Tier-2 switching and ILR

[acuk15]

Thanks to all senior members for this wonderful forum. I am new so apologies if I posted my question on wrong place.

I am on tier-4 visa (PhD) which is valid up to 2017. My ILR eligibility (10 years) is due in 2016. I completed 12 months of my course and my employer issued tier-2 sponsor certificate to me. I want to know followings:
In-case my Tier-2 visa application is rejected then would my tier-4 visa be valid as it is now (valid until 2017) or not?
Will tier-2 rejection could affect my ILR in 2016?
I will be grateful for guru and senior members to get their views on above two questions.
Thanks

[acuk15]

So many view this but not a one reply. Any one can reply please

[vinny]

If your Tier 2 is rejected and you are still a student and they don't curtail your leave and you have not breached your Immigration conditions (245ZW or 245ZY), then your tier 4 should still be valid.

[acuk15]

Thanks Vinny,
I will NOT leave my PhD until it finishes therefore in either case (Tier-2 successful or rejection), I will be a student and off-course not breach any Tier-4 conditions as specified in the rules (thanks for quick reference of clauses). I will work 20 hrs and when my Tier-4 visa changes to Tier-2 visa after that I will start full time working. It means that after getting Tier-2 visa I will work full time and also do full time study (I think, I can do this)- Will this be ok? or I am doing something wrong here and do I need to inform uni when changed to Tier-2 visa? Do I need to take something in writing from employer that I will do full time study while doing full time work?
Do you think that my ILR application on 10 years in next year would have some advantages with leave status as Tier-2 visa? One of my friend (recently switched over from T-4 to T-2) told me that current visa status as Tier-2 makes your ILR (10 years) case more sound then as student visa. Is this true? I really do not wish to change my Tier-4 visa as full time working and full time study would be very hard to manage but I wish to submit my ILR (10 years) on solid basis next year. As you come across many cases and have practical experience on this, I would really appreciate your views on this please?