Database Develop

[i9000] Complete Android Noob.

Right, ive had a i9000 for 5 months or so, and ever since i got it, ive found it to be slow, at times laggy. And hate alot of the crap samsung put on it.Which ive not even used.
I reckon its about time i start to make the most of my phone, but dont really know where to start, with these custom roms and rooting and what not.
I basically want it to run smoothly and possibly add a tweaks/features to it which could possibly improve it. However i remember reading somewhere, that ill lose the camera features if i install a custom rom. :l (i could be talking from my arse here)
Also i read that android 4.0 is coming or has come out. Would i be able to upgrade my phone to it ? and should i ?? If not what is the best rom to flash which will make my phone faster and smoother.
Is there anything at all to make it significantly faster, or is it limited by hardware :/
Im currently on:
kernal version 2.6.29
firmware 2.1 -update1
Which i havnt messed with since i got the phone.
Thanks, and sorry for the daft questions.

Oh dear! did you wrote 2.1? Please read basic root steps and install custom rom. I recommend you to start with Cf-root
go here :- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788108
As far as 4.0, please wait.

innovat0r said:
Oh dear! did you wrote 2.1? Please read basic root steps and install custom rom. I recommend you to start with Cf-root
go here :- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=788108
As far as 4.0, please wait.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol Is 2.1 bad ? hahaha
Sorry for sounding dim, but what have you pointed me to ?? rooting ? installing a rom ? updating kernal ?
And what is the difference between these ? are all 3 needed to get the phone working as i want it to ?
Im totally new to everything andriod so can you please be as clear as possible.
Thank you for your reply.
And sorry again for all the questions.

skweezer said:
Lol Is 2.1 bad ? hahaha
Sorry for sounding dim, but what have you pointed me to ?? rooting ? installing a rom ? updating kernal ?
And what is the difference between these ? are all 3 needed to get the phone working as i want it to ?
Im totally new to everything andriod so can you please be as clear as possible.
Thank you for your reply.
And sorry again for all the questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, here we go...
1. First of all you need to root your device to install a custom rom or kernel. So first root your device with the above thread (cf-root).
2. Choose any rom from so many roms available all over xda. Choose only from the topic which is under your device's category, not from other device's rom,lol.
To do this you need Odin(use search)
3. Once done you will have custom rom and also custom kernel if you wish.
After these you can go for lagfix, like changing from rfs to ext4.
Best of luck.

Thanks, so after ive rooted with cf-root. do i have to install a custom rom and custom kernel, both ?
And which is considered the best rom and kernel ?
thanks
regards

Hey Skweezer,
Recommend you start with these threads:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=939752
and:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=723596
They will tell you about how to connect your phone to your PC (Samsung USB drivers + adb), 3 button mode (how to avoid bricking your phone), backing up important/unrecoverable data (like your EFS block!), and what (in general) needs to be done to flash custom firmware.
After that, you should be able to pretty much recover from any error (like unplugging your phone mid flash). Now you can go ahead and root your phone and start exploring the wonderful word of custom roms! As for which one is the best, that's like asking "how long is a piece of string?" Some people prefer speed and cutting edge, others value battery life and stability, some aim for the middle of the road.
Personally I've tried tegrak kernel and was really impressed with the speed improvement! However, the limited app space finally turned me back to other kernels. I found the rest to be pretty much six in one, half dozen in the other (ie all about the same)... so pick one you like and just go for it... use it for a while and if it's not to your liking, flash again
Just a quick rundown on android for you... firmware 2.1 = Eclair, 2.2 = Frozen Yoghurt, 2.3 = Gingerbread, 3.0 = Honeycomb (tablet only version of android) and 4.0 = Ice Cream Sandwich (unify android for phone/tablet/tv again). There is a HUGE performance increase from going stock 2.1 to 2.3! so even if you just upgrade to Samsung's Gingerbread release (2.3.3 I believe?) you will notice better performance. Doing lagfix, kernel tweaks, etc is just icing on top of the cake. However, you'll find once you start tweaking, you won't go back to stock

