[Q] Previous HTC Owner very lost - Firmware Kernel codes? - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi Guys, I've been searching and searching for several days now, and trawling endless requests and information about what kernels are compatible with what, but [blank look] huh?
Being an HTC user for the last 5 years, this all seems overly confusing, just when I think I have the info I need, I read a contradiction, then the thread dies!
So my question, and I apologise so much if this has been (and I'm sure it has) asked before:
I have a KH2 orange branded SGS2. I've flashed a new kernel (KH3) CFRoot, didn't put the original one back on because I don't want to lose CWM - it was invaluable on the hero, g1 etc.
Android Version: 2.3.3
Baseband: I9100BVKH1
Kernel: 2.6.35.-I9100XXKH3-CL479037 [email protected] #2
Build: GINGERBREAD BVKH2
But I still have the old Orange Firmware / Rom on the phone. I want to try some new unbranded ones, and check out how cyanogen works (and hunt out villainRom! My fave), but worried that if I use a rom with the wrong code (i.e based on XWKL1 or IML74K) I'm going to end up with an expensive (but very pretty) paperweight.
I see KH1, KH2 and KH3 in my phone info and I'm starting to get a little nervous that I messed up! lol
As far as I'm aware the code (XXKH3) (XWKL1) refers to the kernel?
The baseband would be the modem? If so, is this flashed with the rom/firmware?
How on earth do you decipher those codes?!
Thanks, and again, apologies if this is not a unique question but I'm sure the search feature is beginning to wear out now. If I had a touchscreen pc, there'd be a hole in the screen from pressing it so often!

The "codes" as you call them are just firmware version numbers
(Year)(Month)(rom number)
So KK5 would be a 2011 rom released in the 11th month and its the 5th rom built this month.
BVKH1
Bold: Country code
Underlined: Rom version
Baseband is the modem, you can mix/match any modem with any firmware (also our modem is almost unbrickable, had someone flash a i9000 modem and it was fixed by flashing a correct one ontop, but still be careful), there is no "best" modem, just find one that works for you.
Its best to keep your kernel and rom version the same, but it wont hurt to much if they dont match.
Recovery and kernel are fused together in samsung devices, so when you flash a kernel you flash recovery, so in order to get CWM you need a kernel with it (glad to see you worked this out!)
Dont worry about the base version, you can flash any i9100 rom on your i9100, the code is just a version+region code.
Also you dont need to worry about the region code, it doesnt have to match your region.
Also, this is a very good guide
ps make sure to backup your EFS asap, read that guide for more info!

Thank you very much!!
That's so much clearer And now I'm not terrified of turning my SGS2 into a plastic poptart let the fun begin!!

doofah said:
Thank you very much!!
That's so much clearer And now I'm not terrified of turning my SGS2 into a plastic poptart let the fun begin!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its generally a hard phone to brick
A few notes
1) you dont need to put a pit into odin
2) dont repartition in odin
Stock roms: clickme and howto flash guide

Related

[Q] ZSKF4/ZSKI3 Device Root?

