forked from len0rd/rockbox
Updated by Peter Schlenker for the manual
git-svn-id: svn://svn.rockbox.org/rockbox/trunk@4065 a1c6a512-1295-4272-9138-f99709370657
This commit is contained in:
Jörg Hohensohn
parent
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www/docs/flash.t
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www/docs/flash.t
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<p>
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<p>
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by Jörg Hohensohn aka [IDC]Dragon
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by Jörg Hohensohn aka [IDC]Dragon
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<p>
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<p>
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1. What is this about?<br>
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1. Introduction<br>
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2. How is it working?<br>
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2. Method<br>
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3. Is it dangerous?<br>
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3. Risks<br>
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4. Will it work for me?<br>
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4. Requirements<br>
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5. How do I flash the firmware?<br>
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5. Flashing procedure<br>
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6. How do I bring in a current / my personal build of Rockbox?<br>
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6. Bringing in a current or personal build of Rockbox<br>
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7. Known issues, limitations<br>
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7. Known issues and limitations<br>
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8. Movies and images<br>
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8. Movies and images<br>
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<h2>1. What is this about?</h2>
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<h2>1. Introduction</h2>
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<p>
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<p>
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Flashing in the sense used here and elsewhere in regard to Rockbox means
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Flashing
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reprogramming the flash memory of the Archos unit. Flash memory (sometimes
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in the sense used here and elsewhere in regard to Rockbox means
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called "Flash ROM") is a type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased and
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reprogramming the flash memory of the Archos unit. Flash memory
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reprogrammed in circuit. It is a variation of electrically erasable
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(sometimes called "Flash ROM") is a type of nonvolatile
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programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
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memory that can be erased and reprogrammed in circuit. It is a
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variation of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory
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(EEPROM).
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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When you bought Your Archos, it came with the Archos firmware flashed. Now,
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When
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you can replace the built-in software with Rockbox.
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you bought your Archos, it came with the Archos firmware flashed.
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Now, you can replace the built-in software with Rockbox.
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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Some terminology I'm gonna use in the following:<br>
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Terminology used in the following:<br>
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<b>Firmware</b> means the flash ROM content as a whole.<br>
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<b>Firmware</b> means the flash ROM content as a whole.<br>
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<b>Image</b> means one operating software started from there.
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<b>Image</b> means one operating software started from there.
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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By reprogramming the firmware we can bot much faster. Archos has a pathetic
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By
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boot loader, versus the boot time for Rrockbox is much faster than the disk
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reprogramming the firmware we can boot much faster. Archos has a
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spinup, in fact it has to wait for the disk. Your boot time will be as quick as
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pathetic boot loader, versus the boot time for Rockbox is much faster
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a disk spinup. In my case, that's 4 seconds from powerup until resuming
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than the disk spinup, in fact it has to wait for the disk. Your boot
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playback.
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time will be as quick as a disk spinup (e.g. 4 seconds from powerup
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until resuming playback).
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</p>
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<h2>2. How is it working?</h2>
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<h2>2. Method</h2>
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<p>
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<p>
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The replaced firmware will host a bootloader and 2 images. I use data
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The
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compression to make this possible. The first is the "permanent" backup, not to
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replaced firmware will host a bootloader and 2 images. This possible
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be changed any more. The second is the default one to be started, the first is
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by compression. The first is the "permanent" backup, not to
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only used when you hold the F1 key during start. Like supplied here, the first
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be changed any more. The second is the default one to be started, the
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image is the original Archos firmware, the second is a current build of
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first is only used when you hold the F1 key during start. Like
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Rockbox. This second image is meant to be reprogrammed, it can contain anything
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supplied here, the first image is the original Archos firmware, the
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you like, if you prefer, you can program the Archos firmware to there, too.
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second is a current build of Rockbox. This second image is meant to
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be reprogrammed, it can contain anything you like, if you prefer, you
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can program the Archos firmware to there, too.
