Database Develop

[Q] Where can I find PDA/Modem/CSC files?

I'm trying to install the DocRambone series on my Samsung Galaxy S, but when I get to HOWTO#1 it says:
"2.Select the PDA/Modem/CSC/.PIT files in Odin. (.PIT and PDA are required. CSC and Modem are HIGHLY recommended. They may be necessary depending on the PDA! Try flashing all three BEFORE reporting bugs, if you only used one initially!)"
Now, the .PIT file I've already found(I chose the 512 since I understand that the 513 is for older versions and 803 is for Froyo). But I don't know where to find the other things, meaning PDA, CSC and Modem? Which ones should if pick(if there is more than one) and why?
If they are on my phone already, how do I mount them in Odin?
My firmware version is
PDA: I9000XWJM2
Phone: I9000XXJM1
CSC: I9000NEEJM1
Thanks alot
/JohnTheOne

Anyone who can help me?

Which Version Froyo? It sounds like you like to flash Froyo..
ok
You must make a Clean Stock Froyo Install.. I think u choose XXJPK take the files at the Tut..! ;D And then you can flash the "Custom Rom" via update.zip
Think thats it is what u mean..

I'm not flashing Froyo, I'm flashing for DocRomboe which is 2.1 (I think?) .. but like I said, the guide sais what I said above.. I need to find PDA, CSC and modem files, because (accordimg to the guide) Odin needs those files.. I'm following the big faq guide, so if anyone could tell me what to do, I'd appreciate it
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

So.. Who can help?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Oh come on, I really wanna do this soon !!

Read the Docrombone thread again and see what rom it is for. Its a mod. Now go find the rom it wants, something like say JM5 or JM8? do a search and you'll see people link it. Or goto http://www.samfirmware.com/ and make a account to view the firmwares there. I have no idea what rom that mod wants since you are the one wanting to install it

If you are looking for MODEM and CSC files specifically for 2.1, you can pull the ones from Richthofen's post here
-OR-
If you want to maintain your JM1 MODEM/CSC files, like the above poster suggested, visit Samfirmware

back to 2.1

I upgraded to the latest version of froyo jpk without bavking up anything, is it possible for me to downgrade back to official 2.1? thanks in advance .

matlear said:
I upgraded to the latest version of froyo jpk without bavking up anything, is it possible for me to downgrade back to official 2.1? thanks in advance .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Just use Odin

Ok, i got the latest official firmware from samfirmware.com
Files include
512 pit file
CODE_I9000XWJM8.tar.md5
MODEM_I9000XXJM4.tar.md5
where should the red files be put in odin ?
The options i have are PDA PHONE and CSC ???
Do i need any other files ?
I dont wanna mess this up

does this look ok ?

matlear said:
Ok, i got the latest official firmware from samfirmware.com
Files include
512 pit file
CODE_I9000XWJM8.tar.md5
MODEM_I9000XXJM4.tar.md5
where should the red files be put in odin ?
The options i have are PDA PHONE and CSC ???
Do i need any other files ?
I dont wanna mess this up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you absolutely positively have the right firmware - the CODE is the, um.... actusally I don't know... anyone else?

matlear said:
does this look ok ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that's definitely wrong!
Phone = Modem - I know that!
And where's your PDA?
There's plenty of guides on this forum for flashing with Odin - just have a look in the main Dev threads - there's an Uber thread in there that explains literally everything...

alsheron said:
If you absolutely positively have the right firmware - the CODE is the, um.... actusally I don't know... anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL, dont wasnt any help

Hi,
the CODE file should be put to PDA,
MODEM is Phone, pit file is obvious..
Also you should flash a CSC File (which you put to CSC ) depending on your country or any Multi-CSC! Just use the search.

i downloaded I9000UGJH2 FROM
http://www.samfirmware.com/WEBPROTECT-i9000.htm
AND THEN ALSO
Galaxy S / .PIT File: DOWNLOAD. (512) FROM THE SAME SITE
LOADED Odin3 v1.3
CHECKED RE-PARTITION
MOUNTED BY PIT
s1_odin_20100512.pit
MOUNTED BY PDA
I9000UGJH2-PDA-Kernel-Bootloader-CL490514-Low.tar
CLICKED START AND IT DID EVERYTHING ELSE
now my phone is stock and works just like new

thanks guys, worked a treat

[Q] Do we need PIT files while flashing ROMs?

