Getting started with the Linux tools
Loading an OS on the mini2440 from linux - Getting started All of my instructions assume the supervivi is loaded on the NOR flash device and that you are using a linux environment. These instructions are reasonably complete, we will be dealing with serial communications and file system permissions quite a bit. If you are new to these on Linux, you are in for a bit of a rough ride. To the un-initiated both of these can be daunting. Google may be of help.
Test connectivity:
- Turn the mini2440 off.
- Connect the serial cable between the mini2440 and the linux box. My mini2440 came with a cable for this purpose, I suspect it is a straight-thru and not a null cable.
- Connect the usb cable between the mini2440 and the linux box. The cable should connect to the USB 'B' style connector on the mini2440 (next to the ethernet port) and the 'A' style (same as a keyboard or mouse) connector on the linux box.
- Linux should have created a USB device. The permissions on this device are likely too restrictive.
- Linux should have an existing serial device for the serial port. The permissions on this device may also be too restrictive.
- Become root
- chmod 777 /dev/DEVICE_NAME where DEVICE_NAME is the USB and if necessary the serial device. On my machine this became "chmod 777 /dev/ttyS0" followed by "chmod 777 /dev/ttyUSB0". If you have udev on your linux box you can also create a udev rule to automatically do this. Google is your friend.
- End your root session
- Fire up terminal program on linux (kermit, minicom). If you are unfamilar with the operation of these, I use and recommend minicom.
- Adjust your communications parameters to 115200 / N81, ensure your terminal program is using the correct port.
- Move the NOR/NAND switch toward the nearest edge of the board. In this mode you will load the bootloader on the NOR device.
- Turn the mini2440 on
- Given sufficient luck and/or skill, something very similar to the following should appear:
##### FriendlyARM BIOS 2.0 for 2440 #####
[x] format NAND FLASH for Linux
[v] Download vivi
[k] Download linux kernel
[y] Download root_yaffs image
[a] Absolute User Application
[n] Download Nboot for WinCE
[l] Download WinCE boot-logo
[w] Download WinCE NK.bin
[d] Download & Run
[z] Download zImage into RAM
[g] Boot linux from RAM
[f] Format the nand flash
[b] Boot the system
[s] Set the boot parameters
[u] Backup NAND Flash to HOST through USB(upload)
[r] Restore NAND Flash from HOST through USB
[q] Goto shell of vivi
[i] Version: 0945-2K
If you see the above, congrats. This terminal will be used to display the bootloader and the linux console.
Last modified: Mar 21, 2010