Lockcode and hard reset
 

Hi all, new here and a bit desperate. Found in the shed my old N900 and started to navigate with the things it does. Saw my pics and vids, great memories. I was a complete idiot and clicked in secure my phone option, I think it was something like this or my be protect my phone. Anyway it asked me for a code that I didn't remember. I think I never had a pin on this device but I can't be sure. So now after many attempts with all the dates and things I can imagine could be the pin still locked. I saw 12345 online and doesn't take it because I pit more than 5 wrong codes before. So The question is: is there anyway I can unlock the N900 without losing the info in the internal memory? By the way, there is no SIM or SD in it and the box is long gone so I don't have a clue where the Imei could be or even if I need it.
Thanks for your help

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

To save you a bit of searching: http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...2&postcount=22

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks a million but I havent a clue what a ssh is. Could you be a little bit more specific? It doesn't look like anything easy

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Unfortunately this probably means that you never previously installed "OpenSSH Client and Server" upon your N900, which would rule out this approach.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

No I don't remember installing anything else than ovi. Thanks anyway. I think I 'll bring it to a phone repair shop and see what they say

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Wish you luck on this after this length of time, even if you could provide original paperwork to show device is yours.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

What about flashing the FIASCO image? That shouldn't overwrite your eMMC.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

To ica, it means you would lose installed applications and application settings, email accounts, sent and received messages, but NOT any saved files, photos and videos. If you are happy with that - and from my reading of your first post it sounds like you are - then this would be a viable option.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks all for your ideas. I'm ok with the option of flashing the FIASCO image, whatever that means...

Could anybody drop a link for a tutorial about that? Or.... do you recommend to go to shop and leave it to the experts

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I am not sure if flashing really works, it could be that it was possible with older firmware but maybe not with the latest firmware can't remember 100%.
However there is a way to reset the code, or to figure out what code is typed in without flashing and there is also a way to copy your personal data from that device without resetting or knowing the code.
But how should we know that it is your device? Where do you live?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

No need for ssh as long as 'rootsh' is installed (do not think so) or it is installable (depends on dependencies to old Nokia servers, but even ghat is solvable). There is even a dedicated thread for peeps like you (sorry, no time gor spoonfeeding).
So try rootsh or Nokia application manager and try to install rootsh. Hopefully you know the so called "command line"?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

True.
I also mix up if PR1.3 enabled or disabled flashing over the device code (a proper search will revealbthe truth. think joergrw was 'involved'j.

Re-read edit:
it is definitely not the.FIASCO image but the.eMMC image so all data would be gone.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Hi, yes it is my phone. Got it new as a present from my dad years ago and loved from the first moment. Love the fm transmitter and infrared port even though nowadays that is pretty useless but it is still good to have it. This phone had a 3.5 mms jack when Apple didn't. Same for Bluetooth. The keyboard is great and the stereo speakers the same. The camera is old for today's standards but still is a great piece of engineering. I have a Samsung S7 edge today and have no intention to use the N900 as day phone but would like to store it and keep it safe fully functional, not locked. I live now in DUBLIN but this phone has a Spanish keyboard because I'm Spanish and got it there.
Any advice about what d be the best option?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

In principle everybody could find the information because it is already posted here.
So I will give you some hints.

Method 1: Resetting the code with rescue os. Boot with the flasher the rescue os and type.

This will reset your code to the default one "12345".

Method 2: Figure out the typed in code. Boot with the flasher the rescure os and grep the encrypted code from mtd1 and use john the ripper to brute force the code. Wondering what kind of stupid code you chosen in the past and type it in after rebooting the device. Remember the code or change it.

You could use for both methods my rescue live image, so you don't need to install the flasher and don't need to download rescue os because it is on board.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks Halftux

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I'd say the rescueOS way is to go; I have myself used that to revive old devices and it is pretty straightforward thing to do.

As for going to a repair shop and leaving it for "Experts" to sort out... I would definitely recommend against that.
There are no repair shops in existence today that have the knowledge to do anything at all to a N900 so for the technician to do anything useful would first come here and ask about it from TMO :eek:
This means it would be a training opportunity for the technician that you'd need to pay for!

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks juiceme

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Hi, does anybody know why after downloading the flasher 3.5 for Windows and installing it, it doesn't open? I tried on a Windows 8 with compatibility for older software and also on another laptop with Windows xp and nothing, it doesn't load. It just pop up a black screen with some text in white characters for 1 second and then is gone. What am I doing wrong?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I think I could get it sorted if I can get the flasher

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Flasher is a command line utility. You do not really install it, you just copy it to a chosen directory ("folder" in Microsoft speak) and launch it from the command line.

