Samsung Epix FOTA Update
UPDATE: Use the Samsung Epix ID1 Update instead of the Samsung Epix FOTA Update.
I’ve been debating posting about this update for a week or so now since the AT&T forums are rife with outrage over the problems the update is causing.
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.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:04 am
So does anyone have anything bad to report before I possibly ruin any chances of further flashing/hacking?
May 6th, 2009 at 3:20 am
First.
okay now that I got that out of my system. Thanks for posting this, I dont have an Epix yet, but will shortly (I Hope) and I’ve seen alot of problems with it (none that cant be fixed on this site though). Do you think that they will have this update on phones in stores by June? The AT&T call sounds like alot of shit.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
So when can we just download the update instead of having to call AT&T and having them push it to us? I called a couple weeks ago and they said they sent it to me and I should get it any minute. I never got it and I never got around to calling them back because it was like a 30 minute call.
May 6th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Sounds like AT&T is aware of the problems and will be fixing it, at least according to this link:
http://www.careace.net/2009/04/17/resolved-att-epixs-slog-dump-error-message/
“Update 5/5/2009:
Outrage is a choice word for the effects of the FOTA update provided by AT&T that we’d initially addressed. While the intentions were genuinely helpful, the patch did cost more problems for some users. The most apparent behavoir includes the device freezes randomly when trying to dial. It is however notable that the problem (both SLOG DUMP and the effects after patch) does not apply to all Samsung Epix users.
AT&T has planned to release a revised patch in about two weeks, so if you’re experiencing frustration with the problem, help is under way.”
I’m hoping they will actually follow through. And even then I’ll wait on others to install it to ensure it works properly.
May 6th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
XSafire – I think the only potential problems are 1) possible phone freeze-ups and 2) dealing with AT&T trying to get them to send you the update. Also – im almost postive think this Update will prevent you from modding/hacking your phone in the future. (almost because i haven’t tried it myself to verify). My main concern is the potential freeze-ups.
May 6th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
tech – sorry, XSA got in first — he just hit the mod list since hes a newer commenter
I think itll be a toss up for June phones, depending on what batch you get.
May 7th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I called AT&T When iut first came out, and installed it. I now get the dialling freeze. It is quite anoying. I have also noticed an increase in phone lockups. Hoping this new fix will fix the old fix.
May 7th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
nygamn – Where you getting the SLOG dump message prior to the update? I read in some forum that people who were getting this message where more likely to have the freezing problem after updating. I’m interested because I’ve never gotten the SLOG message myself.
May 8th, 2009 at 3:09 am
I have an unlocked epix and I use it with tmobile can I still get this upgrade??
May 8th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
i had the slog dump twice but i was resetting the phone every day
May 9th, 2009 at 3:03 am
will this FOTA update be available if you haven’t sign up for the data plan?
May 13th, 2009 at 12:40 am
i called at&t about the upgrade it took about 2 hours on the phone but after the upgrade my phone worked better then it ever has no more quite ringtones its just all around better
May 16th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
GrayFox – yes, this FOTA update will be available from any AT&T user regardless if they have a data plan or not.
May 16th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
James – great to hear! any freeze-ups?
May 18th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
This sucks that it can only be done as a FOTA. ATT thinks i have the Propel. Actually, i have had mine for about 3 months and i think i have only had a slog dump maybe 5 times.
May 19th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Samsung finally has the links for the downloader program for the firmware update working as of today. Also June the 30 samsung will be putting the new update on there phones. I spend 2 hrs will att and samsung to no they didn’t know what was going on one person told me the ETA of new phones . But had got a link 2 days earlier for updates but the links for the programs were not on them they are there.
XP firmware downloader update : http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=557&PROD_SUB_ID=558&PROD_ID=1343&AT_ID=151653
Vista downloader update:
http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=557&PROD_SUB_ID=558&PROD_ID=1343&AT_ID=151653
God Bless Epix Users
May 20th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Downloadable fix is available now…
http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view.jsp?SITE_ID=22&PG_ID=557&PROD_SUB_ID=558&PROD_ID=1343&AT_ID=151461
This will wipe out your phone, so be sure to back it up….