Well, easiest way of starting is installing KIES and letting it update your phone. That's the official way and you won't have to bother with details like kernels, roms, bootloaders, etc and won't void your warranty (if that's the case).
You'll probably be left with with some 2.3.x version. Might as well make a backup from your stuff before upgrading, kies sucks in a general way, but may help you with that.
From that point on, if you still want to press further into customization goodness, there are PLENTY to chose from.
There are mainly 2 kinds of roms:
- Samsung based (someone picks up a sock samsung rom and modifies it with scripts, kernels, themes, apps, etc). These are most of the ones you'll find in the development section of this forum.
- not samsung based (like Cyanogen e MIUI). These are built from Google's sources directly and totally skip samsung. Therefore, samsung apps most likely won't work here. Everything else does.
Personally i'd recommend Cyanogen 7.1 stable as your next rom. It's an extremely optimized and wildly popular rom, with plenty of options that you won't find in any stock rom. They have their own forum i recommend you to look up if you're going their way.
Whatever you do, GET AWAY FROM THAT 2.1

Cheers for alll the replies guys. Im first going to just update via kies. To an official 2.3
If im not happy with that then ill try a custom rom and rooting.
If only it was as simple as jailbreaking and iphone. lool

Right, ust updated to latest version via kies. And instantly alot better, smoother. Has some of those things bulit into the system which i always though were missing.
Ill try it for a week, and see if theres anything i need, or think is missing. Then i might go custom. But right now im happy with it on the latest official version.
Thank you guys, i think you've made me sort of like android a bit more.

[Q] Removing lag

I'm a bit annoyed by the lag ever since I compared it with the S2. Is it the higher resolution that's the problem?
Are there any ways to remove the lag? Custom rom? Overclocking?

Rocket rom 21
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

I guess any custom rom is better than stock. Have tried rocketrom and checkrom so far, and they are both a flight to remember. We Swedes don't seem to get very rescent uppdates through Kies or OTA updater either. Im guessing checkrom is the best way to go right now, but thats mainly because it seems to me that 4 persons are developing that and rocketrom is being developed by one person. May be wrong but that my impression. Checkroms hardware accelerated UI and browser are a real treat as well.
If you wish to overclock then just get the XDA-member-free version of set-cpu and use it with a custom ROM of choise, but you won't need to in order to get rid of the lag. It will be quite gone anyway.
Heja Sverige!

brunte said:
I guess any custom rom is better than stock. Have tried rocketrom and checkrom so far, and they are both a flight to remember. We Swedes don't seem to get very rescent uppdates through Kies or OTA updater either. Im guessing checkrom is the best way to go right now, but thats mainly because it seems to me that 4 persons are developing that and rocketrom is being developed by one person. May be wrong but that my impression. Checkroms hardware accelerated UI and browser are a real treat as well.
If you wish to overclock then just get the XDA-member-free version of set-cpu and use it with a custom ROM of choise, but you won't need to in order to get rid of the lag. It will be quite gone anyway.
Heja Sverige!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Robbie's DarkyRom is the way to go in my opinion. Well worth a try.

when saying hardware accelerated UI, it only applies to TW, right, and not 3rd party launchers? ADW, specifically.

Is there a custom rom that has no issues?

djr83 said:
I'm a bit annoyed by the lag ever since I compared it with the S2. Is it the higher resolution that's the problem?
Are there any ways to remove the lag? Custom rom? Overclocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you haven't already check out the latest stock ROM LA4. That is the fastest of the stock ROMS. If that doesn't solve it you can try out custom ROMS. I like Cassie's Lite ROM v6. It is very close to stock but with performance tweaks and most junk removed. After A LOT of testing I found it runs the best with FM 2.0 kernel. Hope this helps.

k1ng617 said:
If you haven't already check out the latest stock ROM LA4. That is the fastest of the stock ROMS. If that doesn't solve it you can try out custom ROMS. I like Cassie's Lite ROM v6. It is very close to stock but with performance tweaks and most junk removed. After A LOT of testing I found it runs the best with FM 2.0 kernel. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I've tried to get the latest stock rom but I'm not sure what I'm doing. I have been flashing roms since forever (Windows Mobile and Galaxy S) but I have obviously forgotten everything.
Right now I'm rooted on KK4 and I've bought Odin Mobile Pro. Not sure I really need OMP, but oh well.
Can I use N7000XXLA4 Germany from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1424997 even though I have a swedish phone? I've read somewhere that swedish is included in the german version IIRC.
And I just need to follow the steps starting with 1.Easy way is Mobie Odin Pro.?