Hey all,
I'm a beginner in this rooting society, moving over from jailbreak development on iOS. I am wondering how I would be able to root a Galaxy S2 with model/kernel number ZSKF4 running 2.3.3.
Not sure if this is the proper place to put this, but I've searched everywhere and no place is providing an insecure/original rom for rooting with this kernel number on the file name.
Can somebody help me?
Many thanks,
Nicholas
UPDATE: Anyone know how to root ZSKI2 running on 2.3.5?
Root + CWM .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
Read the post in regard to versions /kernel matching first .
jje
Thank for your reply.
Many guides like the one you gave me, requires kernel matching first, but really, I'm entirely lost in this matching process. Can you give me some heads up on what to choose using my specs I list below?
My Galaxy S II:
Model Number: GT-I9100
Android Version: 2.3.3
Baseband Version: I9100XXKE4
Kernel Version: 2.6.35.7-I9100ZSKF4-CL280225
Build Number: GINGERBREAD.ZSKF4
If you can help me, I will be very grateful.
Thanks a lot!
Nicholas
Instructions in the post are .
Don't worry too much, just find the matching download and use it. What if there is no matching download ? You can ask me to make one, but I can tell you right now, I very very rarely make CF-Root's for kernels on request, unless it is the very latest kernel that has been released by Samsung. In the latter case, be sure to let me know. If there's no match and I'm not making one, try finding the closest match. You should treat "KG1" as a number, but instead of 1-9, we have 1-9, A-Z (where A would be 10, and Z would be 35). "KG2" is really close to "KG1", "KF1" is not close to "KG1" at all.
You want then a KF4 kernel from post 5 .
jje
This one from post 4 should do it: CF-Root-SGS2_ZS_OZS_KF4-v4.0-CWM4.zip
You have a HK/Taiwan phone? If you install Kies you should be able to upgrade to the official ZSKG2. Although that is still 2.3.3 so not much difference there.
Yes, I have a HK/Taiwan phone,
Thanks guys,
So if I have ZSKF4 right now, I'll use "CF-Root-SGS2_ZS_OZS_KF4-v4.0-CWM4.zip"?
If I upgraded to the latest ZSKG2, will there be any difference comparing to ZSKF4? because you said its the same 2.3.3.
Okay, well after looking at the instructions, I got a little freaked out of how long it actually is, and was pretty worried if I do this, I would get a triangle at boot because I'm using Custom Kernel? Also I heard that many people don't want to use CF-Root because there's a higher risk of bricking comparing to SuperOneClick that I used to root my Galaxy Tab 7. So, I checked on something else.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414
Thats a one click rooting app for the S2, but what is this "Flashing an Insecure Kernel" and how do I get this kernel for either ZSKF4 or ZSKG2? I prefer the most easiest way so that I wouldn't run into a huge risk of bricking this device. Thanks for all the help on CF-Root above, but would you guys happen to know what exactly is going on in this link?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101671
That contains all the insecure kernels for the S2 one click rooting application. Which one do I choose if I have ZSKF4 or ZSKG2?
Thank you everyone for helping me,
Nicholas
Rooting with CF-Root is very easy, just start up Odin, click the boxes like it says in the instructions, and it's done in less than a minute. You can use the other method, but if I were you I would just go with CF-Root because 1) so many people have done it and 2) at least you know one person (me) who did it on their HK/Taiwan phone and came out fine (and I was a complete root noob at the time).
I think whether you upgrade to ZSKG2 first depends on why you want to root. If you are rooting so that you can install a custom ROM, then no need to upgrade to ZSKG2. Just root your phone and install the new ROM and you're good to go.
But if you want to keep the Samsung firmware and only rooting so that you can run certain apps or do certain mods, then upgrade to ZSKG2 through Kies first, then root. There is nothing really bad about the Samsung firmware. I run Cognition 1.5.1 + SpeedMod, but it's mostly just for the fun of it. I don't do anything on it that I couldn't do with rooted 2.3.3 Samsung firmware.
And yes, you do get the bright yellow triangle at startup. There are ways to remove it, but I haven't tried. I like the triangle, it's like a little badge of honor for power users.
Yeah, I'm only rooting for just certain apps that require root/superuser requirements. Other than that, I won't put a load of mods on.
So, if I go to Kies, upgrade to ZSKG2, then I begin rooting, would I be using:
CF-Root-SGS2_ZS_OZS_KG2-v4.1-CWM4.zip
But the thing that scares me is that it says "ZS_OZS_KG2: Untested", does that mean it would be risky to do it?
Hey just noticed in the General forum that the official ZSKI2 is out - and its version 2.3.5 to boot. Check it out: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1281717
Yeah the "untested" means the author did not try it personally (can't really expect him to test every kernel from every region). I used it and it worked fine -- that's all I can really say.
Oh wow, that looks pretty cool....
I'm sure I can update to that, which I will, but, does this mean I have to wait for another rooting procedure?
I have a crazy "OCD" that I have to always stay up to date haha. So yeah, if I do this, logically if the CF-Root is able to root it, I will have to wait for a person to make the ZSKI2 kernel insecure version?
Actually, okay, when I upgrade to ZSKI2 kernel, which "CF-Root-SGS2_ZS_OZS_KG2-v4.1-CWM4.zip" do I use? I don't see a ZSKI2 kernel anywhere...and I'm assuming I can still use CF Root to root at 2.3.5?
You can use a version that is close -- in this case I think XX_OXA_KI3 is the best match. It will probably work with the ZSKI3 firmware -- but I have not tried. (Sorry I mistyped the name in my earlier post, it is ZSKI3 and not ZSKI2.) If you want to be safe then yes you will need to wait until there is a rooted ZSKI3 kernel that you can use.
If you plan to install a custom ROM, then it does not matter what kernel you use for root, since the custom ROM will generally come with its own rooted kernel and it will replace whatever you had before.
For some reason, Kies isn't letting me update.
It says: "This version of this device cannot be updated"
Do you know why this is happening?
By the way, I noticed when I plug in my phone to Kies, I see under CSC, in brackets are (KOR). What does this mean and does it affect any rooting?
UPDATE: I know what KOR means, it means it's a Korean region based device. Is there any difference to what I may be able to update to in Kies or any rooting differences?

