I Before You Begin
1. This will completely erase everything on your Nokia N900 and get it back to exactly the way it was when it arrived in the box.
2. This is perfect for people reselling their Nokia N900 or just want to start from scratch.
3. THIS DOES NOT WORK ON WINDOWS 7 BECAUSE OF USB ISSUES. FIND A WINDOWS VISTA OR LOWER SYSTEM TO USE TO DO THIS!
II. Download the Firmware, eMMC, and Firmware Flasher
1. Download the Flasher 3.5 program from here and then run the .exe (at the time of writing this, it is called “maemo_flasher-3.5_2.5.2.2.exe”:
2. Then download the latest firmware for your phone here (it will be a .bin file and say Latest then your region next to it) AND download the eMMC image AS WELL (it will also be a .bin file but will look like this “RX-51_2009SE_1.2009.41-1.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin”)
N900 Firmware and eMMC (it will ask you for your phone’s IMEI to continue)
3. Save both the .bin files into the Flasher 3.5 folder that was created by the flasher-3.5.exe program you installer earlier (which should be Program Files > Maemo > Flasher-3.5).
4. Rename the two files like so (to make life easier later):
Latest firmware – rename it to “firmware” (no quotes)
eMMC file – rename it to “emmc” (no quotes
III. Flash the Phone
1. Turn off the phone
2. Hold down the u button on the keyboard of your phone and while holding it plug in the USB cable connected to your computer. (You should see a very DIM Nokia screen with a little USB sybol in the top right corner on the phone).
3. Open the command prompt on your computer by going to start and typing in cmd into the search box and hitting enter.
4. First we flash the firmware file, type in the following commands hitting enter at the end of each line:
cd\
cd c:\programfiles\maemo\flasher-3.5\ (*if you are using a 64 bit system, replace “program files” with “program files (x86)”)
flasher-3.5.exe -F firmware.bin -f -R (*if you get a %m error after typing this, go back to the files and .bin after their name and try again. Also try not having the -R at the end.)
5. Leave the command prompt open and wait for the phone to finish flashing and rebooting, then turn off the phone.
6. Hold down the u button on the keyboard of your phone and while holding it plug in the USB cable connected to your computer. (You should see a very DIM Nokia screen with a little USB sybol in the top right corner on the phone).
7. With the command prompt still open on your computer from the firmware flash, we can now flash the eMMC file. Type in the following commands into the command prompt with hitting enter at the end of each line:
flasher-3.5.exe -F emmc.bin -f -R (*if you get a %m error after typing this, go back to the files and .bin after their name and try again. Also try not having the -R at the end.)
9. Wait for the phone to reboot. All done! Phone is now back to out of box state.
thanks
i was waiting for this long time
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Bob,
Glad to help
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i am trying to flash emmc but can’t. i get “suitable usb no found” and also ” found new hardware a problem occured during hardware installation”
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Melodicdeath,
Reset your computer and try again.
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i got same problem with melodicdeath, it keep say “found new hardware a problem occured during hardware installation” and wont re flash MMC, already try reset my comp but nothing happen still got same problem and wont re flashed MMC, i try re flash under win XP SP 2, but i dont have any problem for re flash OS. is there anyone can help me.
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suitable USB device not found. waiting
any solutions?
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Angel,
When are you getting that error? If it is before you do anything else, then read the before you begin (you have Windows 7). Otherwise, if it was recognized before, then reboot the computer and continue.
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I’m using vista home premium 64bit and that text appears right after flashing the device with the firmware.bin
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Angel,
Then reboot the computer and unplug then plug the phone back in and wait for it to install drivers.
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i got the same problem here with xp
suitable usb device not found
please help
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I have a problem “suitable usb device not found, waiting.” when i installed emmc.bin in step 2. reset computer and try again but a problem have not solved.
any solution?
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Vinvent,
Turn the phone back on to normal mode, plug it in and then wait for the computer to install the drivers again. Then turn it off and put it back into Download mode and try again.
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T-H-A-N-K-S A L-O-T !!!
you’re helping hundreds of people, including me !
thanks !
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after i hit enter it says : progrmfiles……\flas3.5\ is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.
Any solutions???? PLSSS???
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Rob,
Means there is a typo…
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what is “a typo”????
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its still not working!!!!!
Help PLS!!!!!!!!!!!
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i have the same problem as rob,just said is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.i have been trying and my head is a mess , i cant handle anymore so please THEUNLOCKR I NEED YOUR HELP PLEASE
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Hey i tried downloading the Vanilla version of the eMMC content for Nokia N900, and its not finishing the file download. It stops at 97% and wont complete.
Any ideas please?
thanks!
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u will need windows xp service pack 3, thats all, just go step by step and it works like a sharm!
