The faults do seem very extreme to be purely firmware. My phone never crashed like that on 2.1-update 1. I agree, that this firmware version is buggy and the first thing to try is a firmware upgrade. However it's worth baring in mind it could just be a faulty device.
You can find your nearest Samsung service centre on the Samsung website. Apparently quicker to go there, than through Vodafone.
Service centre locations... HERE
tsd.
My phone had to go there ages ago when the firmware crashed very good and professional unlike Vodafone repair service plus you will get your phone back all working. I hop Vodafone have not sent a graded phone out to you if so then take it to the repair centre they will give you a report on the phone if it need repairing then they will sort it and if necessary replace with a NEW!!!!! Phone Vodafone do not.
stugster wrote:Since the outset of getting my Galaxy S, I've not been able to get certain items in the Market that my friend with the same phone but on O2 can get.
Model Number: GT-I9000
Firmware: 2.1-update1
Baseband v: 19000BUJG1
Kernel: 2.6.29 (root@SE-S602 #2)
Build Number: ECLAIR.I9000BUJG2
Dump the firmware and upgrade to JPY. There are plenty of guides floating about on here and on XDA Dev.Remember to check your product code is XEU if you flash JPY on to itas product codes determain what you can get from the market as their set for different countries 
Well I plugged in Kies for the first time yesterday after taking a full backup, etc. etc.
Upgraded to latest firmware (to my knowledge) and it's working a treat.
Haven't tested battery life (not a big issue to be honest, most of my time is spent either at my desk where it can be charged or in the company car where it can charge).
Funny that the Vodafone silly video at boot-up has gone and now booting the phone is at least 2 minutes faster! Only real delay now is the mediascanner, but hey. It's much better than it was before.
Also Angry Birds appeared on the Market too. Bang goes productivity for the day.
Cheers guys! I probably should have done this before
Well done! You should have a look on the forum from time to time to see what is the latest, just now you have 2.2, the latest firmware out there is 2.2.1 which is not available through kies at the moment though the other day VF said it was coming after they looked into some issues with it - for that read either battery usage, or more likely putting some VF apps on there, so you can wait for that or upgrade to the samsung 2.2.1 which is faster and better than the 2.2 you are on now.
You would need to do this yourself by using a flashing tool called odin, there is a lot of info in this forum about this - and always remember, its at your own risk.
I don't mind a bit of risk
After all the fun and games, I'm actually regretting upgrading the firmware.
Turns out that this firmware is still slow as hell.
- Enabling Mobile AP almost always crashes the phone and I have to wait on the Force Quit to appear
- Desktop icons (like Angry Birds) disappear when I restart the phone?!
- The Samsung keyboard (not swype) takes forever (a least 5 seconds) to appear on-screen whenever I go to ANY input field
- Internet Browser (default one) crashes at least once a day (I'll use it maybe three or four times a day)
- Wifi at home now doesn't work (works in other places); error: "Disabled, secured with WEP" (definitely this phone, I can connect to the WEP network from another Samsung Galaxy S). I have also tried removing and re-adding the network.
- Silly white circle with arrows at the top almost always shows, slowing the phone beyond belief (literally can't use it)
- Clicking "Contacts" sometimes takes up to 10 seconds to load. Never usually less than 4.
- Scrolling left and right in the Applications window is very jittery and 'sticky'
- Opening the market almost always takes 20 seconds.
- Market almost always crashes (has to be Force Quit when the window appears asking to be quit)
Thankfully I've got a bog standard Samsung phone through O2 I can use for business use in emergencies, as this phone just isn't usable anymore. What a pain.
@stugster
You don't say if you performed a Factory Reset after you upgraded your firmware to 2.2 via Kies.
This is well documented on this eforum as the main cause of poor performance after an upgrade.
If you did perform a Factory Reset, you may wish to consider a manual Flash to JPY 2.2.1. This is not available via Kies and would be performed at your own risk.
I and many others have upgraded to 2.2.1 and are very pleased with the performance.
stugster wrote:When we do a factory reset, I take it all media is erased?
Yes, Back up all media, contacts etc to PC
Make a written record of apps
Format External and Internal SD Cards.
Factory Reset
Follow setup and sign into your Google account
Format External and Internal SD Cards again.
Download all apps fresh from Market, (Use your written record)
Load media, contacts back to phone.
You should see a vast improvement.
