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How to Unlock (and Root) the Bell Galaxy S2. Step by Step Guide

I found what the issue is. When you rooted were you on KG2 firmware? If there is a mismatch between the kernel and the rom some users have experienced screen issues. Ya flash back the stock rom in odin. Weird... :(

If that doesn't fix it then feel free to PM me. I'll help you get this fixed. It shouldn't happen.

Yeah I was, So when using odin what file am I going to use? I have the .zip that's in the first post but Odin doesn't read .zip. Sorry for all the questions I'm and old iPhone guy and I'm still getting used to the Android world!
 
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Sorry I made a mistake in my previous comment. I don't have this phone anymore so I haven't looked at the main post in a while. I got it confused with my T989 S2 thread. The stock rom I listed is in zip format and uses recovery to flash. So you can use the FLASH A CUSTOM ROM guide to do this as it is using the same method.

After you do this, can you go to settings>about and see what kernel is listed. I am hoping it will over write anything that is on the phone. If not, we will need to flash the kernel using odin. I'll have to find the stock bell kernel if this is the case

Good luck and PM if you run into issues.
 
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Well I'm back to the Bell (i9100 S2)! I couldn't stand not having a home button on the Telus version.

This time in white :D

Time to load on Miui!!

WHITES2.jpg
 
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I'm on Android ver. 2.3.5, baseband version XXKH3, Gingerbread XXKI3, wanted to upgrade to XWKK5 Android ver. 2.3.6. I followed your guide when getting to:
Step 5: Go back to the main menu and select INSTALL ZIP from SDCARD / EXTERNAL SD where I copied the zip to rom folder. Choose my rom.zip but zip doesn't show, it keep returning to the previous menu. What am I doing wrong? Need your help Thanx
 
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I'm on Android ver. 2.3.5, baseband version XXKH3, Gingerbread XXKI3, wanted to upgrade to XWKK5 Android ver. 2.3.6. I followed your guide when getting to:
Step 5: Go back to the main menu and select INSTALL ZIP from SDCARD / EXTERNAL SD where I copied the zip to rom folder. Choose my rom.zip but zip doesn't show, it keep returning to the previous menu. What am I doing wrong? Need your help Thanx

What version of rom are you trying to upgrade to? Are you using official or 3rd party?
 
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I'm on Android ver. 2.3.5, baseband version XXKH3, Gingerbread XXKI3, wanted to upgrade to XWKK5 Android ver. 2.3.6. I followed your guide when getting to:
Step 5: Go back to the main menu and select INSTALL ZIP from SDCARD / EXTERNAL SD where I copied the zip to rom folder. Choose my rom.zip but zip doesn't show, it keep returning to the previous menu. What am I doing wrong? Need your help Thanx

Perhaps you saved the zip to the internal SD storage? depending on version of recovery you might see an option in restore that says "restore from internal sd storage"..select that option and then browse to your download folder or wherever you might have saved that zip file.
 
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I just wanted to be sure the rom you are trying to load is not an odin version. If it is then you shouldn't be using recovery to flash it.

I download this:

XWKK5
Android 2.3.6

This package has: PDA: XWKK5| Modem/phone: XXKI3| CSC: XEUKH2
Download: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!

XWKK5 Stock Kernel: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!
Password: intratech@XDA

Should I use official KK2 rom instead?
 
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I download this:

XWKK5
Android 2.3.6

This package has: PDA: XWKK5| Modem/phone: XXKI3| CSC: XEUKH2
Download: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!

XWKK5 Stock Kernel: Multiupload.com - upload your files to multiple file hosting sites!
Password: intratech@XDA

Should I use official KK2 rom instead?

Ah that is why. This is an odin/official rom. You don't use recovery to flash this.

Download the package file (don't need the kernel). Unzip it using 7zip and you will be left with one file (a tar file). Open odin and select PDA button and select the extracted tar file. Flash away :)
 
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Ah that is why. This is an odin/official rom. You don't use recovery to flash this.

