Database Users

Galaxy Tab on 3 Network UK - Can it be flashed with custom rom?

Hi there,
I'm very much a noob to flashing, but i have read many guides, i'm just unclear to whether my Tab which in 3 Network can be flashed? would love a custom rom
Hope to hear from you soon
Many thanks

Yes, mine's on 3 and running Roto's JMI V2 without a problem

hi there, thats great!
sorry to be a pain! i have rooted my tab using z4root, may i ask what i should do now? do i need to download clockworkmod? or do anythin specific?

okay, i have no idea what i'm doing now, i'm download overcome rom 1.20, to flash the rom i will need clockworkmod recovery? how do i install that?

i also have downloaded Roto's JMI V2, should i just copy it to SD card, rebot to recovery and update? bare in mind havent got clockworkmod installed? HELP completely lost

how do i get clockwork mod on my galaxy tab????

By not pestering the forum for a start
Go get Paul's CWM kernel from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=925760
That will install CWM and convert your filesystem to ext4. Then you can flash ROM's to your hearts content

Topic reported, it's becoming a real pain to find topics like this in the Development forum seriously...

TheGrammarFreak said:
By not pestering the forum for a start
Go get Paul's CWM kernel from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=925760
That will install CWM and convert your filesystem to ext4. Then you can flash ROM's to your hearts content
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that...as odin doesnt work for i.e doesnt connect, so i use heimdall-frontend which does connect...i boot in to download mode...send Kernal above, reboot, and it stays at boot screen, so i have to resend another kernal for it to work again but no CWM STILL

its is impossible to put clockwork mod on this tab, or a custom rom i'm sure of it..nothing seems to work

memaxt said:
its is impossible to put clockwork mod on this tab, or a custom rom i'm sure of it..nothing seems to work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I presume you've not flashed anything prior to this? i.e. you don't have locked bootloaders which would prevent you flashing a new kernel? You can install this tool to check. Many people here have flashed a replacement kernel (I highly recommend modaco) that contains CWM without any issues, so you may want to explain carefully and in more detail the steps you're taking - how you're flashing, and what responses you get back.

First off i want to say sorry for constant posting! & annoyance, i shall now STOP! yay..learnt my lesson
Anywho i have FINALLY managed to Root / Flash a custom rom to my Tab on the 3 netowrk using Odin..the problem i had was with my USB port as it would only connect using the main USB ports on the back of the computer, anywho many appologies and thanks!!

cwm

I just bought my tab i know alot about the fascinate i use but never had a tab. I have the verizon cdma tab and i have already rooted. I need to know how to get clockwork recovery on it to flash roms.... thanks in advance

CWM
Check out this thread. Should be all you need along with a tweaked kernel. I have the fascinate so I thought the Tab would the same, but the thread and info organization is not where it needs to be in this forum.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=941781
Enjoy.

I figured out the rooting and custom recovery but the kernel you said is the one i have tried 6 times 3 different methods and it always bricks my phone completely thankfully i found what i needed to un-brick using heimdall but the kernel never boots and it breaks cwm as well so leaves me using heimdal to take it back to stock

Recovery / Bootloader

Ok, i realize i have a different phone from this thread but it is close and my problems closely reflect the issues ive seen with the Galaxy S.
A little background. Im no perfect i know what im doing when it comes to rooting. I have an HTC Tbolt and rooted many of those, an older touch pro 2, and this is first time doing a samsung. I am getting the hang of ODIN (i wish everyone would just use this program instead of bouncing back and forth between heimdall and ODIn but whatever) Im liking ODIN cause it works well. I was successful at flashing a new rom into this Samsung phone. 95% of it worked, wifi i think didnt but everything else worked. While trying to fix the phones wifi somehow i have stopped the phone from booting into CMW recovery unless forced or booting into a rom. I can get into CMW but i must hold down the Vol Down button to get there, otherwise a clean basic boot takes me to the stock android system recovery screen and will not boot a rom.
I have something backwards or out of order. I am just trying to get the rom to identify the installed CMW and the installed ROM through CMW but it wont do it.
Any help would be appreciated, i dont want my GF to find out i jacked her phone lol

