Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

@mosen

WOW! Thanks! It is really interesting to be someone knowing so little about the basic stuff. But you know only what you need and come a cross through something. It has been a bit pain in the *** to learn anything with N900. But keeps brains fresh not knowing so much cause have to and can learn all the time. This topic has been very informing for me too. Have not yet needed rescueos but may need some day with my way of doing things.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

And if you still do not succeed ica (though the instructions are now very straightforward) I am sure there are some people here who would help you with the device directly.

Maybe you are willing to pay for shipment to and from someone who can deal with your device. Maybe somebody even lives close enough you can just visit him. It will certainly be cheaper and more successful than a visit to an repair store.

I would offer myself to unlock your device and even to put files onto an USB key if you send one with it. I am based in Germany near Munich.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

hi all, first of all I really want to express my gratitude for all your help. it is not only about lgetting my old n900 back but also about to learn new things and most important to have a good environment. personally I am very pleased the way I am been look after. it really makes a difference. anyway the way I am doing ths is:
1- open command promp
2- cd.. several times to reach c:)
3- in c:) I have to go to DIR because if I paste the hole address it doenst take so..
4- cd program files (x86)
5-dir
6- cd maemo
7- dir
8- cd flasher-3.5
9-dir
10- here is where I paste( with the right key because control v doesn't work in the command promt)
flasher-3.5 -k rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.3.zImage -n rescueOS-1.3.img -l -b"rootdelay root=/dev/ram0"
11-the answer is
suitable USB device not found, waiting.
and the command prompt screen doesn't allow me to paste or write anything and the phone shows the usb icon on the right upper corner but nothing else happens. nothing pops up in the phone or in the prompt screen so I could tipe code_reset to bring back to code to 12345. as you guys can see I am very close. just need to be able to get to the point where I cant tipe that code-reset but don't know what is not happening

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

You are pretty close @ica I think.

Was your device totally powered off before you inserted the USB cable?

The order is important here;
1. have N900 off and USB not connected
2. give command in PC prompt
3. connect N900 to USB

If this does not work then I think the problem is in windows, I cannot help with that because I have not had windows since XP long time ago.

Now as I think about it, does one have to do some sudo-like gimmic in windows too, like in linux? Does flasher require privilige to work?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

sorry forgot to add that I connect the phone while pressing the u key of the phone after step 11.
thanks Macros, at this point is a bit about pride. I d like to get the answer myself but thanks a lot for the offer. I might have toaccept it if I cant fix it myself.

maemish and mosen: guys ... thaks a lot, you are tring even harder than me. thanks again also to Halftux and juiceme. good gang in here

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I can only recommend using Linux instead of Windows; most things that are Hard in Windows are Easy in Linux. :p

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

hi juiceme
yes the phone completely off. I even took the battery out and waited a bit.
did steps 1 2 3 and nothing. can you explain to me why the promt screen doest allow me to tipe anything else at this point? the prompt is there blinking but I cant paste or tipe

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Do you mean the prompt in PC?
It is hanging because it waits you to plug in the N900.

When it detects that the N900 is connected, then it will display more messages as it sends the kernel image and OS image to the N900, and after that it will allow you to type again.

So I think the problem is it does not detect that you have connected N900.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

hmm I wonder if some piece of software is not in the phone for it to say to the PC hey Im connected, but it is weird because the phone does display the nokia screen and the usb logo in the corner and vibrates when plugged. I thing it must the phone. is there any software that has to be installed in the phone before doing all this?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

or may be as you say it could be also that the phone connects to PC with the usb but PC is not communicating with phone, then it might windows fault..i wonder if it might be the same case if I try in a more modern windows with compatibility settings... will it manage well the flasher and the other 2 pieces of software?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

No no, the problem cannot be the phone, unless it is seriously broken (so bad it would not display anything at all)

The software to work together with flasher is within the phone boot rom.

I think you need some tweak with windows, maybe some driver or privilidge-command to make it work. In this I cannot help as I know nothing of Windoze.

Did somebody mention you need to install the nokia suite or somethong first?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Just a by the way, I had one N900 that I could not flash for more than a year with a similar error. Following the advice here, I tried it with three different operating systems on four different computers and with three different USB cables. Nothing. I put the phone in the drawer and gave up on it.

Then I upgraded my laptop and after a few months remembered about the N900. I tried it and, hey presto, it worked!

The upshot is that I can confirm, sometimes it just does not work with some computers but works with others.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I flashed my N900 again before christmas for the first time since 2013 and first time with this windows 7 PC.

I had a similar problem finding the N900 and had to install some addition driver so that Flasher could connect to the N900.

