Samsung SGH-i600 WM6 Upgrade (Yes… even if you are on Orange!)
January 16th, 2008 . by Paul McGuinnessIMPORTANT NOTICE: It seems that a few users have managed to completely ‘brick’ their i600’s by putting i607 software on them (or visa-versa) - The two flash files are not interchangeable - if you use the wrong flash file on your phone, you may well permanantly ‘brick’ it. Please also note: The information provided here is based on my own experience of upgrading my i600. You use this information at your own risk. The instructions here are for a European i600 **NOT** a USA i607. If you try this on an AT&T i607, you *will* brick your phone.
Dearest Fanboys (and girls),As you know; I am a great fan of my Samsung SGH-i600, but I have a little bad news for you… The *Free* WM6 Upgrade that is supplied on the Samsung Website [link] will not work on the ‘Orange’ branded units, or even those that have been ‘debranded’ :o( - I have tested this using the various methods (and wiping my phone on each occasion!) in order to prove that it can’t be done.
Curse you Orange, and curse your nasty branded interfaces….
However…. A look at the MoDaCo Wiki [Link] shows a WM6 Flash (not official) !!! - So… I downloaded the 60Mb File, and lo and behold, WM6 on my Samsung - Wooo Hoooooo.
Here are the instructions in Full:-
Please Note: This is entirely at your own risk, and any damage caused directly or indirectly by this information is entirely your responsibility. If you brick your phone, don’t come crying to me - you have been warned!
- Make sure you have ActiveSync 4.5 or higher installed.
- BACKUP YOUR PHONE -Use ActiveSync to backup the contacts, and browse to the phone for images / mp3’s etc.
- Download the Modem Driver (required for ‘Flashing’) [ZIP] and install it.
- Download the i600UXXGG2 WM6 RAR file and unpack [Link]
- Ensure that you ‘disable‘ the USB Connection in the ActiveSync Connection Settings whilst you attempt this.
- Place phone into ‘Flasher Mode’ (click on image for larger view)
- Run the WM6 upgrader - Ensure that you have a fully charged battery, and that you don’t interrupt the (rather long) upgrade process - it will say complete several times… wait until the ‘Flasher’ screen disappears off the phone. (NOTE: Can take up to 5 mins)
- Wait for phone to reboot - it takes about 5 mins to complete the process - be patient whilst its on the Windows Mobile Screen!!!
- Wait for the phone to reboot again… (normal startup speed this time!)
- Restore the USB connection in ActiveSync
- Restore all your images / mp3s and re-sync your contacts.
Once completed, if you should see version CE OS 5.2.1437 - i600UXXGG2
You’ll notice it says 5.2 - well that is the official internal version number for WM6!
Impressions;
Well… you’ll notice that some of the icons have been improved. There is a new ‘Windows Live’ screen (Search and Live login), a Live Messenger icon and it seems a bit faster. I’ll update this as I use it over the next few days….
Some more Blackjack / SGH-i600 goodies for you;
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mate,
thanks for the post!!!
can you please tell me which of the firmware updates from the site i must get?
also does the orange phone have to be a certain version or something?
cheers
tio
Hi there,
Use the 2nd link, the WM6_XXGG2 version.
My phone was originally Orange WM5 Branded - I then went to WM5 Debranded and today done the WM6 Debranded version XXGG2 - All working fine so far. :o)
Regards,
Paul
so, do i need to debrand to wm5 first and then upgrade to wm6?
does the phone have to be a certain version?
mine says
Windows Mobile 5 version i600BVGD2
08 5.1.525 (build 15364.3.4.4)
I would have thought you could go straight to WM6 - the ‘Flasher’ overwrites whatever is on there, regardless of the current version.
Regards,
Paul
HELP!! Tried downloading the ‘official’ update from Samsung and my phone is now completely locked. I cannot reenter the flasher mode and when I switch on WM& loads, I get an AT&T (!) loading page and then the AT&T goodbye page straight away….. Any suggestions?
@diggers:
I assume your phone is an i600 (European version of the Blackjack)? If not, thats why its now bricked.
