Samsung Galaxy SII I9100 SGS2 Modding Thread

BenEadir · 01-07-2011 9:16am #1

Hi all,

It looks like the SGSII is going to become a very popular device and there is already an excellent discussion thread covering all issues relating to the device.

I think there is merit in setting up a thread exclusively dedicated to flashing firmware, custom ROM's, rooting etc so people into that don't end up cluttering up or dominating the general discussion thread.

If you agree please post info on how to upgrade firmware, flash custom ROM's etc here and let this thread become a dedicated resource for people who want to mess with customise their device. :P

Looking forward to seeing whether this ends up becoming a long running and popular thread or fades into obsurity within days!!

Ben

BenEadir · 01-07-2011 4:33pm

OK, so there's no point leaving this to others.

I'm a 4 out of 10 when it comes to technical competency which means two things:-

1. If I can do the following so can you
2. Independently validate everything I say. Don't send me a bill if you brick your phone!!

I just spent a couple of hours with my brand new SGS II which was running KE1 and now it's running Litening Rom 1.5.

Here's everything you need

1. Download Odin V1.85 here http://samsunggalaxys2review.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Odin3-v1-1.85.zip

2. Download Litening Rom V1.5 from here http://www.multiupload.com/D8F1YXS6IZ

3. Download Litening Wallpapers App from the market here https://market.android.com/details?id=com.litepro.wallpapers&feature=search_result

4. Read and follow the instructions from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1095274

5. The key to connecting your phone to Odin is to have it in "Download" mode which means powering off your phone, waiting 10 seconds to make sure it's fully powered off then hold volume DOWN, home and the power buttons at the same time. This will bring up a yellow type screen which might freak you out a little as it has a warning about loading custom roms. This is your "no turning back" moment so to speak. You need to confirm you know what you're doing by hitting the volume UP button and then you're good to go.

Flashing the Litening 1.5 ROM is as easy as launching the Odin 1.85 App, putting your phone into download mode, then (and only then) connecting your phone via USB cable to your PC, load the PDA file, make sure "Auto Reboot" and "F. Reset Time" are ticked, hit start and 2 minutes later you (should) have a lightning fast phone with a longer lasting battery.

Voilla

Enjoy and if you brick your phone please email iamresponsibleformyownfcukups@shouldertocryon.com :P

Ben

Kenny Logins · 01-07-2011 4:39pm

Nice one. You can now install ROMs from zip files on the SD when in recovery mode.

Thor · 01-07-2011 5:43pm

Might aswell throw this in here aswell.

VillainRom creator pulsar has modded the new Skype2.0 apk to allow video calling on the Samsung Galaxy S2

I uploaded the Apk to mega-upload so people can grab it from there, Here is the link

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=020PTNW6

BenEadir · 02-07-2011 9:16am

Thor,

I messed up trying to delete my old version of Swype & am experiencing some niggling problems. Is there a way to totally wipe the device before restoring the ROM? I tried factory wiping in CWM but that didn't do the trick.

Ben

BenEadir · 03-07-2011 1:43pm

Well I didn't stay too long on Litening Rom 1.5. It's big advantage is that it's easy to flash and doesn't require you're phone to be rooted so if you're new to flashing ROM's it's definetly a good option but having researched a bit more I decided to switch to Villain ROM 1.4 which took a little bit of figuring out but the instructions on their website are excellent and the forum is full of users willing to help.

Here's what you need to know:-

1. http://www.villainrom.co.uk
2. http://www.villainrom.co.uk/forum/content.php/309-VillainROM-1.4-for-SGS2-Released - This is where you can download the ROM and Modem files you'll need to flash.
3. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14283397&postcount=4 - This is the thread you need to follow to correctly root the phone before flashing the Villain ROM. It's critical that you apply the correct CF Root file for the modem you already have on your device. E.G. If you check your device in Settings -> About Phone and the baseband version is I9100XXKF2 then you need to download and apply the file CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXA_KF2-v4.0-CWM4.zip
in post #4 of the thread.
4. http://www.villainrom.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/4830-GUIDE-Noobs-this-is-how-to-install-VillainRom - Step by step guide to flashing Villain ROM including rooting etc.
5. http://www.villainrom.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/4570-%28updated%29-VillainTweaks-v1.3.1-%2829-May%29 - Clever Tweaks App which allows you to customise elements of the ROM and allows the ROM guys to apply updates/fixes.