Flash a better stock rom, or wait for ICS with root?
Someone tell me how long until a good version of ICS comes.

djr83 said:
Well, I've tried to get the latest stock rom but I'm not sure what I'm doing. I have been flashing roms since forever (Windows Mobile and Galaxy S) but I have obviously forgotten everything.
Right now I'm rooted on KK4 and I've bought Odin Mobile Pro. Not sure I really need OMP, but oh well.
Can I use N7000XXLA4 Germany from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1424997 even though I have a swedish phone? I've read somewhere that swedish is included in the german version IIRC.
And I just need to follow the steps starting with 1.Easy way is Mobie Odin Pro.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I recommend staying away from Odin.
Read this article it should help a lot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1331784

I'm using KK4 stock ROM from Hong Kong. No lag whatsoever. My Note really flies now.
I have rooted using Chainfire's method using the exploit mentioned in the above quoted article (without using Odin). Then used Titanium Backup Pro to freeze all stock apps that are memory hogs in Touchwiz, e.g. Media Hub, Social Hub, etc.
Then also used Rom Toolbox to change the SD boost settings (in performance) to 2048kb. I still use the SGN in power saving mode and have Juice Defender Ultimate set to "balanced" to extend battery, nevertheless my SGN is fast, smooth and has no lag at all.

k1ng617 said:
Actually, I recommend staying away from Odin.
Read this article it should help a lot.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1331784
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are wrong.. Using odin for flashing stock firmwares doesnt increase ur binary counter.. Just dont flash custom roms using odin... My suggestion is to use latest firmwares like kla4 or kla6 to reduce lag.. And yes you can use mobile odin for flashing them.. Binary counter wont get increased as it is stock.. But mind you, the latest firmwares cannot be rooted directly.. So you will lose rooting benefits.. So if u want a rooted latest kla4 or kla6,flash a custom rom using it using cwm recovery not odin.. I m using rocket v21 wid abyss 3.5 now

I'm using stock firmware/rom and getting no lag.
The only slight delay I ever get is the wakeup time or when opening sms messages/contacts, it may take several seconds to open.
As for menus/apps it is silky smooth for me thanks to a custom launcher & spareparts+

Chillz88 said:
You are wrong.. Using odin for flashing stock firmwares doesnt increase ur binary counter.. Just dont flash custom roms using odin... My suggestion is to use latest firmwares like kla4 or kla6 to reduce lag.. And yes you can use mobile odin for flashing them.. Binary counter wont get increased as it is stock.. But mind you, the latest firmwares cannot be rooted directly.. So you will lose rooting benefits.. So if u want a rooted latest kla4 or kla6,flash a custom rom using it using cwm recovery not odin.. I m using rocket v21 wid abyss 3.5 now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But OMP has an option like "root on flash". I thought that would root the new rom when flashing?

Now I have CF-Root 5.0 kernel and CWM Manager 3.0 installed.
Is it possible to flash LA4 (from the link I wrote in OP) and still keep root, kernel and CWM Manager? How?

djr83 said:
Now I have CF-Root 5.0 kernel and CWM Manager 3.0 installed.
Is it possible to flash LA4 (from the link I wrote in OP) and still keep root, kernel and CWM Manager? How?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup u can.. Use mobile odin pro to upgrade.. You can keep root that way without affecting your binary counter.. And yes do it the same way in the link...

Chillz88 said:
Yup u can.. Use mobile odin pro to upgrade.. You can keep root that way without affecting your binary counter.. And yes do it the same way in the link...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already flashed LA4 through CWM, worked great. No difference in lag though...

Can I flash N7000XXLA6 (Russia) and still keep the current language (swedish)?

Yeah you can flash, but there is not much difference between LA4 and LA6 except the Russian language i guess. The Lag free update LA4.

Ok, I'll skip LA6 then. I did notice a difference in the browser, it seems there's no horizontal scroll lock when scrolling vertical. I dont think it was like that before?
I dont like the feeling of it, hope they will change it back...

What Kernel And Custom Roms are best?

I Have Rooted my Note with Odin and are on kernel KK5.. Im thinking of install a new kernel and getting a custom rom for improve the speed, battery and hopefully no lag after reading different topics here, its pretty hard too choose? anyone know for sure whats the best out?

Look at them all, read the responses, then pick one. There is no such thing as "best".

Agreed!
Its what best suits your needs. CF-Root may be considered as the most stable and close to stock as possible with just Root.
That may be what you want to start with.

