How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

I followed http://wiki.maemo.org/Overclocking#Flashing_using_PC, tried to reflash the pr 1.3 image to my bricked n900.

however, flash had a message that says Suitable USB device not found, waiting, and after i plugged the n900 onto usb cable, nothing happened.

it doesn't seem like my windows 7 (32bit) laptop was recognizing the n900 device, and I was using the machine to sync with the phone just a few hours ago!

Any ideas? Thanks!

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

well, if your device is bricked there is nothing more to do. just put it to your bookshelf or use it for a brick wall or fireplace or similar...

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

When u connect the USB, is the device like..... Dead???
If there is any bit of life or somethin then just try with an XP Machine as a last resort. The flasher has issues in Windows 7 (esp 64 bit. Some have managed flashing in 32 bit but, nothin goes in trying right). If u wish, you could use a Virtual XP Machine within ur Windows 7.

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

try doing it from inside the virtual WinXP

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

I have a windows 7 32bit flashed my N900 7 times till now:
1. the process is extensive but quite comprehensive
2. you'll need to know ur imei for software downloads
Now roll up ur sleeves we'll bring ur N900 back to life!:D:
1. go to tablets-dev.nokia.com/nokia_N900.php
2. there r clear instructions on how to find and enter ur imei
3. after that throw the eula in a trash and click I agree
4. find RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin latest global release for Maemo 5 and click on it then download it
5. find RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin latest vanilla emmc content click on it then download it
6. place ur 2 .bin in the folder where maemo flasher was installed (e.g. C:/program files/maemo)
Now u should have the 3 required files for flashing:
1. flasher 3.5
2. RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin emmc content
3. RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin fiasco (OS)
The following procedure is the important one:
1. Be sure ur N900 has at least 50% of its battery charge
2. disconnect any internet connections (this is the issue with windows 7)
3. go to start menu then in the search type maemo flasher u should find it.
4. click on it it will open a cmd window
5. connect ur usb cable in ur pc not in the N900 yet
6. open ur N900's keyboard and press u button and keep holding it while plugging the usb cable in ur N900
7. faded Nokia logo with usb icon on top right corner shall appear
8. ur cool stop holding the u button now or ull suffer from finger constipation :P
9. returning to maemo flasher issue this command:
flasher-3.5.exe -F RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin -f (u can copy and paste it in maemo flasher)
10. HIT ENTER the windows 7 screen about allow and don't allow should appear click allow another cmd window shall appear it will show the flashing status takes about 5mins
11. after it finishes the other cmd window will close and u return to maemo flasher issue this command:
flasher-3.5.exe -F RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin -f -R
12. the same other cmd window will appear showing flasing status after it finishes ur N900 will reboot
13. disconnect ur usb cable close flasher be happy :)
Now a bit work with ur N900
1. once ur N900 reboot open the ur battery cover, remove the battery, and yep we're not letting it boot
2. with the battery removed press the power button long press it for 5 seconds to leave away any static electricity from usb connecting
3. count 30 seconds then plug ur battery back do not put back the cover.
4. boot ur N900 by pressing the power button ur N900 should boot happily although it will take time with the 5 dots in the booting process
5. after it boots ull get the seetings of time and date etc...
6. put the cover back and brick ur N900 again :P
p.s. if ur led flashes orange when ur N900 boots after flashing NO WORRIES just repeat the takeoff battery static electricity process

If you're using custom EMMC just rename the custom emmc to RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Take a look here, Its the link to the author of BACKUP, "RobbieThe1st". He's got a flashable img in the post from which u can solve bricked state via maemo flasher. Even though I haven't checked it, hope it will come handy to you.
:) :) :)

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Yes and no - My image(probably) won't let you get into Maemo. It's simply there so you can easily restore previously-backed-up images quickly.

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

@ammyt

Thanks for the tips. However I've been trying to flash my emmc (after rootfs) and the point is it just won't finish booting up.

I have tried your explanation, removing the battery etc, and also have tried wiki's which is leave as IS and wait. None work. After giving up on booting I bring phone back to life but know emmc is not booted up because my password is still the same and not reverted to the 12345 original.

Also, now I have Healthcheck not loading anymore. Could someone please point in me in right direction?

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Are you saying you end up with suitable USB not found?

The password may be a separate issue. Does it work?

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Actually no. Flasher says emmc flash was ok. But the whole point of the -R at the end of command is that the device should restart completely and mine does not, which tells me something is not quite right.

In the end it works, but for the fact that my LED is not giving any sign, the phone is not rebooting after final flash and Healthcheck is not working anymore.

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Healthcheck will be sorted soon - i'm working on a new version - but please can you post any errors in the healthcheck thread :) - i am more likely to see and respond to them there :)

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Do u encounter the 5 dots?
What type is the display (faded or unfaded)?
Is the LED flashing?
just give me the answers to these i'll help u

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

If I flash it doing ammyt's way, will I lose everything it is installed?
:confused:

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

If you flashed the first .bin the OS you will only loose the installed apps, bookmarks etc... MyDocs is untouched
If you flashed both .bins you will wipe off your mobile completely
if you dont want to wipe it off just after your ready to type the commands type:
flasher-3.5.exe -F RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin -f -R (u can copy and paste it in maemo flasher)only

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

If I flash just one as you mentioned, will I gain the space we all want?

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Hi Ammyt thanks for asking.

I do not encounter the 5 dots after flashing, I have to manually reset the device (long press power button).

The display is unfaded (backlight on but all black) and then it fades out completely.

LED is completely dead, no flashing, no lights no nothing.

I've run out of resources to fix and just decided I'd have to live with it, though appreciate suggestions.

Regards,

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

When I reflash my emmc with an -R at the end my phone also doesn't completely reboot too, i take out the battery and longpress the power button too

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

But does your password reset to factory default (12345)? Mine remains the same, which is strange I think...

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

HI, i read ur instructions but i want to know towo things.
1. can i use this flashing process on windows 7 64 bit
2.does i have to use global fiasco image?

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

1. You can although i didn't try before
2. No at all

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

No the password stays the same

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

Hi. I did the process described, with flasher, but it stops in the rootfs part:

"NOLO version 1.4.14
Version of 'sw-release': RX-51_2009SE_21.2011.38-1_PR_MR0
Sending xloader image (14 kB)...
100% (14 of 14 kB, avg. 2900 kB/s)
Sending secondary image (106 kB)...
100% (106 of 106 kB, avg. 9715 kB/s)
Flashing bootloader... done.
Sending cmt-2nd image (79 kB)...
100% (79 of 79 kB, avg. 8833 kB/s)
Sending cmt-algo image (507 kB)...
100% (507 of 507 kB, avg. 14503 kB/s)
Sending cmt-mcusw image (5826 kB)...
100% (5826 of 5826 kB, avg. 23879 kB/s)
Flashing cmt-mcusw... done.
Sending kernel image (1705 kB)...
100% (1705 of 1705 kB, avg. 11447 kB/s)
Flashing kernel... done.
Sending and flashing rootfs image (185728 kB)...

Write failed after 0 bytes
usb_bulk_write: No error

C:\Program Files\maemo\flasher-3.5>"

Can't reboot the device.

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

thank ammyt this guide really helped me thanx very very much:D

Re: How do I recover the bricked n900?
 

some time luck also needed.read this!!!!
http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=83536