Category Archives: Samsung Galaxy S2

Galaxy Note Screen Flickering

My Samsung Galaxy Note screen starts to flicker whenever it reach 50% or less and then the battery die off. The following is the scenario when it start to happen

Samsung Galaxy Note Screen Flickering

  • The screen starts to flicker
  • Shortly later, the network is lost
  • The phone shuts down

You can restart the phone and u get 1% to 5% of battery. After this you have to start charging, you will see it go to 40% pretty fast and then charge normally

Root Cause
You will see the battery is bulge or swelling in the middle. If u put the battery on a table and u can spin it very fast, then u know the middle has swell up. The battery is no longer flat.

Replacement
You need to purchase a replacement battery to resolve your problem. Samsung only carries a 6 month warranty on the battery.

Android Secret Codes for Samsung Galaxy Phone

Software developers has allowed secret codes for the android phones. This acts as “BACKDOOR” and allowed users with this knowledge to get into the system. These codes are developed with good intent to help the android users. These android secret codes can be used on Samsung Galaxy Phones or any other android phones.

I will shared with you the code and they are tested to work on my Samsung Galaxy Note.

*#06# – IMEI number

*#0*# – Enter the service menu on newer phones like Galaxy S III

*#*#4636#*#* – Phone information, usage statistics and battery

*#*#34971539#*#* – Detailed camera information

*#*#273282*255*663282*#*#* – Immediate backup of all media files

*#*#197328640#*#* – Enable test mode for service

*#*#232339#*#* – Wireless LAN tests

*#*#0842#*#* – Backlight/vibration test

*#*#2664#*#* – Test the touchscreen

*#*#1111#*#* – FTA software version (1234 in the same code will give PDA and firmware version)

*#12580*369# – Software and hardware info

*#9090# – Diagnostic configuration

*#872564# – USB logging control

*#9900# – System dump mode

*#301279# – HSDPA/HSUPA Control Menu

*#7465625# – View phone lock status

*#*#7780#*#* – Reset the /data partition to factory state

*2767*3855# – Format device to factory state (will delete everything on phone)

##7764726 – Hidden service menu for Motorola Droid

No Facebook Pics in Contacts on ICS

You find that the Facebook pictures do not appear in your Contact Page on ICS Android Phone. Some of you will find certain of your Facebook contacts have the picture while the rest of the FB contacts has no pictures at all. There is nothing wrong with your Facebook application but a bug in the firmware.

As you know in this ICS, Google want to be in the forefront of social medial. Therefore you will find that Google+ will be in your Contact page with pics and also have status updates. Importing of Facebook pictures only work for a limited amount of contacts. You can not see the FB status updates also. Furthermore, you also see your pics are not clear as they are not at the min size of 256X256 but smaller. So they look pixelise in the contact page.

But most importantly Facebook is also not addressing the problem with their Android App.

There are a few applications in the Play Store which allowed you to sync the FB contacts with picture and status update. But I will just name 2 which are the most popular with the Samsung Galaxy Note, S2 and S3 users.

Apps to syn picture and status update

  • Contact-sync
  • HaxSync

As you see that my contact page has the FB status updates already. I hope my FB contacts and friends do not mind appearing in my blog.

2012-07-08 11.11.15

M1 APN Settings for Android Phones

The following is the internet settings for Android handsets.

Please restart your phone after you have entered and saved the settings. 

Android - 
Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names

For Internet:
Hit Menu button, create new APN.
Enter new APN settings.

Name: SUNSURF
APN: sunsurf
Proxy : <Not Set>
Port : <Not Set>
Username: 65
Password: user123
Server : <Not Set>
MMSC : : <Not Set>
MMS Proxy : <Not Set>
MMS Port : : <Not Set>
MCC : 525
MNC : 03
Authentication type : None
APN type: Internet (some models may use the terms "default" or "internet,supl" instead of "internet")

Hit Menu button, save settings.

Select the new APN name,
then hit the home button.

Your 3G connection will shortly appear in the top bar.

For MMS:
Go to Settings > Wireless & Networks > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names.

Hit Menu button, create new APN.
Enter new APN settings.

Name: M1MMS
APN: miworld
Proxy: http://wap.miworld.com.sg
Port: 8081
Username: 65
Password: user123
Server : http://mmsgw:8002
MMSC: http://mmsgw:8002
MMS proxy: 172.16.14.10
MMS port: 8080
MCC: 525
MNC: 03
Authentication type: PAP
APN type: MMS

Hit Menu button, save settings. 
MMS settings completed.