[Q] Phone + firmware compatability

No doubt this is going to turn out to be an idiotic first post and the information is already available on here, but here goes! I've checked through some posts and the helpful FAQs but couldn't find something to reassure me on this.
I have an Orange branded Samsung S2. Ideally I'd like to remove all the branding from the phone and get the latest stock firmware that is possible right now.
I followed this guide on how to root my phone. As my current kernal version was KE2, I took CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE2-v4.0-CWM4.zip and used Odin to put that on. That all went on fine, so now I have a rooted phone. That's where I am now.
So now I understand I need to put on the stock firmware, which should be taken from this thread. My question here, which I can't seem to find an answer to (so perhaps isn't a problem), is are all "Samsung S2 i9100" firmwares compatible with all versions of the phone, or are there deviations in the hardware meaning I have to make sure I pick the right firwmare?
In the same way I needed to have the right kernal version before, is that the same for firmware? Does it need to stay in the format KEx? I think I just have a misunderstanding on how the firmware releases relate to each other here. I see a lot of firmwares in the thread with the format XWKyx and I'm not sure what one I would choose? Just keen to not kill my phone by going ahead and picking the wrong thing.
PirateKitten said:
No doubt this is going to turn out to be an idiotic first post and the information is already available on here, but here goes! I've checked through some posts and the helpful FAQs but couldn't find something to reassure me on this.
I have an Orange branded Samsung S2. Ideally I'd like to remove all the branding from the phone and get the latest stock firmware that is possible right now.
I followed this guide on how to root my phone. As my current kernal version was KE2, I took CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE2-v4.0-CWM4.zip and used Odin to put that on. That all went on fine, so now I have a rooted phone. That's where I am now.
So now I understand I need to put on the stock firmware, which should be taken from this thread. My question here, which I can't seem to find an answer to (so perhaps isn't a problem), is are all "Samsung S2 i9100" firmwares compatible with all versions of the phone, or are there deviations in the hardware meaning I have to make sure I pick the right firwmare?
In the same way I needed to have the right kernal version before, is that the same for firmware? Does it need to stay in the format KEx? I think I just have a misunderstanding on how the firmware releases relate to each other here. I see a lot of firmwares in the thread with the format XWKyx and I'm not sure what one I would choose? Just keen to not kill my phone by going ahead and picking the wrong thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that you have root I recommend to backup you EFS folder. Search EFS backup and you will find the post on how to do it. Once that is done then you can flash any of the ROM's on the page you linked, I recommend the KI3 as it is the latest leaked Firmware. Just follow the instructions and you will be fine , remember you will loose root and will have to root again...
Thanks for the advice. Will backup - could you offer any advice on my questions about firmware? I am able to just go ahead and use the XXKI3 Frankenstein firmware (so it doesn't wipe my data?) on my current KE2?
As long as you have the international version of the SGS2 then the answer is yes.
Follow the guide on how to flash with Odin and you're good to go.
Thanks for that confirmation, it's much appreciated. EFS backed up on to my machine and now running stock 2.3.5
Hope the battery life has improved!
Modems Kernels firmware are generally interchangeable on this model .
2.3.4 KH3 firmware KI3 2.3.5 kernel KDD modem will work for instance .
jje
Look hard enough and you will find what your looking for. I was wondering the same thing. Good to know this info.