Other reasons for not working might be:
- using a 64-bit version of Windows (runs on 32 bits only)
- using a version of Windows newer than 7
- missing drivers

For the last one, installing Nokia PC Suite 3.8 may help. Google for it, it can still be found lying around.

For the other two, find an older PC with a 32-bit version of Windows 7.

Alternatively, download a Linux version of flasher and a live Debian or Ubuntu CD (must be 32 bits, but otherwise the version does not matter) and try this way.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Are you sure it doesn't work on 64bit linuxes?
I'll have to check that but I have a feeling I have used flasher on quite recent box that was running a 64bit kernel.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I've used Windows 7 64bit. You need to install libusb for it to work, instructions are on forum somewhere.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Yep, checked it just now and it sure is so;

Both flasher-3.5 (v.2.5.2, Oct 21 2009) for Maemo/Fremantle and flasher (v3.12.1, Oct 5 2011) for Meego/Harmattan work correctly on my Ubuntu 18.04 box, having kernel 4.15.0-43 and architecture x86_64.
There also was no hitch installing those, dpkg did not complain about any dependency issues.

I assume the 64bit ubuntu has adaptation layer for legacy 32bit applications.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

I stand corrected. Must admit I've never tried.

Interesting. So does Windows, at least in theory.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

ica, from what you describe, you double clicked on the executable in some Filemanager like explorer, right?

What everyone is trying to tell you is that you will need to start flasher from a shell.
The one used on windows is called command prompt, executable is CMD.exe on windows.

Please ask more questions.
It is kind of the only way we can estimate where you "stand" and where to go from there.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks a lot guys. You might have guessed by now this is the first time im doing this.
Im now in the command prompt and I have tiped:
C:\program files(x86)\maemo\flasher-3.5>
What now?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

As stated in RescueOS docs

assuming you did and thus entered the flasher directory.

assuming you have the files "rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.2.zImage" and "rescueOS-1.2.img" in the same directory as the flasher. Simply check with "dir" command.

The N900 will boot up ResueOS shell, the command should set the code back to "12345" as Halftux noted.

And do not hasitate to ask. It is a learning process we all know quite well ;)

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks everyone, all this sounds like chinese to me but I'm trying. I have gone to the command prompt and wrote:

C:\program files(x86)maemo\flasher-3.5>

What now?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Groundhog Day? Just read what "mosen" told...

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Thanks mosen, I didn't read your message

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

hi all. unfortunately dir on the flasher 3.5 doesn't show neither of the 2 files specified by mosen. I got the flasher from here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20131117...env_downloads/

and I clicked on

maemo_flasher-3.5_2.5.2.2.exe.

im using a windows 7, when I paste

flasher-3.5 -k rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.2.zImage -n rescueOS-1.2.img -l -b"rootdelay root=/dev/ram0

into the command promp, I get:

flasher v2.5.2 (sep 24 2009)
rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.2.zImage: no such file or directory

I wonder if there is any problem with the version 2.5.2.

im completely lost, any help?

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Relax, i am editing this post with instructions.

First of all, here are the RescueOS images.
It is not your fault for missing them. We could have realized there is no complete package. You have to collect the files individually.
You got the flasher, great. The output says flasher is not able to find the image.

Now get the "rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.3.zImage" and "rescueOS-1.3.img" from https://n900.quitesimple.org/rescueOS/rescueOS-1.3/ by right clicking on the file and select "save as". Then select the same directory as you did for the flasher to save to.

Former command was for version 1.2 of rescueOs.
I was not aware we have 1.3, so this would be the command now for 1.3
BTW, you owe us to stay here and sometime in a distant future ditch your windows, now that you have your first succesfull shell masterrace experience :D:rolleyes::p

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

thanks for your patience Mosen but imust be doing lots of things wrong. I get to the point of "suitable device not found...", and then is when I connect the N900 to the laptop and the phone goes into that opaque screen with the usb icon in the top right corner as instructed but nothing else happens after. phone does do anything else and the most annoying is that command prompt screen doesn't allow me to write anything else. the prompt is there blinking but that's all. very frustrating. do I have to switch on the phone after plugging it to the usb? and also those RescueOS images that you posted (thanks sincerely for all your time and patience)... do I have to save tham all in the same forlder as the rest of files? or only the rescue 1.3? none? hmmm I cant find what am I doing wrong

