How to install Android 2.3.7 on Sony Ericsson X8

 

This tutorial is about how to get Android 2.3.7 for your Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

Download these files first:

SuperOneClickv2.1.1-ShortFuse.zip 

xRecovery0.1 

Root Explorer v2.18.apk

GingerXperiaV10.zip

First step is to:
Root, Install & Use xRecovery on Xperia X8

Step 1: Root your Xperia X8 ('How to ROOT your Android in seconds' watch this for video tutorial)
- download and unzip SuperOneClickv2.1.1-ShortFuse to PC Desktop
- connect Xperia X8 to PC (Do not mount)
- on your phone [goto] [setting] [applications] select [unknown sources]
- on your phone [goto] [setting] [applications] [development] select [usb debugging]
- Launch SuperOneClick, click [Root]
- If it ask something about Busy Box just click Yes
- you will see - [not successful - is your phone software higher than 2.0?]
- click [yes] and then [success] & [test su] message
(this last part might not appear the same as It's written here, so just use your common sense to get through)

If you are successful in ROOTING your phone - SuperUser app will be installed to your Xperia X8.
If you are not successful:-
(a) check your PC [devices] [usb] to see if your phone is recognized by your PC (troubleshoot PC driver problem)
(b) [usb debugging] in your Xperia X8 phone settings enabled?
Then [Launch] [SuperOneClick] and try again.

Install any File Manager from Android Market, such as Astro File Manager.


Step 2: Mount Xperia X8 (to access SD Card)
- copy [Root.Explorer.v2.16.apk] to root of SD Card
- using PC create folder [xRecovery] and unzip xRecovery0.1.rar
- put the 3 files into the xRecovery folder you've created
- copy the xRecovery folder to root of SD Card

Step 3: UnMount Xperia X8 from PC

Step 4: Launch [Astro File Manager] Install [Root Explorer v2.16.apk]

Step 5:
- Launch [Root Explorer]
- scroll down to /sdcard [click to access]
- scroll down to xRecovery folder [click to access]
- Select each of the 3 files (one by one) [click & hold] [copy]
- [click] parent folder (twice)
- scroll down to [click to access] [system]
- [click to access] [bin] and [click] [Mount R/W] (R/W as in Read/Write)
- press [paste] button

Now your Phone should be rooted and ready to install your Android 2.3.7

Step 1: Make a backup copy of your Android Eclair 2.1 using xRecovery
- check that your phone's SD Card has at least 650MB of free space
[SD card free space is to hold both your phone original backup ROM and the 2.3 ROM]
- shutdown your X8 and wait 5 seconds and then [reboot] your phone.
- when you see the words [Sony Ericsson] on the phone screen, start pressing the back button on your phone multiple times and you will enter the xRecovery Menu.
- select [backup and restore] [backup] from the menu

NOTE:
- This will create a backup file in your SD Card [SD/xRecovery/backup]
- After you have completed the backup using xRecovery, it will return to the menu screen.
- Now choose [reboot] - your X8 phone should restart

Step 2: Download GingerXperia ROM (something you probably already did with the links above)
- [mount] your Xpedia X8 and copy this file [GingerXperiaV8.zip] into SD card
- [unmount] and shutdown your Xpedia X8

Step 3: Installing the 2.3.7 ROM on your Xperia X8
- [boot] Xperia X8
- when you see the words [Sony Ericsson] on the phone screen, start pressing the back button on your phone multiple times and you will enter the xRecovery Menu.
- [select] [factory reset (full wipe)]
- scroll down and hit [install custom zip]
- select [GingerXperiaV8.zip] from your SD card & hit [yes]
- xRecovery will start to install the 2.3.7 ROM on your phone.
- when it is done, xRecovey will go back to the startup menu
- [click] [reboot]

If you are stuck in the GingerXperia startup screen for more than 5 minutes, just try restart the phone and It should be fine. Took me 2 restarts before the new ROM took action.

Source:
This tutorial originally came from www.androidforums.com and has been slighty modified to make it more clear and easy for unexperienced people.

RESTORING THE Official Android Eclair 2.1.1 ROM

- [shutdown] wait 5 seconds [reboot] Xpedia X8
- when you see the words [Sony Ericsson] on the phone screen, start pressing the back button on your phone multiple times and you will enter the xRecovery Menu.
- [select] [factory reset (full wipe)]
- scroll down and hit [backup/restore] [restore]
- you should see your original 2.1 backup ROM
- [select] [2011-10-xx.xx.xx.xx.ROM] [restore] [it should look something like 2011-05-06.21.01.23]
- xRecovery will start to install the original 2.1.1 ROM [the ROM you've backed up in Step 1] from your phone's SD Card.
- when it is done xRecovey will go back to the startup menu
- [click] [reboot]

 

p/s : This tutorial is at your own risk