Why does Samsung Kies say that my device does not support software upgrading via kies? I bought a Galaxy Ace. It initially came with:


Gingerbread 2.3.3
Build is GINGERBREAD.XWPKY, for regions France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, UK
Unrooted


With that, let me add that I am from the Philippines. And I know that there's a 2.3.4 Asian ROM update (DXKPD) as per here:
http://www.pinoytechblog.com/archives/have-you-updated-your-samsung-galaxy-phones-to-gingerbread-yet

But Kies doesn't show any update. So I thought that Samsung has not released an update for that European region, and concluded that I might need to change it to my region. (Although my local carrier was able to send me GPRS settings while under this region).

So that's what I did. I used Odin on 2 attempts I did so far. I flashed it FIRST with a different region ROM (Germany, I think). SECOND time, I got it right. I now have 2.3.4 GINGERBREAD.DXKPD via Odin and using an OFFICIAL 2.3.4 Asian ROM from this page (MediaFire link):
http://rumah-android.com/new-stock-rom-android-2-3-4-s5830dxkpd-for-asia.html

Here's what troubles me.


Regardless if there's an update or not, Samsung Kies tells me that I couldn't update my firmware even if it's an official ROM.
I can't get GPRS settings now that the region's changed.


Finally, the questions:


Is it possible that my phone is locked to that European region? Is there such a thing?
Or did I use an unofficial ROM?
What should I do next from here?


I'm sorry this is too long. I'm confused and I just need clarifications. I hope I made myself clear. Thanks in advance.
Fortunately there is no region-locking for phones, just carrier locking.

If your phone came with European firmware then you should probably stick with European firmware.  Ideally you'd be able to find something from your carrier even if it was re-packaged by someone for Odin.

As for your network settings, there are a couple possibilities.  You may need to supply the APN information, which you can usually find by doing a web search for "&lt;carrier&gt; apn" or similar.  You might also need to flash a different modem if the one you have is buggy or otherwise incompatible with your device/carrier.