Australian AU Galaxy S II (help/rooting/updates,etc)

Hey guys,

The Galaxy S2 is an extremely powerful (and very popular) smartphone in the market today - and since Samsung have sold a record number of these worldwide, figured its about to BOOM bigtime; particularly in Australia as prices start to fall and phone plans start to drop. Because of this, I wanted to provide other Aussie members on these forums with a HANDY point of reference, as a lot of guides & tutorials are for different models or have different specifications and require some tweaking. Use this thread as a guide, a starting point, or utilise this thread for other aussie general help.

Please help by posting what build you have on your SGS2, your speed test results in australia, modem type, network,etc...Your experiences, your advice, any input is appreciated. Ive only done the first 15 pages thus far:

Members and their SGS2's on the following networks:

VODAFONE
unrealtb
MealsOnWheels
anuj25
Jesmicael
akira888
infra4800
fuusuke

OPTUS
HeavySixEight
sm98
jwonga
robt772000
ausdrioder
sabamacx
jinx405
beaver2233
Sico69galaxy
mrxd
cheetah2k

TELSTRA
roosta
tjjensen23
bentothemaxx
zeitgeb3r
BennyT83
gunigugu
Plopz
shtumpa
irv777
extremeit79
maark11
YukiestRapier
alexeiw123

UNKNOWN:
380AU
jerome.d

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

page 2: Optus/Telstra tips/tricks on FW: diable fast dormancy, GPS info etc

page 5: Full review of phone (photo/vid), usb drivers, oldin, complete phone service manual, letter codes

page 10:Specifics for rooted phone 3g hack

page 11: undervolting and saving battery life steps

...

Thanks guys

RoOSTA

Shotty's Helper Post

I myself have a i9100T which was originally bought on contract from Telstra, but my mate loved iPhones too much and didn't want to change so I grabbed it for a song in June 2011. I've had it running on several ROMs, starting with OEM Ginger to JB 4.2.2., but I've found it's most stable on IceCream 4.0.4. It's currently running:
Jellybean 4.1.2 - Slim-3.1.0-Official (JZO54K) ROM
3.0.15-CM-HardCorePawn 'rooted' kernel
I9100XXMS4 modem with 'telstra.iph' APN

Everything works wonderfully well - it's fast, has great battery life, the images, screen, text, video all look great, the sound for a phone call is clear and loud, ringtones are loud, the Bluetooth works with my car stereo and I can play video from it to my Samsung LED TV via wi-fi.

Thing is, not all I9100's are the same...

If you're lucky enough to have an i9100M, or perhaps an i9210/i9210T or an i9100G, just be aware that you have differences in hardware. With that, do your research thoroughly before flashing something that may not work properly on your device, or even worse, kill it. The i9100/i9100T/i9100 International and the i9100G both run the same CPU, a 1.2GHz dual core Cortex-A9. The i9100/T/Int'l has the Exynos chipset, i9100G has a (slower) Texas Instruments OMAP4430. For graphics, the i9100/T/Int'l has the (more powerful) Mali 400MP, i9100G runs the PowerVR SGX540 GPU. This is why they need slightly different ROMs and firmwares, due to the differences in hardware. The G, the T and the International are not 4G/LTE (Long Term Evolution) capable.

The i9100M is the Canadian Galaxy S2-class device with 4G/LTE capability, featuring the same CPU and chipset as a i9100/T/Int'l. The i9210 (and its 'T' variant, which Telstra Australia have as their Galaxy S2-class 4G device) has more grunt and better graphics than all of those. It comes with a 1.5GHz dual core Scorpion CPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8060 chipset and Adreno 220 GPU. Rooting for these other phones is a little bit different, from what I've been told, because of the presence of (1) the LTE chip, (2) different chipset, and (3) different GPU, in your device. I've only ever had a SGS-1 i9000 and my current SGS-2 i9100T, so unfortunately I don't know a great deal about devices I've never worked on.

If you're looking for help with the i9210/i9210T, the thread for your device is here below...

i9210T:
http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1593061

For the best way to compare phones, tablets etc., there are two sites which are always 'top of the game' when it comes to hardware specifications, release dates and the like. They are GSM Arena and PDA Database. Click on their names to visit their Homepage(s).

Okay, how do you get the best out of a I9100/I9100T?

