Does Dual-boot work on X5?

[gnu]

I've ordered a iaudio X5, but before I install rockbox I have to know if dual-boot works properly.
I've searched the wiki and the forums, but it is nowhere clearly stated whether it works or not: some sources say it does not, others think it does, others say I have to apply a patch...

Is the dual-boot feature fully working and included into the SVN?

[linuxstb]

There is no official dual-boot support on the X5, but there is an unofficial bootloader with that feature.

[gnu]

Is it stable?
And where do I find it? I'm sure I saw it before somewhere, but I can't seem to find it anymore..

[Hweb21]

I use it, heres a link that talks about how to create a dual boot.
http://www.iaudiophile.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12671

[gnu]

Thanks, I'll try it!

[saratoga]

There is no official dual-boot support on the X5, but there is an unofficial bootloader with that feature.

I wasn't aware of this.  Why is it unofficial?

[Llorean]

Because it's dependent upon the contents of the in-flash firmware, I believe. It has dependencies on official (Cowon) code, which means that if the Cowon code changes it may not function without being rewritten, and it would be preferred if it could work like our other dual boot bootloaders, if I understand correctly.

Basically, it works but it's not done the "right" way.

[gnu]

.. but as long as you don't update the original cowon OS, there should be no problems.

[Llorean]

And your point is?

I could just as easily say "As long as you don't use the Cowon OS, lack of dual boot should be no problem, because Rockbox is intended as a replacement firmware."

There aren't many strong reasons to boot the original firmware, and by the time Rockbox is "released" for the X5, we'll probably have fixed even those. So a lack of dual boot is hardly a serious problem, and the clearest evidence of this is the fact that the people who *do* want it, don't want it badly enough to try to fix it.

[gnu]

Well, you need the Cowon OS when you want to play WMA files, or if you need the USB host function (like I do).

[Llorean]

And as I said, by the time Rockbox is "released" both of those problems should be resolved.

Or feel free to finish the dual boot patch so it works the right way, we really wouldn't mind a properly working version.

[gnu]

What do you mean with "released"? Do you mean "officially released", such as the archos players? What differenct would that make, or what would have to be done in order to make it "released"?

[Llorean]

I mean that both WMA playback and USB host functionality are in the works, and are very likely to be done before a "Release" version is made available. In fact, some could argue that replacing the original firmware's whole functionality is required before it can be in a release state.

[RaeNye]

.. but as long as you don't update the original cowon OS, there should be no problems.

As the author of the X5 dual-boot patch, I must say the above claim is utterly incorrect.

The dependency exists, but it is on a code that is not changed by any update process, which I call the preloader. This is the same code that handles USB mode, charge mode and FW upgrade.

To put this even clearer: unless Cowon changes some very fundamental code that is shipped with the device and cannot be changed by the user, everything will work as expected.

Moreover, even if the dual boot patch fails for any reason, it is still possible to reflash a working firmware (OF/RB).