How to root GSM Hero with Stock Firmware

[Guest darms9805]

Dear All,

It's still the best as MoDaco forum has to offer. I've been with Stock ROM (1.5) for sometimes now and I'm totally fed up with HTC support and keep waiting for HTC Official 2.1 Rom to be release. And now, Google has just released 2.2 Froyo and after reading through a lot of forum, I guess 2.1 will be the last upgrade available for HTC Hero users. So this is why I've decided to root my Hero and go to custom ROM as it still has hopes for Hero to get 2.2 in the future. But before i do this, I'll need certain guidance from all the experts here.

1. Before I root my phone, I hope I can do a full backup of my software (not necessarily my contacts and sms), but all the software apps I've installed? Would appreciate if any experts here can list of method of even URL for my reference to backup my phone before proceed the "big projects".

2. After backup, I guess I'll need to root the phone. (My phone information will be listed below just for the confirmation of my firmware version). Would appreciate if any experts can show me the step by step guide on how to root my phone. URL reference is appreciated too.

3. I believe MoDaco 3.2 is available (but does it support chinese character?), I'll go for 3.2 in the mean time before 4.0 release. I may not have any problem with MoDaco 3.2 installation but for just-in-case, I'd hope experts like you all can help me out too.

Hero Information:

Model Number: HTC Hero

Firmware Version: 1.5

Baseband version: 63.18.55.06JU_6.35.09.26

Kernel Version: 2.6.27-8dd6deee htc-kernel@and18-2

Build Number: 2.73.751.4 CL#61205 release-keys

Software Version: 1.0.0.A6288

Thank you in advance for all the experts here! Thank you very very much!

Edited May 25, 2010 by darms9805

[Guest liorwei]

you can backup all of your software with "quick uninstaller" and than use the batch backup option.

to root your phone you may use this guide: http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-ro...o-in-one-click/

but if its dont work maybe you should downgrade your hero: http://theunlockr.com/2009/10/18/how-to-do...-can-be-rooted/

[Guest darms9805]

you can backup all of your software with "quick uninstaller" and than use the batch backup option.

to root your phone you may use this guide: http://theunlockr.com/2009/08/27/how-to-ro...o-in-one-click/

but if its dont work maybe you should downgrade your hero: http://theunlockr.com/2009/10/18/how-to-do...-can-be-rooted/

Dear Liorwei,

Thank you for your reply, but according to your experience and as the phone information I've listed. For your advise, is my Hero rooted? Thank you and looking forward for your reply soon.

B.Regards

Darms

[Guest 42turkeys]

You can use the 'MyBackup' app to backup apps, app data & home screens.

http://www.roothtchero.co.uk contains all the info you need to root including downgrading, rooting, updating and unrooting if you need to.

Edited May 25, 2010 by 42turkeys

[Guest 42turkeys]

edit: double post (using my phone)

Edited May 25, 2010 by 42turkeys

[Guest Zane Lee]

Hi there,

I rooted my phone without ever having to wipe anything. First of all, you need to flash Amon_RA's recovery to your Hero. You can do that without downgrading your firmware. I simply used FlashRec and it worked.

1. Download and install the .apk file from ZenThought, best way is to visit the apk link using your phone so you don't have to use fastboot or adb to install your apk.

2. Download Amon_RA's latest recovery, then rename it as what FlashRec wants you to, then put it into your sdcard.

3. Go to FlashRec in your phone, press the backup button, then the install button will be activated. Then install.

4. Go to MoDaCo 3.2 ROM thread, download the zip file, put it into your sdcard.

5. Boot into custom recovery by powering on your Hero while pressing and holding your end call/power button and home button.

6. Do a nandroid backup by going to "Backup/Restore" > "Nand backup".

7. After you're done, go back and go to "Flash zip from sdcard" and flash the MoDaCo rom.

8. Reboot your Hero and taaadaaa! You should have all your settings before it was rooted.

Links to required files:

FlashRec: http://zenthought.org/content/project/flashrec

Custom Recovery: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=561124

MoDaCo ROM: http://loadbalancing.modaco.com/download.p...o8v4609p0hn5v6h

After you're rooted, you should get Titanium Backup for backing up all your apps. I paid $3.90 for the donate version, which allows me to do batch restoring of apps.

Titanium Backup: http://matrixrewriter.com/android/

Oh yes, the Superuser app in MoDaCo's ROM is actually pretty outdated and unreadable. I manually updated mine to 2.1, which is the latest. You can do so by going to the link below and download the UNSECURE version for Cupcake/Donut. Put it into your sdcard, and go back to recovery and flash it the same way you flashed your custom ROM.

Superuser 2.1: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=682828

Edited June 7, 2011 by Paul