MSgpio.com read only forums (Jan.15,2018)

i just want to double check that i really DO have to wipe the previous firmware to flash new stuff over, using the boot jumper ?

currently i have this:
flash bootstrap loader, then flash the actual firmware, this requires opening the case and flipping a switch for me (yes, it could be moved outside, i'll prolly do that if that's the only option.

should it be possible to flash firmware without flashing the bootstrap first ?

gurov,

You cannot re-flash the bootloader program (technically, the "serial monitor") using the serial port (that requires a BDM cable).

The bootloader resides in a protected area of the flash, so it cannot be written or overwritten by anything the serial port does.

So you just need to load the code itself, and this can only be done by shorting the boot jumper.

What I do is hook a mini-SPST momentary switch with appropriate wiring to the booth header, then push it when powering up if I want to load new code. Once the bootloader it entered (a few milliseconds) the button doesn't have to be held down anymore. Once the code is loaded, cycle the power and drive. You can then put the bootloader switch anywhere you like (on the case end-plate, on the dash, etc.)

This is exactly like MS-II with the B&G code.

Lance.

Lance wrote:gurov,

You cannot re-flash the bootloader program (technically, the "serial monitor") using the serial port (that requires a BDM cable).

The bootloader resides in a protected area of the flash, so it cannot be written or overwritten by anything the serial port does.

So you just need to load the code itself, and this can only be done by shorting the boot jumper.

What I do is hook a mini-SPST momentary switch with appropriate wiring to the booth header, then push it when powering up if I want to load new code. Once the bootloader it entered (a few milliseconds) the button doesn't have to be held down anymore. Once the code is loaded, cycle the power and drive. You can then put the bootloader switch anywhere you like (on the case end-plate, on the dash, etc.)

This is exactly like MS-II with the B&G code.

Lance.

gotcha, makes sense.

my trans controller is under the hood, so that makes it somewhat difficult to have a momentary switch. i'll put a regular switch coming out of the box. right now i have to take 4 screws out, slide the VR board and main gpio board, flip the switch, leave the board out, power the car on, load bootloader code, power the car off, flip the switch back to run, put the main board and VR board into the case, screw the 4 screws back in, power the car on, flash real code, etc.

gurov,

Yeah, it's a pain to open the box to do a code change. A remote switch on the boot header solves this. I have always done this for MS, right from the beginning - it makes things so much easier.

Lance.