User:Bjordan/Nandblasting

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Get a developer's key for your XO:

  1. Connected to the Internet, open the Browse activity
  2. At the bottom of the home screen, click "get a developer key"
  3. Submit the request ...in 24 hours... return to the same page.
  4. Install the developer's key as per the instructions.

Set up your developer's key-ed XO as the blaster:

  1. Download the q2e41 .rom file: q2e41.rom
  2. Download the 8.2.1 G1G1 image: gg-802-1.img and fs.zip
  3. Place those three files directly on the root of your USB drive. Rename gg-802-1.img to fs.img
  4. Place the USB drive in your developer's XO
  5. Press Esc key during startup to open up the OpenFirmWare prompt
  6. Type: flash u:\q2e41.rom
  7. After the firmware updates, press Esc key during startup to again open up the OpenFirmWare prompt
  8. Type: nb-secure
  9. Your developer's XO should now be broadcasting the signed image.

Preparing a key for the secure machines (the blastees):

  1. Download the signed q2e41 Bootfw.zip file: <a href="Bootfw.zip">Bootfw.zip</a>
  2. Place the bootfw.zip file on your USB key, in a new folder called boot/

For each secure machine (how to blast 'em):


  1. Plug the USB key into a secure XO that has its battery in and is plugged into a power source, and power it on
  2. Allow the firmware to upgrade (takes less than a minute)
  3. Once the firmware is upgraded, you may remove the power cord and use it to upgrade other laptops.
  4. With the machine completely off, initiate blasting by pressing the power button with all four right-side game buttons pushed.  The secure machine should see the NANDblasting developer's XO and rewrite and confirm its contents.
  5. When NANDblasting is complete, the XO's blocks will be all bright green and blue and say "Use power button to power off."  Hold down the power button until it turns off, and that XO is ready to be repackaged, returned to its owner, ds-backup'd, etc.!

The secret to fast NANDblasting is to have the XO's batteries charged (the case for new XOs), and using the power cords only for firmware upgrades.  You can also shave some seconds off by starting NANDblasting immediately after the firmware upgrade restarts the XO (while it is verifying, hold down the four game keys, releasing once it reboots and recognizes your presses).

More resources: