[U-Boot] U-boot with USB storage support for WonderMedia WM8505
Hi everyone,
I'm new to this forum so im not sure if im in the right place. I tried searching for a solution but didnt find a solution.
I have a 7" Netbook based on the WonderMedia WM8505 processor. Based on all the other forums ive read out there it looks like the hardware is very similar to a lot of the other 7" netbooks and 7" tablets out there.
The netbook came preloaded with Windows CE 6.
The problem ive got is I inherited the netbook broken. It appeares to be broken after a failed Android install.
The serial console on the mainboard shows wload and u-boot starts fine.
The problem looks to me like the Android installer has replaced the u-boot which was preloaded on the netbook.
I looked through the environment variables in u-boot via the serial console and i saw an old bootcmd variable which referred to USB commands - usbinit, fatload usb 0:1, etc to boot the system however the uboot which is running on the netbook now has no such commands available.
The new u-boot seems to support NAND, IDE, and MMC storage because commands for those storage devices are available, however the NAND and IDE commands both report no devices/controllers detected.
Ive inspected the mainboard in this netbook and its onboard storage is a USB flash disk - that is its a 2gig NAND flash presented to the system via USB.
So my question is this.
Can anyone suggest where I could download a u-boot which has usb storage support which might run on this netbook?
OR
Can anyone give me any suggestions how I could make a compatible u-boot from source.
Ive downloaded the source from the DENX website and had a look but the problem ive got is the 'make' program expects me to specify which system board to build the u-boot binary for but none of the board names in the u-boot source seem to resemble anything like the board in this netbook so I dont know which board configuration to use.
These netbooks are so common and all have such similar hardware surely one of the board configurations would match well but which one?
Heres some info about the netbook: Make/Model: Easy Notebook Model P701 The netbook was originally purchased from http://www.oo.com.au/EasyNotebook_Ultra_Portable_La_P41265.cfm MOBO: P701_MAIN_V9 20100927 Daughter board: CPU8505_V3 CPU: WM8505 - WonderMedia 8505 ARM926EJ-S (ARMv5) Flash: F40-100GCP 4Mbit serial flash RAM: Hynix h5ps1g63efr-y5c - 128meg DDR2 667Mhz LAN: Via Velocity VT6113 WIFI: Ralink RT3070 Sound: Everest Semiconductor ES8328 Low Power Codec USB Hub: Genesys Logic GL850G Storage: Samsung MLC Flash K9GAG08U0E-SCB0 - 2Gig via Chipsbank CBM2093 USB-Flash controller Pointing device: Cube FKT0107D Unknown: HT-95A-2 - Possibly keyboard encoder/decoder? LEDs available: Caps lock, Scroll Lock, Num Lock, Battery Charging, Powered on
Ive uploaded some images of the mainboard and daughter board http://old.nabble.com/file/p31979430/IMG00193-20110701-1615.jpg Underside of mainboard http://old.nabble.com/file/p31979430/IMG00194-20110701-1616.jpg Topside of mainboard
Really appreciate any and all help.
Hi Evilsibling,
Can anyone suggest where I could download a u-boot which has usb storage support which might run on this netbook?
OR
Can anyone give me any suggestions how I could make a compatible u-boot from source.
I'd suggest asking the manufacturer -- if they put u-boot in devices that they distribute, then they must provide the corresponding source code. Did you check this with them?
Ive downloaded the source from the DENX website and had a look but the problem ive got is the 'make' program expects me to specify which system board to build the u-boot binary for but none of the board names in the u-boot source seem to resemble anything like the board in this netbook so I dont know which board configuration to use.
These netbooks are so common and all have such similar hardware surely one of the board configurations would match well but which one?
'Similar' is no warranty as far as booting a device is concerned, and you should not bet on 'similar' unless you have absolutely no other choice.
Heres some info about the netbook: Make/Model: Easy Notebook Model P701 The netbook was originally purchased from http://www.oo.com.au/EasyNotebook_Ultra_Portable_La_P41265.cfm MOBO: P701_MAIN_V9 20100927 Daughter board: CPU8505_V3 CPU: WM8505 - WonderMedia 8505 ARM926EJ-S (ARMv5) Flash: F40-100GCP 4Mbit serial flash RAM: Hynix h5ps1g63efr-y5c - 128meg DDR2 667Mhz LAN: Via Velocity VT6113 WIFI: Ralink RT3070 Sound: Everest Semiconductor ES8328 Low Power Codec USB Hub: Genesys Logic GL850G Storage: Samsung MLC Flash K9GAG08U0E-SCB0 - 2Gig via Chipsbank CBM2093 USB-Flash controller Pointing device: Cube FKT0107D Unknown: HT-95A-2 - Possibly keyboard encoder/decoder? LEDs available: Caps lock, Scroll Lock, Num Lock, Battery Charging, Powered on
Ive uploaded some images of the mainboard and daughter board http://old.nabble.com/file/p31979430/IMG00193-20110701-1615.jpg Underside of mainboard http://old.nabble.com/file/p31979430/IMG00194-20110701-1616.jpg Topside of mainboard
Really appreciate any and all help.
