210 replies to this topic

[prp]

Hi i want to update the phone part only but i'm afraid not bricking it and no service centre near me. Is it safe? I have grandprix 1.8.1. Can someone tell me instructions for updating phone part only. Should i uncheck " Phone Bootloader Update" ? Thanks in advance.

[jags1]

Paul (MVP), on Aug 26 2008, 19:15, said:

Update: A real HH1 build is now available, see this post for details!

Since there's a bit of confusion out there about how to upgrade to HH1, I figured i'd write a little post about upgrading your Omnia

First of all, some background.

At the time of writing, the HH1 ROM is NOT available officially for download from Samsung.

Unfortunate, but hopefully they will release a ROM newer than the current officially available ROM (DXHG4) in the near future. Now, HH1 has a number of benefits over previous ROMs including improved stability, improved speed, improved finger-friendliness and most importantly for many, the return of haptic feedback in the input methods that disappeared from earlier ROMs. For this reason, after seeing that an Omnia user had successfully obtained an upgrade to HH1 from his local service centre, I set about seeing if we could make it more widely available.

In a nutshell, I found the blog of said person, found his mobile number on the blog, texted him asking if he would be willing to help make the ROM available, and it turns out he was already a MoDaCo member! I then e-mailed him some instructions on how to dump, provided and FTP login, and he then did the business At this point user 'chaimd' stepped in, and repacked the raw files from the dump into a flashable format. After he uploaded this to the mediafire file hosting service, we were ready to go!

Flash formats

Omnia updates can contain a number of different parts. They can contain an updated bootloader, a PDA part (the main part you use), and a radio part. The radio part is the part that deals with the interaction with the mobile network... and contrary to popular misunderstanding is not related to the FM radio The PDA part and the radio part have seperate version numbers (which you can see in the 'versions' application in Start -> Settings -> System), the format of which is explained here.

While experimenting, we have learned that PDA parts sometimes do not like to co-exist with newer radio parts. For this reason, I would generally recommend that you flash the HH1 update on top of a radio ROM / base that is known to be compatible.

The tools

Omnia updates are generally flashed one of 3 ways. Firstly there is the standard updater that Samsung ship, which flashes with an Activesync'd device as it's starting point. This is all well and good, but if for some reason you have a device that won't fully boot, it won't work. Secondly there is something that looks very similar to the standard updater, but flashes the device from bootloader. The Polish SAHH2 update is an example of this. This is a good recovery tool. Finally, a Samsung internal application called 'Grand Prix' allows you to flash from the bootloader too. This is very clearly an internal engineering tool, and should be used with extreme caution!

The bootloader

I've talked about flashing from bootloader, so i'll say a few quick words on how the bootloader is found. Contrary to HTC devices, where the bootloader is accessed by pressing a key combination, the Omnia seems to enter the bootloader under specific circumstances. When the device is booted (i.e. when the reset pin has just been pressed), it seems to look for an application requesting bootloader access via USB (e.g. either of the second two update methods above). If this is found, it'll stay in bootloader ready to be flashed. If not, it will continue to boot normally. When the device is in bootloader, the 'Samsung Omnia' logo is on screen. This state is also the state the device seems to be getting stuck in when people are having a problem flashing.

How I recommend flashing HH1

For the best chance of success, I strongly recommend flashing HH1 from a Windows XP box. I know that not everybody has access to this, but I personally have had issues using Vista, and in the community there have been reports of this being a problem too.

I recommend first flashing the Portugese HG5 complete flash via 'Grand Prix', then flashing HH1 using chaimd's updater. The reason for this is that it will give you a HG5 radio ROM, but also it will give you a starting point before HH1 that we know will work. It removes the unknowns that I have seen so far causing problems.

IF YOU CONTINUE WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK! I / MODACO TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY GO WRONG! YOU RISK BRICKING YOUR DEVICE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM!