The best ones are: of your considering and best choice to fit your device

yes there is not a best rom (never ask about which is the best rom)
there are different roms
some uses some devices/cpu drivers/controllers/governors some not, some are lighter some are more heavy
some looks quite similar to stock and some others are completely different
some boost speed others boost battery usage
i think that for make a good choice 1st element is to see who made the rom: there are some devs who have been tweacking/writing roms for years on older devices and have a strong strong reputation
2nd element very important is to check the comments of the people who tried it on the threads: read 1st page of the post and then go to last page and read the 10/20 last replies
usually for noobs like you and me the best is to go for a well tested rom without 2 many problems
i wouldnt dare to install cyanogenmod 9 so far....
anyway if i were you i would try the rocket rom vers 20 and then upgrade to rocket rom 21
this rom has a long development and its quite reliable
being .21 version many bugs have been amended and the dev is very active and nice.
2 go for reliable rom as beginner is the most intelligent choice!
hope to have been helpful

lorekarf said:
yes there is not a best rom (never ask about which is the best rom)
there are different roms
some uses some devices/cpu drivers/controllers/governors some not, some are lighter some are more heavy
some looks quite similar to stock and some others are completely different
some boost speed others boost battery usage
i think that for make a good choice 1st element is to see who made the rom: there are some devs who have been tweacking/writing roms for years on older devices and have a strong strong reputation
2nd element very important is to check the comments of the people who tried it on the threads: read 1st page of the post and then go to last page and read the 10/20 last replies
usually for noobs like you and me the best is to go for a well tested rom without 2 many problems
i wouldnt dare to install cyanogenmod 9 so far....
anyway if i were you i would try the rocket rom vers 20 and then upgrade to rocket rom 21
this rom has a long development and its quite reliable
being .21 version many bugs have been amended and the dev is very active and nice.
2 go for reliable rom as beginner is the most intelligent choice!
hope to have been helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recommend him to install cyanogenmod 9 for an adventurous/risky feeling !!! lol

Hi, my name is g4ndr1k and I'm a flash addict.
I've tried almost every ROM and now I am on DarkyROM. Hopefully it would be my last before ICS.
My other favorites are Cassie's, CheckROM, KingDroid and Romow.

For giving a precise answer (of course, only IMHO):
CheckRom v5 with either CF Root oder SpeedMod Kernel.
But, in general: use what suits your needs best. How? take a look at every ROM.

Honestly as of now the custom ROM's dont really stand out that much compared to the stock ones, on a day to day basis with a blind test no one can tell the difference.

I was looking for smoothness, stability and the minimum lag without changing a lot in UI, stock LA4 deodexed with fm 2.0 kernel was my best choice after trying several roms, I'm satisfied with what i have before the ICS comes out.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the reply's
I been watching some youtube clips and i think im going with the: "CheckROM Revo NoteHD ROM" if not anyone has something bad too say about it it looks really nice!
Edit:// Rocket ROM FTW!!!

re:
lorekarf said:
anyway if i were you i would try the rocket rom vers 20 and then upgrade to rocket rom 21
this rom has a long development and its quite reliable
being .21 version many bugs have been amended and the dev is very active and nice.
2 go for reliable rom as beginner is the most intelligent choice!
hope to have been helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why should try v20 first, cant I just flash to v21 right away?

Rocket Rom and abyssplug still you know stock is also good if you can wait till ICS

abhi98228 said:
Rocket Rom and abyssplug still you know stock is also good if you can wait till ICS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But after what i've seen in videos and reading on net. Its BETTER! I mean no lag, faster speed, improved battery +++
Another question: ive seen posts about not flashing custom roms with Odin, what should i do then, unroot and root again?

AleksLenin said:
But after what i've seen in videos and reading on net. Its BETTER! I mean no lag, faster speed, improved battery +++
Another question: ive seen posts about not flashing custom roms with Odin, what should i do then, unroot and root again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you already rooted and installed CWM recovery, then no need to flash using Odin.
just copy Zip (ROM) to SD card and reboot in CWM recovery then flash.
(Flashing Custom ROM using Odin(PC) adds binary counter)

ranjan.alva said:
if you already rooted and installed CWM recovery, then no need to flash using Odin.
just copy Zip (ROM) to SD card and reboot in CWM recovery then flash.
(Flashing Custom ROM using Odin(PC) adds binary counter)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im actually starting too wonder if id used Odin.. This is the package i used: DooMLoRD_v3_ROOT-zergRush-busybox-su
but anyway, i dont think i have CWM recovery installed, i have downloaded Rom Manager, but when i push the Flash ClockworkMod Recovery. I can only choose between a few samsung choices like SII but no Galaxy Note?

