoftWare Only (like me) ,then FlashTool Is all you need ,If it was Hardware (Not just Factory Mistakes) then it's worthy thinking about
---------- Post added at 05:54 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:51 PM ----------
vr5411 said:
You loose repair with pc companion or updater also.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No You Don't if you used Test.Point Method ,See the Picture I Attached Above
I took it from official sony blog
---------- Post added at 06:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ----------
Pixelado said:
It's not like Sony delivers updates faster than this community does, right?
Well, screw DRM, I'll do it tonight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That Is the sweet of Android ,that It have a community Like this:good:
ViVa XDA:highfive:
any way ,try the Test.Point Method ,Make sure you Installed every Driver
PS : some times it just doesn't work ,shows error in s1tool
when that happens use another computer (Friend ,Relatives ,etc)or format yours
you need a system that doesn't have a previous installation of any sonys progs or s1tool
I think It's a Complicated Drivers Mix issue ,It faced this issue twice ,but any way I formated the system part of my Laptop and that solved the problem (FormatAholic + FlashAholic)
Oh ,See those Yummies :
Lasan Mods||Walkman Player||NXT apps||NXT For MDPI||Xperia S Fonts||Xperia S Home Launcher||Beats.By.Dre and sound Impovment
ps ;If you want to flash them all and got bootloop ,PM me (I figured how to do'em all)
Thank Every Contributor for their contributions:good:
By the Way ,Thanks For The Links in your signature Pixelado

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Well, I'm free now
Running Rage kernel v3.2. I don't think I'll go full-force with custom ROMs though.

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Pixelado said:
Well, I'm free now
Running Rage kernel v3.2. I don't think I'll go full-force with custom ROMs though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Congratulations Mate
Good for you

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thanks.
BTW I already have most of the mods you listed (or at least some similar alternatives), but I feel like I could use a new dialing screen

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What if I unlock my bootloader with sony and for some reason I need the warranty, then I relock bootloader. What will happen if I send it to the store?

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amnher said:
What if I unlock my bootloader with sony and for some reason I need the warranty, then I relock bootloader. What will happen if I send it to the store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The store will repair it under warranty...
And after relocking the bootloader... Your warranty will be back