problem loading firmware and SMS backup

[DHP101]

Hi,

I have two queries:

First, since Kies updated to 4.0.4 back in July the battery’s been draining really quick (in just 4 hours today it’s used 14% and I’ve hardly used it). I didn’t really want to reset as I never seem to get the phone back to as it was before but having read this forum and cleared cache, taken the battery out for 10 mins , deleted some apps etc over the last few months without any improvement I decided I would have to reset. I’ve downloaded the correct firmware from SamMobile and it’s visible in my PCs download file but when I press PDA in Odin and go to downloads the file I need is not showing up. What am I doing wrong please?

Second, I backed up my messages with SMS Backup and Restore app but when I go into My Files and try to copy and paste the backup to the external SD card it says copying failed. I watched a guy showing how to do this on YouTube so I assume I’m doing it right. I’ve also tried to create a new folder for it on the SD card in case that was the problem but each time it says creation failed. Is there a problem with the SD card or, more likely, something I’m doing wrong?

Thanks in advance for your replies

[RichH]

Firstly you don't need to download any FW to do a reset. Just boot phone by holding Vol Up + Home + Power until you see the android appear then let go. Use Vol down to navigate to clear cache and press power key, then vol down again to factory reset and power key again. Vol down to get to YES then power key to perform the reset. Phone will reboot to newly flashed condition (ie no apps, contacts etc) then backup what you want from Google or Samsung account.
AFAIK SMS backup defaults to SD card if one is installed so maybe your card has a problem. Try taking it out and reinserting it etc or if nothing is on it (you can copy everything to a directory on your PC) try reformatting it.

[DHP101]

Thanks RichH, taking the card out, wiping it and puting it back in sorted out my SMS backup problem and then I was able to reset. I'll find out tomorrow if it's worked and if the battery drains as slowly as it did before I got 4.0.4. Thanks again

[RichH]

May have to do a full drain and recharge of the battery to calibrate it

[DHP101]

Thanks RichH; full battery drain as you suggested and today I've used 51% in 13 hours with moderate use which is not good but much much better then when I updated back in July. Thanks again

[RichH]

If you have loads of accounts syncing all the time they will drain the battery quicker. Check in Settings >Acounts & Sync and turn off the accounts that don't need syncing. Some of the accounts have multiple sync options if you press on them (Google, for example has about 6 things it syncs with)....

[DHP101]

Thanks for that; I've turned off all my Google ones except Contacts. I use both Drive and Calender a lot but they sync as soon as data is turned on so they're turned off anyway. New Google syncs that I haven't noticed before until you pointed it out are Currents and Instant Upload whatever they may be, plus Internet and Movies have also been added so I've turned them all off as well which leaves just Google Contacts live, otherwise there would have been 11 Google syncs.