I've reflashed twice in the last 3 days; currently my 900 is on the charger, and I'm almost certain I'll have to reflash a third time. As best I recall, here is what may have caused the problems.

1. The first time I had problems, I had just edited the file /usr/share/X11/skb/symbols/nokia_nvdr/rx-51to remap the keyboard. I've noticed on the forums that others have had to reflash after trying to change this file, so it seems quite possible that my editing this file incorrectly this was the cause of my problems.

(Specifically, I replaced the default file as suggested at http://sumoudou.org/%E7%9B%B8%E6%92%...0keyboard.html . I tried to make one further change (allow function-backspace to delete, as is the case in the default version).

At the same time, I had disconnected my wifi connection to my linux computer before I had terminated the ssh session. I didn't consider this to be a problem at the time.

2. I think my second reflash had to do with the mounting of my microsd card. I can manually mount with no problems. I've had a harder time mounting automatically.

(I employed two approaches to getting the card mounted as ext3 (see posts 16 and 17 of http://forums.internettablettalk.com...t=42045&page=2 ). Neither approach by itself worked, but together I got the file mounted 775 root:users.)

I can't reproduce the details, but associated with using some of the gui tools (photos and file manager, in particular) I managed to change the owner and group of /media/mmc1 and even to unmount it. When I turned the n900 off, I found I had to reflash both FIASCO and eMMc.

(I've noticed this problem more than once by looking at the storage usage application. When things work correctly I see the rootfs, /home, MyDocs, and /media/mmc1. But then something happens and I see only the first two..)

3. The third time I was trying to install emacs along the lines suggested by the sumoudou.org and kumatux.org web sites. I have done this before without problems. The only unusual things that I can recall happening were that I was ssh-ing in from my linux computer and I exited xterm on the n900 while still connected. Now it looks like I am back to reflashing.

What I'm trying to do isn't that complicated or sophisticated. I want to mount my microsd as ext3, and I want to use emacs along the lines suggested by the sumoudou.org and kumatux.org web sites. That doesn't seem too much to ask of the device.

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks.

Flashing is often the simplest way to fix things when you've done something wrong and you don't know exactly what. It's like burning down the house and rebuilding because you have termites. It does get rid of the termites.

It sounds like you have done some ambitious things and they haven't worked out quite right. Flashing is succeeding in getting you back to zero.

If you are asking how to prevent having to reflash again, you have three choices:

1. Give up your ambitions.

2. Do the things you were trying to do, but do them right.

3. Accept that you may need to keep reflashing till you get them right.

I personally would go with option 3 and be philosophical. I might complain a bunch too; it might make me feel better.

If you are asking for insurance against reflashing, I don't think you can get it.

Thanks, geneven, for your encouragement. Yes, I'll keep reflashing until I get things right.

After my third reflash things seem pretty stable. I can consistently mount the microsd as ext3 and I have emacs working pretty much the way I want.

When I turn the n900 off and then back on, I still hold my breath.

I've learned to be more careful in making backups to my microsd card and home computer. In particular, I do the following:

1. Use the built-in backup application to back up settings, applications, bookmarks, and communications/calendar.

2. Back up contacts from the contacts menu.

3. Back up other files in /home/user that I would have to replace. (.emacs, .profile, etc.)

4. Back up my downloads so reinstallation goes quicker.

On reflashing I first install rootsh, openssh, and midnight commander (to use as an editor). With these I can get the microsd mounted and transfer backups from the microsd and the home computer. After that it's just a few hours of putting things back the way I want them.