I'm plan to install custom rom MooDed ICS for my arc. For those who used this rom, can it update new version via over the air (OTA) or need repeat installation for new version via CWM recovery?

Thanks.

If you're using stock ICS rom, the lock screen will rotate back to portrait mode although the phone is on landscape mode before lock screen kick in.

Maybe some custom home launcher have landscape lock screen setting, I think you can find some at android market.

I'm using MooDeD 80.8 too, if you select "Trebuchet" home launcher, you can rotate to landscape at home screen, but when lock screen kick in, lock screen will change to portrait.

You can try download from this link. I'm followed these instructions and successfully unlock bootloader.
http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-unloc...c-play-neo-pro/

.431 firmware got a lot of bugs (dealer lag, camera slow record, etc). .587 firmware (most of bugs in .431 resolved) much much better than .431. I'm happy with my xperia arc with rooted .587 firmware.

You can use swap method to simulate extra memory.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1821071

Edit:
You can use "Titanium Backup" to backup those apps u going to uninstall. Uninstall one app each time then reboot, check the phone whether perform normal or not. Repeat same step for next app. You can uninstall a lot of boatware by this way, but take a lot of time trial and error. You can freeze the app if you have paid version Titanium Backup.
You can use this list as a guideline to check which apps suitable to remove without impact phone stability, but the list are not up to date for ICS.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1089470

This post has been edited by pc-ox: Sep 26 2012, 01:06 PM

Which kernel are you using now? Custom? Stock?
Sometimes kernel can cause this issue.

Even check "USB debugging", still can't connect to computer?

If your phone bootloader unlocked. You can try install kernel by using fastboot method. Turn off phone, press and hold "menu" button then connect USB to computer. The side LED will turn to blue color (in fastboot mode).

This is a case (USB can charge, but can't connect to pc) from Sony forum. Not sure your case similar to this one? You tested your phone with other computer?
http://talk.sonymobile.com/thread/50440?start=0&tstart=0

Answer replied from Sony forum members, it look like something related to windows problem, not the phone. My one OK with Win XP, Win 7 32bit and Win 7 64bit.

So, currently you can browse your SD card, but when use Flashtool, the Flashtool can't detect your phone?
Try re-install ADB driver again.

Rooting procedures:-
1) Install Flashtool. Flashtool file can get from:-
http://androxyde.github.com/

2) After install Flashtool, install ADB driver from Flashtool\drivers folder (file name: Flashtool-drivers). Make sure check the component "Sony Ericsson Xperia arc,...drivers" during Flashtool driver installation.

3) (Optional) Flash 4.1.B.0.587 firmware using Flashtool (see Flashtool procedures below). (This step is optional if your phone already in 4.1.B.0.587 firmware).
(LT15i 4.1.B.0.587 Generic Global World) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1836071
(LT18i 4.1.B.0.587) http://hotfile.com/dl/167361348/43349db/LT...716%29.ftf.html

4) Flash 4.1.B.0.431 downgrade kernel using Flashtool (see Flashtool procedures below). (file name: 1_lt18i_4.1.B.0.431_kernelDowngrade.ftf)
https://www.box.com/s/ivau06ox4wu4p4p8y3ch
Remark: After reboot, will get a lot of error messages. Ignore it. Go to Menu\Settings\Developer options, then check "USB debugging". After that, go to Menu\Settings\Security, check "Unknown sources".

5) Root the phone with DooMLoRD rooting toolkit.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1601038

6) Flash back 4.1.B.0.587 kernel using Flashtool (see Flashtool procedures below).
Arc kernel only: http://minus.com/l2nHaaZknNLkx
Arc S kernel only: http://minus.com/lbmSo2ZcMtQban

7) Done. your phone should be rooted with 4.1.B.0.587 firmware now.


Flashtool procedures:-
1) Launch Flashtool program. [Don't click on the Flashmode (Thunder icon)]

2) Drag and drop the *.ftf (firmware or kernel files in ftf format) into Flashtool main window and the Flashmode window will automatically open with the *.ftf file.

3) Check "No final verification" at bottom right of Flashmode window and click "OK".

4) A messages pop-up (1-Unplug the device,...,4-Plug the USB cable). Turn off phone, press and hold "BACK" button, then connect the phone to computer.

5) It will start flashing the firmware or kernel.

6) Once completed, disconnect phone from computer.

7) Close Flashtool program.

This post has been edited by pc-ox: Dec 1 2012, 11:19 AM

ICS upgrade already available for Malaysia. You can update phone through PC Companion or SE Update service.

Do you turn-off your phone before press and hold "back" button, then connect usb to computer?
If still can't update through PC Companion, use SE update service (download from SE website).

Flash stock rom or custom rom?
For custom rom, normally it requested unlocked bootloader, but some custom rom can flash with locked bootloader.
You can refer xda developers forum, there got a lot of custom rom for arc/arcs.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=965

You can refer Post#2067 in this thread for firmware 4.1.B.0.587 rooting procedures.

Very tough question because each custom rom required a bit different flashing method. You need to go to particular custom rom thread, rom developer will post their best method to flash their rom.

You need do some study first before flash custom rom. General things like:-
1) Unlocked bootloader
2) Custom Kernel
3) ClockworkMod Recovery
4) Particular custom rom

Flashing custom rom not as easy as flashing stock rom, it required some knowledge. But still not too hard if you have basic idea which I mentioned above.

If you go custom rom, you might encounter bootloop issue or app bug (can't run or force close). You better backup your previous workable rom in case something happen, so you can restore previous rom.

Your bootloader unlocked or locked?

If unlocked bootloader and custom kernel (CWM included) installed, boot to CWM and install the custom ROM again. Make sure follow the procedures provided by developer.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread...cked+bootloader

If locked bootloader and stock kernel, flash stock firmware (.587) with flash tool and root again. Then install custom ROM using this guide.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1955248

Flash stock firmware with flash tool first, then flash custom ROM again. Please browse post# 2067 & 2099, you can get all download link there.

Currently, I'm using custom kernel + rooted stock firmware.

I can't recommend which the best custom ROM since I not using them. You need read through the users feedback for each custom ROM thread (xda-developer website).

I used few custom ROM before. This is own experinces and opinions, I can't denied some custom ROM are fast and smooth, but at the same time it create some bugs at certain area. I encountered GPS software lag at some custom ROM, bootloop issue during upgrade, etc. Some ROM developer updated their ROM too frequent, they not resolve previous bugs and continue add new features, new bugs with new features.

At the end, I choose go back to stock firmware and rooted it, remove all unwanted apps, applied themes from other xperia model. I'm happy with all modifications which I applied to stock firmware, it run smooth and all apps run fine for my daily use.

As conclusion, you need to try custom ROM by yourself and see whether suit for your need or not. Sometimes, you need to try few custom ROM before you can find the best ROM for your need.

This post has been edited by pc-ox: Dec 15 2012, 08:55 PM

This is quite normal for smartphone nowadays.

Battery drain fast can be many factors.
Your phone running stock ROM or custom ROM? Some custom ROM's battery life not so good.
What's your phone setting? If you set everything in maximum (brightness, live wallpaper, etc), sure the battery drain more faster.
Any app running background while in sleep mode? Check what app drain more battery from setting page. Study your battery drain from app first, then decide the solution.

Use this method to test your battery drain. Charge your phone to 100%, then leave your phone in sleep mode for 2 or 3 hours. Check your battery percentage after 2 or 3 hours, if battery percentage around 96-98%, the battery drain consider quite normal. If battery percentage drop more than 10-15%, then battery drain too fast, go to setting page and look the battery status, check which app drain most battery.