Can the Samsung GT-i5500 (Galaxy 550) be updated

[Mobile01]

Over the weekend I was setting up a Samsung GT-i5500 (Galaxy 550, same as the Europa and the 5) and when I checked for updates through Kies it reported that the phone could not be updated. Aside from the obvious, that Samsung does not intend to provide updates, does anyone know anything about this?

[desu dechi]

I checked and the latest version is android 2.2, If you are below this version than yes you can update, if you are in this firmware than no you cannot update until another firmware is out. Hope I helped in clarifying your problem.

[Mobile01]

Phone:

Model "GT-I5500M"

Firmware 2.1-update1

Baseband version "I5500MUGJJ7"

Kernel "2.6.29-perf"
"jwcris.park[MENTION=33397]SEP[/MENTION]-19 #4"

Build number "ECLAIR_UGJJ7"

Problem:

Start Kies on computer.
[Phone is NOT connected]

- turn on phone, set "USB debugging" OFF

- Connect via USB

Phone: Shows selection box "Setting USB [Kies/Mass storage]" with "Mass storage" pre-selected.
Computer: Shows alert box "Unsupported connection mode" [from Kies?]
Reconnect the device in Samsunk Kies mode."

On phone: select "Kies" mode.
result: The USB icon disappears.

On computer click on "OK" from the alert box.
- Kies shows nothing. "Please connect a device."

Phone: "Applications/Development" shows it is now in USB debugging mode.
- Uncheck debugging mode brings back the Phone's "Setting USB [Kies/Mass storage]"
selection box and on the computer, the Kies "Unsupported connection mode" alert box appears again.

Summary:

No matter what I cannot get the phone to connect to Kies.

Also, when I tested the "debugging mode" it does not show up in "ADB devices". So I cannot control the phone through ADB (or root it).

The only thing I can do now is use "Mass storage" mode to access the SD-Card. This is useless because I can remove the SD-Card to read/write files on it anyway.

[desu dechi]

Have you tried kies mini? if not try it or just get the drivers from samsung install them and try adb again.

[Mobile01]

Let me take a moment and try to say what I have done. I might be wrong about what I am saying today because I was not really paying attention at the time, and after a week away from this phone, I might have forgotten something:

1. I already had Kies loaded on my main Windows computer because I have been experimenting with another Samsung phone a few months ago. But I have not really used Kies very much.

2. I first started up the "GT-i5500M" a week or two ago to do some simple testing (phone call in, phone call out, SMS in, SMS out, enter a contact, take a phone, take a video, etc.). The first time I hooked up the "GT-i5500M" to the computer was BEFORE I loaded any apps. Aside from the testing it was completely new and raw.

Kies DID connect with it. Among other things, I got a notice from Kies that it could not be updated (which I mentioned above). BUT, there was an update file to load. I expected that it would NOT be a system level file because I just read that it could not be updated. Anyway, I loaded it and disconnected the phone from the computer, and everything seemed fine. It did not occur to me to check if the phone would connect again right after I loaded the update file.

3. The next week, I decided to try the "GT-i5500" again. This time, when I started up "Kies" I got a notice that there was an update fro "Kies". I logged off my general account and logged in under my Admin account and ran the update(s). The update was big. There was also an update for the drivers, so my USB drivers are already the newest available.

4. Then I started up the "GT-i5500M" and plugged it in. That is when I started having these problems.

Now What?

Unfortunately, I did not try "ADB" before the phone update or the computer/Kies update(s), so I cannot say for certain if it ever worked.

I have loaded a few apps, including an "app backup" type program. I am hoping to find a way to "cold re-boot". There is an option to "delete all data", which might be enough.

If none of this works, there might still be a solution. If there is a firmware upgrade that is loadable as an "update.zip" program to be auto-run by restarting the phone (which is a typical method of updating some Android phones), and if I can get this type of update then that might solve everything.

About the Previous Message:

I have not tried "Kies Mini". I would not expect it to help since I already have the full program. In fact, I would not try to run both on the same computer, so I would have to set it up on another computer. I can do that, but I will wait a while before I get around to it.

I definitely have the latest Samsung USB drivers.

Request:

If anyone can post a "factory reset" key combination for ANY Samsung phones, I will try it. There is a chance that Samsung has used the same key combination on this phone.

[desu dechi]

If you want I can post the 2.2 update for your GT-i5500M. But, remember that I am not responsible if you brick your phone trying this.

[Mobile01]

I tried the "Factory Reset" and nothing has changed (except I had to re-load the apps I had just finished loading).

If you post a copy of the 2.2 update I will keep a copy of it. I do not know if I will be able to load it without Kies working, but if it is possible, then I will.

[desu dechi]

Ok give me some time for me to get it and upload it. I will post the update right HERE.

[Mobile01]

I was going to abandon the Galaxy 550 for a while and start testing another Samsung phone. I took out the SIM from the Galaxy 550 and put it in the other phone. I hooked that phone up to Kies and it worked. After I was done, I tried the Galaxy 550 again. It worked. Then after working with Kies a while, I turned it off and tried ADB. Now ADB is working too.

So either it has to do with the fact that I used the other Samsung phone on Kies for a while, and that fixed the Kies installation on the computer, or it is working because I took the SIM out of the Galaxy 550. One or the other has fixed it.

[desu dechi]

I was going to abandon the Galaxy 550 for a while and start testing another Samsung phone. I took out the SIM from the Galaxy 550 and put it in the other phone. I hooked that phone up to Kies and it worked. After I was done, I tried the Galaxy 550 again. It worked. Then after working with Kies a while, I turned it off and tried ADB. Now ADB is working too.

So either it has to do with the fact that I used the other Samsung phone on Kies for a while, and that fixed the Kies installation on the computer, or it is working because I took the SIM out of the Galaxy 550. One or the other has fixed it.

I was going tell you that after reading similar post on other sites but, since you discovered it yourself good for you. Also if you need the update just tell me I have it in my account in megaupload in case you need it.

[padula]

and there's a CM7 port for europas.
t's called madteam, i'm going to flash my dad's 5 tomorrow.

[Mobile01]

. . . Also if you need the update just tell me I have it in my account in megaupload in case you need it.

If you can post a link address from here, I'll download it. Right now, I do not know if it will be installable. I am wondering about that warning that this phone cannot be upgraded. The only way to make an Android phone truly "not upgradeable" would be to put the firmware in real ROM so it cannot be written. I cannot believe that they would do such a thing. But what do they mean by that warning? There is no such warning for the other Samsung phones I have tried.