Samsung Galaxy S2 - Orange update help

[elliotclem1]

Hi,
I'm wanting to update my phone to the latest ICS firmware (currently running 4.0.3) as prompted by kies, however i'm having so many problems what with drivers, failed to recognize the device halfway through updating that I'm looking for alternatives to update my firmware instead of kies.

I've heard many people talk about Odin but am a little unsure what it is.
I don't want to root my phone but would like the latest update (4.1 jellybean if possible).
Could someone help me out?

Many thanks
Elliot

[RichH]

JB is not officially released for the S2 yet. If you want it you will have to flash a custom ROM like this http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=1810042.
You can do this without Kies by copying the file to your SD card and running it through CWM recovery.

[elliotclem1]

Actually I might look into this, however will I still be able to restore backups created on kies if I apply this update? Or root my phone. Also if I do install this update is it legal in googles terms i.e. Ill still be able to buy things off the play store etc?

Thanks

[RichH]

Google play store works fine. Back ups from kies can still be made and restored (but you won't be able to update fw anymore).
I'd recommend that you remove any network locks first though so as not to run into any signal issues.....

[elliotclem1]

After some thought I just want to update my phone to the latest update by kies but each time I try this I get halfway through the update and am given the message:
PC failed to recognize the mobile phone...

Could you please help me. I've tried the update on 3 separate computers now

[RichH]

Probably because the drivers are not updating after the upgrade. Try turning your security/virus software off and leave phone plugged in long enough to allow the drivers to install.

[Joey]

Get the latest firmware from http://www.sammobile.com/firmware/ and use Odin, Kies, as you've discovered, is useless.