I was wondering how I would go about rooting my phone, and what the advantages to doing so are. I'd also like to know how to apply this GB update I downloaded as a ZIP file.
First, how to root your phone and the advantages: Since you're not using Gingerbread you can root your phone with aroot or superoneclick. Both require you connect your phone to your computer via the usb cable that came with your phone and run the downloaded aroot or superoneclick. If you update to Gingerbread there is a pre-rooted update that you can use to update to a rooted version of Gingerbread...get the update and app from TeamBlackHat (TBH). There is a thread in this forum with addtional information and how to. If you update to Gingerbread by not using the prerooted update then you cannot root Gingerbread at this time.
Advantages...it depends on what you want to do...and if you understand what you're doing. Root could be "good" if you understand how, roots limitations and what to do and what not to do. Otherwise you can create a lot of problems for yourself. I'd recommend researching "root" before doing it. There's a lot of information in this forum and other places.
Here is how to update to the 'not rooted" Gingerbread:
1. Open the update file you downloaded
2. You will see a folder "2.3.3 ... " or something similar
3. Open that folder and you will find a file "update.zip"
4. This is the file you need!!
5. Extract the folder "2.3.3.." somewhere where you remember
6. Once you have done so, go into the folder and copy the "update.zip" file
7. Paste it on your SD card in the root directory (main folder of the card)
8. Power down phone
9. Turn on phone by pressing Power + R + M at the same time, let go of the buttons as soon as you see the Motorola logo
10. You will see the "!" logo, press @ to enter the Recovery mode
11. There, navigate with the volume keys to "apply update.zip"
12. Let it work its magic...it will take about 10 minutes. Then, reboot when it prompts you too do so at the conclusion of the update process. When you phone reboots it will reboot into Gingerbread.
