Galaxy Note 2, Quick root & flash guide

Thanks to my wife I just got one new Galaxy Note 2 as Xmas gift. It's one awesome gadget, it came with Android 4.1.1 pre-installed and it has some ugly vendor animations on it that I wanna get rid off so I'm going to root and re-frash it with a custom room (new version 4.2.1, Jelly Bean).

What is root? On many computer operating systems including Unix, Linux and Android, the root account, is a special user with complete access to all files and commands. Various names for this type of account might include, administrator, superuser, or supervisor.

In the context of Android, root access allows the user to have complete control over their device. Root access is commonly granted for developers allowing them access to all files and commands on the device.

With full root access to a device, there is potential for damage. Any user with root access is strongly cautioned to be very careful.

My previous experience with my old and rusty HTC desire tells me that xdev and android geek is the right place to go in order to find the firmware and instructions to do it without bricking my "phablet"...

How to Root Samsung Galaxy Note 2 N7100 with Odin

Rooting the device

Required files and tools:
1. The root & recovey package
2. Odin

This installation has done on a clean PC - no android ADK or samsung drivers were installed before it

The rooting process:
1. The first thing to do is to download the root & recovery package from here.
2. Save the file on your computer.
3. On the same PC download Odin.
4. Extract and install the tool.
5. On the computer open Odin.
6. Next, turn off the device as it must be entered in download mode.
7. For download mode press and hold Volume Down, Center Home, and Power buttons together.
8. When the download mode is reached, connect the Note with the computer by using its USB cable.
9. Press Volume Up to continue and then windows will install all required drivers (SAMSUNG Mobile USB CDC Composite Device and SAMSUNG Mobile USB Modem).
10. Once windows finishes the driver installation the “added” message should be displayed at Odin.
11. Also, the ID:COM section should be yellow.
12. If not, install the drivers again and then redo the above steps.
13. Up next, on Odin, select “PDA”.
14. Pick the unzipped downloaded file (cwm6-root-n7100.tar).
15. Don’t make any other changes, just click on “Start”.
16. The root process will now begin.
17. Wait until it’s over and in the end unplug the USB cord and reboot the Note2.
18. If the device does not boot don't panic, you will have to start the CWM, for that remove the baterry, put it back and then press and hold Volume Up, Center Home, and Power buttons together until the SAMSUNG Logo disappears.

You don't need to download and install Rom Manager into the device. You will not see the recovery image for this device into CWM because there is no official support yet. Next time you will only need to flash the recovery image (without root).

THE Backup!!!
1. Start the Rom Manager App then select "boot into recovery mode".
2. Select backup, etc.
3. reboot the device.
4. Connect the USB cable, open the device and then copy the content of the folder clockworkmod\backup into your computer ...

Last, fixing permissions ...

A few usefull links:
1. Android USB Drivers For Windows OS
2. How To Carrier Unlock Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Permanently