I'm trying to flash my N900 which has a bootloop. I'm following the the flashing steps but still the flasher wont recognize the device.
I'm on vista and Ubuntu.I've tried both and same result "Suitable USB device not found, waiting"
I've tried already the inf-wizard.exe but cant get the n900 usb mode in the liste.
I've tried also installing the cable drivers (ca 101)
Anyone to help?
update: I'm using a DC power supply not a battery

Um...
you are using corded power?
while trying to flash?
Hope not...
I believe just about every nxx0 flashing procedure states "make sure your battery is fully charged before proceeding ..."
meaning ...don't use corded power...use your batt. to flash...

can't charge the battery since the phone wont boot or when it does the boot loop starts.
I've used an external charger to charge the battery but the phone powers up with no light meaning still see the nokia and usb logo but no light.

you could dig through the forum or google the prob. to see if someone has posted a method of flashing "with" power plugged in...
you could try for a hail mary ...and shout for help ...[like you have already ] ...
but I know of no way to flash by power cord...
other than possibly...
setting up a dummy batt in your n900 to fool the device ...
with leads running off it to an Adjustable Voltage Regulator like this...
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Hot-LM317-Adj...item2a59545ee5
but I haven't messed with the n900 and a reg.
so I wouldn't calculate your success off the starting line...

Haven't had quite the prob you are describing ...
boot looping ... doing everything right ...full batt ...and you still can't flash?
Personally I have had [bought that is..] some pretty maemo os abused nxx0's in my time...and thought some of them unrecoverable...but I always got them back from oblivion...
I think there is something else at play here...
hm.
perhaps others have had the same prob. and will chime in...

That's alright, the boot loop should stop once the flashing process starts.

That means the phone is in a good condition to enter the flashing process.

I would start by checking your USB cable. You will not believe the number of problems I personally have resolved by simply replacing the USB cable.

Another thing to try is a different PC. I had one N900 consistently failing to flash for almost a year. I tried all 3 machines we had in the house, running 5 different operating systems. I eventually gave up and put the phone in the drawer. About a year later, I upgraded one of the machines, remembered about the phone and voilá, the flashing worked right away.

yeah..
wat pichlo said
usb cables can be a culprit...
the host pc os can be a culprit ...

ok i'will look for another usb cable.
note: i have trided 3 machines; mine with vista and ubuntu and 2 with xp and 7.
is it obligatory to use nokia cables?

No, but a cable supplied with a device is usually a good idea. Does not have to be that device. You can use an original cable supplied with any phone or tablet. Chances are it will be good. The cables I almost always had problems with were cheap ones from Poundland (or eBay).

Regarding the OS, my only successful attempts were from 32-bit Ubuntu. Boot from the CD, install the flasher, flash. I keep an old Ubuntu CD just for that reason. I think it's 12.06 or thereabouts. Whatever was the last version before they starting pushing Unity.

ya...
pichlo's right on the money yet again..
lubuntu, ubuntu ...even some of the debian...antix ...solydx ...they work good...
and it being 32bit will make life much much much easier for you...
as well I have used generic micro and mini usb to usb cables with success...I haven't run into any generic cables that wouldn't work for me...yet...doesn't mean there aren't some out there that wouldn't be problematic...

Thanks for your answers.
I brought a new USB cable a samsung one but the phone doesn't react to it.
I'm thinking may be the old nokia one a have is good because he makes the phone go to update mode.
I' suspecting the battery. the one i have is a BL-5J is it the adequate one for the N900?