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==Getting a Developer Key for your XO==
{{Persisent-Developer-Key}}


* A '''developer key''' is a file named '''develop.sig''' containing cryptographic information tied to a specific XO laptop that can be used to disable various security features.
''This is necessary for anyone who wants to run unsigned development builds. With few exceptions, only builds downloaded from http://download.laptop.org/xo-1/os/official/ are signed. Also, if your XO refuses to boot because the clock is set wrong, or complains about an unsigned kernel, getting a developer key is a way to fix that.''


* An '''activation key''' or '''activation''' is a file named '''lease.sig''' containing a cryptographic signature tied to a specific XO laptop and provides the ability for the system to run up until a set date and time.
# On the xo, open the browser activity.
# Click on the Library link "other" and then on "about your xo"
# Click on the link at the very bottom of the page called "apply for a developer key". (First hit the last link in the table of contents to quickly get to the bottom of the page.)
#* You can also just type 'file:///home/.devkey.html' in the browser window to get to this page.
# Follow the directions to apply for a developer key.
# The key should be created within a day or two.
# Go back to the page when your key is ready, and follow the instructions for downloading your key. Once the key has been created, you can return to this page at any time to re-download it; there will be no further creation delay.
# Reboot your xo.
# Now, whenever the laptop boots, open firmware will give you the option to hit esc and get an ok prompt. Do nothing to continue the boot.
#* This is the insecure boot process, and it will boot into any image you install on the xo.
#* The insecure boot process does *not* automatically upgrade firmware; you will be responsible for keeping your firmware up to date yourself.
# If you type 'disable-security' at the ok prompt, security will be turned off on your laptop permanently. (This isn't immediately necessary, but since this level of security is only protecting you from yourself, it is useful; see below.)
#* If you are doing fresh installs (complete overwrites; i.e. not [[olpc-update]]) of the operating system, you will lose the developer key (stored in /security/develop.sig) and if you haven't disabled security and the build you overwrote with isn't signed, your laptop won't boot. You will have to reflash with a signed image to recover, or insert a USB key with your developer key on it (if you made one before it starts refusing to boot).
#* Even if security is disabled, you can re-enable it for a single boot by [[Cheat codes|pressing the X gamepad key]] while turning the power on. This is useful to help us test secure boot on release candidates, as well as to perform firmware upgrades from signed builds.
#* You can reverse the 'disable-security' command with 'enable-security' at the ok prompt.
#* Make a copy of your developer key on some other computer, that gets backed up regularly, in case this one is lost. You may want to copy or move your developer key from /security/develop.sig on the build in NAND flash to /security/develop.sig on a USB key or SD card. Having the key available in any of these places will enable insecure boot. (See [[Firmware Security]] for the gory details.) Moving develop.sig to a USB key is useful if you are testing the security; it means that you can easily insert/remove the key to en/disable secure boot.


* The activation system is part of the security system. Therefore, when the security system is disabled (with a developer key), activations become irrelevant: they are not needed for system operation.
==Getting a Developer Key if the Machine won't Boot==


* Laptops can have the security system active but also be '''preactivated''' meaning that they will never request or use an activation, even though the rest of the features of the security system remain active.
There are two ways, both of which require manual assistance from someone at OLPC. You will need to
provide OLPC with either the serial number of your machine, or its UUID. The serial number is conveniently printed on a sticker in the battery compartment, and looks like "CSN74701E2F". The UUID is unfortunately only stored internally, and you'd have to download a signed Forth "Collector script" on a USB key, plug it into your laptop, power it on, let it do its thing, and then remove the USB key and use a different computer to upload the resulting laptops.dat file to OLPC. That process is described below. How either the serial number or the laptops.dat file turns into a developer key is still a manual mysterious process. Until we work out the "back end" of this operation, please just send email to help@laptop.org that describes the problem, includes the serial number, and if you've done the Collector script thing, attaches the resulting laptops.dat file.


