Firmware: Difference between revisions

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(explain what firmware is to a naive audience)
(reorder sections to ease comprehension by naive users)
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{{OLPC}}
{{OLPC}}

== Introduction ==


The firmware of the XO laptop is the software that runs before and during the operating system.
The firmware of the XO laptop is the software that runs before and during the operating system.


== Updating ==
⚫
It is in two parts:

⚫
[[Upgrading the XO]] to a new [[Releases|release]] usually updates both the firmware and the operating system software. Users should update to the latest stable release to get the latest stable versions of both.

⚫
Users can also upgrade just the firmware to the latest official (signed) release, see [[Upgrading firmware]]

== Technical Background ==

⚫
The firmware is in two parts:
* EC Firmware, which runs on the [[EC|embedded controller]] as soon as the battery is installed or external power is plugged in, and is responsible for managing the battery, charging, power switching, and indicator LEDs,
* EC Firmware, which runs on the [[EC|embedded controller]] as soon as the battery is installed or external power is plugged in, and is responsible for managing the battery, charging, power switching, and indicator LEDs,
* [[Open Firmware]], which runs on the main processor when the power button is pressed, and is responsible for preparing that hardware and loading the operating system.
* [[Open Firmware]], which runs on the main processor when the power button is pressed, and is responsible for preparing that hardware and loading the operating system.
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See [[Media:FWmap.png| Firmware SPI FLASH Map]] or [[Media:FWmap.zip|its dia source file]].
See [[Media:FWmap.png| Firmware SPI FLASH Map]] or [[Media:FWmap.zip|its dia source file]].


== Updating the firmware ==
== Updating - For Developers ==

⚫
[[Upgrading the XO]] to a new [[Releases|release]] usually updates both the firmware in the SPI flash and the operating system software in the NAND flash. Users should update to the latest stable release to get the latest stable versions of both.

⚫
Users can also upgrade only their XO's firmware to the latest official (signed) firmware, see [[Upgrading firmware]]


Developers who have an unsecured laptop or a [[developer key]] have more options.
Developers who have an unsecured laptop or a [[developer key]] have more options.
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<b>Note: Once you upgrade to the Q2Cxx series of firmware do not downgrade to Q2Bxx!</b> Doing so will destroy the manufacturing data. Downgrading from Q2F01 to Q2C01 will "Brick" your XO-1 :-(
<b>Note: Once you upgrade to the Q2Cxx series of firmware do not downgrade to Q2Bxx!</b> Doing so will destroy the manufacturing data. Downgrading from Q2F01 to Q2C01 will "Brick" your XO-1 :-(


== Firmware releases ==
== Firmware Releases ==
The latest release is the first in the list:
The latest release is the first in the list:
=== XO-1.5 ===
=== XO-1.5 ===

Revision as of 02:53, 30 June 2010

  This page is monitored by the OLPC team.

Introduction

The firmware of the XO laptop is the software that runs before and during the operating system.

Updating

Upgrading the XO to a new release usually updates both the firmware and the operating system software. Users should update to the latest stable release to get the latest stable versions of both.

Users can also upgrade just the firmware to the latest official (signed) release, see Upgrading firmware

Technical Background

The firmware is in two parts:

  • EC Firmware, which runs on the embedded controller as soon as the battery is installed or external power is plugged in, and is responsible for managing the battery, charging, power switching, and indicator LEDs,
  • Open Firmware, which runs on the main processor when the power button is pressed, and is responsible for preparing that hardware and loading the operating system.

These two parts are bundled together as one .rom file.

This firmware goes in the little 1 MB SPI flash that's used for booting, not the 1GB NAND flash (or 512MB in earlier prototypes) used for the OS image and user data.

The SPI flash contains the Embedded controller ("EC") firmware, Open Firmware, and 2k Manufacturing Data.

See Firmware SPI FLASH Map or its dia source file.

Updating - For Developers

Developers who have an unsecured laptop or a developer key have more options.

Note: Once you upgrade to the Q2Cxx series of firmware do not downgrade to Q2Bxx! Doing so will destroy the manufacturing data. Downgrading from Q2F01 to Q2C01 will "Brick" your XO-1 :-(

Firmware Releases

The latest release is the first in the list:

XO-1.5

WARNING! XO-1.5 Firmware will NOT work on a XO-1.

XO-1

Do not downgrade from C series to B series
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