Solution
http://wiki.maemo.org/Updating_the_tablet_firmware

see the options in this section for a solution
Workaround for "no suitable device found" problem on Windows 7 x64

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Try this from the general instructions:
(TIP: Hold the u key until Windows has successfully installed the driver.)

This fits perfectly. if u key is released to early and no driver is installed, windows has no clue how to handle this type of USB connection to the n900.

Else the section glo-worm mentioned has 6 suggestions.

Where this is interesting:
Once this message appears, run inf-wizard.exe from libusb-win32 package and create an inf file for "N900 (PC Suite Mode)" and install this inf driver. Then go to Device Manager and update the driver for N900 Phone Parent and the flasher should spring to life...

More instructions on inf-wizard.exe here.

But again, at this point it is definately more promising to look at Halftux footer, download the image linked in the thread, use Win32diskimager to copy it to a usb stick and boot it.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

As I said before, everything is so unnecessarily complex in the windoze world :eek:

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Just to check: do you open command prompt with administrator priviledges? I didn't when I first tried. I think I had to check some box from the folder options in windows to get that option to the right mouse click. Then I could open straight in windows folder the flasher with right click and open in command prompt as an administrator.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Yes, it is called "Administrator".
On systems where it exists/matters you can right click on the cmd.exe in filemanager (explorer) and select "start as administrator" which gives you something comparable to a root shell in *nixes.
The same is accomplished with the "run box" where you can type single commands from the ui.
If you enter cmd.exe in the run box and hit ctrl+shift+enter, the command is executed with admin rights.
The run box again is hidden at a rightclick on the "Start" button or in windows 10 works from the general search bar on top of the start-menü.

Geez windows is. Urrrgh, complicated indeed.

EDIT, yay maemish, we have good timing :D

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Oh dears :rolleyes:

use halftux image,

or
Winx64 needs definitely libusb32 (or use older XP/Win7 as 32bit)
the 'cmd' / flasher needs definitely to be run as administrator
first fix this

then 'u' needs to be hold for first time until drivers are installed
for not detecting try following sequence
take battery out
connect USB
start cmd as administrator
go to directory
start the flasher command
push (and hold) 'u'
insert battery, hold down 'u'

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Pardon me for not waiting for the captain. You forgot to fly away ;)

ica, are you able to combine what Peter listed and what you did correctly before or should i list everything in order again?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

opened command promt as administrator and kept u key a good bit after getting the messagle suitable device not forund, waiting and nothing happens. also I selected that option in F8 when starting but nothing new happens. went to read halftux instructions and they are hard for me to understand guys. at this point I feel like send the n900 to the shed and forget about it

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Which version of Win7? x64 or x86 (32bit)???
I assume 64bit.
Then you need libusb_win32 installed! And iirc also you have to create another config file? wiki should have all info...

--spoon edit
https://talk.maemo.org/showthread.ph...&postcount=154

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

ica, you are not making something wrong. Only Windows is kicking your a**.

The last thing missing is a driver (inf file) for the N900 usb mode.
This inf file is created by inf-wizard.exe which is contained in libusb-win32.zip in the /bin folder.

Extract the zip to any folder, start inf-wizard.exe as Administrator and follow this instructions.

You may still run into problems installing the inf/driver because it is unsigned.
Maybe it is just hitting "install anyway" when asked.

EDIT: Peter got a perfect explanation link above while i am typing


And do not scare away from the instructions for halftux image if you decide windows has had enough tries.

In simple words, live image boot explained.

1. Download this image containing all the stuff.
2. Download and install Win32DiskImager
3. Open Win32DiskImager and select the iso image you downloaded to be copied to an empty usb-stick.
4. Boot your computer from the USB-stick.

Do not worry, nothing will be changed or even damaged in your windows as it will not be touched.
If your computer does not boot from the usb stick when your leave it in during reboot, you may have to enter your computers bios by hitting a key during the first 5 seconds after power on.
Usually it is DEL or F2 or ENTER. Once in the BIOS, look for startup/boot options and set the usb device higher in boot priority by moving it up in the list of boot devices. Generally this is done with F5(up) and F6 (down).

If all is set to boot from USB, you will see a debian command prompt after boot up has finished.
It is an actual linux running from USB drive.

From there on i would explain further if you got there.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

guys I have changed the code!!!