Currently on rocket 21 but id highly recommend checkROM v5. Seems the most stable with superb performance and battery. Flash abyss kernel 3.5 and overclock and undervolt to 1600. Guarantee you'll love it. With checkrom you can install missing Samsung apps from kitchen and a variety of mods to suit your needs. Would recommend ics keyboard if you use fingers to type or swype if you use the pen a lot.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

AleksLenin said:
Im actually starting too wonder if id used Odin.. This is the package i used: DooMLoRD_v3_ROOT-zergRush-busybox-su
but anyway, i dont think i have CWM recovery installed, i have downloaded Rom Manager, but when i push the Flash ClockworkMod Recovery. I can only choose between a few samsung choices like SII but no Galaxy Note?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont use rom manager check the development section there is first thread how to root NOTE simple steps just run a batch file and they you have Root+CWM installed then installed latest ROM (Stock or Custom) if you ask me i would prefer stock LA6 there is a thread and CF Root Kernel LA6 flash it from CWM or Mobile Odin
Dont use Odin From PC

abhi98228 said:
dont use rom manager check the development section there is first thread how to root NOTE simple steps just run a batch file and they you have Root+CWM installed then installed latest ROM (Stock or Custom) if you ask me i would prefer stock LA6 there is a thread and CF Root Kernel LA6 flash it from CWM or Mobile Odin
Dont use Odin From PC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for a dumb question!...But if I use Mobile Odin,I dont need to get CWM?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

[Q] Perfect ROM

Hi doods
I'm A new G noter
I want to ask about a perfect ROM based on official.
I had Xperia Neo before this one and theres a very very good ROM for xperias
by the name of SE.Tweaked.
it's absolutly the official ROM that excess app and sys app are removed on it.
is there any thing like that for note that deliver a speed and costumization ability beside that every thing working perfectly on it(pen and ...)
Thanks a lot

Rocket & Litening ftw!
Arasl-l said:
Hi doods
I'm A new G noter
I want to ask about a perfect ROM based on official.
I had Xperia Neo before this one and theres a very very good ROM for xperias
by the name of SE.Tweaked.
it's absolutly the official ROM that excess app and sys app are removed on it.
is there any thing like that for note that deliver a speed and costumization ability beside that every thing working perfectly on it(pen and ...)
Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For custom GB roms, I have tried Rocket rom and the newer Litening rom. In my opinion, both are great and definitely worth considering.

For the GB, I have tried DarkyRom, ChrackRom, CheckRom, Cassie's XtraLiteRom, and Litening Rom. I found them very comparable in performance and battery life. For ChrackRom you have option to install a full, small, and extra small rom. I am using Litening Rom right now. I might go back to ICS Stunner rom, I like the Stunner rom except that it is not as stable as the GB roms in my SGN.

tknguyencsu said:
For the GB, I have tried DarkyRom, ChrackRom, CheckRom, Cassie's XtraLiteRom, and Litening Rom. I found them very comparable in performance and battery life. For ChrackRom you have option to install a full, small, and extra small rom. I am using Litening Rom right now. I might go back to ICS Stunner rom, I like the Stunner rom except that it is not as stable as the GB roms in my SGN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like ICS Stunner too, but you might want to exercise caution using that or any other ICS LP5/LP6 leak based ROMS until an issue with potentially hardbricking your phone during flashing is resolved.
If you're interested, there's a still experimental (but as far as hardbricking safer) ICS CM9 build that's really cool over here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1627854
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

is it safe to flash GB-based roms ?
Hawklan_D said:
I really like ICS Stunner too, but you might want to exercise caution using that or any other ICS LP5/LP6 leak based ROMS until an issue with potentially hardbricking your phone during flashing is resolved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hiya there ! I'll seize this opportunity to avoid creating a post of my own then ! I'm like Arasl, though i bought my GNote in february and i'm still running a non-root, stock ROM because i'm sort of "afraid of flashing".
First, i've never done it before, and since i'm a Linux user i've been searching for ways to do it through linux instead of the Odin/windows method but i'm now pretty much resigned to use Odin (seems simpler, methods actually do exist and there's more feedback, though any hint towards linux-oriented methods would be great).
I've restrained myself from flashing ever since i saw the brick-related posts from ICS Stunner ROM and i do NOT want to flash that ROM.
My questions are then following :
1) Is it possible to ROOT the phone without flashing on Kernel version 2.6.35.7 - N7000XXLC1 ?
2) If it is unsafe to flash ICS-based ROMs, is it 100% safe to flash gingerbread-based custom ROMs or is there still an important risk of bricking the phone?
I can imagine most people will answer yes to the previous question and in that case, which ROM would you advise that is both light (and smooth, since the stock ROM is a little laggy on the edges) and the most battery-saving?
Thanks for any hints to existing posts, i've been looking around but i just don't have the time to read the hundreds of pages of custom stock roms to compare them all by myself ;-)

