[GUIDE] Flash/Install/Update to Gingerbread 2.3.4 to I9000: Detailed guide for n00bs

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jcspecs

Senior Member
Aug 11, 2010
127
136
Melbourne
Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee that this process will work for you as it did for me. If something goes wrong I will do everything I can to help you, but you are responsible. This is a guide for the I9000 international version.

If you think your phone is "bricked" or something goes wrong then use this guide to get your phone sorted.

If you would prefer to use Heimdall to flash or you are not using windows then use this guide.

All "" in this guide are for emphasis or highlighting purposes. All commands should be typed excluding these.

Before you ask, if you have any questions about what PIT file you should use then see this and realise that it really makes little to no discernible difference.

What you need (All links are direct download):
  • Firmware you wish to flash. Generally find them here.
  • Odin3 v1.85 (Contained in the firmware)
  • USB Cable
  • Backups
  • Ability to get into download mode
  • >65% Battery

Section 1: Backups

1.1 Backups:

Download the above file now while you backup using:
  • SMS using "GO sms", "SMS backup and Restore" or "SMS Backup +"(syncs with Gmail).
  • Apps using "Listables" or other preferred app. Due to a glitch that occurs with most app backups, market links are not maintained on restore, meaning some updates won't work properly. Using listables you can create an XML list on the SD card and later reopen this list. Then simply long press on each item to download again from market, insuring that updates function correctly. Alternatively you can make a html list, email it to your computer and just reinstall everything using the web market, quicker and simpler. If this is not a huge issue for you then I recommend just using "App Backup and Restore".
  • Contacts using "GO contacts" or other preferred app.
  • APN using "APN Backup & Restore" (internal SD save, handles duplicates)
  • Call logs using "Call Logs Backup & Restore" (internal SD save)
    [*}Bookmarks using "Backup Bookmarks"

These will all be saved onto the internal SD card which WON'T be wiped during the update process. If you wish to backup your SD card as well, then be my guest.

Section 2: Download Mode

2.1 Download Mode:

In order to install the new firmware, it is imperative that you can get your phone into download mode. To do this, hold the HOME button + the VOLUME DOWN button + the POWER button until this screen comes up:

536At


If this button combination does not work then you probably need to install Android Debug Bridge (ADB) (See Appendix: Download Mode via ADB). If it does, go straight to section 3.

Section 3: Updating

3.1 Prepare Odin

At this point the phone should be in download mode, but have it unplugged from the computer. Extract the firmware and run Odin3, it should look like this:


6GVZ0.jpg



In odin, there is a lot you don't really need to worry about. Just make sure that Re-Partition, Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time ARE ticked.

Click the button that says PIT, navigate to the folder you unzipped the firmware into, select the PIT file. Press the PDA button and select the CODE file. Press the PHONE button and select the MODEM file. Press the CSC button and select the CSC file.

Now (in download mode) plug in your phone. It may take some time for the phone to register with the computer and it may fail. If that's the case then see Appendix: USB Drivers.

Odin should now look like this with the yellow COM representing your phone connected.


lPcVo.jpg



3.2 Installing

Be extremely careful while Odin is flashing your device. Interrupting it is a surefire way to produce a $500 paperweight. I recommend holding your breathe and pretending you are a statue til it's done. Once your phone is connected properly and odin is prepared, hit install. This should take around 2-10 minutes depending on your computer etc. Once done, the phone should reboot and voila you now have gingerbread.


Section 4: Recovery

4.1 Start up
Once the phone starts up it should run you through the setup wizard. Go through this process and add gmail account etc. Then proceed to step 4.2.

4.2 Wipe Cache
Wiping the caches will remove any straggling data from previous installs. But don't stress this will only wipe data off the ROM partition area and not the SD card. While the flash has done most of this, sometimes things get left behind and this will clean them up.
  • Boot phone into recovery mode (Appendix: Recovery Mode)
  • You should no be in Clockwork Mod:

    Clockwork-Mod-Boot-Screen-e1279545586372.jpg

  • There are two options that we need to worry about "Wipe data/factory reset" and "Wipe cache partition".
  • You need to do both of these, in the order above.
  • Once these are done there should be an option to "Reboot system now". Do this.
  • Your cache should now be cleared.

