dbrook007

Hi, I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 and I would like root the phone and upgrade the firmware.

It's a contract phone on pay monthly (NOT pay and go) contract with O2 (UK) (assume locked to O2) - so the current firmware is carrier-branded.

Details:
Android 2.3.3
Baseband: I9100XXKDJ
Kernel Version:2.6.35.7-I9100XWKE1-CL181974
root@DELL103 #2
GINGERBREAD.XWKE1

I'm not really that good with the technical stuff and am not confident enough to just go follow the instructions on the sticky link - too many questions I am unsure on.

First, do I upgrade the firmware first or do I root first?

Do I need to upgade to a carrier-branded firmware - is there a newer on available?

Is it possible to upgrade to a non-branded firmware - or will that not work as I am on contract/locked with O2?

Which version do I upgrade to? I have been advised KE2 but I have also been told the latest version is KE7? I don't really understand which I should be trying to upgrade to and where to start. I'm finding it a bit confusing.

If I can upgrade, what settings should I make sure I have?

Whagt happens to all the data?

I'd appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

...Darren

Sydney99

1. upgrade firmware before rooting - when you update to new firmware you loose root access.

2. no, you don't need carrier firmware, any firmware will work. personally I would update using odin to either KG5 (official samsung firmwre) or KH3 (latest leaked firmware), both available here:

[ROM + Guide]Official i9100 Firmwares KF1/2/3/4/, KG1/2/3/5/6/7, KH1/3 Download - xda-developers

3. not sure what you mean by settings - instructions on how to do are on the above webpage

4. no data should be lost

dbrook007

Thanks very much for the answer.

Is KH3 stable? (don't really want it if it's buggy or flakey)??

How old is KG5?

Where do I look for the KG5 or KH3 on my phone's settings to see/confirm what I have now or post-flash?

After upgrading, how would I revert back to what I have now?

What's the latest carrier branded firmware from O2?

Thanks,
D

Hawker

I only recently got my GS2 on a 2 year Orange contract, with it being Orange branded.
I got fed up waiting for Kies updates, so I eventually plucked up the courage and went the Odin route.
I installed the unofficial "official" KH3. I'm still undecided whether to root it or not.
All I lost were the Orange icons, which I never used anyway.
As for Orange settings (MMS/Voicemail etc) all were unaffected by the upgrade and everything works as expected.

I know your on O2 but I would think you would have the same experience as i did.

__________________
SGS2 GT-I9100 (Orange UK) ROM: NeatRom LPF ICS 4.0.3 Baseband: LPX
Steps following a Factory Reset....Firmware, Kernels and Modems
Click here if you have Kies problems....Bricked? Try a Soft and Hard Reset
GS2Wiper Kernel Cleaning Script...My Web Site

Ozhak

KH3 is stable.

If you want to confirm go to Settings --> about phone --> baseband version.

If you want to revert back, just flash back the firmware that you are currently using..

Regarding other questions, sorry I cant help you

Sydney99

personally I use KG5, it's the latest "official" firmware. am very happy with it

KH3 is newer, lots of people use it and it appears to be very stable

if you look on the sticky above or on the link I posted above, there are links to the XDA page with official branded firmwares if you want to go down this root. this would also provide the files you would need to go back to your original o2 branded firmware if you flashed to KG5/KH3 and didn't like it. but you'll find the carriers all use much older versions and lag behind samsung updates by many months - they like to add their own bloatware before releasing.

KH3 or KG5 will work fine on your phone and bring with it improvements.

dbrook007

Hi,

Right, have flashed KG5.

But I now see these in my firmware info:

Baseband version:

I9100XXKDJ

and

Kernel version:

2.6.35.7-I9100XXKG5-CL420550
se.infra@SEP-41 #2

Build number:

GINGERBREAD.XWKE1

My question is, should the baseband or build numbers have changed?

Only the Kernel version has changed. ???

Thanks,
D

steslatt

Looks like you have only flashed the Kernel there, You need to download the other exe file it should be around 260mb. Run the exe then flash the zip file.