In any case - the bootloader will work, regardless of how ‘dead’ it it. Take the battery out, put it back, press Power Right Softkey (”…”) and the key under the navi-wheel at the SAME time.
Regards,
Paul
Paul….
How I wish it was that easy!? Yes, my phone is the European version (i600).
When I do power, right soft key, and the one under the wheel I get ‘*USB Downloader - at&t’ and then….. nothing….
Yes - that’s right! thats the Bootloader screen.
Now, once you are at that point do this:-
1. Disable ActiveSync’s USB connection
2. Run the BJ3_open_Xbow_Rev15_UXXGG2_4.exe that is linked to on the MoDaCo page
3. Be *very* patient - it takes about 20 mins
That’s it..
Regards,
Paul
The first time I did it that screen had a lot more information on it than just that one line… and rerunning the installer file I used the first time doesn’t work any more. Am trying with the 90MB file from MoDaCo but can’t find the one you refer to.
Oh I am so stuffed…. Computer no longer recognises the USB connection saying my phone has ‘malfunctioned’…
Ok, on the MoDaCo page - http://wiki.modaco.com/index.php/Samsung_i600, under “OS”, use the link next to [European WM6-Firmware i600UXXGG2 “No-Brand”]
Download this (takes a while) and unRar it (use 7zip or UnRAR)
1. Disable USB in ActiveSync
2. Install BlackJack Modem Driver
3. Put it in Flasher Mode (as described before)
4. Run installer
Regards,
Paul
Thanks for your help but I think I’m looking for a new phone. I can’t even get a working ActiveSync connection as Windows no longer recognises the phone. Am sure I did something wrong so I hope this doesn’t put others off….
You need to re-enable the USB connection in ActiveSync after doing the update of course…
Yes, figured that, however I can’t even start the process because when I plug the phone in to the computer and it recognises there is a USB attachment it cannot recognise the phone and says the hardware has ‘malfunctioned’.
i’ve mistakenly installed i607 WM6 update on my i600, now it only shows at&t logo and then turns off. setting the phone to flasher mode only shows “*USB downloader - at&t” and nothing happens. please help.
Hi there,
Based on other comments I’ve received, I don’t think you can do anything to undo this. Try putting into USB Downloader mode again, and then use the correct flash file. Thats all I can suggest.
Regards,
Paul
i tried setting it to USB downloader mode but it seems that the flash application could not detect the device. Do you have any idea on how to make it detectable by the application?
Cassini….. yes, you have got exactly the same as me….
I currently have a communication with Samsung going on.
Where did you buy your phone? Was it locked etc?
Well…. loads of customer service points to Samsung! After having an e-mail exchange with them via their website was given a direct dial number to their Windows Upgrade team who recognise the issue and are working out ways to fix it.
The issue is that with this modern age of internet etc the phones may not all come from where you think they do. Despite me getting mine as a direct purchase from an internet shop believing it to be UK sourced, the AT&T formatting suggests it was originally American despite looking like a i600 rather than i607…
My suggestion, talk to the nice people at Samsung!
@diggers & cassini;
Hope you guys get those phones sorted out. I’ve been chatting with a guy called oratiosh who has been following this conversation. He took the plunge last night, and now has a nice shiny WM6 i600.
I think the thing to be careful of, is ensuring that you are actually running an i600 in the first place.
If you go into the WM5 menus, and select “Settings”, “More”, “More”, “About” - it will show what phone version you currently have. If it doesn’t start with i600, then don’t attempt to use the flash files I have described here.
Good luck people - and remember… This information is used entirely at your own risk!
Regards,
Paul
diggers,
My phone is from UK and its not locked. If you find a solution to our problem, please post it here. I really felt bad after bricking my i600. I hope Samsung will help us.
regards,
cassini
Paul, don’t worry, not about to blame you for this - your warnings were clear and taken note of. Samsung’s response suggests that this is not an unknown issue. Also, the official Samsung version of this file has been taken off the English web site now so I think they know there is an issue.
Not sure what my software said originally but my phone is clearly labelled as SGH-i600 on the IMEI label under the battery.