Voila!!

Ben

BenEadir · 04-07-2011 7:26pm

I'm delighted to report that VillainROM 1.4 is behaving very well. Had some concerns intially about data signal and battery life but both were unfounded. In fact battery life is turning out to be quite good.

Here's a useful list of APP's which can be deleted to lighten the load on the phone and increase battery life - https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&key=0Ag43oj7rLQP4dENZcmhGN0ZUa3pHSENVeXlqUm5vV0E&single=true&gid=0&output=html

I probably deleted 50% of the "green" labelled apps and I also froze Software Update, Samsung Account and wssyncmlnps.apkusing Titanium Pro which are often responsible for considerable battery drain. (you can also use Bloat Freezer from the market https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bloatfreezer&feature=search_result to freeze them)

Happy Modding

Ben

05-07-2011 7:46pm

Has anyone tried any other roms apart from VR and lightening? Vrtweaks is starting to bug me by not allowing multiple tweaks, ie you install circle battery mod and it removes vibrate/notification alert when fully charged mod ect

BenEadir · 05-07-2011 8:13pm

5500, no I haven't but I'm soooooooo glad you posted. I installed the "don't vibrate on full charge" tweak and then the circles tweak by Hoolyn and was more than surprised/disappointed when the missus elbowed me at 4am as the vibrating phone danced across the bedside locker.

I really like the circles tweak but I NEED the phone to remain silentduring the night.

Decisions decisions

BTW, how do you uninstall a tweak?

Nearly forgot. I read that the MIUI boyz are nearly ready with a ROM for the SGS II and no doubt the cyanogenmod crowd will have something out soon also.

Ben

05-07-2011 8:22pm

Im in the same boat, I need the no vibrate tweek but hate the stock battery and icons/colours. I also had the phone.apk installed to stop the increasing ring tone which was working fine and then I installed call recorder from vrtweaks and it removed it.

Afaik to uninstall a tweak is you copy the original file back over the modded file, there's a vrtweak backup folder on the sdcard with files included. If your getting force closes your probably better doing a restore in cwm.

Also for anyone whos messing around with roms - CREATE BACKUPS! it saves you a lot of hassle and headache if something you installed or removed does go pear shaped

BenEadir · 06-07-2011 11:06am

5500 - I've now reinstalled the "prevent notification and vibration when fully charged" tweak and it's removed some of the circle icons but retained the battery circle icon with the % displayed in numerics inside which is the most important element for me anyway.

I'll test it tonight by leaving the phone on flight mode when charging and seeing if I get a dig in the ribs around 3am or not

06-07-2011 7:38pm

I notice theres a darkys rom out now on on xda, seems to just be released today but users reporting issues installing so might be worth holding off for a few days before any bugs are fixed.

Going to try the notification alert myself again now. Another problem Ive got is I had the non increasing phone ringer apk installed, installed the call recorder in vrtweaks and now the ringer has reverted back to increasing.

Heres the phone.apk for KF2 rom's - http://www.filesonic.com/file/1289239504/Phone.apk, backup your original phone.apk just incase, then copy the new apk to system/app. If you get any force closes just reboot and you should be fine and have no more increasing ringer

BenEadir · 08-07-2011 5:07pm

The reinstall of the full battery don't vibrate and light up the bedroom tweak is either working fine or we're sleeping through it

Will give the Darky boys a few weeks to iron out the SGS II wrinkles before giving them a shot.

Happy with Villain 1.4 TBH and as it's not broken I'm not that keen (or bored) to go fixing it!!

Have a good weekend.

Ben

Irish Gunner · 09-07-2011 6:27pm

Looking at rooting the S2 and wonder if you need Samsung Kies on your PC to to this

Was looking at This Video and it states you do. If you do need it is This the right one to download?

