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Root How to Root from 2.1

MSUgEEk

Android Expert
Apr 22, 2010
3,696
1,418
Northwestern Alabama
This is nothing new, I just took the liberty of consolidating several threads to keep from having to thread-hop to find different files and instructions for different parts of the process.

As a warning before you start this process, THIS WILL ERASE ALL OF YOUR INSTALLED APPS. Don't worry, they can be re-installed from the market and I'm fairly certain there is a backup procedure that helps in the restore process. I will do some research and try to add that in the coming days. I'm still fairly new at this and don't know all of the tools and processes very well yet, but this was just one of the things I have done that was confusing to me that I thought I could clear up for some folks.

1.) Download 2.1 SP Recovery sbf to your C: root directory (C:\)
2.) Download md5sum
3.) Place md5sum in c:\windows\system32
5.) Download in install RSDLite 4.6 for this file you may need an un-zip tool like WIN RAR
6.) Download and install the correct motorola drivers for your windows machine (32 for XP, 32 or 64 for Vista depending on Vista version)
32-bit drivers
64-bit drivers
4.) Run command prompt (Start->Run then type "cmd" and hit enter)
5.) Change directories to your C:\ root directory (cd c:\)
6.) Type in "md5sum SPRecovery_ESE81.sbf"
7.) Make sure the sum of the image is EXACTLY 9b6a336cd8f067d4487935468c758d89
7.) Connect phone via USB and reboot, while rebooting hold UP on the dpad
8.) Run RSD Lite 4.6 as administrator
9.) Select the SPRecovery 2.1 SBF file
10.) Click Start and wait for RSD Lite to flash the SPRecovery image onto phone and then wait on phone to reboot.

Once this is done you have SPRecovery on the phone. You can close out RSD Lite.

Now if you just want root access without a custom ROM follow these instructions by OMJ (big thanks!):

In order to avoid having to use abd to push the su and superuser.apk I editted the update.zip of the 2.1 version of superuser to work with spr. I unrooted and gave it a shot just to be sure and it worked fine.

So after you finish the sbf flash of SPRecovery then just put this update.zip in the root of your sd card then reboot into recovery. Go to install then press allow update.zip installation then install update.zip depreciated.

After that you will have root access without using adb and without losing any data.

http://www.mediafire.com/?5tcwnwyz2yy

If you want to flash a ROM to gain root, perform the following.
1.) Download the ROM of your choice (I'm running BB v1.0)
2.) Rename this ROM download to "update.zip"
3.) Mount your phone's sd card if you haven't already and move update.zip into the root directory of the sd card.
4.) Turn your phone off and then turn it back on while holding the 'X' key on the physical keyboard, this boots you into SPRecovery.
5.) Use the volume rocker down to move the cursor to "Wipe data/factory reset" then press the gold camera shutter button to select this
6.) After that has been completed perform "Wipe cache partition" in the same manner.
7.) After this is complete select install from the menu, then select "Allow update.zip installation"
8.) Then select "Install /sdcard/update.zip"

When this is done the progress bar will be full and it will say Installation complete or something to that effect. Press the power button to go back in the menus until you get to the main menu and select reboot and reboot your phone. When your phone has rebooted you will have the new rom installed and will have root access. To confirm this, go to your app drawer and confirm that a little black ninja looking character is on there labeled "Superuser Permission" After this, you are done.

To install new kernels for overclocking (install SET CPU first for control), download the kernel, rename to update.zip, place on the root directory of the sd card, then follow the same process of installing a ROM EXCEPT, DO NOT PERFORM ANY WIPES!! When you boot into the SPRecovery menu, just select the allow install and then simply install and then reboot. Do the same to install some themes if not using metamorph.

If there is anything I have left out, someone please let me know. I just thought this would be helpful for new users who want to root but may not be as tech savvy as some others. Every download should be linked on this page that you need in the instructions. This is nothing new and I do not take credit for anything I have listed here, I just consolidated several posts, threads, and links into my own compact set of instructions. Hope this is helpful to someone.
 
