Out of curiosity, what size cards are the problem units using?

I have had similar problems with my N800 (from buy.com) not powering up that seem completely random. I am in the process of moving my data off my SD cards and formatting them.

When I have had my power problems, it seems as if the unit does not power completely down. After removing the battery, I still can not power up. I am thinking there is some sort of internal cache causing the issue. Possibly the extended memory on the internal SD card if you have that enabled.

If anyone finds a definitive answer, I would be eager to know what it is.

BTW, my N800 was purchased in August, well before the $199 sale.

My internal card is a Sandisk 256 meg SD card being used as a 128 meg swap. The external card is a Transcend 1 gig mini SD with adapter. I hope that helps. I have had no problems all day today, it has booted perfectly everytime with both cards installed.

I'm running the Nokia 128MB (mini card + adapter that came with) in the external port, and a Patriot Class 6 16GB internal, with 128MB as swap.

Mine also came from buy.com. But I don't think I have the problems you mention. My battery lasts several days with the unit turned on, as long as I don't use it much. I don't turn it on and off much, so I can't be sure there are no problems bringing it back up. Still, I don't think I've seen your problem unless the battery is very low.

I have this problem too - I bought mine via Amazon in England. It seems to be getting more reliable at powering up now, after using it a few times.

I've had this problem several times now, although it turns on the NOKIA startup screen, then powers off again. It seems to be after its been powered off for at least a couple of hours. I initially tried holding the power button longer, removing battery and trying again, and plugging it into AC. It didn't seem to make a difference at first, but plugging it in seems to get it started now. I did drop it once, about not even two feet onto thin carpet. Never noticed the problem before that.

When I first noticed it happening, the NOKIA screen would come on and stay on as soon as I plugged it in. Waited 1/2 hour - never made it to "hand" screen, power button was unresponsive. I think it's done it a few times since, though after a few minutes the "Charging" screen comes up.

I've also noted that it seems to boot a lot more quickly when plugged in, maybe taking 20-30 seconds. On battery power, it takes over a minute before it even goes to the "hand" screen.

The boot NOKIA screen followed by power off - is that a normal condition of low battery, maybe?

btw, purchased 11/23 on circuitcity.com; 2GB internal and 4 GB external sandisk cards.

I've been having similar issues with a buy.com N800 purchased in mid-November. I've been trying all the usual tricks (taking battery out, not letting the battery get too low, etc.)

The problems were getting progressively worse and I was considering shipping it off to Nokia Care for service.

Acting on a hunch, I purchased a new battery and now everything seems just fine!

I wonder if it's a bad batch of batteries in the buy.com units that's the culprit here...

I don't have one of those units, but based on what I've been reading here I like your theory.

I received my replacement from buy.com yesterday. So far, it hasnt had any problems.
Knock on LCD...

Finally some good news...
BTW when did you return your problem unit and request your replacement?