HTC

[kgraham]

I am trying to determine whether I need a firmware upgrade for an i900 Omnia - probably 3 months old supplied from Vodafone Oct 2008.
Information on this forum suggests the latest version is - i900ACHJ2 - but no date effective or history of other updates are mentioned.

My omnia shows :
PDA: i900XXHHD/ACHH3
Phone: i900BUHH2

Can anyone explain:
1. Are there two pieces of firmware - one for the PDA functionality and one for the phone - and therefore potentially both need upgrading ?
2. Is this firmware specifically for Vodafone supplied handsets - if so why ?
2. From this version numbering format how can you establish which is the newer ?
3. Is it possible to get a list of fixes in each version ?
4. Does a firmware upgrade risk overwriting any data or user installed applications ?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

[Jon_V]

I am trying to determine whether I need a firmware upgrade for an i900 Omnia - probably 3 months old supplied from Vodafone Oct 2008.
Information on this forum suggests the latest version is - i900ACHJ2 - but no date effective or history of other updates are mentioned.

My omnia shows :
PDA: i900XXHHD/ACHH3
Phone: i900BUHH2

Can anyone explain:
1. Are there two pieces of firmware - one for the PDA functionality and one for the phone - and therefore potentially both need upgrading ?
2. Is this firmware specifically for Vodafone supplied handsets - if so why ?
2. From this version numbering format how can you establish which is the newer ?
3. Is it possible to get a list of fixes in each version ?
4. Does a firmware upgrade risk overwriting any data or user installed applications ?

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks

Hi KGraham,

i900ACHJ2 is the latest version, so you do need to update from here

There is only one firmware overall for the phone.
It is specific to Vodafone UK. The reason for this, is because our firmware includes Vodafone branding, and settings and applications that are specifically for our network, and would not work on any other network.

The version numbers can be tricky, but the general rule of thumb here is that the higher the number on the end of the ACH section, the later the firmware.

Unfortunately Samsung do not publish a list of fixes for their firmware.

There is always a risk of data loss when installing new firmware, and you should always follow the instructions on the specific firmware release you are trying to install. In this particular case, the firmware warns that all data will be erased, and so you should seek to backup your contacts to your SIM card or PC before applying any updates.

I trust this clears things up for you

Jon

eForum Team

[kgraham]

Many thanks

Will give that a try

[andre77]

If you are not experiencing any probs at the moment I would leave it as it is. Although the majority of people have had good experiences with the update there are a few cases (like me) who wish they had never done it.

[petest]

Is the installation of the firmware a simple case of connecting to the pc via active-sync and running the upgrade?
Are there any risks and what happens if something goes wrong?
(I'm not a complete novice at rom upgrades as I've had HTC pda phones for the past 15 years or so and have flashed roms on most of them but as I'm new to the samsung brand I'd like to know in advance if there are any pitfalls)
Thanks in advance

[Elessar1987]

Does this new firmware also work on a dutch Vodafone Omnia? If not, do you know when one will be available. The dutch website doesn't have a forum like this one. The version I am using now is:

PDA: i900XKHG5/ARHG5
Phone: i900BUHG5

I hope someone can help me.

[KD]

Hi Guys!

andre77 - If something has gone wrong with your upgrade, you are covered under your warranty and so can have the phone repaired. Check out the Vodafone Repairs thread for more details.

Petest - Yes it is a straight forward installation. You can see a list of frequently asked questions and requirements here. I can understand your concern, as with andre77 if something goes wrong when you upgrade your irmware you are covered under your manufacturers warranty and we can repiar the phone for you.

Elessar1987 - No problem, follow this link and it will take you to the first page of the updatater where you can pick your country origin for your Omnia so that you get the right upgrade for your phone (eg if you bought the phone in the UK you would select UK from the dropdown list).

That should cover it all!
Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you!



Kirsty
eForum Team

[MadScot]

I upgraded my Omnia last night.. Absolutely no problems with it, and the phone is working fine..

