Root and Install ClockworkMod Recovery on the Samsung Captivate (i897) running Android 2.3.5

How to Root and Install ClockworkMod Recovery on the Samsung Captivate (i897) running Android 2.3.5

To use custom ROMs is to lease a new life for your device as things will be different and much more user friendly than stock firmware.  This would be a great way to renew an old device, like the Samsung Captivate, as you could be installing a custom ROM based on much newer firmware than the one that the manufacturer last updated you with.  For this though, your device (or the Samsung Captivate in this case) will need to have root privileges and have a custom recovery installed beforehand and this is exactly what you will be able to do by reading this post – root and install ClockworkMod Recovery (a very popular custom recovery) on the Samsung Captivate.

I.  Before You Begin

1.  Make sure that you have a backup of everything important before you start.

2.  Charge your device to 75% or more before you begin.

3.  Make sure the necessary Windows drivers are in place before you start; installing Kies usually takes care of this.

4.  This procedure works by flashing a custom kernel called the Corn Kernel; if you are uncomfortable doing this, stop now.

5.  You should be running Android 2.3.5 for this procedure to work.  If this is not what your running, update your device via Kies to Android 2.3.5 and come back here to continue.

II.  Necessary Downloads

1.  CornKernel_UCKK4_v705.tar

2.  Odin 1.85.rar

III.  Flashing the Corn Kernel

1.  Extract the Odin 1.85.rar file you downloaded above to a folder on your desktop.

2.  From the extracted folder, double-click on Odin3 v1.85.exe to run the tool.

3.  Put your device into Download mode.  To do this:

i.  Power down your device and remove the battery

ii.  Insert the battery.

iii.  Press and hold the Volume Up + Volume Down + Power buttons until your device enters Download mode.

4.  Click on PDA button, locate CornKernel_UCKK4_v705.tar you downloaded above and click on OK to load it on Odin.  The ID:COM field on Odin should now light up yellow to signify that your device is connected and recognized properly.  If not, reinstall drivers and try again.

5.  Make sure that the Re-Partition and Flash Lock are unchecked; this is important as you might brick your device if these options are ticked!

6.  Click on Start.

Once Odin says PASS! and your device reboots, your should be rooted and have CWM installed, ready to flash any custom ROM that you would like!