Help Anger vented at Kies....

[vwgolfman]

I'd just like to vent some anger if I may please....

That Samsung Kies is the biggest piece of shite I've ever known.

Every time I boot up my machine I get a Kies pop-up suggesting that there is a firmware update available.
There isn't, it just thinks there is. My S2 isn't even plugged into my PC and Kies somehow knows that there is a firmware update available. Funny that.
This pop-up never used to appear. It only started doing so a few days ago.
My S2 is running KE7 which I believe is the latest firmware revision (updated through Kies).

I have now started getting a USB error message from within Windows and suspect none other than our favourite Kies as the culprit for this.
After some investigation I have discovered that Kies has strangled my USB modem which was installed and working with no problems. When I check "phone and modem" in Windows' Control Panel I can no longer see my modem but I CAN see several identical entries for Samsung Android USB Modem and Samsung Mobile USB Modem.

Is there a better way to update the firmware of my S2 and also back up the contents of it (contacts, bookmarks etc)?

I'd rather have no trace of Kies on my PC if possible.
In fact I wish it never existed anywhere on this Planet.

 

[johnyfalco]

I agree Kies is not very user friendly, that's why I use odin to update firmware. Kies isn't really needed for anything.

 

[Russcausier82]

Whats odin and where do i find it?cant seem to update my sg2 at all through kies

 

[MagicMarker]

Kies is shit. I'm trying to do a full backup before doing my first firmware update, yet every time I click backup the connection is lost and is suddenly back.

Why does Everything have to be so difficult!

 

[johnyfalco]

Whats odin and where do i find it?cant seem to update my sg2 at all through kies

This worked for me [ROM + Guide]Official i9100 KDD/KE1/KE2/KE7 download for Odin Flash and Root Guide. - xda-developers

This may also help http://www.androidtotal.com/manually-download-install-xwke7-update-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-2/

 

[1ds]

Kies is a disgrace to FW update the cleanest/safest and most effcient way to update is OTA annoyingly Samsung forces us to use Kies.

 

[TobesEtc]

You are all correct, Kias is awful. The only thing worse is Samsung's support of Kias. They've never replied to my contacting them - and I spoke to a genuine live human being (or so he claimed...)