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Help How do I update firmware?

DarkSky

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
191
5
I finally got Samsung to accept my account info by entering bogus information. It rejected all my valid email accounts so I entered random garbage as email address and it took it.

Then I got to About Phone > Check for Update and it says there's no updates available (I'm on KE2).

A blog somewhere said you can update it via Kies Air, but you can't - there's no options for updating.

How can I upgrade from KE2 to KE7 ???
 
you cant use kies air to update, it has to be kies through the cable.

GRRR. I didn't get a USB cable with mine. Just USB-b (which goes into phone) to power.

I HAD a USB-b to USB cable with my Moto Droid, but I just sold it last Friday and included the cable. I'll have to go pick up another.

So what APP do I use when I connect it to PC with USB ? Kies Air still?
 
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Nope. U need to install kies from Samsung website. Its not a nice experience.

Jesus! This is the most 1-step-forward-2-steps-back procedure I've ever seen.

And I'm sure before I can install that from their site, I'll need to do something else first, and before doing that I'll need to do 2 other things first.. etc, etc.

:mad:

Guess I'll just be stuck with KE2 and crappy battery, apps that crash, etc. What a waste $850.

I'm going to risk downloading from a 3rd party site:
http://www.samsungapps.com/about/onPc.as?COUNTRY_CODE=CAN&LANGUAGE_CODE=ENG

I'm guessing it's a PC file - I had thought it was an app I had to get.
 
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Jesus! This is the most 1-step-forward-2-steps-back procedure I've ever seen.

It's no different to most other phones. Almost nothing comes with desktop software anymore - you have to either extract it from an SD card or download it. Kies is downloadable from samsung.com and installs to the PC. Then you can connect your phone to the PC and "do stuff". Having said that, I have seen no need to use it yet other than to check for updates.
 
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It's no different to most other phones. Almost nothing comes with desktop software anymore - you have to either extract it from an SD card or download it. Kies is downloadable from samsung.com and installs to the PC. Then you can connect your phone to the PC and "do stuff". Having said that, I have seen no need to use it yet other than to check for updates.

Yes I'm doing this JUST so I can update to KE7. I went and bought a USB-to-MicroUSB-B adapter, plugged in my phone, and it said installing drivers, but then it said this:

temp01ge.jpg


:mad: :mad:
 
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@Darksky, i get the same as you fella.

I get this message when connected
the current version firmware is ke3
latest firmware version is ke3


but then the same as you go to tools etc and there is nothing there

some of the updates haven't actually been rolled out to Kies yet (ie KE7).
depending on what you started with, you should be running either KE2, KE3, or KE4. i'm running KE4 still. no issues for me that standout on KE4 so that's why i haven't gone to KE7. i will continue to stick with official updates unless an official update drops and it messes something up.
 
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some of the updates haven't actually been rolled out to Kies yet (ie KE7).
depending on what you started with, you should be running either KE2, KE3, or KE4. i'm running KE4 still. no issues for me that standout on KE4 so that's why i haven't gone to KE7. i will continue to stick with official updates unless an official update drops and it messes something up.

Yah my phone came with KE2.

As for that "Odin" link - wow.. 20 pages of instructions and it looks like you have to do stuff to your phone first.

I'm looking for the same way that regular Average Joe users would be expected to keep their phone upgraded to latest firmware :)
 
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some of the updates haven't actually been rolled out to Kies yet (ie KE7).
depending on what you started with, you should be running either KE2, KE3, or KE4. i'm running KE4 still. no issues for me that standout on KE4 so that's why i haven't gone to KE7. i will continue to stick with official updates unless an official update drops and it messes something up.

Any idea how we GET 'official' updates? This phone won't even be available on my continent (N. America) for another month at least. It's an unbranded phone so I can't expect any support from my carrier (Telus).
 
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Yah my phone came with KE2.

As for that "Odin" link - wow.. 20 pages of instructions and it looks like you have to do stuff to your phone first.

I'm looking for the same way that regular Average Joe users would be expected to keep their phone upgraded to latest firmware :)

there's not 20 pages of instructions, mate. it's on the first page. it sounds like you aren't willing to read a little. but there's only 8 steps for Odin, and you don't have to do anything except put your phone into download mode.

so, no offense, yeah it's for average joe's that know how to read a little.
all you need to do is hit Ctrl+F and type in "Flashing Firmware with Odin"

if you can't do that with 8 little steps, then i'm sorry but no one here is gonna be able to help ya :(
 
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there's not 20 pages of instructions, mate. it's on the first page.