4.3 Restoring

  • Open the market and download the same programs as before and use them to restore your data
  • Make sure that you turn off "Delete old messages" and notification settings in stock messaging app before restoring SMS.
  • Note that apps will not maintain a proper link with the market, it is recommended that you download all apps from scratch using the restore list as a reference.

4.3 APN Settings

If you backed up APN earlier then use the backup, alternatively:

  • Go to Menu --> Settings --> Wireless and Network --> Mobile Networks --. Access Point Names
  • Delete all present APN's via long press
  • Press Menu button --> New APN
  • Enter details appropriate to your provider which you should be able to find by searching for "<provider name> APN settings"
  • You may have to create more than one APN

Section 5: Extras

5.1 Rooting and Basic Kernel

Further modification usually requires a little something called root permissions. This is equivalent to administrator privileges in windows. While most custom kernels offer this, Chainfire's CF-Root kernel offers close to stock functionality with this feature added. Grab it here. The latest version should work for the firmware in this guide.
  • Put phone in download
  • Open odin
  • Plug phone in
  • Load kernel file as PDA
  • Install

This will install Clockwork Mod (CWM) as well. Having root permissions and CWM will help you modify your phone further (if you so desire).

5.2 SpeedMod Kernel

If you want to upgrade the phone just a tad more than download the latest version of Speedmod Kernel. It's a custom kernel that performs a little bit better than stock. To installs it, do the same procedure as above.

This will also install Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery.

5.3 Modem

To do this you need to have done step 5.1.

There are a heap of different modems you can use. The modem is basically the actual phone component of the phone that communicates with the network. Here is a list of available modems but not all of them are gingerbread compatible:
Modems

I would recommend downloading this one UGJL2 Modem. Good battery life and good reception. However, stock modems in gingerbread (JVP onwards) have comparable performance. This is only really something you should learn just in case it's more useful in the future.

You may have to adjust the modem to work on the right band. To do so see the end of the original post here: Modems

To install:
  • Download file
  • Copy it across to the phone SD card
  • Boot phone into recovery mode (see Appendix: Recovery Mode)
  • Navigate to install zip from SD card (see Appendix: CWM Navigation)
  • Find the zip you put there and select it
  • Choose Yes
  • Phone should install modem and reboot.

Appendix:

Recovery Mode:

  • Volume Up + Home + Power (until first galaxy s startup screen shows then release)
  • ADB (Appendix: Download Mode via ADB) "adb reboot recovery"

Download Mode:

  • Volume Down + Home + Power (until download mode screen shows)
  • ADB (Appendix: Download Mode via ADB) "adb reboot download"

CWM Navigation:

  • Use volume to go up and down
  • Power button to select an option
  • Back to go back

USB Drivers:

If your USB drivers aren't working then you can try reinstalling them with these:

2.2 Download Mode via ADB

  • To install ADB, download this and extract it to C:\SDK.
  • In My Computer, navigate to C:\SDK
  • In that folder there should be a folder labelled "android-sdk-windows", rename it to "SDK2"
  • In the second SDK2 folder, run "SDK Manager" and, after some time, this should show:

    W85GW

  • We only need to install the first one so for each item under the first one, click it and to the right click the reject button until your window looks like this:

    CWH17


  • Press Install
  • When finished it will ask to restart ADB, press yes.
  • Press Close
  • Once it has installed you need to run windows command prompt (press 'Windows key + R' then type "cmd" and hit enter)
  • Once in command prompt type "cd C:\SDK\SDK2\platform-tools"
  • Now type "adb reboot download"
  • You phone should now show this:

    536At

Download key combo should work after flashing.


Finished

Thanks to Hardcore and devz3r0, [Ramad], as well as other users in this thread which have helped to make this guide better. Original ADB Guide. Some reference to this guide also.

Please let me know if i have missed anything.
 
Last edited:

medvedic

Member
Jul 29, 2010
19
2
Think this is the most detailed explanation online... Very Usefull... THANKS in the name of noobs...
 
T

Tehpriest

Guest
The perfect guide. I am almost tempted to Flash mine but I am still too much a coward. :cool:
 

FarSight87

Senior Member
Dec 29, 2008
120
16
Tamworth
OPPO Find X2 Pro
wow this is just what i need.
My girlfriend has been complaining about how slow her stock 2.2 galaxy is going. She is finally going to let me mod it :D
Is there another download mirror i can get the 2.3.4 fw from instead of hotfile?
cheers.
 

