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Help How do I update firmware?

just a quick question as i'm quite new,
when we want to flash to a firmware eg if i was going to go to KE7 and was downloading the files from xda, what files do i download? just the xeu or do i need kernals as well?
what do we use kernals for?
 
patrat7 said:
just a quick question as i'm quite new,
when we want to flash to a firmware eg if i was going to go to KE7 and was downloading the files from xda, what files do i download? just the xeu or do i need kernals as well?
what do we use kernals for?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the thread Patrat. You just need this file:

GT-I9100_XEU_I9100XWKE7_I9100XXKE4_I9100XEUKD1.zip

Extract it (there'll be a .tar file inside). And that's the file you select when you click the "PDA" button in Odin.
 
thanks darksky, one more thing can we flash with any country model ie i have no idea what i'm on but can i change to say the UK or polish models without worrying about it effecting my phone?
 
i'd suggest flashing KF2, the newest one.. there is a frankenstein version that has the XEU (european) CSC.. its not official, but its the same KF2 kernel and modem.. im using it now, its good.. let me know if u need to clear anything up :)
 
Hi all,
I have an Irish branded Vodafone on KE1. I'm thinking of updating it to KE7. Find the wi-fi signal poor and the battery life could do with an improvement also. I am hoping that KE7 will be the answer. My question is, once I update with Odin, can I use Kies after that for future updates or once I use Odin am I stuck with that as the means to update my software?
Thanks in advance
 
So far, I have no idea what the difference between KE2 and KE7 is. My wifi has always sucked but that's due to the # of rooms and my weak router. (my droid, my PS3, my wifi on my Patriot Box Office media player, and netbook, all have poor signal strength too).

Does anyone know of the 'main' fixes/features of KE7 over previous firmwares?
 
The sense of entitlement and pure laziness of internet forum posters sometimes baffles me.

Congrats on your success, DarkSky. You should be proud.
 
I leaving it alone. KE2 is working great for me. Not a single crash and faster than any phone I have ever used.

Not taking any chances on bricking my phone.
 
greggebhardt said:
I leaving it alone. KE2 is working great for me. Not a single crash and faster than any phone I have ever used.

Not taking any chances on bricking my phone.
Click to expand...

While I'm not too concerned about bricking my phone, KE2 is also working fine for me.

Battery life isn't great but it usually lasts from 06:45 when I get up to 00:00 when I go to bed so that's good enough. Also I have an external battery pack just in case.

It's tempting always to have the latest version but KE2 has not caused me any problems at all so I'll stick with it for now. I am thinking of trying a custom ROM but I'll probably wait another month or two to see if a consensus emerges as to which is the most worth trying.
 
DarkSky said:
So far, I have no idea what the difference between KE2 and KE7 is. My wifi has always sucked but that's due to the # of rooms and my weak router. (my droid, my PS3, my wifi on my Patriot Box Office media player, and netbook, all have poor signal strength too).

Does anyone know of the 'main' fixes/features of KE7 over previous firmwares?
Click to expand...

u could think of flashing KF2, its the newest one i think.. n although i havent noticed much battery improvement, some people say that battery is improved.. n im not sure if its just me, but the phone runs a bit smoother than before.. n maybe ive got a slight battery improvement too :)
 
Hi..
I am thinking of rooting as my phones .... PDA:XWKE2 PHONE: XXKDJ . I am looking for maybe a little better battery life and a fix for the pink spot would be nice. I just what to confirm I can download the KE7 tar file straight on using Odin or do I need to install another Kernal as well.
I think reading too much has confused me.
 
stevegs said:
Hi..
I am thinking of rooting as my phones .... PDA:XWKE2 PHONE: XXKDJ . I am looking for maybe a little better battery life and a fix for the pink spot would be nice. I just what to confirm I can download the KE7 tar file straight on using Odin or do I need to install another Kernal as well.
I think reading too much has confused me.
Click to expand...

You can update your firmware to KE7 from Odin. For root, you would need to flash the KE7 kernel from [15.06.2011][CF-Root v4.0] KE2/7/8, KF1/2/4 - su+bb+CWM4 - xda-developers, this would be done from Odin as well.
 
Can I just update firmware to KE7 without flashing the kernal. If I do have to have the kernal I assume this is installed before the KE7 firmware is loaded ?
Thanks.
 
stevegs said:
Can I just update firmware to KE7 without flashing the kernal. If I do have to have the kernal I assume this is installed before the KE7 firmware is loaded ?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you can update the firmware without the kernel. However, for root access you would need to flash the KE7 kernel that's in the link, after updating the firmware. To flash the kernel is exactly the same as updating the firmware in Odin.
 
I am still too new in Android, so I will bookmark this for future reference. Thanks DarkSky for starting the thread and everyone who shared. So much to read and learn. Reminds me of the days when I was busy with my Palm. ^^
 
ive noticed i cant update via kies either but its because vodafail in all their wisdom haven't released it yet....still have to "test" it before roll-out. *sigh*

so....just a re-cap =

1)will updating firmware manually void any warranty? (im assuming yes?)
2)is there a change to brick the phone? (i thought it was only when you root there is that chance?)
 
It may void your warranty but you can always flash back to your original firmware.
I think whenever you flash something firmware or rooted kernal there is a slight chance of bricking. Just dont pull out the usb while in mid flash.
 
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