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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I supply two programming tools:
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There are two programming tools supplied:
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</p>
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<ul>
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<ul>
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<li> The first one is called "firmware_flash.rock" and is used to program the
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<li>
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whole flash with a new content. You can also use it to revert back to the
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The
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original firmware you've hopefully backup-ed. In the ideal case, you'll need
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first one is called "firmware_flash.rock" and is used to
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this tool only once. You can view this as "formatting" the flash with the
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program the whole flash with a new content. You can also use it to
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desired image structure.
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revert back to the original firmware you've hopefully backup-ed. In
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<li> The second one is called "rockbox_flash.rock" and is used to reprogram only
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the ideal case, you'll need this tool only once. You can view this
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the second image. It won't touch any other byte, should be safe to fool around
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as "formatting" the flash with the desired image
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with. If the programmed firmware is inoperational, you can still use the F1
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structure.
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start with the Archos firmware and Rockbox booted from disk to try better.
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</li>
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<li>
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The
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second one is called "rockbox_flash.rock" and is used to
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reprogram only the second image. It won't touch any other byte,
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should be safe to fool around with. If the programmed firmware is
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inoperational, you can still use the F1 start with the Archos
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firmware and Rockbox booted from disk to try better.
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</li>
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</ul>
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</ul>
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<p>
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<p>
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I will provide more technical details in the future, as well as my non-user
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More technical details will be provided in the future, as well as non-user
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tools. There's an authoring tool which composed the firmware file with the
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tools. There's an authoring tool which composed the firmware file with the
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bootloader and the 2 images, the bootloader project, the plugin sources, and
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bootloader and the 2 images, the bootloader project, the plugin sources, and
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the tools for the UART boot feature: a monitor program for the box and a PC
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the tools for the UART boot feature: a monitor program for the box and a PC
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tool to drive it. Feel free to review the
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tool to drive it. Feel free to review the
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<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash/flash_sourcecode.zip">sources</a>
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<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash/flash_sourcecode.zip">sources</a>
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for all of it, but be careful when fooling around with powerful toys!
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for all of it, but be careful when fooling around with powerful toys!
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</p>
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<h2>3. Is it dangerous?</h2>
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<h2>3. Risks</h2>
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<p>
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<p>
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Yes, certainly, like programming a mainboard BIOS, CD/DVD drive firmware,
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Well,
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mobile phone, etc. If the power fails, your chip breaks while programming or
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is it dangerous? Yes, certainly, like programming a mainboard BIOS,
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most of all the programming software malfunctions, you'll have a dead box. And
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CD/DVD drive firmware, mobile phone, etc. If the power fails, your
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I take no responsibility of any kind, you do that at your own risk. However, I
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chip breaks while programming or most of all the programming software
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tried as carefully as possible to bulletproof this code. The new firmware file
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malfunctions, you'll have a dead box. We take no responsibility of
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is completely read before it starts programming, there are a lot of sanity
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any kind, you do that at your own risk. However, we tried as
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checks. If any fails, it will not program. Before releasing this, I have
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carefully as possible to bulletproof this code. The new firmware file
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checked the flow with exactly these files supplied here, starting from the
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is completely read before it starts programming, there are a lot of
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original firmware in flash. It worked reliably for me, there's no reason why
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sanity checks. If any fails, it will not program. Before releasing
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such low level code should behave different on your box.
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this, we have checked the flow with exactly these files supplied
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here, starting from the original firmware in flash. It worked
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reliably, there's no reason why such low level code should behave
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different on your box.
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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There's one ultimate safety net to bring back boxes with even completely
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There's
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garbled flash content: the UART boot mod, which in turn requires the serial
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one ultimate safety net to bring back boxes with even completely
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mod. It can bring the dead back to life, with that it's possible to reflash
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garbled flash content: the UART boot mod, which in turn requires the
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independently from the outside, even if the flash is completely erased. I used
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serial mod. It can bring the dead back to life, with that it's
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that during development, else Rockbox in flash wouldn't have been possible.
