A custom message in the bootloader

[APz]

Here's an idea for the bootloader:

One or two lines of user-chosen text. This could be very handy for messages like "This device belongs to..." or such. The message being in the bootloader would also prevent most of the technologically challenged from erasing it by just connecting the player to a computer and erasing everything on the harddisk. Naturally chancing the message would mean re-flashing the player, but I think it's a small price for possibility of getting your player back.

[Febs]

Why not just put that information in your WPS if you want it displayed?  I can think of a number of reasons not to put it in the bootloader, including (a) it would increase boot time, (b) it would be displayed to quickly to be seen, and (c) on some players, it would increase the possibility that a user would brick their players.

[APz]

The bootloader's first lines are seen like 4 to 5 seconds, in which atleast I can read all the text there is. The main idea was that it could not be removed by just erasing the rockbox's executable/directory, after which it will usually go beyond the technical knownledge of an average pothead who would consider stealing a mp3-player. Then again modifying the WPS would just waste screen space. I do agree it's one more way to an inexperienced user to goof up the installation, but would adding two lines of text really slow the startup that much?

[Mikerman]

Perhaps as a second best, this currently can be done (albeit with some work, and you need to compile the code yourself--easy to do with the instructions here, especially once you have the system down), in a mod to the opening Rockbox splashscreen graphics.  There was a thread here maybe 6 months ago on this.

Yes, it goes by quickly, but it shows long enough to grab a phone number/name/email, if the player is lost and someone wants to return it.  (And if the screen flashes by too quickly, the finder always can simply turn the player off then on again, to get all the info.)  If I recall correctly, the amount of time for the opening splashscreen may be adjusted in the code, if one is more adventurous.

Why do it?  It provides another level of "security"--some people seeing the owner's name each time the player is turned on might be more inclined to return the player . . . .  And the fact that the opening splashscreen can't easily be changed by one without knowledge may help in that regard as well.

(Note:  I also have a slip of paper (remember that?) with contact info. in my player's case, and a "READ ME" file listed at top on the player, also with contact info.  I hope that none of it ever is needed.)

[delorean90]

that is a good idea, i just made a read me file for my player as well

[hen3rz]

this is a nice idea, it definatley would be nice to ahve some sort of section dedicated to cointact information or something

[nx_2000]

I created a text file in the root folder called "REWARD IF RETURNED"

[hen3rz]

can the boot loader be recompiled so that the logo can be changed? maybe this information can be inserted into the rock box splash image  below it or something??? just an idea, i really have no idea..

[Mikerman]

2 prior threads on how to change the opening splashscreen (which is what I did).  As you will see, you also can change the length of the display time.

http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=5634.0

http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=6193.0

Although I never got around to trying it, there also is a means suggested to have the splashscreen remain where it is, until a button is pressed.  This would be an alternate way to make sure that there is enough time to read the splashscreen.  I'd be curious to hear if anyone tries it out and how it works.

edit:  Well, I tried it myself, and inserting the suggested language to wait for a button press ("get_action (CONTEXT_NONE,TIMEOUT_BLOCK);") results in an error message during compile, " main.c:119: error: 'CONTEXT_NONE' undeclared (first use in this function)".  
Ah, well ...