Ensure that both " Data Enabled " or " Always Connect to Mobile Network " or " Use Packet Data " are selected as well.

Should you need further assistance, please contact
us at 1627.

Call your love ones using Skype

Call your love ones during this Chinese Lunar New Year. Surprise your girlfriend/boyfriend by calling them during Valentine's Day.

Video Call your love ones, friends, relatives and others during special occassion. Made use of video call of Skype on your computer or TV. Now you can also video call from your iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy Note and other smart phones.

Make cheap calls to landlines and mobiles – Buy SkypeOut credit here

Syn your iTunes Music to Android Phone

You may have switch to the Samsung Galaxy S2 or the Samsung Galaxy Note. But u are now worry of losing your iTunes Music library and have to start from scratch to build your music library again. A simple solution is here which allowed you to sync your iTunes Music with your ANDROID Phone.

How to syn music with Android Phone?

  • Download the Easy Phone Tunes software by clicking here
  • Go to Menu on your phone
  • Click Settings – Wireless and network
  • Click USB Utilities
  • Click Connect Storage to PC
  • Plug in the USB Cable
  • Open the Easy Phone Tunes Software
  • Select the USB Mass Storage
  • Syn the Music Library with your phone

It is that easy and all the iTunes Music are transferred to your Samsung S2 or Samsung Galaxy Note. The Easy Phone Tunes works on both Windows and MAC.

Singtel APN Settings for Android Phones

APN settings should be on your phone depending which service providers u get the phone from. In Singapore all android phones are unlock. But u may not have the APN settings if u did not get it from your service provider. For eg, the APN inside is e-ideas or IDEAS which means the settings is from SIngtel and only works for Singtel customers. If u are a Starhub or M1 customers, u need to get the APN of your service provider in order to surf internet, read email, mms.

This is the APN settings for Singtel on an Android Phone(Post Paid Customers)

Name:IDEAS E-Mail
APN: e-ideas
Proxy:(Not set)
Port(Not Set)
User Name:(Not Set)
Password: (Not Set)
Server:(Not Set)
MMSC: http://mms.singtel.com:10021/mmsc
MMSC proxy:165.21.42.84
MMS Port:8080
MCC:525
MNC:01
Authentication type:PAP
APN Type:internet + mms

Singtel Pre Paid Customers, pls refer to the PDF Guide by clicking here>>>

APN Settings for M1 and Starhub

Starhub

 APN: shwapint

  • Username: LEAVE_BLANK
  • Password: LEAVE_BLANK

APN: shwap

  • Username: LEAVE_BLANK
  • Password: LEAVE_BLANK
  • Proxy: 10.12.1.2
  • Port: 80

M1

 APN: sunsurf

  • Username: 65
  • Password: user123

APN: miworld

  • Username: 65
  • Password: user123

How to check your Samsung Galaxy CSC Code Version?

The Samsung Galaxy CSC code is important for the Samsung Galaxy Note, Note 2, S2 and S3 users as it affects how they get the latest firmware for their phone.

How to check Samsung Galaxy CSC Code Version?

Press *#1234# to gives u the Samsung Galaxy CSC Code Version.