Will let you know how I get on with Samsung.
Hi folks, Ive tried to debrand my i600 with no luck (and plenty of hair pulling and shouting) I cant get hold of the Firmware_i600_XXGD1.rar flash file anywhere. Im a humble fella and Im not after the wm6 upgrade, all I want is to remove the orange branding! please help a chap out. Thanks
I’ve just done mine (with a little help from paul) and its well kinky. Thanks fella!
@Mo13:
Well done! Glad it worked out. The key thing when running this upgrade is patience (as Mo discovered) - you have to let the phone reboot itself and resist the temptation to pull the battery (as both Mo and I did on the first attempts)
Regards all,
Paul
Got my phone back from Samsung service center and its now working. They replaced the board and installed WM6 for FREE. I just love Samsung!!!
I’m getting in the flash mode
USB Initial:OK
PC Connection :FAIL
[PDA] USB Cable Power OFF
why is that, I disabled the usb in the activesync
and ran the upgrade
You are probably plugging it into a non-powered hub. Plug it direct into the PC.
Also make sure that it is 75% charged before you start.
Do I disable the activesync usb connection in the PC?
No! Just disable the USB connection within the ActiveSync Software…. like this:-
Right click on ActiveSync (note: You need ActiveSynce 4.5 or higher to do this) tasktray icon and select “Connection Settings”. Untick “Allow USB Connections”
thats what I did and stiil I’m getting the same error when I start the phone in flash mode, I’m connecting it straight to the pc.
Sorry - I can’t help any more, that’s all the ideas I have… :o(
Hi,
I have some problem with shlomi_g. Executing all instruction i receive message DeviceNotFound http://avsainsus.blogspot.com/2008/02/samsung-i600-wm5-wm6.html
any suggestions?
@avsainsus: Your site is in Russian (I think!), so I can’t see what you are doing… I assume you disabled the USB connection in ActiveSync? If you don’t then the flasher will not work.
Thank you for posting these instructions.
I have just completed the process, and the upgrade took place without a hitch.
There is one big problem however: it seems like I have lost all phone functionality. Wireless and Bluetooth work, but not the phone. Looking at version, I have a PDA and an EBoot versions, but not phone.
How do I get the phone working? (I can’t make calls!!!)
thanks in advance
now sorted - I just used the official Samsung updating tool (which this time worked), and that sorted the phone problem.
Cheers guys.
Hi, can I upgrade directly from Orange WM5 to the Samsung WM6? Thanks.
I believe so - but I did it to unbranded WM5 first, so I can’t confirm. Regards, Paul
Hey Paul, thanks soo much for trying to help out. I think i might do what cassini did and take it back to Samsung, seems there is no other way. Cassini, are you in the UK? as im in australia, and i think im going to have an uphill battle with them. I have 2 blackjacks, one from vodafone (bricked one) and another one from Telstra (i601). The i601 doesnt have wi-fi however is this only because it has been disabled, or because there is actually no physical wifi software? Anyones thoughts would be great
has anybody tried upgrading directly from Orange wm5 to unbranded wm6? if yes tell us all how!!! PS my phone is branded and most likely locked. appreciate any help! G
This guide is so cool!!! Thanks so much, Paul.
@wmfreak, I just upgraded directly from Orange WM5 to unbranded WM6. However, can’t guarantee about the simlock bit. Mine was already simlock before the upgrade.
Hi Paul!
I own an i600 from France (Orange version), and I bought it unlocked, and now I use it in my country (Republic of Moldova) and it work`s very well.
Version of my i600 is: “i600BVGD2″, and I would know if I can use this tutorial to upgrade my i600 to WM6 ?
I`m very afraid to not lock my phone to other operators…
Hi there,
Should be just fine. Remember that “Locks” and “Firmware” are completely separate. If your phone is unlocked already, changing the firmware will not change the lock status.
Obviously though, this is all at your own risk!
Regards,
Paul
For all those that have successfully upgraded from an Orange branded WM5 i600 to an unbranded WM6 version, did both WiFi and Office Mobile continue to work?
Please let me know.
