[Galaxy Tab 2 General] billysam:
Recovery Mode Way

Recovering from a custom recovery

Important Part​

Creating Nandroid Backup - This is the most important thing that you will ever need, and will always regret not having it when you chose this path, should be the first priority.

Not Noob Friendly

if you have that same custom Rom zip that you would like to restore the backup of, then there is no need to copy/backup /system partition again, it will save you some space. so you can skip it in that case for TWRP.

if you're only going to modify device kernel - backup boot. or just data if you already have the custom Rom with kernel.

other than that twrp offers what CWM lacked, skip md5 generation during backup well this is a good option and saves some time while backup, on restoring you can also enable or disable it. the purpose of this is simple, md5 is like a security/seal on your backup file, so you don't mess up anything while restoring it on your device. after all you never know when a virus might attack or you might put the wrong files on it. if you are sure about your talents, you can skip it or else it's better to let it generate and verify while restore. CWM has this setup as default.

Now you have one? GREAT! GENIUS!! Now whenever you encounter a problem make sure you can use it like a BOSS.

Restore Nandroid Backup

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Wiping Part - Steer Clear the problems away

this is where wipe takes place[PIC]

here are the wipes options on a custom recovery

Factory reset - Wipes cache, dalvik, data/ excluding your media part on the internal drive.(your pics, videos are safe)

this will generally clear you problems if they are not some big issues. but you will lose the apps and contacts messages stored.

Advanced wipe - Format system

you can try to do this first if you don't want to lose your data while troubleshooting.

format system if you're facing issues with the files on system partition, but remember to install the same Rom you had earlier. if you had stock, you will need a stock Rom zip not to forget keeping the file ready beforehand on the external SD card.

Beware while navigating in advance wipe menu, never wipe in a hurry, never drink and wipe, never take eyes off here, cause you might end up touching external SD card, USB-OTG, internal storage and lose your precious data

Format data - this wipes the data partition

problems arising from the data partition side could be solved here, but you lose your precious data on the internal and get rid of the bad, virus, trojans, trouble making apps.​

Now Comes the Installing part

Installing Menu​

You download a copy of a custom Rom or stock Rom, after following the developer's thread, reading through it's bugs and reviews. you don't want a unstable or alpha Roms.

There would be installing process explained on that thread follow it and always make sure that inside the zip file it contains a meta-inf and system folder with boot.img) always look inside before going to flash, don't trust me, don't trust anyone. although

if you tried to flash a firmware zip file containing a .img file, without Meta-Inf folder, it won't flash. cause the custom recovery needs instructions from updater-script. Now, I know this was mostly going on like this before, but now with latest custom recoveries, (twrp) you can even flash .img files without needing a zip.

You perform a Clean Install wipe stated in the wipe section above

Reboot to Recovery(Don't select reboot to system, there is no system after clean wipe)

You browse through the files list and external storage,

Find that zip file and

Swipe or press or touch to flash it.

You wait for it to complete the process then

You can wipe/cache/dalvik and reboot or you just reboot. depends on what you choose "clean install" or "dirty install".

You want to report any errors while flashing? you are free to do so on the Rom thread, don't expect me to solve those cases.

If all went well, reboot to system and your tab should be up running again. if not refer to the Download mode Way.