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possible to reflash independently from the outside, even if the flash
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Most of the developing effort went into this tooling. So people skilled to do
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is completely erased. It has been used that during development, else
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these mods don't need to worry. The others may feel unpleasant using the first
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Rockbox in flash wouldn't have been possible. Most of the developing
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effort went into this tooling. So people skilled to do these mods
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don't need to worry. The others may feel unpleasant using the first
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tool for reflashing the firmware.
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tool for reflashing the firmware.
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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To comfort you a bit again: The flash tools are stable since quite a while.
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To
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I use them a lot and quite careless meanwhile, even reflashed while playing.
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comfort you a bit again: The flash tools are stable since quite a
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However, I don't generally recommend that. ;-)
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while. Several people use them a lot and quite careless meanwhile,
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even reflashed while playing. However, we don't generally recommend
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that. ;-)
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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About the safety of operation: Since we have dual boot, you're not giving up
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About
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the Archos firmware. It's still there when you hold F1 during startup. So even
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the safety of operation: Since we have dual boot, you're not giving
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if Rockbox from flash is not 100% stable for everyone, you can still use the
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up the Archos firmware. It's still there when you hold F1 during
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box, reflash the second image with an updated Rockbox copy, etc.
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startup. So even if Rockbox from flash is not 100% stable for
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everyone, you can still use the box, reflash the second image with an
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updated Rockbox copy, etc.
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</p>
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<p>
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<p>
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The flash chip being used by Archos is specified for 100,000 cycles (in words:
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The
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one hundred thousand), so you don't need to worry about that wearing out.
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flash chip being used by Archos is specified for 100,000 cycles (in
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words: one hundred thousand), so you don't need to worry about that
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wearing out.
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</p>
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<h2>4. Will it work for me?</h2>
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<h2>4. Requirements</h2>
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<p>
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<p>
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You need three things:
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You need two things:
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</p>
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<ul>
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<ul>
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<li> The first is a Recorder or FM model. Be sure you're using the correct
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<li>
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package, Recorder and FM are different! The technology works for
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The
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the Player models, too. Players can also be flashed, but Rockbox does not
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first is a Recorder or FM model. Be sure you're using the correct
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run cold-started on those, yet.
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package, Recorder and FM are different! The technology works for the
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Player models, too. Players can also be flashed, but Rockbox does
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<li> Second, you need an in-circuit programmable flash. Chances are about 85%
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not run cold-started on those, yet.
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that you have, but Archos also used an older flash chip which can't do the
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</li>
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trick. You can find out via Rockbox debug menu, entry Hardware Info. If the
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<li>
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flash info gives you question marks, you're out of luck. The only chance then
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Second,
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is to solder in the right chip (SST39VF020), at best with the firmware already
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you need an in-circuit programmable flash. Chances are about 85%
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in. If the chip is blank, you'll need the UART boot mod as well.
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that you have, but Archos also used an older flash chip which can't
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do the trick. You can find out via Rockbox debug menu, entry
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Hardware Info. If the flash info gives you question marks, you're
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out of luck. The only chance then is to solder in the right chip
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(SST39VF020), at best with the firmware already in. If the chip is
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blank, you'll need the UART boot mod as well.
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</li>
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</ul>
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</ul>
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<h2>5. How do I flash the firmware?</h2>
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<h2>5. Flashing procedure</h2>
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<p>
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<p>
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Short explaination: copy the firmware_*.bin files for your model from my distribution
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Short
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to the root directory of your box, then run the "firmware_flash.rock" plugin.