Which phone do you have? SGS? I can just talk about SGS+ but I guess its similiar.
Try to install CWM with Odin, normally it should replace the stock recovery (haven't heard of both running at once).
Once you have installed CWM you can install your custom ROM with CWM (look at the install instructions).
If you want to install stock ROM with Odin it will replace your CWM with stock Recovery.
Post the link of the thread/recovery you want to flash.

annqx said:
Which phone do you have? SGS? I can just talk about SGS+ but I guess its similiar.
Try to install CWM with Odin, normally it should replace the stock recovery (haven't heard of both running at once).
Once you have installed CWM you can install your custom ROM with CWM (look at the install instructions).
If you want to install stock ROM with Odin it will replace your CWM with stock Recovery.
Post the link of the thread/recovery you want to flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a stratosphere. Im using the root and / or stock files in the root method. I use ODIN to flash the StratCWMRecovery.tar.md5 and if i tick "reboot" then it reboots into CWM i install a rom or stock rom and it finishes. I reboot the phone and it instantly goes back to android system recovery. If you like ill make a short video to give you an idea of whats going on.
I will note that im close to making a jig but its not 100% bricked obviously. 3 button method still works (and unecessary at this point since all the phone does is go straight into the stock bootloader) and then after i install CWM i can force it in to CWM but it wont actualy boot into it.
From a programing standpoint i feel the pointers or partitions are incorrect. Its like booting a computer that has a hard drive with windows installed however getting the bios to tell it to boot from the hard drive isnt working. THats the easiest way to explain this.
One thing i want to note is the only errors i am getting are when i try to partition the SD card from CWM. I get an error saying sdparted is not found.
I am not getting a full understanding of how the root system works on this phone.
Again any help is appreciated.
Made a short video. Its uploading now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFZ5Adm5AdQ

So whatever i did i was able to fix. I think me being a very visual person and normally having access to all files i need or could use in a situation is always nice. Here, i didnt but i found them. Here's the link. Its obviously for stratosphere but i took about 10 minutes and let ODIN install all these files and it worked.
original posting but the link doesnt work for download
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/11183-eh2-full-factory-odin-restore/
where i downloaded it
http://www.fileswap.com/dl/t4D235pUTO/SCH-I405.EH2_rel.md5.html
Again this is for stratosphere. Since it really helped me return to stock and allow me to re root in about 15 minutes this thread should be moved but there is no stratosphere area

How to install custom rom/recovery for Acer a500?

I just rooted my Acer iconia tab a500. I am on the official ics 4.0.3. Can anyone provide step by step guide how to install custom rom for this tablet? Also which custom rom that you recommended? I thanks
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Please, me too. I just bought mine too and is rooted, but my cell phones were much easier than the tablets. Either that or I just don't have the patients anymore. Maybe a dummies way to install custom rooms on a500? Lol.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app