[Q] root and cwm advice?

hi guys - finally decided to take a look at rooting and getting cwm on to my s2 to give it some custom loving.
need a little advice on what cf root version im needing as some of the numbers etc look similar to each other with varying letters that im not sure of.........
phone details are:
gb 2.3.4
baseband i9100xxki1
kernel 2.6.35.7 - i9100xwki4
build xwki4
i can see variants of xwki4 (ie nee v4.1, 42 v 4.2 etc etc) but id rather get it right first time as il get hung by the mrs if i screw it up lol
cheers in advance and if anyone wants to suggest a rom
scotty
I don't know about CF-root. I used superoneclick, but I suggest to use cm9 if high battery consumement and some bugs aren't bothering you, if they are, I suggest to use GalaxyZerox if you want to get nice ics look
I don't think it really matters what kernel you flash to root it. I think its just advisory to get one that closely resembles your original one when first rooting. As once its rooted, when you flash a different rom they come with a kernel anyway and most people on here seem to always be experimenting with different kernels.
Hopefully someone else will confirm this.
I'm fairly new to this but it really isn't that hard as long as you follow the instructions from wherever you get them from.
Mark
cheers guys - all done! just went for it and alls good.
appreciate the responses.
rom time yeehaa

Need help rooting

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and rooting in general and I've been having a bit of trouble. I've read a ton of tutorials on how to root Galaxy S2's but I'm still struggling to get my head around it all so I was wondering if I gave people the appropriate details if you could point me in a direction of a easy to follow tutorial that will work with my phone.
Model: GT-I9100
Version: 2.3.5
Kernel: 2.6.35.7-I9100BOKK1-CL511356 [email protected] #2
Build: GINGERBREAD.BOKK1
Also I installed KIES yesterday and ran it today but it says it doesn't recognise my device so that's a bit puzzling.
Thanks in advance.
KK1 is the only one GB version for which neither CF-root nor insecure kernel available for rooting, better you flash another GB ROM from stock ROM link of my signature search for XWLA2,
and find CF-root link for find matching CF-root to Root
Before you do anything, check the sticker under your battery on the chassis of the phone to ensure you have an I9100 or I9100T.
Once you've done that, CFRoot thread. Pay particular attention to the bit that says " Help ! Which file do I use ?"
Reconmended for noobs
you should use zergrush or GingerBreak so that you dont end up with a yellow triangle, its as easy as 1 click
press thx if i helped
Thanks for the help guys. Cabloomi will zergrush work on my phone because I was reading around and people were saying it wouldn't work anymore? Sorry if I have a lot of questions but I don't really want to F up my phone lol.
there are many ways for rooting, but most followed and success way is CF-root
after rooting with other method your second thread will be asking how to flash a CWM take the answer now itself : CF-root and avoid your second thread
Yeah it will work on anything under 2.3.5 and if it doesnt just use gingerbreak
ZACQ8 said:
there are many ways for rooting, but most followed and success way is CF-root
after rooting with other method your second thread will be asking how to flash a CWM take the answer now itself : CF-root and avoid your second thread
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said this "KK1 is the only one GB version for which neither CF-root nor insecure kernel available for rooting, better you flash another GB ROM from stock ROM link of my signature search for XWLA2," earlier in the thread which I don't understand at all, could you explain more please? Does it mean I can't use CF-root because there isn't a way to do it for KK1 or what? Sorry I'm very new to this lol.
From the CFRoot thread "If there's no match...try finding the closest match." I did say read that section carefully.
CF-root is a stock kernel of the ROM in which root & CWM inserted , the devoloper (chainfire) made this for almost all the Samsung firmware kernel version available, we only need to pick matching one to our Kernel version.
But we dont know why the KK1 firmware is not leaked from samsung, it is not available in the sammobile.com also...
but you can follow the following word of the devoloper:
The XX and OXA identifiers are not that important. Usually a "KG1" kernel is a "KG1" kernel, and that is that. Sometimes (pretty rare) it happens there will be multiple different kernels with the same name in different firmwares, that are actually different. If this happens, they are usually only very minor changes and you should expect them to still be fully compatible. I include the "XX" and "OXA" identifiers so the very advanced users can deduce from which full firmware I have taken the kernel file.
"Don't worry too much, just find the matching download and use it. What if there is no matching download ? You can ask me to make one, but I can tell you right now, I very very rarely make CF-Root's for kernels on request, unless it is the very latest kernel that has been released by Samsung. In the latter case, be sure to let me know. If there's no match and I'm not making one, try finding the closest match. You should treat "KG1" as a number, but instead of 1-9, we have 1-9, A-Z (where A would be 10, and Z would be 35). "KG2" is really close to "KG1", "KF1" is not close to "KG1" at all. I hope that makes sense."
following the above you can try with KK2
which is available in the thread, http://download.chainfire.eu/53/CF-Root/SGS2/CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEN_KK2-v5.0-CWM5.zip
Thank you ever so much guys, I done it and it works perfectly now. I did all this just so I could tweak my phone a bit. You guys don't happen to know any tweaks and what not to make the phone faster/smoother/ etc?
Yep. Read. Research. There are no shortcuts.
FASTEST WAY TO DO ALL THOSE IS JUST TO INSTALL A CUSTOM ROM, I RECOMMEND MIUI, THE LINK IS AVAILABLE IN MY SIGNATURE AND HERE IS THE TUTORIAL VIDEO, DONT FORGET TO SAY THX

