Beagleboard:Updating The Software

=Checking The Angstrom Image Version=

You should check the version of the image on the microSD card used to flash the card by opening the ID.txt file in the FAT partition. It should look something like this:

CLoud9 GNOME Image 2013.06.20

The last 10 characters on the right are the date of the release of the image. 2013=year 06=month 20=day

You can also check the eMMC image that has been flashed by opening the same file in the FAT partition labeled BEAGLEBONE from the desktop or from the board when connected to a PC as a USB Drive.

You can find a much more detailed description of this and other ways to do it at http://www.crashcourse.ca/wiki/index.php/Examining_your_BBB_install_version. It is well worth the visit!

You should also check the version of the software on the eMMC by plugging the board into a PC USB port, waiting for the storage device to be mounted, and reading the ID.TXT file as indicated above. It is suggested that you do this to see if your board needs updating or not.

=Flashing the eMMC=

There is a Linux version of the process as well that does not rely on these images. It describes how the flashing process works. If used, it is up to the user to make sure the correct files are used in the process. You can find information on this process at Linux SW Update Method

Equipment
You will need a microSD card of 4GB or greater. You can find them at many stores that carry electronic equipment like cameras.

You will need a *USB based card reader for the next step. You can find them at many stores that carry electronic equipment like cameras. You insert the microSD card into the card reader and the card reader into a USB port on your PC.

It is recommended that a 5 VDC power supply of 1A or a powered USB HUB be used. Current during the flash process can exceed 500mA in some instances which can cause the USB power to shutdown from a PC or laptop. You can also use a 5V Wall Wart power adapter with a USB port on it as long as it can deliver 1A. Do not flash the board with the Ethernet cable attached. The Ethernet connections uses more current.

Procedure
1) Download the image file of choice by clicking on the links below and saving it to a directory of choice on your PC. ALL images are eMMC flasher images that will flash the eMMC. They are not images to be used to boot from the uSD expecting a desktop or anything close to a good experience. They are for flashing only. They do contain on them an image that is flashed onto the eMMC during the flashing process.


 * Production Image 2013.09.04

There are several key fixes in this release. (Originally the 2013.08.21 release).

-The HDMI timing generation was changed. This appears to have greatly improved the HDMI timings. Even the Atrix lapdock is working. -The uSD card detection is now working. This allows for a SD card to be added for additional storage.

[koen@rrMBP v2012.12]$ ./oebb.sh changelog 20130903-1822..20130904-0815 Changes to meta-openembedded in between 20130903-1822..20130904-0815 Koen Kooi (1): oscam: bump SRCREV Changes to meta-beagleboard in between 20130903-1822..20130904-0815 Koen Kooi (1): linux-mainline 3.8: disable USB suspend for beaglebone Changes to meta-beagleboard in between 20130731-1646..20130814-1410 Koen Kooi (6): linux-mainline 3.8: add support for GPS protocape linux-mainline 3.8: pps-gpio: add pinctrl support linux-mainline 3.8: enable ath9k_htc linux-mainline 3.8: convert SPI capes to SPIdev linux-mainline 3.8: bebopr cape fixes linux-mainline 3.8: beaglebone HDMI rework Changes to meta-ros in between 20130731-1646..20130814-1410 Lukas Bulwahn (25): test-reports: adding a test report that shows the libpoco problem libpoco: including an external recipe for the poco library libpoco: replacing our recipe by the external one libpoco: replacing license string causing warnings by common OpenEmbedded license string libpoco: updating to current version 1.4.6p1 libpoco: using recipe name for pcre library instead of its alias libpoco: formatting the recipe libpoco: adding a patch to link correctly with pcre refering to new test reports README: acknowledge contribution and origin of libpoco recipe dynamic-reconfigure: adding patch to resolve path (resolving #126) catkin: correcting the downloadfilename that was missed before python-netifaces: initial recipe rosgraph: adding runtime dependency (resolves #131) roslaunch: adding runtime dependency (resolves #132) rospack: improving runtime dependencies (resolves #116) libpoco: openssl required for libpoco when compiling pcl-ros cleaning up recipes-devtools/python recipes catkin class includes BBCLASSEXTENDS roscpp-core: collected common definition in .inc file ros: removing superfluous definitions images: cleaned and renamed image recipe tuning newlines README: was updated to hydro; core-image was renamed CONTENTS: adjusted to current state and tuned formatting herbrechtsmeier (3): Merge pull request #129 from bulwahn/libpoco Merge pull request #133 from bulwahn/roscore-running Merge pull request #140 from bulwahn/master vmayoral (1): initial ros-tutorials and common-tutorials recipes (resolves #124) Changes to openembedded-core in between 20130731-1646..20130814-1410 Jonathan Liu (1): cups: remove /var/run from package as cupsd will populate it on startup Martin Jansa (1): cups: add PACKAGECONFIG for avahi Saul Wold (4): cups: Update to 1.6.1 cups: remove old patch files cups: Update to 1.6.2 cups: Update to 1.6.3 Stefan Herbrechtsmeier (1): cmake.bbclass: Don't use packages from the native build machine