I mean 20 screens of instructions on one page.

it sounds like you aren't willing to read a little. but there's only 8 steps for Odin, and you don't have to do anything except put your phone into download mode.
I don't even know what Odin is for start. That page looks like it was written for developers. I can't make heads or tales of all the codes. And if you think the average consumer is expected to update their phone that way, you're mistaken. I'm sure that page isn't what Samsung has in mind for people wanting to upgrade.

so, no offense, yeah it's for average joe's that know how to read a little.
I can read just fine thank you, I just don't want to go beyond what I should to update my phone. Those instructions look like they could possibly mess with the phone permanently. I'm not someone who roots my phone and changes kernel stufff, etc, etc. I realize a lot of people are, but I would like an official Samsung program/site to do that sort of thing.

if you can't do that with 8 little steps, then i'm sorry but no one here is gonna be able to help ya :(
I'm happy to see you speak for everyone on this forum. I'm serious when I say thank you for your kind help. I really am. But I don't think Samsung expects all S2 owners to be using sites which are notorious for pirated software (hotfile, multiupload, etc) to download password protected files and install them on our phones.

With my Droid I just had to download a file to PC, copy it to phone, run it. I doubt Motorola alone has mastered the way to easily update phones.

No hard feelings, I really do appreciate your help and time. But doing it that way isn't for me. I'm just not comfortable nor confident to do it that way.
 
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I mean 20 screens of instructions on one page.

I don't even know what Odin is for start. That page looks like it was written for developers. I can't make heads or tales of all the codes. And if you think the average consumer is expected to update their phone that way, you're mistaken. I'm sure that page isn't what Samsung has in mind for people wanting to upgrade.

I can read just fine thank you, I just don't want to go beyond what I should to update my phone. Those instructions look like they could possibly mess with the phone permanently. I'm not someone who roots my phone and changes kernel stufff, etc, etc. I realize a lot of people are, but I would like an official Samsung program/site to do that sort of thing.

I'm happy to see you speak for everyone on this forum. I'm serious when I say thank you for your kind help. I really am. But I don't think Samsung expects all S2 owners to be using sites which are notorious for pirated software (hotfile, multiupload, etc) to download password protected files and install them on our phones.

With my Droid I just had to download a file to PC, copy it to phone, run it. I doubt Motorola alone has mastered the way to easily update phones.

No hard feelings, I really do appreciate your help and time. But doing it that way isn't for me. I'm just not comfortable nor confident to do it that way.


It's super easy to flash in Odin.

1. Download Odin
2. Download Firmware you want (from XDA) and unzip. Firmware is not on some pirated site.
3. Run odin and then press PDA button. Select the firmware
4. Turn off your phone. Then hold volume down and home and keep holding while you power it on. Then press volume up when it asks you
This gets your phone in download mode
5. Connect it to the USB cord and press start in Odin

Done and done.:)

How hard is that?? ;)

Odin is FAR less buggy than Kies. I can understand just wanting a plug and play answer but in this case the alternative is safe and the software a nice simple solution to Kies.
 
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It's super easy to flash in Odin.

1. Download Odin

Ok, now I know that Odin is an app at least. Previous guy was talking about it like everyone knew what it was. Maybe everyone does and I'm the only one who didn't... :eek:

2. Download Firmware you want (from XDA) and unzip. Firmware is not on some pirated site.
Why is it password protected on the file host then? ( ?????? ) There's no reason to have a password on the files unless they don't want someone looking inside them. Right?

3. Run odin and then press PDA button. Select the firmware
4. Turn off your phone. Then hold volume down and home and keep holding while you power it on. Then press volume up when it asks you
This gets your phone in download mode
5. Connect it to the USB cord and press start in Odin

Done and done.:)

How hard is that?? ;)

Odin is FAR less buggy than Kies. I can understand just wanting a plug and play answer but in this case the alternative is safe and the software a nice simple solution to Kies.
I really appreciate the help. I'm just scared I'll flash the wrong program and end up with a non-bootable phone, and since I bought it online from a store in another country, I'm really on my own on this one. I can't call up my carrier or return it to the store down the road... :(
 
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Ok, now I know that Odin is an app at least. Previous guy was talking about it like everyone knew what it was. Maybe everyone does and I'm the only one who didn't... :eek:

Why is it password protected on the file host then? ( ?????? ) There's no reason to have a password on the files unless they don't want someone looking inside them. Right?

