Failed upgrade, now stuck in recovery mode My Galaxy Note is stuck in recovery mode and I'm not sure what to do next. Here's what happened:


After connecting to wifi, a software update was downloaded and a message asked me to install it. I accepted, because otherwise it said it would remind me in 3 hours...
I left it plugged in and went out. When I came back, there was a screen warning me of the dangers of installing a "custom OS" (?) The options were to press the volume-up to install it, or volume-down to reboot. Neither option did anything. Hard rebooting went to the same screen.
Later, I tried to charge it, but got this repeating sequence: the symbol showing a charging (but empty batter) for a couple of seconds, then a picture of the android robot with blue polyhedron thing (like here), then blank screen. A few seconds later it repeats.
Finally I try rebooting into recovery mode:

Android system recovery (3e)
...
reboot system now
apply update from external storage
wipe data/factory reset
...
MANUAL MODE 
-- Appling Multi-CSC... (sic)
Applied the CSC-code : INU
Successfully applied the multi-CSC.


Now, I don't really care whether I get the update or not, or whether I lose some data - I just really want a working phone again. I'm travelling atm, so it's a bit inconvenient. But mostly I'm asking for help to avoid making the problem worse.

So: what should I do?

It's a (unlocked) Samsung Galaxy Note with ICS. I haven't (intentionally?) rooted it, but the recovery screen shows the android with a red exclamation triangle.
I would first try updating the phone with official Kies software.  Download it from here, install it on your computer, and run it.  The program should walk you through the upgrade process.

If the above fails, you may have to go the hard way and follow instructions from here.  This post from xda-developers forum has links to various region-specific ROMs, as well as instructions for flashing it via 3rd-party tools:


  Installation:
  - Download appropriate ICS ROM, and extract the .tar file from the Zip.
  - Download Odin, open it.
  - Select PDA tab and point to ROM file. Leave Re-partition, pit, CSC, Phone tab unchecked.
  - Switch off device, put it in download mode (hold down Vol Down + Home + Power buttons)  .
  - Completely close Kies and any Anti-Virus applications if running
  - Connect device to PC
  - "ID:COM" port should turn yellow
  - Now click Start
  - After reboot, you will see screen showng android updating, then will install some application.  


*Important Note:
All the links and instructions I provided are for the Samsung Galaxy Note international model - N7000.  If you have a different, carrier-specific variant (e.g. US AT&amp;T's SGH-I717 or South Korean SHV-E160x models), you will need to search for Kies and/or stock ROM version applicable to your specific model number.