StardustOne

Senior Member
Jul 1, 2009
163
17
Before you restore your previously saved precious SMS, make sure to disable the automatially delete older SMS messages because the limit is set to 200 SMS (same goes for MMS, limit of 20).

For SMS backup and restore, you may also use:

SMS Backup & Restore (internal SD save)
SMS Backup + (syncs with Gmail)

APN Backup:

APN Backup & Restore (internal SD save, handles duplicates)

Call Logs:

Call Logs Backup & Restore (internal SD save)

Bookmarks:

Backup Bookmarks

Applications, I did not find a solution that would "link" the apps back to the Market Place, so backing up downloaded apps did not make much sense, it did just speed up the restore. But if they are not linked and know to Market Place, the My Apps link does not do anything useful to me :).

Cache clearing:

It is recommended to clear the cache as well after the firmware installation.
 
Last edited:

mathijs727

Senior Member
Oct 29, 2010
232
18
Badhoevedorp
The guide says we don't have to tick repartition.
But i think it should, as it's a 3-file firmware.

And if you don't use repartition, there is no need to backup, cause you won't loose data.
 

StardustOne

Senior Member
Jul 1, 2009
163
17
Last edited:

Lunchbox115

Senior Member
Jan 12, 2011
676
125
Salzburg, Austria
Easiest way for backing up SMS: the app called 'GO SMS'. Much better than the Samsung one. And there's a feature to back up SMS automatically. :)

Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
 

[Ramad]

Senior Member
Sep 18, 2010
1,162
1,683
The guide says we don't have to tick repartition.
But i think it should, as it's a 3-file firmware.

And if you don't use repartition, there is no need to backup, cause you won't loose data.

You don't need to use a pit or re-partition with 1-file or 3-files firmwares, and there is no point in selecting a pit file while having 're-partition' un-checked.
 

jcspecs

Senior Member
Aug 11, 2010
127
136
Melbourne
You don't need to use a pit or re-partition with 1-file or 3-files firmwares, and there is no point in selecting a pit file while having 're-partition' un-checked.

True, regardless, I changed the guide to include PIT and re-partition. It's just a tad cleaner and some people get pedantic about that. Won't make a difference to those who don't.
 
Last edited:

[Ramad]

Senior Member
Sep 18, 2010
1,162
1,683
It's just a tad cleaner and some people get pedantic about that. Won't make a difference to those who don't.

I have seen the changes, you need to prepare your self now for questions like 'which pit file must I use ?' :)

I have also seen that you are using a link from samfirmware, why don't you use the link from Darky's Forum who was the source for this leaked firmware: http://www.darkyrom.com/community/index.php?threads/odin-cwm-base-ficetos-jvp-base-rom.3519/ samfirmware have just downloaded the firmware from Darky's Forum like everybody else and just put it on there forum. :)
 
Last edited:
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kaka100

Member
Mar 1, 2011
6
0
hi

hi i can't find the speedmod-kernel ,i download the link how you said and i extract and when i am going to put them in odin on pda is empty the with speedmod,somebody can help me please!
 

kaka100

Member
Mar 1, 2011
6
0
please somebody can help me! i did every thing like said the side and cant put the kernel in pda in odin ,when i start the odin and i put in pda the file with kernel is empty!what i am doing wrong?please help
 

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    Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee that this process will work for you as it did for me. If something goes wrong I will do everything I can to help you, but you are responsible. This is a guide for the I9000 international version.

    If you think your phone is "bricked" or something goes wrong then use this guide to get your phone sorted.

    If you would prefer to use Heimdall to flash or you are not using windows then use this guide.

    All "" in this guide are for emphasis or highlighting purposes. All commands should be typed excluding these.

    Before you ask, if you have any questions about what PIT file you should use then see this and realise that it really makes little to no discernible difference.

