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{{ambox
 
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|type=notice
 
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|text=This is a wiki! So the title of this page represents the personal notion of one or a few editors. It's not "officially supported" info or advice}}
 
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=Introduction=
=Introduction=
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Since the [[N900]] has been released many developments have been made by the community. This page is to provide a generic guide to getting started with good foundations.
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This page serves the purpose of assembling a complete and current howto-guide for the perfect N900 setup.  
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This page will mainly link all the useful bits of the wiki and other useful information together.
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The initial information here is based on my personal experience and the rich trove of experience which is talk.maemo.org.
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Please keep this page alive by adding your improvements and keeping it up to date as Maemo evolves.
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=Hardware=
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==Hardware Accessories==
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Information on all recommended hardware accessories is on the [[N900 Accessories]] page.
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==Hardware Specifications==
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Information on the specs can be found on the [[N900 Hardware Subsystems]] page.
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==Recommended Hardware Modifications==
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===USB Port===
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One of the most common issues with the [[N900]] is the surface mounted USB port.
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If you are not careful with it, the port can be ripped from the PCB.
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Due to the design of the port if this occurs, it can be very difficult to repair successfully.
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Therefore it is highly recommend to reinforce your USB port by soldering the casing of the USB to the PCB. Information on this is covered in great extent on talk.maemo.org
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=75920 talk.maemo.org Fixing USB Thread]
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Another common modification is to remove the locking pins on all your microUSB cable connectors. This can be done by filing them down carefully with a small file.
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The latter is important, especially if you don't feel confident in taking your N900 apart to reinforce the port.
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====Inductive Charging====
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Bridging the gap between a non-permanent hardware mod and an accessory the universal Qi inductive charging add-on pads have been installed both over and under the stock and Mugen battery covers, the semi-permanent installation into the microUSB port reduces dangerous cable leverage and USB port wear to nearly zero and the nearly flush USB port plug also protects the USB port from foreign object damage making the inductive charging add-on even more important to N900 owners than most users.  The USB port can be easily unplugged if needed for use in USB host, 3G modem, and mass storage modes.
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=1431701#post1431701 talk.maemo.org Qi Inductive Charging Universal Add-On Installation]
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====Magnetic Charge Port Adapter====
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There are several magnetic adapters available to both plug the USB port and also ensure a safe break-away should the N900 be dropped.  No leverage to snap off your N900's fragile USB port from the PCB.
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In testing the four or five pin USB adapters permit a data connection but if you do any metal work with steel it will attract magnetic particles as happened in testing, this adapter experienced a melt-down and nearly a fire one evening after falling to the floor in a workspace.
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Another tested magnetic adapter has a coaxial positive and negative connections(pin and surrounding ring) It has the data pins shorted to put the N900 into fast charge mode.  while there is the hazard of magnetic particles connecting the two poles are 2mm apart and it is easier to see any foreign objects as the cable side of the connector has a blue LED allowing it to also be found easily in a dark room.  This adapter also inserted fully and had a rubber washer to buffer any drops; combined with an Otter case the adapter is nearly flush with the Otterbox armor.  This adapter requires more than just fingernails to remove in testing, but a keychain pocket knife screwdriver or nail file was sufficient to safely remove it.
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==File System==
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[[N900 filesystem|File System information]]
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=Firmware=
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==Initial Firmware Setup==
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So you have your [[N900]]
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The first step especially if it's used is to flash the firmware.
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This can be used to clean off any unstable software and make a clean start.
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It's recommended to download the latest Nokia firmware images for your region.
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The latest versions are highlighted.
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[[Updating the tablet firmware#N900|Firmware Flashing]]
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==Cloning a New N900 with BackupMenu Backup Files==
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Requires a good USB cable, currently fastest path to flash a new or used N900 and install the required kernel and backupmenu from the repos to make a clone of your old or broken N900.  Until the steps to safely use Fiasco Flasher to flash a kernel and file system including /opt from backupmenu files the instructions below are the fastest way to recover your old configuration on a new device.
