Samsung March 25, 2010 Multipatch ID1 an accident

Samsung replied to my inquiry regarding  Multipatch ID1 patch download with a March 25, 2010 release date on their Web site. Apparently Samsung upgraded their file server which updated the timestamp on their server. Below is Samsung’s official response:

Thank you for your inquiry. The two files that are dated March 25, 2010 are the original ID1 update. The server the ID1 upgrade is hosted on was changed and this changed the date on the file postings, by default.

We sincerely apologize for any confusion this has caused.

Concerning the release of Windows Mobile 6.5 for the Epix, unfortunately, we are unable to speculate when this software revision might be available due to the fact that this might lead to inaccurate information and confusion.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this presents. Please feel free to check back periodically for updates.

Sorry to get everyones hopes up!

Samsung Multipatch ID1 Update (March 25, 2010) a dud?

Note: This is NOT a Windows Mobile 6.5 Update.

UPDATE 2: Samsung has confirmed this is the old May 2009 ID1 update. Do not bother installing this patch.

UPDATE 1: keff found a post on xda-developers.com where the poster performed a btye-diff on this patch installer and the original May, 2009 ID1 Update installer and says they are exactly the same. If this is the case this patch is no different than ID1 patch that broke GPS functionality.  I am waiting back to hear from Samsung regarding their official stance on this patch release.

I recommend not applying the patch.

My Experience

• GPS satellite lock still taking a long time
• After running app the uses GPS, device.exe process stays at 60%+ CPU utilization
• GPS apps drain battery more quickly than they would otherwise
• No SLOG dumps yet

Again, I recommend not applying this patch as Samsung has confirmed its a a re-release of the May 2009 ID1 patch.

For those of you that want to install this patch for some reason, please read this post to see what the ID1 patch does.

If people have comments on experiences installing and using the update, please post in the comments!

Samsung Epix ID1 Software Update

Windows Mobile 6.5 Update: Do NOT install this update if you are going to update to Windows Mobile 6.5. This ID1 update will break your GPS radio (using GPS will drain you battery quickly).

Windows XP Installation Instructions

Windows Vista Installation Instructions

Samsung Epix ID1 Update Overview

Samsung has released the ID1 Update, an update to the Samsung FOTA update, and so far it looks like a great so-so release.

The Samsung Epix ID1 Software Update fixes the following problems:

• ”Slog Dump” Fix: On certain circumstances, the Samsung Epix may report a “Slog Dump” error message. This software provides an update to the network layer which prevents the problem from occurring.
• Missed Email Audio Notifications: A previously released cab file for notifications is included in ID1. This enables the Samsung Epix to provide audible notifications alerts for your emails when the device enters an unattended power saving mode.
• Outlook Notes SSP Support: The update contains the ability to synchronize the popular Notes feature available within Microsoft Outlook.
• Ascending Ringtone: Ringtone behavior design was set to ascending/escalating volume during inbound call regardless of setting specified. With this update, the handset will act in accordance to the volume settings selected.

This Samsung Epix ID1 Update  also resolves (and doesn’t introduce) issues that the Samsung Epix FOTA Update introduced:

• No freezing when making an outgoing calls.
• Incoming calls are not incorrectly sent straight to voicemail.

Possible new issues

• Some users report inability to use GPS with Google Maps, Garmin XT or MS Live Search – however many, including myself have no problems with this.
• Some users report a decrease in battery life after using GPS. I have noticed this. After using GoogleMaps or Windows Live/Bing – your battery will be dead in a couple hours. If you do use GPS apps, i suggest restarting your Epix immediately after running them.
• My ring sound for phone calls recently disappeared (it worked for several weeks after the update?) I assume a factory-reset would fix this.
• I still get intermittent freezes, but less than before.

I updated my Samsung Epix using this method about 1 week ago and my Samsung Epix is MUCH more stable now. I previously had daily lock-ups where I had to pop the battery out to reset my Epix .. now I have them less frequently.

A couple things to note:

• I upgraded using a computer runinng Windows XP SP2.
• I had to switch my Samsung Epix’s USB Connection back to ActiveSync (from Modem) before the Updater would connect to my phone.
• My upgrade process froze at the very end during “Change USB OK“. I disconnected the USB cable and restarted my Samsung Epix and everything was fine.
  • It turns out if your Update fails during “Change USB OK”, the OS Update is applied, but the updates to the radio (the device in your phone that lets you communicate with AT&T’s network, not an AM/FM radio ) didn’t happen. Pgens offers some suggestions on how to fix this in the comments.
  • I had some time today and performed the Samsung Epix ID1 Update again in hopes that the Change USB OK issue would be resolved.I ran the SGH-i907 updater per the instructions and this time the update ran to completion. If your updater halted at Change USB OK, i suggest closing all other applications including your web browser and re-running the ID1 updater.
  • I did some testing on my backup Epix, and strangely enough the update would fail at “Change USB OK” when I had Web browser running. If I closed every application running except for the Updater itself, it seemed to work.
• Make sure to backup all information saved on your Samsung Epix before performing the update (data on your SIM or SD Card is safe).
• My GPS is working correctly in Google Maps post update  - I haven’t tried any other applications the use GPS yet. Some users report they cannot use GPS post-update (See the comments).