1 last question: the N900 screen says code changed and now? can I unplug the phone or do I have to tipe something to exit?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Yaaaaay
You can now type poweroff to shut the phone down.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I just follow mosens and peters info about what to install.
from the flasher 3.5, rescue OS1.3, recue OS n900 kernel 1.3zimage, libuswin 32 bin 1.2.6.0, extract inf wizard from bin...
its being hard, guys I nearly give up as per my last post but I must say that thanks to mosen I didn't. now im happy I didn't.

if it happens to someone else I d like to contribute here adding that the order of things was:

in promp command tipe as per mosen:
cd C:\program files(x86)\maemo\flasher-3.5>

now is when I connected the phone.

then tipe:


flasher-3.5 -k rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.3.zImage -n rescueOS-1.3.img -l -b"rootdelay root=/dev/ram0"


and then as per codetracer, Run inf-wizard.exe (bin folder in zip) - Run as Administrator and just click in next until the screen disappears.
then go again to the inf wizard and click in install now

and if I remember well that was it.

thanks guys again for all your help and patience

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

yeeeeees it works.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I can guarantee you, this moment of nearly giving up is exactly what it needs to progress sometimes ;)

Well done!

I was just having fun :rolleyes: and feel really proud now that you did not give up :D
In the 90s i had a general computer business where we planned to sell self coded websites but totally failed in marketing and only attracted (rich) Windows users to debug.
I once literally drove 200Km from Cologne to Frankfurt and back just to unhide a windows taskbar. The CEO of a small Bank had accidentally pushed it into invisibility on his laptop he depended on to give a speech in the evening. I was not able to explain him for 1 hour on the phone how to unhide it. His stupidity drove me so incredibly nuts that i hopped in my car, drove 2 hours, made one mouse drag&move, presented 500DM bill, drove 2 hours back. Monty Phythons is nothing compared to the real world.

Have a great evening!

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

This is what I miss the most. The official forum for my current device drives me nuts. When we get new update? Battery life sucks after new update! Google it, newb! That's all I see. Anything useful is just lost in the noise.

Ica, I'm glad you managed to get it going. To all those who contributed, thank you for keeping it friendly and approachable.

There is a shortcut in Windows by the way to open a command prompt at the current folder to save using cd. shift+Right Click a folder icon or a blank space in the folder will add an extra option in the pop up to open in command prompt or powershell. If won't open in administrator mode though, that needs some registry editing to add a new option.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks guys. Just remember now that I found myself wondering if the code_reset input I had to told it on the command prompt of the laptop or in the N900 using its keyboard. I decided to try the N900 keyboard and hope code..... And then where 8s this key_? The lower line? _
Well found that if you press the top.left key (car ctrl) and the key with number 8 prompts the whole code_reset thing

In case anybody needs it 1 day.

Again thanks again to all of you who didn't give up and for us patience. It was important for me to bring back the phone to live. I'm not going to use it but at least it does work. It is crazy what a simple and stupid idea like locking then phone can turn into. So messy

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

And now you can be proud of yourself :)

Now that you have learned your first steps in the console,
and if you feel adventurous, you may try out some other things with computers.

Using Linux is like a real world game. You choose a quest, explore a bit and work to the quest reward which brings you real benefits. The skills you learn along the way? Level up!

For example you say "I want to have a mediacenter".
After some search you find the Raspberry Pi and https://libreelec.tv.
And voila, you have mediacenter, friendly to your power bill, cheaper than any one offered in the local market, and way more capable.
(easy difficulty)

Other "quests" (medium difficulty)

• Try Linux on a PC to be free of viruses and get more privacy
  Kubuntu feels familiar for Windows users
• Install Nextcloud on an Raspberry PI to have your own home cloud
• Try OpenWRT on your router (if compatible) to have it offer options like expensive ones

You will find help along the way in the many forums of the projects.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks Macros, actually you read my mind. I was thinking to dedicate a computer to experiment with new things related to Linux. I believe Ubuntu is a version of Linux, right? This situation with the N900 exposed me to new thing or better said new terms that I still don't understand but will soon like "an image" or "a mirror" . My personal philosophy is to survive in a world without Windows or Apple. Windows because it charges for everything and it is full of viruses and Apple because I hatted their company strategy from the beginning. They built their machines to be compatible only among themselves while Nokia was the other extreme. That s why I loved Nokia phones till they merged with Microsoft. Then I went with Samsung and now Imnth8nking to go back to Nokia again. Anyway ....yes I th8nk I 'll start my learning process into Linux. Thanks again for being so suportive