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http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=100595
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==Highly Recommended Further Setup==
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===Importance of CSSU===
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If you have flashed your firmware as above, your [[N900]] will now be on the last major Nokia release (PR1.3). From here onwards the Maemo Community are providing vital security updates, fixing bugs and generally moving the device forward. This is known as CSSU or Community SSU.
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It is recommended all users install [[CSSU]], of which there are two versions.
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More information on this can be found on the [[CSSU]] page.
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==Recommended Further Setup==
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===Kernel Power===
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[[Kernel Power]] is a community developed Kernel that provides addition features and fixes to the Kernel. [[Kernel Power]] also provides the ability to overclock the device with an additional package '''kernel-power-settings'''
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While overclocking is not recommended and has been known to reduce the lifetime of the device, the [Kernel Power] package on it's own is recommended and will not alter your device from the standard 250Mhz-600Mhz clock speed.
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It provided important features like stable [[Smartreflex]] which will significantly increase battery life.
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Please see the [[Kernel Power]] page for more information on this.
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Please note Kernel Power page is heavily biased on overclocking and is provided for further reference only.
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===Utilise the SD Card===
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The [[N900]] has a uSD card slot, it's good to use this as much as possible to reduce flash wear from the devices eMMC.
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Many users setup there swap space(s) on the uSD card this frees up the I/O of the device.
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There has been much discussion on this and applications written to help with this.
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Further reading
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*[[Swap on microSD]]
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*[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=84296 talk.maemo.org DISCUSS SDCard Swap]
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===Swappolube===
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Swappolube is a package to modify memory management.
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Most users tweak this to suit their device and usage.
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If you're unsure where to start, the proposed settings are a good base.
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More information can be found on the [[Swappolube]] page.
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=Settings=
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==Network Positioning==
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If you use the incorrect settings your device may be slow at getting a GPS fix.
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There is also a bug with maemo-security-certman, this has been fixed in CSSU.
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Make sure the latest version of your CSSU flavour is installed.
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Navigate to  
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: Settings > Location > Network Positioning
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then check the Location server is
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supl.nokia.com
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If Nokia's supl server doesn't give you functional AGPS (there have been reports that the Nokia supl server has been shut down) try Google's SUPL server.
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supl.google.com
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=Software=
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==Repositories==
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Maemo software works in the same way as most Linux distributions', repositories provide a secure and easy method of supplying software to end-users.
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= Recommended hardware =
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* A Nokia N900, obviously
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* SanDisk Ultra 32GB Class 10 / UHS-1 SDHC Card (SU32-G)
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* PolarCell 1520 mAh battery
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* Standalone battery charger
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* USB A-A adapter
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* (Linux box)
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Information about the different repositories can be found on the [[Extras]] page.
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=== Hardware Specifications ===
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NAND Layout
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==Getting Root==
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  '''dev'''    '''size'''  '''erasesize'''  '''name'''
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  mtd0: 00020000 00020000 "bootloader"
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  mtd1: 00060000 00020000 "config"
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  mtd2: 00040000 00020000 "log"
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  mtd3: 00200000 00020000 "kernel"
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  mtd4: 00200000 00020000 "initfs"
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  mtd5: 0fb40000 00020000 "rootfs"
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[[Root access]]
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eMMC Partition Layout
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  '''dev'''        '''size'''      '''fs'''    '''mountpoint'''
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  mmcblk0p1  27648MiB  vfat  /home/user/MyDocs
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  mmcblk0p2    2048MiB  ext2  /home
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  mmcblk0p3    768MiB  swap
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=Common Modifications=
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[http://natisbad.org/N900/n900-commented-hardware-specs.html Detailed specs]
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Please note these common modifications are here for reference.
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=65568 N900 battery options]
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If you are a complete beginner and do not understand you must be aware that you could damage parts of your filesystem if you mess up.