fe1ixs said:
I just rooted my Acer iconia tab a500. I am on the official ics 4.0.3. Can anyone provide step by step guide how to install custom rom for this tablet? Also which custom rom that you recommended? I thanks
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
slayinu said:
Please, me too. I just bought mine too and is rooted, but my cell phones were much easier than the tablets. Either that or I just don't have the patients anymore. Maybe a dummies way to install custom rooms on a500? Lol.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi guys welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the acer tab!!!!
Things are very different with this device, whats 'normal' for other android devices is not 'normal' for our tab!!!!
So first of all, dont try installing cwm or a rom the 'normal-this-is-the-way-I-did--it-on-myphone', you will end up with a brick!!!
2nd, you both have working systems at present, so we'll try to keep it that way.
Open up a file explorer and navigate to this:
/sys/firmware/fuse/acer_cpuid
One of the first things that are different is this: acer_cpuid
It should look something like this:
288424344009597 - now u need to add a 'zero' to the front:
0288424344009597 - this is your cpuid, back it up in multiple places if need be, just dont ever lose it - IF anything 'goes wrong' at any time you will NEED this number to save your tab from eternal brickdom!!
3rd once you do get your 'cpuid' go to the 'sbk generator' here.
This generates your 'sbk' or secure boot key and will give you something like this:
0x93588800 0x33CE8901 0x0BED6D03 0x30737899.....
OK then, now you have your cpuid/sbk you can start thinkning about what rom you want to install on your tab.......
Read the OP(Original Post) of your desired rom. This will tell you EVERYTHING you need in order to flash it - remembering always that 'Acer' does not do things the 'normal' way!!!!!!
Most of the custom ICS/JB roms on here all require the 'patched / unlocked bootloader'... In fact, even installing a custom recovery, cwm, twrp or public recovery, for the first time....will require the BL to be 'patched' first....and yes, even flashing this is not done the 'normal' way....tho the process can be complicated there are PLENTY of guides and auto tools to make it easier for you....
The 'patched bootloader flash' will also include a 'custom recovery' too, and you can choose from 3-4 options....amazing but i'd advise to use cwm 1.7.3, until u get up and running, after that you can go crazy flashing anything you like!!
So basically there are 5 main steps to getting a custom rom installed.
1. Install the Acer Drivers and the android_sdk drivers
2. Get your cpuid and generate your 'sbk'
3. Your desired rom is on your external sd card
4. Put your tab in 'apx mode' which allows u access to download mode
5. Install the patched v8 bootloader/recovery - either manually using nvFlash or using the auto tools.
Personally I prefer the manual nvFlash method, if you get an error it will at least give you an error message...the auto tools will just get 'stuck'
Check the 'bootloader' thread OP for a guide to manual nvFlash and the patched bootloader package here
There is also a step-by-step in my sig!!!
If you want to use the auto tools then apxFlash tool, or afterOTA tool you can find both in the 'bootloader' thread. And a step by step for apxflash tool also in my sig....or this excellent one here by user jdgM3NT4L here...
please be sure to read these posts very carefully and if there is something you do not understand then please dont hesitate to ask , there are plenty on here who will help you thru the process....AND its easier to offer help at this point rather than trying to do so when you've bricked it.....
As far as roms are concerned, you cant go past 'civato's FLEX roms' very stable and no issues i'm on cm10 and havent had a problem with it.....Of course it depends on what you require but I'd start with one of the flex ones.
Most peeps here have no trouble with this process, those that do, usually try things the 'normal' way, then find out they need their cpuid/sbk to get out of trouble and of course they dont have it....this makes things most difficult.... there are a few tabs with motherboard issues that have needed to be sent to acer....other than that, he only other issue you may have are driver related, check out the cpuid thread for anything driver related and lots of other background info too....theres also a zip file there that has a mini-sdk kit, to save u downloading the full android-sdk....
i think thats all i can think of at the moment, sorry for the long post and all the caps and bold text - just trying to save you alot of unnecessary grief...
Good luck with it all and remember....in this forum things are not 'normal' :laugh::laugh:

Wow, a lot of stuff to do just to flash a from huh. Lol
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app

Lol, as always preparation determines the success of the final outcome....and yeah with the tab 95% of yr time and energy is spent preparing!!! The actual flashing process takes only a few minutes...
Of course u could revert to hc 3.1 where everything is 'normal' i.e. one click root, flash cwm, flash rom, done....
Gosh, even hc 3.2 was locked down and unrootable....
So in the grand scheme for us to even be able to have stable ICS roms, let alone cm10 on the a50x.is.purely down to those wonderfully clever devs we have here..who were never gonna let a.locked bl, get in their way..
OK its complex I'll admit, but stock ICS is c**p and the lives of our tabs extended past wot Acer ever thought....and guys like gersma and.blackthund3r have built auto tools to make things easier
Anyways, its.well worth the
effort and is actually alot simpler to do than it is to describe how to do it...think of.trying to explain how to ride a bike and writing all those steps out....much easier to help them thru it by just getting them on the darn thing and doing it....dontcha think??
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah, I hear ya loud and clear. I wouldn't mind goin back to stock 3.1 , I kinda liked the hc. Ohwell
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 07:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:21 PM ----------
But as soon as I get home on my PC I'll start trying out this method. Hopefully I don't end up with a paper weight. Lol. Thank you very much for your response on this subject.
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app