i9100p Orange Galaxy S2 - my brain is bricked (phone is fine)

Hi, I have the orange i9100p - and rooted using the rachmat3 method
I could really do with a few pointers- Especially from people with the same phone version and root method
I've flashed ROMs before on other phones (desire, desire HD Touch Diamond) but the whole thing seems bewildering on this phone, I've spent days reading and still dont really know whats going on and whats the best way to proceed
So my phone is as stock, still with the Orange ROM updated to ICS, I assume it has stock kernels, but it is rooted etc
I was hoping to flash another ROM, maybe without the Orange stuff, and perhaps one that can use JKAY or something as everyone seems to think thats great and mine dosent seem to be supported. Also maybe deodexed if thats worth doing. I dont like the stock unlock screen, and also tried the s3 launcher and it didnt work on this current ROM - so I want to switch to something that will allow me to do these things.
The only trouble is I have no idea what do. Nothing ever seems to be the obvious way forward
These are some of the questions I keep coming up against -
Should I be able to do these things on my current ROM -
If I change ROMS will I loose NFC (should I care?)
Do I need to keep the same kernel to avoid brickbug risk, and to keep things simple, and if so how do I do that, they all seem to come with Kernel with Chainfire installed which I dont need right? (delete zimage out of the zip file?)
Should I flash with the temporary CWM, or use odin (I haven't used odin yet - can I use it with only the temporary CWM)
Are there any obvious ROMs that would be easy for me to get the above from
Here are some details -
model - gt i9100p
Android version 4.0.3
Baseband version i9100pbvlp7
kernel version [email protected]#3
build number IML74K.BVLP8
Anyone with this phone model in particular, or if you used Rachmat3's method - I'd love to hear what you've done
Free bump for an interesting title.
I'm in a similar situation to the original poster. Got the I9100P UK Orange phone and wanting to flash new firmware but a bit daunted by the information and options out there. I've flashed the old Samsung i8910 and that was pretty painless. The S2 seems a lot more complicated and with more potential problems!
If you can afford the risk, all you need to do is take the leap of faith. Rom and kernel are mostly "safe" to flash (except stock 4.0.4), if incompatible will result in soft brick the phone, where you only have to get it back to download mode and flash back a working one.
Yes, i think you will lose NFC...
It is daunting but dont just be like most of the noobs on here and proceed without doing any research first.
They dont even have the decency to read about basics like
What is cwm
How do I root
What is Odin
Sent from my GT-I9100
L1ndon said:
Hi, I have the orange i9100p - and rooted using the rachmat3 method
I could really do with a few pointers- Especially from people with the same phone version and root method
I've flashed ROMs before on other phones (desire, desire HD Touch Diamond) but the whole thing seems bewildering on this phone, I've spent days reading and still dont really know whats going on and whats the best way to proceed
So my phone is as stock, still with the Orange ROM updated to ICS, I assume it has stock kernels, but it is rooted etc
I was hoping to flash another ROM, maybe without the Orange stuff, and perhaps one that can use JKAY or something as everyone seems to think thats great and mine dosent seem to be supported. Also maybe deodexed if thats worth doing. I dont like the stock unlock screen, and also tried the s3 launcher and it didnt work on this current ROM - so I want to switch to something that will allow me to do these things.
