Just called ATT today to ask if the GPS support department had any guidance on my Captivate problems. The agent claimed to not have heard about any GPS issues (to which I responded that is like a Ford person saying they hadn't heard of any issues with the Pinto gas tank). They apparently got a memo just TODAY that JH7 was being released. Here is the text of the memo, for what it's worth.
How Do I Update The Software On My AT&T SGH-i897 (Captivate) Phone To JH7 Through Kies Mini?
An update to improve the Samsung Captivate's GPS performance is now available. Captivate customers will receive a notification on their device that an update is available and will simply need to download the file to update their phone. The updates will be pushed to devices over the next few weeks.
The update for the Captivate will also improve additional device functions, such as media scanning time, add the full version of Quickoffice and address Microsoft Exchange 2003 policy support.
It is highly recommended to attempt the JH7 update through Firmware Over The Air (FOTA) process versus Kies Mini due to simplicity. Please click here for more information.
COMPUTER
- <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal>Desktop/Laptop Computer Running 32bit Versions Of Either Microsoft Windows 7, Vista, or XP <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal>All Firewall & Anti-Virus Programs Should Be Disabled <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal>Administrative Privileges Required To Download & Install Software Including Drivers
- An Available USB Port On The PC
- <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3" class=MsoNormal>USB Data Cable (Included In Retail Box)
- Any Previous Samsung Kies Software Should Be Removed
Step One: Obtaining Kies Mini
To obtain the a copy of Kies Mini, click on the download button below.

Save the file to a specified location, recommend desktop for easy access.
Step Two: Installing Kies Mini
1. Double click the Kies Mini file. The installwizard will then extract files needed for installation. No action is required.
2. Location and language is selected by default, click the Next button.
3. Read over the license agreement and check " I accept the terms.." and then click the Next button
4. Kies Mini will begin installation
5. Remove the checkmark from "Launch Kies Mini" and click Finish
Step Three: Configuring Device/Driver Install
1. On the phone, USB Debugging should be enabled. To do this, goto Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging. Tap Ok to the message.
2. Plug the cable into the phone and then into the computer. The computer should detect new hardware and install automatically. It will do this for several devices and may take a few moments.
3. Unplug the cable from the phone and power off the device. Hold down both the volume up & down keys while inserting the data cable. The phone will enter a Downloading mode. The computer will then install the rest of the drivers files. If there is a problem with Windows finding the driver, let it search online to grab them. Once the computer has finished, unplug the device from the computer, remove the cover, remove the battery, insert the battery, and place the cover back on. Lastly, power on the device.
4. Restart the computer.;
Step Four: Device Upgrading
1. Open Kies Mini and plug the USB cable into the phone
2. Click on Phone Upgrade
3. Read over the Caution statements and check " I have read and understood..." and then click the Upgrade button
4. Kies Mini will contact the server and download the binary. Downloading time varies on network conditions. It may take a few minutes.
5. Kies Mini will start upgrading the device
6. Click the Ok button to finish
Please see below list of some changes found in JH7 outside of what is listed at the top of the article.
- <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo7" class=MsoNormal>Improvements:
- Mac Support: USB debugging mode is no longer required to be enabled to connect to a Mac as a mass storage device. It follows same process as a PC.
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo7" class=MsoNormal>Modifications:
- <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l12 level2 lfo7" class=MsoNormal>Samsung Kies: The Samsung Kies option found in USB settings has been changed to Kies (Firmware upgrade) for better understanding.
- PC Internet: The PC Internet option found in USB settings has been removed and the default selection has been set to Ask on Connection.
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo7" class=MsoNormal>Additions:
- <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l12 level2 lfo7" class=MsoNormal>GMS: The Google Mobile Services has been update to the latest version (R7, this includes Navigation) excluding media uploader.
- TTS Library: The standard Text To Speech library data has now been implemented
<LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l12 level1 lfo7" class=MsoNormal>Fixes:
- Null Subject: Occasionally when sending an email with no value in the subject field, to the device, it would not appear in the inbox.
- Multimedia Message Download: MMS received while operating in 2G has been changed to allow for automatic download
Common Questions/Troubleshooting
General Questions
- Does the JH7 update contain an upgrade to Android 2.2 (Froyo)?
- No. JH7 is maintenance release.
- Will Kies Mini work on my Mac?
- No. Kies Mini works on the PC only. You can attempt a FOTA update however.
- Can I use Kies to perform the update?
- Kies is not recommended nor offically supported on Galaxy S phones Stateside. If you have a verison of Kies, it is recommended to remove it entirely before installing Kies Mini.
- What are the capabilities of Kies Mini?
- Kies Mini is a simple tool that performs a firmware update for a phone. Other options that may accompany the tool are unsupported for this product.
- Can I use Kies Mini to update other models of Galaxy S?
- No. This build 10082_8-1 of Kies Mini is approved for Captivate only.
Kies Mini Does Not Detect The Phone:
- <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo13" class=MsoNormal>I am having problems with Kies Mini detecing the phone. What can I do?
- <LI style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; COLOR: #333333; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l8 level2 lfo13" class=MsoNormal>First, try enabling USB debugging mode and then connect.
- Depending on the amount of data stored on the memory, this could impair Kies Mini ability to detect device if phone is set to Samsung Kies mode. It may be necessary to remove the microSD card if inserted. Should problems persist, the internal memory may need to be purged . Backup up all desired data and goto Menu > Settings > Privacy > Factory data Reset. Follow the onscreen instructions and after reboot, attempt to connect to Kies Mini
- The Media Scan process could produce a loop if connected while in progress. If this occurs, disconnect and power cycle the device. Wait until the device fully boots and the process is finished before connecting again.
- Can Kies Mini recover my phone after a failed update through the program?
- The program supports an emergency recovery mode where it may be able to update the phone if it can still enter download mode. To boot the phone into download mode, hold down both volume keys while inserting the data cable attached to the PC. If the phone is unable to boot into the mode, it will require servicing.
- I receive an error regarding unregistered device What can I do?
- The program can report this message if it detects a software build other than the official launch software of JF6. There are other reasons why this error occurs however phone registration through samsung.com will not resolve the error.
For more information on the SGH-i897 Captivate, a Galaxy S phone, please click the banner below.

Refgards, xxx xxxxxx