== Is your laptop secured? ==


* [[G1G1 2007|Give One, Get One 2007]] and [[G1G1 2008|Give One, Get One 2008]] customers received laptops with the security system fully enabled, but the laptops are also preactivated meaning that they do not require an activation. Developer keys are required for some operations.
==Getting Activation/Developer Keys for one or many XOs==
* If your laptop is part of a deployment, the choice of security, security + preactivation, or no security is defined by the deployment. When buying laptops from OLPC, the customer specifies their choice and the laptops are programmed accordingly at the factory (you may be able to determine this from the [[Manufacturing data]] page). In some cases, this choice is then changed manually by the customer after the laptops have been received.


== What the security system does ==
(NOTE: this requires having an account on https://activation.laptop.org)


* Unless the laptop is '''preactivated''', the system will only boot while it has a valid and non-expired '''activation'''.
# First, you must create a 'Collection key'
* The only operating systems images that can be installed are those that are signed by a trusted party (which can be OLPC, the deployment, etc, based on the laptop's configuration at the factory).
## Download [[Image:Actos.zip]] and [[Image:Runos.zip]] (sources: http://dev.laptop.org/git?p=users/cscott/actkey)
* The only firmware releases that can be installed are those that are signed by a trusted party.
##*These files are identical, but secure boot will choose one or the other depending on activation status.
* The only kernels and initramfs (boot code) that can be booted are those that are signed by a trusted party.
## Put these files in a directory called 'boot' on a FAT-formatted usb key.
* You cannot gain access to Open Firmware's [[ok]] prompt.
# Boot the laptop with the 'Collection key' inserted.
#* This will create a laptops.dat file on the usb key. (If you've done this before, be sure to first delete any old laptops.dat files on the key.)
# Boot each laptop in turn that you want to create keys for. The 'Collector key' will append each new laptop to the laptops.dat file, so do not delete the laptops.dat file between each laptop in a group that you are getting keys for.
# Go to: https://activation.laptop.org
# Sign in
# Click on 'Create a new lease request'
# Upload the laptops.dat file, and fill in the request information.
#* You may have to wait until the next business day to get your keys, but they should generally be created within a few minutes.
#* Note: the activation key (lease.sig) should go into the root directory of your USB key; the developer key (develop.sig) should be added to a subdirectory called 'security' on the USB key.
# Boot the laptop with the usb key inserted
#* The same key should work for all the laptops you included in the laptops.dat file.
# If the laptop wasn't previously activated... it will now boot properly
#* The activation key will be copied to /security/lease.sig on the XO. You may want to keep the activation key around (or copy the activation key to the school server) in case you ever need to wipe the XO and reflash it.
# If you're using the developer key, you should be able to get to the ok prompt, which you will see within the first few seconds of booting. This is your indication that the developer key has been found. You can now upgrade to non-signed (developer) versions of code as well as stable versions.
# To permanently disable secure boot, you can type 'disable-security' from the OK prompt. You may need to leave the developer key in for a reboot and one more 'disable-security' command. See above for more information on using your developer key.


A developer key will disable all of these functions, providing no restrictions on what code can be ran and whether the laptop can or can't be used.
'''See also''':

== Why you might want to unsecure your XO ==
OLPC and others produce unsigned [[OS images|operating system images]] for development and testing. These will only work on unsecured laptops.

Various repair procedures, such as [[Fix clock|reprogramming the clock]] require the security system to be disabled (perhaps only temporarily).

== When "secured" laptops can be useful ==

This security is part of the [[Bitfrost|Bitfrost security system]], and is used to ensure that unless the user has specifically opted out, their basic operating software remains unmodified, and provides various antitheft controls. Many OLPC customers express that security and antitheft systems are of high priority.

== How to tell if your laptop is secured ==

[[Image:Ok-xo-1-q2f19-secure-with-check-key-and-escape.png|thumb|300px|secured; coloured icons, and no "ok" prompt]]
* [[Shutdown]] the laptop,
* Hold down the '✓' (check) game pad key and turn on the laptop,
* Wait for the message ''Release the game keys to continue'',
* Hold down the Escape key (the top left key on the laptop keyboard, marked with [[File:Esc.png]] or "esc"),
* Release the '✓' (check) game pad key, and watch closely.