Hi people,
Have you seen samfirmware site lately?? They now recommend NO PIT FILES FOR EVERY ROM from Eclier to latest JPX. I think it makes sense. Our phones already come with a pit suited best for them, we actually dont need to do it again.
Imagine re-partitioning your hard-drive every time you want to install linux or windows. We actually don't do that, The max we do is format 1 drive.
This topic doesn't belong in Dev, & can be moved to an appropriate location once this issue has been sorted out.
Thanks.
Update :
1. SEA (South East Asia) is one region where you require to re-partition with a 512 pit if you want to flash other region ROMs.
PS : All the partitions of our SGS are formatted anyway when we flash a FW through Odin.
EDIT : I have had to use a 512 PIT twice when I downgraded from froyo to eclier. Without that I was getting error. Some developer may shed some light on that.
EDIT 2 : I remember that happened because I followed wrong steps & had flashed 803 PIT. I had to reflash 512 to come out of it.

I don't know ragin.
The table with the firmware on samfirmware is still containing PIT-files.
Exeptions are the first 13 firmwares.
Even JPU and JPX need a PIT file.
But thats only how i read the table!

LaurensJ said:
I don't know ragin.
The table with the firmware on samfirmware is still containing PIT-files.
Exeptions are the first 13 firmwares.
Even JPU and JPX need a PIT file.
But thats only how i read the table!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mean this page where they have published their ROMs for downloading.
http://www.samfirmware.com/WEBPROTECT-i9000.htm

76 ROMs published, all with the same note '1 file select NO .PIT'
That includes JPU & JPX.

If your phone is already formatted with 512.pit you can flash any ROM which works on 512.pit without selecting a PIT file and without selecting repartition.

ragin said:
I mean this page where they have published their ROMs for downloading.
http://www.samfirmware.com/WEBPROTECT-i9000.htm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes i mean that page as well (with the table).
Its also say's:
Please when you have only one file SKIP RE-PARTITION!
Use only .PIT files if you have 3 files!
So the last column of that table i interpret as using no PIT file ONLY when you have one file. But if the you update 3 files you need a PIT-file.

izibi said:
If your phone is already formatted with 512.pit you can flash any ROM which works on 512.pit without selecting a PIT file and without selecting repartition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my thought, should we all update our guides & tell everyone, NO PIT to be used?
A lot of people get confused over pit, & a lot of guys have faced problems too.
PS : I have International SGS, & I think they all come pre-partitioned with 512.

PIT files are only ever used when you wish to repartition, which is rarely necessary. There has been a lot of confusion in regards to this as in the past samfirmware was telling users to select a PIT file without repartitioning, which does nothing. Odin doesn't really make this clear either. I have tried to make this clear with Heimdall Frontend by only allowing the selection of a PIT file when repartitioning.

LaurensJ said:
Yes i mean that page as well (with the table).
Its also say's:
Please when you have only one file SKIP RE-PARTITION!
Use only .PIT files if you have 3 files!
So the last column of that table i interpret as using no PIT file ONLY when you have one file. But if the you update 3 files you need a PIT-file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One file means a high level package, 3 files means a middle level package, both contain the same information. No difference at all. Richthofen has helped us a lot by converting a lot of high level packages to middle level ones & made it safer to flash because they dont contain boot loaders.
PS : No boot loaders, safer to flash.

ragin said:
One file means a high level package, 3 files means a middle level package, both contain the same information. No difference at all. Richthofen has helped us a lot by converting a lot of high level packages to middle level ones & made it safer to flash because they dont contain boot loaders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK.... Learned something new today. Thanks.

