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1 Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ??

New MessageFlashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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This thread touches on both the BIOS (Part II) & linux os, but since it is a rather seperate issue, it will have its own thread.
04-29-2003 08:10:02

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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First Message


To: rminnich@lanl.gov, pyro@linuxlabs.com, gwatson@lanl.gov
-------------------------------------------------------------

I tried to submit an email through the help form on the site but got a 404 once I hit submit.

http://www.linuxbios.org/cgi-bin/linuxbios/help.cgi

I need help.. :)

-J



Response


From: rminnich@lanl.gov

> http://www.linuxbios.org/cgi-bin/linuxbios/help.cgi

ok, what do you need?

ron


Reply


Mainboard: Intel D810EMO
Flash Device: 82802AB chip

Output from
the "lspci"
command*:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82810 GMCH [Graphics Memory Controller Hub] (rev 03)
00:01.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82810 CGC [Chipset Graphics Controller] (rev 03)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801AB 82810 PCI Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801AB 82810 Chipset ISA Bridge (LPC) (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801AB 82810 Chipset IDE (rev 02)
00:1f.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801AB 82810 Chipset USB (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801AB 82810 Chipset SMBus (rev 02)
01:01.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82557 [Ethernet Pro 100] (rev 08)
01:07.0 Multimedia audio controller: Ensoniq ES1371 [AudioPCI-97] (rev 08)
01:09.0 Class ffff: PCTel Inc: Unknown device 7890 (rev ff)


Other comments:

The guy who runs the hobby website, linux-hacker.net,
said there's a way to flash the bios from Linux. My
googling has brought me to you.

I'm not a big Linux guy, but I've learned alot over
the past month. From NILL to ftp'ing the lspci output
to another machine.

I'm willing to keep on fighting, but I would LOVE a
little push in the right direction. I'm a stranger in
a strange world, lost in an abyss.


This motherboard is in an Intel Internet Appliance.
Intel has the BIOS locked down. I can access a shell
with ui access. I'm sure I can hack root somehow.


Product Page:
http://www.linux-hacker.net/~jsmmd/inteldot.htm
(Under files, there are different BIOS versions, my
dream is to flash the MB with any version that isn't
the original.)

Discussion Thread for the unit:
http://www.linux-hacker.net/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.pl?Action=ShowBoard&Board=idot


If you'd be cool enough to reply I'd be greatly
indebted to you.

-J



Response


On Tue, 29 Apr 2003, J wrote:

> The guy who runs the hobby website, linux-hacker.net,
> said there's a way to flash the bios from Linux. My
> googling has brought me to you.

Yep I do it all the time. Do this:

cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.freebios.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/freebios login

cvs -z3 -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.freebios.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/freebios co freebios


cd freebios/util/flash_and_burn. Make it.

then run
flash_rom -v

If it prints out something about an 82801AB, you're in. You can flash any file you want.

> This motherboard is in an Intel Internet Appliance.
> Intel has the BIOS locked down. I can access a shell
> with ui access. I'm sure I can hack root somehow.

intel likes to add extra secret flash enables. Try this program first and maybe you'll get lucky.

ron



As I am at work I can't test this out. Maybe I can fake a stomach virus and get outta' here.

04-29-2003 08:18:12

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) keith721
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jsmmd:

you're definitely talking to the right guy, sounds like Ron already knows about Intel's 'secure' bios flashing precautions. i know you'll pass along whatever turns up . . . thanks !!

keith721

04-29-2003 15:35:34

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) VooD
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Great!, if that guy knows how to bypass intel boards bios write protection maybe he could tell Uniflash coder the info and so everybody could flash from msdos if he add the new code.
04-29-2003 16:54:57

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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dang.

can't run cvs since it's not installed.

04-29-2003 20:55:35

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) wfg97079
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Can you connect to the internet?
Have you gotten a root prompt yet?
04-30-2003 12:08:01

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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Yes & No.


dot.bobs

Internet Connectivity: Yes, I can connect to the Internet. See the linux os thread.


root shell access: No, but I've been reading up on this. It should be possible in time.

04-30-2003 12:50:27

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) wfg97079
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excellent
Once you have root it will be easy to install anything you need
04-30-2003 13:48:08

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) wfg97079
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Any developments? I see that some people have gotten root in linux, anyone try to get any flash tools?
05-06-2003 15:10:11

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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Now that I have root I played with this.