    What you need (All links are direct download):
    • Firmware you wish to flash. Generally find them here.
    • Odin3 v1.85 (Contained in the firmware)
    • USB Cable
    • Backups
    • Ability to get into download mode
    • >65% Battery

    Section 1: Backups

    1.1 Backups:

    Download the above file now while you backup using:
    • SMS using "GO sms", "SMS backup and Restore" or "SMS Backup +"(syncs with Gmail).
    • Apps using "Listables" or other preferred app. Due to a glitch that occurs with most app backups, market links are not maintained on restore, meaning some updates won't work properly. Using listables you can create an XML list on the SD card and later reopen this list. Then simply long press on each item to download again from market, insuring that updates function correctly. Alternatively you can make a html list, email it to your computer and just reinstall everything using the web market, quicker and simpler. If this is not a huge issue for you then I recommend just using "App Backup and Restore".
    • Contacts using "GO contacts" or other preferred app.
    • APN using "APN Backup & Restore" (internal SD save, handles duplicates)
    • Call logs using "Call Logs Backup & Restore" (internal SD save)
      [*}Bookmarks using "Backup Bookmarks"

    These will all be saved onto the internal SD card which WON'T be wiped during the update process. If you wish to backup your SD card as well, then be my guest.

    Section 2: Download Mode

    2.1 Download Mode:

    In order to install the new firmware, it is imperative that you can get your phone into download mode. To do this, hold the HOME button + the VOLUME DOWN button + the POWER button until this screen comes up:

    536At


    If this button combination does not work then you probably need to install Android Debug Bridge (ADB) (See Appendix: Download Mode via ADB). If it does, go straight to section 3.

    Section 3: Updating

    3.1 Prepare Odin

    At this point the phone should be in download mode, but have it unplugged from the computer. Extract the firmware and run Odin3, it should look like this:


    6GVZ0.jpg



    In odin, there is a lot you don't really need to worry about. Just make sure that Re-Partition, Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time ARE ticked.

    Click the button that says PIT, navigate to the folder you unzipped the firmware into, select the PIT file. Press the PDA button and select the CODE file. Press the PHONE button and select the MODEM file. Press the CSC button and select the CSC file.

    Now (in download mode) plug in your phone. It may take some time for the phone to register with the computer and it may fail. If that's the case then see Appendix: USB Drivers.

    Odin should now look like this with the yellow COM representing your phone connected.


    lPcVo.jpg



    3.2 Installing

    Be extremely careful while Odin is flashing your device. Interrupting it is a surefire way to produce a $500 paperweight. I recommend holding your breathe and pretending you are a statue til it's done. Once your phone is connected properly and odin is prepared, hit install. This should take around 2-10 minutes depending on your computer etc. Once done, the phone should reboot and voila you now have gingerbread.


    Section 4: Recovery

    4.1 Start up
    Once the phone starts up it should run you through the setup wizard. Go through this process and add gmail account etc. Then proceed to step 4.2.

    4.2 Wipe Cache
    Wiping the caches will remove any straggling data from previous installs. But don't stress this will only wipe data off the ROM partition area and not the SD card. While the flash has done most of this, sometimes things get left behind and this will clean them up.
    • Boot phone into recovery mode (Appendix: Recovery Mode)
    • You should no be in Clockwork Mod:

      Clockwork-Mod-Boot-Screen-e1279545586372.jpg

    • There are two options that we need to worry about "Wipe data/factory reset" and "Wipe cache partition".
    • You need to do both of these, in the order above.
    • Once these are done there should be an option to "Reboot system now". Do this.
    • Your cache should now be cleared.

    4.3 Restoring

    • Open the market and download the same programs as before and use them to restore your data
    • Make sure that you turn off "Delete old messages" and notification settings in stock messaging app before restoring SMS.
    • Note that apps will not maintain a proper link with the market, it is recommended that you download all apps from scratch using the restore list as a reference.

    4.3 APN Settings

    If you backed up APN earlier then use the backup, alternatively:

    • Go to Menu --> Settings --> Wireless and Network --> Mobile Networks --. Access Point Names
    • Delete all present APN's via long press
    • Press Menu button --> New APN
    • Enter details appropriate to your provider which you should be able to find by searching for "<provider name> APN settings"
    • You may have to create more than one APN

    Section 5: Extras

    5.1 Rooting and Basic Kernel

    Further modification usually requires a little something called root permissions. This is equivalent to administrator privileges in windows. While most custom kernels offer this, Chainfire's CF-Root kernel offers close to stock functionality with this feature added. Grab it here. The latest version should work for the firmware in this guide.
    • Put phone in download
    • Open odin
    • Plug phone in
    • Load kernel file as PDA
    • Install

    This will install Clockwork Mod (CWM) as well. Having root permissions and CWM will help you modify your phone further (if you so desire).