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1
can i do this method if my emmc already corrupted.since i format it at a mobile shop.
pls help me..
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Paan,
Yes this should work even if your Nokia wont boot.
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man thanks a lot! really needed to start from scratch!! very easy steps to follow. once again thanks!
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hi there Mr admin i have the same problem it said programm not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz do something i willllllllll be realy thankfulllllllllllll.what do i do
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what if it doesn’t flash??
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hi unlockrs. FYI I had some problems rebooting after the firmware, tried it a few times and then went troubleshooting – leaving out the -R command for the firmware flash worked well, progressing straight onto the emmc flash.
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Surtr,
Nice! I’ll add it to the procedure!
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I have done the steps again and again!!! it reboots after the firmware and then when i put the emmc it says that it is successfully flashed and it doesn’t reboot so i disconnect it and open it and it doesn’t open properly it loads squares instead of letters and numbers… !!! I cant understand what is going on and I realllyyyyyyyyyy need my phone!!!! PLEAAAAAASEEEEEE HELP!!!!
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Also i would like to ask what will happen if i don’t flash the emmc.bin??? because before flashing it the phone starts normally and shows the pin code and the region, time etc.. settings screen….. will it work properly??? because I’ ve tried it several times and the result is the same…. squares instead of numbers….
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Thank you so much for this!!
your the man!
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Hi guys, i got stucked. When i installed firmware and then emmc { as in manual} everytime when i finish it and reboot it, cos problem with images { no imaga found. So after third reinstal i went to memo org and it says that u should at first instal EMMC { without parametr -R } then unplug phone, then plug it in and instal firmware. But do NOT reboot between them instalations {thats why do NOT type parametr -R when u instal EMMC}… now it works fine.
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T bag,
Thanks! Will update the procedure!
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TheUnlockr,
No problem man, u helped me and i helped u… it should be like that.
Btw it should work on win 7 too,just is problem when u use 64bit system.
Check it out: https://wiki.maemo.org/Updating_the_tablet_firmware#Flashing_the_eMMC_in_the_N900
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i did the all process as you mention but after running firmware process it dose not rebot after flashing process. and same after emmc process
Please help me what should i do
Thanks
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Rizwan: Did u put parametr ” -R ” into cmd line? {ie: flasher-3.5.exe -F firmware.bin -f -R} and did u get any error message?
ANd what did u do first? Instal emmc or firmware?
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TheUnlockr,
Will this procedure completely erase everything, even things like facebook widget, foreca weather, and stuff like that ?
Thnx
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LOL havent finished.
(cont.)Even if they come with the phone?
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N900 Freak:
Yea, it will completely delete all stuff in phone. But you right, that firmaware contains facebook widget, foreca widget, etc. These stuff will be in phone after instalation, u will just need it to set them up.
{Its like reinstal Windows when u format HDD}
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T-Bag,
K thnx!
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TheUnlockr,
Thank U very much for telling me how to reset my nokia. You just saved me from getting told off by my parents!
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hello geeks.
my n900 usb is ripped off and now i desperately need to flash it.
is there any other way to flash a nokia n900 without the usb port, like using a combination of hardware keys just like other symbian phones?
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Taslim,
Unfortunately you need to plug in to the computer to hard reset.
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hi there,
kinda cant use thet “    ” how to type that in the cmd?
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Inferno,
Thanks for letting me know those were there. We recently moved to a new server and for some reason those A’s have been showing up on pages (thought I got rid of them all). Removed them they are not supposed to be typed in.
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Thank you so much for this!!
your the man!
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i used PR 1.2 version 10.2010.19-1 (Latest Maemo 5 USA release for nokia N900)
for the firmware…. and i used eMMC content 10.2010.13-2 (Latest Vanilla version of the eMMC content for Nokia N900). those are the latest ones. cause the ones u used on da video are older versions. BUTTT when i was done w everythin.. after flashing the emmc. it rebooted and said IMAGE MISSING… wat can i do? should i just use da old version u used? is the firmware any different from new or old version?
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What did you instal first- EMMC or firmware? If you install firmware first, then reboot and then u instal EMMC and reboot….. Try instal EMMC first, but do NOT reboot { do not type parametr “-R” in command line} and then instal firmware.
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HI THERE THANKS FOR THE HELP,
WORKS,
REBOOTING TAKES A BIT LONGER AND ALL BUT ALL WORK FOR ME
PS, WHEN TYPING IN THE COMMANDE LINES EVERYONE IF , ONCE U WRITE PROGRAMEFILES/MEAMO/FLASHE3.5 AND AFTER ALL U REAAL HAVE TO DO IF TYPE THE FIRST LETTER AND PRESS TAB AND IT WILL FINISH WRITING WHAT U NEEDED, ETC ETC
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THANKS! it worked :]
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darn, it did reflash, but now i cant use my sim and the turning on loading screen takes ages……
(
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Try to flash it again and make sure, that u took SIM away before you are going to flash it. And also u can try to instal EMMC first, but in command line dont type ” -R” {it wont reboot} and then instal firmware. It takes 15min to try it and you will see.
