Flashing various country Unlocked I9100 Firmware to the UK unlocked firmware - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I saw a guide pertaining to branded firmwares, but didn't see a guide regarding changing various countries firmware permanently to the Uk firmware. If there is guide on this subject, could you please direct me to it?
1. If you have a unlocked firmware from one of the various countries, how do you flash to the UK unlocked Firmware?
2. Additionally, if and when you are able to flash to the UK unlocked firmware what needs to be changed so that your phone is recognized as a UK unlocked firmware phone (to always get the latest updates)?
3. The latest update on Kies just released, this is available for UK unlocked phones?
4. If the UK firmware always gets the updates first, then why doesn't everyone update their phone to the UK firmware?
AC

---

Attackcenter said:
I saw a guide pertaining to branded firmwares, but didn't see a guide regarding changing various countries firmware permanently to the Uk firmware. If there is guide on this subject, could you please direct me to it?
1. If you have a unlocked firmware from one of the various countries, how do you flash to the UK unlocked Firmware?
All firmware is unlocked flash firmware via ODIN .
Details in the STOCK rom post in dev section .
3. The latest update on Kies just released, this is available for UK unlocked phones?
All Phones that match product codes .
4. If the UK firmware always gets the updates first, then why doesn't everyone update their phone to the UK firmware?
Because the UK has never got the firmware first you are misinformed .
Samsung release firmware by location its sent to the network providers who then choose to update or not they send it to Kies .
Stock rom post dev section .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

---

Thanks. Also:
1. Doesn't Europe in general usually get the lastest updates first?
2. Is there a carrier that you can flash your phone to so that you will always get the latest updates?
3. Cant you flash your phone to a different country firmware? Isn't the advantage of this that you would always get the firmware first if that particular area usually has them first?
4. Carriers in what particular area get the firmwares first?
AC

---

Attackcenter said:
1. Doesn't Europe in general usually get the lastest updates first?
No it varies but probably more towards the front of the queue
2. Is there a carrier that you can flash your phone to so that you will always get the latest updates?
No
3. Cant you flash your phone to a different country firmware? Isn't the advantage of this that you would always get the firmware first if that particular area usually has them first?
Yes if your supposition was true .
In which case Europe firmware .
4. Carriers in what particular area get the firmwares first?
None they all get them at the same time from Samsung and they decide if and when to release .
Most XDA users flash latest firmware stock Samsung via Odin from dev section stock roms or Samfirmware.com. That gets the latest firmware .
Current latest is KG3 .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

---

Appreciate the help. Few more Q's
1. I have seen at least one person that bricked his phone using Odin? How rare is that? Isn't there an safety advantage of taking a chance with flashing your phone to Europe firmware and always getting your firmware from Kies?
2. The KG3, is that a beta leak or the final release version?
3. If your phone is unlocked, would KG3 eventually be available through Kies? What's an estimated time frame?
4. Have any of the updates in the past been rolled out OTA and not through Kies? If so is this for carrier locked phones only?
Thanks,
AC

---

Attackcenter said:
1. I have seen at least one person that bricked his phone using Odin? How rare is that? Isn't there an safety advantage of taking a chance with flashing your phone to Europe firmware and always getting your firmware from Kies?
Safety Odin v Kies Odin about 1% chance of bricking phone rising to 100% if not following instructions .
KIES about 15% chance of a failed firmware update
return to Samsung for a fix .(or use Odin as thats what Samsung will use )
2. The KG3, is that a beta leak or the final release version?
Its not a Beta .
3. If your phone is unlocked, would KG3 eventually be available through Kies? What's an estimated time frame?
Eventually 3 weeks to 3 months time scale or nobody really knows .
4. Have any of the updates in the past been rolled out OTA and not through Kies? If so is this for carrier locked phones only?
OTA only just switched on July and testing inplace though it does seem to have started its carrier roll out for some phones .
Should be both Kies and OTA but we dont really know yet .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

---

Very Helpful thanks. ?
1. I've heard if you update to KG3, you have to wipe your phone in the process. What is the equivalent to wiping on the I9100? Does it mean that your everything will be wiped clean including settings, apps, miscelanous files, and videos? Of just your settings will be reset?
3. Does the process of upgrading to KG3 include having to root? Because of there being more steps involved because of a wipe, is there any reason not to just root your phone? Is your phone rooted?
2. If KG3 does include the process of having to do a "full wipe" equivalent to a format, and then is there any reason not to just update with the most recommended and stable custom roms?
3. Do you have KG3 on yours? If so do you have the full KG3 or partial, please explain? Do you have one of the custom roms
I've thanked you on every post and hope everyone else does the same.
AC

---

Attackcenter said:
1. I've heard if you update to KG3, you have to wipe your phone in the process. What is the equivalent to wiping on the I9100? Does it mean that your everything will be wiped clean including settings, apps, miscelanous files, and videos? Of just your settings will be reset?
Wipe is everything .
3. Does the process of upgrading to KG3 include having to root?
No
Because of there being more steps involved because of a wipe, is there any reason not to just root your phone? You van just root .
Is your phone rooted?
ALWAYS from day two .
2. If KG3 does include the process of having to do a "full wipe" equivalent to a format, and then is there any reason not to just update with the most recommended and stable custom roms?
No you could use one of the roms no problem .
3. Do you have KG3 on yours? If so do you have the full KG3 or partial, please explain? Do you have one of the custom roms
Current is Cognition rom 1.2 KG2 based later release 1.3 is KG3 but i have not bothered to update to 1.30
Also Villain Rom both in dev section .
If i update to a new rom as in new builder i do a full wipe and reinstall my apps as a matter of course and then would not update again just for minor upgrades in the rom . Preferring to wait and see if their is any real reason to upgrade .
Recovery to warranty state is a matter of flashing a stock Samsung rom or the correct branded rom for the phone even an old one . Resetting the custom rom counter via the usb recovery jig and Samsung non the wiser .
Lot of users rush in to putting a custom rom on the phone followed by multiple custom roms and never bothering to read the instructions end up with a bricked phone . but a bricked SGS has a 99% chance of recovery by flashing a stock rom back .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

---

Thanks for all of your help. Comment/Question
I went ahead and updated to the No wipe KG3, posted by Intratech and found here:
Frankenstein non-wipe package:http://www.multiupload.com/G3X5DJSUBK
I noticed that Intratech also posted the Stock XXKG3 kernel: http://www.multiupload.com/7LEXO574OT
Password: [email protected]
1. Is there any advantage of installing a wipe vs no wipe package? Will a no wipe package now or in time leave remnants of installations and eventually not give you a clean installation?
2. What was the intention of the posting of the Kernel? What is it for? Doesn't the NO Wipe package already include this?
I had not known exactly what to expect (even with the title no wipe). So I backed up my apps with Super Manager and App Backup. I also backed up my APN'S with APN Backup and Restore and APN Manager. I flashed with the instructions by Intratech at: (which was painless) at: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Afterwords I found this was an easy and painless process. All of my apps, settings, and APN's were still there and intact (didn't even require the backups as I presumed).
3. I notice that I am able to just use the windows explorer to move files directly to my i9100 now instead of having to use Kies. Was this always the case? I am not sure because I had crashing when I tried to do this before. I do notice however, that when I move supported files directly to the device through explorer that works fine, but when I tried to move an unsupported movie format (ts movie file) to the i9100 it crashes and won't let me do it? Is this because my I9100 isn't rooted that it is restricting me from doing this?
4. What are the advantages of rooting for you?