[Q] more problems with a China phone

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so the long story well done to the short version is I just bought the galaxy S2 in China. It was supposed to be a European version. But the manuals were from the Arabian Peninsula and it is not in the original configuration. the question is: can I easily get it back to its original configuration and is it worth doing so?

It's been flashed or routed I'm not sure what the differences with the combination of English/Western-based programs and Chinese-based programs. It doesn't suffer from the afflictions of the legit Chinese copies that don't have the Google apps, although they have been blocked. ( just came to Hong Kong for a few days so I know that they working)

What is missing: Swype ( the manuals mention this) and other Samson apps. I honestly don't know what I'm missing out on widgets etc. because they're not there. Samsung app store is only in Chinese

What's extra: a bunch of Chinese bloatware/crapware and an app called "super share" that the antivirus program LookOut labels as malware. this really concerns me considering how linked the phone is with Google. it cannot be uninstalled even with other uninstaller programs. this goes the same for many of the Chinese apps including the Chinese version of Opera.

I wrote a post about it here (edit it won't let me post a link. Just search metafilter.com for "newbie Samsung android astrill" to find the post)

I'm incredibly naïve about all of this and of devoted as much free time as I can to try to solve this problem. the phone also has the clockwork mod and Odin. As outlined in the linked post I tried Odin but then it just froze for several hours. I looked online and it looks like I am supposed to something my computer also but it's so incredibly complex I'm afraid to mess it up.

Should I try the clockwork mod to restore to factory defaults? Will it?

Before I do this , is there any easy way to get any pictures/videos I've taken off of the phone and or otherwise backup the apps? (I've purchased a few.)

finally, as a side note the battery only seems to last for about five hours under sustained use. Was I taken in that they switched out the battery?

sorry for so many questions. Spent a total of 20+ hours on this now with no good results and only going deeper and deeper in the rabbit hole. I just wanted to avoid going to iPhone, but didn't imagine it would be so difficult. I was expecting that I was going to get a true European version of the phone when I bought it.

Should I try the clockwork mod to restore to factory defaults? Will it?

Factory defualts = last firmware flashed not original firmware .

Before I do this , is there any easy way to get any pictures/videos I've taken off of the phone and or otherwise backup the apps? (I've purchased a few.)

Pics Video copy and paste through the usb cable mass storage mode .
Apps are downloaded again if they are bought market apps .



You need to confirm what product you have product Code under the battery .
Firmware dial *#1234#
also settings about phone .


I was expecting that I was going to get a true European version of the phone when I bought it.
Thats what you need to find out first .

jje

thanks for the fast reply.

I'm googling for USB mass storage right now and will try that.

underneath the phone:
model: GT-I9100
SSN:-I9100GSMH


Information from typing in *#1234#:
PDA: I9100ZCKI2
phone: I9100XXKF1
CSC: I9100ZHKI2
build info: Mon Sep 5 13:02:24 KST 2011

Originally Posted by 2011universal

thanks for the fast reply.

I'm googling for USB mass storage right now and will try that.

underneath the phone:
model: GT-I9100
SSN:-I9100GSMH


Information from typing in *#1234#:
PDA: I9100ZCKI2
phone: I9100XXKF1
CSC: I9100ZHKI2
build info: Mon Sep 5 13:02:24 KST 2011

I would say on that that it would accept any European firmware exact same model as Europe version according to the figures but with China Firmware on it . ZC KI2.

International firmware here .
Stock Roms .and csc

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1075278

This is guesswork from the codes posted your choice as to flashing a different firmware . I think i would want advice from China user who has gone the same route to be 100% sure .

jje

jje

Originally Posted by JJEgan

I would say on that that it would accept any European firmware exact same model as Europe version according to the figures but with China Firmware on it . ZC KI2.

International firmware here .
Stock Roms .and csc

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1075278

This is guesswork from the codes posted your choice as to flashing a different firmware . I think i would want advice from China user who has gone the same route to be 100% sure .

Thanks, but I am confused. If it can take same firmware as Europe, why use a Chinese firmware? This was an illegal import as far as I know, so it shouldn't have the same problems as the "Chinese" models right? I also read the post about "ZCKI2 now available on KIES server" and it refers to ones "sold in China". I am assuming that means the official ones.

Originally Posted by 2011universal

Thanks, but I am confused. If it can take same firmware as Europe, why use a Chinese firmware? This was an illegal import as far as I know, so it shouldn't have the same problems as the "Chinese" models right? I also read the post about "ZCKI2 now available on KIES server" and it refers to ones "sold in China". I am assuming that means the official ones.

It sounds like it is a legit euro version just been taken to china and flashed with a Chinese rom for the Chinese user.

You say you have clockwork recovery on it yes? what version is it? (boot into clockwork recovery to find out)

if you have clockwork you have a few options,
You say odin keeps hanging but you can get rid of the Chinese firmware via flashing a rom thru clockwork.

Imho the best thing to do is backup your rom with clockwork, wipe data, cache + dalvik cache under advanced then flash Villain rom through clockwork (closest to stock but optimized)

http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1198334

and you should be on Euro region firmware with root and a clean slate to start from.

hope this helped, if you need any more info just let me know

I think i would want advice from China user who has gone the same route to be 100% sure .

That was in regards to Modem and CSC to use .

jje

@mnissteve
CWM is 4.0.0.2
I can't even understand the link you linked to. Never flashed before and I don't know the terminology referenced, but I could give the link to someone who can perhaps do the flashing.

Would there be any reason that a stock rom (saw the thread) would be bad for my phone? (Assuming that I can get the place to do it)

Somebody here has managed to use cyanogen mod on there sgs2 with the same rom as you

http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/3...sg2-dont-boot/

so i assume it will work but as jje said your best to check and get advice from China user before trying this! also and if your determined to fix this you need to understand some terminology!
As long as it is an orig euro sgs2 this will work.

-Download Villain zip and place on internal memory card
-boot into clockwork.
-go to backup and restore and do a backup
-go bk to main clockwork menu
-wipe data
-wip cache
-wipe dalvik cache advanced
-instal zip from sd
-pick Villain zip
-reboot when complete
-????
-profit

Make sure this really is orig euro sgs2 before doing this!