First- thanks for the clarification. For a newbie all this flashing process is unclear. Now I know I don't have to select a PIT file.
Second- Is it important to have CSC file? In Nokia you had to change your product code to be able to flash different firmwares. Is this the same in SGS?
Thanks!

bomba6 said:
First- thanks for the clarification. For a newbie all this flashing process is unclear. Now I know I don't have to select a PIT file.
Second- Is it important to have CSC file? In Nokia you had to change your product code to be able to flash different firmwares. Is this the same in SGS?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am just an observer. I hope some real developers will really look into the matter & clarify things.
For SGS, you can flash any official firmware with a reg-hack, dont need to change the CSC for it

@ragin,
Not true, if you come from SEA region, pit513 is needed if your rom is from the Europe or US region, else there will be an error.
This apply as well, vice-versa.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

I think repartition is necessary when lagfix problem happens, for example.
Sometimes we forgot the unlagfix before running new Roms on Oddin. In this cases repartition and pit flie, may fix the broken partition. Am i right?

criscan said:
I think repartition is necessary when lagfix problem happens, for example.
Sometimes we forgot the unlagfix before running new Roms on Oddin. In this cases repartition and pit flie, may fix the broken partition. Am i right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lagfixes dont alter partitions. Or am I wrong? They only change the file systems.

g00ndu said:
@ragin,
Not true, if you come from SEA region, pit513 is needed if your rom is from the Europe or US region, else there will be an error.
This apply as well, vice-versa.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have to do it everytime? Since you already have a phone thats partitoned with 513.
India is SEA? I haven't used 513 ever.

ragin said:
Do you have to do it everytime? Since you already have a phone thats partitoned with 513.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, whenever I switched firmwares between the regions, yes, I need to. From DXJG4 to JP3, and from JP3 back to DXJPA.
No, SEA refers to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and it is also not the same as Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, that region has the prefix of ZS.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

g00ndu said:
Well, whenever I switched firmwares between the regions, yes, I need to. From DXJG4 to JP3, and from JP3 back to DXJPA.
No, SEA refers to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, and it is also not the same as Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, that region has the prefix of ZS.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SO, SEA (South East Asia) is one region where you require a 512 if you want to flash other region ROMs.
Thats a start.

Is there a way to know how my device is partitioned right now (512,513,803)? any app to show this?
I have a phone from Thailand (so, 513?) and would like to flash firmware of another region (probably 512).

I think this is how re-partition and pit files work:
1. Pit files are only needed if you tick the re-partition box.
2. Re-partitioning reformats partitions back to rfs. (Not so sure about this.)
3. When you flash without ticking re-partition, odin overwrites the files without reformatting. This is where not disabling lagfixes can be problematic.
There are a few instances wherein you will need to re-partition:
1. As mentioned earlier, when you flash roms that use different pits, ie, 512 ->513 or 513 -> 512.
2. When you don't want to bother disabling lagfixes, you can do a re-partition to format everything. I've done this before and it's much faster than waiting for the robo-girl voice to finish her job.

[Q] How to downgrade I9000 from 2.3.3 to 2.2 stock

Firstly, apologies if this is already posts elsewhere, but I have tried looking for this with no joy (there's aloooot of threads n here lol)
I recently upgraded to the leaked official 2.3.3 using odin (sbl version).
However, I would like to flash with stock software now to get the official upgrade on my Galaxy S via Kies.
Can someone please help or point me to a guide on doing this and where i can download the correct version. I assume its not as straightforward as simply downloading a stock version of Froyo and flashing as I did to upgrade.
My Current phone version is showing as PDA:JVK / PHONE: JVK / CSC:JVK (CPW)
I should point out that this is the first time ive flashed software on my phone, so ideally a step by step guide, if there is one out there
Thanks for any advice you can give

