Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Will add that yes, you need to be sure re LETTERS/NUMBERS when noting model # in KIES or Kies3.
My Galaxy S3 GT-I9305 (that's the letter "I" in there, not a 1) turns out to work with Kies 3 not KIES.
Not sure what exactly went wrong but lost all texts.... Bummer...