Samsung Galaxy S2 firmware

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Noig

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#110229 5-Oct-2012 14:14

Hi all

I have just rooted the phone and like to do an update on firmware.
This is the existing:
Version 2.3.5
Baseband Version I9100XXK13
and Kernel Version
2.6.35.7-I9100ZSK13-CL603802..
Build Number
GINGERBREAD ZSK13

Would someone of you be able to recommend the suitable firmware for NZ(using 2 degrees)

nzgeek

618 posts

Ultimate Geek

#696847 5-Oct-2012 16:20

There are literally hundreds to choose from, so it's hard to know where to begin.

You could start by looking in the SGS2 section of XDA Developers, under the Android Development and Original Android Development threads. Each thread's title will have a whole bunch of acronyms in there, so here's a key to what some of them mean:

ICS = Ice Cream Sandwich, the code name for Android 4.0.x. The latest Samsung stock is version 4.0.4.
JB = Jellybean, the code name for Android 4.1.x. These roms will contain incomplete code.
Stock = Based on Samsung's roms. Samsung have to release the source code for their kernels (the core part of the OS), but not for their TouchWiz skin or any of the other apps.
CM9/CM10 = CyanogenMod 9 or 10. CyanogenMod is based on Google's Android source code, and runs on a number of devices. CM9 is Android 4.0.4, CM10 is Android 4.1.1.
AOKP/AOSP = Android Open Kernel/Source Project, various versions of Android built from Google's source code.
MIUI = Yet another open source Android version. It has a slightly different user interface to standard Android.
OTA = Over-the-air updates. The rom supports being updated directly from the phone.
Deodexed = The code portions of the rom have not been pre-optimised by the developer. This allows various portions to be replaced, making it easier to theme or modify.

Very few of those threads are for the "vanilla" versions of the roms. Most are for customised versions, where apps may be added or removed, and the visual theme may be changed. The amount of customisation can be even greater when source code is available.

What rom you end up choosing depends completely on you. There's rarely anything in a specific rom that will prevent it from working in NZ. The only thing to watch will be what modifications have been made, and how they affect battery life.

CyanogenMod isn't a bad choice. Version 9.1.0 is stable, and gives you a very clean Android interface. The latest beta builds of CyanogenMod 10 are also pretty good, and I'm running one right now. I've teamed it with the BVLP7 modem, and I'm getting excellent battery life (2degrees, central Auckland).

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#696861 5-Oct-2012 17:26

You can get stock firmware over at samfirmware.com if thats the way you want to go. Somebody gave instructions on backing up the 2 Degrees firmware in one of the other threads, ie they took a copy of their stock 2 Deg firmware and saved it, try a forum search.

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#696896 5-Oct-2012 18:36

I just updated a new SII today to CM10 - relatively easy to do
At a minimum, you can just run the built in updater to get to ICS. Settings > about > update

Noig

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#696904 5-Oct-2012 18:50

Hi all
Thank you and apology for the late reply.
I have rooted the phone today and that went all ok. Backed up. Subsequently updated the firmware on someone's suggestion in another forum with this.
Now the fast access service codes to usb and uart do not work and so quite a lot of other codes. It means I cannot connect to Kies nor Odin.
Is there an option to revert or any solution to solve this.
I might've had to choose another firmware??

Thanks

DoggNZ

437 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#697979 8-Oct-2012 16:19

Noig: Hi all
Thank you and apology for the late reply.
I have rooted the phone today and that went all ok. Backed up. Subsequently updated the firmware on someone's suggestion in another forum with this.
Now the fast access service codes to usb and uart do not work and so quite a lot of other codes. It means I cannot connect to Kies nor Odin.
Is there an option to revert or any solution to solve this.
I might've had to choose another firmware??

Thanks

Did you happen to do a Nandroid backup prior to flashing that firmware (which is the 2 Degrees firmware)

Also, what do you mean by fast access service codes to usb and uart? I flashed that same ROM a while back and then did the OTA update to the LF2 firmware and it's all fine.

Noig

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#697987 8-Oct-2012 16:27

Hi
What I meant with fast access codes are the mmi (eg. *#1234#) and those were not working after I did the rooting with Siyah 4.1.5.
I have done a factory reset and installed the 'I9100XWLPI_I9100NZCLP1_NZC' and would like to root this with a kernel version which has a stock dialer so the "hidden" codes would still work.
Is that explanation a bit better?

DoggNZ

437 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#697991 8-Oct-2012 16:35

Noig: Hi
What I meant with fast access codes are the mmi (eg. *#1234#) and those were not working after I did the rooting with Siyah 4.1.5.
I have done a factory reset and installed the 'I9100XWLPI_I9100NZCLP1_NZC' and would like to root this with a kernel version which has a stock dialer so the "hidden" codes would still work.
Is that explanation a bit better?

You might be confusing your terminology there a bit. Siyah 4.1.5 is a kernel. You don't root your phone with it and they don't change your dialer.

I'm pretty sure those codes you're talking about don't work in Ice Cream Sandwich (which is the firmware you've installed)

Edit: Sorry, *#1234# does work on ICS

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Noig

446 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#698232 9-Oct-2012 07:12

Yes my post's terms are confusing and so am I to a certain extent at times.
Nevertheless the code I wanted to work *#7284# does work with ICS 4.0.3. It is the PhoneUtil to adjust the uart and usb for connecting to Kies.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#698349 9-Oct-2012 12:51

The codes work in ICS, they will not however work in any CyanogenMod or other AOSP-derived firmwares.

The phone should still be able to be booted into "download mode" in order to restore it using Odin by powering the phone on holding the volume-down and home buttons. Failing that, if you're using a TouchWiz-based firmware, then you can download Mobile-Odin from the market and use that.

@KnightNZ