Download the package file (don't need the kernel). Unzip it using 7zip and you will be left with one file (a tar file). Open odin and select PDA button and select the extracted tar file. Flash away :)

I was able to flash with odin but then I loose my root, I tried re-rooting with Superoneclick without sucess. How do I re-root my sg2 from here.
 
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when i root the phone will i be able to remove all of the apps preloaded by the carrier ???
Not directly, but it will give you the ability to install custom ROM's many of which remove the majority of the bloatware. Also, there are programs that you can install to remove some of the crap, just be careful what you uninstall, always backup before messing with anything!
 
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ok figured out how to remote those apps but now is there an app that will assist me in removing virgin front home screen and changing the lock unlock sounds ?
thanks in advance
newbie rooted user
by the way thanks op for the guide the root went flawless , and curiosity is making me ask if you do a factory data reset that wipes out root and everything correct
 
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Blue, first off, HUGE kudos for maintaining this thread ..I've read almost every message in this thread.. all of the help you have provided...many many grateful people, myself included!!

Glad that you're back on the Bell S2!

I'm currently running KG2 (un-rooted original) but IMEI code unlocked and running on Rogers... have been for a few months now... battery life is soooooo poor that I have decided to take the plunge and root..to load something else in hopes of solving my problem...

I'm more or less a noob.... but have been reading up a bit....
Your guide is so comprehensive so I don't foresee any problems rooting...

My question is....

What ROM and kernel would you recommend?
(If running stock, which version?)
(What about custom ROMs and kernels?)

Thanks in advance!
 
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ok figured out how to remote those apps but now is there an app that will assist me in removing virgin front home screen and changing the lock unlock sounds ?
thanks in advance
newbie rooted user
by the way thanks op for the guide the root went flawless , and curiosity is making me ask if you do a factory data reset that wipes out root and everything correct

The Virgin boot screen is linked to the rom or kernel. The only way to get rid of it is to load a new rom. I haven't looked into lock sound hacks but there is a way as some roms have unique lock sounds. I'll look into this :)

Factory reset does not remove root. Root is tied the rom or kernel you installed. In this case it is the rooted cf-kernel that allows you to have root access. Wiping won't remove it. :)
 
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ok figured out how to remote those apps but now is there an app that will assist me in removing virgin front home screen and changing the lock unlock sounds ?
thanks in advance
newbie rooted user
by the way thanks op for the guide the root went flawless , and curiosity is making me ask if you do a factory data reset that wipes out root and everything correct

Actually there are a number of methods to replace and/or customize the boot animation. Here is one that does not require a new ROM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1gfr8vu4PM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
 
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Blue, first off, HUGE kudos for maintaining this thread ..I've read almost every message in this thread.. all of the help you have provided...many many grateful people, myself included!!

Glad that you're back on the Bell S2!

I'm currently running KG2 (un-rooted original) but IMEI code unlocked and running on Rogers... have been for a few months now... battery life is soooooo poor that I have decided to take the plunge and root..to load something else in hopes of solving my problem...

I'm more or less a noob.... but have been reading up a bit....
Your guide is so comprehensive so I don't foresee any problems rooting...

My question is....

What ROM and kernel would you recommend?
(If running stock, which version?)
(What about custom ROMs and kernels?)

Thanks in advance!

I'm just getting back into roms. I'm a HUGE fan of MIUI Galnet roms. The Miui camera gives much better results than stock

Here is a link to my flickr

I think I will be adding a ROM guide review with Youtube vids to main post to help people decide which rom is for them.
 
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I'm just getting back into roms. I'm a HUGE fan of MIUI Galnet roms. The Miui camera gives much better results than stock

Here is a link to my flickr

I think I will be adding a ROM guide review with Youtube vids to main post to help people decide which rom is for them.

Thanks for the quick response, Blue.

I flashed the KI3 stock firmware and have noticed the improvement already...
How's the battery life with MIUI and what kernel are you currently running?

Looking forward to seeing your ROM guide.

By the way, that's a beautiful cat you got there....

Cheers,
wil
 
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