How-To: Root your Droid

[z0mbiexx]

well when you go to power on your phone and hold x you get the default recovery that has the install update.zip, reboot system and factory reset... which basically just allows a few basic operations incase you make mistakes on the phone..

with .99.2b my menu is as follows
reboot system
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache
mount options
-mount /system
-mount /data
-unmount /cache
-mount /sdcard
-enable usb mass storage
Backup/Restore
-simple nandroid backup
-simple nandroid restore (latest)
-advanced nandroid backup
-adcanced nandroid restore
Install
-choose rom from SD car
-allow update.zip installation
-install /sdcard/update.zip (deprecated)

basically you need the modified recovery to flash roms of 2.1 and modified 2.0.1 as they are mostly all "nandroid backups" but seems now some of them are actually becoming update.zip installs and rom installs from .tar so it does go along with rooting as its our main source of rom flashing and backing up our own personal setup of that rom incase we choose to go back to a previous rom/setup.

also heres the http://www.sholes.info/ website.. incase you want to read more of the details in his own words of the recovery images and his personal made roms.

[nerdherd]

Well, I just made the jump and after doing everything I think I understand a little better now Now on to try the ROM mentioned on the sholes.info site!

[parkjam]

Made some edits to the first two posts to hopefully clarify the process for installing recovery, why it should be done, and backups

[nerdherd]

Originally Posted by parkjam

Made some edits to the first two posts to hopefully clarify the process for installing recovery, why it should be done, and backups

Very good addition!

[quadjacks]

I was reading OP and was going to download the files needed. As per >>>> http://developer.android.com/sdk/installing.html

The following statement was made. I am new to Android, so is it necessary to go that route to Root my phone? I have experience with Flashing my Touch Pro, and yes i am very aware this is very different, however the same risk, and need to pay attention to detail are similar.

If you will be developing in Eclipse with the Android Development Tools (ADT) Plugin — the recommended path if you are new to Android — make sure that you have a suitable version of Eclipse installed on your computer (3.4 or newer is recommended).

[nerdherd]

Originally Posted by quadjacks

I was reading OP and was going to download the files needed. As per >>>> http://developer.android.com/sdk/installing.html

The following statement was made. I am new to Android, so is it necessary to go that route to Root my phone? I have experience with Flashing my Touch Pro, and yes i am very aware this is very different, however the same risk, and need to pay attention to detail are similar.

No, that's only if you are planning on writing software for Android. If you're just trying to root the phone (and install nandroid, etc) you just need to download the SDK (here http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html) and then extract it to a folder somewhere on your computer). You don't actually need to "install" anything from the SDK. The reason that you need to do this is because there's a program in the SDK called "adb.exe" that will let you issue commands to your phone from your desktop. As far as I know you don't actually NEED the program, but it makes it much easier than having to type a bunch of commands on your Droid.

[z0mbiexx]

Originally Posted by nerdherd

No, that's only if you are planning on writing software for Android. If you're just trying to root the phone (and install nandroid, etc) you just need to download the SDK (here http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html) and then extract it to a folder somewhere on your computer). You don't actually need to "install" anything from the SDK. The reason that you need to do this is because there's a program in the SDK called "adb.exe" that will let you issue commands to your phone from your desktop. As far as I know you don't actually NEED the program, but it makes it much easier than having to type a bunch of commands on your Droid.

also editing system files with the terminal on the droid can involve unwanted semi-bricks where it won't boot past the moto logo so using adb shell is pretty much the best solution.

[quadjacks]

Originally Posted by z0mbiexx

also editing system files with the terminal on the droid can involve unwanted semi-bricks where it won't boot past the moto logo so using adb shell is pretty much the best solution.

Ok so i have rooted the phone, but i dont understand what you mean, editing system files, where i even see them?

i double clicked ADB, it flashes a cmd screen then goes away. what am i doing wrong?

i am using eclipse as recommended!!

[z0mbiexx]

Originally Posted by quadjacks

Ok so i have rooted the phone, but i dont understand what you mean, editing system files, where i even see them?

in Astro (FM i use) i hit up til i am at "/" or simply set the home directory to "/" instead of "/sdcard" and you'll see system, bin etc folders and files within them... and i mean by editing framework-res.apk or hiding or unhiding launcher icons within the terminal on the droid.

[quadjacks]

Originally Posted by z0mbiexx

in Astro (FM i use) i hit up til i am at "/" or simply set the home directory to "/" instead of "/sdcard" and you'll see system, bin etc folders and files within them... and i mean by editing framework-res.apk or hiding or unhiding launcher icons within the terminal on the droid.

Then let me clarify- i wanted to Root to use the recovery tool and get new Roms. So what is that process?

and possibly un-install some unused apps.