Phew, reflash accomplished! No problem (surprisingly) running the RUU with Elelinux 7.0.0 installed.
Firmware: 2.1-update1
Software #: 3.35.61.2 CL196735 release-keys.
Baseband: 63.18.55.06PU_6.35.15.14 (identical to that in use previously)
Hboot: 1.76.0007 (CVT SHIP S-ON)
Now to try rooting it....
update:
This is interesting..... no, really it is.
1. Installed OI File Manager and used it to install Universal Androot from /sdcard
2. Ran Universal Androot, selected the "2.0-2.2" option and got confirmation of root
3. Installed Root Explorer (an old favourite) and rebooted
4. After restart, opened Root Explorer; got SU Permissions pop-up, checked "Allow always", now had access to all file systems
5. Rebooted
6. Opened RE. Saw notification that it was allowed su permissions. Root is persistent.
7. Installed ROM Manager (free)
8. Opened ROM Manager and selected "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery". Checked "Allow always" when asked by SU Permissions. Flash was confirmed
9. Powered off
10. Rebooted into recovery with HOME + POWER.... saw stock recovery image!
11. Pulled battery, rebooted as normal
12. Opened ROM Manager and reflashed CWM. Selected "Reboot into recovery"
13. Success... now at ClockworkMod Recovery menu!
14. Rebooted system from CWM
15. Powered off
16. Rebooted into recovery with HOME + POWER.... saw stock recovery image!
17. Going to fetch last cold beer from fridge and have a think
update #2:
CRACKED IT!!!!
The answer has been staring me in the face all along but I'd overlooked it.
See the comprehensive guide in the XDA Hero Develpment forum
here by btdag, and scroll down to "*Useful information" and "***solution 3". Doh!
If you have a working ADB setup, run the following from the Windows command prompt
before flashing your alternate recovery:
Code:
adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /system
rm /system/etc/install-recovery.sh
Alternately, use a root-aware file manager such as Root Explorer to simply delete the
install-recovery.sh file (file system must be made r/w).
Once this has been done, flash your recovery and it will persist after reboot.