HoldStady · 10-07-2011 2:01pm

You need Kies to install drivers so Odin will recognise phone when plugged in. I would imagine the link you have put up would do fine.

Ben - i have frozen or deleted some of your suggestions. Hopefully this will give me better battery live now.

Anybody gone for Darky's rom. Any new fixes in Villain Rom that are of any interest?

10-07-2011 2:36pm

Theres a new villain 2.0 update with 2.3.4 on xda, Im just after flashing cognition 1.08 from vr1.4 as I kept getting force closes. So far Im happy with cogniton as it has everything I wanted as stock without having to use vrtweaks

Irish Gunner · 11-07-2011 10:18pm

Ok have rooted the phone to lightening rom 1.5. If I do want to go back to factory settings can that be done.

If I do want another Rom are the easy to install? Also if I wanted my screensaver to be own personal pic can this be done ok a noobie question as have not messed around with phone

Anything else worth installing ?

Grassey · 13-07-2011 3:30pm

After following all these GS2 threads, I flashed Litening 1.5 about weeks back, and Litening 2.1 this morning. Its running 2.3.4 and KG1

After an initial oh **** I think I bricked it moment (don't be doing things when you are sleepy

) its working great.

Battery life seems to be performing better than under 1.5, AOS usage % has dropped dramatically, though some users on xda say battery drain is faster... guess I'll have to find out myself over next few days!

For anyone interested Rom etc can be found on XDA

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1095274

BenEadir · 14-07-2011 12:59am

Irish Gunner wrote: »

Ok have rooted the phone to lightening rom 1.5. If I do want to go back to factory settings can that be done.

If I do want another Rom are the easy to install? Also if I wanted my screensaver to be own personal pic can this be done ok a noobie question as have not messed around with phone

Anything else worth installing ?

Irish Gunner, that'll be a Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes to your 4 questions

You just need to search the XDA and other forums to get the info you are looking for. The Market is full of great apps, just get in there and start trying them out.

As for the screensaver. Take a pic of yourself then go into Settings -> Display ->Screen Display and set the home screen and lock scren wallpapers there. Your picture will be in the "Gallery".

Ben

BenEadir · 14-07-2011 1:00am

Grassey wrote: »

After following all these GS2 threads, I flashed Litening 1.5 about weeks back, and Litening 2.1 this morning. Its running 2.3.4 and KG1

After an initial oh **** I think I bricked it moment (don't be doing things when you are sleepy ) its working great.

Battery life seems to be performing better than under 1.5, AOS usage % has dropped dramatically, though some users on xda say battery drain is faster... guess I'll have to find out myself over next few days!

For anyone interested Rom etc can be found on XDA

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1095274

How are you getting on with Litening 2.1 Grassey?

Ben

Grassey · 14-07-2011 12:33pm

Finding it to be an improvement on 1.5 myself, stable no FC etc and battery drain seems less than 1.5.

Was experiencing some lag on the android market though, but whether thats due to the rom or that I updated to the new (US only - ha!) market I dont know.

2.2 was released this morning though with a market fix, so will flash that later and see if it makes any improvement.

Kenny Logins · 14-07-2011 9:04pm

Grassey wrote: »

Finding it to be an improvement on 1.5 myself, stable no FC etc and battery drain seems less than 1.5.

Was experiencing some lag on the android market though, but whether thats due to the rom or that I updated to the new (US only - ha!) market I dont know.

2.2 was released this morning though with a market fix, so will flash that later and see if it makes any improvement.

Did you have to go 1.5 > 2.0 > 2.1 and so on or straight from 1.5 to 2.2?

Grassey · 14-07-2011 9:08pm

Yeah, 2.0 needs to be flashed via odin same as 1.5. The updates need to be installed via cwm separate afterwards.

He is working on compiling them all into a single file though to be released shortly.

Cyrus · 15-07-2011 2:00pm

anybody want to post a screen shot of their home screen looking for inspiration!

