ASK: Reinstall Using PCC

[Key14]

Hello I have some questions for you guys.

Firstly, let me tell you my device. I have Xperia M2 Dual (a used phone), The owner said that it has never been rooted, and the boot loader is locked.

He used it for a week. I couldn't find anything bad from this phone (until now). But, it is hard for me to believe it. I've read on internet recently that if your device's system has been modified, you will not be able to get any update notification on your device (but I got notification 18.0.B.1.23).

Question:

1. Is it possible to have the update notification if the previous owner made a small changes to the system (compiling bad codes, etc) and unrooted the device?
2. Is it possible for me to fully reinstall (flashing?) my device to an official / original stock rom using PCC?
3. Will I lose my DRM or TA Partition if I reinstall it by using PCC?
4. If it is possible for me to reinstall it, is it fully reinstalled? I mean the rom and kernel back to M2's original as if it is bought from the store?

Thanks Sorry for the bad English. I hope I can do it (reinstall) officially. It is like a brand new phone for me

Key

[Thommo · Accepted solution]

1. Yes but if rooted etc then it will fail

2. Yes either run a repair using PCC or manual flash using a .ftf firmware file and flashtools

3. No but they will already be lost if the bootloader is unlocked

4: Same as question 2

[Key14]

Thanks for your reply, Thommo 

I'm about to download the update (18.0.B.1.25) first, and then reflash the stock using PCC by selecting "repair my phone / tablet"

Is it necessary? Should I upgrade it first then reinstall it? or all I need to have a fresh room/kernel is just to repair the phone?

Thanks,

Key

[Thommo]

Performing a repair will install the latest available firmware for your phone or perform a full factory re-install of the current firmware - which should be 4.3 which is what my spare is using

[Key14]

:'D I allready did it as an Update not as a repair and it takes a long time to finish. It has been 5 hours for having 92%.

And it is interupted when it is on 90% but when I pressed retry, it started to download again. Hopefully, it doesnt make something bad with my phone.

Have you ever try to unroot this device and put it back to stock room by using PCC?

edited:

Thanks for your help. I'm able to update my M2, I updated to the latest firmware.

Then, when I try to choose the repair option after updated the phone, it doesnt download the firmware just like before (which takes approximately 5 hours). I thought I have to download the firmware once more :'D The boot animation took a long time and it made me nervous.

So, whenever I want to repair the phone using PCC, I don't need to download those file anymore (the blob files etc. if I'm not mistaken), it stays on my computer, right?

Thanks
Key

[Thommo]

Yes they do unless an update is released then those files will be over written

[Thommo]

To unroot you need Flashtools and a .ftf firmware file which is need to perform a manual flash as PCC will fail due to modified software been detected - But if PCC has complete then your phone isn't rooted and the bootloader is locked - You don't need to unlock your bootloader to root the M2

Use Towelroot (Search for it via your phone and click on the red symbol) download and install then run the app and click on Make it rain then the phone will reboot - Then after using Towelroot go to the play store install SuperSU perform another reboot and job done

[Key14]

I see. So, I have to decrypt the blob file to make the FTF

I've heard about Towelroot from XDA. I'm not thinking about rooting my android since I haven't got any problem yet. But maybe one day, I will root this device.

Thanks Thommo for your help

[Thommo]

This may help (Ignore the title as it's the process you need to follow and is the same for all Xperia devices) in understanding how to create a .ftf firmware file for future offline use using Flashtools