Ok first of all what you need to do is download an older firmware, preferably in 3 files.
Look here: www.samfirmware.com (you need to register, free)
or look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846913
when you have your selected firmware, you need to download a software called 'Odin', this is what we use to flash firmwares to our devices. Look here for a tutorial http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723596
when you have 'Odin' and your 'Firmware' you may also need a 'PIT' file, this is explained in the above link. This will re-partition the device and restore the 'bad blocks' and remove any lagfix / altered file-systems ect ect.....
Because you are on Gingerbread at the moment, its possible that you have changed your boot loader, in order to restore this back to Froyo bootloader, i think the firmware you will need is JM1 ( you may need to search here / google for the correct answer)
anyway when the whole process is completed, you should be able to connect to KIES and flash the latest release.
Any problems just write back. im sure we can help get you going !!

azzledazzle said:
Ok first of all what you need to do is download an older firmware, preferably in 3 files.
Look here: www.samfirmware.com (you need to register, free)
or look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=846913
when you have your selected firmware, you need to download a software called 'Odin', this is what we use to flash firmwares to our devices. Look here for a tutorial http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723596
when you have 'Odin' and your 'Firmware' you may also need a 'PIT' file, this is explained in the above link. This will re-partition the device and restore the 'bad blocks' and remove any lagfix / altered file-systems ect ect.....
Because you are on Gingerbread at the moment, its possible that you have changed your boot loader, in order to restore this back to Froyo bootloader, i think the firmware you will need is JM1 ( you may need to search here / google for the correct answer)
anyway when the whole process is completed, you should be able to connect to KIES and flash the latest release.
Any problems just write back. im sure we can help get you going !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that JM1 is eclair...
froyo works with the gingerbread bootloaders so you should just be able to flash a froyo rom i THINK.

Hi im also wanting to do the same looking at the samfirmware files would JS8 be ok to flash?

neoian1277 said:
Hi im also wanting to do the same looking at the samfirmware files would JS8 be ok to flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any froyo ROM is fine as long as it contains the bootloaders as gingerbread ROMs have different ones.
Download your ROM. Check inside the PDA (sometimes code) tar. If you can't see by clicking on it find instructions how to untar it.
There should be a boot.bin and an sbl.bin if there is you're good to go. If not flash another one that has.
You can always reflash with your preferred froyo ROM after the initial flash has downgraded the bootloaders
This link tells you all you need to know about flashing with Odin.
http://samsunggalaxysforums.com/showthread.php/2921-How-to-use-Odin-to-upgrade-to-Froyo-from-Eclair
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Ok, I tried flashing using the JPY firmware. The process seemed to go okay.
But only getting the 'S' logo for ages then the phone starts ocaasional quick vibrations and screen eventually goes black.
Have tried rebooting ans reseting.
Please help

First boot after a flash does take a long time and you may get the odd little vibration. The screen may go black for a little while. Be patient. If nothing happens after six or seven minutes pull battery try again. If still no good reflash.
You did check repartition in Odin? And use. 512 pit? You need the pit file for a reflash.
Maybe md5 your firmware to check you didn't get a corrupted download.
If you can still get download mode don't worry you will be able to sort it. Most people on xda brick their phones most weeks!
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

well i reflashed the 2.3.3 leaked and its working for now, will try again tomorrow, getting a bit late.
Was wondering about whether I should try the JM1 instead of JPY. But, on the Sammyfirmware website they only had XW***JP1 which I understand is not for UK/Europe (mine is XX)?
But thanks everyone for your help so far, i may be back on in tears tomorrow

You can use any firmware - they were released with different codes in different regions but if you use a multi CsC like the one in the jpy ROM it doesn't matter because its the csc file that does the regional settings not the PDA file
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Hmmm well showing on Samsungs FB page that the ginerbread update has been pulled (by Google)
Guess i'm sticking with the leaked version for now

