Install Rockbox on External SD Card

[Orbiter]

Hello!

I am using a Sansa Clip+ player that has apparent problems with internal flash memory. Is it possible to avoid using the build-in flash memory altogether (except for the loader)? I want to install Rockbox completely on external SD and use it for playback of files from the same SD. I do not need library or database, just folders.
If this is not possible with simple tweaking, what changes do I have to apply to the software to enable this type of installation?

Thanks in advance!

[johnb]

I know of two options:

I.) Boot Rockbox from internal (reading), but mount only the SD card and write only to this location. For this you would copy this build both to the internal storage and the SD:
http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php/topic,51616.msg239654.html#msg239654

II.) Install a special bootloader and copy a special build to the SDcard, so the bootloader boots directly from SD. The files for clip+ you can find here:
http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php/topic,51616.msg239656.html#msg239656
http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php/topic,51616.msg239658.html#msg239658
However, if your internal flash is already dying, flashing the bootloader might be risky, i.e. ruin it completely.

[Orbiter]

Many thanks! Looks like my player is already non-operational, but if I manage to switch it on, I'll try this SD boot trick.

[asymsucon]

We desperately need this on all Sansa targets, dead internal flash is the most frequent cause of failure and a costly replacement. Potentially all are ticking bombs.
Got Clip Zip ready for testing and willing to assist if needed.