[Galaxy Tab General] alexnguyen018:
There are many guides out there on how to root your Tab, but I wanted to create one that explains the process in extremely detailed instructions to help new comers. Most guides I see have many ambiguities in them that would cause noobs to get stuck on and panic. I wanted to create a guide that makes them feel comfortable rooting their Tab, knowing that all the information is in front of them. (These instructions are meant for Galaxy Tabs that are running stock firmware that have not received any updates from their carriers and so forth. Specifically, these instructions were tested on newly bought Tabs from T-Mobile USA)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab can be rooted quite easily using an application (app) called z4root. The app can be downloaded here:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=833953 (Scroll down to the end of the FIRST post and you'll see the file under "Attached Files"

This guide will help you root your Tab using this app. The instructions that I will be providing are EXTREMELY detailed and will help anyone new to rooting accomplish this on their Tab(s) quite easily. Make sure to follow my instructions carefully so you don't miss anything and I guarantee you'll be successful. Let's begin!

1. Download the z4root app from the link above either from your Tab or a computer (I suggest using a computer to download it. You'll have to create an account on the website if you don't already have one in order to download the file. Once downloaded, transfer the file to your Tab using the data cable that came with it. Select "Mass Storage" on your Tab when prompted. I suggest copying the file into the main directory of your Tab [Tab's internal storage, not microSD card])

2. Once the file is on your Tab, search for an application called "ASTRO file manager" on the Android Market. Download and install it.

3. In order to install the downloaded z4root app, you'll need to:

Go to SETTINGS > APPLICATIONS > and check "UNKNOWN SOURCES"

4. Launch ASTRO and use it to navigate to the downloaded z4root file. If you downloaded the file from your Tab, it should be in the "DOWNLOAD" folder. If you transfered the file using a computer, just navigate to wherever it is you copied the file to.

Once you find it, select it. Choose "Open App Manager." Now choose "Install."

5. Go to SETTINGS > DEVELOPMENT > and check "USB debugging." Launch z4root then select the "PERMANENT" root option. The application should take anywhere between 30 seconds - 1 minute to successfully root your Tab. Once it's done, it should reboot your Tab automatically. (NOTE: If z4root gets stuck on the screen that says "Rebooting..." for more than about 5 minutes, try pressing the HOME button on your Tab. If you can get back to the home screen, manually reboot the Tab yourself. If the Tab is completely frozen at the "Rebooting..." screen, force the Tab off by holding the Power Button for about 6 seconds, or until the Tab shuts off then turn it back on.

6. Once the Tab is back on, open up the APPLICATIONS drawer. You should see an app called "SUPERUSER." If you see this application, then you're done! You have successfully ROOTED your Galaxy Tab. Nice work! If you don't see SUPERUSER, go back and repeat Steps 5 and 6.

Congratulations, you're now free to modify your Tab in ways that will enhance it's speed and performance by a great deal. The next thing that you would probably want to do to your Tab is to flash (install) an EXT4 kernel. This will convert the Tab's proprietary RFS file system to the EXT4 file system, which will increase speed and performance by a lot. Once you do that, it will be time to flash a ROM that has enhancements and modifications built into it that meets your needs. Rooting and flashing these ROMs will help you get the most out of your Tab. Tutorials like this one for flashing the EXT4 kernel and custom ROMs will be coming soon. Stay tuned!

If you have any questions, please contact me here on XDA for further assistance. Good luck!