Grassey · 15-07-2011 2:15pm

Here's my current homescreen

The live wallpaper I'm using in the background is live plasma from the marketplace. https://market.android.com/details?id=mjp.android.wallpaper.plasma&feature=search_result

It goes well with the litening Rom (plus I'm a sucker for a bit of needless flash

)

Cyrus · 15-07-2011 2:34pm

thanks for that

any more?

The_B_Man · 15-07-2011 3:09pm

BenEadir wrote: »

3. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14283397&postcount=4 - This is the thread you need to follow to correctly root the phone before flashing the Villain ROM. It's critical that you apply the correct CF Root file for the modem you already have on your device. E.G. If you check your device in Settings -> About Phone and the baseband version is I9100XXKF2 then you need to download and apply the file CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXA_KF2-v4.0-CWM4.zip
in post #4 of the thread.

My base band ends in KDJ but my kernel has KE2 in it. I'm assuming I can just get the KE2 one then?

EDIT: Yep, I can! Nice and rooted now.

Cyrus · 15-07-2011 6:47pm

my phone has the following:

Baseband i9100XXKE7
Kernel is i9100XXKF3
Build Gingerbread XWKF3

Is there anything amiss there?

16-07-2011 10:52am

Cyrus wrote: »

my phone has the following:

Baseband i9100XXKE7
Kernel is i9100XXKF3
Build Gingerbread XWKF3

Is there anything amiss there?

Looks all good, you're running the latest "official" firmware. Baseband is the radio firmware which was not updated in KF2/KF3, hence is still KE7.

Hoping the 2.3.4 (KG1) will be released next week as I could do with more battery life for my vacation, which that update promises.

iggy · 18-07-2011 1:04pm

LUOTE=Grassey;73296685]Yeah, 2.0 needs to be flashed via odin same as 1.5. The updates need to be installed via cwm separate afterwards.

He is working on compiling them all into a single file though to be released shortly.[/QUOTE]
I have lite ning rom 2.0. I wanna get 2.2. How do i di it?

Grassey · 18-07-2011 2:01pm

download the 2.2 update from the xda forum, then copy it to your phone (not your sd card).
Then open up cwm from your apps and update from the zip file. The 2.2 update zip should be at the top of the list, it'll update and that's it done.

Zagato · 18-07-2011 3:24pm

Has anyone disabled this? Did you notice any difference.

I just came across it as a battery saving tip on Cognition thread over at XDA, and then found this thread as well. I'm on vodafone, and reckon it's unlikely they have upgraded their network to support this yet, so it sounds like it's worth disabling.

From doing a little reading, sounds like it reduces the amount of network traffic involved in connecting and disconnecting when your various apps are updating/syncing. Or switching it off lengthens the time that your phone waits before switching from HSPA to 3G (ie reducing frequent connections/disconnections).

Basically sounds like it's useless if no network support, and if enabled may be draining battery.

Dial *#9900# and then Disable fast dormancy

Looks pretty easy to switch back on, so I've just switched it off to see how it goes

Grassey · 18-07-2011 3:53pm

Yeah I disabled it, simply because I came across something somewhere online that said meteor don't support Fast Dormancy yet, can't find it now, but came across something on the 02 boards saying it will be available on their network from next year. I'm assuming if they don't have it meteor won't be supporting it either.

From an XDA post

If you have it enabled it will fall from H to 3G in 7 seconds when connection is idle, otherwise in 30 seconds. 7 seconds are to short it will lose time and battery renegotiating to H too often. Ex: when you read your rss feed it will renegtiate higher speed for every article you read, very annoying.
Belive me, you are better off by disabling it.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1111581&page=7

I don't know how much battery its saving me, but as regards up/download speeds (average of 2 tests each run there a min ago)
FD on: up 90kbps down 57kbps
FD off: up 110kbps down 85kbps

I don't see any benefit to having it enabled myself.

iggy · 18-07-2011 4:01pm

Grassey wrote: »

download the 2.2 update from the xda forum, then copy it to your phone (not your sd card).
Then open up cwm from your apps and update from the zip file. The 2.2 update zip should be at the top of the list, it'll update and that's it done.

