Bootloader locked by O2

[alexgogan]

Hi,

Just wondering as to why the bootloader was locked by o2 on the Xepria Ray, as I would like to but the official beta ICS from Sony, but on their thread the only reason it would be locked would be from Operator request:

"certain releases of the phone model may not be supported due to operator restrictions. "

As it would be nice to play with the ICS on the device.

To check if the device is locked type this in the dialer

 *#*#7378423#*#*

Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.

Ok can flash another tool, but would rather go the official root for now >:¬}

[O2_Sheena O2 Team]

ICS hasn't been fully tested with our O2 products and services yet, so we can't have it open until we're sure their won't be severe conflicts. We'll have ICS out as soon as we can though.

[alexgogan]

Yes, but that doesn't explain the locked bootloader on the phone over 90% of them are unlocked throughout the world.

also the only realy critical things that would be of an issue to O2 would be the radio and network affects which are not changed

Thanks

[O2_Sheena O2 Team]

I'll ask the devices team if they have more info on this, I should have more details Monday or Tuesday

[Arm Gold Expert]

Sheena if customers decide to do this where does O2 stand on the warranty?

IF it voids the warranty using the official tool or an unofficial one will make no difference if someone chooses to do it.

Not sure I see the point in this release of ICS from Sony for the average user though as they have crippled it by removing features.

[O2_Sheena O2 Team]

Yes, I'm not sure how all that would work as it is a manufacturers warranty, so would it be voided if official?

I'm going to wait for confirmation on this one!

[Arm Gold Expert]

They have a ridiculous comment on the announcement that says it "may" void the warranty. It would be better to hear O2's take on this as although it is a manufacturers warranty, consumers contracts are with the seller

[O2_Sheena O2 Team]

It is very vague alright, I'd be worried too that if we haven't passed ICS on our side and a phone with ICS goes for repair, we may not be able to fully troubleshoot it

[alexgogan]

With something like this, if the physical device is still faulty then carrier or manufactuer claims that it is nolonger covered are not at issue here.

But then again when it comes to warrenty its another issue all together. And thats a thorny issue with me >:¬} had a device that was supposed to be collected and sorted months before it was then when gave in and just dropped in myself there was recent water damage to the device (have the original emails from O2) saying they will organise replacement device while mine gets fixed and they will call me. 5 months go by and nothing so drop it in myself and then told there is water damage (new) so nothing that can be done.

Legally there is not an issue would win hands down because of the time line, but can't afford to spend the time on it.

So back to the bootloader, if there is a physical defect on the device then there is nothing to prevent legally the carrier or manufactuer fixing or replacing the device, except their desire not ! Which from experieince is common >:¬}

The fact that ICS in beta form is available from offical sources and is wonderful so it can be tested and played with, that is one of the beauties of the Android experience, stating that ICS has not been tested on the network and is the reason for it been locked from my experience is not correct (well no technical reason as to requesting Sony to lock the bootloader) for fear of damaging the network.

Using that premis then it would be quite dangerious letting a brand new operating system connect to your data network for for it been untested >:¬}

[O2_Sheena O2 Team]

Here's the response received from Sony:

Hi,
We do not lock [the bootloader] down. However not all [software] versions on Ray are possible to unlock please see below:
http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions

One thing to note however if they do unlock their boot loader on their device it will invalidate the warranty.
Regards.

Hope that answers the question

[alexgogan]

Oh I know that method and an even scarier one, and half tempted to do it, but first waiting on a few tools >:¬} to fix my Galaxy S I that I was told was unfixable (total cost or part including shipping 2.97... of sweat labour still has has to be taken into consideration >:¬} then will try unlocking bootloader so atleast have a fall back phone.

Water damage to the usb power so hopefully can fix it then put back ICS on to it and sell it to envirophone for €185 >:¬}

Happy days

The problem with the link you provided, if you see in the screeny that I sent it shows that the answer is no, so the only way to do it safer (and better) is this one The better unoffical way to unlook xperia ray bootloader

But I either have lots of coffee before I try or none >:¬}

[Arm Gold Expert]

---

O2_Sheena wrote:
Here's the response received from Sony:

Hi,
We do not lock [the bootloader] down. However not all [software] versions on Ray are possible to unlock please see below:
http://unlockbootloader.sonymobile.com/instructions

One thing to note however if they do unlock their boot loader on their device it will invalidate the warranty.
Regards.

Hope that answers the question

---

Thanks for that Sheena. Completely expected response.

I think there is a couple of things here to note.

Whether or not the boot loader on a phone can be unlocked or not, there is no way any of the Networks will support this facility. If this is something you are interested in doing, do not buy a network branded phone.

On the warranty issue. There are several ways to return a phone to stock if you have rooted it but the manufacturers are building more and more ways into the firmware to detect such actions, such as flash counters.

If it is detected that you have unlocked the boot loader, your warranty is gone. You can argue over the legalities of it all you want or the rights and wrongs of it but that is the case.

Even on my Galaxy Nexus when you boot into recovery you get a very nice message reminding you if you change the recovery image or flash a new version of Android your warranty is gone. 

For anyone reading this thread that is new to this or considering this, IMO you would have to be crazy to unlock your boot loader to flash a crippled version of ICS.

I am 100% behind rooting and trying new versions of Android, as was mentioned above that is the beauty of Android but people should not be under the illusion that Networks will support this activity in any way or that manufacturers will stand over the device if something goes wrong. Both the Networks and OEM's have shown in the past that they actively try to prevent it and while some OEM's are providing easier ways now to unlock your Boot loader, they are only providing this under the premise that your warranty is voided.

[alexgogan]

Arm,

Could not agree more. yes you have to be careful and at your own risk without doubt. 

I just wanted to find out why the bootloader was locked, but like all threads they go in a different direction (very much helped by myself >:¬})

Ironic thing is with the Xperia Ray unlock proceedure .. the official one, its not the safest for the phone, where the unoffical on is.

On another issue one of the other reasons I wanted to do this was change the radio as the one we have is crap and the amount of dropped calls is massive, so would have to change the baseband to achive this (onec you mess with radios and do the wrong one all hell can break loose on the device I know, hence waiting till I replace the usb charger on my Galaxy S1

Regards