 * Updated Image 2013.06.20

Changes to meta-beagleboard in between 20130615-1105..20130620-1157

Khem Raj (1): linux-mainline-3.8: Fix random segfaults and boot issues seen with gcc-4.8 Koen Kooi (8): Merge pull request #5 from kraj/master contrib: bone-flash-tool: verify some files after flashing contrib: bone-flash-tool: mount VFAT partition in sync mode bone101: update to latest git bonescript: update to latest git bonescript: fix do_install contrib: bone-flash-tool: check bootloader integrity u-boot-denx: work around EEPROMs filled with zeroes Changes to meta-ti in between 20130615-1105..20130620-1157 Koen Kooi (3): bone101: update to latest git bonescript: update to latest git bonescript: fix do_install Changes to meta-ros in between 20130615-1105..20130620-1157 Lukas Bulwahn (5): common-msgs: initial commit of all common messages image-transport: initial commit angles: initial commit tf: initial commit rostest: rostest depends on rostest-native (resolves #83) Stefan Herbrechtsmeier (2): genlisp: Setup python script path during runtime via find_program gencpp: Setup python script path during runtime via find_program herbrechtsmeier (3): Merge pull request #93 from bulwahn/image-transport Merge pull request #94 from bulwahn/tf Merge pull request #97 from bulwahn/rostest-depends-on-rostest-native-v2


