Axp-List Archive
RE: 164UX: This system is not compatible with Linux/Alpha...

Subject: RE: 164UX: This system is not compatible with Linux/Alpha...
From: Jakma, Paul (Paul.Jakma@compaq.com)
Date: Wed Jan 19 04:08:47 2000


> > Would API consider releasing a flash-writer to flash MILO in?
>
> Just what is a 'flash-writer'?
>

ehmm.. flash ROM {programming, management} utility. Sort of like the
miniport.exe supplied with the board, but for the whole firmware.

> Again, the problem might not be with API,
> but rather DeskStation. They designed the board and still
> 'own' it, and
> they don't like to talk about it.
>

which is a shame.
 

> Agreed, and this would be good seeing as ARCSBios is dead.
>

and UX is eol. However UX will be around for a good while to come. And a lot
of people might buy them 2nd/3rd/.. handy to learn linux/alpha on.

So now is the time to get programming info. There's a paragraph in the UX
technical reference manual about the flash ROM. Basically saying that it's
mapped in 2 segments.

segment 1 is RO after boot (presumably the fail safe firmware). Segment 2
(presumably main firmware) is mapped somewhere else and is RW, but must only
be accessed with byte wise load and store instructions.

But that's not really a lot of info. eg What explicitely is in segment 1/2,
and if we put something in segment 2 how will the first stage firmware
jumpstart it? etc...

-paul.

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