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explanation: copy the firmware_*.bin files for your model from the
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Long version:
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distribution to the root directory of your box, then run the
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<p>
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"firmware_flash.rock" plugin. Long version, step by step
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procedure:
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I'm using the new plugin feature to run the flasher code. There's not really a
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</p>
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wrong path to take, however here's a suggested step by step procedure:
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<ul>
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<ul>
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<li> download the correct package for you model,
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<li>
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<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash/flash_rec.zip">Recorder</a>
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download the correct package for you model,
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or
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<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash/flash_rec.zip">Recorder</a>
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<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash/flash_fm.zip">FM</a>
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or
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, copy some files of it to your box:
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<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash/flash_fm.zip">FM</a>,
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<ol>
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copy some files of it to your box:
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<li> "ajbrec.ajz" into the root directory (the version of Rockbox we're going to use and have in the
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<ol>
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firmware file)<br>
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<li>
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<li> firmware_rec.bin or firmware_fm.bin into the root directory (the complete firmware for your model,
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"ajbrec.ajz"
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with my bootloader and the two images). There now is also a _norom variant, copy both,
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into the root directory (the version of Rockbox we're going to use
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the plugin will decide which one is required for your box.
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and have in the firmware file)
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<li> the .rockbox subdirectory with all the plugins for Rockbox<br>
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</li>
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</ol>
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<li>
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<li> Restart the box so that the new ajbrec.ajz gets started.
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firmware_rec.bin
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or firmware_fm.bin into the root directory (the complete firmware
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<li> Enter the debug menu and select the hardware info screen. Check you flash
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for your model, with the bootloader and the two images). There now
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IDs (bottom line), and please make a note about your hardware
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is also a _norom variant, copy both, the plugin will decide which
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mask value (second line). The latter is just for my curiosity, not needed for the
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one is required for your box.
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flow. If the flash info shows question marks, you can stop here, sorry.
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</li>
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<li>
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<li> Backup the current firmware, using the first option of the debug menu
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the .rockbox subdirectory with all the plugins for Rockbox
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(Dump ROM contents). This creates 2 files in the root directory, which you may
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</li>
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not immediately see in the Rockbox browser. The 256kB-sized
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</ol>
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"internal_rom_2000000-203FFFF.bin" one is your present firmware. Back both up
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<li>
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to your PC.
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Restart the box so that the new ajbrec.ajz gets started.
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</li>
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<li> (optional) While you're in this Rockbox version, I recommend to give it a
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</li>
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test and play around with it, this version is identical to the one about to be
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<li>
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programmed. Make sure that especially USB access and Rolo works. When done,
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Enter
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restart again to have a fresh start and to be back in this Rockbox version.
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the debug menu and select the hardware info screen. Check you flash
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IDs (bottom line), and please make a note about your hardware mask
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<li> Use the F2 settings to configure seeing all files within the browser.
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value (second line). The latter is just for our curiosity, not
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needed for the flow. If the flash info shows question marks, you can
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<li> Connect the charger and make sure your batteries are also in good
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stop here, sorry.
|
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shape. I'm just being paranoid here, it's not that flashing needs more power.
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</li>
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<li>
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<li> Run the "firmware_flash.rock" plugin. It again tells you about your flash
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Backup
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and the file it's gonna program. After F1 it checks the file. Your hardware
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the current firmware, using the first option of the debug menu (Dump
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mask value will be kept, it won't overwrite it. Hitting F2 gives you a big
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ROM contents). This creates 2 files in the root directory, which you
|
||||||
warning. If I still didn't manage to scare you off, you can hit F3 to
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may not immediately see in the Rockbox browser. The 256kB-sized
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actually program and verify. The programming takes just a few seconds.
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"internal_rom_2000000-203FFFF.bin" one is your present
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If the sanity check fails, you have the wrong kind of boot ROM and are
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firmware. Back both up to your PC.
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out of luck by now, sorry.
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</li>
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<li>
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<li> In the unlikely event that the programming should give you any error,
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(optional)
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don't switch off the box! Otherwise you'll have seen it working for the last
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While you're in this Rockbox version, it is recommended to give it a
|
||||||
time. While Rockbox is still in DRAM and operational, we could upgrade the
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test and play around with it, this version is identical to the one
|
||||||
plugin via USB and try again. If you switch it off, it's gone.