If a message ''Secured, continuing'' appears, or three coloured icons, the laptop is secured.

If the laptop boots the operating system, the laptop is secured.

<br clear="right">
[[Image:Ok-xo-1-q2f19-unlocked-with-escape.png|thumb|300px|secured, but unlocked; an unlock icon, and an "ok" prompt]]
If a message ''Devel key Signature valid'' appears, and an icon corresponding to the device the developer key is on, then the laptop is secured, but unlocked by the developer key.

In this situation, you can disable security.

<br clear="right">
[[Image:Ok-xo-1-q2f19-unsecure.png|thumb|300px|not secured, the "ok" prompt is present]]
If an "ok" prompt appears straight away like this, the laptop is not secured.

In this situation, you do not need a developer key.
<br clear="right">

== Getting a developer key ==

To get a developer key you will:
*get two numbers from the laptop, the serial number and the UUID,
*send these numbers to us,
*wait for up to 24 hours,
*receive the response.

We provide several ways to do this, as subsections below:
*[[#Getting_a_developer_key_using_a_USB_drive|using a special USB drive]],
*[[#Getting_a_developer_key_for_your_running_XO_laptop|using the web browser on the laptop]],
*[[#Getting_a_developer_key_without_WiFi|without wireless, using a USB ethernet adapter]],
*[[#Getting_a_developer_key_without_any_network_access|without network, using Terminal]], or
*[[#Getting_a_developer_key_by_postal_mail|by postal mail]].

=== Getting a developer key using a USB drive ===

A [[collection stick]] is a special USB drive that collects data so that you can request a developer key. See [[collection stick]] for how to prepare a USB drive and use it.

=== Getting a developer key for your running XO laptop ===

There's a "Developer key request" web page on the XO to apply for a key.

# On your XO, open a new [[Browse]] activity, and navigate to the request page:
#* For release 8.2.0, 10.1.x, and later, click on the link "get a developer key" at the bottom of the Browse start page,
#* otherwise, type '''file:///home/.devkey.html''' in the browse location field and press enter.
# Follow the directions to apply for a developer key; it should be created in a day or two.
# Go back to the request page when your key is ready, and follow the instructions to download your key to your XO.
#* Once your key has been created, you can return to this page at any time ''on your XO'' to re-download it; there will be no further creation delay.
# [[Reboot]] your XO.

Next, [[#Using_a_developer_key|using a developer key]].

''Tip:'' if the typeface is too difficult to read easily, you can use Browse's Zoom options (in the View menu) to make it larger. Alternatively, you can copy the text and paste it into the Write activity, where you can resize it.

==== How to get a developer key when Browse freezes ====
At times Browse can freeze when trying to activate your key. An alternative way of activating is by starting Terminal or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+[[Image:Friends key f2 small.png]] to get to a console and get the serial + uuid for activation. Once you see the terminal, you may need to type in "root" with no password to login.

Next type in:
vi /home/.devkey.html

on line 16, there should be the serial_num (write down what it says under VALUE="....") and what it says on line 17 the uuid VALUE=...". You will need this information to register for your key.

{{Activation.laptop.org}}
Next, on a computer that has web access and click on: [https://activation.laptop.org/devkey/post/ https://activation.laptop.org/devkey/post/] and enter in the serial and uuid that you got from the .devkey.html file and click on "Request developer key".

You should then return to the web page after 24 hours. Your key will be ready for you.

=== Getting a developer key without WiFi ===
If you have wired network access, you can:
* use a [[USB ethernet adaptors|USB-to-wired ethernet adapter]] to get your XO on the net, then follow the above instructions.
=== Getting a developer key without any network access ===
* copy the file /home/.devkey.html from the XO to another (network-connected) machine, and perform the process from that machine. Entering the following command in the [[Terminal]] activity will copy it to any USB devices connected:
** <tt>cp -p /home/.devkey.html /var/run/media/*/devkey.html</tt>

=== Getting a developer key by postal mail ===

You can write postal mail to OLPC, see the addresses on the [[OLPC:Contact_us|contact page]].

