Re: [coreboot] SuperIO question

[Carl-Daniel Hailfinger]

Hi Jorge,

On 29.07.2009 10:51, [e-mail] wrote:
> This is my first email to this mailing list. I've joined because I've a 
> little question related to the
> BIOS superio initialization process and I would like to ask to the 
> masters.

We specialize in coreboot related questions, so it's unlikely we can
help you with a BIOS problem unless you want to replace that BIOS with
coreboot.
> I'm developing a little hardware module with a w83627hf superio module.
> This hardware is attached to a com express module. I've found that my 
> hardware is not always initialized
> by the com express BIOS, it depends on the manufacter.
> [...]
> Then, I think that the hardware is working but I need some initialization 
> in the southbridge or something
> else that the first BIOS is doing. Where can I looking for this info? Both 
> com express modules has the intel ICH7-M southbridge.

I'd say the best way forward is to diagnose this with the help of
superiotool. Make sure the w83627hf kernel module is not loaded
automatically, then run superiotool -dV and compare the outputs. If
superiotool finds your SuperIO only on one of the boards, you most
likely have a southbridge resource configuration problem which needs to
be addresses by the BIOS manufacturer (or a custom early kernel driver).
If superiotool finds your SuperIO on both boards, compare the settings
and work from there.

Regards,
Carl-Daniel

SuperIO question

> Hi Jorge,

Hi Carl-Daniel, thanks for your kick answer!
> > I'm developing a little hardware module with a w83627hf superio

module.
> > This hardware is attached to a com express module. I've found that my 
> > hardware is not always initialized
> > by the com express BIOS, it depends on the manufacter.
> > [...]
> > Then, I think that the hardware is working but I need some

initialization
> > in the southbridge or something
> > else that the first BIOS is doing. Where can I looking for this info?

Both
> > com express modules has the intel ICH7-M southbridge.
>
> I'd say the best way forward is to diagnose this with the help of
> superiotool. Make sure the w83627hf kernel module is not loaded
> automatically, then run superiotool -dV and compare the outputs. If
> superiotool finds your SuperIO only on one of the boards, you most
> likely have a southbridge resource configuration problem which needs to
> be addresses by the BIOS manufacturer (or a custom early kernel driver).

I'm very interested in the steps the BIOS takes in order to do the 
southbridge
resource configuration. Can you point me to the coreboot files where these
steps are done, specifically I'm interested in the ICH7-M chipset, the one

present in all my com express modules, and the steps to initialize the
superio hardware monitor.

Regards
Jorge