I need a dummies guide to flashing

Question

i have just this morning got my nokia n900, second hand from ebay.
before i put any files on there i want to restore it completely, but this flashing thing is really confusing me. I've done a search of the boards but it baffles me, so if anyone could answer these questions it'd be really helpful:
1) how do i completely wipe it as though it were brand new? (not 'restore original settings' in settings menu, i mean the equivelant of a hard reset)
2) how do i determine what firmware i'm on?
3) what is 'flashing'? is it necessary? if i connect my phone to pc suite/NSU to check for updates, will it work as it does on S60 eg nokia 5800, or do i need another method?
4) i gather the latest firmware isn't yet available for the UK. how do i go about installing it given the n900 doesn't require a changed product code like other models?
Thanks
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Answer 1

richwhite wrote:
i have just this morning got my nokia n900, second hand from ebay.
before i put any files on there i want to restore it completely, but this flashing thing is really confusing me. I've done a search of the boards but it baffles me, so if anyone could answer these questions it'd be really helpful:
1) how do i completely wipe it as though it were brand new? (not 'restore original settings' in settings menu, i mean the equivelant of a hard reset)
You need to flash.. there are two items: OS and EMMC
There are three storage areas on the phone.. 256: Main OS, 2G Extra OS and settings, 28Gig main storage for data, but not apps
flashing the OS image wipes the OS 256meg.. flashing the emmc image wipes the 2Gig extra and the 28gig main.. so, flashing both will wipe the device completely
2) how do i determine what firmware i'm on?
open settings, scroll down, about product.. if you're in the uk the latest is 2.2009.51-1.203.2 if you're using a vodafone device (device, not sim) it'll be similar but 205 not 203
3) what is 'flashing'? is it necessary? if i connect my phone to pc suite/NSU to check for updates, will it work as it does on S60 eg nokia 5800, or do i need another method?
flashing describes writing to the flash memory.. it is a bit like "burning" a cdr or "formatting" a floppy disc.
Using NSU to up the phone is a bit backwards.. the N900 is woefully undersupported by Nokia's PC software, NSU included.. I don't believe NSU will perform a "seamless" update of an N900, like it would on a recent Nokia device.. it would effectively wipe most of it.. personally, I don't trust NSU + N900.. I use flasher..
flasher is a command line tool that runs on Windows, Linux and Macs.. it is hardcore, but it rarely fails to satisfy
The best way to "check for updates" and install a new update is to use the app manager on the phone (under "More...") it will install the update just as windows update installs updates on windows.. it doesn't require a PC at all and preserves all your data
4) i gather the latest firmware isn't yet available for the UK. how do i go about installing it given the n900 doesn't require a changed product code like other models?
Don't bother.. it still brings into question how it would affect the warranty, and there is no real benefit just yet.. This might change with PR1.2 (the next update) is released..
Nokia releases firmware in 3 different ways:
First: app manager.. this is the package tool on the phone.. this version will allow phones to update themselves. Currently the latest firmware available here is 2.2009.51 for the UK and 3.2010.2 for the rest of the world
Second: NSU. This method is the standard Nokia way for updating old handsets (shouldn't we be using Ovi suite? no?? ok!) Just as above, the latest UK is 2.2009.51 and 3.2010.2 for everyone else
Last: Flasher.. this method allows you to download firmware files (OS and emmc) and flash them onto your device using the command line tool "flasher-3.5". For some CRAZY and IRRITATING reason, the latest version available for the UK is 1.2009.42 which is now 4 versions behind the rest of the world.. where as 3.2010.2 is available for everyone else.. I don't get why they are holding the UK versions back here, since they are available via app manager AND NSU?! I think it is solely to wind up the UK users and offer them the usual poor level of support we've suffered with S60 (Note the N97 or 5800 in the UK STILL do not have the new firmware versions)
All the files and versions of flasher-3.5 are available from http://tablets-dev.nokia.com
You could use flasher to install a non-UK firmware, but it is a lot of hastle and you'll wipe your device (not to mention to risk to your warranty)
Use app manager on the phone to try and update, if not, fall back to NSU (and backup first)