So, I just got a new Nook Color. The first thing I did after I got it in my hands, was rooting it and installing Cyanogen Mod 7 (Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread).

Here’s how I did it.

How to Root Nook Color 1.2 and Install CyanogenMod 7 (Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread) on the Nook Color

1. Create a bootable Clockwork Mod SD card

You will need to write a CWM image on your card to create a bootable ClockworkMod SD card.

Check out this guide here:

Making an updated bootable ClockworkMod SD

2. Copy Manual Nooter to the SD card

Download Manual Nooter 4.5.18

Copy the ZIP directly to the bootable CWM SD card you just created.

Check out this guide here:

ManualNooter 4.5.18 (For Stock 1.2)

3. Root your Nook Color using Manual Nooter

Turn off your Nook Color
Insert the bootable CWM card with Nook Color
Connect the USB cable to your PC and the Nook Color

You should boot into CWM recovery mode.

Select Install ZIP from SD card
Browse to the Manual Nooter ZIP and install it.

After the installation is complete, you will have a rooted Nook Color.

4. Install Cyanogen Mod 7 (Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread on Nook Color)

Download the CyanogenMod 7 ROM for the Nook Color (Stable Mod)

Copy the ZIP to the SD card

Reboot into recovery mode again, and this time, flash the CyanogenMod 7 ROM ZIP.

Install ZIP from SD card > CyanogenMod 7 ZIP.

When you reboot after the installation is complete, you should be running CM 7 on your Nook Color.