My WiFi works just fine (more realiable in fact), and MS Office works as well
Regards,
Paul
Thanks, Paul.
Before I go ahead with the upgrade, I wanted to clarify some points.
On my previous WM6 phone, I was able to do a restore to factory reset the software if something went wrong. Once i600UXXGG2 is installed, if I do a factory reset on the i600, will it reinstall WM6 or go back to WM5? Or possibly, even corrupt it?
I want my phone to act like WM5 was never on it.
My second question is, will my Orange phone still be identifiable as an Orange i600 after the upgrade? I believe the firmware now gets the unbranded version number after the upgrade?
Finally, how would I revert back to the original orange software if I wanted to?
Thanks.
@nLinked:
The WM6 will remove all traces of WM5 - you can’t revert back to an ‘Orange’ branded phone afterwards. However… I wouldn’t worry - I’ve sent back / upgraded several ‘Orange’ phones that I have debranded over the years! Remember that Car Phone Warehouse sells unbranded phones on Orange contracts, so they are used to seeing unbranded phones all the time.
Regards,
Paul
Paul
This worked a treat - WM5 always ran like a one legged dog on the i600 - IMO anyway - it runs a lot quicker now its WM6 - I like the new flipcard style interface and the increased security options are great. Is there any way to alter the startup animations and the animation when making a call?
Much appreciated
Sro
If anyone is still following this post….Expansys are selling unlocked, Orange branded i600’s for £99.95
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=167081
I just purchased one and did the WM6 upgrade - works perfectly.
Has anyone tried this flash upgrade with Vodafone version of i600? I have OS 5.1.525, Radio version i600BUGC3.
Thanks so much for all the advice on here.
I can confirm that I purchased an unlocked Orange branded i600 phone from Expansys. Followed the instructions on here and now running the WM6. So much better. The Orange version of the software was terrible, to say the least. I now have my Windows Live account sync’d on there and I’m very impressed!
Now if only I could get rid of that Orange logo on the top left of the phone, any ideas other than scratching it off the phone, LOL.
Cheers Paul,
I’ve got a UK Orange branded i600 and I flashed it straight to WM6 (unbranded) using the unofficial source. I was a bit nervous of bricking/ downloading but it works a dream.
One question: I was going to download the official MS Office Mobile from Handango and it says it is incompatible with the i600. I’m guessing this is based on it having WM5 installed as standard. However some of the WM6 devices are shown as incompatible with MS office mobile. Can anyone tell me if it works with WM6 debranded software on an i600? Can anyone advise if it will work? I notice some people saying it works fine but I didn’t know if that was an ‘unofficial’ version.
Thanks,
Sherm
Hi Sherm,
I can’t confirm the ‘official’ version works, but if you search for a torrent called; Office.WM6.WCE which was designed to crowbar MS Office Mobile onto WM5, works just fine and dandy.
Simply copy the .cab onto your device and then execute it on your phone.
Regards,
Paul
Hi
Guys how do i debrand my i600
Erm… read this post! It tells you how to upgrade and debrand (upgrading it also debrands it!)
Regards,
Paul
I have a question, I like this phone but i do not know if ths device works fine in my country venezuela, Paul i see that you are expert about this, Do you know if this phone works in my country Venezuela, South America, or is only to European countries?
Thanks,
Rafael
Hi Rafeal,
So long as your phone system in Venezuela is GSM, then you can use a Euro Samsung Blackjack/i600 without any problems (providing it’s an unlocked one of course!)
Regards,
Paul
Thanks Paul,
I think buy this phone to expansys in amazon.com, and this phone comes unlocked, Can I debrand this phone without problem?
I think buy in this link http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0017SF0BS/ref=dp_olp_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1212351927&sr=8-1
The seller says that this phone is unlocked but it comes with Orange Branding network, Can I debrand this phone without problem, following the instructions above?, and the procedure above is all for debrand and can use with any mobile carrier services?
Thanks for yout attention,
Rafael.
Hi Raphael,
As you can see from AndrewJScott’s comments above; he did exactly that! He bought a phone from Expansys and then debranded it using my instructions.
