[Resolved] Omega2 Low Level Firmware Flash
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If something goes bad with the firmware, we can always change it. The easiest firmware update is through the Web Console here:
https://docs.onion.io/omega2-docs/updating-the-omega-using-console.html
Next, it's using the sysupgrade linux command here:
https://docs.onion.io/omega2-docs/manual-firmware-installation.html#step-2-upgrading-your-omega-to-the-downloaded-firmwareFor some reason, if the current firmware becomes unusable, U-Boot is a big lifesaver when dealing with this problem. It's the first software stored in the flash memory of the Omega2, and it's the one launching the firmware. The easiest way is using the USB procedure here:
https://docs.onion.io/omega2-docs/manual-firmware-installation.html
The other alternative is through the wired Ethernet interface. Here's the Omega1 procedure:
https://wiki.onion.io/Tutorials/Reflash-The-Firmware-With-Ethernet-ExpansionMy question for the hardware guys is, after seeing this photo from Larry:
Is it possible to piggyback on the serial flash memory IC (Omega2 board powered off), and flash the memory using the relevant pins and SPI protocol?I'm asking the question because I intend to try porting a different OS, and if I mess up, I'd have a Plan B if the U-Boot memory area becomes damaged.
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@fossette It's just SPI-flash, so yes, you can flash it just like any other SPI-flash. The problem you'd face is that you need to supply power to it, but then you'd also be supplying power to the rest of the Omega and it'd try to boot up from the flash -- you'd have to desolder it to prevent this. One option you could try, however, is to tie the RESET-pin up to keep the CPU in reset-state while doing this, which should prevent it from interfering.
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What OS do you plan to port ???
https://docs.onion.io/omega2-docs/communicating-with-spi-devices.html
Cheap CH341A USB programmer plus a DIP8 Adapter
Works fine with flashromflashrom -p ch341a_spi
flashrom is free software, get the source code at https://flashrom.orgCalibrating delay loop... OK.
Found Winbond flash chip "W25Q128.V" (16384 kB, SPI) on ch341a_spi.
No operations were specified.
Too expensive you say?
Try a SOP8 to DIP8 adapter something like this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-5pcs-SOP8-SO8-SOIC8-TO-DIP8-adapter-pcb-conveter-board-/180952961067
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@Larry-Pinney I'm going to try FreeBSD/MIPS
https://wiki.freebsd.org/FreeBSD/mipsAs for the eeprom programmer, I could very well use another Omega2. Lol!!! I have a similar USB programmer depicted in your photo (as a gift), but the device is unfortunately not detected in FreeBSD, but it could be in the Omega2... As for the black cube (smt 2 through hole), I didn't know that this kind of adapter existed. I ordered one a few months ago. Brilliant tool!
