Samsung Galaxy S II

Thor · 19-06-2011 10:51PM

daveccork wrote: »

great - thanks for quick response. did you do this?
"After installing, I recommend you flash the XXKF2 modem, which you can download from this link: http://www.villainrom.co.uk/forum/sh...ll=1#post42028

Yeah, I did after aswell, Its best to do it.

Also download crtweaks from the villainrom website, Its for adding tweaks that aren't in the official rom.

Rsaeire · 20-06-2011 04:45AM

Thor wrote: »

Make sure to do a battery calibration after the rom install. Will help in the next coming days.

Cheers for the tip. I've been looking into when the best time to do it is. From what I've been reading it appears to be best to do it after you install a ROM and when the battery is at 100%, i.e. leave it charging while installing the ROM, ensure the battery's at 100%, unplug and calibrate the battery.

Jimmy Bottlehead · 20-06-2011 06:59AM

I'll be hopefully picking up the S2 on Meteor billpay when I get back to Ireland in August. Just a few questions:

1) Is the firmware likely to be more efficient by then? (better battery life, etc)

2) Is it a decent phone without rooting? (I'm an iPhone user, but I've never jailbroken, and I've been reasonably happy)

3) How easy is it to transfer media? Part of the reason I'm switching is because I ****ing HATE iTunes.

bd250110 · 20-06-2011 07:44AM

Honestly, we don't know. There is no clear roadmap from Samsung as to when updates will be released. There were quite a few around launch, but nothing for a while now.
I would say it is more than a decent phone without rooting. You don't need to root, if you have never jailbroken, you probably wont need to root. While it is not as fluid and the interface is not as pretty as the iPhone, it works well, is very stable and is very quick (although not noticeably quicker than the iPhone4 in day to day use IME). If you are going Android, this is the best option, by an absolute country mile. Don't even look at anything else. The screen alone is worth the money!

You can avoid iTunes, simple as drag and dropping if you wish. (BTW by jailbreaking the iPhone you can do this too) This has upsides, but there are a few downsides if you use iTunes to manage all your music at present. As much as people have a go at iTunes none of the other options are all that much better, really and generally lack key features, playlist count, podcast integration, use of album art, etc. Personally I like doubleTwist, it is a good alternative, but I find the volume on the SGS II a bit low. It is basically useless in the gym, for example.

lewis · 20-06-2011 01:56PM

bd250110 wrote: »

Honestly, we don't know. There is no clear roadmap from Samsung as to when updates will be released. There were quite a few around launch, but nothing for a while now.
I would say it is more than a decent phone without rooting. You don't need to root, if you have never jailbroken, you probably wont need to root. While it is not as fluid and the interface is not as pretty as the iPhone, it works well, is very stable and is very quick (although not noticeably quicker than the iPhone4 in day to day use IME). If you are going Android, this is the best option, by an absolute country mile. Don't even look at anything else. The screen alone is worth the money!

You can avoid iTunes, simple as drag and dropping if you wish. (BTW by jailbreaking the iPhone you can do this too) This has upsides, but there are a few downsides if you use iTunes to manage all your music at present. As much as people have a go at iTunes none of the other options are all that much better, really and generally lack key features, playlist count, podcast integration, use of album art, etc. Personally I like doubleTwist, it is a good alternative, but I find the volume on the SGS II a bit low. It is basically useless in the gym, for example.

Are you insane, lol.
Its probably the best phone out there at the moment, you can`t honestly compare jailbreaking and iphone and rooting an Android phone the same.
Not the same, granted the phone at first/stock is`nt much to look at, but that`s where rooting comes in, you can do what ever you want, poo if you wanted to you can make it look like an iphone, as to why you would god only knows, lol.

captain_boycott · 20-06-2011 01:57PM

According to Villainrom fourm instructions, If I want to install VillainROM1.4 onto my stock SG2, I first need to install a CF-Root kernel.

However my handset is running gingerbread.buke1, and I can only find the following kernels - which should I use?

CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE2-v4.0-CWM4.zip
CF-Root-SGS2_XW_XEU_KE7-v4.0-CWM4.zip
CF-Root-SGS2_XW_ODD_KE8-v4.0-CWM4.zip
CF-Root-SGS2_XW_OJV_KF1-v4.0-CWM4.zip

Does it matter which I use, or is there another one somewhere?

