last pic took me while to get text on this one readable.

wish I had a decent camera to do that and its late I am tired and frustraded.

the usb port on the n900 I received has issues with 1 out of 3 cables I have tried. 1 a lg usb to usb micro b the other is the AU-10U ac adapter. the supplied nokia usb to micro b connector works, well atleast makes the charge light flash repeatedly for half hour.

Well from a cursory glance it appears genuine...but that is just that a glance..the plate with your info looks genuine. Hm
Now I do admit that perhaps taking the board out and giving her a once over may seem extreme ...but if you know how to do it ...it isn't a big deal...it may net more info...there are how to's on youtube etc..that show if you are leery of doing it without a visual guide.
But perhaps 1st.... an Ock. check. (Ockham's razor checklist ...that is )

Let's run on the best assumption 1st... the battery.

1- Get your hands on a tester ...see if it holds the charge or any charge at all. If it doesn't ...hopefully problem solved. Get a genuine n900 battery (best solution) or an alternative compatible brand that has had extensive testing here in the forums.
You would end up buying another even if the battery was fine. A backup battery or 10 never hurt

2- It is/ isn't just the battery... it is the cable you are using...
It may be possible to rule that out since you tried the proper cable.
(I do suggest using the approved parts and acces. and alternates that have been extensively tested here....using random untested cables or methods can have unpleasant effects.) Using those other cables may have toasted the battery...so that is the unknown at that point.

3- Not fun...it is the usb port. Hence some of the charge oddness (though I really hope it is just the battery)
It can be re-soldered ...that is the good news. there are how to's

4- It is the battery and /or the cable and / or the usb or it is none of the above....

5- Which could W.C.S. (worst case scenario) lead you into the possibility of fun with something really not good going on internally.

There are the potentials ...the known isn't so daunting as the unknown...unless I forgot something that is

This is in my very humble estimation what you are looking at all tolled.
Not a lost cause ...just a puzzle to figure out.

I tested the 2 cables I have and ac adapter that came with the n900 they work fine with my jabber cruiser 2. usb port definitely seems to have a issue. Talked with the seller and I will be shipping it back for refund, though will wait a couple days got 2 batteries and a stand alone charger coming hopefully they get here in day at most 2.

all the usb micro b male adapters had the hooks filed down so I didnt damage the usb port on the n900 I got. Again tested my jabber's usb micro b port and work fine with it.

Fake. As far as I know, no N900 made in Finland were released to general public. 98% of TMO folks got it made in Korea.
You could check by imei as well.

Found a thread on the subject of imei and manufacture location the imei info posted is same as the imei for what I have. If I could find a number to reach Nokia and confirm this phones origin or legitimacy I would.

Just check it here http://imei.info
Normally it gives you an exhaustive information about a device.

imei came up as Nokia N900

I think charging the battery externally is your best bet. If that doesn't work I bet it is toast. I had an N900 die under warranty. The N900s really don't like losing all power while running. That's how mine died. Nokia eventually replaced it.
I still have two, but only use one occasionally as a media device. I need to sell one. I guess I can't wipe it since the firmwares are not available anymore?

I have some brand new bl-5j batteries and am happy to sell it to you at a fair price. PM me if you're interested.

I had the same problem on my 2nd device that hadn't been used for 6 months. Orange led blinks when the usb cable is half in but wouldn't charge. Swapped batteries and it was fine.