I have the update downloaded on my pc. Csn u give me simple instructions of what to do next. Where and how do i copy yhe file to my phone etc?
I can see where the cwm app is. i presses it but it says someghing about having superuser.
Thanks

Grassey · 18-07-2011 4:19pm

@ Iggy

1. use the usb cable to copy the 2.2update.zip file from pc to your phone directory, not to your SD card! (it should show up under my computer -> I9100 -> phone - or something similar, just drag and drop the file into that folder)
2. Open CWM - it should have a message pop up saying "CWM has been granted superuser access" - if its asking you to grant CWM superuser access, allow it to.
3. Scroll down to "Flash an update.zip"
4. press Flash update.zip
5. phone will scan for .zip updates
6. The next screen should have "Files" at the top and "litening_Rom_v2-2-update.zip underneath it.
7 Select that zip and it should auto update for you.

Cyrus · 18-07-2011 4:42pm

in terms of battery life, performance, and stability, what is considered to be the best rom lads?

im on the latest 'official' xeu rom, but id flash a custom if there is a benefit

Grassey · 18-07-2011 7:57pm

I suppose its down to personal preference, I use litening 2.2 and I'd notice an improvement over stock, also the overheating on back I experienced on stock has gone since I flashed.

I find 2.2 to be fast and stable (with exception of the search app which keeps FC on me - only noticed that earlier). As I've only used litening 1.5 then 2.2 I can't comment on the other roms personally but...

On XDA I've read people argue that litening is faster, Villian gives better battery, but Villian is more awkward to get set up with having to tweak it, then again some guys in the litening thread are reporting 3+ days use off of one charge on 2.2...

If you are looking to stick with stock and increase battery then use bloat freezer and freeze all the samsung apps and processes you don't need, I found a huge improvement once I stopped samsung hubs etc from running in the background.

iggy · 18-07-2011 10:11pm

Grassey wrote: »

@ Iggy

1. use the usb cable to copy the 2.2update.zip file from pc to your phone directory, not to your SD card! (it should show up under my computer -> I9100 -> phone - or something similar, just drag and drop the file into that folder)
2. Open CWM - it should have a message pop up saying "CWM has been granted superuser access" - if its asking you to grant CWM superuser access, allow it to.
3. Scroll down to "Flash an update.zip"
4. press Flash update.zip
5. phone will scan for .zip updates
6. The next screen should have "Files" at the top and "litening_Rom_v2-2-update.zip underneath it.
7 Select that zip and it should auto update for you.

Cheers for that.
I now have lite'ning 2.2 installed. I hope the battery is good as when I had lite.ning 2.0 the battery was brutal. Maybe i have things running that I shouldnt have.

Cyrus · 19-07-2011 9:16am

flashed the cognition latest rom last night and flashed to go launcher, happier with the phone now, things really zipping along, and go launcher is a nice alternative to touchwiz

lafors · 19-07-2011 11:22am

After rooting/simunlocking here are my phone details

Baseband I9100XXKE4
Kernal I9100XWKE7
Build GINGERBREAD.XWKE7

Is it OK to have the Baseband on XXKE4 with the Kernal & Build on XWKE7?
Phone is running fine so I haven't noticed any problems myself.

I'm not going to put a new rom on it yet. I want to try out the samsung interface for a while after coming from my HTC. I had been running Leedroid on that.

Possibly a stupid question but how do I change the dock icons? I want to replace the messaging icon with the handcent icon in the dock.

The_B_Man · 19-07-2011 1:16pm

Was it difficult to sim unlock?

Professey Chin · 19-07-2011 2:01pm

The_B_Man wrote: »

Was it difficult to sim unlock?

The unlock codes stored on the device. You can just download an app from the market to get the code once youre rooted

ciaran75 · 19-07-2011 2:49pm

Hi Lads,

I'm about to get the S2 once its back in stock with meteor.
Complete newbie to smartphones so sorry for the basic questions

What is rooting?
What are ROM's (presume just a firmware update?)
Do you still run on Gingerbread once done?
Are they offical updates (from Google) or just random developers etc.

From what i read these upgrades improve battery, performance etc.