Well, I could give u a a d/l link for 3.1 if u really do wanna go back....but I think gersma's afterOTA tool can do it too, tho I've Neva used it for that so can't really comment....
Oh, one other thing, you'll wanna back up all yr personal stuff, music, photo's and wot not especially going from one build to another, and most of the custom ROMs require a complete wipe and format of yr data partition too before install, just so u know!!
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah ,I'll take the link, I liked it better than 4.0.3 is it an original , or a rooted
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app

slayinu said:
Yeah ,I'll take the link, I liked it better than 4.0.3 is it an original , or a rooted
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its factory stock but easy to root and get cwm installed, will have to w8 till i get home 2nyt to upload....
oh there myt be one in blackthund3rs stock rom thread in dev forum...i think
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

wow dibb, thank you so much for a helpful response!! Really enlightened me about how far off I was about the update process (compared to updating phones) and yet close enough to what I had to go thru for the Viewsonic GTab.
I'm currently on stock 4.0.3 rooted for A500. I have obtained my cpuid and SBK. When I go to recovery mode, I see a droid with triangle and exclamation mark. I tried flashing twrp but I still saw the same droid. I now know that I need to flash a different bootloader with recovery included.
My question is that if I flash the new bootloader which will allow me to put a custom recovery, during that process will my current ROM be removed or wiped out? If so, what do you recommend for backing up the app in the current stock ROM? Titanium Backup? BTW, I don't have an external SD card; all I'm using is the internal 8GB
Thank you for your help!!

def need external SD , it will help out alot
Sent from my A500 using xda app-developers app

artbybart said:
wow data, thank you so much for a helpful response!! Really enlightened me about how far off I was about the update process (compared to updating phones) and yet close enough to what I had to go thru for the Viewsonic GTab.
I'm currently on stock 4.0.3 rooted for A500. I have obtained my cpuid and SBK. When I go to recovery mode, I see a droid with triangle and exclamation mark. I tried flashing twrp but I still saw the same droid. I now know that I need to flash a different bootloader with recovery included.
My question is that if I flash the new bootloader which will allow me to put a custom recovery, during that process will my current ROM be removed or wiped out? If so, what do you recommend for backing up the app in the current stock ROM? Titanium Backup? BTW, I don't have an external SD card; all I'm using is the internal 8GB
Thank you for your help!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes u need the v8 bootloader to get a recovery installed...
Always check the original post of the rom you install for special instructions regarding bootloaders.....this applies to all custom Roms even stock pre rooted ones.
Yup TB to back up yr apps and data - dont restore immediately...make sure everything is stable first.
If u dont have an ext. SD card, the EUU method doesn't require one, and as slayinu said, it would make it easier if u had one especially for the update.zip methid

Im sorry...
I have the a500 running ota 4.0.3....well from the official app. I have it rooted and running superuser yet I downloaded the Acer recovery installer app from the market and get the recovery verified failed message when booting into any custom recovery and the dead android with the exclamation mark....I know I need a patched or an unlocked boot loader but I cannot find one I downloaded the afterota but it doesn't do anything on my computer...idk what to do the frustration is gonna make me break this thing and just go buy a newer tab running jb ....help please!

famousnerd1 said:
I have the a500 running ota 4.0.3....well from the official app. I have it rooted and running superuser yet I downloaded the Acer recovery installer app from the market and get the recovery verified failed message when booting into any custom recovery and the dead android with the exclamation mark....I know I need a patched or an unlocked boot loader but I cannot find one I downloaded the afterota but it doesn't do anything on my computer...idk what to do the frustration is gonna make me break this thing and just go buy a newer tab running job....help please!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems weird afterota "doesn't do anything"...did you install the drivers?? Did it give u yr cpuid/sbk you cannot do anything without this AND if u muck things up its the only thing that will get u unbricked? Are u using a micro USB cable? Do u have USB debug enabled?
If u go to the root guide in my sig you'll find d.load links and all the guides to help u install the v8....take special note of the boot.p file u need to rename or delete in /system....
For more info on getting yr cpuid/sbk see the cpuid guide in my SIG or the sticky in dev forum...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

obviously..
I'm too dumb to figure this out...idk how to get my cpuid none of the ways in your "where's my cpuid"guide worked.I don't want to stay stuck on ota 4.0.3 but apparently I have to..thanks for your time and your advice,unfortunately I wasn't able to use it properly.