You must include your serial number, a return address, and that you are asking for a developer key.

Your developer key will be mailed back to you on paper. You will have to type it in to a develop.sig file. This is prone to error, so try hard to use other methods.

Next, [[#Using_a_developer_key|using a developer key]].

== Using a developer key ==

Our response will be a small file {{code|develop.sig}} containing a large number. When you give this file to the laptop in the right way, it will be temporarily unlocked.

=== Make back up copies! ===
However you get a key, please '''''make a copy of it on some other computer''''', one that gets backed up regularly, in case this one is lost. Also, you should copy your developer key to <tt>/security/develop.sig</tt> on a USB drive, if you have one.

=== Where the developer key can be placed ===

When the XO boots, its [[firmware]] checks to see if security is enabled or [[#Disable_the_security_system|permanently disabled]] (a system parameter). If it is enabled, it looks for the a developer key, at <tt>/security/develop.sig</tt>, on any USB flash drive or SD card that's plugged in, and on the internal storage. (See [[Firmware security]] for the details.)

If that file is there and contains the right number, the XO will act as though it is unsecured:
* You will be able to interrupt the boot process and enter commands,
* You can run any compatible operating system, not only the signed operating system,
* You will be able to disable the security permanently.

=== Disabling the security system===
Once you have a developer key:

* Make sure it is in the <tt>/security/</tt> directory on your USB drive or SD card.
* Plug it into your XO before booting it. Boot your XO with that drive/card plugged in.
* You can now either immediately install unsigned software, or interact with the firmware -- including permanently disabling the firmware security system. (Once this is turned off, you will no longer need your XO's developer key to run the machine in "unsecured" mode.)

To '''permanently turn off firmware security''':
* Boot the XO as above, with a USB drive or SD card with the developer key plugged in. Interrupt the boot sequence: press the [[File:Esc.png]] ''Escape'' key a few times during the startup sound, just after turning the laptop on, to bring up the firmware [[Ok|Ok prompt]]. (for other ways to reach the prompt, see [[Ok prompt]].)
* Type <tt>''disable-security''</tt>. Press enter.

# If ''disable-security'' says "No wp tag", it means that security is already disabled.
#:
# If ''disable-security'' says "Restarting to enable SPI flash writing. Try again after the system restarts.", you'll need to start over with the Esc key again as above.
#:

* When security is disabled, you can re-enable it for a single boot (say, to test how a secured machine would work) by [[Cheat codes|pressing the X gamepad key]] while powering on. This is useful to do firmware upgrades from signed builds. It can also help to test secure boot on release candidates.
* You can reverse the ''disable-security'' command by entering ''enable-security'' at the 'ok' prompt. Security will then be permanently enabled until disabled again.
* You can see the raw manufacturing data where the ''disable-security'' setting is stored by typing ".mfg-data". See [[Manufacturing data]] for details.

==== Troubleshooting disabling of the security system ====
Some have had some issues with disabling the security when the developer key is on a USB drive. This may happen if the USB drive is incompatible with the firmware. If you experience this problem, try [[upgrading firmware]], or try using an SD card instead. It should be vfat formatted, for which you can use ''gparted''.

Then stick the SD into the XO (it is under the screen, you need to turn it -- it is on the right side), reboot and hold down [[Image:Esc.png]] -- then you will get to an [[ok]] prompt
type:

<pre>
disable-security
</pre>

it will automatically reboot to enable access to internal data, and you must repeat this step, then it will update the internal data and reboot again.