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about to be programmed. Make sure that especially USB access and
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Rolo works. When done, restart again to have a fresh start and to be
|
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<li> Unplug the charger, restart the box and hopefully be in Rockbox straight
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back in this Rockbox version.
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away! You may delete "firmware_flash.rock" then, to avoid your little
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</li>
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||||||
brother playing with that. Pressing On+Play can do it, or your PC. You
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<li>
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can also delete the ".bin" files.
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Use
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the F2 settings to configure seeing all files within the browser.
|
||||||
<li> Try starting again, this time holding F1 while pressing On. It should
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</li>
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boot the Archos firmware, which then loads rockbox from disk. In fact, even
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<li>
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the Archos firmware comes up quicker, because their loader is replaced by
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Connect
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mine.
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the charger and make sure your batteries are also in good shape.
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||||||
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That's just for security reasons, it's not that flashing needs more
|
||||||
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power.
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</li>
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<li>
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||||||
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Run
|
||||||
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the "firmware_flash.rock" plugin. It again tells you about
|
||||||
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your flash and the file it's gonna program. After F1 it checks the
|
||||||
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file. Your hardware mask value will be kept, it won't overwrite it.
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||||||
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Hitting F2 gives you a big warning. If we still didn't manage to
|
||||||
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scare you off, you can hit F3 to actually program and verify. The
|
||||||
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programming takes just a few seconds. If the sanity check fails, you
|
||||||
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have the wrong kind of boot ROM and are out of luck by now, sorry.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
|
<li>
|
||||||
|
In
|
||||||
|
the unlikely event that the programming should give you any error,
|
||||||
|
don't switch off the box! Otherwise you'll have seen it working for
|
||||||
|
the last time. While Rockbox is still in DRAM and operational, we
|
||||||
|
could upgrade the plugin via USB and try again. If you switch it
|
||||||
|
off, it's gone.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
|
<li>
|
||||||
|
Unplug
|
||||||
|
the charger, restart the box and hopefully be in Rockbox straight
|
||||||
|
away! You may delete "firmware_flash.rock" then, to avoid
|
||||||
|
your little brother playing with that. Pressing On+Play can do it,
|
||||||
|
or your PC. You can also delete the ".bin" files.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
|
<li>
|
||||||
|
Try
|
||||||
|
starting again, this time holding F1 while pressing On. It should
|
||||||
|
boot the Archos firmware, which then loads rockbox from disk. In
|
||||||
|
fact, even the Archos firmware comes up quicker, because their
|
||||||
|
loader is replaced by mine.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
</ul>
|
</ul>
|
||||||
|
<p>
|
||||||
|
When
|
||||||
|
for any reason you'd like to revert to the original firmware, you can
|
||||||
|
do like above, but copy and rename your backup to be
|
||||||
|
"firmware_rec.bin" on the box this time. Keep the Rockbox
|
||||||
|
copy and the plugins of this package for that job, because that's the
|
||||||
|
one it was tested with.
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
When for any reason you'd like to revert to the original firmware, you can do
|
<h2>6. Bringing in a current or personal build of Rockbox</h2>
|
||||||
like above, but copy and rename your backup to be "firmware_rec.bin" on the
|
<p>
|
||||||
box this time. Keep the Rockbox copy and the plugins of this package for that
|
Short
|
||||||
job, because that's the one it was tested with.
|
explanation: very easy, just play a .ucl file like "rockbox.ucl"
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<h2>6. How do I bring in a current / my personal build of Rockbox?</h2>
|
|
||||||
<p> Short explaination: very easy, just play a .ucl file like "rockbox.ucl"
|
|
||||||
from the download or build. Long version:
|
from the download or build. Long version:
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
The second image is the working copy, the "rockbox_flash.rock" plugin from this
|
The
|
||||||
package reprograms it. The plugins needs to be consistant with the Rockbox
|
second image is the working copy, the "rockbox_flash.rock"
|
||||||
plugin API version, otherwise it will detect mismatch and won't run.
|
plugin from this package reprograms it. The plugins needs to be
|
||||||
|
consistant with the Rockbox plugin API version, otherwise it will
|
||||||
|
detect mismatch and won't run.