Well, it seems it's not just you being dumb ...
I tried the same - original OTA 4.0.3 and rooted my A500. Now tried to use the 'AfterOTA'-Tools, but getting stuck in step 3 of 4 (maybe i just need to insert a SD-Card in the Tab?).
Just got no idea, what to do now - the only thing i know is: before flashing, i need a open bootloader, but i've got no idea how to do that. The Guide linked in this posts: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425 is just confusing me more and more
After a reading a few times, it seems to me, that MY next step should be:
"Automated flashing tool" (STEP 5= Going into APX mode see Q&A or use A500 manager)
-1-Reboot your tablet and make sure on your tablet: "Settings" -> "Applications" -> "Development" -> "USB debugging" switch on.
[...]
-It will ask if you are ready (click yes if you are)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it correct, that THIS will help me to patch/open the bootloader?
Or do i just have to follow this as a next step to create a patched bootloader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25891744&postcount=44 ?

voodoo441 said:
Well, it seems it's not just you being dumb ...
I tried the same - original OTA 4.0.3 and rooted my A500. Now tried to use the 'AfterOTA'-Tools, but getting stuck in step 3 of 4 (maybe i just need to insert a SD-Card in the Tab?).
Just got no idea, what to do now - the only thing i know is: before flashing, i need a open bootloader, but i've got no idea how to do that. The Guide linked in this posts: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1622425 is just confusing me more and more
After a reading a few times, it seems to me, that MY next step should be:
"Automated flashing tool" (STEP 5= Going into APX mode see Q&A or use A500 manager)
Is it correct, that THIS will help me to patch/open the bootloader?
Or do i just have to follow this as a next step to create a patched bootloader:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=25891744&postcount=44 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi voodoo, no, neither of you are being dumb!!! It CAN be a complicated procedure, we try to make our guides 'simple' but theres ALOT that can go wrong
Yes the last link you posted will flash the patched bootloader!!!
- but basically this is what SHOULD happen
Note: The only way to get a custom ICS rom on your tab is with the v8 bootloader by skrilx_cz. This must be flashed via nvFlash/apx mode.
Note:The only way to install a custom recovery like cwm or twrp etc is with v8 bootloader.
Note: You cannot use Acer Recovery Installer unless you have the v8 installed.
Note: Rom Manager does not support our Acer Tabs...please don't use it to flash 'anything'!!
OK heres an overall view of the process:
1. Install Acer and adb/fastboot drivers
2. Retrieve your CPUID...
3. ...and use it to generate your SBK
4. Download your ICS or JB rom and copy to your sd card (internal or external)
5. Enter apx mode to begin the flash!!! or use apxFlash tool
5. Use balckthund3rs apxFlash tool and follow the instructions: hint: dump and save your bct!!!
5. If using civato's manual nvFlash method - Put your tab in apx mode and run the .bat file
5. AfterOTA Tool is only for those tabs which have OTA'ed to ICS!!!
The main issues you will have with the actual flashing process itself is a partitioning error or a bct error - and both of these are easily fixed...UNLESS your tab in one of the few with a hardware fault which only a new motherboard can remedy
Once you get the big white "PASS" on your tab, boot straight to your new custom recovery, do the FULL WIPES and flash your new rom....DONE!!!

Well ... i now used AfterOTA - but not in a virtual machine - now just natively installed on my macbook via bootcamp (windows). Worked. I now have a V8-Bootloader (the tab shows me this when iam booting it up).
Whats the next step to flash a new ROM? Iam ready to do that? Or is there any other step needed by now?
Regards, Tom
Edit:
I now just tried flashing a custom rom - so i copied the *.zip to my USB-Stick (FAT32) - because i read, i can use an USB-Stick as an micro-sd card.
Tried booting into recovery-kernel - worked for me, but the only thing i can see: a lying android with an red sign ("!").
Did i something wrong?

Oh dear....if u had a stock rom on there then its overwritten
your newly flashed recovery....you need to delete or rename
the "boot.p file" in /system..then reflash the v8...
The very next step should be to enter recovery and flash your
desired rom....

