[Q] ICS dilemma - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello everybody,
I have a SGS2 from Bell Canada. I upgraded the stock firmware following various guides here. I managed to root it and to unlock it using Galaxy S unlock from the market.
The phone is running well now, battery life is about 2-3 days (I have Juice Defender and it helps).
I would like to upgrade to ICS but after reading a few threads I am very confused...
My first question is: will I lose my unlock?
Then, Kies does not recognize my phone any more; should I flash back to stock and wait for ICS to be available for my carrier and take it from there? Or should I go through Odin and just flash one of the ROMs released for Europe (or another region).
I am even willing to pay for Mobile Odin Pro and flash it directly from the phone, I read that it's safe and you don't lose any data, although other people were saying that it's better to just start from scratch.
Right now my phone info is the following:
PRODUCT CODE: GT-I9100LKMBMC
pda: I9100XWKK5
PHONE: I9100XXKI3
CSC: I9100XEUKH2
Model: GT-I9100 (shouldn't it have a M at the end?)
Android version: 2.3.6
Baseband version: I9100xxki3
Kernel: 2.6.35.7-I9100xwkk5-CL754841
[email protected] #2
Build number GINGERBREAD.XWKK5
So, could anyone point me to the right direction?
Thanks in advance

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I think you have the international sgs2. I have tried flashing the xxlpq ics update and then flashed a custom rom but I encountered a lot of issues. I think the ics update still has lots of bugs so I rolled back to gingerbread using checkrom revoHd v6. So as of the moment all you need to do is root your phone with Odin and CF-root kernel and wait for a stable ics rom

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pedro.coba said:
permission to listen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also waiting for othjer members' ideas so we can all listen and learn

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gixie said:
Hello everybody,
I have a SGS2 from Bell Canada. I upgraded the stock firmware following various guides here. I managed to root it and to unlock it using Galaxy S unlock from the market.
The phone is running well now, battery life is about 2-3 days (I have Juice Defender and it helps).
I would like to upgrade to ICS but after reading a few threads I am very confused...
My first question is: will I lose my unlock?
Then, Kies does not recognize my phone any more; should I flash back to stock and wait for ICS to be available for my carrier and take it from there? Or should I go through Odin and just flash one of the ROMs released for Europe (or another region).
I am even willing to pay for Mobile Odin Pro and flash it directly from the phone, I read that it's safe and you don't lose any data, although other people were saying that it's better to just start from scratch.
Right now my phone info is the following:
PRODUCT CODE: GT-I9100LKMBMC
pda: I9100XWKK5
PHONE: I9100XXKI3
CSC: I9100XEUKH2
Model: GT-I9100 (shouldn't it have a M at the end?)
Android version: 2.3.6
Baseband version: I9100xxki3
Kernel: 2.6.35.7-I9100xwkk5-CL754841
[email protected] #2
Build number GINGERBREAD.XWKK5
So, could anyone point me to the right direction?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you planning to upgrade to stock ICS firmware or any other custom ICS ROM???

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gixie said:
Hello everybody,
I have a SGS2 from Bell Canada. I upgraded the stock firmware following various guides here. I managed to root it and to unlock it using Galaxy S unlock from the market.
The phone is running well now, battery life is about 2-3 days (I have Juice Defender and it helps).
I would like to upgrade to ICS but after reading a few threads I am very confused...
My first question is: will I lose my unlock?
Then, Kies does not recognize my phone any more; should I flash back to stock and wait for ICS to be available for my carrier and take it from there? Or should I go through Odin and just flash one of the ROMs released for Europe (or another region).
I am even willing to pay for Mobile Odin Pro and flash it directly from the phone, I read that it's safe and you don't lose any data, although other people were saying that it's better to just start from scratch.
Right now my phone info is the following:
PRODUCT CODE: GT-I9100LKMBMC
pda: I9100XWKK5
PHONE: I9100XXKI3
CSC: I9100XEUKH2
Model: GT-I9100 (shouldn't it have a M at the end?)
Android version: 2.3.6
Baseband version: I9100xxki3
Kernel: 2.6.35.7-I9100xwkk5-CL754841
[email protected] #2
Build number GINGERBREAD.XWKK5
So, could anyone point me to the right direction?
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have a whole lot of options to play with, it all depends how comfortable you feel and what do you want.
For starters, you have upgraded from KG2 to KK5, which is a firmware other then Bell, as Bell never released and update. Because of this upgrade your phone says it’s a I9100 and not I9100M. Mine says the same after I upgraded as well.
I updated my Bell KG2 to ICS (LP7) and so far I don’t have any problems with it. I did have an issue with calls going straight to voicemail, so I installed the LPQ modem, and things have been well. People have complained about battery life, but I don't think it’s bad. I would say pretty close to stock GB if not better.
What you can do is make a Nandroid backup and then upgrade to ICS. You can do it through Odin Mobile if you like, as it won't upgrade your Custom Rom Counter, if that is an item of concern to you. There are other ways to clear the custom rom counter, if you go through ODIN.
I would suggest doing a factory reset with CWM, and clear cache/dalvik cahce. This will be like setting up a new phone. You can also upgrade without the reset that and it will keep all your settings and unlock. You will lose root though, but you can re-root.
I have done it both ways, and I went with the reset in my 2nd try just for my peace of mind. I didn’t have any problems without the reset either.
If you don’t like it, you can always go back to your Nandroid backup, which is what you currently have using CWM.
If you want original bell firmware, then you have to wait until bell releases it.
In the end you are the one to decide. Hope this helps.

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Once u unlocked network it won't relock after u flash/update software
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-2

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Hi everyody, thanks for the answers...
I guess I want to try the stock first and then move on to some custom roms...
I read a thread about the XEO Rom and was going to try that
What do you think about this?
@sahib - thanks, I was not aware of that...
@warhawk_la - thanks a lot, very helpful bits and pieces; what is the difference between the LP7 rom and the XEO and where did you get the files from (I see tht you flashed a different modem)

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gixie said:
Hello everybody,
I have a SGS2 from Bell Canada. I upgraded the stock firmware following various guides here. I managed to root it and to unlock it using Galaxy S unlock from the market.
The phone is running well now, battery life is about 2-3 days (I have Juice Defender and it helps).
I would like to upgrade to ICS but after reading a few threads I am very confused...
My first question is: will I lose my unlock?
NO its un locked .
Then, Kies does not recognize my phone any more; should I flash back to stock and wait for ICS to be available for my carrier and take it from there?
May not work as Kies needs correct codes .
Or should I go through Odin and just flash one of the ROMs released for Europe (or another region).
Your choice but rom for your region and actual phone is always best even as a backup for warranty .
Personally i would not jump on the ICS bandwagon yet .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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download odin 1.85, official XXLPQ rom, siyah kernel.
flash the lpq rom first
flash the siyah kernel second
now you have last ics and root.