PS: Make sure you installing latest versions
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@ T-Bag
Lol we had the same problem saying “no image found”.
Now its all good. after i saw were you have to flash EMMC first then flash the firmware.
I followed the video at first try.
I also used Windows 7 Enterprise 32-bit
and it worked fine for me and also detects my n900 fine.
Thanks Unlockr.
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hI. My N900 usb port is broken,
is there another way i can reset by pressing some hardware keys without usb?
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Hi, unfortunetaly there is no other way ;(
You will need to get your USB port fix at first and then reinstal it…
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heyy mannnnnnnn thankssssss a lot
u dont know know how much hav u helped me
but i hav a problem
when the firmware is updation is done and i tyr the emmc part it shows
“suitable usb device not found , waiting ”
i tried rebooting also but dis does not work
but my phone is working fine without it also
then wat is the use of it
hope ull reply soon
thanks so much dude
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HI…
When u instal firmware, do not put parameter “-R” into cmd line, it won`t restart phone and try it again.
In case it help, but it will show you on screen No Pictures Found, then instal at first EMMC {also don`t put parameter “-R” into cmd line} and then instal Firmware {with parameter “-R”}
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hey there its still the same
it shows this exactly
Image ‘mmc’, size 241163 kB
Version RX-51_2009SE_1.2009.41-1.VANILLA
Suitable USB device not found, waiting.
USB device found found at bus bus-0, device address \\.\libusb0-0001–0×0421-0×0
105.
Found device RX-51, hardware revision 2101
NOLO version 1.4.14
Version of ‘sw-release’: RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.19-1.004_PR_004
Booting device into flash mode.
Suitable USB device not found, waiting.
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So if i understand right: Your new frmware is installed , but when u tried to instal EMMC, you got this error.
If you use laptop, try to use back USB ports, not front.
On PC use USB ports whats on motherboard, instead of any USB hub.
BTW, how long did u wait before u close command line, when u saw : “Suitable USB device not found, waiting.” Sometimes it takes up to 20s till device is found.
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well i waited for aprox 5mins but notin happens
and i m using motherbord usb port i ve tried with and without -R but it is the same
and yes firmware is installed but emms is notb
and one thing more when i give the command of emmc flash
at the bottom right screen it shows
“problem occered while installing your new device might not work properly”
plz help
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hey thanks for the help
now i ve understood wat was the prob
i was using xp srevice pck 2
i upgraded it and now its done
thanks for the hel
T-Bag
and one thing more
i want skype for my phone
when i go to ovi it says skype is pre installed
but i am not able to find it in my phone can you help plz
and thanks a lot for your help
will never forget u
and again thanks a lot
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Guys, im still @ the Error message : flasher-3.5.exe is not recognised as an Internal or External command, operable program or Batch…
I have even removed -R and tried, but failed to flash firmware.bin…
Help Needed… :\
Regards
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Parameter “-R” mean restart after instal, so it shouldn help.
What system are you using?
btw try to change name from: flasher-3.5.exe to: flasher.exe
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guys I have a problem with updating! when I at first time updating with app manager, my phone rebooted everytime. And than I’m update with flasher, but now when I want to use keyboard my phone switching off
Heeeeeelp meeeee PLEASE!
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what did u reboot? Just firmware or frmware & EMMC?
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Sry i mean, what did u reinstal, just firmware or Firmware & EMMC?
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Still no luck Man…
Im using Windows Vista 32-bit OS…
Is this what u asked for???
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man, whats is in your cmd line?
whole line should look like this:
C:\>”Program Files\maemo\flasher-3.5\flasher-3.5.exe”
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:::::: cute devil ::::::
it looks like problem with driver sign… what system u have?
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::: about SKYPE :::
go to: Settings -> VoIP and IM Accounts
Create NEW and select Skype, then just fill Skype Name and Password
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tried it and keep gettin errors. my phone is made in korea. system cannot find patch
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when u get this error? in cmd line, when u type:
cd c:\programfiles\maemo\flasher-3.5\flasher-3.5.exe -F firmware.bin -f -R {hit ENTER}
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thanx a lot for this post it really help me a lot…
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for all who having problem after flashing they firmware,there a easy solution to format your emmc
after doing the firmware flashing step wait for your phone reboot then go to setting right on top tap on setting then u will see clear device tap on it , then it will ask u for a code just tip 12345 then tap ok , then you will see emmc to it factory status . HOPE IT HELP
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