Now you can reboot and take out the SD card if you hit [[Image:Esc.png]] it will bring you to the {ok} prompt



=== If you wipe out your developer key ===
If you reflash your XO you will remove <tt>/security/develop.sig</tt>.
One way this can happen is if you ever do a fresh install of an operating system image using the [[clean-install procedure]] (rather than [[olpc-update]]).
If you haven't disabled security and the OS image that overwrote flash is unsigned, then your laptop won't boot. But you have several options:
* Ask us for the developer key again, and there won't be a 24 hour delay.
* Revert to a previous OS image. Try pressing the 'O' (circle) gamepad key while booting. That will attempt to boot a previous version of the OS, and if it was signed it will succeed.
* Reflash again with a signed OS image.
* Insert a USB drive or SD card with your developer key on it in <tt>/security/develop.sig</tt> (this is why you should always be sure to backup <tt>develop.sig</tt>), which will allow booting of the unsigned OS image and/or let you get to the 'ok' prompt to disable security.

Once boot completes you can restore your developer key back to NAND flash by typing in a [[Terminal Activity|terminal]] something like
cp -pi /media/''MY_USB_NAME''/security/develop.sig /security
or you can re-visit the "Developer key request" form and re-download your developer key. But you would be better off if you immediately disabled security, as described above; that never expires, unlike developer keys in NAND flash that often get overwritten.

== See also ==
* [[OLPC on free/open source software]]
* [[OLPC on free/open source software]]
* [[Stable Upgrade]]
* [[olpc-update]]
* [[Updates]]
* [[Updates]]
* [[Software update]]

''Note: the Developer key page generated by the OLPC Activation Service (in response to a developer key request from the XO) links to this page.''


[[Category:Developers]] [[Category:Firmware]] [[Category:Licensing]] [[Category:OLPC FAQ]] [[Category:OS]] [[Category:Security]] [[Category:Software development]]
[[Category:Developers]] [[Category:Firmware]] [[Category:Copyright]] [[Category:OLPC FAQ]] [[Category:OS]] [[Category:Security]] [[Category:Software development]] [[Category:Repair]] [[Category:Wiki pages that XO content links to]]

Latest revision as of 02:22, 2 October 2021

  This page is monitored by the OLPC team.
  english | español HowTo [ID# 302777]  +/-  

Note: as of October 2021, OLPC has released Persistent developer key firmware to disable the activation and developer key system on a laptop.

  • A developer key is a file named develop.sig containing cryptographic information tied to a specific XO laptop that can be used to disable various security features.
  • An activation key or activation is a file named lease.sig containing a cryptographic signature tied to a specific XO laptop and provides the ability for the system to run up until a set date and time.
  • The activation system is part of the security system. Therefore, when the security system is disabled (with a developer key), activations become irrelevant: they are not needed for system operation.
  • Laptops can have the security system active but also be preactivated meaning that they will never request or use an activation, even though the rest of the features of the security system remain active.

Is your laptop secured?

  • Give One, Get One 2007 and Give One, Get One 2008 customers received laptops with the security system fully enabled, but the laptops are also preactivated meaning that they do not require an activation. Developer keys are required for some operations.
  • If your laptop is part of a deployment, the choice of security, security + preactivation, or no security is defined by the deployment. When buying laptops from OLPC, the customer specifies their choice and the laptops are programmed accordingly at the factory (you may be able to determine this from the Manufacturing data page). In some cases, this choice is then changed manually by the customer after the laptops have been received.

What the security system does

  • Unless the laptop is preactivated, the system will only boot while it has a valid and non-expired activation.
  • The only operating systems images that can be installed are those that are signed by a trusted party (which can be OLPC, the deployment, etc, based on the laptop's configuration at the factory).
  • The only firmware releases that can be installed are those that are signed by a trusted party.
  • The only kernels and initramfs (boot code) that can be booted are those that are signed by a trusted party.
  • You cannot gain access to Open Firmware's ok prompt.

A developer key will disable all of these functions, providing no restrictions on what code can be ran and whether the laptop can or can't be used.

Why you might want to unsecure your XO

OLPC and others produce unsigned operating system images for development and testing. These will only work on unsecured laptops.

Various repair procedures, such as reprogramming the clock require the security system to be disabled (perhaps only temporarily).