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ROOT GUIDE OFFICIAL SAMSUNG FIRMWARE UNDERSTANDING TERMS

Hawker

I dont think you used the correct one. Looks like you only did the kernel. The downloaded file will be over 250Mb.

Download from this page

KG5
Or if you prefer, the as yet unofficially released KH3

Sydney99

for KG5 you need the OXA (Poland) file NOT the stock kernel - this is the link hawker has provided

the stock kernels are used for removing the yellow triangle after rooting, not for upgrading your phone.

dbrook007

I downloaded the KG5 link (above) but when I run the EXE to extract, it just says the .tar file is broken .

?

Thx,
D

steslatt

Try downloading again?

dbrook007

Seemed to be ok this time but when I boot phone into download mode, I see a triangle with an exclamation mark next to an android ?

dbrook007

Ok, sorted that last thing, I booted into the wrong mode.

Done a flash again with the KG5. Now, I see this my my firmware details:

Andriod Version: 2.3.4

Baseband version I9100XXKG5

Kernel Version: 2.6.35.7-I9100XXKG5-CL420550
se.infra@SEP-41 #2

Build Number: GINGERBREAD.XXKG5

Are these all correct?

What different / new in KG5 to KE1 (which is what was on the phone)??

Assuming this is now all correct, what's the easiest way to root this phone now?

And do I need to do something to remove a yellow triangle or something!???

Thx
D

steslatt

Yes that is all correct. Follow the guide in my sig to root. You need the OXA KG5 zip file in post 5.
To remove the yellow triangle follow post 2.

dbrook007

Ok, I followed the link to get to a further link: [17.08.2011][CF-Root v4.1] KE2/7/8, KF1/2/3/4, KG1/2/3/5/6/7, KH1/3 - su+bb+CWM4 - xda-developers

First, is this correct?

Second, in that thread, it says:

"Instructions - ODIN (long)
- Follow these instructions to the letter. Do not touch any buttons or checkboxes that are not listed below to touch!
- Unzip the attached CF-Root-xxx-vX.X.zip"

But I can't seem to find an attached file?? Don't know what/where to get this?

Thanks,
D

Sydney99

scroll down to post 5 on your link

the KG5 file you need is the 3rd one down in the list

dbrook007

Thanks.

Just thinking ahead...

As I understand, the yellow triangle means I am running a custom rom, in this case custom kernel. Do I need to remove it?

Can this be removed by using a USG jig? Is this the best/easiest way?

As I understand, if I flash my stock kernel back, I won't lose root but would lose CWM recovery.

If I get a USB jig, will I still lose CWM recovery?

Do I need to keep CWM recovery?

What's the 'counters' stuff about??

Thx,

Sydney99

yellow triangle does no harm, people only remove 'cause they don't like the look of it!

easy steps to removing it are on the same chainfire page from which you get the insecure kernel from - they're easy to follow. no usb jig needed.

the phone's system has a counter that records how often you flash/root etc. this can be reset using the USB jig. only need to do this if you need to send the phone back under warranty, otherwise a jig not needed.

flashing a kernel won't loose root, flashing an update/firmware will

if your phone's rooted, you will be able to access CWM recovery.

dbrook007

So, if I re-flash the stock KG5 kernel after rooting, I won't lose access to CWM recovery?

Sydney99

no. see post 2 of the webpage you posted above - it's the steps you take to remove the yellow triangle. step 7:

(7) Boot the device with the stock kernel. CWM Manager will still be available.

dbrook007

Ok, I've rooted the phone now.

I've not re-flashed the stock KG5 as yet - do you think I should?

Now it's rooted, what can I do with it!???

I'm interested in having custom startup & close down screens/animations.

Is there anything I can do to improve performance?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that not all the processor power tends to be used - is that the case with stock firmware as well as carrier branded firmware?

Is there a way to get the most or more out of the processor?

One other thing I noticed, on my original firmware (o2 carrier branded), the messaging application had the option in settings to change 'skins'. I found this quite useful. I had assumed that this was part of the firmware and not something added by O2, as it was part of the default messaging app.

Is there a way to enable this feature - I'm surprised it's not in this firmware if it was in my original. ??

Thanks,
D