Geez, just forget it. Will some mod please come delete this thread. Forgive me for trying to be helpful and consolidate some things.

Please don't... this thread was just what I needed to "push me over the edge".

I've been feverish reading every thread/forum I could G**gle up, trying to get up the nerve to root my Droid, but mostly getting confused. The shear simplicity and straight-forwardness of this OP did it for me. I sat down yesterday morning, followed the OP, then followed the ADB instructions after that... and rooted quickly, easily, and with no problems whatsoever! yeeehaaa... if this old countryboy geek can do it, anyone can.

I've been wanting to root, I've been NEEDING to root... and now I love my Droid even more. I now have WiFi tether, Titanium backup (donate), a screen-grabber, 1000 mhz. overclocked kernel (from P3designs), SetCPU to help conserve battery, Linpak score of 8.252 avg. (yes, I'm happy with that), I'm looking into how to use Rom Manager (or other), and many many other things one can only do when rooted.

Using the this method... I didn't have to wipe, didn't lose any data, apps or market links, everything in the phone and UI is exactly the same as before, except FASTER and smoother. Now the door is open to all the "great things root", and I can just take it slow from here.

GOOD JOB, svt_gEEk

Also thanks to:

CRPercodani
samedroidsex
Fabolous
UBRocked
koush

and many, many others whom I don't even know (yet ;) ) who made this possible.
 
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Man I needed this Post a few days ago. Much appreciated by many I'm sure.

I found it unbearably annoying/nerve-wracking to have to keep locating multiple threads. pull some info from one; use some from another. when it's your first time Rooting a phone and the ever present risk of wrecking your phone in the back of your mind its nice to have unusually precise and clear instructions!
 
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I'm glad some of you guys are actually getting the intended purpose of the thread and have actually gotten some good use out of it. This was meant for the novice rooter.

csoga - no offense taken to your comment, I'm definitely a good old country boy, but I am an electrical engineer with a good bit of software engineering experience as well. I've lost my edge due to my current job not using my programming skills as much, but it hasn't been 3 years ago I was writing tens of thousands of lines of code in C, java, and assembly.

Just saying that to illustrate the point, that eventhough I am pretty technically advanced, even I found it hard to follow the instructions scattered in the 3-4 different threads on how to root from 2.1 OTA. I just wanted to help anyone who might have been intimidated by the mass of information out there by putting it all in one place in a simple step-by-step instructional format.

Thanks to all of those who posted positive comments, they are much appreciated.
 
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Thanks for the guide. I realize as well that all the information is on here, but switching between guides is a pain. So... Thank you svt_geek.

My question is... So I downloaded the SPRecovery to my phone. So now I want to install the cyanogenmod ROM. I downloaded it, I change it to update.zip, mount it, and install it, right? Just wanna make sure I'm not missing anything. Another guide said I needed to make a nandroid backup.. so I installed ROM Manager, but I dont have root yet, so there's really no point.
 
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Thanks for the guide. I realize as well that all the information is on here, but switching between guides is a pain. So... Thank you svt_geek.

My question is... So I downloaded the SPRecovery to my phone. So now I want to install the cyanogenmod ROM. I downloaded it, I change it to update.zip, mount it, and install it, right? Just wanna make sure I'm not missing anything. Another guide said I needed to make a nandroid backup.. so I installed ROM Manager, but I dont have root yet, so there's really no point.

You can make a nandroid backup from within SPRecovery. ROM manager is really just a touchable GUI for Clockwork recovery. The only thing you can't do in the recovery that you can do in ROM manager is download ROMs. Everything else (flashing ROMs, making backups, etc) can be done straight from recovery.
 
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I flashed SP recovery and all went well, I did a nandroid backup. I downloaded the cyanagen mod, renamed it update.zip, put it on the root of my sd card and tried to install it, I selected allow update.zip but it failed to install. I can't remember the exact error, unable to open update.zip abort install, something like that. So with SP recovery flashed, but not rooted, can I download rom manager and just use it to install a new rom and get rooted that way, or do I need to root first and then get rom manager for a custom rom?
 