Kindest regards,
Paul
Thanks very much for you attention Paul.
i tried installing wm6 using the method above, and now the phone doesnt work. when i turn it on, the green windows screen comes on, and then the at&t logo shows up for a minute, and then turns off right after. ive tried debranding it by pushing the rsk power and side button again, but the screen shows “usb downloader - at &t”
any idea how to fix this?
thanks in advance
Hi boow_03,
Sorry to say, but you have killed your phone. It does say (highlighted in red in the 1st paragraph) NOT to use an i600 firmware file on an i607, which is what you have done.
The only solution is to go back to AT&T and get them to fix it I am afraid.
Regards,
Paul
hi Paul,
its actually the other way around, my handset is actually the i600 by orange…i installed the firmware files from the i607…so do my options change at all?
Thanks
Ah… Same difference I’m afraid. Although the phones look the same, the internals are completely different (i600 has 3G and WiFi)
As it is Orange, I’d do the old “My phone won’t switch on” call to them, they will then arrange a ’swap’ - they never check the phone when they get it back (they all go to a service centre somewhere and get wiped)
Regards,
Paul
Hi Paul!
Great advice here btw! Followed all the instructions right up to running the WM6 upgrader, but as soon as i put the phone into flasher mode, the upgrader grinds to a halt after a few processes, ending with: [PDA]Wrong Response From Device. DEV=[0].
The phone soon terminates its USB connection and then can’t do anything (have to take the battery out and restart the process).
Incidentally, when I enter the phone into flasher mode, everytime my pc seems to need to install new device drivers. Would this have anything to do with the probs I’m experiencing?
Thanks in advance!
Paul H
Hi Paul H,
Yes… the driver is the issue!
Look at step 3 above, and you’ll find the drivers required to install the WM6 upgrade :o)
Regards,
Paul
Hi Paul!
Thanks for the info, I did install the driver originally, but tried it again nonetheless. Same thing is happening;
[StartDownload => 0] StartDownload !!
[PDA] Connect and Power-on the Device.
[PDA-0]Driver Opened.
[PDA]Read Wait. = [0]
[PDA]Read Done. = [0]
[PDA]Wrong Response From Device. DEV=[0]
Does this everytime. Also when the USB disconnects, ‘PC Connection : FAIL’ appears on the phone.
My fiddling about has stopped the pc installing a new device driver every time now thankfully, but the above problem still prevails!
I seem to be the only one having this prob!
Cheers Paul,
Paul H
Oh btw.
on the phone screen at the bottom it says:
[Phone] Active OFF
Then after the USB disconnects itself, underneath that it then says:
[PDA] USB Cable Power OFF
Dunno if that means anything?
Sorry Paul, I feel like I’m being a pain now!
Paul H
Paul,
Ok - sounds like you haven’t installed the drivers correctly. Once you have the phone plugged in, check ‘Device Manager’ - you will probably find some disabled or flagged devices in there. Delete them all and then right-click and select “scan for new hardware”, it should then install the correct drivers for that mode.
Note: When installing drivers for the Samsung, it uses two different sets, one for normal usage (PIM / SD Access etc), and another for ‘Flashing’
Regards,
Paul
Thanks again Paul,
I’ve tried all the options you gave me, but to no avail I’m afraid! However, it appears that my issue may have something to do with Vista (not sure what though).
I have just started the process again on an old Win 2000 pc i have hooked up to my tv (just used for 4oD and BBC iPlayer), and hey presto! Currently seems to be downloading a treat!
I’m half expecting something to go wrong as I’m a little uncomfortable about using such a crabby old unmaintained pc to do something so delicate and fraught with ‘phone fatality’ danger!
Anyway, Thank you so much for your help Paul, you’re a star!
Kind regards,
Paul H
WORKED PERFECTLY!
So much better than the crummy Orange FW as well!
Thanks Paul!
Aha!
If you had told me you were using Vista, I would have realised straight away! LOL :o)
Glad it all worked out for you.
Next thing to search the torrents for is a file called Office.WM6.WCE - it’s the WM6 version of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Works like a treat on the i600 :o)
Regards,
Paul