Use at your own risk…
May 20th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Is this the new FOTA update that was supposed to be released on May 20?
May 21st, 2009 at 12:54 am
Hey, I applied the patch today and so far it’s awesome. Have not had one problem and it appears to fix everything as stated. I LOVED this phone even before the fix but I love it even more now. As a long time blackberry user (previously) there are a few features I would like to see but I way prefer this phone over my blackberry curve. I think this is the best front facing keyboard phone on the market. Awesome stuff now. Thanks Samsung/AT&T for the fix…..!
May 21st, 2009 at 12:55 am
Just FYI, as to my previous post, the fix I applied is not the OTA fix but the one just posted on the Samsung site….
May 21st, 2009 at 3:53 am
with the new update my Google maps and Live search stop working (GPS)
May 21st, 2009 at 3:59 am
My GPS stopped working after the update. Can’t figure out how to get it working again. It always shows 0 satellites visible. Running AT&T Navigator to initialize the GPS (as suggested by some) didn’t help any.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I have installed the ID1 upgrade on my phone, and although it is annoying to wipe all the information, I find that the phone is running faster, and making better calls. Of course, it has only been one day, but still. . . . much better so far, and nothing is worse.
May 22nd, 2009 at 12:09 am
nygman — any word on the stability of the new ROM? Have you tried it yet?
May 24th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
TheAxMan – Don’t install the FOTA Update! Install the ID1 Update instead!
May 24th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
No, do NOT install the ID1 update. I use Windows Vista SP1, and followed the directions to a “T” and what did I get? An application crash, repeatedly. It WILL not work, and as of this time, would be a waste of time to pursue. After doing the instructions from start to finish, I then did a hard reset, re-downloaded the ZIP, and re-tried it. Same results.
Samsung can’t seem to get anything right with this phone it seems.
May 26th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Mark, does your GPS still work with the new ID1 update? I want to be sure this doesn’t break something else like the FOTA update did (which I luckily did not install).
Does the ID1 update also allow the LED light to keep flashing until new emails are read? Or does it just fix the sound notification for new emails?
May 26th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Is anyone having trouble getting GPS to work on any application post-ID1 update? I’ve tried changing ports, and every troubleshooting I know and it’s not working.
May 26th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
@TheAxMan I have installed the rom from Samsung, and it works like a charm! Everything is flying now on my phone, it is 110% better than it was. This is what the phone should have been when it came up. Good luck with your update, and remember to back up everything, and record your old settings (Especially GPS) so that you can get back to where you were quickly.
I recomemd microsofts My Phone app, it is a nice backup utility for all your outlook data.
May 27th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Where are you finding the tool?
After the EULA, I type accept and it goes back to the previous screen with nothing to “save”
Thanks
June 1st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
looks like it is working better on my phone but did not fix my problem of the phone not turning back on after gos to sleep. on second phone third one coming see how works out.
June 4th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
looks like a major problem 3rd phone same problem everyone. update didn’t fix. after gos to sleep wont wake up unless remove battery and press power back on ,major problem. theses are att refurb phone att not catching problem!!
June 19th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Has anyone check if you can still us the Epix as a thethered modem thru the internet sharing function. I like this feature thanks to this forum and would hate to have the update screw that up also?
June 25th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
steve porter –
My epix had the “waking up” issue as well, however after a while it just went away. I’ve heard a couple other people report this as well. Obviously there is something wrong and it would be nice if ATT/Samsung would address this, but thought I would share that with you and maybe give you some hope.
July 9th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Tried to do the over-the-air upgrade. They seem to have stopped it. My ATT tech couldn’t get it to work. She eventually sent me over to Samsung, where a level 3 tech confirmed it. After MUCH time, he had me send the phone to him. I got it back in less than a week.
While talking, we found that with XP, even though I had shut everything down, Macafee still had something running in the background. Don’t know if that was the problem with the software upgrade.