 * Updated Image 2013.06.06

Changes to meta-angstrom in between 20130527-1549..20130606-0749

Koen Kooi (5): contrib: add more angstrom wallpapers libgnome: update wallpaper to include yocto compatible logo connman: add angstrom specific settings images: add connman-angstrom-settings to connman based images fixmac: a udev rule to generate a random MAC address when needed for eth* devices Changes to meta-openembedded in between 20130527-1549..20130606-0749 Koen Kooi (2): xbmc: add patch to make 'ld-is-gold' work with configure xbmc: convert to PACKAGECONFIG and fix runtime dependencies Stefan Herbrechtsmeier (1): libtinyxml: Add native support and use relative paths Changes to meta-beagleboard in between 20130527-1549..20130606-0749 Koen Kooi (17): contrib: bone-flash-tool: add emmc and mmc imaging scripts contrib: bone-flash-tool: update emmc flasher script contrib: bone-flash-tool: fix mmc-prepare script untar function contrib: bone-flash-tool: delete stray flasher scripts if present linux-mainline 3.8: add virtual capes for beaglebone linux-mainline 3.8: add support for TT3201 CAN cape linux.inc: install capebus dts files next to the dtbo files in /lib/firmware xserver-xf86-config: add config for beaglebone beaglebone: switch to xf86-video-modesetting linux-mainline 3.8: add support for MPU6050 contrib: bone-flash-tool: mount improvements linux-mainline 3.8: fix LCD4 button polarity, add SPI1 CS example linux-mainline 3.8: fix LCD3 key polarity and DRM oopses linux-mainline 3.8: fix LCD7 key polarity linux-mainline 3.8: add DT GPIO helper linux-mainline 3.8: add fix for HDMI non audio modes and HDMI no audio virtual cape linux-mainline 3.8: remove hardcoded -I/usr/local/include from libtraceevent Changes to meta-ti in between 20130527-1549..20130606-0749 Koen Kooi (2): xserver-xf86-config: switch ti33x to xf86-video-modesetting cloud9-gnome-image: include connman-angstrom-settings Changes to openembedded-core in between 20130527-1549..20130606-0749 Denis 'GNUtoo' Carikli (1): boost: Activate zlib and bzip2 because they now work. Jonathan Liu (2): xf86-video-modesetting: upgrade to 0.7.0 xf86-video-modesetting: backport fix for graphics corruption Khem Raj (1): boost: Upgrade 1.51 -> 1.52 Lukas Bulwahn (1): site/common: deactivate a runtime check for ipv6-support in python >=2.7.1 that fails when cross-compiling Robert Yang (1): recipes-support: replace virtclass-native(sdk) with class-native(sdk) Samuel Stirtzel (1): boost: Use PARALLEL_MAKE for bjam Saul Wold (1): boost: Update to 1.53.0 Stefan Herbrechtsmeier (1): boost: Add real native support

Power Button Support RS-232: DT overlay present, untested RS485: Not supported CAN: DT overlay present, untested TT CAN: Patches available from manufacturer, untested Weather: DT overlay present, only tested on BBW Audio: DT overlay present, only tested on BBW LCD3: DT overlay present, tested on BBW and BBB LCD4: DT overlay present, tested on BBW and BBB, needs pinmux changes for up/down LCD7: DT overlay present, tested on BBW, weird behaviour on BBB. Possible mux related Camera: DT overlay present, resetctrl integration. Triggers memory corruption on BBW, works on BBB Memory: * eMMC: DT overlay present, tested on BBW * NAND: no support * NOR: no support DVI-D: DT overlay present, tested on BBW DVI-D + audio: DT overlay, tested on BBW TIWI: No DT bindings for wilink driver, Balaji (TI) + Luca (TI) are working on that
 * Updated Image 2013.05.27

OLD IMAGES

These are older images left for convenience if you need to go back a revision or two. The last numbers refer to a date of the image. i.e 2013=Year 05=month 08=day. Use these as a revision of the image.


 * Previous Production Image 2013.06.20
 * Old Production Image 2013.05.08
 * Old Production Image 2013.04.13  -This version does not support audio over HDMI.
 * Pre-Production eMMC Flasher_2013.04.12
 * Pre-Production eMMC ProductionFlasher_2013.04.11
 * Pre-Production eMMC ProductionFlasher_2013.04.10

2) Unzip the file you downloaded to a directory on your PC using 7-zip. This file will be used to create the SD card that will be used to flash the eMMC on the board.

3) Download the DiskImager software to copy the unzipped image file to the microSD card from the directory on your PC where you unzipped the file.

4) Unzip the above downloaded software into a folder on the PC. If you choose, you can use the same folder as the program to be flashed is in.

5) Run the WinDiskImager application. A small window will appear.  If you have questions on how to use the program, you can go to Help

6) Select the drive number that corresponds to the SD card reader you plugged in by clicking on the Device box with a letter in it. MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE CORRECT DRIVE LETTER.

7) Select the file from the directory that you unzipped the new image to by clicking on the folder icon next to the Device box.

8) Select the write option to start the writing process.

9) When finished, remove the microSD card from the reader. Insert the newly created microSD card into the board.

