Double boot on X5 ?

[RaeNye]

The cowon firmware is only changed at the very beginning, where it jumps to the added RB code.
H3Mod should work just fine.

[ya1950]

Indeed Tried it just now and it works fine! Thanks so much for this 

[portach king]

Well Done! Can't wait to try this out tonight.

Gapless playback.

[Late2DM]

Is the manner in which dual-boot is currently implmented an indication of the direction the final implementation will take? Specifically, is it intended that ultimately one will be able to choose which OF version to boot with Rockbox without having to be able to compile the firmware?

I understand the feature in currently available as a patch and that Rockbox is still very much in beta on the X5. However, this thread (http://www.iaudiophile.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8904) indicates the only way to currently select which OF version to boot is by compiling the source. Does anyone have any ideas on how a final implementation might work in this regard?

TIA

[RaeNye]

Once you've compiled the rockbox bootloader (bootloader.bin),
you use a standalone tool (called mkboot-x5 in the next version) that combines the OF of your choice and bootloader.bin to the final firmware.

You still have to either compile mkboot-x5 or d/l a binary of it (but it compiles for windows too, it's standalone)

[Llorean]

And we usually have binary downloads for windows of the firmware patcher tools, and bootloader.bin files, so yeah, there should be no need to compile in the later versions.

[american_evertonian]

Hey, just to reasure all you sceptics out there, I just tried the dual bootloader and it works beautifully. Hey, why don't you guys go ahead and put this version on the Iaudioboot page, so more people will know about it, or is there something I don't know about this new dream bootloader? 

[Llorean]

The new dream bootloader isn't well tested, nor is it officially a part of CVS yet, just a patch, so it's a bit early for putting it on the page probably.

[american_evertonian]

Couldn't they put it up in addition to the other, more trusted boot loaders with a warning about the questionable firmware?

[Llorean]

Or they could just wait until it's a little more finalized. Last I checked the core devs were unhappy with its dependency on the existing flash bootloader's functions.

[RaeNye]

A new version is out. Many changes, should support remote.
Please try it.

http://www.rockbox.org/tracker/task/5289

[raybert]

RaeNye:

I got the dual-boot stuff working.  Very nice.  Thanks!

I notice one possible problem: it doesn't seem to be possible to boot rockbox when the external power is plugged in and the cowon charging screen is visible.  A short press on power just toggles the backlight.  A long press boots into the cowon fw.  Is there a trick that I missed?

Thanks,

~ray

[RaeNye]

No, there's no trick unless your nimble fingers can hold the ON button long enough so that the preloader will start the firmware and then quickly release it before the dual-bootloader checks...

I see two alternatives (aside from leaving it as is):
1. Check whether charger/USB is connected and if so, require a longer ON press for OF to load.
2. Add a bypass (e.g., holding REC always boots OF, holding PLAY always boots RB).

The major problem so far is minimizing dependency on the preloader (option 2 has a disadvantage here).

Opinions are welcome.

[RaeNye]

Forget opinions, have facts.

Alternative #1: http://rockbox.org/tracker/task/5289#comment8068

[raybert]

RaeNye:

Thanks for the update.  Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work with today's daily.  It builds okay, but the X5 locks up on boot (regardless of charger/length of button hold).  I had to revert to the previous dual boot patch (from 5/12).  That one still works fine.  Not sure why it's failing and, unfortunately, I don't have time to look into it myself nor to try the 5/17 daily.

~ray