Minstrel27 · 20-06-2011 02:29PM

Thor wrote: »

Okay, I have flashed the phone with villian 1.2(Actually just upgraded to 1.4 aswell).

So far the results are amazing, The battery life has improved 5 fold.

I have had the phone on for over 11 hours, checking emails, Checking twitter, Downloading apps. normal usage. The phone still has 76% battery left.

Absolutely amazing rom and still gives better results on benchmarks aswell.

All I would need to do is root the phone and then install that?

Thor · 20-06-2011 03:29PM

Minstrel27 wrote: »

All I would need to do is root the phone and then install that?

You need to install CF-Root that corresponds with your current firmware first, Then you install the new rom.

There is a guide here(post 3) this will walk you through installing the new rom.

There is probably someone here to better write out the guide, If i have time i will write a better one out and post it, but check out the instructions below for a rough(and i mean rough) guide on how to do it.

Basically check which firmware you currenty have in the settings, about place, Then download the CF_root that is the same.

Once you have that installed, Copy the Villain rom over to your phone.

There will be a new app installed on your phone after you have installed CF-ROOT, Called CWM. Open that up and click on flash update, It will install the new rom, REMEMBER, After you have installed the new rom you need to put the phone into recovery mode(Volume up + Home + Power button and click on wipe user and systen data. This must be done if you are coming from a stock rom or the new rom will not boot. You can do a back up with cwm before installing the new rom aswell.

Once that is installed you need to update your baseband firmware aswell, Which is XXKF2, This is simple to do and there is a guide on how to do it on XDA aswell.

ct5amr2ig1nfhp · 20-06-2011 05:16PM

Lads, I've an upgrade available and am wondering should I go for the SGS2. I currently have the SGS and it's a truely fantastic phone.
Does anyone that's moved from SGS to SGS2 have any review/comments? Is there a big difference between them?

Cheers, BN

Thor · 20-06-2011 05:22PM

BearNecessities wrote: »

Lads, I've an upgrade available and am wondering should I go for the SGS2. I currently have the SGS and it's a truely fantastic phone.
Does anyone that's moved from SGS to SGS2 have any review/comments? Is there a big difference between them?

Cheers, BN

I moved from an iPhone 4, Was getting bored with the limits of iOS, Even though it was jailbroken, It still felt limited.

All i can say is, If anyone is looking to get a new phone, You can't go wrong with the SGS2, It beats any phone currently on the market by a long shot.

Fact is the phone isn't even out in america and people over there are dying to get there hands on it.

I'd say the jump from SGS1 to SGS2 will feel more naturally but you will definitely see a difference because the SGS2 is simply an amazing phone.

captain_boycott · 20-06-2011 09:06PM

ok - figured out that I can upgrade to stock ke2 using Kies.

After installing Villain1.4 - should I install the modem too? Says KF2, so is that needed for Ke2 build?

Cableguy · 21-06-2011 07:52AM

Whats the cheapest way to get the SG2 and with who at the moment?

marathont · 21-06-2011 08:47AM

I must be missing something really obvious here, but can someone tell me how to view or download attachments in the email client on the galaxy s2 (not gmail).

I can see the attachments, but cannot find any options to view it or download, tried clicking everywhere, long press and menu button. Thanks.

Kenny Logins · 21-06-2011 08:52AM

Cableguy wrote: »

Whats the cheapest way to get the SG2 and with who at the moment?

Not in stock now... but €449 when porting to Vodafone PAYG and €12.50 rebate from Fatcheese.ie.

21-06-2011 09:56AM

Are these phones unlocked if bought through Vodafone bill pay?

bennyx_o · 21-06-2011 10:55AM

ronoc wrote: »

Are these phones unlocked if bought through Vodafone bill pay?

I bought one on Vodafone bill pay from Carphone Warehouse and it's unlocked.

captain_boycott · 21-06-2011 11:32AM

Thor wrote: »

Basically check which firmware you currenty have in the settings, about place, Then download the CF_root that is the same.

Once you have that installed, Copy the Villain rom over to your phone.