Just use the latest cm9. Very safe and beautiful. If you need the spen functionality then use gb..
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2

bunch88 said:
Hiya there ! I'll seize this opportunity to avoid creating a post of my own then ! I'm like Arasl, though i bought my GNote in february and i'm still running a non-root, stock ROM because i'm sort of "afraid of flashing".
First, i've never done it before, and since i'm a Linux user i've been searching for ways to do it through linux instead of the Odin/windows method but i'm now pretty much resigned to use Odin (seems simpler, methods actually do exist and there's more feedback, though any hint towards linux-oriented methods would be great).
I've restrained myself from flashing ever since i saw the brick-related posts from ICS Stunner ROM and i do NOT want to flash that ROM.
My questions are then following :
1) Is it possible to ROOT the phone without flashing on Kernel version 2.6.35.7 - N7000XXLC1 ?
2) If it is unsafe to flash ICS-based ROMs, is it 100% safe to flash gingerbread-based custom ROMs or is there still an important risk of bricking the phone?
I can imagine most people will answer yes to the previous question and in that case, which ROM would you advise that is both light (and smooth, since the stock ROM is a little laggy on the edges) and the most battery-saving?
Thanks for any hints to existing posts, i've been looking around but i just don't have the time to read the hundreds of pages of custom stock roms to compare them all by myself ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If by any means you are ready to work on windows, i would gladly help you in all these...although in a RISK on anything happens on completely you only.
I, too as being flasholhoic, flashed almost every ROM here in the development section both GB and ICS, every kernel, so i will try my best to avoid any risk but god-only-knows-the-best. As per your question,
1. Yes you can root your stock rom without flashing on Kernel version 2.6.35.7 - N7000XXLC1, Go here and select the right kernel and follow the procedure.
2. Official CM9 is the only (yet most) safest ICS build here, the rest being suffered by the ultimate phenomenal hardbrick bug. And yes its safe to flash any GB rom until you are switching it from GB to GB rom only.
The most important thing, take enough time to read read and read (even query) the instruction before flashing anything, or else you can have ample amount to time to read anything with coffee placed on your new bricked note. Choice is yours.

Appropriate firmware for my phone

Hi!
I am really new here. Kinda great place! So ...
I have GT-N7000 with
PDA: N7000XLA6
PHONE: N7000XXLA4
CSC: N7000OXLA1
Can i use, for example, this firmware Android 4.0.4 N7000XXLRG N7000DBTLRG?
Basically, the question is how do i know which firmware is appropriate for my phone?
(I am experienced electrical engineer, software and firmware developer ... be free to dive into details )
Thanks in advance!

You can use this online tool to check http://fus.nanzen.se/

now if you are new first you should know some things if you havent read already.
1. The brick bug in ics kernels. Will not give you technical details here if you want you can find in the forums easily. Situation is with stock 4.0.3 kernels wipe and factory reset causes a brick situation. There are safe kernels like speedmod to fix this. 4.0.4 are very new i dont know if anybody figured if they have brick bug too.
2. As most says (me too) ics has some responsiveness and battery drain problems.
I am on ics LPY 4.0.3 with speedmod kernel but actually it doesnt give me anything more then a gb rom except battery drain and less responsiveness. but because these are now too much frustrating for me i am not going back to gb. i have used paranoid for custom rom and liked it but doesnt run my banking app because of cm9 kernel i think so flashed lpy.
First look custom roms if you find one that fits you try it. If you dont want custom or couldnt find one fits for you wait some time and read 4.0.4 reviews. if you like it go for it if you dont stick with a gb like la3 or something.

You can have any stock ROM irrespective of ROM you are having or plcae you are living.
As kromosto said just avoid wipe and hard reset on ICS
4.0.4 is nice ROM and i dont have any issue.
here is guide to install and Root
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=28589629&postcount=62

Thanks for REALLY quick answers!
I know for BRICK BUG and that's the reason i didn't try ICS or ask my question earlier.
But now i want to try 4.0.4.
What i didn't know was the fact that my phone is not branded/customized by my operator.
ok ... first step ... BACKUP ... here we go!

Get rooted.follow cursed4eva tutorials on youtube.flash checkrom hd if u wanna stay on gb for better battwry life...in fact i got 44houra of moderate usage on that...but if u wanna taste ics,go gor rocket rom or crash rom peraonally i prefer crash rom v 5.1.and dont u ever go to cm9:-/it sucks when u try to leave it.
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