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
|
<p>
|
||||||
|
It
|
||||||
|
requires an exotic input, a UCL-compressed image, because that's the
|
||||||
|
internal format. UCL is a nice open-source compression library. The
|
||||||
|
decompression is very fast and less than a page of C-code. The
|
||||||
|
efficiency is even better than Zip with maximum compression, cooks it
|
||||||
|
down to about 58% of the original size. For details on UCL, see:
|
||||||
|
<a href="http://www.oberhumer.com/opensource/ucl/">www.oberhumer.com/opensource/ucl/</a>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<p> It requires an exotic input, a UCL-compressed image, because
|
</p>
|
||||||
that's my internal format. UCL is a nice open-source compression library I
|
<p>
|
||||||
found and use. The decompression is very fast and less than a page of
|
Linux
|
||||||
C-code. The efficiency is even better than Zip with maximum compression, cooks
|
users will have to download it from there and compile it, for Win32
|
||||||
it down to about 58% of the original size. For details on UCL, see: <a
|
and Cygwin the executables are in
|
||||||
href="http://www.oberhumer.com/opensource/ucl/">www.oberhumer.com/opensource/ucl/</a>
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<p> Linux users will have to download it from there and compile it, for Win32
|
|
||||||
and Cygwin I can do that, so the executables are in
|
|
||||||
<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash">the packages</a>.
|
<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash">the packages</a>.
|
||||||
The sample program from that download is called "uclpack". We'll use that to
|
The sample program from that download is called "uclpack".
|
||||||
compress "rockbox.bin" which is the result of the compilation. This is
|
We'll use that to compress "rockbox.bin" which is the
|
||||||
a part of the build process meanwhile. If you compile Rockbox yourself,
|
result of the compilation. This is a part of the build process
|
||||||
you should copy uclpack to a directory which is in the path, I recommend
|
meanwhile. If you compile Rockbox yourself, you should copy uclpack
|
||||||
placing it int the same dir as SH compiler.
|
to a directory which is in the path, we recommend placing it in the
|
||||||
|
same dir as SH compiler.
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
Don't flash any "old" builds which don't have the latest coldstart ability I
|
Don't
|
||||||
brought into cvs these days. They won't boot. These instructions refer to
|
flash any "old" builds which don't have the latest
|
||||||
|
coldstart ability. They won't boot. These instructions refer to
|
||||||
builds from cvs state 2003-07-10 on.
|
builds from cvs state 2003-07-10 on.
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
Here are the steps:
|
Here are the steps:
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
<ul>
|
<ul>
|
||||||
<li> If you start from a .ajz file, you'll need to descramble it first into
|
<li>
|
||||||
"rockbox.bin", by using "descramble ajbrec.ajz rockbox.bin". IMPORTANT: For an
|
If
|
||||||
FM, the command is different, use "descramble -fm ajbrec.ajz rockbox.bin"!
|
you start from a .ajz file, you'll need to descramble it first into
|
||||||
Otherwise the image won't be functional. Compress the image using uclpack,
|
"rockbox.bin", by using "descramble ajbrec.ajz
|
||||||
algorithm 2e (the most efficient, and the only one supported by the
|
rockbox.bin". IMPORTANT: For an FM, the command is different,
|
||||||
bootloader), with maximum compression, by typing
|
use "descramble -fm ajbrec.ajz rockbox.bin"! Otherwise the
|
||||||
"uclpack --2e --best rockbox.bin rockbox.ucl". You can make a batch file for
|
image won't be functional. Compress the image using uclpack,
|
||||||
this and the above step, if you like.
