I'm trying to start N810 into a mode where it accepts the upgrade firmware via USB by holding the "swap" (the top one of the two buttons on the front cover) button down while powering the device on. But I haven't managed to do it. It always starts normally. What I am doing wrong?

Jusr recieved my unit yesterday and did the update no problem (apart from network traffic overload). Ended up downloading the actual image file seperately.

Seamed to work fine doing what you did. Just to repeat the process I did. After connecting to PC with cable.

1. Actually switch off device (switch off menu selection ok).
2. Hold down the upper of the 2 buttons on th front facia, the "swap" button (showing overlapping squares). Keep this pressed down all the time.
3. Press down the power button till it starts up + a second or two.
4. Release the swap button once you see a USB symbol on the right hand side.

If you are still holding the button down waiting for it after several seconds, it isn't happening...

If it still does not play ball, try removing the battery and putting it back in again or something.

I'm assuming the swap button does work during a normal boot (no hardware fault).

Zuber

I got it working. It seems the passive USB hub I connected the cable before was not enough for N810 (it works with USB memory sticks and other stuff). After I connected USB cable directly to my computer while the N810 was powered down, then it started into USB mode. Thanks!

I think the wiki page on maemo.org mentions not plugging it into hubs (maybe even the Nokia support page, too) but, for all who don't know:

Be sure to plug your device directly into the computer when flashing!

Have a nice day.

Good.

Now you can complain like everyone else that everything has ground to a halt because of server overload

Zuber