Help Stupid Question re: "Official" FW

[frappawotsit]

Hi,

I know this is a stupid question, but i'm not great with Android in any capacity other than as an end user.

I've updated my firmware to KL1 via Odin and am happy with the release (so far)

But I went from the FW that my phone was shipped with (can't remember release, sorry) to a Frankenstein release, and yesterday flashed it to the "official" KL1 release to 2.3.6.

So onto my questions....

1) Does the fact that it's an "official" release, mean future updates should work through kies?

2) I keep reading stuff about a binary counter needing to be reset after flashing firmware, but i don't understand where i see my "count?" or if/how to reset it should i need to?

As far as i can figure out, "official" fw's don't increment the binary counter, but (presumably) un-official ones do?

So as i've previously used a Frankenstein FW (from XDA-Developers forum) does that mean my warranty is void due to a binary counter incrementation? (even though i'm currently on an "official" FW?

Thanks for your help, i'm all a bit confused.....

 

[Slug]

1) Does the fact that it's an "official" release, mean future updates should work through kies?

Yes, if it is 'official' for your carrier (if applicable). For example, an Orange-branded handset will not receive updates via Kies even if flashed with a generic Samsung firmware.

As far as i can figure out, "official" fw's don't increment the binary counter, but (presumably) un-official ones do?

Correct.

as i've previously used a Frankenstein FW (from XDA-Developers forum) does that mean my warranty is void due to a binary counter incrementation? (even though i'm currently on an "official" FW?

Technically your warranty is void regardless as you installed an unofficial firmware.

The counter may well have been reset by flashing the official Samsung firmware. You can check by booting into Download Mode (restart holding POWER + HOME + VOL_DOWN); the counter is displayed.

 

[frappawotsit]

Technically your warranty is void regardless as you installed an unofficial firmware.

The counter may well have been reset by flashing the official Samsung firmware. You can check by booting into Download Mode (restart holding POWER + HOME + VOL_DOWN); the counter is displayed.

Ok, so round 2 of questions....

When i received my phone new, I don't think the FW was carrier branded. I'm on Orange UK, but I remember looking at the carrier brand FW's on XDA-Developers, and the Orange ones were nothing like the naming convention of the FW i had. I presume this means my phone was out the box using Samsung Official FW only? And is my Warranty therefore still void?

More importantly, when i rebooted into download mode, i don't see anything obvious that would be a binary count.... at the top of the screen it says the following...

Odin Mode
Model - GT-I9100
Custom Binary Download: No
Current Binary: Samsung Official

other than the above, it just has the Android chappy in the middle and "Downloading, do not disconnect target"

Am i being stupid, or is the above telling me the binary count, and i just don't know it? LOL

Thanks, and apologies for my noob stupid questions!!

 

[Riche101]

Custom Binary Download: No

Its showing that you have never flashed etc so you are fine

 

[Slug]

When i received my phone new, I don't think the FW was carrier branded. I'm on Orange UK

Apologies, I was unclear. Only carrier-sold handsets will use branded firmware; handsets from third-party resellers are usually generic stock regardless of the network they're used on.

 

[Medion]

"Official" firmware doesn't affect the counter.
"Unofficial" firmware raises the counter by one unless otherwise noted.
"Frankenstein" firmware is just a mixed package from official sources (IE, PDA from this, radio from that, etc.) and may or may not raise your counter (see the notes for the ROM you're flashing).

Those are some of the key differences, but it's the main difference in terms of effect on your warranty.

 

[frappawotsit]

"Official" firmware doesn't affect the counter.
"Unofficial" firmware raises the counter by one unless otherwise noted.
"Frankenstein" firmware is just a mixed package from official sources (IE, PDA from this, radio from that, etc.) and may or may not raise your counter (see the notes for the ROM you're flashing).

Great, thanks.

So how do i know what is the best fw? (most stable, fastest etc) Is it generally latest is best, or just poke and hope?

Are Frankenstein packages usually considered better then? With the best bits of several packages formed into one better package?

I'm quite happy with my XWKL1 FW at the moment, but then i guess i don't know any different! Is there a better 2.3.6 FW for UK at the moment?

Sorry for all the questions!! (Trying to learn, without making too many mistakes!!)

 

[Shotgun84]

Don't worry you're not being stupid. I'm a seasoned flasher and it all still doesn't make sense.
Well the latest gingerbread firmware is KL3. So that's all I can recommend.