[Samsung Galaxy Tab Plus] garyd9:
Updated 14-Dec-2011: I'm posting an updated recovery, "20111213" (I compiled it yesterday) below. I'm not going to bother cleaning up this entire post with updated information, as I'm just too tired right now. Please read the post, then read the "Changes" section towards the bottom... then download the update (if you want.) Probably this weekend some time, I'm going to be consolidating the posts for all 3 models of this device into a single post with three download links. (I'm trying to get them all in sync with each other.)

**** USE AT YOUR OWN RISK ****

The following is posted so that I may share what I've done. It was done by me and for me. If you use it for you, then you take responsibility for whatever happens. This could, potentially, cause problems. It certainly will void your warranty (though it's pretty easy to undo this with no obvious signs.)

Install ClockworkMod Recovery and roots your T869 (tmobile galaxy tab 7 plus) tablet.

WHAT THIS DOES:

Installed from recovery, this .zip will first ensure that it's running on the Samsung/TMobile SGH-T869. If you have a different model, don't waste your time downloading it. It won't work. I do NOT have this tablet to test with, and a special thanks to shadejinx for doing the testing. That being said, he tells me that the backup and restore both work okay. However, there is an issue with rebooting back into recovery (see Post Installation notes and Issues.) If you want to try this, you should have the knowledge to repair whatever you break - in which case you'll also have the knowledge to unpack this zip file and do things the manual way.

So, once it knows that it's working on the proper type of tablet, this package will make a backup copy of your existing recovery image, and place it in your internal storage with the name starting with "recovery_backup" and ending with the version of the recovery package you installed. For example, recovery_backup_20111206.img.

Next, a new version of the clockwork mod recovery is installed.

Then, the script will look for and delete any existing clockworkMod recovery backups that you have sitting around. Why? Because I'm re-using the script I wrote for the GT-P6210 tab... read that thread if it matters. Once my CWM-based recovery is installed, overwriting it with the same or newer versions won't delete the backups anymore.

Finally, the tab will be rooted. This only involves copying a tiny file (called 'su') to the system. In order for most android apps to make use of that, however, another application must be first installed. (See "Finishing SuperUser installation" below.) I considered putting that "SuperUser" application as part of this package, but it's really very easy to get it from the market.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Put the installation zip file on your tablet's external SD card. If you don't have an external SD card, you won't be able to install this. MicroSD cards are cheap. If you have a tablet that costs 399 USD, you can afford to spend a few extra dollars/euros/pesos/whatever on a microSD card. Just get one. Not only is it required for installing this from the factory recovery, but it makes a great place to back things up to. A nice 16GB card is suggested. 32GB is better. You'll need AT LEAST 1GB for this recovery.

You can download the .zip file directly to your tablet and then possibly use the built in "My files" applet to move it to extStorages/SdCard, or you could download it to your computer and use "adb" to push the file to /mnt/sdcard/extStorages/SdCard, or you should be able to get it there with "Kies." If you have the proper adapter, you could also attach the microSD card directly to your computer and just copy it there. It doesn't matter HOW you get it on the card, as long as it's on the card.

After the zip file is on your microSD card, and the microSD card is inside (and recognized by) your tablet, then you need to...

Boot into recovery mode.

If the recovery version banner is "CWM-based Recovery v5.x.x.x", then you already have a version of CWM installed and should skip ahead to the proper section. If the banner is "Android system recovery (3e)", then you have the factory recovery and should continue with...

Installing from factory (3e) recovery:

Use the volume up/down buttons to move the highlight up and down, and the power button to select the highlighted option.

1. Select "apply update from external storage"

2. Select the file you placed on your storage card (starts with "t869_CWMR".)

3. Sit back and watch it run. Read the information that is being sent to the screen. If there's an error, it'll display some message. If it works, it'll display a message starting with the word "Done!"

4. Select "reboot system now."

You now have a CWM-based recovery installed, and your tablet is rooted.

Please skip ahead to "Finishing SuperUser installation"

---------------------------------------------

Installing from CWM-based Recovery

Use the volume up/down buttons to move the highlight up and down, and the power button to select the highlighted option.

1. Select "Install zip from sdcard"

2. Select "choose zip from internal sdcard" (which will actually point to the external card.)

3. Select the file you placed on your storage card (starts with "t869_CWMR".)

4. Select "Yes - Install (whatever filename you selected)"

5. Sit back and watch it run. Read the information that is being sent to the screen. If there's an error, it'll display some message. If it works, it'll display a message starting with the word "Done!"

6. Select "+++++ Go Back +++++"

7. Select "reboot system now."

---------------------------------------------

Finishing SuperUser installation

Install the SuperUser application directly from the android market:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.noshufou.android.su

....

Post-installation Notes and Issues

I'm aware that after flashing this, it is difficult to get back into recovery. I'm not sure WHY, but it's fairly consistantly a pain in the rear. However, I have found that following the steps in the following post seems to work (at least for me) 9 out of 10 times. (I was distracted on the 10th try, so not sure if it worked or not): http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=20074586&postcount=14

Update: According to shadejinx, this doesn't work for the SGH-T869. However, there's an alternative way, but you must have adb installed: Connect your tablet to the PC you have adb installed on, and power down the tablet. (A full power off - not just standby.) You'll notice that your tablet really isn't fully powered down, as there's a battery icon smack in the middle of the screen. It's in a "low power mode", and "adb" can still talk to it. Use adb to send the following command: "adb reboot recovery". You'll end up in recovery.

Remember above I mentioned that when this package installs, it creates a backup of the old recovery? Well, it does that no matter what recovery was in place. So, if you install this package with a factory recovery, that backup will be of the factory recovery (which is probably what you want.) If you install this package a second time when you already have the CWM Recovery installed, you'll overwrite that factory recovery backup with a backup of the CWM recovery (which makes no sense.) I'd strongly suggest that after you FIRST install this package, you make a copy of that backup recovery image file (and full filename is displayed when it's created), and stick that copy someplace safe. Perhaps just rename it and copy it to your SDcard or computer. A good name might be "t689_factory_recovery.img"

Donation?

I don't take donations. If you have spare money (I don't), please donate it to the Salvation Army, Red Cross, or just find a homeless person on the street and give them something. My favorite charity is the Shriner's Hospital for Children. (yes, I am.) If you'd like to thank me, there's a button at the bottom of this post dedicated to that. If you don't want to thank me, that's okay too.

Changes for 20111213:

* A backup of the existing recovery image is no longer being made. I feel this is no longer needed, as an ODIN package is now confirmed to be working that people can use to restore their tablets to a factory state.

* Old clockworkmod recovery backups are no longer being deleted when installing this. If you are installing this or newer from my CWM recovery previous to Dec 9th, 2011, please manually delete all those old backups. If you attempt to restore them, please be prepared to download ODIN and a factory ODIN image, as you'll need it in order to get your tablet working again. You've been warned...

* Issues with getting into recovery are resolved. (after this update, you shouldn't need to use adb while the tablet is powered down.)

Here's the link for the recovery/root .zip (for the tmobile SGH-689)

version 20111213: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?oro674o2881kw54

old versions:

version 20111206: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?07ucaimq8qs6q05

Take care

Gary