    5.2 SpeedMod Kernel

    If you want to upgrade the phone just a tad more than download the latest version of Speedmod Kernel. It's a custom kernel that performs a little bit better than stock. To installs it, do the same procedure as above.

    This will also install Clockwork Mod (CWM) Recovery.

    5.3 Modem

    To do this you need to have done step 5.1.

    There are a heap of different modems you can use. The modem is basically the actual phone component of the phone that communicates with the network. Here is a list of available modems but not all of them are gingerbread compatible:
    Modems

    I would recommend downloading this one UGJL2 Modem. Good battery life and good reception. However, stock modems in gingerbread (JVP onwards) have comparable performance. This is only really something you should learn just in case it's more useful in the future.

    You may have to adjust the modem to work on the right band. To do so see the end of the original post here: Modems

    To install:
    • Download file
    • Copy it across to the phone SD card
    • Boot phone into recovery mode (see Appendix: Recovery Mode)
    • Navigate to install zip from SD card (see Appendix: CWM Navigation)
    • Find the zip you put there and select it
    • Choose Yes
    • Phone should install modem and reboot.

    Appendix:

    Recovery Mode:

    • Volume Up + Home + Power (until first galaxy s startup screen shows then release)
    • ADB (Appendix: Download Mode via ADB) "adb reboot recovery"

    Download Mode:

    • Volume Down + Home + Power (until download mode screen shows)
    • ADB (Appendix: Download Mode via ADB) "adb reboot download"

    CWM Navigation:

    • Use volume to go up and down
    • Power button to select an option
    • Back to go back

    USB Drivers:

    If your USB drivers aren't working then you can try reinstalling them with these:

    2.2 Download Mode via ADB

    • To install ADB, download this and extract it to C:\SDK.
    • In My Computer, navigate to C:\SDK
    • In that folder there should be a folder labelled "android-sdk-windows", rename it to "SDK2"
    • In the second SDK2 folder, run "SDK Manager" and, after some time, this should show:

      W85GW

    • We only need to install the first one so for each item under the first one, click it and to the right click the reject button until your window looks like this:

      CWH17


    • Press Install
    • When finished it will ask to restart ADB, press yes.
    • Press Close
    • Once it has installed you need to run windows command prompt (press 'Windows key + R' then type "cmd" and hit enter)
    • Once in command prompt type "cd C:\SDK\SDK2\platform-tools"
    • Now type "adb reboot download"
    • You phone should now show this:

      536At

    Download key combo should work after flashing.


    Finished

    Thanks to Hardcore and devz3r0, [Ramad], as well as other users in this thread which have helped to make this guide better. Original ADB Guide. Some reference to this guide also.

    Please let me know if i have missed anything.
    1
    hi,

    you forget to leave password for extract the firmware !!

    It should be 'samfirmware.com'. ;)

    Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App
    1
    It's just a tad cleaner and some people get pedantic about that. Won't make a difference to those who don't.

    I have seen the changes, you need to prepare your self now for questions like 'which pit file must I use ?' :)

    I have also seen that you are using a link from samfirmware, why don't you use the link from Darky's Forum who was the source for this leaked firmware: http://www.darkyrom.com/community/index.php?threads/odin-cwm-base-ficetos-jvp-base-rom.3519/ samfirmware have just downloaded the firmware from Darky's Forum like everybody else and just put it on there forum. :)
    1
    please somebody can help me! i did every thing like said the side and cant put the kernel in pda in odin ,when i start the odin and i put in pda the file with kernel is empty!what i am doing wrong?please help

    What do you mean you can't put it in. Can you show me a screen shot?
    1
    Thanks for the guide, I installed the ROM and the SpeedMod kernel, and everything seems to be working perfectly.

    Now I'd like to try a different ROM, namely Darkys.

    In the install guide for Darkys it says to disable lagfix and other tweaks before installing.

    How do I disable this ?

    SpeedMod does not automatically enable tweaks (including lagfix). To be sure however, boot into recovery mode (view guid appendix), navigate to speedmod features and run convert filesystem to RFS. If lagfix was on then this should convert it back. Then you should be ready to go to darky ROM. Ideally if you make sure lagfix is off then flash stock firmware, you should have no problem with darky ROM.