[Galaxy S I9000 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] leijonasisu:
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I decided to write this quick guide to condense what took me the better part of 8 f**king hours trying to do. The time it took was probably due to a mostly faulty USB port on the phone, AND on my laptop too...

Long story short, I was given this phone after my S5 decided to go for a swim with me. My first Android phone was the Galaxy S+. I then upgraded to the S2 -> S3 -> S4 and thus S5.

I had never used the regular 'S' (non '+' version) before today and sadly there is little support for it. So I thought I would add my first and last guide here on how to get this phone all the way from Android 2.3.6 (latest stock official) right up to 5.1.1. I owe a lot to XDA, so this is my way of helping out. This phone unfortunately is OLD, and thus requires outdated methods of flashing/upgrading that I was not very familiar with. Hopefully this will help you save a lot of time.

It is important to note that not all of these steps will be mandatory! I will try and mark the ones that I don't think are mandatory (and that you may skip). However I will just outline the full steps I took.

First you will need this package that I am going to upload here. Feel free to make as many mirrors as you want.

My apologies in advance if I do not have permission to upload copies/etc. of these files but AFAIK I am allowed to upload these files.

Files:
https://mega.co.nz/#!PU0xkbrJ

Key:
-Mwl7Ga-FAqAenVC9MDoOadYA0RTcDskQSsKFggZaVM

What we are trying to accomplish!

If needed, downgrade/upgrade your i9000 to Android 2.3.6. This is the latest stock Android version released for this phone. Doing this should fix any corruption issues or any other BS that you may have done to your phone. This still may not be necessary at all.

Install the Semaphore_2.7.4 Kernel & Recovery package (bundled). This is the best Kernel for your i9000 and it also gives you the most stable working Custom Recovery I have found. (I have tested TWRM, CWM & PhilZ and found this bundled CWM to be by far the best (and in this case the only thing that worked for me)).

Flash whatever new Custom Rom that you want. You can flash any firmware even up to 5.1.1 currently.

So let's do this quick, so you don't have to waste 8 hours like I did yes? Hopefully you don't have malfunctioning USB ports like I did too.

Step 1. - Download the file package above.

Step 2. Uninstall Kies if you have it installed. Then reboot your computer. (Step may not be mandatory but I did it)

Step 3. Run the "USB_Drivers_1.5.49.0.exe" installer from the "THESE FIRST" folder. Then reboot your computer again.

Step 4. Put your i9000 into DOWNLOAD MODE (Volume Down + Home + Power) and plug it into your PC. It should be detected, and Windows driver install popup will show up etc.

Step 5. Run "Odin3 v1.83.exe" and hopefully you'll see it connected in COM "X". If not, then try and sort out the driver/cable/port issue. Try another USB port, and don't use any HUBs etc.

Step 6. Extract the "I9000XXJVU CFROOT.rar" and put the contents somewhere. Put the largest file in PDA, the CSC file in CSC and the remaining file in MODEM/PHONE (this is all in ODIN (also we are ignoring the CFROOT file))

Step 7. Hit start and wait. (You may need to add the s1_odin_20100512.pit file in the folder to the PIT section in ODIN if it won't flash. (I didn't have to)

Step 8. Wait for your phone to reboot into old Android 2.3.6. Then shut it down, because we are going to upgrade it AGAIN now that it is fully stock.

Step 9. Boot into download mode AGAIN and connect to your PC.

Step 10. Open up an ELEVATED CMD Prompt (With Admin Privledges) and navigate to the "THESE SECOND\Heimdall Suite + Kernel" folder. Using the command "cd <yourfilepath/Heimdall Suite + Kernel folder>"

Step 11. Run the command: " heimdall flash --kernel zImage --no-reboot " (without quotes). You may have to make the 'kernel' part of the command in CAPITAL letters, for it to work.

Step 12. If (AND ONLY IF) you get an error -12 or something. Then go into the folder "Driver Change For Kernel Flash" and run the "zadig.exe". Choose Options > List all Devices > Serial/etc/device and try one of the 3 drivers and click Replace/Reinstall etc. Then try step 11 again. Keep trying with each driver until it works. <--- THIS STEP ONLY IF STEP 11 DIDN'T WORK THE FIRST TIME!!!!

13. Reboot your phone into RECOVERY MODE! (Volume Up + Home + Power).

14. Wipe Data (Factory Reset). Clear Dalvik etc. etc.

15. Flash whatever .zip of the new ROM you want baby!!

Edit: Here is a second set of instructions that may help with the Heimdall part!

http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Install_CM_for_galaxysmtd

Note, that I flashed the unofficial OMNI from here (it's Android 5.1.1. and it works beautifully) My thanks to humberos + others:

http://xdaforums.com/galaxy-s-i9000/i9000-development/rom-t3054101

It asked me to reboot recovery many times and complained with a bunch of errors but basically you just ignore all of those errors and keep rebooting and flashing the same .zip again. Eventually you won't see those errors any more at all and the rom will flash flawlessly with the included Aroma/TWRP etc. and voilá! You will have upgraded your old i9000 from 'x' firmware to 'y' firmware (hopefully better). Congratulations on breathing life back into your i9000! Galaxy S! Now you can give it to your mum or something!

Please just hit 'THANKS' if this helped you. I don't need any more, or any less.​

Edit: Added some pictures for proof that this works.

The attached CMD picture is what it should look like when the command executed properly and the Semaphore_2.7.4 Kernel was installed. Also it shows the error I got in Step 12 before I used the driver program to change the libusbx drivers so I could flash it properly.

The other pictures show how the installation process looks for Unofficial OMNI ROM, including the Boot logo, and the top image is just a readout of the 'About Device' pane.

========= QUICK FAQ: =========

Q Can I PM you for help?

A: I'd rather not. I don't use the forums much. Post here and maybe I or others can help you out. Also check the README.txt files in the package you downloaded.

Q: The files aren't available any more, can you reupload them?

A: Maybe, ask in the thread. Everything in the package was downloaded from other places: Old 2.3.6 Firmware from Sammobile + Kernel from the above Wiki link etc. Heimdall from Google.

Q: Does this work for the i9001 (Galaxy S+)?

A: Probably not. Try it yourself at your own risk.

Q: Does Wi-Fi/Something else work?

A: Wi-Fi does, see the top picture. As for other stuff, I don't know, try it for yourself and see!

Q: I prefer using TWRP Recovery for this phone an-

A: I don't care. I tried 4 other custom recoveries and none of them worked except the one I listed.​