bonerp

I've finally managed to resolve this problem and flash to the global firmware at last.

If like me you are using Win 7 but trying to flash using the XP mode, what you need to do is connect your N900 in boot mode as normal, however before you write and execute the flash command, look at the top of the XP Explorer window and you will see an icon with USB writtien on it, click on this and you will see a few options, one of which will be 'Connect N900 in update mode' click on this option and if it's the first time you've done this, XP will load the drivers for the device and eventually connect, wait a minute or two just to be sure, then write the flash command at the dos prompt and execute, it worked for me and flashed within two minutes. I also changed the file name to OS3, just to shorten it as I was advised to do just as you were. I hope this helps.

R18