Quick howto gain root access on the Nokia 770

Other ways are described at The maemo wiki, but this is a short note on how I did it:
  • Install XTerm, you want a terminal anyway
  • Power down the Nokia 770, and connect it to a host computer (over an USB cable)
  • On the host computer run "./flasher-2.0 --enable-rd-mode --reboot".
    Turn the Nokia back on again (Don't use flat batteries here).
    This should make the Nokia boot with a wrench icon and display some text
  • Start XTerm and run "sudo gainroot", you should now have a root shell.
  • Run "passwd user" to change the password for the standard user 'user'.
  • Run "vi /etc/sudoers" (man vi on the host for info)
    Hint: 'a'->edit, 'esc'->stop editing, ':w'->save, ':q'->quit
  • Add a line "user ALL = PASSWD: /usr/bin/su" to /etc/sudoers.
  • Power down the Nokia 770, and connect it to a host computer (over an USB cable)
  • On the host computer run "./flasher-2.0 --disable-rd-mode --reboot".
    Turn the Nokia back on again (Don't use flat batteries here as well).
    The Nokia should now boot as usual
After this you should be capable running "sudo su", which should prompt you for your password and give you a root shell.