MAKE SURE THE ETHERNET CABLE AND ANY USB DEVICES ARE UNPLUGGED FROM THE BOARD.

10) Hold switch S2 (Boot Switch, see picture below) down by pressing on it and holding it while plugging in the power cable.

11) Continue to hold the button until the first User LED comes on.



12) The board will start flashing the eMMC and the LEDs will flash to show activity. It will take about 45 minutes to flash the board.

13) When all four LEDS are on steady, the eMMC is flashed.

14) Remove the power from the board by removing the power cable. 15) Remove the microSD card from the board. 16) Reapply the power to the board by plugging in the cable.

17) Board should boot.

=Image For Booting From microSD= There are periodic images that are available that can be used to create a microSD card that will allow you to boot direct from the microSD slot. These images may not be the same as the production image. They are provided for convenience.

To force a boot from the microSD card, delete the MLO file in the FAT partition of the eMMC. You can access this when the board is connected over the USB cable and it appears as a thumbdrive.

Equipment
You will need a microSD card of 4GB or greater. You can find them at many stores that carry electronic equipment like cameras.

You will need a *USB based card reader for the next step. You can find them at many stores that carry electronic equipment like cameras. You insert the microSD card into the card reader and the card reader into a USB port on your PC.

Procedure
1) Download the image file of choice by clicking on the links below and saving it to a directory of choice on your PC.

SD Boot 2013.08.21 Current Production Image SD Boot 2013.06.06 SD Boot 2013.05.28 SD Boot 2013.05.24

2) Unzip the file you downloaded to a directory on your PC using 7-zip. This file will be used to create the SD card that will be used to flash the eMMC on the board.

3) Download the DiskImager software to copy the unzipped image file to the microSD card from the directory on your PC where you unzipped the file.

4) Unzip the above downloaded software into a folder on the PC. If you choose, you can use the same folder as the program to be flashed is in.

5) Run the WinDiskImager application. A small window will appear.  If you have questions on how to use the program, you can go to Help

6) Select the drive number that corresponds to the SD card reader you plugged in by clicking on the Device box with a letter in it. MAKE SURE YOU SELECT THE CORRECT DRIVE LETTER.

7) Select the file from the directory that you unzipped the new image to by clicking on the folder icon next to the Device box.

8) Select the write option to start the writing process.

9) When finished, remove the microSD card from the reader. Insert the newly created microSD card into the board.

10)Apply the power to the board by plugging in the cable.

11) Board should boot.

=Reported Issues=

We have had a few cases where it appears that attempts to flash the board were caused by an improperly formatted microSD card. This can be resolved by performing the following steps on the microSD card before copying the image to it using the Diskimager software.

1) Download the HP Formatting tool from one of the following locations  [HP Format Tool Ver 2.18 http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64963-page,1/description.html]   [HP Format Tool Ver 2.18 http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197]   [HP Format Tool Ver 2.18 http://hp-usb-disk-storage-format-tool.software.informer.com/]   [HP Format Tool Ver 2.0.6 http://www.4shared.com/rar/9mNWV4Vl/HP_USB_Disk_Storage_Format_Too.html] 2) Decompress the verification image file using 7-zip. 3) Insert the microSD card writer/reader into the Windows machine. 4) Insert 4GB microSD card into the reader/writer. 5) Run the HPFormatter tool and format the SD card for FAT or FAT32.         NOTE: In Windows 7 you will need to run this in administrator mode by right clicking and select "Run as Administrator"                Under Windows XP, the format options are FAT32 and NTFS. Select FAT32.                Under Windows 7, the format options are FAT and NTFS. Select FAT.                You may see different operation for some reason where FAT32 or FAT may or not be there. You can select FAT or FAT32.

NOTE: Make sure you select the drive letter of the uSD and not some other drive!!! 6) Close the HPFormatter tool when done. 7) Remove the microSD card from the writer/reader. 8) Follow the steps above to create your flasher microSD card.

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