thai samsung galaxy spica asian software problem

help. i bought a galaxy spica from a department store(not a market) in Phuket last year, when i got home and tried to connect to the pc to transfer files etc, it wouldn't connect. i contacted an authorized Samsung repair place in UK. they took the s/n , model and all necessary ID numbers and validated it authenticity, they said it was a software fault and would need to reinstall the software. the next day they called to tell me as it was bought in Thailand, it would have different software inside than the European ones (?) and as it was from thailand my warranty wouldnt cover it as it was used in Europe (??) he said that even if he tried to install new software (which he wouldnt because they would not get paid for the repair) it still may not work as it may have different hardware inside..(?) how could i try to do it myself...? at the moment i am left with a phone that is virtually useless and if it goes pear shaped i have lost nothing... i have windows 7 lots of hdd space 4g ram ???????????