Coreboot and SeaBIOS

[mickchip]

Wow I actually got something to work (sort of).
This is Dam Small Linux running off the CD, my usb keyboard seems to work! but the integrated mouse pointer doesn't
will have to try it using a hub and seperate mouse, there are some errors as it boots but it gets there

[inaxeon]

Good work. First time I've seen anything with a GUI work.

Tell us any interesting looking dmesg output/errors

[pete]

Thank you inaxeon,

I guess for the sake of a rush in slo mode then I can just write the rom to the flash for now knowing that I won't really brick my Joggler (virtually anyways).

I do not have the PATA port ZIF config so fast forward to my alternatives for booting whatever would be? (read (post) USB stuff)?

[inaxeon]

Boot from USB seems to work pretty good. just do that

[Mevi]

One comment on your "to do" list on post #1, Inaxeon, some Jogglers boot full bright, some boot dim. I think it is a OpenPeak vs O2 thing going by the Jogglers I have here.

[pete]

Great stuff inaxeon.

Wrote to flash:

# cd /mnt
# ls
coreboot.rom
# modprobe fh
# dd if=/mnt/coreboot.rom of=/dev/fh count=1 bs=1024k
1+0 records in
1+0 records out
# ls
coreboot.rom
# reboot

Decided to go to a Ubuntu rescue CD. Using a small USB hub with my Lenova mini keyboard/mouse. Switched over to a generic keyboard.
Used UNetbootin to create a quickie boot stick.

[mickchip]

DSL
Now have mouse & keyboard working, DVD in external USB, HUB connected to internal USB with keyboard & mouse
Ethernet adaptor not recognised so no internet.

[inaxeon]

One comment on your "to do" list on post #1, Inaxeon, some Jogglers boot full bright, some boot dim. I think it is a OpenPeak vs O2 thing going by the Jogglers I have here.

I'm pretty sure the Joggler community hasn't had a Windows IEGD build which has code in it to set the backlight brightness before, if true, I'd imagine the behaviour would be pretty random. It'd just be luck of the draw as to whether or not the PWM register ends up with a value which sets 100%, minimum, or something in between.

This IEGD build explicitly sets the backlight brightness to 100% on load. It also has a 100% correct DTD too, so there won't be any offsets.

http://xpander.mattmillman.com/data/fil ... Y3LG4A.rar

Give it a try on a Joggler which boots 'dim'. I'm reasonably confident it'll solve the problem.

[pete]

So far I can get a keyboard working for a bit. I am playing with a virgin Joggler using only the side USB port. I didn't want to take it apart so playing unsuccessfully with a small USB hub. The USB SSD stick does boot along with the CDROM and ZIF drive.

[inaxeon]

So far I can get a keyboard working for a bit. I am playing with a virgin Joggler using only the side USB port. I didn't want to take it apart so playing unsuccessfully with a small USB hub.

Hubs are not working for you?

[pete]

The hub works with the keyboard and I can move around in the initial menus; then it just quits. Looking for my USB floppy drive...lost somewhere in this house. Going nuts here now looking for the USB floppy for the sole purpose of seeing it boot from a floppy disk.

[Mevi]

You know I'd have to try it... an install of W7 patched to boot from USB bluescreens very shortly after the progress bar appears.
I hoped to try Dan's Windows loader, of the type that spoofs a valid SLIC in the BIOS, with fingers cross that W7 saw a more complete BIOS and booted. No joy.

I used the PWBoot method you can find here: http://reboot.pro/6851/ Something to keep bookmarked for future use. Reboot.pro is a great resource, by the way. Still as awfully slow to boot W7 on my lappy from USB as the last time I tried it. Windows 8 supports booting from USB and they call it Windows To Go. You can only access the USB drive storage from explorer, you can't access local drives with WTG.

[inaxeon]

You know I'd have to try it... an install of W7 patched to boot from USB bluescreens very shortly after the progress bar appears.

Oh yeah. I know that crash. It's trying to use SMM to enter ACPI mode. Not exactly a good idea with how I've got it set up at the moment. I've already fixed that and another 2 blue screens after it. Now working on the next problem which is more of a 'hang'...

[pete]

I get to a cli shell but can't type anything.

Taking apart the "test" Joggler sacrificial version and will utilize the combo Lenova wireless keyboard mouse dongle on the inside USB port.

Tried DSL via SSD USB stick and CD drive via USB and both boot fine but keyboard / combo wireless quits after a bit plugged into internal USB port.

[inaxeon]

I get to a cli shell but can't type anything.

Taking apart the "test" Joggler sacrificial version and will utilize the combo Lenova wireless keyboard mouse dongle on the inside USB port.

I wouldn't worry about that too much. I think what happens is Linux takes over the UHCI from the BIOS, except something's broke (currently seems its IRQ is misconfigured) so you lose the USB. I have nfi how mickchip has DSL working so well given how broken everything is at the moment.

Sorry guys, I know everything's really broken... Maybe I should have waited a little longer before I gave alpha builds out

[pete]

That you gave us an opportunity to "play" is great!

Not necessary to apologize there inaxeon.

Swapped the inside USB connection with the outside one and now the keyboard works. Trying the combo and it does the same.

It appears too that its echoing the keyboard keys twice everytime I type one character; I see two and that won't let me type commands.

That said the error I see is "Cannot find device with /sysrcde.dat. Retrying."

So to get back to pre testing; just swap the EFI chip out and rewrite the flash as documented?

[inaxeon]

I've just uploaded another build (same URL), not a huge improvement, but it doesn't blue screen trying to boot Win 7 any more, just hangs instead

So to get back to pre testing; just swap the EFI chip out and rewrite the flash as documented?

Yes. Now you've even got another version to play with.

[pete]

I'm thinking too if I get to a cli then most likely a scripted boot with rom update would work eh?

[danfoshizzle]

where do you guys buy your spare efi chips? should maybe get a couple in case things go awry!

[pete]

Found them at Mouser here in the US.

Found here too and I wonder if we can order them flashed with the O2 OS?

http://bios-repair.co.uk/Information/Contact.html