Change the Samsung Galaxy CSC Code

  1. Firstly you need to find the IMEI Code of your Phone
  2. Press *#06# to get the IMEI and copy it down
  3. Press *#272*IMEI# on the dial pad
  4. Select the desire CSC
  5. Click Install
  6. The device will reboot automatically
CSC Code
OPS – Australia (YES OPTUS)
VAU – Australia (Vodafone) BRANDED
XSA – Australia (Telstra, YES OPTUS, Vodafone AU, Virgin Mobile, 3, Crazy Johns)
HUT – Australia (3) BRANDED
ATO – Austria
SEB – Baltic (LMT GSM, LV TELE2, LV BITE, LT Omnitel, LT Bite, LT TELE2, EE EMT, EE ELISA, EE TELE2)
ETR – Bangladesh
TML – Bangladesh (TML and ETR seem equal, same version, same network operators)
PRO – Belgium
VVT – Bulgaria (vivacom)
MTL – Bulgaria (MTEL)
BMC – Canada (Bell)
BWA – Canada (SaskTel)
BMF – Canada (Fido) UNBRANDED [provided by Idan73, not checked by me]
XEZ – Czech Republic
VIP – Croatia (HR VIP)
SFR – France (F SFR, SFR RU) BRANDED
XEF – France
DBT – Germany
CYO – Greece (MTN, CYTAVODA)
EUR – Greece (WIND GR, vodafone GR, COSMOTE)
TGY – Hong Kong [provided by rickylcp, not checked by me]
INS – India (CSCEdition > ED006)
INU – India (CSCEdition > ED009 | I think INU is an updated version of INS, as they seem to have the same network operators)
XSE – Indonesia
MET – Ireland (Meteor)
ITV – Italy [UPDATED 02/11]
XME – Malaysia
NPL – Nepal
XEE – Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden)
XTC – Philippines
XEO – Poland (Plus, Era, Heyah, Orange, Play)
ERA – Poland (ERA) BRANDED
TPH – Portugal
CNX – Romania (Vodafone RO)
COA – Romania (Cosmote)
ORO – Romania (RO Orange)
HAT – Romania (RO Orange, Vodafone RO, Cosmote)
SER – Russia (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, TELE2)
TOP – Serbia
XSP – Singapore
XSP – Singapore UNBRANDED
XSO – Singapore (Singtel)
MOT – Slovenia (Mobitel)
SIM – Slovenia (Si.mobil)
XEC – Spain (Movistar) BRANDED
FOP – Spain (Movistar, Vodafone ES, Orange, Yoigo, Mobil R, EUSKALTEL, TeleCable, Blau, Simyo)
SLK – Sri Lanka
AUT – Switzerland (Sunrise, Swisscom, Orange CH)
MOZ – Switzerland (Sunrise, Swisscom, Orange CH)
SWC – Switzerland (Swisscom) BRANDED
CPW – United Kingdom & Ireland
XEU – United Kingdom & Ireland

Connection problem or invalid MMI code

Many android users will have meet this message on your android phone one way or another. This usually happens when u press the *,# or + and the phone button to made the call.

After u press the *,# follow by some numbers, it shows USSD Code is running and later the Connection problem or invalid MMI Code will appear. You have enter a code the system does not understand. But if u have press *#06#, it will display the IMEI Code. There are many special codes that start with * or # and follow by numbers and pressing the SEND or Phone icons.

If you start up the phone and this error prompts, it means the sim card or your phone system is automatically sending a special code to the cell phone company but not recongnized by the cell phone company system.

What is a MMI Code?
An MMI Code is a sequence of digits that is entered into your phone to make it perform some special action. These codes start and end with a * or # so they don't get confused with phone numbers you might want to dial. They're usually only valid when you're not on a call, so if you key one in while connected to your cellphone company's IVR system they won't be recognized. Some MMI Codes are dealt with by your phone – for example, there's usually one you can key in to find out what software version your phone has installed. Most MMI Codes are sent to your Cellphone company as they are used to turn features on and off (Like call forwarding, call waiting, etc).

Why does my phone say "MMI Code Failed"?
This will usually happen because your Cellphone company has decided that you aren't allowed to forward your calls. It could be because you are on a "plan" that doesn't have the forwarding feature (pre-pay/flex-pay plans usually restrict this feature). Unfortunately there is nothing we can do to 'bypass' this error – if you believe your plan should allow you to use this feature you will need to call your cellphone company and ask them to (a) let you control it from your phone, or (b) set the forwarding for you.
Note: If you go for option (b) make very sure that they only turn on "Conditional" forwarding (this only forwards Busy/No-Answer/Unavailable calls). Sometimes they'll accidentally turn on "Unconditional" forwarding (this forwards ALL calls!).

Credits from youmail.com

Google Currents on Android

Google Currents is the latest apps on the Market Place. It enables you to read magazines like Forbes, Techcrunch, Saveur, Popular Science, Good, 500px, Fast Company and many others. There are many magazines that you add from the library and Google search technology is updating it hourly to bring you the latest news.

I can even turn my blog feeds into a magazine on Google Currents. Next time I will tell u more on how I did it for my blog.

Now for the bad news. It is currently available in the US at the time that I publish this post. But I firmly believe it will be available for the international market soon.

But I manage to install on my Samsung Galaxy S2 thanks to the people from the XDA Developers.