I suggest trying to track the manufacturer down and ask for the u-boot sources.
Amicalement,
Hi Albert,
It would be great if i could get the original u-boot image and/or sources and maybe even the original Windows CE 6 from the manufacturer, however I dont know who the manufacturer is.
I cant find anyone who makes "Easy Notebook P701" or offers downloads for it.
These netbooks appear to be mass produced as oem units and rebranded by numerous different sellers. for example, my netbook also matches the hardware description of the EPC 7" P701 netbook, and even a netbook called the Fashion 7" Netbook.
The other issue is that this netbook has been tampered with as far as the warranty and support is concerned since the previous owner attempted to install Android which has replaced the wload, the u-boot, and the original Windows CE system cant be booted anymore so the store the netbook was bought from wont help.
At this stage i really have no other choice but to take a chance and hope that someone with similar hardware can provide their working u-boot.
Theres a lot of reports of users attempting to install Android on these netbooks and ending up in the same position im in but so far ive not seen a suitable solution. A lot of attempts to fix the problem involve installing a different u-boot, which ive attempted, but none of them appear to have usb storage support and therefore the flash disk is unavailable.
My last resort is to go back to the online store where the netbook was originally purchased and ask someone on their forum if they will be kind enough to let me copy the u-boot from their working netbook.
On Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at 11:46 PM, Albert ARIBAUD albert.u.boot@aribaud.netwrote:
Hi Evilsibling,
Can anyone suggest where I could download a u-boot which has usb storage
support which might run on this netbook?
OR
Can anyone give me any suggestions how I could make a compatible u-boot from source.
I'd suggest asking the manufacturer -- if they put u-boot in devices that they distribute, then they must provide the corresponding source code. Did you check this with them?
Ive downloaded the source from the DENX website and had a look but the
problem ive got is the 'make' program expects me to specify which system board to build the u-boot binary for but none of the board names in the u-boot source seem to resemble anything like the board in this netbook so I dont know which board configuration to use.
These netbooks are so common and all have such similar hardware surely one of the board configurations would match well but which one?
'Similar' is no warranty as far as booting a device is concerned, and you should not bet on 'similar' unless you have absolutely no other choice.
Heres some info about the netbook:
Make/Model: Easy Notebook Model P701 The netbook was originally purchased from http://www.oo.com.au/**EasyNotebook_Ultra_Portable_**La_P41265.cfmhttp://www.oo.com.au/EasyNotebook_Ultra_Portable_La_P41265.cfm MOBO: P701_MAIN_V9 20100927 Daughter board: CPU8505_V3 CPU: WM8505 - WonderMedia 8505 ARM926EJ-S (ARMv5) Flash: F40-100GCP 4Mbit serial flash RAM: Hynix h5ps1g63efr-y5c - 128meg DDR2 667Mhz LAN: Via Velocity VT6113 WIFI: Ralink RT3070 Sound: Everest Semiconductor ES8328 Low Power Codec USB Hub: Genesys Logic GL850G Storage: Samsung MLC Flash K9GAG08U0E-SCB0 - 2Gig via Chipsbank CBM2093 USB-Flash controller Pointing device: Cube FKT0107D Unknown: HT-95A-2 - Possibly keyboard encoder/decoder? LEDs available: Caps lock, Scroll Lock, Num Lock, Battery Charging, Powered on
Ive uploaded some images of the mainboard and daughter board http://old.nabble.com/file/**p31979430/IMG00193-20110701-**1615.jpghttp://old.nabble.com/file/p31979430/IMG00193-20110701-1615.jpgUnderside of mainboard http://old.nabble.com/file/**p31979430/IMG00194-20110701-**1616.jpghttp://old.nabble.com/file/p31979430/IMG00194-20110701-1616.jpgTopside of mainboard
Really appreciate any and all help.
I suggest trying to track the manufacturer down and ask for the u-boot sources.
Amicalement,
Albert.
Le 02/07/2011 16:21, Chris Barnes a écrit :
Hi Albert,
It would be great if i could get the original u-boot image and/or sources and maybe even the original Windows CE 6 from the manufacturer, however I dont know who the manufacturer is.
I cant find anyone who makes "Easy Notebook P701" or offers downloads for it.
These netbooks appear to be mass produced as oem units and rebranded by numerous different sellers. for example, my netbook also matches the hardware description of the EPC 7" P701 netbook, and even a netbook called the Fashion 7" Netbook.
This might prove to be a problem.
The other issue is that this netbook has been tampered with as far as the warranty and support is concerned since the previous owner attempted to install Android which has replaced the wload, the u-boot, and the original Windows CE system cant be booted anymore so the store the netbook was bought from wont help.
They might still let you know which provider they bought from.