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

What android_808 told about the shift key + right mouseclick was the thing I was after with my advices. Just didn't remember right. I have tried many different linux versions: puppy, tiny core, crunchbang, slitaz, kali, bodhi, lxle, ubuntu with different variations, subgraph, skywave, elementary, mint etc. As a very long time normal windows user and a total newbie still with linux not undertanding anything else than googling and copy pasting following instructions, my suggestions of linux: 1) If you have a computer say with 2gb ram or more, the best way is Linux Mint. Normally everything works the most perfectly. 2) If you have 1-2 gb ram you can install Ubuntu Mate version, and 3) If you have 512mb-1gb ram I suggest Lubuntu. Those have been the most easiest to install and update and easiest to find helping answers online. But before installing linux google compatibility list with linux with your own computer model. There are problems a lot with certain graphic cards to find linux drivers which may cause it hard to watch movies online or even with player. Also you should check if you have printers if they have driver for linux. That has been another problem. As well as wifi connectivity for which you will normally find help online. My main writing laptop I use the most is Nokia 3G Booklet which has GMA500 graphic driver and if you have that graphic card you really need to do a lot of work to be able to watch anything with it. After I lost three times my ability to watch anything with it because of updates I stupidly downloaded I gave up and use it only for writing which is the thing I mostly do with a computer. But first install linux on a usb and use it from there. It is good to have one on a usb and one a dvd because with them you can save yourself in many troubles.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks Maemish, the laptop I'm thinking to use actually barely used. I can afford to mess with it and spend a week or a month finding the fix. What advantages do you find using Linux instead any other OS?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Open source and free. Plus no need for virus protection software. It is mostly the understanding that using linux is the right thing to do. Doing my part for humanity. Plus not supporting money business. Privacy. Against marketing and profiling. Plus it gives you possibility to recycle older computers instead of buying newer every year. Plus a lot of free shareware programs. Plus the community. Being part of it. Those are my reasons. And it makes you use your brains. As it is with N900 over iphones I used to have my main phones. Now N900 is main and iphone a slave on a wifi leach at home. Have to say linux is not the easiest way even though nowadays it is as easy to install as other os. But it challenges you and you challenge yourself. But when you start to use it and face the first challenges you need to fix ands you search the solutions and fix it - theres no going back to be dummer than your machine. Maybe it is that feeling that you are the master over the machine, not vice versa, and so it should be and so it should stay.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Not instead of any other os, but the thing that mostly drove me away from Windows was ease of finding software for a job. Sure, linux has many more points going for it but that was what brought me into it.

On Windows, if you say want to convert 1000 photos you either pay big bucks for Photoshop and learn its scripting interface.
Or search around for an hour to look which of the 20 shareware solutions can do it.
Than download, install, kill bloatware search bars, find out how to do it by trial and error over hours.

On Linux (and any console centric OS with decent package manager) It is as simple as putting "linux convert images from x to y" into a search engine. Then realize everyone is using imagemagick for it, if not installed do "[packagemanager] install imagemagick", then literally copy and paste a given command from tutorials or forum posts into your shell and slightly adapt pathes.
Profit.
Tip: To get a manual of any linux program to learn to understand waht you copy from forum posts, just type "man [programm]". For a short summary of the parameters/features just do "[program] --help".

What you really need to learn on linux is problem solving strategy.
Realize what is your problem.
Formulate it as a question for search engines.
Also if you get error messages, put it in a search engine,
Follow the Rabbit hole to the end.
In 99% your question can be answered that way.
Else you are allowed to make a forum post in a specialised Forum because you found an issue of interest ;)
Read the "How to ask questions the smart way" for enlighment in that regard.

One thing i would like to pick out from the essay is the importance to format your posts nicely. Hint Hint.

Some people feel a real difference in ease of reading between having to dig through walls of text and getting presented key points of the posts.
You might not realize yet but part of the hostility in "other Forums" is due to inhabitants feeling used and treated with no respect if someone storms in, just selfishly wants to have his question answered and leaves walls of text to decipher.
That is an aggressive act from hackers POV. Do not steal their time.

Back to linux. Another example from today regarding ease of migration.
Got a new laptop for my wife, set up my current favourite distro (SolusOS) from usb-stick in 20 minutes. Set up OpenSSH. Connect (ssh into) into the new pc from the old one. Copy over /home folder. Make a package list on the old pc. Install all packages (ALL programs) in one run on the new pc.
It took me 1 hour to change the hardware below my wifes "user land" and she did not notice apart from the suspend feature not working yet.

What brings me to the biggest draw back.
Now that i have the user land on the new machine and my wife can work, i still have to tweak the new hardware to fully operate with the distro.
It will take about 1 week of evening fiddling to fully get the recent hardware shine i estimate. Things like ACPI (Power management) are hardware depended and need to have their own special packages i now have to dig out and set up.

For a new linux user i would recommend to choose the hardware specifically for linux. Or use old hardware.
The chance someone else already solved your potential problem rises with the age of the hardware and its sales numbers.

Setting up Kubuntu on your old PC would be a good start to get into linux as already mentioned by Macros.