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

I was having an issue with my data speeds after updating to KH3 as well but just installed the bell modem and it is all fixed.
 
whforde said:
I was having an issue with my data speeds after updating to KH3 as well but just installed the bell modem and it is all fixed.
Click to expand...


The weird thing for me was that the kh3 modem worked perfectly until 2 days ago. I had 7 down and 3 up. Then for whatever reason it started timing out and when I did get a connection it was very slow - even at different locations/towers.

I flashed Sicopats kh3 almost stock rom and now my connection is solid again. Same modem too.

Weird....

And yes I am using full version of titanium.
 
Hi I got my SG2 over the weekend and am considering rooting/unlocking or unlocking via IMEI. I'm a bit hesistant to do it because I don't have a strong grasp of understanding everything. I've been doing a lot of reading via here and also over at xda developer.

I bought my phone new from Best Buy and here are the info

Model: GT-I9100M
Android Version: 2.3.3
Kernel version: 2.6.35.7-I9100MGUKF6-CL282238 dskim@scm4-desktop #2
Build Number: GINGERBREAD.UGKF6

I've never seen anyone posting having these version of the kernel... so was wondering what to do? Do I still follow the same steps? Thanks.
 
clb09 said:
Hi I got my SG2 over the weekend and am considering rooting/unlocking or unlocking via IMEI. I'm a bit hesistant to do it because I don't have a strong grasp of understanding everything. I've been doing a lot of reading via here and also over at xda developer.

I bought my phone new from Best Buy and here are the info

Model: GT-I9100M
Android Version: 2.3.3
Kernel version: 2.6.35.7-I9100MGUKF6-CL282238 dskim@scm4-desktop #2
Build Number: GINGERBREAD.UGKF6

I've never seen anyone posting having these version of the kernel... so was wondering what to do? Do I still follow the same steps? Thanks.
Click to expand...


Same steps. Use rooted kf6 kernel not kg2. :)
 
clb09 said:
hmm, there's no KF6 kernel posted on xda...

also just wondering, is it possible to backup my existing kernel + rom prior to rooting? So that i can flash back?
Click to expand...


I have a solution. I think. I'll post up when I get home from work.
 
Blue1k said:
I have a solution. I think. I'll post up when I get home from work.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have read so much that I'm staring to lose track of which posts I should follow. As I read more, I realize that not many people have KF6, I wonder why....
 
clb09 said:
Thanks, I have read so much that I'm staring to lose track of which posts I should follow. As I read more, I realize that not many people have KF6, I wonder why....
Click to expand...

A couple of options:

1. Connect your phone to kies and update your device to kg2. This may or may not happen depending upon if Kies sees the update
Then root using my guide.

2. Manually update the phone by flashing the KG2 or KH3 rom (with odin) and then apply the rooted KG2 or KH3 kernel.

There is a backup for stock Bell KG2 rom and radio but not the kernel itself (last time I checked).
 
Blue1k said:
A couple of options:

1. Connect your phone to kies and update your device to kg2. This may or may not happen depending upon if Kies sees the update
Then root using my guide.

2. Manually update the phone by flashing the KG2 or KH3 rom (with odin) and then apply the rooted KG2 or KH3 kernel.

There is a backup for stock Bell KG2 rom and radio but not the kernel itself (last time I checked).
Click to expand...

I tried connecting phone with Kies, can't see the update. It said the updates can't be updated for the device. @_@

I'll try to manually flash the KG2 rom...

Just wondering, what's the difference between KG2 and KG6?!

Also, wanted to know why

4. You will need to install Samsung Kies which is like iTunes for your Samsung Phone. If you have not you can get it from here: Kies Canada. Make sure Kies fully installs and connect your phone at least once so it loads all the necessary drivers. Then close Kies and disconnect your phone from computer.

step 4 is needed in this process? I read that odin and kies don't get along and hafta completely shut kies off? Can you explain why we need to be bother with this step?

Thanks.
 