|
algorithm 2e (the most efficient, and the only one supported by the
|
||||||
|
bootloader), with maximum compression, by typing "uclpack --2e
|
||||||
<li> Normally, you'll simply download or compile rockbox.ucl. Copy it together
|
--best rockbox.bin rockbox.ucl". You can make a batch file for
|
||||||
with ajbrec.ajz and all the rocks to the appropriate places, replacing the old.
|
this and the above step, if you like.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
<li> Just "play" the .ucl file, this will kick off the "rockbox_flash.rock"
|
<li>
|
||||||
plugin. It's a bit similar to the other one, but I made it different
|
Normally,
|
||||||
to make the user aware. It will check the file,
|
you'll simply download or compile rockbox.ucl. Copy it together with
|
||||||
available size, etc. With F2 it's being programmed, no need for warning this
|
ajbrec.ajz and all the rocks to the appropriate places, replacing
|
||||||
time. If it goes wrong, you'll still have the permanent image.
|
the old.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
<li> It may happen
|
<li>
|
||||||
that you get an "Incompatible Version" error, if the plugin interface has
|
Just
|
||||||
changed meanwhile. You're running an "old" copy of Rockbox, but are trying
|
"play" the .ucl file, this will kick off the
|
||||||
to execute a newer plugin, the one you just downloaded. The easiest solution
|
"rockbox_flash.rock" plugin. It's a bit similar to the
|
||||||
is to rolo into this new version, by playing the ajbrec.ajz file. Then
|
other one, but it's made different to make the user aware. It will
|
||||||
you are consistant and can play rockbox.ucl.
|
check the file, available size, etc. With F2 it's being programmed,
|
||||||
|
no need for warning this time. If it goes wrong, you'll still have
|
||||||
<li> When done, you can restart the box and hopefully your new Rockbox image.
|
the permanent image.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
|
<li>
|
||||||
|
It
|
||||||
|
may happen that you get an "Incompatible Version" error,
|
||||||
|
if the plugin interface has changed meanwhile. You're running an
|
||||||
|
"old" copy of Rockbox, but are trying to execute a newer
|
||||||
|
plugin, the one you just downloaded. The easiest solution is to rolo
|
||||||
|
into this new version, by playing the ajbrec.ajz file. Then you are
|
||||||
|
consistant and can play rockbox.ucl.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
|
<li>
|
||||||
|
When
|
||||||
|
done, you can restart the box and hopefully your new Rockbox image.
|
||||||
|
</li>
|
||||||
</ul>
|
</ul>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
A more luxurious version of the plugin could do the descrambling and
|
|
||||||
compression by itself, but that's hard to do because a plugin is very limited
|
|
||||||
with memory (32kB for code and data). Currently I'm doing one flash sector
|
|
||||||
(4096 bytes) at a time. Don't know how slow the compression algorithm would be
|
|
||||||
on the box, that's the strenuous part.
|
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
If you like or have to, you can also flash the Archos image as the second one,
|
If
|
||||||
e.g. in case Rockbox from flash doesn't work for you. This way you keep the
|
you like or have to, you can also flash the Archos image as the
|
||||||
dual bootloader and you can easily try different later. I prepared
|
second one, e.g. in case Rockbox from flash doesn't work for you.
|
||||||
|
This way you keep the dual bootloader and you can easily try
|
||||||
|
different later. You can download
|
||||||
<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash">UCLs</a>
|
<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash">UCLs</a>
|
||||||
for the latest Recorder and FM firmware.
|
for the latest Recorder and FM firmware
|
||||||
|
<a href="http://joerg.hohensohn.bei.t-online.de/archos/flash">here</a>.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<h2>7. Known issues, limitations</h2>
|
</p>
|
||||||
<p>
|
|
||||||
Latest Rockbox now has a charging screen, but it is in an early stage. You'll
|
|
||||||
get it when the unit is off and you plug in the charger. The Rockbox charging
|
|
||||||
algorithm is first measuring the battery voltage for about 40 seconds, after
|
|
||||||
that it only starts charging when the capacity is below 85%.
|
|
||||||
You can use the Archos charging (which always tops off) by holding F1
|
|
||||||
while plugging in. Some FM users reported charging problems even with F1,
|
|
||||||
they had to revert to the original flash content.