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

while the phone is connected to the usb It doesn't allow me to switch it on and the command prompt screen doesn't allow me to write

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

All the files, flasher and the rescue images have to be saved to the same folder. And if I remember correct I opened the flasher in the command prompt by right clicking the flasherfile and choosing "open in command prompt". I don't remember did I have to do something to get that option to be seen with the right click. Can anyone else confirm doing it from there. And if I remember correct you shut down your N900, then you plug it to the computer, then you run the code mosen gave you. Been a while since did those stuff myself. I can really appreciate the way mosen explains things. He knows how to give instructions legs on the both edges. I normaly find only answers which assume you are skilled with all kinds of stuff like where certain files are located on the device, how you get there through command prompt, how to make, copy, remove files or fetch them from some repositories which you should also know and have wrote the paths to right places. I kinda understand that if people get used to have conversations where everybody knows everything it is hard come back to earth where some others are just learning to fly. I'm very glad though that on this forum I have not been humiliated publicly for not knowing something.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Using rescueOS is pretty straightforward, @mosen did give quite thorough rundown of the needed steps already.

Basically you need 3 things;

• flasher-3.5 tool
• rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.2.zImage
• rescueOS-1.2.img

Before you start this, your N900 must be switched OFF.

When you have downloaded those thinks to a folder, then you open command prompt and go to that folder and give this command;
flasher-3.5 -k rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.2.zImage -n rescueOS-1.2.img -l -b"rootdelay root=/dev/ram0"

After you get to the "suitable device not found..." prompt, THEN plug in the USB cord of the N900

Now what hqappens is your N900 boots up and you get to the console, there are some text helps screens.
On the command prompt you can now enter the command to remove lock code.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

hihi, we again differ in version. The files i linked would be 1.3 nad thus
flasher-3.5 -k rescueOS_n900_kernel_1.3.zImage -n rescueOS-1.3.img -l -b"rootdelay root=/dev/ram0"


ica, really no problem.
you are doing two major things right already.
1. you are not running away when it becomes complicated.
2. you learn to describe your problems/issues and formulated questions from that.

One day your questions will be so precise, you will find matching answers for them only by hacking the question into a search engine.
Until then, we are happy to point you to the root of your vaguely described issues.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Ehmm it would be really easy when useing my image, also we would know where things are and what command to type in exactly and no need to open command prompt. No driver issues and so on because it is known to work. :confused:

This hint could help, if the device is not found:

Press 'u' button and hold it while plug in the USB cable. Now you could release the button.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

By the way: do you know how to go in the command prompt to the folder where you installed the flasher? Once I didn't. Easiest way is to copy the folder path in windows when you have the folder open and the path can be seen when you click the destination box on top of the folder. And then on the command prompt type first cd, leave one empty space and paste the path and hit enter. Then check with dir that you really are where the flasher is. And then run the flasher by typing the name of it and hit enter. Correct me if I'm wrong. This detailed information I would have wanted and needed when I first started to learn linux. Had been using windows only by clicking things and had never used command prompt. The installed linux and the screen had wrong resolution, after it had first been black before had changed boot option and then edited the config file, and then could not play dvds, and then the printer didin't work, neither screen brightnes control, and then this and that and that and this and everything had to be fixed through terminal using all kinds of scripts I didn't (and still many don't) understand just hoping they work and if I mess something I don't know how to check what went wrong or know how to fix it. Still I love linux and have a total crush on with N900, my destiny.

Re: Lockcode and hard reset
 

Yes, personally i would have done that.
But having much experience with windows users, i wanted to avoid explaining how to put an image to a USB drive. I may be wrong.

ica, if you still encounter issues. Try to exactly document what you did please. in steps 1. 2. 3...
I can not make out when you tried to turn on the device for example.

And Halftux is totally right. If we can't explain you how to do it on windows, next step will be using the live-image halftux linked in his footer. Steps sound simple: copy it to a usb stick and boot a live debian environment. This will help others to guide you more exactly.

Then your next wow will be TAB completion :D

Even in windows cmd, you can type "cd " and then hit TAB key to switch through possible directories on alphabetical order to enter.
If you know you want to enter folder "Desktop" for example, just type "cd D" and hit TAB to autocomplete if only one folder starting with D exists.
You can either enter that folder by hitting enter, or append a \ after the autocomplete to further navigate into subfolders with TAB.