How to root and update your htc hero.

I just did this because I was having problems mounting and tethering my hero

1. download and install universal android root 
http://www.tgdaily.com/mobility-features/51631-universal-root-arrives-on-android remember to allow non-market applications, and use a file manager to install the apk

2. Download and install Titanium Backup (from the market) http://matrixrewriter.com/android/ (use this to backup your apps and data). This will also test is

3. Download and install ROM manager (from the market) http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/rom-manager_fjxs.html
This will install a recovery image (that will allow you to use custom roms)

4. Download a rom from http://android-roms.net/hero/ I used the elelinux one put this on the root of your sd card and rename update.zip.

5. Use ROM manager to boot to recovery image

6. Make a Nandroid backup of your current system (make sure there is room on your sdcard

6. Choose a factory reset and wipe dalvik cache in the recovery menu

7. Install the new rom from update.zip (this is a menu option in the recovery rom)

7.5 if anything goes wrong with the update (I forgot to do the wipe) remove the battery (if your screen is frozen) and recover your original settings with nandroid from the recovery menu (though for some reason I had to use Rom manager to reflash my recovery image.