Sorry to muscle in on this thread but I'm trying to go back from GB 2.3.3 to Froyo 2.2.1. I've flashed JPY with Odin, used repartition, 512 pit and registry patch 1.82 to XEU, phone works fine. Well, Kies then recognises that there is a new firmware (JPY as it happens) and starts the upgrade process, I then get an error message saying that this version can't be updated
Any ideas??
MTIA

maybe you will find some info in this post.....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044534

Anybody tell me what is lagfix and why it is used for?
and why different kernels are used
Galaxy S XWJVB

richard2311 said:
maybe you will find some info in this post.....
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1044534
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We now have two threads on the same subject but as this was started first I'll continue with this one.
Thanks for the suggestion, I flashed JPU but unable to connect to Kies so flashed the 1 file JPY but still got the same error message with Kies. Maybe I'll try reinstalling Kies and see what happens.

OK, I've reinstalled Kies, changed the product code in the phone with *#272*IMEI# to XEU and now Kies tells me that I have the latest firmware - great bring on the official version of GB.

can anyone give me a link of jpy firmware with bootloader?
the ones from samfirmare.com are WITHOUT bootloader...

Okay, seems that Samsung have finally released Gingerbread.....again. So am gonna make another attempt at downgrading to Froyo so I can get the official Gingerbread update.
However, because of the issues I had with my last attempt, I would like to make sure I am doing it correct.
Current Phone Software
Model: GT-I9000
Firmware Ver: 2.3.3
Baseband Ver: I9000XXJVK
Kernal Ver: 2.3.35.7-I9000XXJVK-CL75655 [email protected] #2
Build Number: GINGERBREAD.XXJVK
I believe the version I installed included the bootloader
The phone was purchased in the UK on T-Mobile but supplied through Carphone Warehouse
Steps:
Downloaded: I9000XXJPY (single file) & 512.pit from Samfirmware (does this contain bootloader? If not, will it cause an issue in updating on Kies?)
Remove sim & memory card
Start phone in Download mode
Plug in USB
Open Odin v1.3
Select .tar file as PDA
Select 512.pit file
Re-Partition - Not Ticked
Auto Reboot & F.Reset Time - Ticked
Click Start
Wait for installation to complete and phone to restart
Hopefully i've provided all the info required, but if not, please post or PM me. If anyone could please check my steps above and let me know if i'm doing this correct or not before I go ahead.
Much appreciated

hi there,
as i know, to run a 2.3.3 rom on SGS , we need to flash a new bootloader right?
but what if i wanna roll back to 2.2.1? do i need to do somthing to re-install a bootloader for 2.2.1?
cuz in most tutor of installing a 2.2.1 rom did mention DO NOT touch the "Phone Bootloader Update" option of odin3
thanks.

I have found a method to downgrade successfully and created a new post with the step by step guide
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1100906
Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

[Q] Roms with GKG3 based firmware

Hey everybody,
Im kinda new to droid development, and have played around with it a little (flashing roms, kernels, rooting etc) however, im curious why there are roms based on pretty much every other firmware other than GKG3. I might sound like a n00b for asking about this but its mainly for my knowledge. I figured KG3 would be fairly common as it is one of the North American firmwares, but I must be incorrect? Anyways any insight on this would be great. Also a quick question, seeing as I am a Bell I9000m SGS owner does it matter if I put firmware from say Europe on my phone? I have noticed that my signal decreases when I put a rom on that is JVR based? Curious if this causes my phone, seeing as the modem is being changed to JVR, to think that I am out of country and will inflict long distance charges. This probably sounds like a dumb question, and I dont really believe LD charges will apply, but some confirmation would be nice as google didnt really help me out on this one.
Thanks!

KG3 is 2.3.3 and although it was just issued to Bell and other N.American customers, the rest of the Anfroid world has been using 2.3.4 for 6 months and some have moved to 2.3.5. The roms you see here are cutting edge and most use the latest firmware. The last official and stable release was JVR a 2.3.4 firmware and there are many good roms for JVR. It is easy to keep your KG3 modem in place and the KG3 CSC file and just upgrade your system to a custom JVR kernel and JVR rom.

