I like to debrand and flash my W810i (RED49, DB2010) to the latest generic Hong Kong firmware,
but I have no experience with this kind of stuffs.

I would really appreciate if someone can help me with these questions:

Which is the latest generic Hong Kong firmware for my W810i and where can I find it?
(The latest HK one I found is R4EA031, but I saw newer ones like R4ED001 and R4EK001 for the other regions)

Is XS++ most suitable for the job?

What is GDFS? Does "Backup GDFS" backup everything in the phone's flash memory including the MAIN and FS?

Do both the version and region have to match for the MAIN and FS files when flashing?

Is the "Customize File System" option always necessary when flashing?
Should I choose a "CDA and Region" matching the region of the MAIN firmware and FS file?
When would I need my own Cust Pack and where can I download them?
What is CDA and what kind of information does this customization contains anyway?

Should I always remove the SIM card and memory stick when using XS++ or only for certain operations?

Why does the "Service Info > Software Info" page in my phone says my firmware is R4EA031 when XS++ says the Firmware Version is R4ED001?

What does the official Sony Ericsson Update Service (SEUS) do that's different from flashing the latest firmware with XS++?

I don't need to unlock my phone for now, but would like to know if there is a way to unlock my phone (preferrably for free).
Also, will flashing my phone with a different firmware affects the ability to unlock my phone in the future?

Thanks.

read the forum and youll find the answers to all these questions!

Use R4EA031 if it is the one with HK.

XS++ for me is the most suitable for flashing.

GDFS is very important, you need to backup before you do anything. It is the last option if your phone gets bricked.

The main is normally just generic or china in your case probably but the fs and custom pack have to match.

Customizing is always needed otherwise you get a configuration error. W810 has inbuilt ones but maybe not for HK, check the Downloads section. Any 'model_' custom pack for HK will work. It needs to match fs. It is not important after flashing.

You don't have to remove SIM and memory card, that's just a precaution some people take. I used to take it, but don't anymore.

Try reflashing.

Don't use SEUS, only for the last option otherwise you get CID50 which can't be patch unlocked.

Yes you can unlock it using a patch. You can find how to do it on the forum.

I had been reading the forum for hours, and got some info here and there.
However, I am in a hurry because I have to give my old phone
to my mom who is going back to Hong Kong this Friday morning.
It would be nice if anybody can give me some quick answers or links to relevant threads or webpages.

By the way, do you happen to know where to find a Hong Kong firmware newer than R4EA031 for W810i RED49?

Thanks, I am starting to get it now.



I haven't changed anything yet. My phone still has the default firmware and settings from my network provider.
However, the "Service Info > Software Info" page in my phone and XS++ are showing different firmware version.



Is the unlock patch permanent or just a temporary workaround for the specific firmware?
In other words, will I have to unlock again everytime I flash my phone with a new firmware?

Is unlocking with a cruiser cable more permanent?

It is temporary. You don't have to use a cruiser cable, you could try asking for the unlock code from your operator, and if you have been loyal, you could get it for free. It is likely it will cost though.