HTC Desire Custom ROM Install, Part - 2 [[Root Phone]]

In one of my previous posts "HTC Desire Custom ROM Install, Part - 1 [[Overview]]", I had outlined the different steps, that needs to be done to install a custom ROM, in HTC Desire Android phone(GSM).

In this post, I will take you through the process of: How to root HTC Desire GSM?

Rooting means, to get access to the system files, and the system file locations. These system files, are the integral part of our mobile phone, which makes it work the way it works. Example: to show the home screen, respond to user interactions such as tap on the screen etc.

Before jumping directly into the "topic", I would like to share a word of caution, that Root will void the warranty of the phone, and there is a possibility that, your phone will not respond(aka bricked). My personal opinion on this word of caution is, take the risk, and the reward will be great. I was apprehensive about the whole idea of rooting, which was the first step to install, a custom ROM on my mobile; it took a while for me to finally go for it. Now I am happy, that I did it.

How? Windows users
This section describes the steps that needs to be done, if you are using Windows.

1. Install the Unrevoked Android HBOOT Driver
2. Uninstall the HTC Sync

If you haven't had HTC Sync installed on your pc, first install HTC Sync and then uninstall it. Sounds a bit funny? No problem, that is needed
3. Enable USB Debugging on your Android phone
4. Run Unrevoked 3.21
   My phone was not rooted, when I used the latest version of Unrevoked, but version 3.21 worked fine
5. Connect the phone to the computer using an USB cable
6. The phone will be detected by the Unrevoked 3.21; proceed with the on screen instructions, and the rooting process will be started by the Unrevoked 3.21

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Ubuntu users
This section describes the steps that needs to be done, if you are using Ubuntu.

1. Enable USB Debugging on your Android phone
2. Download Unrevoked 3.21
3. Extract reflash.tar.gz, to a location and run 'reflash'
   My phone was not rooted when I used the latest version of Unrevoked, but version 3.21 worked fine
4. Connect the phone to the computer using an USB cable
5. The phone will be detected by the Unrevoked 3.21; proceed the on screen instructions, and the rooting process will be started by the Unrevoked 3.21

During the process, the phone will be rebooted a number of times, which is normal. One very important thing to keep in mind is: do not touch the phone after the Unrevoked3.21 has started the rooting process.

The phone will be successfully rooted, when Unrevoked displays the message "Done".

To verify if the phone is rooted, open the application drawer, and look for a new app called 'Superuser Permissions'; if this application is present, it means your phone is rooted. Enjoy!!