Thanks,

Grassey · 19-07-2011 3:09pm

Rooting your phone is the process of modifying the operating system that shipped with your device to grant you complete control over it. Somewhat like Administrator access. This means you can overcome limitations that the carriers and manufacturers put on your phone, extend system functionality, remove samsung apps or install a custom ROM

ROMS are like custom operating systems where the developers have changed/removed/replaced parts or all of the system, and User Interface, and customised parts to give better battery or performance or overclocking and other tweaks etc

The ROMS will generally tell you what version they are based on, a lot at the moment are on Gingerbread 2.3.4 (based off a leaked build, stock SG2 is still 2.3.3) and XKG2 Firmware

They aren't official updates from google, rather they are based on the latest versions google release made by random developers.

If you want to find out about the ROMS just read about them on XDA or view videos on youtube to get an idea.

Cyrus · 19-07-2011 4:03pm

Hmmm todays battery performance hasnt been stellar.

I took the phone off charge this morning at 7.10 am, its at 37% now at 4pm, i flashed the latest cognition rom last night and calibrated the battery this morning when i took it off charge.

10 minutes of calls, no texts, 30mb of data usage, 40 min of fm radio

That said i had the display on a lot messing around with go launcher, my battery usage says screen 49% android os 13%, go launcher 11% and android system 7%.

Anything odd there or is it literally because ive had the display on for 1hr 50m (according to the battery usage)

Professey Chin · 19-07-2011 4:28pm

That could be right for display but it would depend on lots of things like the colors of your background and different applications.It would use more power on lots of bright colours but would use less on dark colours/lots of black areas

Cyrus · 19-07-2011 4:31pm

Mega Chin wrote: »

That could be right for display but it would depend on lots of things like the colors of your background and different applications.It would use more power on lots of bright colours but would use less on dark colours/lots of black areas

its a bright lime green

im guessing black is best

Professey Chin · 19-07-2011 4:33pm

Black doesnt draw any power(just leaves the LEDs off) so it would be

ciaran75 · 19-07-2011 4:56pm

Grassey wrote: »

Rooting your phone is the process of modifying the operating system that shipped with your device to grant you complete control over it. Somewhat like Administrator access. This means you can overcome limitations that the carriers and manufacturers put on your phone, extend system functionality, remove samsung apps or install a custom ROM

ROMS are like custom operating systems where the developers have changed/removed/replaced parts or all of the system, and User Interface, and customised parts to give better battery or performance or overclocking and other tweaks etc

The ROMS will generally tell you what version they are based on, a lot at the moment are on Gingerbread 2.3.4 (based off a leaked build, stock SG2 is still 2.3.3) and XKG2 Firmware

They aren't official updates from google, rather they are based on the latest versions google release made by random developers.

If you want to find out about the ROMS just read about them on XDA or view videos on youtube to get an idea.

Thanks Grassey !!

Would there be any point in Rooting and not running the ROM update?
Presume the phone needs to be unlocked before doing this?

Grassey · 19-07-2011 5:03pm

Personally I'd root it, just for the benefit of being able to use a lot of the apps that require superuser access on the market - and also to back up current ROM and data, to remove or freeze applications I don't use like the samsung hubs, and so on that come with the phone that you can't remove otherwise.

A lot of the pre-installed apps run in the background regardless of whether you use them or not and just drain the battery so I just removed them all - they were just bloatware I didn't need.

Just to note - that though rooting the device will void the warranty but un rooting the device will bring back the warranty.

iggy · 19-07-2011 5:22pm

Grassey wrote: »

Personally I'd root it, just for the benefit of being able to use a lot of the apps that require superuser access on the market - and also to back up current ROM and data, to remove or freeze applications I don't use like the samsung hubs, and so on that come with the phone that you can't remove otherwise.

A lot of the pre-installed apps run in the background regardless of whether you use them or not and just drain the battery so I just removed them all - they were just bloatware I didn't need.

Just to note - that though rooting the device will void the warranty but un rooting the device will bring back the warranty.

I have the lite ning rom on mine. Does this mean its roted?
If so how do i delete all the crap like hub etc.

Samsung Galaxy SII I9100 SGS2 Modding Thread

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