[GUIDE]How to use Flashtool[Windows 7 /XP/Vista] - Sony Xperia P, U, Sola, Go

Hello guys , i was standing in front of my pc and looking newbies post "How to flash" How to Root" How to use Flashtool anything . So i decide to create a guide about that . Ok let's start. First of all we will need flashtool , go to the buttom of this page to find the download section .
1) How to install flashtool
a. Download it from the provided link
b. Run it
c. After installation complete we will need the drivers so move to C:/Flashtool/Drivers (Or where you install it) you will find a .exe file ,run it . Choose your phones drivers and the two last drivers for Fastboot/Flash mode .
d.You're done with installation
2) How to flash an official firmware
a. Download the .ftf file ( search on google if you can't find it )
b1.Put it on Flashtool/Firmwares folder
b2. Click the Flashtool icon on the program.
c. Choose Flash mode
d. Then you will see the .ftf files like this
e. Choose your .ftf file and click flash. Wait for that icon
After that you will need to put your phone on Flash mode .
3) How to flash a kernel .
a. First of all we will need a file like .elf , .img or .sin .
b. After you download the kernel . (If it's .rar you will find it inside , just extract it )
c. Go to flashtool , click the flashtool icon in the program and choose fastboot mode
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d.After that you will see a window like this
Click on "Select Kernel to Flash" and then find it . Don't forget to choose the destination type.
e.After that put your phone in Fastboot mode .
When you do that you will see on the screen if it's successfully installed.
4) How to root your phone .
a. Enable usb Debug mode ,you will find it on Settings->Developer Options->USB debugging.
b.Connect it via USB cable with your computer and let it install drivers .
c.After that you will see on flashtool a icon with a lock . Click it and choose superSU or supreruser.
(While phone is turned off)
If you wanna put your phone in Fastboot mode you just need to press volume "+" and plug the USB cable .
For Flashboot mode you press volume "-" and plug the USB cable .
I don't know about all models just for Xperia U , the others you can search it on google or send me message
--------------------------------------------UPDATE YOUR XPERIA U VIA SONY PC-COMPANION----------------------------------------------------------
As the title of the guide says update your sony xperia U via pc-c ,
First of all download the Pc-C from sony link Sony Link Pc-C
or install it from your phone , in settings>Xperia>Sony Pc-Companion says that after plug your phone to install the PC-C i'ts the same way.
After that if you know that your mobile supports official stock rom you can just connect your phone via usb or Wi-fi and start upgrading it, The instructions are easy and clear.
Downloads:
MediaFire folder.
That's all for today . I will add more guides later
TA BACKUP AND RESTORE! = XDA-Link
Credits for the link @ DevShaft
Cheeeers

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What is what (for newbies)
What is flashtool :
Flashtool is a desktop application that you can use to flash Sony software on your unlocked Xperia™ device. This is useful if you’ve for example flashed a custom ROM on your device, and want to go change to a standard Sony software. This flash tool can only be used by Xperia™ devices having an unlocked boot loader.
What is bootloader :
What Is A Bootloader?
In literal terms, bootloader is code that is executed before any Operating System starts to run. The concept of bootloaders is universal to virtually all Operating systems that inculcates operating systems on your PC, laptop, smartphones, and other such devices. Bootloaders basically package the instructions to boot operating system kernel and most of them also have their own debugging or modification environment. As the bootloader kicks off before any piece of software on your device, it makes it extremely processor specific and every motherboard has it’s own bootloader. This is one reason that all Android phones have different Custom ROMS developed due to high variance of processing hardware present on the device. The iDevices running iOS somewhat share the same hardware specs and hence you don’t see much variance in their bootloaders.
Android Bootloaders
Every Android phone has a bootloader that instructs the operating system kernel to boot normally. But you need to understand one thing here that as Android OS is an open source OS and is available on a variety of different hardware, every manufacturer has their own version of bootloader specific for the hardware present in it’s environment. We also saw couple of weeks back that Motorola packaged an “eFuse” command in their Android phones, which could brick (permanently turn off) your device in case you tried to flash a Custom ROM.
Why Is Bootloader Locked?
A bootloader is usually locked on an Android device because although it’s an open source OS, still the manufacturers want you to stick to their Android OS version specifically designed for the device. In order to apply this concept, manufacturers lock the bootloader. With a locked bootloader on Android devices, it is virtually impossible to flash a Custom ROM and forced attempts void warranty as well as usually end up in bricks. Therefore, the first step is to always unlock the bootloader.
Why To Unlock Bootloader On Android Devices?
The explanation to this question is really simple. If you want root, you’d be wanting to flash Custom ROM post-root, and if you want to install a Custom ROM, you’d need to have your stock bootloader unlocked. In simple terms Unlocking the bootloader allows you to install custom Firmware on your Android phone.
What is fastboot mode and flash mode :
Our Plays have two low-level ways of interacting with our computers. The first one is the Flash mode, which alllows us to install complete firmware packages in FTF packages. FTF stands for "FlashTool File", so we need to use the famous Flashtool with them. The second one is the Fastboot mode, which we can use for some maintenance operations. However, the important functions for us are related with kernels: Fastboot allows us to change the kernels of our devices.

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Bro, add TA backup and restore if possible, nice post anyway :good:

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I'll
nirajkaushik said:
Bro, add TA backup and restore if possible, nice post anyway :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TA? :S I will add how to flash roms / Or any other guide Now i am uploading the Firmware files of XU

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yes TA is also an essential feature of flashtool to backup TA files, so even if you root and unroot your phone and you want to send your phone to the service centre, you can restore your TA by flashtool to your phone and they won't be able to find out whether this phone was rooted earlier or not...

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very friendly software , easy to use

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Nice guide! You should also add as a note that this guide does not work with windows 8/8.1,it gives error in driver installation.There is another guide in our forums about how to do this in windows 8+

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MetalheadAndroid said:
Nice guide! You should also add as a note that this guide does not work with windows 8/8.1,it gives error in driver installation.There is another guide in our forums about how to do this in windows 8+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done bro

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nirajkaushik said:
yes TA is also an essential feature of flashtool to backup TA files, so even if you root and unroot your phone and you want to send your phone to the service centre, you can restore your TA by flashtool to your phone and they won't be able to find out whether this phone was rooted earlier or not...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll add it If you want any other guides i will too ))

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Heyi I followed your guide but am not able to install the drivers.
Am on Windows 8 Pro 64 Bit.
Edit : oh sorry.
Saw the info after posting that windows 8 not supported. My bad.
Sorry.
Sent from my SM-T311 using Tapatalk

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SArnab©® said:
Heyi I followed your guide but am not able to install the drivers.
Am on Windows 8 Pro 64 Bit.
Edit : oh sorry.
Saw the info after posting that windows 8 not supported. My bad.
Sorry.
Sent from my SM-T311 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my fault not yours so chill. Windows 8 btw sucks,i hate them

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bkpaokfc said:
This is my fault not yours so chill. Windows 8 btw sucks,i hate them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Update OP stating that windows 8/8.1 is still not supported.
And I like win8, but no offense every1 has his/her own preference.=)