I tried flashing galaxian's jvr kernel and it just bootlooped so maybe I'm doing this wrong? I kept my stock modem and CSC, flashed kernel using oden, factory reset was done as well as a cache clear prior to the flash and all I'm getting is a bootloop so I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing wrong any advice would be appreciated! And again thanx for the info in the previous post!
Sent from my GT-I9000M using XDA App

yes you flashed just the kernel, you must first flash the stock rom and then any custom kernel for the same firmware -- you need the stock rom to install the correct bootloaders prior to flashing the custom kernel
so in odin, flash JVR stock in pda, KG3 in phone and CSC
tick auto re-boot
then flash the custom kernel of choice in odin under pda

Awesome thanks for the tips! Will give this a try

Hi guys - you guys might be able to help with a wee problem.
upgraded FW today via kies to 2.3.3 KG3 from froyo 2.2 with speedmod kernel.
in the process though i lost root but worse is i now don't have 3BR, when i used to. I still have 3 button download mode though.
I want to root again and flash a different kernel (for root but also for performance/tweaks) but worried to without 3BR ie. how will I access tweaks/enable root etc without it!?
Any ideas/advice please? Thanks

first flash a complete 2.3. firmware, either 2.3.4 JVR or 2.3.5 JVT. This should re-install basic 3BR functionality. I think you have not got the necessary bootloaders in the jump from froyo to GB and a complete stock install should correct this. Do tick re-partition and use 512 pit, do check auto-boot: let the phone boot and right itself. Check for 3BR and do a system reset.
Then flash KG3 modem and CSC. Your phone should then be functional.
Then flash a kernel with root inbuilt to it.
If you use the GTO Tornado kernel you can also clean your system completely as this stage instread. If you use another kernel, do the factory reset, davlik cache clean etc. prior to flashing the kernel as suggested above.
Do the clean prior to re-installing your apps.

lgsshedden said:
first flash a complete 2.3. firmware, either 2.3.4 JVR or 2.3.5 JVT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! will give this a go but have only ever really flashed a kernel before with odin so want to be doubly sure about these steps if that's ok? apologies for my noobish ignorance
- only found a 2.3.4 JVR at samfirmware - getting this and the 512pit file. This should be fine?
- then flash a KG3 modem and CSC - any idea where I get those files from? - the ones i've got now i only got through kies (and when i do get em, when i do this in odin do i only use the phone/csc boxes and leave pit empty/uncheck re-partition?
thanks again mate.
Edit: forgot to say my reason for questioning the JVR is because the one i have is listed as European...where as I have a bell mobility but in australia - does this matter? latest FW for aus/america is JVN 2.3.3

no problem: always better to ask for help first then assitance fixing a problem when it all goes pear shaped.
There is a thread on the KG3 firmware with lots of these questions answered: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1211939 and also the basic resource for firmware posted by Ramad here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102881 -- scroll down and you will find KG3 under N.American, he also has a nice set of illustrations for using odin.
You can also source a cwm zip for the KG3 modem from perka's stash here and on the market (free app) -- useful to havce the modem in cwm zip form as then you can just install a new stock firmawre such as JVR or JVT and add the modem in recovery.

lgsshedden said:
no problem: always better to ask for help first then assitance fixing a problem when it all goes pear shaped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much again - that looks like a hefty bit of reading to be done there via your links so before I do that, just one more Q please - and apologies if the answer for this is somewhere in the links you've provided.
i was just trying to read up about why the samfirm file extracts only to a single .tar file called JVR_JVR_JVR and how to use that in Odin and came across this thread:http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
my Q is - in this thread he makes a strong point of stating not to tick repartition and not to put the .pit file...but you say to do so.
am i missing something obvious?

