Simple steps to upgrade to 2.2 (for folks whose OTA update fails)

[Billkwando]

Here's my simplified version of how to upgrade to 2.2, specifically for folks having problems due to rooting or temp-rooting/non-stock phone. At Pastafarian's request, I've rewritten this as it's own stand-alone post.

Everything after Step 1 is adapted from the link Pastafarian posted here. The instructions from page 4 (for VM users) really helped spell it out for me. I just thought I'd try to write it up a little easier.

1. Backup everything on your phone with My Backup Pro from Market (free version has 30-day trial). Do both apps and data.

2. Go ahead and install the Intercept drivers from the Samsung site here. Also, make sure you already have update.zip at the root of your SD card. Get update.zip here.

3. Download and install SWUpgrade (SamsungMoment_Update.exe) & reboot if requested. Download it here (some versions have been problematic, so I uploaded the one that worked for me). Then install the patch (SDX Samsung Updater Patch.exe). Get the patch here.

4. Then browse to C:\Program Files\Samsung Electronics\SWUpgrade\Models\Binary and delete the SPHM900 file in there. Not doing so may very well perma-brick your phone. Do NOT delete the SamsungPST_SPHM900.dll that is one folder up. I made that mistake and it hung me up for like an hour.

5. Download SPH-M910_MR_DF27_REL_156.tar, which will be your stock update file you'll be flashing with. You can get it from SPH-M910_MR_DF27_REL_156.tar.zip (courtesy of "adamtrott"). Make sure you rename it and remove the .md5 file extension, so it's just "SPH-M910_MR_DF27_REL_156.tar". Copy it to the binary folder.

6. Time to get down to business. Put your phone into download mode (shut down, then hold Vol Down + Camera + End Call) and hook it up to the USB. Start up SWUpgrade, maximize it, & accept the agreement.

Ignore all the onscreen instructions. If you followed these directions, you've already done everything it wants you to do, and you get to just hit "Next" like an angry monkey until it starts flashing the phone, which will bring up a blue loading bar that will roughly correspond with the one on your phone's screen. Wait till it completes (it will pop up a box for you to OK out of). Pow!

7. Final step. Reboot into recovery (Vol Down + Call + End Call), and select "apply sd card :update.zip".

Watch your phone flash (the "Updating Modem" step takes the longest, so don't panic) and enjoy some sweet sweet frozen yogurt! Make sure you always read the ingredients though, and avoid anything with "carmine" in it. That's the mashed up bug asses (and eggs) they use for coloring. True story, bro. Google it.

After you're done, go to the market and redownload MyBackup and restore your apps and settings. Do "check all" but be careful to read any prompts as they come up before blindly clicking. I lost my Angry Birds save, but I really don't give a crap at this point. If I ever decided to temp root again, I can prolly slap it back on with the backup I made from Titanium Backup.

Hope this helps someone!

PS, Big thanks to adamtrott for brainstorming with me on this thing with me for literally 10 hours.

 

[SeattleWeasel]

Have you had any issues with SWUpgrade hanging at 98% or somesuch? I'm attempting to follow your instructions (excellent work so far, by the way), and I'm currently in the process of flashing but it appears the flashing process is hung. The difference is that I'm using a combination of your instructions, and ones given for the VM version of the phone. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Billkwando]

Have you had any issues with SWUpgrade hanging at 98% or somesuch? I'm attempting to follow your instructions (excellent work so far, by the way), and I'm currently in the process of flashing but it appears the flashing process is hung. The difference is that I'm using a combination of your instructions, and ones given for the VM version of the phone. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I did have someone report a similar issue, but he just left the phone sitting and eventually it finished. You're trying to flash the sprint firmware to the VM phone now, right? You don't actually need a combo of instructions at all, because the ones I put up are identical for doing a VM phone. What did you do differently?

Also what do you see on your phone screen? Is the progress bar hung there as well?

 

[loreleisg]

I did this to my phone, but I'm wondering if there is any way to remove all data and return it to the original Virgin Mobile status so that I can sell it.

 

[Jamdaws]

You totally saved what I thought was a perma-bricked phone. My wife and I thank you.

 

[Billkwando]

You totally saved what I thought was a perma-bricked phone. My wife and I thank you.

Your wife and you are welcome! I'm really glad it worked out for you. You might wanna check out my other post about installing slapkernel, cos that made a huge difference in the speed of my phone. I'm still running my intercept, and it's no longer a daily reminder of how slow it is (at least until I use my wife's Evo Shift, lol).

Why is it that people who're nice enough to come back and say thanks always forget to click the thanks button?

 

[hdlow42]

I created an account just to thank you! You are a life saver. My first attempt to modify the phone and it didn't go over so well. After I got the phone back to working I installed 2.2. After I get apps installed I'll be back to square one.

I just might give your Slapkernel install a try since you were able to save my initial sorry attempt to mess with this phone.

A huge thanks!

 

[Billkwando]

I created an account just to thank you! You are a life saver. My first attempt to modify the phone and it didn't go over so well. After I got the phone back to working I installed 2.2. After I get apps installed I'll be back to square one.

I just might give your Slapkernel install a try since you were able to save my initial sorry attempt to mess with this phone.

A huge thanks!

Yeah, it's definitely nice to have root. Since the phone's not the most powerful thing, having the ability to tweak it a little is nice. Mine's pretty much stock all the way, no custom rom or anything.

I'm glad your phonestuff worked out. You're welcome. All I do is compile info that other people have found, but then write the kind of instructions that I would want to read. I like things spelled out, so there's no doubt that I'm doing the right thing.

It always gives me confidence in what I'm doing when the person writing the instructions sounds like they know what they're talking about.