Firstly, may I just say follow these instructions to the letter before coming to me with questions. I have spent the best part of three years tinkering with my own i9100, also researching across XDA-Developers and a number of other Android forums to take the very best information that actually works time and again.
And we start afresh. Back up your device - all your photos and music, etc. - to your PC, then you're going to need to make a trip to SamMobile.com, join up with them (if you haven't already) and go jumping through their hoops to find the 595.16MB ZIP archive known as...
Australian Stock Unbranded XSA Jellybean ROM (4.1.2). The file itself you're looking for is called I9100XWLSH_I9100XSALSA_XSA.zip, and you find it by logging into your SamMobile account, navigating your way to their firmwares database then clicking on the correct device names in the dropdowns. It's a slow site, so give it time, but you're looking for:
Galaxy GT-I9100, Australia (XSA) 4.1.2
DO NOT grab the Optus one, or any other 'carrier-branded' firmware unless you want to fill your device with rubbish and wait longer for a larger file to download. Create a New folder on your Desktop, then (using WinRAR or 7ZIP) extract the contents of the ZIP you downloaded into that folder.
Next, go grab a nice little program called Odin, available here (thanks to daerragh)...

http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s3/themes-apps/27-08-2013-odin-3-09-odin-1-85-versions-t2189539

Odin is what you use to 'flash' the new firmware into your phone, and there is plenty of advice and assistance available in the thread you'll visit to grab the application so I won't go into details here. Another thing about Odin, it is one of the most stable ways of performing the next step - rooting.

You'll find throughout XDA a number of device-specific threads and posts about how to gain root access to your device. One thing you'll definitely need is what's known as a 'rooted kernel'. The one just below is specifically for the i9100 and JellyBean, and if you have issues with what to do or how to do it, post a Help request on that thread (thanks to PhilZ)...

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=31310884&postcount=3

The specific file you are looking for is under the heading << 22.03.2013 - PhilZ-cwm6 v4.90.8 with CWM 6.0.3.0 based recovery >>, and is called PhilZ-cwm6-XWLSH-XSA-4.90.8.tar.md5. Again, you use Odin to 'flash' that into your phone.

Once you've done that, you'll be looking for a way to get rid of the 'dreaded' Yellow Triangle. Go check out...

chainfire's TriangleAway Thread

and follow the instructions from the Master himself. Grab the TriangleAway-v3.26.apk from the link at the bottom of that post, and throw the man a Donation - the guy reigns supreme with these devices and deserves every bit of credit for the support he gives us all.

Okay. Right here is the most important step - BACKUP YOUR DEVICE'S EFS FOLDER!!! This is a location where information pertaining to your device's IMEI number are stored, and this folder can sometimes be wiped when you flash a custom ROM. Of course, it's much easier for yourself or any phone app. written for the purpose to do this task when the device is rooted, which is why I'm discussing it after I let you know about gaining root access. Read this excellent guide for a thorough explanation of the how's and why's of this very important piece of the custom ROM puzzle (thanks to Rawat)...

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=13566061&postcount=1

Next, go and find yourself a ROM, preferably a Samsung-based one. AOKP (Android Open Kang Project) ones are okay, but they come with a little 'statistics' app that you can't get rid of, and is a pain in the 'ah-hem' to disable. The origins of AOKP ROMs have been rewritten by a group of developers using Android sources, but it's kinda like trying to write a version of Apple iOS that runs on an IBM clone designed for Windows. It works, and some do really work well because on the surface they're Android, but underneath????
The thing with AOSP (Android Open Source Project) ROMs is, they are built on Google's original Android source code, so you're getting the base code of the OS exactly as the Original Programmer intended. The manufacturers then get their grubby little hands on that code, then go to town making it control their hardware in the manner they want.
Now, the list of Original (Custom) ROMs for the i9100 that are shared here on XDA can be seen by following the link below...

http://xdaforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1058

For custom ROMs that are 'outside the box' (so to speak), such as MIUI ROMs, 'nightlies' and AOKP ROMs, check out the thread below...

http://xdaforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1204

If you have questions about the ROM itself, how to 'flash' the ROM, or anything else about that particular release, ask them of the ROM Chef in the thread where you got it from. They're the ones who cooked it, so they've already gone through the trials and errors and successes of getting their ROM working on an i9100, making them the best guys and gals to ask if you have dramas with the ROM. 99.9% of the time the ROM Chef's thread will have in the first couple of posts Instructions on How To Flash, FAQ's, known issues, etc.

