Share your experience!
Hello All,
It’s my first post here so bear with me if I’m not making much sense. I’m looking to get a comprehensive guide (or a least a few answers) to Android terminology so I understand better what I’m doing. I’ve got Xperia Arc S performance of which have just fallen of the cliff since ICS update. Even before the upgrade it was far from satisfying but now it's just painfully slow. For example opening Phone menu takes about 10 seconds and there is a few seconds lag after I initiate or end call. I previously owned Xperia X8 and it was performing better. I tried rebooting, closing all apps I’m not using, installed Task killer but none of that really helped. After reboot it is ok for a short while but as the day goes by it’s getting slower and slower.
The phone was bought in a Polish network Plus (T-Mobile PL now) and there was a lot of crap installed on it which I can’t get rid of. I suspect that flashing plain Android ROM (or some other stable ROM you can recommend) without any mobile provider “extras” would solve the issue but that’s where I need your help. In the past I successfully flashed Xperia X8 to Gingerbread or recently flashed HTC HD2 with ICS but I didn’t fully understand what I was doing. I know there is Google but could someone explain (or provide a link) to the following:
What unlocking bootloader means (I have checked it and I can unlock it on my Arc S) and what are the benefits of it?
What rooting means and what is the difference between unlocking bootloader and rooting?
Can I root my phone without unlocking booloader (and why would I want to do it)?
What are APKs and APIs?
Thanks
Solved! Go to Solution.
1.) http://www.android-does.com/android-101/android-bootloaders/
2.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_%28Android_OS%29
3.) no you need to root to unlock bootloader
4.) you may want to unlock your bootloader to install custom rom like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyanogenMod
5.) learn android terms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29, scroll to bottom and show the first bar.

welcome adro,
firstly,you dont need task killer...it kills apps and then the apps open itself...since you are on ICS,you can disable the bloatware you dont need such as Maps,TrackID,liveware,etc. in the settings..
read here to downgrade back to GB http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/35239?start=0&tstart=0
rooting means getting access to the root files in your phone in which you can alter...rooting can be done without unlocking bootloader 
1.) http://www.android-does.com/android-101/android-bootloaders/
2.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_%28Android_OS%29
3.) no you need to root to unlock bootloader
4.) you may want to unlock your bootloader to install custom rom like this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CyanogenMod
5.) learn android terms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29, scroll to bottom and show the first bar.

For lagging related problem i suggest you give software repair a try as it may enhance your experience
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Backup everything as it will erase all data on phone (sms, contacts,apps)
Update/Repair your phone via PCC or SUS
PCC (PC COMPANION) – Repair your software with this .First do the setup without connecting your mobile to pc.(only connect when you are asked to).
Do it as follow >> PCC > SUPPORT ZONE> SOFTWARE UPDATE> REPAIR SOFTWARE (written with blue)
PC Companion http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/tools/pc-companion/
SUS ( Sony Update Service) ... download and install it on pc and follow the on-screen instructions http://www-support-downloads.sonymobile.com/Software%20Downloads/Update_Service_Setup-2.11.12.5.exe
or
http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/tools/update-service/
Both the links are same
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Murphy_Idek Said it correct
You don't need to unlock bootloader in order to root
One person needs to unlock his bootloader only if he wants to install Custom kernels ( kernels other than Sony ) and nothing else
Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to give software repair a try and see if it helps. If it doesn't solve the problem I will root my phone and install generic Sony ROM. I just want to ged rid of all the apps I don't use and which I cannot uninstall. I will hold off with unlocking bootloader as I want to give Sony's software a chance before I jump onto custom ROM.
Just use flashtools to install generic stock Sony rom.
You don't have to unlock bootloader and anything drastic.
You can also disable apps in Android ICS.
http://www.guidingtech.com/11577/disable-stock-apps-in-android-ics/
I can't find the new list, but the old list is here: (the ones you can disable)