Hey Blue, just wanted to thank you so much for your guide. It was very comprehensive for a COMPLETE newbie. I had been reading up on rooting (simply for the fact that I wanted the new firmware, because I was going through 2 batteries a day on my S2!). Anyway, I had done some reading on xda, and found their tutorials pretty complicated. Then I found yours! after a couple weeks of indecision, (I'm a TOTAL rule follower!) I decided to give it a try. I didn't quite understand what you meant by the KH3 rom at first, so I started small and rooted with the KG2. My phone didn't explode, and the world didn't tilt, so YAY! Couple days went by and after more reading I figured out what you meant by flashing the KH3 Rom. So I did that, which caused me to loose root (which wasn't a big deal to me until I discovered I couldn't set up my email because I had frozen social hub when I had rooted, the email wouldn't set up without it, and I didn't have access to titanum backup without root to change it back temporarily!... So I rooted again with an unsecure KH3 kernel, then flashed stock KH3 as per Intratech's instructions on xda, which got rid of the yellow triangle, so I still appear to be the rule following girl everyone knows and loves! (but am still rooted!).

Anyway, the moral here is, if I can do it (carefully following the instructions), then anyone can. Thank you so much. Without your simply explained process, I'd still be using the 2.3.3 firmware. That's not to say I didn't have a couple moments of panic! Oh no! My email doesn't work! If only I hadn't changed things!... or OMG, my picture message won't go through! Flashing ruined my phone!... No, just a couple settings got unchecked...

On one other note, I haven't noticed that much of a benefit with battery life. I froze everything you suggested, but I still had to go to a second battery today. Maybe I need to give it another day to see for sure.:)
 
clb09 said:
I tried connecting phone with Kies, can't see the update. It said the updates can't be updated for the device. @_@

I'll try to manually flash the KG2 rom...

Just wondering, what's the difference between KG2 and KG6?!

Also, wanted to know why

4. You will need to install Samsung Kies which is like iTunes for your Samsung Phone. If you have not you can get it from here: Kies Canada. Make sure Kies fully installs and connect your phone at least once so it loads all the necessary drivers. Then close Kies and disconnect your phone from computer.

step 4 is needed in this process? I read that odin and kies don't get along and hafta completely shut kies off? Can you explain why we need to be bother with this step?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Samsung doesn't release change logs so no not sure of the specific differences. KG6 is a beta release as far as I know. KG5 and 7 are official. I would go for KH3 as it has very good battery saving features.

You need step 4 to load samsung USB drivers. :)
 
AstralQ said:
Hey Blue, just wanted to thank you so much for your guide. It was very comprehensive for a COMPLETE newbie. I had been reading up on rooting (simply for the fact that I wanted the new firmware, because I was going through 2 batteries a day on my S2!). Anyway, I had done some reading on xda, and found their tutorials pretty complicated. Then I found yours! after a couple weeks of indecision, (I'm a TOTAL rule follower!) I decided to give it a try. I didn't quite understand what you meant by the KH3 rom at first, so I started small and rooted with the KG2. My phone didn't explode, and the world didn't tilt, so YAY! Couple days went by and after more reading I figured out what you meant by flashing the KH3 Rom. So I did that, which caused me to loose root (which wasn't a big deal to me until I discovered I couldn't set up my email because I had frozen social hub when I had rooted, the email wouldn't set up without it, and I didn't have access to titanum backup without root to change it back temporarily!... So I rooted again with an unsecure KH3 kernel, then flashed stock KH3 as per Intratech's instructions on xda, which got rid of the yellow triangle, so I still appear to be the rule following girl everyone knows and loves! (but am still rooted!).

Anyway, the moral here is, if I can do it (carefully following the instructions), then anyone can. Thank you so much. Without your simply explained process, I'd still be using the 2.3.3 firmware. That's not to say I didn't have a couple moments of panic! Oh no! My email doesn't work! If only I hadn't changed things!... or OMG, my picture message won't go through! Flashing ruined my phone!... No, just a couple settings got unchecked...

On one other note, I haven't noticed that much of a benefit with battery life. I froze everything you suggested, but I still had to go to a second battery today. Maybe I need to give it another day to see for sure.:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated :)

I got home last night after 15 hours with 29% battery! I'm serious.
The lowest I got was 10-11 hours with intense use. Not bad compared to what I used to get.

Here is what I did:

Using titanium pro I froze:

Samsung Social Hub (both processes)
Bell GPS Navigator (for KG2 firmware)
IMEI tracker
Software Update
Wifi Sharing Manager
Wifi Sharing (not wifi!)