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==Purging Unnecessary Software==
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=== Hardware modifications ===
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===Cherry===
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/* TODO: USB pre-broken fix */
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With the PR 1.2 update Nokia introduced "My Nokia" an SMS subscription service on which you receive periodic texts from Nokia.
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=75920]
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This was automatically installed/subscribed on devices and was known to cause issues with devices sending and receiving unwanted SMS messages.
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=79878]
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This package is one of the first to be removed by members of the community, for obvious reasons. It can be removed by:-
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= Initial setup =
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[http://wiki.maemo.org/Updating_the_tablet_firmware#N900 Everything about Firmware Flashing]
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apt-get remove --purge cherry
 
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Download flasher from the repositories
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====Further reading on My Nokia and cherry====
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/* TODO: Use open source flasher */
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[[PR1.2 compulsory My Nokia subscription]]
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Download the firmware flasher:
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[http://tablets-dev.nokia.com/maemo-dev-env-downloads.php Flasher & SDK Downloads]
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===Additional Unnecessary Software===
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Download the latest official Nokia Firmware Images for your N900:
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The following is deemed safe. Run in a [[Terminal]] as [[Root]] to remove unnecessary software provided with the Nokia firmware.
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[http://skeiron.org/tablets-dev/nokia_N900/ Firmware Image Downloads]
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  RX-51_2009SE_10.2010.13-2.VANILLA_PR_EMMC_MR0_ARM.bin
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  md5sum: 488809ff96a0a05479d692e9f77aeb4f
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  RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin
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  md5sum: b9f8690318a3be61767826d15b8c1784
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apt-get remove --purge hildon-theme-beta osso-chess-ui gnuchess osso-graphics-game-chess osso-lmarbles osso-graphics-game-lmarbles osso-sounds-game-chess maemoblocks ap-installer amazon-installer foreca-installer facebook-installer skype-installer dtg-installer tutorial-home-applet osso-tutorial-l10n-engb osso-tutorial-l10n-ptpt osso-tutorial-l10n-frca osso-tutorial-l10n-nlnl osso-tutorial-l10n-cscz osso-tutorial-l10n-itit osso-tutorial-l10n-eses osso-tutorial-l10n-svse osso-tutorial-l10n-frfr osso-tutorial-l10n-dede osso-tutorial-l10n-fifi osso-tutorial-l10n-nono osso-tutorial-l10n-esmx osso-tutorial-l10n-enus osso-tutorial-l10n-ruru osso-tutorial-l10n-mr0 osso-tutorial-l10n-plpl osso-systemui-splashscreen sharing-service-flickr sharing-service-ovi chinese-font google-search-widget tutorial-home-applet osso-mahjong osso-graphics-game-mahjong osso-sounds-game-mahjong ovi-promotion-widget
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== Flashing the device ==
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The following flashing procedure has proven the most stable to me:
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?s=bcad4cd2389b67dd0911decdebb4b503&t=82641 talk.maemo.org Safe to remove?]
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{{warning}}Always use a fully charged battery!
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==Disable Nokia Hands==
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* Turn your device off, disconnect USB
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There are three main methods to do this.
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* (As root) flash the FIASCO firmware image:
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  flasher-3.5 -F RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin -f
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* When you get "No suitable USB device found" connect your N900 through USB.
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* Wait for the flashing to finish.
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{{warning}} Don't reboot
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===Method 1===
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* Flash original eMMC image:
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Rename the file
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  flasher-3.5 -F RX-51_2009SE_20.2010.36-2_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin -f
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: /opt/usr/share/hildon-welcome/media/Hands-v32-h264.avi
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* Wait for the flashing to finish.
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to
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* Reboot the device by _reinserting_ the battery
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: /opt/usr/share/hildon-welcome/media/Hands-v32-h264.avi.disabled
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===Method 2===
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Upon first login, enter your locale settings (Timezone, local time, etc.).
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Use a text editor to edit the file
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:''/etc/hildon-welcome.d/default.conf''
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Comment out the last line.
