upgrading firmware on activated laptops

[Michael Stone]

Emiliano,

First things first - caveat emptor.

Direct access to the firmware makes it very easy to brick your machine.
Do not attempt to use these instructions unless you are prepared to deal
with the possible consequences of mistakes and/or failure. Consult OFW
experts for the necessary precautions.

Second - real answers. There are two user-facing mechanisms available
for updating the firmware. One is to put a signed firmware blob in the
right place on the filesystem and to reboot. The other is to use a
developer key to issue to the necessary words to trigger a reflash
directly to the firmware.

See http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/5565 for the current debate about the
former procedure.

To exercise the second method, one uses a developer key and the
information on http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Cheat_codes to gain access
access to the Open Firmware "ok" prompt.

Then, after taking appropriate precautions to ensure the availability of
uninterrupted power, one can manually trigger a reflash with two words
similar to:

  get-file u:\q2d07.rom
  reflash

Michael

P.S. -  if you have to do this for lots and lots of machines, you should
probably try to work with us to qualify and release a firmware.


On Sat, Dec 22, 2007 at 09:39:27AM -0300, Emiliano Pastorino wrote:
> Is there any procedure to upgrade JUST the firmware on activated laptops?
> Thanks!
> 
> -- 
> Emiliano Pastorino
> LATU - Plan Ceibal
> Av. Italia 6201 CP: 11500, Montevideo, Uruguay
> Tel: (598 2) 601 3724 int.: 467

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