[LinuxBIOS] LinuxBios on ETX-mgx Geode GX1 platform

[Joep Jansen]

Hello,

I would like to use LinuxBIOS on an embedded Geode GX1 platform.
The board is an Kontron ETX-mgx, and is has the following parts on board:

* CPU: Geode GX1 266 MHz

* Southbridge: CS5530A

* Superio: Winbond W83977F:
   IDE, floppy, 2x serial, parallel port

* Phoenix BIOS 4.0 in a Am29F040B 512kx8 flash chip (TSOP package)

* 64 MB PCI 133 DIMM

* Compact flash slot

* USB controller (Compaq ZFMicor Chipset)

* Ethernet: Davicom DM9102AE

I want to use LinuxBIOS with FILO to boot a linux kernel from the IDE 
Compact Flash.
My idea is to piggyback an empty flash chip on top of the BIOS flash 
chip, and then use a switch to select the original
BIOS or a newly flashed one.

I am new on this list, and would appreciate some help to get this 
project on the road!

My question is:

What would be the best way to get this started?

Can I use LinuxBIOSv1 or LinuxBIOSv2?
LinuxBIOSv2 seems newer, but it seems to lack support for the W83977F.

Thanks for any help!

Joep

[Bari Ari]

Joep Jansen wrote:
> I want to use LinuxBIOS with FILO to boot a linux kernel from the IDE 
> Compact Flash.
> My idea is to piggyback an empty flash chip on top of the BIOS flash 
> chip, and then use a switch to select the original
> BIOS or a newly flashed one.

It's already been done. See if you can find a BIOS Savior:
http://www.linuxbios.org/index.php/FAQ#What_kind_of_hardware_tools_do_I_need...
  http://www.ioss.com.tw/web/English/RD1BIOSSavior.html
  http://www.cwlinux.com/eng/products/products_lbmb.php
> I am new on this list, and would appreciate some help to get this 
> project on the road!
>
> My question is:
>
> What would be the best way to get this started?
>
> Can I use LinuxBIOSv1 or LinuxBIOSv2?
> LinuxBIOSv2 seems newer, but it seems to lack support for the W83977F.

The source from V1 for the 83977 can be updated for V2. V2 is the 
version that is currently being developed. Hamish was working on the V2 
port for geodes.

-Bari

[Joep Jansen]

I looked at the BIOS Savior, but it will do not good since the flash 
chip is a TSOP, directly soldered to the board.
The "piggyback" trick seems the most viable solution, but it will 
requilre some skill and good equipment ;-).

I will try the LinuxBIOSv2 path, and see where it brings me.

Thanks,

Joep

Bari Ari wrote:
> Joep Jansen wrote:
> > I want to use LinuxBIOS with FILO to boot a linux kernel from the IDE 
> > Compact Flash.
> > My idea is to piggyback an empty flash chip on top of the BIOS flash 
> > chip, and then use a switch to select the original
> > BIOS or a newly flashed one.
>
> It's already been done. See if you can find a BIOS Savior:
> http://www.linuxbios.org/index.php/FAQ#What_kind_of_hardware_tools_do_I_need...
>
> http://www.ioss.com.tw/web/English/RD1BIOSSavior.html
>  http://www.cwlinux.com/eng/products/products_lbmb.php
> > I am new on this list, and would appreciate some help to get this 
> > project on the road!
> >
> > My question is:
> >
> > What would be the best way to get this started?
> >
> > Can I use LinuxBIOSv1 or LinuxBIOSv2?
> > LinuxBIOSv2 seems newer, but it seems to lack support for the W83977F.
>
> The source from V1 for the 83977 can be updated for V2. V2 is the 
> version that is currently being developed. Hamish was working on the 
> V2 port for geodes.
>
> -Bari

[Peter Stuge]

On Wed, Nov 30, 2005 at 03:41:55PM +0100, Joep Jansen wrote:
> I looked at the BIOS Savior, but it will do not good since the flash 
> chip is a TSOP, directly soldered to the board.
> The "piggyback" trick seems the most viable solution, but it will 
> requilre some skill and good equipment ;-).

That's not a lot of fun for TSOP packages. Perhaps your time would be
worth getting a TSOP in-circuit adapter that you just put on top of
the TSOP while reprogramming.

Or maybe these TSOP production sockets are a good compromise:

http://www.emulation.com/catalog/off-the-shelf_solutions/sockets/tsop/

//Peter