[Ian Martin]

Hi guys the firmware code is split into individual sections:

i900 - > model designation (SGH-i900).
XX - > region / network carrier designation (XX = Spain - open Market).
G - > release year (E = 2007).
K - > release month (K = November).
1 - > version number.

BD Cyprus, Greece
CP Finland
DB Vietnam
DC Thailand
DD India
DT Australia
DX Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam
DZ Malaysia, Singapore
JA South Africa
JC Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia
JP Arabic
JR Arabic
JV Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan,
Saudi Arabia,South Africa, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey
MT Switzerland
XA Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom
XB Denmark, Norway, Sweden
XC Portugal, Spain
XD Croatia, Czech, Hungary, Slovakia
XE Bulgaria, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine
XF Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania
XX Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom
ZC China, Hong Kong
ZH Hong Kong
ZT Taiwan

- Network carrier codes:

AE SFR, France
AI Tim, Italy
AM Vodafone
AN E-Plus, Germany
AO O2
AS KPN, Netherland
AU Mobilkom, Austria
BB Tmn, Portugal
BF Optimus, Portugal
BG Telefonica, Spain
BM Swisscom, Switzerland
BN Amena, Spain
BO T-Mobile, Germany
BU Vodafone
BV Orange, Switzerland
BW O2, United Kingdom
CD Proximus, Belgium
CG Telia Mobitel, Sweden
CH SingTel, Singapore
CK Tele2 Comviq, Sweden
CT Tdc, Denmark
CU One, Austria
CV Telenor, Norway
DT Optus, Australia
DV Telstra, Australia
EF Celcom, Malaysia
JB Vodacom, South Africa
MD Telia Sonera, Finland
MJ Vodafone, Italy
MM Tele Ring, Austria
MV NetCom, Norway
NA Nrj, France
NB Tele2 Norway, Norway
NE H3g Nordic, Sweden
NP H3g, Italy
SS Vodafone, Japan

Release years:

D = 2004
E = 2005
F = 2006
G = 2007
H = 2008

Release months:

A = January
B = February
C = March
D = April
E = May
F = June
G = July
H = August
I = September
J = October
K = November
L = December

meaning the current vodafone branded firmware i900XXHJ6 was released in october 2008 and is version 6 however the phone part of the firmware i900BUHJ1 while released in october 2008 is even older current original samsung version is i900XXHL2.

come on vodafone you are 3 months behind and it does not take 3 months to implement the vodafone branding this is shocking and as for low memory issues this will be down to what vodafone is putting in the rom.

sort yourselfs out vodafone

[jbnufc]

Hi KGraham,

i900ACHJ2 is the latest version, so you do need to update from here

There is only one firmware overall for the phone.
It is specific to Vodafone UK. The reason for this, is because our firmware includes Vodafone branding, and settings and applications that are specifically for our network, and would not work on any other network.

The version numbers can be tricky, but the general rule of thumb here is that the higher the number on the end of the ACH section, the later the firmware.

Unfortunately Samsung do not publish a list of fixes for their firmware.

There is always a risk of data loss when installing new firmware, and you should always follow the instructions on the specific firmware release you are trying to install. In this particular case, the firmware warns that all data will be erased, and so you should seek to backup your contacts to your SIM card or PC before applying any updates.

I trust this clears things up for you

Jon

eForum Team

Hi my phone says i900BUHH2 is this the lastest software or does it need upgrading? thnx inadvance John.

[kgraham]

Hi guys
Just completed this upgrade which did work ok eventually - but a couple of points which might help.

I saved the dowload then executed from the PC - first problem was it stopped immediatedly after the two tick boxes were filled.

Seems as though the firewall on my PC or something to do with the security suite ( Kasperky ) was interfering with it. As soon as I switched it off it ran through to a conclusion.

The other point is a reminder that everything in the main memory gets overwritten - restoring data is actually very easy - it's resetting everything else from scratch and re installing applications that takes a phenominal amount of time.