Hope I made the above point clear

The usual flashing safeguards should be adhered too. Make sure your device has plenty of battery power, if you are flashing from a laptop make sure it is plugged in and has power in the battery and never, ever interrupt the flashing process or turn off either your PC or the device during the flash.

Got it? Good... let's go!

Step by step!

Step by step guides always go down well... so here's my step guide to HH1'ing your Omnia!

1. Ensure Omnia is charged
2. If flashing from a laptop, ensure it has plenty of battery power!
3. Make sure your flashing machine is running Windows XP (duh!)
4. Close down all applications on your flashing machine.
5. Download this file - this is the 'Grand Prix' flashing tool
6. Download this file - this is the HG5 update image
7. Download this file - this is the HH1 flasher
8. Download this file - this is the Samsung XP driver for the radio flash bootloader mode
9. Ensure you have an application installed capable of extracting RAR files, e.g. WinRAR
10. Extract all of these archives to a new directory
11. Switch to the new directory
12. Run the installer for the Samsung XP driver
13. Run USDL_GrandPrix_v1.5.2_XP.exe
14. In 'Step 1', drop down the box and ensure 'GRANDPRIX LV image' is selected (as shown in figure 1)



15. In 'Step 2', click 'EBOOT+PDA+PHONE(+CSC)' and browse to the 'Code_i900XCHG5.img' you extracted from the HG5 archive (your application will then appear as shown in figure 2)



16. Click 'Detect'
17. Plug your Omnia into a USB port, then press the reset pin...
18. The download will automatically start! Do not touch ANYTHING until it tells you it is done!
19. When the process is done, your device should boot into Portugese Windows Mobile 6.1. Let it boot to the startup wizard... it will automatically reboot one. Wait for the startup wizard to appear again.
20. Exit 'Grand Prix'.
21. Ensure your device is now showing as 'Connected' in ActiveSync.
22. Run 'i900DXHH1_PDA_updater_xp.exe'
23. Click the two checkboxes, and hit 'Verify device'... the flashing process will now begin.
24. When this process is completed, you can exit the updater, boot your device and all being well, you should be at HH1!



IF THINGS GO WRONG!

If something terrible happens, you will likely end up at 1 of 2 scenarios. The first scenario is that you will be stuck at the 'Samsung Omnia' logo, and the device won't boot. If this is the case, restart from step 13... that is reapply the complete HG5 update. You should then be back in business. The second scenario is that something really terrible will happen and you won't even get the bootloader. You will get a blank screen, and XP will identify a device called 'MONAHANS', with no suitable driver. Should this happen, at this time, YOU WILL HAVE TO RETURN YOUR DEVICE TO A SAMSUNG SERVICE CENTRE!

And finally...

I'll try and keep this topic updated as new updates come out, please vote in the poll and indicate whether you have successfully completed the process.

Thanks!

P

my omnia was stuck on main welcome screen (samsung omnia) it would turn on/off and let me do hardt/soft reset but nothing else, then i came across with this method here followed all step by step (ofcourse at my own risk) everything went ok with flashing BUT when came to the point where it should reset/turn on-off itself thats where something went wrong and it never came back until now,it turned off itself but then i just waited and waited         it has no life ,my omnia is completely dead and i am not laughing.
any further help would be greatly appreciated.thanks

[jokerz1]

I am in a rather strange position with this phone.  I have attempted to update my Vodafone UK Omnia.  Went through the updating process, all said it completed correctly, the phone reset itself and stuck on the Samsung Omnia logo.  

I have managed to get it into Hard Reset mode a couple of times, but it is still stuck.  If I plug it into the PC to try to do a re-flash, the PC makes a noise like it is connected, but the computer cannot detect it, so cannot re-flash.

Has my phone had it??  

Should have just waited for Vodafone to release an update as it looks like I could have a very expensive brick.

