[Q] Firmware update problem - only Kernel changes

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Hi all,

I followed the Guide posted by Intratech about updating and have a very strange issue with the update shown in the guide. (I can't post in Dev section since I'm new)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1075278

Sorry if my use of terminology isn't perfect, this is my first Android device.

I have a factory unlocked and non-branded Samsung Galaxy S2. It came with old firmware so I followed this guide to update to ZSKG2 Stock Kernel (the latest non-Frankenstein firmware shown in the guide).
The single tar *should* update my pda+phone+csc as mentioned in the instructions – however only my Kernel Version changed, everything else is the same. Detailed specs after update below:

Kies says:
Current Firmware: PDA:KE2 / PHONE: KE1 / CSC: KE1

"About Phone" menu says:
Android version 2.3.3
Baseband I9100XWKE1
Kernel 2.6.35.7-I9100ZSKG2-CL361136 root@ubuntu #6
Build Gingerbread.XWKE2

Label on phone (under battery) says:
Model GT-I9100
SSN: -I9100GSMH

Question:
Why did only my Kernel version change, when that single tar file is meant to contain pda+phone+csc. My baseband and build version and all others are same as before I updated.
Any idea what is happening here ? This isn't normal right ?

That would most likely be due to flashing the kernel and not the firmware package. The firmware package would be the one above the stock kernel and file size should be 269.23 MB in size.

Originally Posted by Intratech

That would most likely be due to flashing the kernel and not the firmware package. The firmware package would be the one above the stock kernel and file size should be 269.23 MB in size.

Wow, yes indeed that was the issue. I read the thread like a dozen times, but I guess I didn't understand the distinction between firmware and kernel. Thought they're the same thing -_-

Got a related general question on updating, given my phone is non-branded shouldn't I get a non-branded firmware ?
Most of the firmware I see in the list is from a specific country, I just successfully updated to one firmware called ZSKF1.

Is there any chance to have a non-branded version of ZSKG2 or shall I just wait for Android 2.3.4 ?

Thanks

The firmware in that thread are not branded, they are unbranded firmware for different regions.

Ok I see. One more thing, I was asking some things on an IRC channel and I got the idea that it's dangerous to put a firmware of one region different than the region or CSC of the phone.

Is this true ? could it brick the phone ? If not i'll just go ahead and install the OZS (Hong Kong) version of ZSKG2 in the guide.

Originally Posted by bracketb4d

Ok I see. One more thing, I was asking some things on an IRC channel and I got the idea that it's dangerous to put a firmware of one region different than the region or CSC of the phone.

Is this true ? could it brick the phone ? If not i'll just go ahead and install the OZS (Hong Kong) version of ZSKG2 in the guide.

My phone screwed up yesterday and I starting having these same problems. eventually I found the way to fix it- full factory reset.

I know it seems drastic but it sorts everything. Use the code *2767*3855#

I updated my non-branded S2 to ZSKG2 firmware - OZS (Hong Kong) version found in the guide.

Then I did a factory reset after for good measure by putting the code Silently posted (*2767*3855#)

Everything works perfectly. Thanks for the help