If you get an error "hotspot failed to start" trying to turn your N900 into a hotspot using mobilehotspot, follow these steps to resolve the issue:

Open X Terminal, type in: sudo gainroot apt-get install --reinstall -y kernel-power kernel-power-flasher kernel-power-modules dpkg --purge mobilehotspot dpkg --purge iptables apt-get install iptables apt-get install mobilehotspot reboot

If you can't login as root, this is what you need to do:

• Open X terminal
• Type in: sudo apt-get install rootsh
• Then type: sudo gainroot