Opening the terminal with SHIFT+CTRL+X is a great idea, although I would need to input my WiFi credentials before I could connect to it, which might be tricky.

The cloning of my working N900, replete with credentials, seems like an easier option.

And in reply to 'demolition': given the number of pirated videos I found on the MMC card before I flashed it, I think I did the owner a favour by not taking it to the nick!