Getting root access on your Nokia N900 enables you to execute commands as a root user with all the privileges it has, just like on any other Linux operating system. Root access enables you to change the file system and gives full access to all system files which if used without care can lead to damaging your phone's software. So how to get root access on our Nokia N900?

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Before we start lets run a simple command like ping google.com something very essential. Open X Terminal and input this command. What you get is what you see on the image bellow.


What we get is the permission denied. (are you root?) error message which tells us that we are not logged in as root and even for simple commands we need root access on our system. Now lests continue.

There is an easy way to enable root access on your Nokia N900 mobile computer, you just need rootsh installed on your device. In order to get it you will need the Maemo Extras repository.

Extras is the primary repository for Maemo applications where most community software can be found. You can browse the applications available in Extras at Maemo Downloads.

If you have Extras enabled and on your N900 you don't need to download the repository, for all the rest just add a new catalog or click here to download Extras straight on your phone.

Download Maemo Extras repository via your tablet. Or download Rootsh here!

Or you can enable it manually on all for post-PR1.1 

• Go into the Application manager.
• Tap the menu -> Tools -> Application catalog...
• Double-tap maemo Extras.
• Uncheck Disabled and you are done

If the Extras repository is not there you can also add it by hand:

• Go to Application manager > Application catalogs > New
• Write maemo.org extras-testing for catalog name
• Give web address as http://repository.maemo.org/extras/
• Enter fremantle as the distribution
• Enter free non-free for components

After that rootsh is available for download via the Application Manager just go to Download and find Rootsh. After you install it on your device open the X Terminal to test it out. We are going to try out the ping command once again but first we must gain root access on our system simply by typing in sudo gainroot or just root for short. Here is what we get:


So we have gained root access on our Nokia N900 tablet and I think this tutorial comes to an end.

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