Are you using the usb cable that came with your phone to flash it? If not, try using it instead of the one you're using. I had the same problem a week or so ago. Was too lazy to go get the Moto cable so I just grabbed one that was laying on top of my computer. Mine failed time after time at step 6. Also, got the same thing with sending webtop over and over. Had the same results with Matt's utility and RSD. I finally tried the Moto cable and it all worked fine. Also, I had been using a front port on my computer and when I first used the Moto cable I switched to a back port. So, I'm not really sure which of those two things did the trick but I'm guessing the cable more so than the port. I've always used the front ports without any issues in the past but have had different cables give me trouble. Anyway, if you haven't tried these two things, give them a try. Can't hurt anything at this point.