[Trac #461] reflashers overwrite manufacturing data

[Zarro Boogs per Child]

#461: reflashers overwrite manufacturing data
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 Reporter:  wmb at firmworks.com    |       Owner:  wmb at firmworks.com
     Type:  defect               |      Status:  new              
 Priority:  blocker              |   Milestone:  BTest-1b         
Component:  ofw - open firmware  |    Keywords:                   
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 The existing reflashing tools ("olpcflash" under Linux and "flash" under
 OFW) neglect to preserve the manufacturing data area of the SPI FLASH.
 This means that if you use them as-is on a new B-test machine, you will
 lose the serial number information and the data that is ultimately used to
 tell the OS which keymap to use.

 We (Richard Smith and I) are making new versions to correct that problem.

 But it means that the next upgrade will have to be done very carefully.
 The current plan is to make an auto-upgrade image that you can copy onto a
 USB key, plug in, and the right things will happen.

 Meanwhile, if you get a B-test packaged system, don't just got off and
 reflash the ROM with the existing tools; they will not do the right thing.

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Ticket URL: <http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/461>
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