Flash guide for dummies available ???

[videoot]

I'm using my Archos Recorder 20 with Rockbox 2.5 on it, and am happy with it, apart from the battery time. (using 2700mAh but hardly notice an improvement in time)
Did even an upgrade to 80Gig HD which works ok.

Had a look at the site after being away from the site for a long time.

Can only say that it's more and more confusing for the 'simple minded' or dummies like me.


Was even  thinking about flashing to version 2.5.1 to improve battery charging, but after strolling through the site, I think I will leave my Archos as it is for the moment, as I cannot find a proper simple / description or preferable a valid  'for dummies guide' how to do this.

Same for the 'current build'
Probably everybody knows how to put this on his player/recorder, but I forgot how I did this ( I think an automatic installer run from Windows), and cant find a proper , straight forward procedure, (preferably using a similar automatic installer).

I'm I reaching to high ?  Am I looking in the wrong places ??

I thought the more users of Rockbox the better, or am I wrong ?

A bit more structure and explanation for the novice users would do no harm imho.

P.S.
No offence meant, as I'm still pretty grateful for the Rockbox 2.5 which I'm still using .

Regards,

Pieter

[Chronon]

Did you read the installation section of the manual?  If there are parts of the instructions there that are unclear then we can try to clarify them.

[pixelma]

I'm using my Archos Recorder 20 with Rockbox 2.5 on it, and am happy with it, apart from the battery time. (using 2700mAh but hardly notice an improvement in time)

The very high capacity cells suffer from very high self discharge, so your runtime problems could also be related to this. You could try and investigate how long it takes until they are empty without using your recorder.

There is a new type of NiMH cells out there which self-discharges far less, they have less capacity in general (2000 or 2100mAh) but often last even longer. For more detailed information I refer to the NiMH wikipedia article since this is not completely Rockbox related, just sharing user's experience.

Regarding your other questions - as Chronon said, there is a manual which describes installation and it also describes an  installer, where to get it and so on. The "Update Rockbox" section might also be of interest to you.

Out of curiosity: Is the manual and/or other documentation so hard to find in the left hand side menu?

[TAC109]

If you want to upgrade to one of the latest versions, these are too big to be flashed to your Archos, but can be run from the HD. (If you want to compile your own, you may be able to shrink the binary down so that it can be flashed.)  EDIT - This is an oversimplification - see note below.

I am the author of version 2.5.1 and I can help you if you decide to upgrade to this version.  Is your present version 2.5 flashed?



EDIT - Note on flashing current versions:
There used to be one of two files you could flash:-

1 rockbox.ucl - On booting, the Rockbox code is loaded into RAM from the
ROM. It then runs from RAM. The ROM code is compressed (by the compile
process) and is expanded when copied into RAM.

2 rombox.ucl - On booting, Rockbox is run directly from ROM. This means
that the RAM space saved by this method is available for buffering the
HD and results in fewer HD spinups. Rombox.ucl has to be stored in the
ROM in an uncompressed state because it is run directly from there.

The comment in the wiki is referring to the rombox.ucl file, which is
now too big to fit in the ROM unless you compile your own and exclude
the database feature.

You can still flash using the supplied rockbox.ucl file.


With the older version 2.5.1 both rockbox.ucl and rombox.ucl are available for flashing. Most users would use rombox.ucl for the increased battery life it gives.

[Llorean]

As a note, and as this person has neglected to tell you, "Version 2.5.1" is an entirely unofficial and unsupported build, and is NOT an official version.

The last official numbered release was 2.5.

[TAC109]

Llorean: The OP will be aware that version 2.5.1 is not an official version as he will have found it in the "Unsupported Builds" forum.

videoot: I have added a section to the version 2.5.1 forum entry to describe the flashing procedure for this release. I hope this clarifies the flashing procedure for you.  (http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=3075.0)

[Llorean]

As you did not link to the unofficial builds forum, nor in any way mention it was unofficial, there was every chance that they might search the site for it instead of searching the forums...

[Chronon]

I have some reservations about any unsupported build (for a particular target?) being assigned a release number.  Thank you for providing information to this thread.  However, it seems to me that any unsupported build should identify itself as such and not as an official build, much less as a potential official release.

[videoot]

Everybody Thanks for all the reactions.

'Chronon',
no I did not look at the manual.  Expected to find it here on the board, but was confused by the abundance of info, and sometimes the 'red' text.
Have downloaded the manual (pretty new date I see) and will study it.

'Pixelma'
thanks for the hint. Think that the quality of the cells is not too good, as I had some sudden dead cells as well (not in my Archos, but in my camera ) I use Profitexx, but will have a look at the brands mentioned with a low leakcurrent.

'Llorean'
thanks for the warning of  being 'unofficial'. I  am aware of it, as it it clearly stated on several places. Was however triggerd by the 'battery' advantage mentioned.

'TAC109'
managed to load version 2.5.1.  (was aware that this is an unofficial one), and it worked ok.  (Still booting via Archos into Rockbox from HD)
By using your added procedure on flashing (thanks) managed to flash the Bootbox_rec.zip contents from the link in your text.
The Archos (recorder V1) starts much faster now (as it skips the Archos part), however I still have some questions:
-With a normal start via the 'on' button the screen shows the Rockbox logo and CVS050831.  Player works ok, however I don't see the charging indicator anymore.
Question: Is it still charging when the power is plugged in ? Is it possible to show the charge indicator in this mode ?

-With a F1 /on  start,  I get the info 'Rockbox rescue boot' as well as the Rockbox logo and version 2.5.1. on the screen.
Battery/charging indicator is on the display, and works ok

Both ways start very fast, but I have the feeling that I did something wrong, or forgot something in the flashprocedure.
If so, please comment / help.

All thanks again for the support and the comment,

regards,


Pieter.

[TAC109]

Pieter,

Thanks for trying out the flashing instructions. I see now that they were unclear in some respects. 

I have updated them to make it more obvious that after doing the Initial Procedure, it is also necessary to do the Update Procedure.

If you now do the Update Procedure your Archos will run version 2.5.1 correctly.

If you have any feedback on the flashing instructions let me know.

Tom

[videoot]

Hello TAC109,

thanks for your reply.
I performed the update procedure at the end of the 'Initial Procedure', and installed 2.5.1.  Was apparently already on the HD (I did install them a few days ago before the flash), but to be sure replaced the files.
Completed steps 1 through 6.

The result is the same as described before;
 2.5.1 is only loaded with a F1/on start.
A direct 'on' start still gives me CVS050831. (which version is this?).

Will the battery be charged in this CVS mode ? Don't see the charge bar or %.

I can live with a F1/on start, as long as it doesn't do any harm.

Regards,


Pieter


P.S. ordered new 'low discharge cells'

[Chronon]

Please continue any "2.5.1" related discussion in the appropriate topic in the Unsupported Builds forum.  

[TAC109]

Private reply sent to Pieter.

[videoot]

Hello TAC109,

thanks for your email support, and the update on the procedure.

My Archos works now 100% (flashed) on the 2.5.1. load.
Appreciate especially the battery feature.

Regards,


Pieter

[AlexP]

As Chronon said:

Please continue any "2.5.1" related discussion in the appropriate topic in the Unsupported Builds forum.  

I've locked this thread.