Thanks

[hipnotic]

Hi every one:)
My Omnia is a Netherslands vodafone. I tried to update and change the language from the manual from the samsung site but it bricked.
Then i used these steps and got to the point of the portugiese version. Now when i try to update it gives me incorrect software version.
What should i do ?
And because i am new to these stuff i want to ask you what is this samsung modem ? do i need it for the update to go smoothly?

Thank you in advance


PDA: i900XCHG5
PHONE: i900BUHG5

Edited by hipnotic, 04 October 2008 - 12:17 AM.

[jags1]

jokerz1, on Oct 4 2008, 06:17, said:

I am in a rather strange position with this phone.  I have attempted to update my Vodafone UK Omnia.  Went through the updating process, all said it completed correctly, the phone reset itself and stuck on the Samsung Omnia logo.  

I have managed to get it into Hard Reset mode a couple of times, but it is still stuck.  If I plug it into the PC to try to do a re-flash, the PC makes a noise like it is connected, but the computer cannot detect it, so cannot re-flash.

Has my phone had it??  

Should have just waited for Vodafone to release an update as it looks like I could have a very expensive brick.

Thanks

well, i was in this state and went ahead with procedure and completely bricked ,it happened to my friend same thing and had to replace motherboard ,looks like samsung didn't know how to setup windows mobile,htc phone will not die like that no matter what happens,so many omnias already bricked which means motherboard replacement and thats expensive thing,more expensive than real phone.
samsung need to take few lessons from htc techs and release better drivers or whole new rom setup where phone recovers itself in such situations.
good effort samsung made but they have to improve in basic things like that......!

[onlinejobwork]

Dine SS, on Aug 26 2008, 10:32, said:

Hi Paul,
I did the upgrade, unfortunatly i got the "MONOHANS". I cannot access any more to my i900. The screen is black; I can no more charge the battery.
Would you please help me?

Hi Dear I got same problem, I download three zip file extract as three exe with name, tried 1st part word fine, 2nd file also word fine but after using third part my phone is ded no power up and blaank black screen, I also got MONAHANS when connect to pc

dear can u please explain from which link did u download a file and how or which methid u used to flash your omnia? I think that there must me something wrong with 3rd file, any idea if ur phone died like this is the warranty void?

Thanks

A akash

[ollip]

ur phone is a brick.. go to the next service point and either they are pros and can flash it or they will change the systemboard

[ronaldb3]

Hi Paul,
I hope you can help me with this one. Below is a post for the first chapter of my problem (repeated here so you can see it together with next part.)
    I have flashed several upgrades before using one file and also using the three rar files.

  But this time when I tried to flash HI3 from the rar files I had a problem this time.

  I got a “checksum failed” error with the first file after eboot loaded ok. I did not get the screens that were described in the When things Go Bad post. I get a small cellphone icon with a yellow triangle (like a road sign) with an Exclamation mark in it.

  The only way to turn the Omnia on is hold down the on/off button and the only way to turn it off is to remove the battery.

---------------

After trying a few hard resets and choosing Format I finally got the Samsung/Omnia logo you mentioned screen instead of the other weird one screen. But now I can not get past another error. I have tried regular loader and Grandpix and it stops at different places. Sometimes it stops on the booter (SDRAM error) and sometimes with a 1-3 percent of the first file with "Write Failed". I was able to get the H2 phone to load to completion with Grandpix but it really did nothing. I had hope that it would moved the memory pointer(?) or something around, but no luck there. I feel there is hope as I have the Samsung/Omnia logo screen - but what can I try next??? Being in US, returning the thing might be difficult.

Thanks...   Ron...

Edited by ronaldb3, 06 October 2008 - 10:32 AM.

[v0dka]

these upgrade unlock teh i900??

[markang]

Hi: All

Pls help! My Omnia is bought in China and the version is as below
PDA:i908ZHHH2
Phone :i908ZHHH2

I will like to upgrade to latest SG version i900DZHH3. Had try before to upgrade but it shows 'Incorrect Software Version'

How to I do it? Do I need to change the phone version "Phone:i908ZHHH2"
Pls advise, thanks.