Then I went into settings > power settings. Check System power savings. (not available in KG2)

:D
 
Blue1k said:
Thanks for the comments. Much appreciated :)

I got home last night after 15 hours with 29% battery! I'm serious.
The lowest I got was 10-11 hours with intense use. Not bad compared to what I used to get.

Here is what I did:

Using titanium pro I froze:

Samsung Social Hub (both processes)
Bell GPS Navigator (for KG2 firmware)
IMEI tracker
Software Update
Wifi Sharing Manager
Wifi Sharing (not wifi!)




Then I went into settings > power settings. Check System power savings. (not available in KG2)

:D
Click to expand...

Done, and done! Thanks! I'll see how that works for me.
 
Also forgot to mention to leave GPS off unless needed. My screen is at 40% with auto brightness disabled.
 
Works like a charm, thanks!

> 7. Now before connecting your phone you put it into download mode. To do this simply press: HOME button, VOLUME DOWN, and POWER-all at the same time.

You might want to note that you need to shut down the phone before performing this step.
 
Hi,

I am planning on rooting my SGS2, I have dowloaded ODIN from XDA, extracted it, when I try to run it it opens for 1 sec and closes again! can someone please help.

Thanks
 
torevor said:
Works like a charm, thanks!

> 7. Now before connecting your phone you put it into download mode. To do this simply press: HOME button, VOLUME DOWN, and POWER-all at the same time.

You might want to note that you need to shut down the phone before performing this step.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Changed on the guide. Also uploaded the stock rom and modem to my server. Links also added for reference.
 
androidistic said:
Hi,

I am planning on rooting my SGS2, I have dowloaded ODIN from XDA, extracted it, when I try to run it it opens for 1 sec and closes again! can someone please help.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Try right clicking on it and run as administrator. What version of windows are you running?
 
Greetings Gang,

I have The Galaxy S2, Ver 2.3.3.

I signed on to rogers, and am trying to figure out how to get the Rogers Live to work on the phone. Does anyone know a work around to get this to happen? Good Ole Rogers blocked XM Radio from working on their Phones so you have to sign up to Rogers Live to listen to music. Which makes my Lifetime membership useless..

Thanks

-Warren
 
Blue1k,

i was looking at ur post #1 again and got confused...

PS. Rooting will void warranty but it is reversible. If you need return it use Odin to flash back the stock rom.

Bell Stock Items

Bell KG2 Stock Modem
Bell KG2 Rom

ROM is not for Odin. Flash the zip file in recovery.

Your PS said to flashback stock rom with Odin. Then at the bottom you said ROM is not for Odin, flash in recovery.

So what is it? Thanks
 
clb09 said:
Blue1k,

i was looking at ur post #1 again and got confused...

PS. Rooting will void warranty but it is reversible. If you need return it use Odin to flash back the stock rom.

Bell Stock Items

Bell KG2 Stock Modem
Bell KG2 Rom

ROM is not for Odin. Flash the zip file in recovery.

Your PS said to flashback stock rom with Odin. Then at the bottom you said ROM is not for Odin, flash in recovery.

So what is it? Thanks
Click to expand...

Sorry about that. Fixed the steps in the first post.

The reason you can't use Odin for the version I saved on my server is it is not in the right format. Zip files have to flashed in recovery. I wrote that line in the guide before I had my hands on the backup and I assumed it would be in the tar format for odin.

I added the steps how to do flash it using CWM app which should already be on your phone. Very easy to do. :)

Hope this helps!
 
Blue1k said:
The weird thing for me was that the kh3 modem worked perfectly until 2 days ago. I had 7 down and 3 up. Then for whatever reason it started timing out and when I did get a connection it was very slow - even at different locations/towers.

I flashed Sicopats kh3 almost stock rom and now my connection is solid again. Same modem too.

Weird....

And yes I am using full version of titanium.
Click to expand...

Thanks for a great tutorial! I just updated my phone to XXKH3, and then rooted it. However, when I was using KG2, my connection over the network was great 8 down, 4 up, and since switching to KH3 it has gone to shit. Any idea how to fix this specifically? Someone mentioned about putting the original bell modem on? How is that done?
 
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