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Okay, I've cleaned up the thread but only because I'd hate to see good info lost. ;)

What's clear from this is that the forum needs a bit of TLC in the organisational stakes, as it's obviously not doing its job if important info like this is proving hard to find. That's something that the mods and guides can look into, so don't be surprised if threads start getting merged, titles change etc. If anyone has suggestions of their own please hit one of us up via PM and pass it on - your input would be very welcome.

Oh, and "nice job" to the OP. Even I could follow the process and I've never even seen a Droid. :)
 
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Thank you so much! I have been on the fence about rooting for awhile. I have a wifi only iPad and the tethering has been really pushing me to root. I am traveling this week and I realized that I may be out of wifi and that now would be a good time to root if I had to. Your guide got me through the process quickly and easily! I've been nervous with all the different guides and tons of different and incomplete stories as to what you actually have to do. Your guide was simple, inviting, and quick. Now I am rooted, running BB, wifi tethering, and making nandroid backups!

There's only a few things I would suggest to add to this guide:

-Info on how to do backups and restores
-A warning that you will lose apps etc. and perhaps solutions to back them up
-How to get wifi tether if you don't flash a rom (need a new kernel)
-Info on OTA updates (I'm not sure if they have been disabled with this procedure. I know they are supposed to be for safety)

Thanks again! I wouldn't be rooted right now and in time for my trips if it wasn't for you! All the other guides looked very involved and a little intimidating.
 
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i am getting an error... failed flashing process. failed flashing process. error. i did everything step by step. i dont know why this happened. please help

I had the same problem. Ensure you have downloaded the latest version of RSDLite as well as the correct drivers for Windows (XP,Vista,7; 32 or 64)
 
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There's only a few things I would suggest to add to this guide:

-Info on how to do backups and restores
-A warning that you will lose apps etc. and perhaps solutions to back them up
-How to get wifi tether if you don't flash a rom (need a new kernel)
-Info on OTA updates (I'm not sure if they have been disabled with this procedure. I know they are supposed to be for safety)

Thanks again! I wouldn't be rooted right now and in time for my trips if it wasn't for you! All the other guides looked very involved and a little intimidating.

I'm glad I could be of some help to you! I would put the rest of that stuff up, but honestly I'm not sure of the solution to any of those, haha. I personally think it would be appropriate to start a "How-to" thread with links to individual threads containing that particular set of directions to any process you would ever need to do to your droid. I'm a bit of an organizational freak. I will put the warning about losing apps and having to re-install them or perform a back-up in the OP though.
 
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this seems so easy, and i have done the steps so many times. but i just cant get it working

I've tried this 3 times and no root. Finally decided it's not worth it.

I really don't know what else to tell you guys. The guides are super easy to follow and I really can't direct you on what you are doing wrong as I am not there. Maybe you need to watch someone do it. The article below has video tutorials so you should be able to follow along with them and pause as needed. It seriously should take not even 15 minutes for you guys to be rooted. Just keep at it, it is worth it. Hope this helps.

Guide to Rooting Android 2.1 on a Motorola Droid | Droid Life: A Motorola Droid Blog
 
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I really don't know what else to tell you guys. The guides are super easy to follow and I really can't direct you on what you are doing wrong as I am not there. Maybe you need to watch someone do it. The article below has video tutorials so you should be able to follow along with them and pause as needed. It seriously should take not even 15 minutes for you guys to be rooted. Just keep at it, it is worth it. Hope this helps.

Guide to Rooting Android 2.1 on a Motorola Droid | Droid Life: A Motorola Droid Blog

thanks for the help. and i'm sure that i'm doing everything right. i dont know if its just that my phone isnt accepting it or what lol. ima keep trying though. i'm not one for giving up
 
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