[chikinene]

MEDAGETH RULES, on Oct 1 2008, 14:06, said:

It seams that you have the same problem I have, can you provide more details about your process ?
My believe is that it is a hardware issue, I just can’t understand how a software update can kill a hardware...

I had a similar problem with a computer bios once, but when I plug in the power supply the led’s light up,

I press power it turned on that got error that bios was dead… the point is, it turned on, our omnia wont…

Have you tried the battery trick ? to charge outside the phone ? there is a few people on xda site that had

Similar issues and they got back to life… I’ve tried, no luck…

Jethro

Where can i find this process ( battery trick ) ????

Thanks

[jags1]

That upgrade guide needs serious update itself,i will not recommend to anyone as some people will get through this and some others phone will go in forever sleep mode  so pick what you want.

[Emexrulsier]

I am new to this board but I thought I would post my results.

I am in the UK and recently purchased a Sim Free Omnia from Link Telecom this came with PDA and Phone Version XXHG5.

I first wanted to look at putting on the XX Rom HH1 so I downloaded this and using GrandPrix attempted the update.  The update was completed successfully but on rebooting the phone I was stuck at the initial Samsung Omnia Logo.

I then decided to follow your guide

I downloaded i900XCHG5 and installed via grandprix which installed fine and my phone started up (phew better than being stuck at that logo ).  A quick check and everything seemed ok.

Then I thought I would just see if I could install DXHH3 that I download previously direct from the samsung sg website but when trying to install this I get incorrect version (any idea why this may be I was sent to singapore).

So instead I carried on with your guide and used the download i900DXHH1_PDA_updater_xp.zip .  This ran smoothly and installed perfect.  I am now back in windows with installed features that I didn't have before (such as Motion Sensor Rotate animation).  The device honestly does seem to respond quicker.

I haven't tested everything yet but there is one program that doesn't work and thats the Streaming Player under Programs.  The icon is a default exe icon and when trying to load it states ASPLayer cannot be open either its not trusted or corrupt, anyone experienced this?

For reference below are my version numbers

PDA: i900DXHH1
Phone: i900XXHG5 (weird this aint updated if the first rom I installed was XCHG5???)

Anyways so far Im happy

[antsyl]

Hello, my device has MSHG1, I tried to get the new firmware from the official site but I always get Incorrect Software Version? Why?

Can I use this guide? Thanks!

[Pille69]

do anybody have made a clean custom rom already ?

i stoped to build a rom. to many questions, like:
- i still cant extract from the i900dxhj.exe a bin file (whit renaming wont work) maybe anybody have a link
- in the kitchen tools are 4 folders (where are the files for the OS, where are the files for apps, how i can make settings)
- where to get oem files ?
- how to remove apps ?
and so on

another generally question:
- how long you can work whit your batterie without charging ?

Edited by Pille69, 16 October 2008 - 05:25 AM.

[dedafmonteur]

what is so special about this rom?
what are the big benefits?

[panagiog]

Dear Paul thanks for everything!
Can i ask, if i want to ''run'' another rom from DZXX3 like DXHH1 what can ido?

Edited by panagiog, 20 October 2008 - 05:28 AM.

[Aneeliyo]

Paul, being a total idiot just wondering if this would work on my omnia? I bought it in Thailand. Or how about manila2D?

Thanks for the wonderful step-by-step guide, very usefull for people like me.

Regards
Aneel

[tqthanh]

i followed the guide to set my device to singapore region . but there isn't singapore in the list . there are just UK , France , Swiss , Polish . My device is from France Orange  . plz help me .

[Germex]

i did it.. like this... but when i press reset in my mobile, the phone go on up.. and prix put this:

OnDeviceChange: DBT_DEVICE ARRIVAL
PDA DEVICE not found