Kies Mini crashes every time I connect the phone.
Then it crashes if I plug in the phone then open Kies Mini.
Windows 7 64-bit. I know that 64-bit technically isn't supported, but I think that alone is enough to point out that Samsung's core competency lies with hardware, NOT software. We're one decade into the 21st century. If 64-bit isn't supported, either get on it, or get out.
Update:
Tried toying around with compatibility mode settings, no luck.
I'm going to try running through the instructions from start to finish one more time and see how far I get.
Does anyone know if AT&T stores are doing the update in their stores for users who can't get it to work at home?
Getting FF7 PC to work in Windows 7 64-bit was easier than this... and that came out in
1998 for PC.
Update 2:
Stuck with yellow Android worker icon in the step that asks you to hold down the volume keys while plugging in the USB cable. Do I wait until this screen goes away? Or do I unplug the USB cable and continue to remove the battery anyway? I tried looking around the forums and other people asked this question, but no one answered that I could see.
I'm going to try Windows XP mode next to see if that helps at all.
Even if this ends up working out, I don't think I can get a Samsung Android phone again. I get that you can root Android phones and install custom roms and stuff, but the bottom line is that it shouldn't require that kind of effort from the user just to get an update. The fact that this update is going so poorly isn't good either. Kies Mini is the first program I've had issues with since I installed Windows 7 64-bit, and that was shortly after W7 came out.
I am happy though for others who are satisfied with their phones whether it be they got the update to work or if they rooted and installed a custom rom and all that. But for me, it's a thing of principle to some extent. I'll probably go with an HTC device next time.
Update 3:
Already more effort than I was hoping to put in, Windows XP mode in Windows 7 64-bit seems to be doing the trick right now. Kies Mini did not crash when I plugged in the phone and it is currently downloading the update. We'll see how the install goes.
Update 3.1:
First attempt at updating via Windows XP mode didn't work. I'm guessing it's because at some point after the files are downloaded, the phone disconnects then reconnects itself again to go into download mode. At this point though, XP mode doesn't pick it up immediately. I have to click "USB" at the top of the XP mode window and have it attach the device to the XP emulator again. I'm trying again right now and I'm going to pay more attention so I can make it re-attach the device quicker.
Also, it's downloading the update AGAIN on this second attempt. Really? Gotta download it again? What an arduous process this has been, and all because Samsung couldn't write Kies Mini such that it'd work more consistently on 64-bit machines? Props to the people running 64-bit who got it to work, but seriously, this is ridiculous.
Update 4:
Second attempt at updating failed through XP mode. Trying a third time... "just in case".
Update 5:
Third attempt failed in XP mode. Not surprised. Conclusion: Samsung can make good hardware, but they are terrible with software.
Update 6:
Tried just about every OS option in the compatibility settings for Kies Mini while back in Windows 7 out of desperation. No luck. Pretty much ready to give up. I honestly have no way to properly convey how ridiculous it is that Kies Mini does not work on a 64-bit OS when every single other program I've installed since Windows 7 came out has had no issue. Again, I had an even easier time getting the PC version of Final Fantasy 7 to work on Windows 7 64-bit. That game came out in 1998! Samsung, we're a decade into the 21st century, won't you and Kies Mini join us, please?
Update 7:
Decided to give the full version of Kies a shot, just out of desperation again, and it of course, did not work. I give up. No more Samsung devices for me unless they really show they can make better software.
Update 8:
Found a bit of a roundabout solution online that might work. It involves using an older version of Kies and then getting the update through that. So let's see how this works!
Update 8.1:
Well I'll be DAMNED. Using an old version of full non-mini Kies is working like a charm so far. Kies recognizes firmware can be updated, and the update is downloading now. I'll post stories of success and general instructions if it works.
Final update:
Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. It worked. I created a thread with instructions here:
http://androidforums.com/samsung-ca...le-updating-froyo-official-64-bit-os-try.html