Samsung Galaxy S II Owners Thread

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Networkn
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#542835 8-Nov-2011 21:05

So torn, so many ROMS to choose from, AND some of them are complicated!

How can I tell what version of CMW I am running?
What is the difference between KI4 and whatever else?
Is 2.3.5 KI4 pretty much the most recent version of whatever whatever?

Brendan

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#542837 8-Nov-2011 21:11

It's all in the faq below...

networkn

Networkn
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#542840 8-Nov-2011 21:18

That's a good document you have created. Kudos. Didn't specifically answer my questions though. I'll just take a punt and see what happens :)

lokhor

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#542850 8-Nov-2011 21:42

KJ2 is the latest ROM.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

Brendan

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#542887 8-Nov-2011 23:14

networkn: That's a good document you have created. Kudos. Didn't specifically answer my questions though. I'll just take a punt and see what happens :)

Ok, I'll see if I can fix that at some point. Thanks!

How can I tell what version of CMW I am running?

Usually, when you go into CWM, the version number will be displayed on the screen. The latest is 5.x.x.x.

If you have not rooted your device before, you will have the standard '3e' recovery from samsung. It is of very little use and will not allow you to install a custom rom. It's only useful for doing a factory reset.

CWM is much superior, it does all 3e does and more.

What is the difference between KI4 and whatever else?

KI4 is a more recent release from samsung, it being android 2.3.5 with samsung drivers and apps installed. It is currently the best version available and has been out for a month or more now. It is well regarded, speedy and efficient.

KJ2 is newer still, and is becoming popular. It is thought to be even better than KI4, but it is still very new.

Newer versions are generally better on the battery and smoother operation, so it's always a good idea to read what the talk is about with a new rom from samsung, to see if it's a worthwhile upgrade.

If you just want somewhere to start, without too much bleeding edge stuff, try a good KI4 based rom. RevolutionHD, Dlev, etc.

Two more important aspects to consider: Kernel and Modem.

Popular opinion is that the KG5 modem is best for vodafone based networks here in NZ, it seems to give a good signal with minimum battery use. You can find a CWM file of it, and just flash it like you would a rom inside CWM (do not use the cwm app for any flashing - buggy - reboot your device into CWM proper - turn off. Then hold in power, volume up, and home keys. As soon as the first samsung boot screen appears, release only the power button). It will replace whatever came with your rom, you need do nothing else.

The kernel is more a personal choice, but best at the moment is the siyah kernel. You flash it the same as a rom or modem.

(for initial rooting of your device, see my faq below; you will need to use a program called odin and can use the TAR version of siyah kernel instead of the slighly outdated one I suggest in the faq - but either will work. It;s only important you get a new kernel onto the device so then you have CWM - everything after that is easy).

Is 2.3.5 KI4 pretty much the most recent version of whatever whatever?

There is one newer - KJ2 - but don't worry about it. KI4 is fine. Either will do just fine.

Pick your rom based on features and reputation. Read the last 10 pages of feedback on xda for your choice to see if people are having trouble with the newest version.

openmedia

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#542990 9-Nov-2011 09:57

I'm using a stock Telecom Firmware on my S2 and found I can't browse the internet whilst running Wifi or USB Tether. Is this normal as I'm sure on my old Ideos X5 I could browse whilst tethered.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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Debin

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#542998 9-Nov-2011 10:09

Any tips on how to fully take phone back to standard touchwiz/kernel/rom? I suppose I need to flash the generic firmware? Feel like starting again from scratch/installing Cyanogen.

nzgeek

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#543008 9-Nov-2011 10:49

nofam: I'd recommend this approach only as a last resort tbh, and even then, only for advanced users - flashing bootloaders by themselves via Odin is about the most risky thing you can do with your clothes on. . . . .

It's not quite so bad, thanks to the dual bootloader system. If one of the bootloader is corrupted, the phone should pick that fact up and use the secondary bootloader instead, which will allow you to at least get back into download mode so you can attempt a re-flash.

Debin: Any tips on how to fully take phone back to standard touchwiz/kernel/rom? I suppose I need to flash the generic firmware? Feel like starting again from scratch/installing Cyanogen.

Your best bet is to download a stock firmware from somewhere like XDA. You'll also need Odin, which is linked to in the thread.

I'd go with an older stock firmware like XWKE7, as the newer firmwares include an updated bootloader that prevents you from removing the yellow triangle with the jig. You should then be able to flash on a CWM kernel (e.g. CF-Root), and from there install CyanogenMod.

If all you want to do is to move to CyanogenMod, you may not need to flash fully back to stock. You should be able to format your /system and /data partitions from CWM recovery, which will wipe out all of your settings, apps, and the existing OS files. Then, without rebooting, you should be able to install CyanogenMod quite easily. Just make sure you flash CyanogenMod twice, because many people are reporting that it doesn't install correctly with just a single flash.

Foo

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#543012 9-Nov-2011 10:54

Right, I've got my phone back up and go after my little mishap yesterday.

One thing that has annoyed me is with the disappearance of a paid for app. I paid $5 for Camera 360 Ultimate and it appears this has now disappeared from the Android market. Reason being - it is now exclusive to the Amazon marketplace.

The only way for me to get it back is buy it again from Amazon, or download it illegally. This has got me thinking along the lines of "do we really own the apps we download, or do we simply rent them".

I know if I had used Titanium Backup, I could have easily reinstalled that way, but it seems odd that a company can change the terms of sale after you have purchased it

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

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#543018 9-Nov-2011 11:03

Galaxy S II Gets Some ICS Treatment Courtesy of MIUI

Anyone wanna check this out and see how it goes?

lokhor

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#543024 9-Nov-2011 11:06

It's not actually ICS, just uses the framework.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

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P1n3apqlExpr3ss

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#543030 9-Nov-2011 11:10

lokhor: It's not actually ICS, just uses the framework.

What specifically is the framework? Another term for the SDK?

openmedia

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#543175 9-Nov-2011 15:41

kiwitrc:
ejo: Low headset volume!
?
I have the galaxay sii and use the headset that came with the phone to call?while driving. I find the volume is pretty low, even when turned to maximum.

Is there a way to increase the headset volume?

Thanks ?

Yeah I asked that a while ago and still havent figured it

I've recently got this phone and have the same issue. Telecom immediately offered to take my phone in for repair even though it affects their store mode.

I've found one partial fix.

Start the music player and push the medial volume to the max. You will now find your in call volume is a bit higher.

Another option i've seen suggested is the Volume+ application.

For me the service number *#*#197328640#*#* doesn't appear to work on my Telecom NZ model.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

kiwitrc

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#543178 9-Nov-2011 15:44

@openmedia Actually without realising it, I dont have that issue anymore? It may be firmware version related as I have updated my firmware since then, and more recently flashed a custom ROM.

tonypnz

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#543201 9-Nov-2011 16:03

Hmm what happens if you can no longer get into recovery mode. I flashed Siyah 2.1.1 using DarkyROM Tool and now my phone just gets to the boot screen and pauses. I can't seem to get into recovery mode either by holding down the three buttons and then releasing the power button. I've tried taking the battery out and replacing. Any ideas?

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