Download the APK for Android
http://goo.gl/pQuEG

It works on smartphone and tablets running on Android and IOS system.

You may read up more information on the Google Currents APK on the XDA Forums by clicking here>>>

Google Currents

Using USB Mass Storage on Galaxy S2 & Note

Samsung Galaxy S2 & Samsung Galaxy Note has 16GB of internal storage. I will like to show you how u can use it as a USB mass storage.

Using as a USB Mass Storage(Gingerbread Firmware)

  • Goto Menu – Settings – Wireless and network
  • Click on USB Utilities
  • Click on Connect storage to PC(Fig 1)
  • Message Box will appear(Fig 2)
  • Connect USB Cable to PC/MAC
  • Click on Connect USB storage(Fig 3)

Using as a USB Mass Storage(Ice-Cream Sandwich[ICS] Firmware)

  • Goto Menu – Settings
  • Click More… under the Wireless and network tab
  • Click on USB Utilities
  • Click on Connect storage to PC(Fig 1)
  • Message Box will appear(Fig 2)
  • Connect USB Cable to PC/MAC
  • Click on Connect USB storage(Fig 3)

USB Connect

You can now use your Samsung Galaxy S2 or Samsung Galaxy Note as a USB Mass Storage. Click on the Disconnect storage from PC after using it.

Samsung Galaxy S2 Secret Codes

These secret codes are for Samsung Galaxy S2. I have gather them through research on the internet. They are know to work with the official dialer, But it may or may not work with third party dialers. It may work on customized ROMs if the original dialer is used. Be careful when playing with the codes.

*#0*#  - Takes you to  LCD TEST MODE

*#9900#   – Takes you to System Dump, where Disabling Fast Dormancy gives a boost to your network speed on some  networks (both wifi and Gprs), same code to re-enable it.

*#1234# –  Check your Firmware version.

*#06# – Imei Code

*#2263# – Network modes select

Credits to goangeek Blog

 

Galaxy S2 Merge Contacts

Every Galaxy S2 Users has been thinking how to merge contacts on their Samsung Galaxy S2. It is not as simple as HTC Sense. HTC Sense will have a program call Contact Suggestion where it will suggest to merge your contacts with Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp.

In Samsung TouchWiz 4.0 case, merging contact function is available but not as automatic as HTC Sense. If your contact name is identical to Facebook and Twitter, it will be join automatically. If not then u have to manually merge the contacts. Whatsapp is join automatically to the contacts in most cases.

FaceBook, Twitter and Whatsapp Apps
You need to install the official Facebook and Twitter apps in order to be able to join them to your contacts. Other third party apps will not work.

How to merge contacts?
Ensure you have install the necessary apps as mention earlier. Goto Contacts and select the contact that you want to join with Facebook or Twitter. Press the Join contact and select the Facebook or Twitter contact that you wan to join to your contact. 

It is this simple and most case it will be join if the contact name match the Facebook an Twitter name. But you will find that your friend will use different ways to address their name on Facebook and Twitter sometimes. Therefore they will not be join together in the same contact.

Now from one contact page, you can link your contacts, Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp. You do not see repeat contacts. This is a function which iPhone is lacking in their contact page.

Samsung S2 Kies Software

Samsung Kies is the software for your Samsung Galaxy S2. Kies will keep u updated when new firmware are released. This is something HTC are lacking for their high end Android Phone like the HTC Sensation.

Use the Kies(Windows Version) to fully utilized the functions for synchronizing to your S2. The MAC Version currently do not work with your S2.

Visit the Samsung Mobile to get the Kies>>>

Screen Shot of Samsung Galaxy S2

Taking a screen shot on an Android Phone seems impossible. How you wish it will be as easy as Apple iPhone where users just need to press the Home and Power button together.'

Samsung has done it again and you can take screen shot similar to Apple iPhone Users. You can now take a picture of the Home Screen by pressing and holding the Power and Home Key at the same time. A capture sound is made and the picture is save to the ScreenCapture Folder. You will be able to view it at the Gallery.

Doesn't it sounds and work the same as Apple iPhone?

It works on Samsung Galaxy S and S2. But it does not work on HTC Android Phones.
A unique feature for Android Samsung Glaxay Phones. 

Pls leave us a comment if it works on your Android Phones. Pls state the brand and model and how u manage to screen shot your non root(original software) phone.