How to root Nexus S using Ubuntu

Configure udev to recognize fastboot device.

vi /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="18d1", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="0bb4", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="22b8", MODE="0666"

In this case, Nexus vendor id is "18d1"
See
http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/device.html
for all the vendor ids available.

sudo /etc/init.d/udev restart

sudo reload udev


sudo adb reboot bootloader

choose unlock bootloader


You must have Built Android source code to use fastboot command

cd /jian/mydroid/out/host/linux-x86/bin/
fastboot oem unlock

Now back on this screen you should read
LOCK STATE - UNLOCKED

Download the ClockworkMod recovery image,
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

Download su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip
adb push su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip /sdcard/su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip
adb reboot bootloader

Select "Recovery

Select "Install ZIP from sdcard" (power button to apply)

Select "Choose ZIP from sdcard" (power button to apply)

Select su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip (power button to apply)

Select "Yes - su-2.3.6.1-ef-signed.zip"


and then reboot, now you should can use
adb shell
su

to get root permission.

Reference:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1007782

How to root android Atrix 4G phone

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1016060


Since I was using firmware 1.5.7 instead of 1.2.6,
have to flash the SBF using RSDlite(huge img to download).

After that you can use GladRoot to install SuperUser.
(might need to do it twice on WinXp to suceed).
And then you can upgrade the system to 1.5.2 via
Setting ->About Phone -> Upgrade phone.

Motorola seems to has strict rules to not allow rooting
of the devices.(Nexus S is quite easy to do it).