Read through the comments – There are some people that feel this Update ruined their Epix. I think it made my Epix better (prior to the update it wholey unreliable).

If you perform the update and feel that the phone is unusable, the only way to revert back it so send the phone to Samsung Support (which can take up to 10 business days).

Samsung Epix FOTA Update

UPDATE: Use the Samsung Epix ID1 Update instead of the Samsung Epix FOTA Update.

Samsung has released a second update for he Samsung Epix that fixes a whole slew of issues and is a must have for any Samsung Epix owner.

This update, known as the Samsung Epix FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air) Update in the community, is only available by calling AT&T at 1-800-331-0500 and requesting they send the update directly to your phone.

This update fixes:

• No more SLOG dump messages
• HSDPA (3G) will not allow for faster data transfer rates
• E-mail notification alerts even when asleep
• No more ascending ring
• Outlook Notes sync via Activesync

Things that are newly broken:

• Many people report their Samsung Epix randomly freezing for approximately a minute when trying to dial. Please note that there are people that report not having any problems after the Update.

Things to know if you plan on updating:

• This update is permanent and cannot be undone.
• It is reported that a Hard Reset (erases all data stored on the phone) is needed after update to decrease quirky behavior.
• When calling AT&T and the rep doesn’t know what you’re talking about, reference AT&T Knowledge Document: KB102268.

I have yet to update my Samsung Epix because 1) I haven’t wanted to deal with the hassle of calling AT&T and 2) the freezing issue sounds like it could be a real nuisance.

Anyhow – i’ll leave the descision up to each of you. Here are some good resource to read over before taking the plunge.

• Instructions on how to get AT&T to send you the FOTA Update
• AT&T forum thread discussing the FOTA Update
• AT&T Knowledge Base Document discussing the update

How to install a CAB file

CAB files are installers that are use to easily add software on your Samsung Epix. CAB files will copy all the necessary files for a program to run to all the correct directories. They also provide a 

1. Do NOT unzip the CAB file!!! If you have a _setup.xml you have unzipped the CAB file!
2. Transfer the CAB file to your phone; remember what folder you save the CAB file to — “My Documents” is generally the default location.
   1. Copy the CAB file using ActiveSync/WMDC
   2. Send the CAB file using Bluetooth
   3. Copy the CAB file to your microSD card, and then put the microSD card in your Samsung Epix.
   4. Download the CAB file from a Web site from your Smartphone.
      • Save the CAB file to your Epix using your web browser’s “Save As” feature; Go to Step 3 below.
      • Open the CAB file using your web browser’s “Open” feature; Skip to Step 6 below.
3. Go to Start > Programs > Applications> File Explorer
4. Navigate to the folder containing the CAB file (generally “My Documents”)
5. Select and click the the CAB file to install
6. Follow the onscreen instructions (If pompted you will generally want to install software to your Device rather than a Storage Card)
7. After the installation is complete, goto Start > Programs > Applications and run the newly installed software.

Once a CAB file has been installed you may delete the CAB file from your Samsung Epix.

To uninstall a CAB file, go to “Start > Settings > System tab > Remove Programs” and Select the program you wish to uninstall.

Official Samsung Epix e-mail notification fix

Direct Download (Download Page)

Attention! If you have a Samsung Epix, make sure you install this patch!

Samsung released their official E-mail Notification fix for the Samsung Epix (SGH-i907). This patch allows for audio and vibration notification for new e-mails when in sleep mode.

The Samsung SGH-i907, known as the EPIX, supports multiple methods of notifications for events through visual and audio alerts. By implementing power saving techniques, a side effect that disables audio alerts was noticed. Samsung has developed a software patch which will now enable the EPIX to provide audible notifications alerts for your emails when the device enters an unattended power saving mode.

You can read more about the patch in Samsung’s official statement (PDF). Issues this patch does NOT address:

• LED alerts for SMS messages remains unchanged. The LED will blink a few times and then turn off.
• LED alerts for e-mail messages remains unchanged. The LED will blink a few times and then turn off.
• “Display message on screen” still reverts back to being “checked” after a soft reset.

Note: This patch will need to be re-installed whenever completing a hard reset. Big thanks to Eric I. for the heads up on this one!

The Manual

Download

Even thought now one ever reads the manual, you really should, so here it is.

Most of the stuff if common sense but there is also some very useful information in it.

Restore factory settings (hard reset)

If you want to restore your Samsung Epix to the state it was when you purchased it, you can restore the factory settings by performing a hard reset. Samsung has provided two different methods for doing this:

1. Hard Rest Wizard
   1. Go to Start > Settings
   2. Select the System tab at the bottom.
   3. Launch the “Hard Reset” program.
   4. Press the “Hard Reset” button.
   5. Select the memory type to clear (generally you will only select “Device”).
   6. Enter the confirmation code in the text field and press “Yes”.
   7. Your Samsung Epix will perform a Hard Reset and reboot.
2. Manual Hard Reset
   1. Remove your SIM card before performing a Manual Hard Reset
      to prevent loss of SIM-specific information.
   2. Make sure your Samsung Epix is powered off.
   3. Press and hold the H key.
   4. Press the Power On key until the device starts to boot up (red light will flash).
   5. Immediately release the power key while continuing to press the H key.
   6. Wait for the Format Mode screen to appear.
   7. Release the H key and follow the on-screen instructions.