Recent Android convert - Kies connection and workarounds

[AylenS]

I've recently bought a Galaxy Note and am enjoying learning my way round the Android world. One immediate problem has been my inability to get the device to be recognised by Kies. I've tries all the fiddles (usb debugging/disallow usb debugging etc etc) with no success. I've finally given up and installed Wondershare Wondergo. It seems to work although it doesn't provide much that I can't do via Explorer.
My question is, how will go about updating firmware and the O/S itself, especially if I'm not keen on rooting my device (yet). I gather all legit upgrades come via Kies. Any help would be much appreciated.
Win 7 32bit.
Android 2.3.6

 

[powermzii]

You could try CheckFus Downloader. it should recognize the Note and also accesses the legit firmware from Samsung

Edit :Link

 

[AylenS]

Check Fus seems great - thanks

This seems perfect as a solution! When it says it checks "firmware" does that mean that it picks up on minor and more major (Android version upgrades) as well?

 

[powermzii]

So far when i have used it its only picked up on the version changes from 2.3.3 - 2.3.4 - 2.3.5 etc. It hasnt picked up the move to 4 but probably because Samsung hasn't released an "official" version just yet