If you are having difficulties getting your Samsung Galaxy S Vibrant cell phone to connect to the Mini Kies software, here are suggestions in fixing the problem:
1. You cannot update your phone using Mac or Linux computers, becasuse you need to use a piece of software from Samsung called "Mini Kies." (You can download this software from Samsung here: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/SGH-T959ZKATMB: click the EXE icon across from Device(Install) (Software).) Also, it is questionable if you can use Mini Kies on a 64-bit Windows machine; many report problems, so stick with Windows XP, or 32-bit Vista or 7.
2. Ensure your computer has Samsung USB drivers installed. (Check Control Panel's Unistall Software.) If not, you can download them from here: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/SGH-T959ZKATMB and then click the ZIP icon across from Device(Install),USB Driver (Software).
3. Uninstall any unauthorized improvements, such as lagfixs and roots. In my case, I had installed the Voodoo Lagfix, which sped up my phone by 2x. To uninstall Voodoo, follow these steps:
a. Connect phone to computer and mount the USB drive.
b. In the Voodoo folder, create a new folder named uninstall lagfix
c. Disconnect phone from computer.
d. Turn off phone.
e. Turn on phone, and then wait for Voodoo to uninstall itself. This may take several minutes.
4. Switch the phone's home screen back to Samsung's default, TwLauncher. If you are unsure how to do this, go to the Android Store and install the Home Switch app.
5. Samsung recommends removing the MicroSD card. (Remember to turn off the phone before doing this.) This step also helps with the next problem.
6. Ensure that no files have file name extensions longer than 16 characters. (The extension is the part of the name after the . ) If your phone has such files, then the connection screen will flash repeatedly. To check this:
a. Connect phone to computer and mount the USB drive.
b. Search using the following wildcard: *.????????????????* <-- that's 16 question marks.
c. When Windows finds such files, move them from the phone onto your computer. Make a note of the folder names. Later, after the update is installed, you will need to return the files to the same folder(s). In my case, the Kodo ebook reader software was the culprit.
d. Disconnect the phone from the computer.
Now follow Samsung's instructions for updating the phone. Mine got updated to Android 2.2 today.
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