well different people different perspectives on re-partition and pit.
Tick re-partition and flash the pit file. Leave it un-ticked and do not flash pit file. That's the only key: do one or the other.
As I understand it, the reason to re-partition is that it re-sets the base file system upon which you are now flashing the stock firmware -- seems a basic step whenever you move firmware versions e.g. 2.2 to 2.3, 2.3.3 to 2.3.4 to 2.3.5 -- not so much if you are installing a rom or kernel within that family of firmware.
Since I always then convert the file system to ext2 to speed up the system and I use damain's kernel to clean the system, I do use the pit file whenever I flash a new stock firmware to clear the basic file system and further aid removal of legacy files that could complicate the install.
---------- Post added at 09:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:24 PM ----------
BTW the samfirmware files do extract using 7zip into the component parts for use in odin: pda (rom) phone (modem) and CSC. You then flash a custom kernel in the pda section if you use one for performance and root.

thanks lgssheddon, for the info here and in the PM.
Will crack on now with reading all the links you provided.
I just have to say a big fat D'oh! - why oh why could I not find the answer to what was bothering me most ie. apparent loss of recovery mode. The very first post in the first thread you linked gave me the answer - that it is now a 2BR (and tried it on my phone et voila, by magic I can get into recovery again!). Don't know how I could not find this thread even when I searched "KG3"!!
Thanks again for your help. i'l llet you know how i get on once i digest all this info

doktorV said:
Hi guys - you guys might be able to help with a wee problem.
upgraded FW today via kies to 2.3.3 KG3 from froyo 2.2 with speedmod kernel.
in the process though i lost root but worse is i now don't have 3BR, when i used to. I still have 3 button download mode though.
I want to root again and flash a different kernel (for root but also for performance/tweaks) but worried to without 3BR ie. how will I access tweaks/enable root etc without it!?
Any ideas/advice please? Thanks
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The 3 button recovery has changed for KG3. I believe it used to be upvol home and power. I do believe now it is volup, voldown, and power. This should work for you to get you into recovery to flash whatever you like. Also the samfirmware for JVR is branded with Swisscom and doesnt work very well for using it with a KG3 modem and CSC, with my experience anyway. I would recommend to go to a JVQ PDA and use KG3 for your Phone and CSC. Also after you have installed this make sure to check what your country code is and install it. Hope this helped

lgsshedden said:
[/COLOR]BTW the samfirmware files do extract using 7zip into the component parts for use in odin: pda (rom) phone (modem) and CSC. You then flash a custom kernel in the pda section if you use one for performance and root.
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The firmware that he is referring to doesn't. It is only one file meant for the PDA section of ODIN. Not entirely sure why they did this but i was running into problems with it as well. If you know how to play around with the core files you could in theory extract it to its root and put multiple files into .tar files (ex. select factoryfs.rfs, param.lfs etc. and place it under one .tar) but thats a lot of playing around and potentially dangerous if not done correctly.

not sure which download you are referring to but there was a branded version of JVR and a generic one on samfirmware: I have the one that does not have the swisscom logo and it certainly was extracted by 7zip into its component files (pda/phone/CSC) as they are still on my pc in that format.
You can also source stock firmware from Ramad's thread.
And I stand by my comment that for anyone using KG3 as a modem, JVR is the most stable official release available, much better than JVQ. JVT has a lot of promise and will be a better firmware than JVR but it is not yet had all the bugs sorted and while there are Gold Rom version for JVR any JVT rom is still at a beta stage and should not be used yet by someone just starting to flash custom firmware (IMO).

Hi again,
Q for lgssshedden really but if anyone can help i'd appreciate it!
have had 2 crashes now with Tornado Aureus RC1 - few little bugs/glitches eg with ringtone changing etc then on a reboot it won't go past the Tornado start screen with the big flame.
First time I just reflashed stock KG3 then reflashed the Tornado kernel, no problem. This time when I try to flash the Tornado kernel (either Aureus RC1 or Gold) it just bootloops at startup even though the flashing seems to go ok.
So now i'm back to (yawn) stock KG3 2.3.3. Really just want to root it again but with Tornado not seeming an option i'm finding it hard where to turn to root.
Thanks in advance!