So, it now just works everything.
Used Acer Recovery-Manager to re-flash the recovery - worked fine for me.
But: i tried several 4.1 and 4.2-ROMS ... is it correct, that there's no Google Marketplace anymore on 4.1 and 4.2?

Verizon SCH-i815 unbricking help / need a kernel w. aroma

Hi,
I had edited my build.prop and it bricked my pad. I was told to look for a kernel with aroma file manager. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find one that's for the Verizon SCH-i815 version. I would chalk it up to my inexperience, so i was hoping someone could help me.
Just to be clear, I'm not looking to have a custom rom on my pad, I just want to get it back operational. I have odin on my pad itself, so i'm just looking to flash a tar, then use CWM to fix my build prop by restoring the original version.

Were you running ICS or Honeycomb? Either way, it seems that if you can get into download mode you can flash recovery with Odin and then a stock ROM. You might check the i815 summary thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1760587
Or the i815 ICS thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1932597

Thanks for the links, i'll read up and see if that solves the problem. I was running the stock honeycomb as verizon hadn't yet updated the tablet yet, though they are supposed to soon.

Kralik said:
Were you running ICS or Honeycomb? Either way, it seems that if you can get into download mode you can flash recovery with Odin and then a stock ROM. You might check the i815 summary thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1760587
Or the i815 ICS thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1932597
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
okay, so i have honey comb on the device, and i'm fine with that honestly, i looked through the first thread, but did not see anything there that mentioned aroma (which I was told to look for since i can't boot beyond Odin). Do you have any recommendations both for a file to download and a method?
Basically, my pad will charge and you get some sort of "response" when you power it on and plug it into a pc. I can enter odin mode by pressing power and volume button, but that's it. I'm just trying to get it back, i don't really care if i have to wipe all the data on there or not, but obviously it would be cool if i did. The way this happened to me was that i edited the model name in the build.prop file after seeing some tutorials on it. There are obviously a ton of tutorials on this, but i've tried several to no avail.

Perhaps someone with more expertise can step up, but I'm pretty sure that if you flash a rom it overrides your build.prop?

All you did was change the build.prop, right? If you can connect with adb, I'm thinking you can probably copy over a build.prop to replace yours.
Sent from my SCH-I815 using xda premium

yes, that's all i did. I don't have any experience with ADB, though i'm not scared of command line ... just have never used it at all. In looking at something like this: http://tabletmods.blogspot.com/2012/06/modifying-buildprop-in-pc.html my concern would be that there's no way for me to put it into debugging mode. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated

helpermonkey said:
yes, that's all i did. I don't have any experience with ADB, though i'm not scared of command line ... just have never used it at all. In looking at something like this: http://tabletmods.blogspot.com/2012/06/modifying-buildprop-in-pc.html my concern would be that there's no way for me to put it into debugging mode. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try? Maybe it is in debug mode? Would you find your build.prop.backup with ADB commands?
However, if you do things you do, you need to have a backup
So flash another kernel and you will have a cwm. Not sure but I think in cwm you should have an option to activate usb-debugging...
md p9516 - root -waiting for cwm -- thnx2all

Hi there,
I have only had a little bit of time to address this over the past few weeks but i'm hitting brick walls everywhere I turn. At this point, I just want to restore my tablet to stock. I am not entirely sure why this is so incredibly difficult, but I cannot find a method that seems to allow me to replace my backed up build.prop. So meanwhile, I helped a friend out with a bricked nexus 7 using the nexus root toolkit, is there anything like this for the galaxy tab?
To clarify:
I had a rooted galaxy tab running 3.2 from Verizon. I edited the build.prop and it ended up bricking my tablet. The only option is to boot into recovery, at which point I'm presented with volume up (continue) or volume down (cancel). If i hit up, i'm taken to ODIN MOode, where the product name is listed along with binary (samsung official) and custon binary download: no. That's all i can do.
I downloaded CWM recovery from here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1542897 and followed the instructions here: http://theunlockr.com/2012/11/14/how-to-install-clockworkmod-recovery-on-the-samsung-galaxy-tab-7-7/
however, when i subsequently try and boot into recovery mode, i have no luck. It does not seem to "take" the update thus i'm left with odin mode on the tablet.

!
i think - wrong area to ask...