/proc/mtd gives sizes, so the location of the kernel is by adding incrementally...
0x04 + 0x01 + 0x05 + 0x18 = 0x22
this corresponds to the address given to the loader
so we are indeed on the same image and flash platform as ENS202EXT and similar
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sorry I should explain, its actually the location of the rootfs because the location that used to be the kernel will become the location of the kernel loader
OK that's what I needed to know. To be clear, I've flashed a few devices in the past, understand the uboot prompt, and am compiling my own kernel and packages already. Your expertise with the Senao devices is of course helpful.
I have no intention of flashing random kernels and rootfsesto my device, but even if I did, I could unbrick, given that I have serial console access and can reach the uboot prompt. Worst case I use the rescue image again or even reflash the copy I have of the mtd partitions.
Guys I fried another USB/TTL adapter. I tilted my laptop a little when it was plugged in and now I can't transmit. Ebay garbage. Does anyone know a good vendor of something a little more durable? Waveshare products look interesting
In the meantime I succeeded in compiling a kernel for this device. I don't quite understand how preinit works yet, it's like a tiny chainloader? Thanks
I recommend this one
Although I have never bought it before, it has benefits:
- it has the same FT232R chip that my adapter uses, one of the best
- it has a case around the board
- it has jumpers to select between 3v and 5v, and test loopback
- seller has been selling this one for many years
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the kernel has become too large for the old bootloaders to properly decompress, because of how it was written. in order to get it to boot, we have a separate program called the lzma-loader placed where the bootloader expects the kernel to be which then loads the kernel afterward.
got it, so CONFIG_PREINITOPT=y should compile the correct kernel?
Is the preinit lumped into the kernel gz or do I need to TFTP that in seperately?
Thanks for the FTDI adapter link. I found some solid looking products at Waveshare:
there's no specific reason to touch this config option. I recommend not changing anything in build configuration...
there is much less work to do than you think... just get a build to finish, TFTP the initramfs.bin, see if everything works, and we go from there...
I don't care which brand of boards you get, but I recommend the FTDI chipsets regardless... many boards from many sellers have them.
Got it, thanks. Really want to continue work on the project so I will try again to get the TTL adapters working. Shipping from China is so slow.