When "secured" laptops can be useful

This security is part of the Bitfrost security system, and is used to ensure that unless the user has specifically opted out, their basic operating software remains unmodified, and provides various antitheft controls. Many OLPC customers express that security and antitheft systems are of high priority.

How to tell if your laptop is secured

secured; coloured icons, and no "ok" prompt
  • Shutdown the laptop,
  • Hold down the '✓' (check) game pad key and turn on the laptop,
  • Wait for the message Release the game keys to continue,
  • Hold down the Escape key (the top left key on the laptop keyboard, marked with Esc.png or "esc"),
  • Release the '✓' (check) game pad key, and watch closely.

If a message Secured, continuing appears, or three coloured icons, the laptop is secured.

If the laptop boots the operating system, the laptop is secured.


secured, but unlocked; an unlock icon, and an "ok" prompt

If a message Devel key Signature valid appears, and an icon corresponding to the device the developer key is on, then the laptop is secured, but unlocked by the developer key.

In this situation, you can disable security.


not secured, the "ok" prompt is present

If an "ok" prompt appears straight away like this, the laptop is not secured.

In this situation, you do not need a developer key.

Getting a developer key

To get a developer key you will:

  • get two numbers from the laptop, the serial number and the UUID,
  • send these numbers to us,
  • wait for up to 24 hours,
  • receive the response.

We provide several ways to do this, as subsections below:

Getting a developer key using a USB drive

A collection stick is a special USB drive that collects data so that you can request a developer key. See collection stick for how to prepare a USB drive and use it.

Getting a developer key for your running XO laptop

There's a "Developer key request" web page on the XO to apply for a key.

  1. On your XO, open a new Browse activity, and navigate to the request page:
    • For release 8.2.0, 10.1.x, and later, click on the link "get a developer key" at the bottom of the Browse start page,
    • otherwise, type file:///home/.devkey.html in the browse location field and press enter.
  2. Follow the directions to apply for a developer key; it should be created in a day or two.
  3. Go back to the request page when your key is ready, and follow the instructions to download your key to your XO.
    • Once your key has been created, you can return to this page at any time on your XO to re-download it; there will be no further creation delay.
  4. Reboot your XO.

Next, using a developer key.

Tip: if the typeface is too difficult to read easily, you can use Browse's Zoom options (in the View menu) to make it larger. Alternatively, you can copy the text and paste it into the Write activity, where you can resize it.

How to get a developer key when Browse freezes

At times Browse can freeze when trying to activate your key. An alternative way of activating is by starting Terminal or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Friends key f2 small.png to get to a console and get the serial + uuid for activation. Once you see the terminal, you may need to type in "root" with no password to login.

Next type in:

vi /home/.devkey.html

on line 16, there should be the serial_num (write down what it says under VALUE="....") and what it says on line 17 the uuid VALUE=...". You will need this information to register for your key.

activation.laptop.org
has been turned off,
if this hinders you,
read more about it.

Next, on a computer that has web access and click on: https://activation.laptop.org/devkey/post/ and enter in the serial and uuid that you got from the .devkey.html file and click on "Request developer key".

You should then return to the web page after 24 hours. Your key will be ready for you.

Getting a developer key without WiFi

If you have wired network access, you can:

Getting a developer key without any network access

  • copy the file /home/.devkey.html from the XO to another (network-connected) machine, and perform the process from that machine. Entering the following command in the Terminal activity will copy it to any USB devices connected:
    • cp -p /home/.devkey.html /var/run/media/*/devkey.html

Getting a developer key by postal mail

You can write postal mail to OLPC, see the addresses on the contact page.

You must include your serial number, a return address, and that you are asking for a developer key.

Your developer key will be mailed back to you on paper. You will have to type it in to a develop.sig file. This is prone to error, so try hard to use other methods.

Next, using a developer key.

Using a developer key

Our response will be a small file develop.sig containing a large number. When you give this file to the laptop in the right way, it will be temporarily unlocked.

Make back up copies!

