[Galaxy S II General] Intratech:
Here we go guys, latest official firmware. Oldest firmware are listed first and newest will will be the last/bottom of the list. These can be found in the second and third posts of the thread

PDA refers to the build version of the firmware

Phone refers to the baseband/modem version

CSC is the consumer software customisation and is specific to geographical region and carriers. It contains the software packages specific to that region, carrier branding and also APN settings for data connection, MMS etc for your service provider.

CSC has nothing to do with what languages the firmware supports and it will not add keyboard language support either.

.PIT refers to the partition information table you only need it if you screw up your partition table or if the firmware specifically requires it because of a change in the partition table layout. It's very likely you may never have to use this.

If the package only contains one .tar archive then it will have everything, pda+phone+csc, in the one file.

If it has multiple .tar archive then:

The .tar with modem in the name is the phone/baseband bit of the package

.tar with csc/multi-csc in the name is the csc bit of the package

.tar with code/PDA in the name is the PDA part of the firmware package

If this is the case you will need to put these .tar archives in the specific areas of Odin to flash the update

The stock kernels are to be used to restore the kernel version after rooting and are not needed for updating the firmware.

You do not need to root or unroot the device to update the firmware.

Please ensure that KIES is closed and not running in the system tray! Kies doesn't like Odin, it's like the big brother who's always jealous that his little brother is getting to flash all the phones so he starts to flash block.

Regarding change logs. Samsung thinks firmware should be like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get and that all a big part of the surprise user experience program so they don't publish any change logs.

1. Just download the firmware version you want from the second or third posts and extract the .tar or .tar.md5 file in the archive and save it somewhere

2. Reboot your phone to download mode.

To get download mode shut down the device. After it shuts off completely simultaneously press the Down volume key+ Home button + press the power button .

You should see a warning asking you to press volume up if you want to continue or volume down to cancel, press volume up. You are now in download mode!

3. Start Odin

4. Click on the PDA button and browse to the .tar or .tar.md5 file that you extracted in step 1

If the package has more than one .tar archive then they will be labelled with PDA, Phone/Modem and CSC. Just put them in the corresponding section of Odin

5. DO NOT PUT .PIT FILE AND DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT TICK REPARTITION.

Anyone ask about .pit file is a moron

Should look like this screenshot

If the package has 3 files it should look like this:

Regardless of firmware version it's still the same methodology

6. Connect the USB cable and wait for the ID:COM section to turn yellow

7. Click start to flash

8. Do not disconnect the cable or turn off the device, it will reboot when it finishes.

It will not wipe your phone if you flash as recommended

You will lose root so just re-root with the guide below

1. Download an insecure kernel from either Chainfire or Odia's thread. Any version will do so just grab the newest one, it doesn't need to match your current kernel version.

2. Download the stock kernel to match your firmware from below

3. Extract both kernels and remember where you've extracted them.

4. Download SuperOneClick V. 1.9.5. I know there are newer versions but just do what I say.

5. Make sure that your device is in USB debugging mode: Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging.

6. Put your device into download mode. To do so: Turn the device off, then power it on again by pressing and holding VolumeDown + Home + Power simultaneously.

7. Start ODIN. Wait for whatever drivers need to load and for the ID:Com section to turn yellow

8. Click on the PDA section and select the insecure kernel you extracted above. Make sure only Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time is ticked in the options

9. Click on start

10. Wait for it to reboot and then close Odin

11. Start SuperOneClick and don't change anything on the screen. I hope you didn't remove the USB cable but if you did just reconnect it

12. Hit root

13. Allow it to install everything it prompts you to, i.e. SU, BusyBox

14. When it's done just shutdown your phone and remove the USB cable

15. Put it into download mode

16. Start Odin and hit the PDA section and select the stock kernel you downloaded and extracted earlier that matches your firmware version.

17. Connect the USB cable and wait for the ID:Com box to turn yellow.Make sure only Auto Reboot and F.Reset Time is ticked in the options

18. Press start. Let it flash the stock kernel and reboot

19. You're now rooted.

1. Visit DooMLoRD's thread here: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1319653

2. Download the latest version of his Easy Rooting Toolkit

3. Extract the contents to a folder you'll remember

4. Open said folder from above and find the file "RUNME.bat"

5. Execute "RUNME.bat"

6. Follow onscreen instructions

7. If completed successfully you should now have a rooted device. High five!

8. I suggest you donate to the devs who discovered this exploit and developed this simple tool for us to root our device.