From: [IDC]Dragon <idc-dragon_at_gmx.de>
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 11:40:47 +0200 (MEST)

Hello Rockboxers,

since a while the hardware info screen (Debug->HW Info) computes a CRC
across the boot ROM, to identify it. This ROM is built into the CPU and is really
permanent, not to be confused with Flash.

The majority has what I called V1 for version 1. This bootcode is identical
to Players, Recorders, FMs. I exploit its features for my Flash bootloader
and the UART boot mod. So if you have flashed already, you for shure have V1
and can stop reading here.

However, some boxes are different, have what I call a V2 boot ROM which
expects a different Flash layout. This is the reason why I have no Flash support
for those yet.

So, even if you don't like flashing, can you please check if your ROM CRC
value is different from 0x222F, the V1 value? In that case please post here,
tell us which model you have. V2 users will find 0x8C1E. I'd like to find out
how many there are, if it's worth spending effort on it. If you discover a
value different than these two, I'd say "oh no" but be highly interested and
want a dump from you.

My current status on V2:
- I have looked into the bootrom, found it has the Archos flash monitor
already in there, versus the V1 boxes have in flash. See my old post for details:

http://rockbox.haxx.se/mail/archive/rockbox-archive-2003-06/0287.shtml

- There is no UART boot mode like the one I exploited for my mod, but
something better (requires no further mod than serial):

- I analyzed how this monitor works, know how to operate it. It indeed has
the capability to reflash within certain areas, but can also be used to
download and start arbitrary code over the serial link.

- I have modified my UART boot mode tool to work with the Archos monitor
instead, use it to transfer and start my "minimon". With V2, this again allows
to fully reprogram from scratch, even if completely messed up, it is the
safety net. I like to have that first, before any flashing experiments.

The follow up question would be: Is there somebody with a V2 bootrom who
has/can do the serial mod to verify this? We can start easy, first blink the
LED, more as you like.

Jörg

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Received on 2003-09-22