On technology and development » HTC http://blog.codewrench.net My thoughs on stuff Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:49:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Rooting HTC Hero http://blog.codewrench.net/2009/12/23/rooting-htc-hero/ http://blog.codewrench.net/2009/12/23/rooting-htc-hero/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:16:22 +0000 Pål http://blog.paks.no/?p=397 Continue reading →]]> This article is a guide on how to root a unmodified HTC Hero (European GSM model) running firmware latest generic ROM version 2.73.405.5. I found lots of guides on the net for older firmwares, but they did not work on this latest so I had to combine different guides I found in order to complete the operation. The HTC Hero comes locked down, kind of not having Administrator access in Windows. This keeps you from accidentally messing up our phone, but it also keeps you from modifying system settings, installing certain applications etc. Rooting the phone opens the posibility to install unofficials ROMS and updates as well. Read five great reasons to root your android phone for more information. Rooting on Android is the iPhone equivalent of “jail breaking”.

All the files you need to perform this is located in this zip file (10 MB): Tools for rooting HTC Hero.

Download and uncompress to a folder on your PC.

Prerequisits:
- Install ADB drives if neccecary (usb_drivers folder)
- Verify installation by connecting phone to PC (USB)
- Enter tools folder
- Type adb-windows shell
- You should get shell access from the phone (i.e. a $ prompt)
- Type exit to quit shell

1. Copy recovery.img to SD card

2. Flash new recovery image
- Install flashrec-1.1.2-20090909.apk
- Copy to SD card and start with a packet installer
- Run application
- First make backup of current recovery image (click backup button)
- Change path in textbox to /sdcard/recovery.img
- Click "flash recovery image" button to flash new recovery image
- If you get "Flash complete" message, reboot phone.

3. Backup current ROM
- Shutdown phone
- Power up phone by holding Home button while clicking Power. Keep
  holding down Home for a few seconds.
- Use the NANDROID BACKUP menu option to backup current rom

4. Root phone (optional)
- Boot recovery image as above (Home + Power)
- While phone is in recovery mode open cmd.exe on PC and enter tools\ folder
- Type the following commands:
    adb-windows shell
    mkdir systmp
    mount -o rw -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock3 /systmp
    cat /systmp/bin/sh > /systmp/bin/su
    chmod 4755 /systmp/bin/su
    reboot

- Enjoy rooted phone

You can test if you have succeded by starting adb-windows shell again
when the phone has booted. At the $ prompt, type su followed by enter.
The prompt should now change to # indicating you are root.

5. Install Market Enabler (optional)
- You can now install MarketEnabler_3.0.4.apk to gain access to full Android Market

DISCLAIMER: I take absolutely no responsibility if you somehow manage to turn your Hero into a unusable paper weight. Messing with root access and changing phone images is somewhat risky and you can totally mess up your phone.

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