Step by step if you want to get to the newest Gingerbread:
Note: If you are already on stock .340 and you have not deleted any bloatware, not themed, not deodexed, not installed a ROM, and have unfrozen anything you might have frozen before, you can skip step 3. If you've rooted and done anything you think might not be close to stock, I'd SBF just to be safe. Its good to know how to do it anyway.
1. Download z4root (
here), Droid 2 Bootstrap (
here), the 3 parts of the .588 install (
here), and .595
deodexed (
here) and put them all onto your SD card (.588 files and .595 should be in a folder, not the root of your SD card)
2. Backup your files and whatnot from your current build however you usually do. I did a TiBU of all of my user apps+data as well as my user dictionary. Also did a backup of my call log using "call log backup and restore"
3. Get to .340 stock via SBF (instructions
here) Make sure it is the .340 full SBF. NOT system only. If you get into a bootloop after SBFing, 100% of the time it can be fixed by getting into stock recovery (hold home and power) and doing a factory reset/data wipe.
(3.5) Once you get to stock and boot for the first time, you can skip reauthenticating your phone by just touching all four corners of the screen with the android on it when you boot up in clockwise order, starting with the upper left. This is optional, just saves a few minutes fiddling with settings.
4. Install z4root and root with it. If it doesn't work, reboot your phone and try again.
5. install droid 2 bootstrap. Bootstrap recovery, reboot into recovery, wipe data/cache, and install all 3 parts of .588, sequentially. To install them, you will go through "install zip from sd card" and "choose zip from SD card." You must install all 3 parts before you leave recovery. Wipe data/cache again here. (Yes, you're wiping it a lot when there shouldn't be anything on there, but its the easiest way to avoid bootloops)
6. Install .595 same as you did .588. You don't even need to leave recovery from the previous step.
7. At this point I'd reboot (first boot may take up to 10 minutes), reinstall droid 2 bootstrap, and do a quick backup of the clean GB install. Then I'd start restoring everything I backed up during step 2. (Note: The first time you open Ti backup after installing .595, hit the "problems?" button and reinstall busybox. Otherwise TiBU will not function)
Finally, if you are getting the blue triangle icon and are no longer connected to Verizon, simply open your dialer and dial *22899 to reauthenticate.
Note: You will need to SBF back to .340 before you can take the OTA. OTA won't be rootable for a while though, so I'd stick with .595 for now.
PS. if you follow these instructions, you can't really screw it up. Even if you somehow flash files in the wrong order or something, you will only be an SBF away from fixing it. (Make sure it is the .340 full SBF. If your file says "system only" it is the wrong one and will not work) The only circumstances in which you could break your phone is if your battery dies mid-flash. So
have a full (or almost full) battery before you start.