Mistake 1: trying to run the exec. as: flash_root. Even though I'm in that directory, I should have typed:

./flash_root

--
Output
----------------

Calibrating timer since microsleep sucks ... takes a second
Setting up microsecond timing loop
OK, calibrated, now do the deed
Trying Am29F040B, 512 KB
probe_29f040b: id1 0xff, id2 0xff
Trying At29C040A, 512 KB
probe_jedec: id1 0xff, id2 0xff
Trying Mx29f002, 256 KB
probe_29f002: id1 177, id2 76
Trying SST29EE020A, 256 KB
probe_jedec: id1 0xb1, id2 0x4c
Trying SST28SF040A, 512 KB
probe_28sf040: id1 0xff, id2 0xff
Trying SST39SF020A, 256 KB
probe_39sf020: id1 0xb1, id2 0x4c
Trying SST39VF020, 256 KB
probe_39sf020: id1 0xb1, id2 0x4c
Trying W29C011, 128 KB
probe_jedec: id1 0xd0, id2 0xc4
Trying W29C020C, 256 KB
probe_jedec: id1 0xb1, id2 0x4c
Trying W49F002U, 256 KB
probe_49f002: id1 0xb1, id2 0x4c
Trying M29F400BT, 512 KB
probe_m29f400bt: id1 0xff, id2 0xff
Trying 82802ab, 512 KB
probe_82802ab: id1 0xff, id2 0xff
Trying 82802ac, 1024 KB
probe_82802ab: id1 0xff, id2 0xff
EEPROM not found

----------------
I have contacted ron for assistance.

05-08-2003 11:29:14

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) wfg97079
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No word from Ron?
05-14-2003 07:46:09

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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He said he's still looking.
05-14-2003 12:39:45

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) wfg97079
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Anyone have any other resources?
05-21-2003 07:25:45

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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It may be possible to install the linux DOS emulator DOSEMU, then run Intel's BIOS flashing tools.

It appears to be a bit of a challenge to install. I just don't have the time till I'm back to mess with this.


jsmmd / MethodicJon
05-21-2003 09:50:04

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) wfg97079
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I thought for sure this would be the answer to all of our troubles, seem s like thats not the case based on the last of posting.
Any other developments
06-17-2003 13:45:01

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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Here's where things stand. Anyone know WTF he's asking for?


On Mon, 30 Jun 2003, J wrote:
> If I'm reading page 23 correctly, 4 GPIOs
>
> D0 thru D3
>
> http://www.intel.com/design/chipsets/manuals/29802801.pdf
>

OK, from here on out, let's preserve these details in the mail thread.

Your next assignment is to find out what dev/fn manages the GPIOS, and
then how the base address of the GPIOs is determined.

What we're going to do is have you write the code that manipulates the
GPIOs.

ron


07-01-2003 20:49:47

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) wfg97079
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A glimmer of hope!
Way to go
07-02-2003 07:10:59

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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There's only hope if I can get my "homework" done. Problem is he's talking and I'm not understanding. Anyone know what the heck he's talking about?


find out what dev/fn manages the GPIOS, and then how the base address of the GPIOs is determined.

07-02-2003 08:09:52

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) keith721
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GPIO = General Purpose Input/Output signals
they're usually supported by the "south bridge" of the motherboard chipset, kinda like the old National Semiconductor "Super I/O" chips in the 386 days.

in Linux, there might be a "major, minor" device number that represents the GPIO signals. this is how you usually hack the e-mail/activity LEDs on other devices using a C program. check the Linux command 'makedev' for more information, and the LED driver programs for the Compaq IA-1 and I-Openers for programming details.

wish i could provide a more explicit answer, but hope this points you in the right direction...

keith721

07-03-2003 10:56:51

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) Curious
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Has anyone tried this?

http://www.openbios.info/development/devbios.html

07-08-2003 09:23:32

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) Curious
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Could someone give detailed instructions on how to try the flash in Linux.

http://www.openbios.info/development/devbios.html

07-10-2003 15:00:06

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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If I knew, I'd tell you. I'm planning on trying this out over the weekend. If I get the time to tinker I'll post any progress.

(Any work is a a bit easier to do once you've done the OS hacks that I have outlined on the site.)

07-11-2003 09:11:27

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) Curious
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jsmmd

I have very little experience with Linux and am unable to try this. Hope you have better luck.

07-16-2003 12:03:22

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jamey12345
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I notice that DosEMU has been suggested but not followed up... A bit more to the root of the problem, has anyone tried freedos? http://www.freedos.org/ - It's what runs under DosEMU (or used to) but is a stand alone DOS 6.22 clone when run on it's own.

It can easily be booted to via PXE so for dot.tigers or unlocked dot.bobs it should be pretty easy to test if any of you want to try.

The whole thing only popped to mind because I decided to try an apt-get update on the default debian install on my dot.tiger - which resulted in some pretty ugly Glibc errors ;) Without a usb driver or anything of the sort, and not wanting to open the box till I'm prepared to do some major changes in it, I went looking for pxe install possabilities. :)

09-23-2003 20:03:19

New MessageRE:Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (modified 0 times) jsmmd
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Well, it's been accomplished, see the thread BIOS Flasher.

This thread will be closed. If necessary this thread will be re-opened or a Flashing the BIOS in Linux ! ?? (Part II) should be created.

12-04-2003 04:45:49

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