[Nook Color General] bachon:
Update of the first part of this guide - is this any better?

Nook Rooting 101

“I got a new Nook for my birthday. What’s all this stuff about rooting?”

The Barnes & Noble Nook eReaders share some of the same electronic architecture as many smart phones and tablets. These devices work using the Android Operating system. The factory installed OS (Operating System) of the Nook limits many of the possible advanced features since it was designed primarily to be a reader. Some tech-savvy programmers have learned how to modify the Nook devices to more closely emulate advanced features found on many of the Android devices.

Quick detour: Those wanting to modify their Nooks are going to run into a lot of terminology. Here is a link to a glossary of many of these terms.

http://www.acertabletforum.com/foru...-dummies-guide-android-terminology-lingo.html

The number of terms addressed within this post are more modest. But these are terms that you really should understand before attempting to make changes in your Nook.

What is Rooting?

The term root comes from the Unix/Linux world. The Android operating system is loosely based on the Unix operating system. A user who has “Superuser” rights or permissions to all the files and programs in the software OS is called the root. Regular users can use the software, but typically cannot make changes to the firmware that controls how the device operates. Superuser privileges allow users to make a host of changes to the software code on the device.

Regular Nook users have the right to operate the Nook as it shipped from the factory. Rooted Nooks grant Superuser rights to regular Nook users. These rights can be used to overcome restrictions placed on the device by the manufacturer. Rooting typically results in the ability to alter or replace system settings and run applications Barnes & Noble chose not to include.

ROMs

A stock ROM is the version of the device’s Operating System (OS) that comes loaded on it when you buy it. The Nook Readers have a stock ROM. Users of this operating system do not have Superuser rights to change things on the device.

A custom ROM is a fully standalone version of the OS, including the kernel (which makes everything run), apps, services, etc - everything you need to operate the device, except it's customized by someone in some way..

So what does the "customized" part mean? Since Android is open source, developers are free to take stock ROMs, modify them, remove garbage, optimize them, add things, and pretty much do whatever their imagination and skills allow.

Note: If you slog on through this post you will read much more about ROMs and rooting – since they are often related. But let’s move on for now.

Kernels

Another word you’ll frequently see on this site is kernel. Your Nook’s kernel controls much of the communication between the various electronic parts of the unit. An analogy is that the kernel is like programming stored in the Read Only Memory found on desktop and laptop computers. Think of the BIOS (Binary Input Output System). Some portions of the settings in this memory can be changed, such as when you install a hard disk drive. BIOS also allow other settings to be adjusted to suit the preferences of various users. But other portions of the BIOS would typically not be changed or your computer’s electronics cannot communicate with one another.

That is a pretty close approximation to how the kernel on your Nook is setup. Some portions of the programming were set at the factory and should not be changed. But other portions of the programming can be changed. And updates to the programming for kernels are made available, just as updates for BIOS can be flashed into the Read Only Memory of a desktop or laptop computer.

Many of the custom ROMS you can load on your Nook will make at least some changes within the kernel of your unit. Just as there are various versions of the custom ROMs. There are versions of the programming for kernels as well. Let’s stop there for now. The subject can quickly get pretty deep. That should be enough for now. Some will also call the kernel of your Nook the bootloader or the firmware.

Different Approaches

Some people who want to use one of these custom ROM systems on their Nook just install the ROM on a SD chip. (SD stands for Secure Digital.) All the current Nook readers accept a Micro SD chip. A custom ROM can be loaded onto your Nook from this SD chip. Some people choose to load a custom Android Operating System operating from the SD chip. They can then power down the Nook, remove the SD card. They, after restarting their Nook, and the regular Barnes & Noble operating system will run.

At least some of the custom ROMs allow users to select whether to run the operating system (ROM) installed on the SD card, or run the native Nook operating system. You don’t need to go through the process of inserting or removing the SD card to switch the OS. A series of keys are pressed as the Nook is starting to choose which of the ROMs you want it to run. Since you get to choose at startup, some people call this dual booting.

There are other methods of installing custom ROMs on a Nook. One is to install the ROM into the emmc. (This stands for Embedded Multi- Media Card.) This is the flash memory of your Nook that contains the original Barnes & Noble operating system. Loading the ROM into the emmc means the original B & N operating system is no longer available to run. Some users report the ROMs operate a bit faster and that there are fewer problems when the Nook is run in this manner. But do remember that this means the original operating system on your Nook will no longer run. There are instructions located on this site that include steps to re-install the original system. So, this may not be as drastic a step as it might seem at first glance. There are also programs which will allow you to save all the data settings – including the OS settings currently loaded on your Nook so they can be restored later. That will not be covered in this post.

Some users have been loading more than one operating system into the emmc of their Nooks. They can choose which Operating System they want and that one will run on the device. Some have even figured out ways to have both the original B & N stock ROM and a custom ROM to be loaded into the emmc. So no SD card is required after installation to operate the Nook.

Those totally new and unfamiliar with Rooting may find it a little less daunting and feel a bit safer to use the SD chip method. As they gain more experience and know better what they are doing they may decide to venture out and try the emmc method for the potential advantages this method offers.

The Downside Of Custom ROMs

Of course, there are dangers of using custom ROMs which you should be aware of.

You May Void Your Warranty

As long as we’re talking about risks, this one needs to be mentioned. It's possible that loading a custom ROM might void your warranty. This is generally only a problem if you replace the ROM in emmc of your device. The manufacturer might be able to tell that the Nook has had a custom ROM installed and not honor the warranty, in case you need to use it. Barnes & Noble hasn’t acted overly hostile to this kind of modificationsyet, but that could change. Those concerned about this will find comfort in running an alternative custom ROM using the SD card method.

Something Could Go Wrong

Something may go wrong with the lashing process (that's the process of installing a custom ROM) and leave your Nook bricked. One user on this site was almost poetic in saying bricking was “Turning a beautiful orchestration of electronic components into a paperweight or, brick."

A Bricked Nook won’t operate. The chances of this happening are relatively low – especially if you use the SD chip method. And most of the time you can restore your Nook back to normal. Please take note of the phrase “most of the time”.

You should understand that a bricked Nook is a possibility that can happen. Anyone doing a casual scan of the posts within this forum will see posts like “I’ve bricked my Nook.” So it can be done.

Try to go for a custom ROM that has been tested by time and has lots of positive feedback from users on this site. You are more likely to be successful with such a ROM.

Other Potential Problems

Custom ROMs could have bugs. Bugs are mistakes in the programming. Some are minor and won’t cause big problems. But others can be more serious.

There are channels on this site for how to post problems due to bugs. Those who post in the appropriate ROM forum will likely get an answer back and the bug will probably be acknowledged. Experienced users may even suggest methods to fix the problem.

So What‘s the Bottom Line?

Many of the people at this site have determined that the potential benefits of running these custom ROMs outweigh the risks. There are lots of experienced people here who will offer their advice if you decide to try this. But it is ultimately your responsibility to consider the risks and benefits in deciding what to do.

Quick detour: Let’s be clear and realistic. Your Nook is never going to be an I-Phone or another full featured Android Phone. It was designed to be an eReader. (So was the Kindle.) But custom ROMs can add features and unlock capabilities on your Nook that Barnes & Noble probably won’t ever include in their stock ROMs. In short - You cannot really turn your Nook into a smart phone.

END of revisions to first portion.

Corrections and Feedback are welcome.:D

BO