Thor
my current firmware is buke5. what CF_root can I use?

Thor · 21-06-2011 11:57AM

captain_boycott wrote: »

Thor
my current firmware is buke5. what CF_root can I use?

Your using Vodafone specific firmware, So you need to install another rom before installing CF_Root. Something like KE7 or KF1, Then you can install CF_Root and then install the new rom.

21-06-2011 04:07PM

How many hours of screen time are people getting on average?

(I know other factors impact battery, but I cant seem to get any more than a little over 3 hours - with 2 homescreens, 3 mostly static widgets and a solid black background)

eamondunphy · 21-06-2011 06:19PM

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

How many hours of screen time are people getting on average?

(I know other factors impact battery, but I cant seem to get any more than a little over 3 hours - with 2 homescreens, 3 mostly static widgets and a solid black background)

are you still having battery trouble? has it imporved at all over the last few days?

21-06-2011 06:34PM

eamondunphy wrote: »

are you still having battery trouble? has it imporved at all over the last few days?

Ye, im still having troubles (well i view 6-10 hours as a problem) and I still cant get much more than 3 hours of screen time.

I still haven't rooted and am still on the custom stock voda/samsung rom.

Im even down to two screens, folders and minimal widgets as I prefer it this way anyway. Also everything is black and dark themed as I also prefer it but the battery is still fairly bad imo.

Of course Vodafone havent gotten back to me yet, must email again….

Did yours improve?

nxbyveromdwjpg · 21-06-2011 06:36PM

Is there an equivalent to the Voodoo Control app for the sg2 yet?

eamondunphy · 21-06-2011 07:14PM

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

Ye, im still having troubles (well i view 6-10 hours as a problem) and I still cant get much more than 3 hours of screen time.

I still haven't rooted and am still on the custom stock voda/samsung rom.

Im even down to two screens, folders and minimal widgets as I prefer it this way anyway. Also everything is black and dark themed as I also prefer it but the battery is still fairly bad imo.

Of course Vodafone havent gotten back to me yet, must email again….

Did yours improve?

im with meteor, they've their own rom on it too and i haven't flashed it, still not sure how to flash to be honest.

i think its improved but only slightly.

if i only use the web browser for about an hour a day but still have wifi connected, background data on, facebook app, emails synching etc i get about 14hours straight. i have the display light at a minumum and only have 3 screens myself. i havent played any music or videos on it.

i have been out of work sick the last few days so i have been messing around with the phone a fair bit but all in all i'd say 14-16 hours is what i get out of it with the way i would normally use the phone. if i was to use the internet browser for a couple of hours more i defo wouldnt get more than 8 hours out of the phone.

while i expected alot more out of the battery, it seems like i am getting a good bit more out of it than you.

i think i'll email meteor about it but like you i wouldnt expect to hear back from them

21-06-2011 07:27PM

Well I do use it a lot, a lot but still.

All the reviews say battery life just be 12 hours of actual solid use (plus 12 with wifi and notifications).

Neither of us are getting that, im stuck between rooting and flashing and it improving but im not sure if its still a dodgy battery or not…. and waiting for vodafone to get back to me or me wasting my time going to them to get it taken away for a week and still not replaced.

Thor · 21-06-2011 08:29PM

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

Well I do use it a lot, a lot but still.

All the reviews say battery life just be 12 hours of actual solid use (plus 12 with wifi and notifications).

Neither of us are getting that, im stuck between rooting and flashing and it improving but im not sure if its still a dodgy battery or notÂ…. and waiting for vodafone to get back to me or me wasting my time going to them to get it taken away for a week and still not replaced.

Sounds to me that you may have something in the background running causing the battery drain.

While I'm not using the same rom as you. I get more then 12 hours usage with heavy usage.

Even now I have 52% battery left, and I have been using the phone since 9 this morning.

The thing is that samsungs rom is terrible on the battery. Even if its vodafones or meteors rom its still basically the same as samsungs and its terrible on the battery life.

P.s writing this on my phone ^_^

eamondunphy · 21-06-2011 08:43PM

Thor wrote: »

Sounds to me that you may have something in the background running causing the battery drain.

While I'm not using the same rom as you. I get more then 12 hours usage with heavy usage.

