I'm trying to flash my N900 but I can't put the device in "flashing mode".

I flollowed these steps:

1.- Switch off the Maemo device
2.- Press and hold down the 'u' key
3.- Connect a USB cable between the Maemo device and host PC while holding down the 'u' key
4.- When the USB cable is connected, it powers the Maemo device and sets it to flashing mode

but...

Never appears the USB icon.

I'm a windows vista user and turn on the loading of unsigned drivers, but the problem don't resolved...

Please I need some help to put my N900 in flashin mode...

Thank you.

Instead of the "press 'u' key" method, I have been flashing N900 with the following procedure

1. Take battery out of N900
2. start the flasher on your PC, wait until it shows "Suitable USB device not found, waiting" message
3. plug the USB cable in the N900 (the other end should be already attached to the PC)
4. insert the battery in N900, flashing should start momentarily

This has worked for me with my setup, but with some other setups there has been problems (in which case usually the 'u' method has worked)

Hartti

Hi Hartti,

Thanks for your help...


I followed your procedure but still the flashing wont start...

After the step 4 I wait for a while and the device starts and try to upload the system but keep freezing in the first 5 ballons on screen. Nothing happened before that.

(that was the reason for me to flash my N900 in the first place... the freezing of the first screen)

Something similar happened to "boomer" (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=36785).

I dont know what else to do...

I really need some help here my friend!.

http://wiki.maemo.org/Updating_the_tablet_firmware

Is you battery fully charged?

I have charge the battery approximately 24 hours, I think that there should be full, but I have to tell you, The led keep blinking in amber color.

Sorry for bringing to life an old thread, but i have the exact same problem. My device wont boot and I cant seem to get into the flashing mode with the "u" key on the keyboard. I get the nokia welcome screen but no usb icon. I have flashed it before and it wasnt a problem. The battery in/out techniqe didnt work either. I cannot check the battery level since i cannot turn the device on. Any ideas?

i dont know exactly what the problem is , but AFAIK windows vista is the worst OS for maemo flashing. use Linux for flawless flash always