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
<h2>7. Known issues and limitations</h2>
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
If the plugin API is changed, new builds may render the plugins
|
Latest
|
||||||
incompatible. When updating, make sure you grab those too, and rolo into
|
Rockbox now has a charging screen, but it is in an early stage.
|
||||||
the new version before flashing it.
|
You'll get it when the unit is off and you plug in the charger. The
|
||||||
|
Rockbox charging algorithm is first measuring the battery voltage for
|
||||||
|
about 40 seconds, after that it only starts charging when the
|
||||||
|
capacity is below 85%. You can use the Archos charging (which always
|
||||||
|
tops off) by holding F1 while plugging in. Some FM users reported
|
||||||
|
charging problems even with F1, they had to revert to the original
|
||||||
|
flash content.
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
There are two variants of how the boxes starts, therefore the normal and the _norom
|
If
|
||||||
firmware files. The vast majority of the Player/Recorder/FM all have the same boot
|
the plugin API is changed, new builds may render the plugins
|
||||||
ROM content, differenciation comes later by flash content. Rockbox identifies this
|
incompatible. When updating, make sure you grab those too, and rolo
|
||||||
boot ROM with a CRC value of 0x222F in the hardware info screen. Some recorders
|
into the new version before flashing it.
|
||||||
have the boot ROM disabled (it might be unprogrammed) and start directly from a
|
</p>
|
||||||
flash mirror at address zero. They need the new _norom firmware, it has a slightly
|
<p>
|
||||||
different bootloader. Without a boot ROM there is no UART boot safety net. To
|
There
|
||||||
compensate for that as much as possible I have included my MiniMon monitor,
|
are two variants of how the boxes starts, therefore the normal and
|
||||||
it starts with F3+On. Using that the box can be reprogrammed via serial if the
|
the _norom firmware files. The vast majority of the
|
||||||
first ~2000 bytes of the flash are OK.
|
Player/Recorder/FM all have the same boot ROM content,
|
||||||
|
differentiation comes later by flash content. Rockbox identifies this
|
||||||
|
boot ROM with a CRC value of 0x222F in the hardware info screen. Some
|
||||||
|
recorders have the boot ROM disabled (it might be unprogrammed) and
|
||||||
|
start directly from a flash mirror at address zero. They need the new
|
||||||
|
_norom firmware, it has a slightly different bootloader. Without a
|
||||||
|
boot ROM there is no UART boot safety net. To compensate for that as
|
||||||
|
much as possible the MiniMon monitor is included, it starts with
|
||||||
|
F3+On. Using that the box can be reprogrammed via serial if the first
|
||||||
|
~2000 bytes of the flash are OK.
|
||||||
|
</p>
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
<h2>8. Movies and images</h2>
|
<h2>8. Movies and images</h2>
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
Jörg's AVI movie (1.5MB) <a href="flash/rockbox_flash_boot.avi">rockbox_flash_boot.avi</a>
|
Jörg's AVI movie (1.5MB) <a href="flash/rockbox_flash_boot.avi">rockbox_flash_boot.avi</a>
|
||||||
showing his unit booting Rockbox from flash.
|
showing his unit booting Rockbox from flash.
|
||||||
<p>
|
<p>
|
||||||
Roland's screendump from the movie:<br>
|
Roland's screendump from the movie:<br>
|
||||||
<img src="flash/rockbox-flash.jpg" width="352" height="288">
|
<img src="flash/rockbox-flash.jpg" width="352" height="288">
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
#include "foot.t"
|
#include "foot.t"
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
||||||
Loading…
Add table
Add a link
Reference in a new issue