HTC Desire root is now available for download which gives you full file (root) access on your Android 2.1.

Paul from Modaco forums has also posted some details on the limitations of this root and has also posted instructions and requirements to perform this on your HTC Desire.

How to Root HTC Desire with Tiny Core Linux

You need the following in order to perform this tutorial on your HTC Desire running on Android 2.1.

• HTC Desire
• a PC
• a microUSB cable
• a microSD card (to be made into a ‘goldcard’)
• the ISO download below

Now simply follow the steps below in order to root your HTC Desire (Android 2.1) with Tiny Core [via Modaco].

Download TinyCore ISO

You can download it from here: Download TinyCore ISO

Note: This process will wipe your device and there is currently no option to backup your device ROM before you start.

• Make your microSD card into a goldcard by following these instructions (it’s a good idea to back up the contents of your card first!).
• Burn the ISO you downloaded above to a CD and boot it, or boot it in a virtual machine.
• Press enter when prompted to load Linux. When it has loaded, click the little ‘monitor’ icon at the bottom of the screen to open a terminal window.
• Turn off your HTC desire, then turn it back on with the ‘back’ button held down. You’ll see ‘FASTBOOT’ written on the screen in a red box. Connect the phone to the computer.
• In the terminal window, enter the following commands:
  sudo mkdir /mnt/cdrom
sudo mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
cd /mnt/cdrom/root
sudo ./step1.sh
• When this step has completed, using the optical trackball, navigate to the ‘BOOTLOADER’ and then ‘RECOVERY’ option on the menu, using the volume buttons to move and the power button to select. Then, again in the terminal window, enter the following commands:
  sudo ./step2.sh
• When this has completed, your device should be at the ‘recovery’ screen. Select the ‘wipe’ option, then select the option to apply an update zip from sdcard, and select ‘rootedupdate.zip’. This will take a little while, so go make a nice cup of tea. When the flash has finished, reboot, and you are done!

Remember: Try this on your own risk and we are not responsible for any damage done to your device.