ok, suddenly from last week, I am having random reboots when I am composing sms or typing a facebook message and when issuing any command in xterminal. Then I found that this happens ONLY when I press the enter key in keyboard. I uninstalled any application that I installed in last two weeks. But still the n900 reboots whenever I press the enter key in keyboard. It does not reboot when I use enter key in onscreen keyboard.

After the reboot, /proc/bootreason shows sw_rst

I am suspecting whether some hardware circuit issue in the keyboard. Any help in debugging is much appreciated. I am also wondering if I can map the enter key to any other less used key in the keyboard.

Try if Your battery pins doesn't become too lose, i.e. don't implicit enough pressure on their N900 counterparts.

Some time ago, i encountered strange reboots, almost every time when sliding keyboard out. I checked every application installed lately, was close to restoring backups and reflashing, when - just by intuition - I checked pins. Tightening them a little with needle solved problem...

The funny thing is that, shaking phone or whatever, doesn't resulted in reboot - ho ever, sliding keyboard out provided needed "vibration" for battery pins to loose good enough connection. so, may be in your case hitting enter does...

Although I don't have this problem with my N900, I did have the problem Estel described with my E70. I solved it by pulling the contacts out a bit and placing a piece of paper next to the battery so that it would press a bit more against the contacts..

Thanks for the comments, Estel and reinob.
I tried your suggestions. Still it doesnt help.

Also I noted that when the system reboots by battery removal, /proc/bootreason is pwr_key.
whereas I was getting sw_rst, when it reboots by 'enter key'.

wow thats random

You can remap it, just remember that N900 hardware enter is normally "KP_Enter", not "Return".


// Edit

F2ThaK, wow, that was a totally useless post :/ Thank button can also manifest Your gratitude for posting that story...

If you don't press the enter button, does the N900 stay powered up? If so, I think this work around will work.

yes if I dont press enter, it stays up. But everytime when I need to press enter, I close the keyboard so that the virtual keyboard comes up and I press enter there
I am looking for some way to remove this pain !

Try with different keyboard?

This is not a hardware error in my opinion it is software related so if you can not find the culprit i would start uninstalling what you have installed from the last backwards untill the "fault" clears up, failing that i would re-flash back to stock and then you will know for sure it is hardware or software related.

There is no "electrical" or physical connection between the enter button on the N900 keypad and the off button.