Android - regaining root access

Loyal readers of my blog, followed by millions (Joe Millions), may recall that I went to some lengths a few months ago to gain root access to my Android device - something that ought to be there by default, btw, since I paid a princely sum for the fun.

Now, it turns out that I've somehow lost root again. Arggh! The gods be cursed!

So, why did this happen? More importantly, how to get it back again? Let's see if we can reconstruct events from my previous posts.

Ah, good - in this blog post, I actually *summarized* what I did:

http://gettingintomobile.blogspot.com/2011/07/nexus-one-rooted-at-last.html

Long story short, it looks like I got through the tough part - unlocking the phone (had to be done from a Windows system), and now all I have to do is follow the instructions from this url:

http://chensun.net/android-development/root-nexus-one-with-android-2-3-3-gingerbread/8/

Ok, somebody noticed why they/I lost root:

Today the OTA Update to Android version 2.3.6 (Build GRK39F) was pushed to my Nexus One. And as i expected (from my experience of previous system updates), also with this android update you will loose your root access.

Ok, when I go to chensun.net, it confirms I can get root on 2.3.6:

Root Nexus One with Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread
Posted on March 26, 2011 by Chen

Update: September 24, 2011.
Also works for Android 2.3.6 on Nexus One!

There still might be a problem - I"m thinking the fastboot could have been a problem

Hmm...it looks like the fastboot needs to be flashed from XP, and not a virtual version either. It'll have to wait till I get home and can use my wife's pc.

Ok - I'm home. Once I got into her pc, it was very simple. In fact, it was just a question of following the tutorial steps, replicated below for you viewing:

1. Download su.zip, and put it on your phone’s SD card.

2. Download fastboot.zip, unzip it to C:\. Now you have a folder C:\fastboot\

3. Download recovery-RA-passion-v2.2.1.img, put it in C:\fastboot\

4. Shut down your phone. Then start your Nexus One in Fastboot mode by holding down the Trackball and press the Power button.

5. Connect your phone to your computer. Open a Command Prompt (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Command Prompt), and run the following commands:

cd C:\fastboot
fastboot devices
fastboot flash recovery recovery-RA-passion-v2.2.1.img

6. Use Volume +/- keys to choose ‘Bootloader’ and hit the Power button.

7. Use Volume +/- keys to select ‘Recovery’ and hit the Power button.

8. From the menu, scroll the Trackball to select ‘Flash zip from sdcard’ and hit the Trackball.

9. Select the su.zip file you previously copied to your SD card and hit the Trackball. Hit it one more time.

10. When done, restart your Nexus One and you should be all set.

There you go. Enjoy your rooted Nexus One :)