The only trouble is I have no idea what do. Nothing ever seems to be the obvious way forward
These are some of the questions I keep coming up against -
Should I be able to do these things on my current ROM -
If I change ROMS will I loose NFC (should I care?)
Do I need to keep the same kernel to avoid brickbug risk, and to keep things simple, and if so how do I do that, they all seem to come with Kernel with Chainfire installed which I dont need right? (delete zimage out of the zip file?)
Should I flash with the temporary CWM, or use odin (I haven't used odin yet - can I use it with only the temporary CWM)
Are there any obvious ROMs that would be easy for me to get the above from
Here are some details -
model - gt i9100p
Android version 4.0.3
Baseband version i9100pbvlp7
kernel version [email protected]#3
build number IML74K.BVLP8
Anyone with this phone model in particular, or if you used Rachmat3's method - I'd love to hear what you've done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I have one galaxy s2 i9100p (O2). I come from a stock gb, rooted and flashed a new custom rom using the recovery mode, full wipe and every other things... I lost the nfc function and never found a method to bring this back but every other things are working fine, very fast and stable on 4.0.3 version with siyah kernel... i think you don't will have problems too but you will lose the nfc. it's your choise BTW, I have the stock ics rom with NFC (o2), I don't know but if you need, send me a PM, just flash the .tar file with odin and everything will work again (NFC), like factory new one (sorry my english :/)
L1ndon said:
Hi, I have the orange i9100p - and rooted using the rachmat3 method
I could really do with a few pointers- Especially from people with the same phone version and root method
I've flashed ROMs before on other phones (desire, desire HD Touch Diamond) but the whole thing seems bewildering on this phone, I've spent days reading and still dont really know whats going on and whats the best way to proceed
So my phone is as stock, still with the Orange ROM updated to ICS, I assume it has stock kernels, but it is rooted etc
I was hoping to flash another ROM, maybe without the Orange stuff, and perhaps one that can use JKAY or something as everyone seems to think thats great and mine dosent seem to be supported. Also maybe deodexed if thats worth doing. I dont like the stock unlock screen, and also tried the s3 launcher and it didnt work on this current ROM - so I want to switch to something that will allow me to do these things.
The only trouble is I have no idea what do. Nothing ever seems to be the obvious way forward
These are some of the questions I keep coming up against -
Should I be able to do these things on my current ROM -
If I change ROMS will I loose NFC (should I care?)
Do I need to keep the same kernel to avoid brickbug risk, and to keep things simple, and if so how do I do that, they all seem to come with Kernel with Chainfire installed which I dont need right? (delete zimage out of the zip file?)
Should I flash with the temporary CWM, or use odin (I haven't used odin yet - can I use it with only the temporary CWM)
Are there any obvious ROMs that would be easy for me to get the above from
Here are some details -
model - gt i9100p
Android version 4.0.3
Baseband version i9100pbvlp7
kernel version [email protected]#3
build number IML74K.BVLP8
Anyone with this phone model in particular, or if you used Rachmat3's method - I'd love to hear what you've done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
I have the same phone model with the same kernel, radio and stock rom.
Did you manage to upgrade firmware to JB (which kernel and rom did you use) and keep NFC??

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