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: filename=Hands-v32-h264.avi
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===Method 3===
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Remove the hildon-welcome package, which included the bootvideo
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Firstly gain root:
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Run latest official Nokia SSU (upgrades your device firmware to V1.3.1) by launching App manager / Update from the applications menu.
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:''root''
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Then remove the package by issuing
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:''apt-get purge hildon-welcome''
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==Faking Flash Player 12 for MicroB==
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== Getting root access ==
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1276589&postcount=2219 Post on talk.maemo.org]
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[http://wiki.maemo.org/Root_access 1001 ways of becoming root]
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* Get [http://www.sendspace.pl/download/YTo0OntzOjc6ImRhdGVfaW4iO2k6MTM0Mzc4MTUxMTtzOjU6InRpdGxlIjtzOjA6IiI7czo5OiJmaWxlX25hbWUiO3M6MjQ6ImFkb2JlLWZsYXNocGxheWVyLTEwLmRlYiI7czo1OiJ0b2tlbiI7czoyMzoiY2MzM2I0MDcyZTgyM2VlMTU4MDkzOWIiO30dfASDF34vasd3245bvs flashplayer 10 binaries] for maemo.
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* Add the Extras-Testing repository to the Hildon Application Managers catalog
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  name: Maemo extras-testing
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  uri: http://repository.maemo.org/extras-testing/
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  dist: fremantle
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  components: free non-free
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apt-get remove --purge adobe-flashplayer
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* Add the Extras-Devel repository as well
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apt-get install hexedit
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  name: Maemo extras-development
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dpkg -i adobe-flashplayer-10.deb
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  uri: http://repository.maemo.org/extras-devel/
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hexedit /usr/lib/browser/plugins/libflashplayer.so
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  dist: fremantle
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  components: free non-free
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* Once in Hexedit, press CTRL+S and type in 31302e31 and press enter, the string you've just found need to be changed to 31322e31
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* Disable OVI repository (conflicts with CSSU)
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* Now, press CTRL+S, type "y" and search for 31302c31 and change it to 31322c31
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* Wait for repository update to finish (Hildon Application Manager is slooow) and install 'rootsh' from the system section.
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* Press CTRL+S then "y" again.
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* To get remote access over the network (way more comfy) install SSH server by launching XTerminal from the application menu and running:
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* Close terminal (CTRL+X) and enjoy new faked v12.1.98.88 flash player
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  sudo gainroot
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  apt-get install openssh
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You will be asked for your new root password.
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/*TODO: Change PW hash to enable passwords > 8 chars */
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== Watch 720p movies ==
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* Finally launch xterm and run
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[http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=77695 720p Thread - talk.maemo.org]
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  ifconfig wlan0
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==Customizing Maemo==
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* Write down the IP address - from now on you can use the SSH client of your choice to connect to your favorite pocket computer - enjoy!
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Customizing the appearance of Maemo
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[[Customizing Maemo]]
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= Upgrade to CSSU-thumb =
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{{info}} cssu-thumb contains a kernel based on kp51r1, therefore you automatically benefit from all kernel-power features (undervolting, overclocking, framebuffer, ...)
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= Credits =
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3.1 Repositories
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My thanks go to jebba, titan, pali, NIN101, MentalistTraceur, sixwheeledbeast, DocScrutinizer05, sEKI, kerio, freemangordon, qwazix, ShadowJK and everyone on #maemo
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Disable extras-testing and extras-devel as they will be replaced by their CSSU-compiled counterparts. Make sure Nokia and Maemo Extras repositories are enabled though.
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=Wiki Update Info=
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3.2 Installing CSSU-Thumb
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:''Last Updated - sixwheeledbeast - 31 Jan 2013 21:41 UTC''
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Visit this link using your N900s web browser: http://maemo.merlin1991.at/cssu/community-thumb/community-thumb-fremantle.install and confirm the prompts displayed in HAM
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[[Category:Beginners]]
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Launch community SSU from applications menu.
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[[Category:N900]]
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Install the proposed updates.

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