Uninstalling Rockbox off of X5

[HumbleGod]

After trying out Rockbox on my X5 for a few weeks, I've decided it's not for me. I followed the uninstall directions in the manual ("...connect the Iaudio to your computer, and delete the rockbox.iaudio file"), disconnected the X5 from my computer, and turned it on, only to find the Rockbox bootloader still loading. This time, though, it gives me a "Result=-1" and shuts down.

Just in case the Rockbox manual was missing a step, I next removed the .rockbox folder from the X5--same result. I then re-copied the most recent "official" Iaudio non-DRM firmware to the Firmware directory per CowonAmerica's instructions here, but the Rockbox bootloader still loads upon startup.

My apologies if this has been treated in another post or page, but if so I'm not finding it. Is there another step I need to take to remove the bootloader? At the moment I've re-added my old .rockbox folder just so the player is functional for now, but any advice on permanent removal of the Rockbox OS would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Llorean]

No, copying the most recent Official firmware over it should work. It did overwrite the bootloader file you put there for Rockbox, right? the x5_fw.bin?

[HumbleGod]

Yes, the official Iaudio bootware overwrote any existing .bin file in that folder. However, after poking around the website further, I rediscovered the original page where the Rockbox bootloader is located and read this:

Restoring the original firmware
* Download the original X5 firmware from the iAudio web site.
* Copy it to the FIRMWARE directory on your X5
* Turn the X5 off, remove the USB cable and insert the charger. The X5 will automatically upgrade the flash with the original firmware

Connecting the charger did the trick. So, as I'm sure often happens in these cases, I stumbled upon the solution as soon as I asked about it. All's well that ends well, and all that.

If anything, I'd like to suggest that perhaps the lines quoted above be included in future editions of the Rockbox manual under the "Uninstalling Rockbox" section. As it currently exists, that section of the manual implies less work than is actually necessary to uninstall. It's otherwise a pretty helpful bit of documentation.

Thanks for your quick reply!

[Llorean]

The trick is that once Rockbox has a working dual boot feature, that is all that should be done to uninstall Rockbox (leaving the bootloader in place, which once finalized *should* automatically boot the original firmware immediately after the -1 message, but doesn't right now due to lack of dual boot.)

Because Rockbox isn't in a release state yet, and the manual is in a draft as well, sometimes it isn't in perfect alignment. The wiki should in many cases be looked to for information about the in-progress ports. For example the Iaudioboot page, as you found.

[RaeNye]

I must say that a working X5 dual-bootloader exists, but

• Major devs frown upon it due to binary dependency with the OF preloader.
• It makes the decision before RB bootscreen, so no -1 message will appear.
• The OF shuts down if you're not holding the POWER switch for ~1 second, so the additional delay incurred by RB bootscreen is rather unpleasant.

[Febs]

If anything, I'd like to suggest that perhaps the lines quoted above be included in future editions of the Rockbox manual under the "Uninstalling Rockbox" section. As it currently exists, that section of the manual implies less work than is actually necessary to uninstall. It's otherwise a pretty helpful bit of documentation.

Please file a bug report under the category "manual."

[paolodelmare]

I want to uninstall rockbox and the dual boot.
Where can I download the original cowon bootloader?
Thanks a lot...

[xlarge]

I want to uninstall rockbox and the dual boot.
Where can I download the original cowon bootloader?
Thanks a lot...

http://www.cowonglobal.com