NAME¶

flash-tool - read or write Cobalt's flash

SYNOPSIS¶

flash-tool [ -w] [-o offset] [-f] file

DESCRIPTION¶

flash-tool can be used to read the current content of Cobalt's flash and write it to a file, or to reprogram the flash with an image supplied by the user. flash-tool can therefore be used to first create a backup of Cobalt's original boot loader and then reprogram the flash with a tested image of colo, a replacement boot loader for Cobalt which offers more features than the original boot loader.

OPTIONS¶

-w

Reprogram the flash with the specified image rather than read the current flash to the specified image (which is the default).

 

-o offset

Specify a specific location of the image as the start.

 

EXAMPLES¶

Take a copy of the original boot loader (or whatever your flash currently contains): Reprogram your flash with another image (see the warning below):

WARNING¶

Writing a new image to the flash of your Cobalt machine involves reprogramming the flash. Do not interrupt the programming process or you will probably land up with a unit that doesn't boot! Furthermore, make sure that the image you write to your flash actually works. If the reprogramming fails, you will have to remove and reprogram the flash chip with an external programmer. This might mean desoldering the chip as well as finding a suitable programmer. Only use the reprogramming functionality of flash-tool with caution and if you know what you are doing.

SEE ALSO¶

A detailed description explaining the procedure to make a backup of your current flash and reprogram it with colo can be found at /usr/share/doc/colo/INSTALL.

FILES¶

/usr/lib/colo/rom-image.bin - flashable ROM image of colo

AUTHOR¶

Peter Horton <pdh@colonel-panic.org>