Storage space, rooting and upgrading question

[NJMorf]

Hi there.

I've got an Xperia Arc LT15i, on which I have the classic problem of the internal memory filling up and making it impossible to update apps like Facebook and Google Maps (I've usually got between 35-45 MB free space even after moving nearly everything I'm allowed to onto the SD card). I've been reading a number of web pages with instructions on how to get around this, but most or all of them require the phone to be rooted. I've only tried one rooting method, using the "Doomlord" script that seems to be part of most of the processes I've read, but it does nothing: when it tries to change settings on the phone and move data to the SD card, it reports that it doesn't seem to have permission.

I've looked at the instructions on http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/ (some of the procedures I've looked at say that you need an unlocked bootloader to root the phone) and it says that only some version of the LT15i can be unlocked. They give you a code to dial into the phone to access a hidden menu:

*#*#7378423#*#*

When I access the Service Info - Configuration menu, there's an entry that says "Rooting status: Bootloader unlock allowed: No" - it seems pretty evident that I've got a phone that can't be rooted, or at least this combination of model, OS, firmware and network provider don't allow it. Here are the specifics of the phone:

Xperia Arc Lt15i

SI number 1247-0090

Android version 2.3.4 (Gingerbread)

Build number 4.0.2.A.0.62

Kernel version 2.6.32.9-perf SEMCUser@SEMCHost #1

Baseband version 8X55A AAABQOAZM-203028D-64

Network provider: Orange UK (branded phone, supplied with Orange contract)

My questions are:

Do I absolutely have to root the phone in order to allow myself to move apps like Facebook onto the SD card?

If so, will I have to change the firmware in order to make my phone rootable?

Do I need to unlock the bootloader to change the firmware, or will changing the firmware unlock the bootloader?

Would it be possible to manually upgrade the phone to Android 4.x ICS in order to make it rootable/unlockable?

I'm not sure if I want to go to ICS on this phone: Sony haven't put it's SI number on the list for official OS upgrades yet, and based on previous conversations with Orange, I'm willing to bet that they won't be making any moves to push the ICS update themselves. Furthermore, I've read some reports suggesting that the Arc LT15i may be a little unsuited to ICS due to being a little underpowered compared to more recent handsets. Is this a fair assumption?

The whole storage issue is becoming a huge pain in the proverbial. I'd really appreciate any advice people can give me that helps me get around it.

Thanks in advance.

[halogenic_sky]

rollback to .42 firmware using the wotanserver site or flashtool, and then root directly using Doomlord's zergrush method, which is what you've probably already tried albeit against .62 firmware which won't happen - I'd then suggest using Link2SD as a workaround for the internal storage issue ( http://www.xperiablog.net/2011/12/12/link2sd-guide-never-worry-about-internal-memory-limits-again/) - answering your questions directly (1) you will need to root your phone to access system apps directly; (2) you will need to rollback or advance your firmware to root your phone; (3) unlocking your bootloader is a separate issue entirely and isn't necessary for what you're trying to achieve; (4) manually upgrading and rooting ICS is certainly possible (install .587 firmware, rollback to .431, root via a separate Doomlord tool (not zergrush), then flash the .587 kernel only using flashtool; (5) I can't comment on ICS as I'm waiting for more feedback before upgrading to .587, and incompatability with LINK2SD is a dealbreaker for me - on a separate note if memory management is a concern sysTune may help you out once you're rooted, specifically the renice settings which allow you to prioritise specific system processes such as your launcher, your browser, your dialpad, your texts etc., etc. - not more speed overall, but more speed where you need it...... and V6 Supercharger is worth a shout too......

Message was edited by: halogenic_sky - overlooked that you're tied to orange and not sure if you need to unlock your phone first, although wotanserver will allow you to do this but all of their services incur a fee unfortunately

Message was edited by: halogenic_sky - if trying to root .587 firmware use a specific guide from xda forums, as the .431 firmware needs to be the ready to root version - what you're doing in ballpark terms is installing .587 firmware and then temporarily downgrading your kernel to gain root access, although you may not be able to use your phone properly until you advance the kernel back to .587.

[NJMorf]

OK, thanks for that. I'll give it a go.