Even now I have 52% battery left, and I have been using the phone since 9 this morning.

The thing is that samsungs rom is terrible on the battery. Even if its vodafones or meteors rom its still basically the same as samsungs and its terrible on the battery life.

P.s writing this on my phone ^_^

i'd like to flash a different rom but a few things scare me.

the main reason i havent flashed the rom is i cant seem to find meteors rom anywhere online.
i'd obviously need this incase i had to return the phone if it suffered a hardware fault.

i currently have 38% battery left and it's been off charge 10hrs now, i have used the web browser for about an hour but have facebook and emails running in the background, ive made a few calls and been texting and using whatsapp most of the day.

does anyone know where i could get the stock meteor rom so that i could have it as back up for if i flashed my phone??

Thor · 21-06-2011 08:52PM

eamondunphy wrote: »

i'd like to flash a different rom but a few things scare me.

the main reason i havent flashed the rom is i cant seem to find meteors rom anywhere online.
i'd obviously need this incase i had to return the phone if it suffered a hardware fault.

i currently have 38% battery left and it's been off charge 10hrs now, i have used the web browser for about an hour but have facebook and emails running in the background, ive made a few calls and been texting and using whatsapp most of the day.

does anyone know where i could get the stock meteor rom so that i could have it as back up for if i flashed my phone??

I'm not 100% but im pretty sure that you are allowed to flash any rom from samsung and returning it wouldn't be a problem.

As long as you can return it with stock rom then you shouldn't have a problem, But to be honest, Its pretty hard to brick the device, Flashing is pretty straight forward. There are plenty of guides on how to do it, I'm sure you already know but if you feel the risk is too high. Remember Samsung sent the GS2 to a developer of the cyanogen mod so they could port it to the GS2. If they wanted to they could have locked the boot loaders but they didn't. I'm convinced Samsung are for custom roms!!

To that end, If you are still unsure, Send me a pm if you have any trouble and i will help the best i can. That's goes to anyone who needs help flashing the SGS2, I must say I'm loving the VillainRom and would suggest anyone with this phone to put it on there phone.

21-06-2011 08:56PM

Thor wrote: »

Sounds to me that you may have something in the background running causing the battery drain.

While I'm not using the same rom as you. I get more then 12 hours usage with heavy usage.

Ye, it doesnt seem to have the high android process usage battery problem but it does have the wifi sharing problem and it uses 10-15% battery.

I dunno, I know if I root I will get better battery.
I dont know if the battery is a bit off in general, or if its all the roms fault.

BTW if you have a windows computer flashing the GS2 is ridiculously easy. It is literally download things, follow instructions to put phone is certain modes, and check boxes in a gui application and its all straight forward tbh.
I dont have windows though…. and my vm wont recognize the phone, so i have to use heimdall to root/flash.

Thor · 21-06-2011 09:00PM

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

Ye, it doesnt seem to have the high android process usage battery problem but it does have the wifi sharing problem and it uses 10-15% battery.

I dunno, I know if I root I will get better battery.
I dont know if the battery is a bit off in general, or if its all the roms fault.

BTW if you have a windows computer flashing the GS2 is ridiculously easy. It is literally download things, follow instructions to put phone is certain modes, and check boxes in a gui application and its all straight forward tbh.
I dont have windows though…. and my vm wont recognize the phone, so i have to use heimdall to root/flash.

Could be a bit of both, The best thing for you is to bring it back and get a replacement, It's really the only way you will know short of buying a new battery or installing a different rom.

Flashing is fairly simple, Although things can go wrong, They rarely do as long as you follow the instructions. Always read about what you are doing before doing it. Not having Windows is a problem alright, Unless you know someone with a laptop or something, Doesn't take long to do.

21-06-2011 09:17PM

I will email vodafone back - I want some sort of confirmation before I walk back to the shop and hand them the phone for a week or whatever that they might replace it, obviously they wont guarantee it over email without seeing it though,

Ye, I could borrow a laptop. Get all the crap organized and just copy everything from a thumb drive and do it quickly and delete.
It looks way easier than rooting and flashing a G1, even with having to use heimdall. Borrowing a windows laptop would make it a lot easier though.

Samsung Galaxy S II

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