Root access for Samsung Galaxy I9000 on Linux

This post explains how to root your Samsung Galaxy I9000 on Linux. I used Linux Mint 14 but the same process would work for Ubuntu.

One of the first hurdles you will fine when trying to root your Android Samsung Galaxy I9000 is that most post's recommed running 'Odin' which is a Windows only application.

For Odin I tried :

1. Using PlayOnLinux and this does not work with the Odin exe file

2. Using a Windows VM running on VirtualBox, running the Odin exe. I did have the VirtualBox extension pack installed and I could see the Samsung Galaxy I9000 within the VM when the phone was connected via USB when it was powered on. But when it was in 'Download' mode Odin could not detect the Phone in the VM.

The Solution I found was using the Linux posrt of Odin called Heimdall andthe process is :

1. From Heimdall GitHub site download the "Heimdall 1.3.1 command line tool - Debian 32 or 64-bit binary .deb file and install

# wget https://github.com/downloads/Benjamin-Dobell/Heimdall/heimdall_1.3.1_amd64.deb
# sudo dpkg -i heimdall_1.3.1_amd64.deb

2. Download the CF-ROOT kernel zip file

3. Unzip the file, then un tar the file so you are left with a zImage file i.e. you need to extract the archive twice

4. Enable USB Debugging on the phone via Settings, -> Applications -> Development -> USB Debugging option -> Select to enable

5. Power off your phone

6. Power on phone in Download mode (press Volume Down + Home Key +Power together. It will show a show a yellow icon saying "Downloading. Do not turn off Target!!!"

7. Connect USB cable from phone to laptop

8. Run command line tool to show its connected :

$ heimdall detect
Device detected

9. Flash image

$ sudo heimdall flash --kernel zImage
[sudo] password for clunky:
Heimdall v1.3.1, Copyright (c) 2010-2011, Benjamin Dobell, Glass Echidna
http://www.glassechidna.com.au

This software is provided free of charge. Copying and redistribution is
encouraged.

If you appreciate this software and you would like to support future
development please consider donating:
http://www.glassechidna.com.au/donate/

Initialising connection...
Detecting device...
Claiming interface...
Attempt failed. Detaching driver...
Claiming interface again...
Setting up interface...

Checking if protocol is initialised...
Protocol is not initialised.
Initialising protocol...
Handshaking with Loke...

Beginning session...
Session begun with device of type: 0

Downloading device's PIT file...
PIT file download sucessful

Uploading KERNEL
100%
KERNEL upload successful
Ending session...
Rebooting device...
Re-attaching kernel driver...

10. Reboot, phone and download a "Root checker" app from Google Play to check everything is correct.

11. You can also review the CWM and SuperUser new applications