Everything from email, network, favourites ( particularly since Opera doesn't seem to sync ) GPS etc etc

Think this will be the first and last time for this handset - I'll use some backup software like Sprint to back up the entire device in case it gets corrupt but won't be doing another manual rebuild unless there's likely to be some real benefit.

[JD]

Hi Everyone,

Bumper post time. But first - welcome to the eForum MadScot, Midgo and jbnufc. It's great to welcome so many new members As you're new around here be sure to bookmark the Vodafone Help Centre. It's on the page before you enter the eForum and has lots of step by step help guides and information on Vodafone products and services.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi guys
Just completed this upgrade which did work ok eventually - but a couple of points which might help.

Hi kgraham

Thanks for posting the extra information; it will be useful for anyone who's thinking of upgrading the firmware. Again, let us know how you get on with the new version.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks a lot everyone. See you all around the forum

J
eForum Team

[kgraham]

Sorry I might have mislead folks on an earlier post - The backup software I had used was SPRITE - NOT SPRINT - apologies

[MadScot]

On the Sprite site it says the Omnia is not supported at the moment http://www.spritesoftware.com/support-backup6-tech

[kgraham]

Many thanks for that info - I use an older version of Sprite to backup a Dell Axim running pocket pc which works well and just assumed
that if their later version was ok for Windows Mobile 6.1 it would be fine for the Omnia.
Clearly this is not the case !! Just as well I didn't buy it - thanks again - will keep an eye on their support site. to see if they resolve the problem.

[petest]

HELP!! - I've downloaded the upgrade ACHJ2, connected to my laptop via active-sync, run the upgrade program, ticked the 2 boxes (connected and full battery), then verify device. It downloaded first file, started 2nd and then said download failed and is stuck. The omnia now just shows the "Samsung Omnia" splash screen.
Its been 15 minutes now with no change.
Whats going on - is it dead?

[petest]

In answer to my own question - no its not dead. Ran the upgrade again after restarting laptop and it worked.
Panic over.

[Benham]

Installed firmware lastnight and so far so good. The test now is with my battery which, after about 10-15 mins playing music this morning, is down a bar! only gripe is the unlock function, before i could just press the menu button and hold but now ive gotta move my finerr and press "unlock" on the screen.....most inconvenient

[kgraham]

Yes, I agree - don't think Samsung have any "real" customer input to thier design process at all. In fact that's the whole problem with the handset. It's a muddled mix of Windows Mobile and Samsung functionality that confuses. I've persevered for 3 months now but most users would have given up weeks ago. Think they just need to take a look at the iphone and copy the lot - the user interface is on a different planet and if this is the best Microsoft can produce they might as well get out of the mobile market now. I have an old Dell Axim running pocket pc 2003 and very little has changed in 5 years !
Even the simplest of functions like sending a text message is a nightmare.
I know the iphone has some serious shortfalls and indeed I opted for a Windows based device for much greater flexibility, but this interface is just awful.
On the whole though, getting back to this topic, I've found this latest firmware upgrade to be better. It's early days but I think the battery life is slightly better, the phone book is an improvement, slecting things from the touch screen seems less erratic but as you say the unlock feature on the button which has now dissappeared seems crazy.
The media functionality is still hopeless - none of the applications work well - indeed it's so confusing to know which to use for what !
The music player goes and finds every .mp3 file on the device including useless stuff from the phone then puts them in the library - and the same happens with pictures - where the application goes and grabs every jpeg image - including all the artwork for the music !! and includes it in that library ............ very annoying.
In fact I've given up on this - may as well stick to my ipod nano - and it runs for hours without running my phone battery down.
All in all very dissappointing - the Omnia certainly isn't a practical solution for everything in a single "box"
If anyone has any ideas on the media libarary issues above I would be interested - I might try again.

[Benham]

tho does give the option now of "adding to playlist" which is always a bonus