Guide: Firmware Flash SGH-F480 (Tocco)

Here we have one of MyGreatPhone.com’s most popular guides.

I’ve put it here, on the main news archive due to its fantastic detail and excellent insruction from forum member Strawbs. It’s excellent quality and support within the forums will ensure you don’t brick your handset.

Enjoy, Daz

January 09 revision 3:  Firmware now available at the bottom of this post.

General Info: Flashing your Tocco will delete all personal files, contacts, messages & info saved to the phone memory, & all settings will revert to factory defaults! Everything you wish to restore should be backed up, either to memory card or via Samsung PC Studio (not needed for flashing) before you begin the process & then remove the memory card from the phone.

The Firmware supplied in the link below is an original open (all networks) European Samsung copy that I have found to be reliable and better than the vodafone branded version my handset came with, Network setting were (in my case at least) retrieved from the sim card once it was replaced in the phone. You can check your current firmware version by typing *#1234# in the dialing screen – make a note of it, just in case you wish to find a copy for restoration later.

Disclaimer: You can’t “back-up” the firmware on your phone, so you won’t be able to revert to your previous firmware unless you find a copy on the net! don’t start unless you’re sure you want to go through with the flash. I will not be held responsible if you brick your phone or lose network specific settings – you do this entirely at your own risk. If the above scares you, stop now.

Download: Download Multiloader V5.33 from MultiLoader_V5.33.exe – 0.09MB & the Firmware F480XEHL2 (December ‘08) from F480XEHL2.zip – 55.49MB & save to a location you won’t forget. Both files have been scanned for virus’ & trojans using up-to-date versions of Avast & A-Squared before uploading, but for peace of mind you should probably scan them yourself once downloaded using updated definitions. Unzip the firmware file to its own folder! Inside that folder you should find two others -: 1.BIN & 2.BOOTFILES

Preping: I will assume that your supplied USB cable actually works with your PC – If you don’t already know, nows the time to find out by testing the connection! Once you’re sure it works you can remove the memory & sim cards, then replace the battery, but don’t turn the phone on yet.

Boot: Hold down the “Volume -” button on the left side, and the “Camera” button on the right, then press the “Power” button = all three buttons need to be pressed together. Your phone should start up into a red\blue on black bootloader screen.

Open multiloader.exe, select the second row (MSM6275/MSM6280(Z*8yada, yada,yada,etc, etc, f480)) & configure to look like my screenshot below by pressing the Boot button on the left side and browse to the bootfiles folder. Then select the other buttons down the left side! amss_compressed, Rsrc1,Rsrc2 [<-use the *F480(Low)* file] and FactoryFS as shown.

zSHARE – Multi-Loader v5.33.bmp

Flashing: You are now ready to flash your Tocco. Connect your phone to your comp and if your phone’s COM port doesn’t register in the lower panel, click the “Port Search” button on screen, when it finds the phone click “Download”.

Alert: Once the download button has been clicked, leave the phone down on the desk, DO NOT unplug or otherwise interupt the flash in any way, and it would be wise to leave the PC alone and not run other programs or you risk corrupting the installation & bricking the phone. That said, I’ve flashed mine at least 3 times in search of the firmware that best suited me and I haven’t had any issues what-so-ever. I know this method works and is reliable – I haven’t broken mine yet, so I don’t know how to fix yours if you do something dumb. A reflash would likely be the way to sort out any hic-cup, but don’t quote me on that.

Watch: Your phone should have a status indicator with percentages and this should be reflected in multiloader, with each file loading after the previous one completes. The process should take roughly 5 minutes, Once it’s done your phone will restart by itself once or twice! this is normal & when that’s done your flash is complete! It just remains to replace your sim & memory cards, then configure your new phone to your preference! Well Done.

I have made this guide as simple as I know how, so please don’t pm asking me to “dumb it down a bit“.

Strawbs

Updates:

January 09 Firmware available Here.
January 09 Rev.3 Firmware available Here.