I really appreciate the help. I'm just scared I'll flash the wrong program and end up with a non-bootable phone, and since I bought it online from a store in another country, I'm really on my own on this one. I can't call up my carrier or return it to the store down the road... :(

The reason for the pass is recognition. They always put their xda names lol

The nice thing is you CAN flash a different firmware. Mine is a Polish model and I flashed it to the Euro model. If it dies (it won't) you can restart your phone in the download mode to restore a stock firmware :)

I have the Euro firmware if you want it. I can host it on my server.

Let me know if you need any help. I really wanted KE7 and I was sick of waiting for it lol
 
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The reason for the pass is recognition. They always put their xda names lol

The nice thing is you CAN flash a different firmware. Mine is a Polish model and I flashed it to the Euro model. If it dies (it won't) you can restart your phone in the download mode to restore a stock firmware :)

I have the Euro firmware if you want it. I can host it on my server.

Let me know if you need any help. I really wanted KE7 and I was sick of waiting for it lol

Thanks a bunch (a BIG bunch! :) )

I think mine shipped with UK firmware as the phone defaulted to UK stuff a lot of the time when I first got it.

I'll try Odin when (1) I figure out where to get it. and (2) figure out what files I need to upgrade the firmware. Someone previously in this thread posted a link to some developers site where there was a handful of different files and I couldn't make heads or tails of what I needed.

I'll dig into it more tomorrow, or when i get frustrated again with my current version (KE2). :)
 
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So I'm guessing to update to the latest firmware, this is the file I want to use with Odin:

Code:
[SIZE=4][B][U]XWKE7[/U][/B][/SIZE]

[B]Firmware info[/B]
PDA:XWKE7
PHONE: XXKE4
CSC:XEUKD1 (XEU)
Build date: 18/05/2011

[B]Generic XEU: [url=http://www.multiupload.com/IBRBHDUDXI]Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites![/url]
MD5: F388DB98FC83861C2F22E607AE940DBB[/B]

Generic ITV (Italia): [url=http://www.multiupload.com/7ZCG5A2LEI]Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites![/url]
MD5: F859E5FF47AC60931FC55A6E9F362D1C

CWP UK: [url=http://www.multiupload.com/U1WNFZ88L0]Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites![/url]
MD5: A5A59AE6374C7FC814E8901B40F7C8AA

Right?
 
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(thanks Androidforums - I went to submit this msg after 10mins of entering, and got a vB msg saying "Doing daily backups..." 'lost it all.

I can't boot into download mode. Holding down power and home throughout the entire boot process just brings me to the Enter PIN screen as usual.

( ? )

There was a LOT more to this msg, but I hate typing things out twice.
 
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I DID IT !! A bunch of missing instructions had me going in circles.

1: Download Odin
2: Download firmware file.
3: Extract Odin & firmware file
4: put phone in USB debug mode
5: power off phone
6: take out SIM and microSD cards (not sure if necessary but YouTube told me to :) )
7: hold down volume down, power, and home to boot into Download Mode (no mention of the volume down key before)
8: load up Odin, Click PDA button, select firmware file.
9: Once booted and says 'Downloading' (which it isn't), plug in USB
10: Phone will show up in Odin as COM port highlighted in yellow - CLICK START

Progress bar will move across phone display as well as a bar in Odin. Phone will reboot when done. (it will half-boot first, then reboot all the way) Power off phone, take out battery again, pop SIM and microSd back in, put battery back in and cover back on, boot up. Uncheck USB Debug mode.

So my About Phone now says:

Android version: 2.3.3
Baseband version: I9100XXKE4
Kernel version: 2.6.35.7-I9100XWKE7-CL215725
Build number: GINGERBREAD.XWKE7


... seems to be running fine. (I love to come to permanent conclusions after 5 minutes of uptime)
 
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