Please. Dummy instruction on how to reverse an android upgrade

[Tastyboi]

Hi

I have asked this question before a while ago and all I got was a bunch of links to other messages that were outdated, Or a bunch of instructions that really you could only understand if you knew what they were talking about.

I started this post to ask for help to reverse an Android upgrade I made over a year ago to my Xperia Arc S. I was very happy with it when using it from store bought. I think it was Android version 2.3. I went onto PC Companion one day and it suggested I upgrade the Adnroid, so I did. It upgraded to version 4.0.4. This had bascially rendered my phone unusable. It was so slow that my phone calls will divert to voice mail before the disply would come up. Plus a million and one other bugs it gave.

So I am desperate to return it to a lower Android version.

I think this means I have to root the phone. I think rooting the phone means accessing the core root folder as at store bought, it is locked from accessing...

I hope someone can help. But please keep it simple, like I'm a dummy. I've seen so many info flowing around and I can not understnad it...

Rooting is all I know. Terms I've seen that I just don't understand are:

bootlegger

flash tool

ftf files

I red on one post that the flash tool is used to root the device, but then I saw on another post that if you want to use the flash tool make sure you haven't rooted the device or ever want to root the device.

So please if we could use this post as a instruction guide for dummies on how to root your device and downgrade the android version.

Btw, I have already upgrade the phone to it most up to date. So please keep any info on updating away. Unless it is needed for the requested advice.

Thanks in advance.

[Uliwooly]

Check my thread

also check the photo guide 

[Uliwooly]

Even easier

Download and install flashtool > download the FTF file > follow the photoguide > done. 

[Tastyboi]

Ok, you see. This I could maybe follow. But what do you mean by done?

Do you mean the phone is rooted or it has reverted back to the Android version?

I checked your thread... I had seen it previously...

Why are there so many ftf files? Do I need them all? And can I presume the instructions on using them is in the flashtool program?

[Uliwooly]

It won't be rooted, once you are done flashing you will either 

downgraded to a previous android version or install a different update, that will be up to you and which FTF file you download 

[Tastyboi]

I'm going through your instructions and I can't find where to d/l the flashtool.

The androxyd page gives an error "404 There isn't a GitHub Page here."

The forum page takes me to another thread on a completely different site.. There is an item to download but it seems like it is an unzip program. That thread certainly isn't clear.

Sorry. If you think those instructions are easy to follow you are very much mistaken. You have put 2 links under the ftf file download for the Arc S. And they are not clear.... What do I actually download? Those likns takes to other threads with loads of other file and links to go to or download...

Seriously.

[Uliwooly]

https://github.com/Androxyde/Flashtool

[Tastyboi]

Sorry but you aren't helping at all...

That link takes me to what seems to be a web based file system. Nothing to download...

[Uliwooly]

You need to READ, check the website, you can check other places and you will be sent there to download flashtool, it's not so hard, just read

[Tastyboi]

I read, .. They are other forums talking like you...

There are so so many posts and so many links and so so so many files to download on those and these forums... Don't think its easy cause you know exactly what to look for!!!!

And this link https://github.com/Androxyde/Flashtool

Takes me to a page that is just like a file manager... Sorting through files... And there are loads of folders and files. Am I supposed to open one? I do not understand that site...

I have come on here because this Sony technicians ruined my phone.. I expect them to help me resotre it somehow. I should have to learn all these new sites and learn all these technical details.....