However you get a key, please make a copy of it on some other computer, one that gets backed up regularly, in case this one is lost. Also, you should copy your developer key to /security/develop.sig on a USB drive, if you have one.

Where the developer key can be placed

When the XO boots, its firmware checks to see if security is enabled or permanently disabled (a system parameter). If it is enabled, it looks for the a developer key, at /security/develop.sig, on any USB flash drive or SD card that's plugged in, and on the internal storage. (See Firmware security for the details.)

If that file is there and contains the right number, the XO will act as though it is unsecured:

  • You will be able to interrupt the boot process and enter commands,
  • You can run any compatible operating system, not only the signed operating system,
  • You will be able to disable the security permanently.

Disabling the security system

Once you have a developer key:

  • Make sure it is in the /security/ directory on your USB drive or SD card.
  • Plug it into your XO before booting it. Boot your XO with that drive/card plugged in.
  • You can now either immediately install unsigned software, or interact with the firmware -- including permanently disabling the firmware security system. (Once this is turned off, you will no longer need your XO's developer key to run the machine in "unsecured" mode.)

To permanently turn off firmware security:

  • Boot the XO as above, with a USB drive or SD card with the developer key plugged in. Interrupt the boot sequence: press the Esc.png Escape key a few times during the startup sound, just after turning the laptop on, to bring up the firmware Ok prompt. (for other ways to reach the prompt, see Ok prompt.)
  • Type disable-security. Press enter.
  1. If disable-security says "No wp tag", it means that security is already disabled.
  2. If disable-security says "Restarting to enable SPI flash writing. Try again after the system restarts.", you'll need to start over with the Esc key again as above.
  • When security is disabled, you can re-enable it for a single boot (say, to test how a secured machine would work) by pressing the X gamepad key while powering on. This is useful to do firmware upgrades from signed builds. It can also help to test secure boot on release candidates.
  • You can reverse the disable-security command by entering enable-security at the 'ok' prompt. Security will then be permanently enabled until disabled again.
  • You can see the raw manufacturing data where the disable-security setting is stored by typing ".mfg-data". See Manufacturing data for details.

Troubleshooting disabling of the security system

Some have had some issues with disabling the security when the developer key is on a USB drive. This may happen if the USB drive is incompatible with the firmware. If you experience this problem, try upgrading firmware, or try using an SD card instead. It should be vfat formatted, for which you can use gparted.

Then stick the SD into the XO (it is under the screen, you need to turn it -- it is on the right side), reboot and hold down Esc.png -- then you will get to an ok prompt type:

disable-security

it will automatically reboot to enable access to internal data, and you must repeat this step, then it will update the internal data and reboot again.

Now you can reboot and take out the SD card if you hit Esc.png it will bring you to the {ok} prompt


If you wipe out your developer key

If you reflash your XO you will remove /security/develop.sig. One way this can happen is if you ever do a fresh install of an operating system image using the clean-install procedure (rather than olpc-update). If you haven't disabled security and the OS image that overwrote flash is unsigned, then your laptop won't boot. But you have several options:

  • Ask us for the developer key again, and there won't be a 24 hour delay.
  • Revert to a previous OS image. Try pressing the 'O' (circle) gamepad key while booting. That will attempt to boot a previous version of the OS, and if it was signed it will succeed.
  • Reflash again with a signed OS image.
  • Insert a USB drive or SD card with your developer key on it in /security/develop.sig (this is why you should always be sure to backup develop.sig), which will allow booting of the unsigned OS image and/or let you get to the 'ok' prompt to disable security.

Once boot completes you can restore your developer key back to NAND flash by typing in a terminal something like

 cp -pi /media/MY_USB_NAME/security/develop.sig /security

or you can re-visit the "Developer key request" form and re-download your developer key. But you would be better off if you immediately disabled security, as described above; that never expires, unlike developer keys in NAND flash that often get overwritten.

See also

Note: the Developer key page generated by the OLPC Activation Service (in response to a developer key request from the XO) links to this page.