The advice I give everyone regardless of what device you have is, Back the damn thing up first - it's called a nandroid backup, Google it - and make sure you clean all traces of the old firmware out of your phone thoroughly. More often than not, the dramas people have when they get up and running on a newly flashed ROM (or, issues in restarting the device after a flash) can be directly attributed to remnants of the old ROM interfering with the new. This is especially so for flashing via Recovery. If you use Odin to flash a Stock firmware, it pretty much smashes its way over the top of whatever you've got installed, and gives you a fresh palate to work with.

Go and grab hawkerpaul's scripted cleaner kits - GS2KernelWipeV2.02 and GS2ROMWipeV2.02 (they are run in Recovery Mode) before installing any new custom ROM (after rooting). They are available from the XDA thread link below (thanks to hawkerpaul). If you have any questions about those scripts, be sure to post them on that thread and NOT here on the 'Australian AU Galaxy S II (help/rooting/updates,etc)' thread...

Click HERE for HawkerPaul's Cleaner Scripts

Now, if you're having issues with carrier network connectivity, call quality, mobile internet etc., it could be either your network APN (Access Point Name) settings or your ROM's 'modem' package. APN settings are within the phone's Network setup menu. The best list of Australian carrier APN's I've found is at Ausdroid Forums. Modems are a sort of 'try them until you get one you're happy with' kind of thing, and the best list of modems is hosted by XDA's very own Legend Of Radios, aprilia at...

Code:

http://d-h.st/users/ApriliaM3/?fld_id=7318#files

Unfortunately our esteemed colleague doesn't have a great deal to do with our now antique devices, so my advice is to grab a few of the modem ZIPs there and take at least two days of testing each until you get one that gives you enwhitenment. What Aprilia has there gets flashed through CWM Recovery, and the best Australian modems as of December 2014 are XXMS2, and XXMS4.

After reading through the above, if you're still stuck for ideas I have another Helper Post that you can check out...

Click HERE for Shotty's Other Helper Post

Hope that gets your device running smikko, and if you're that stuck you need a bit of special attention, PM me. Lastly, make sure to click on the Thanks button if you got help from this tutorial...

I've attached CWM flashable zip for the new Vodafone modem for ICS enjoy!


I9100TDULP4

XWLP4: Download
Firmware info: PDA:XWLP4|PHONE:XXLPS|CSC:OPSLP4

XWLP4 Stock Kernel: Download
Password: intratech@XDA

---------- Post added at 02:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:48 PM ----------

RottenRonnie said:

G'day All,
Do i have to unroot my SG2 to install Optus ICS firmware ?

I will appreciate your answer thank$
RR

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

NO

Refael said:

I forgot ask still 1 question:
If I will buy smartphone in Optus shop,how long time will take from Optus do udpates new firmwares?

For example:Samsung issues new firmware for "clear"(without special Optus Menu) SGS 1.After how long time will come new firmware to Optus SGS 1?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

If Optus stock the phone before Telstra, which they do, they are liekly to release their version of the newer firmware before Telstra. From my experience in Andriod, Telstra are very slow with their releases. But if you want a clean firmware with NO locked Optus apps, you are usually better off getting another compatable version thats already out there (as i mentioned i have Telecom NZ firmware on my Telstra SGS1, they took WAAY to long to release Froyo last year).

To answer a previous question you had; dont pay anything over or near $700. I got mine for $525 with post (albeit from terrible retailer Soppingsquare - see pg4) , which im still waiting on. Will report everything when i get it.

In the meantime, if you havent seen this site; www.samfirmware.com is fantastic, here's some useful stuff from there - i'd recommend signing up as a member:

Full review of the phone, photos, videos etc:
http://www.samfirmware.com/galaxysii.htm

USB driver, Odin 1.83 (not sure if latest), Service Manual and a COMPLETE Letter guide to understand the specific model of your phone, revision, version (etc), i pavckaged this all up as one RAR file for you guys to look at.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ADRME290

If you download, its appreciated you click the 'thanks' button. Hope that helps some of the new guys.

RoOSTA