At this stage i really have no other choice but to take a chance and hope that someone with similar hardware can provide their working u-boot.
Theres a lot of reports of users attempting to install Android on these netbooks and ending up in the same position im in but so far ive not seen a suitable solution. A lot of attempts to fix the problem involve installing a different u-boot, which ive attempted, but none of them appear to have usb storage support and therefore the flash disk is unavailable.
If you know of some u-boot board configs that were successfully used for this device, and if the board config has USB support enabled but USB storage support disabled, then you *might* have a chance of adding USB storage. Can you list these configs that were used and what the result was?
My last resort is to go back to the online store where the netbook was originally purchased and ask someone on their forum if they will be kind enough to let me copy the u-boot from their working netbook.
That's assuming they can get their hand on it. It would require access to the Flash from the OS level, something that is far from granted.
Amicalement,
Hi Albert,
I dont know of any u-boot board configs that were used for this device. That was my original purpose for emailing this mailing list - hoping that someone may have experience with this netbook and may be able to point me in the right direction but at this point its not looking hopeful.
On Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 1:17 AM, Albert ARIBAUD albert.u.boot@aribaud.netwrote:
Le 02/07/2011 16:21, Chris Barnes a écrit :
Hi Albert,
It would be great if i could get the original u-boot image and/or sources and maybe even the original Windows CE 6 from the manufacturer, however I dont know who the manufacturer is.
I cant find anyone who makes "Easy Notebook P701" or offers downloads for it.
These netbooks appear to be mass produced as oem units and rebranded by numerous different sellers. for example, my netbook also matches the hardware description of the EPC 7" P701 netbook, and even a netbook called the Fashion 7" Netbook.
This might prove to be a problem.
The other issue is that this netbook has been tampered with as far as the warranty and support is concerned since the previous owner attempted to install Android which has replaced the wload, the u-boot, and the original Windows CE system cant be booted anymore so the store the netbook was bought from wont help.
They might still let you know which provider they bought from.
At this stage i really have no other choice but to take a chance and
hope that someone with similar hardware can provide their working u-boot.
Theres a lot of reports of users attempting to install Android on these netbooks and ending up in the same position im in but so far ive not seen a suitable solution. A lot of attempts to fix the problem involve installing a different u-boot, which ive attempted, but none of them appear to have usb storage support and therefore the flash disk is unavailable.
If you know of some u-boot board configs that were successfully used for this device, and if the board config has USB support enabled but USB storage support disabled, then you *might* have a chance of adding USB storage. Can you list these configs that were used and what the result was?
My last resort is to go back to the online store where the netbook was
originally purchased and ask someone on their forum if they will be kind enough to let me copy the u-boot from their working netbook.
That's assuming they can get their hand on it. It would require access to the Flash from the OS level, something that is far from granted.
Amicalement,
Albert.
Hi Chris,
Le 04/07/2011 00:29, Chris Barnes a écrit :
Hi Albert,
I dont know of any u-boot board configs that were used for this device. That was my original purpose for emailing this mailing list - hoping that someone may have experience with this netbook and may be able to point me in the right direction but at this point its not looking hopeful.
Understood. But you have said you attempted install of several u-boot binaries, none of which had USB mass storage support; however if they have some sort of USB support other than mass storage, then maybe they could be rebuilt from source with mass storage support added. Can you list the boards for which you tried some binaries?
Amicalement,
Hi Albert,
Sorry for the confusion. I did try several u-boots. None of them appeared to have any USB support as far as I could tell because u-boot didnt respond to any usb commands - e.g. usbinit
however I have been successful if restoring functionality to my netbook.
It appears the netbook was preloaded with WonderMedia Technologies U-Boot.
I attempted to contact WonderMedia to request the U-Boot again. They havent replied.
I then found a link to the WonderMedia U-Boot source. The source appeared to include a compiled u-boot, I tried it, it was very basic. It didnt even have LCD support.
I then did a lot of digging around the internet, I downloaded about 700 megs of operating system files from similar netbooks and I found a WMT U-Boot which works.
The working version is:
U-Boot 1.1.4 (Oct 8 2010 - 10:39:28) WonderMedia Technologies, Inc. WMT U-Boot Version : 0.12.01.00.27
So I'm pretty happy right now because U-Boot can finally access the internal storage.
The only downside to using the internal usb storage is the usb subsystem in u-boot appears to be quite slow. The command usbinit must be called first which appears to load the driver, and then scan the bus for devices. Once it is done the system can then boot from the usb storage. It easily adds atleast 5 seconds to the bootup, especially if the logo is loaded from usb.
The next step is to load an operating system onto the internal storage.
Thanks for your help.
On Mon, Jul 4, 2011 at 3:50 PM, Albert ARIBAUD albert.u.boot@aribaud.netwrote:
Hi Chris,
Le 04/07/2011 00:29, Chris Barnes a écrit :
Hi Albert,
I dont know of any u-boot board configs that were used for this device. That was my original purpose for emailing this mailing list - hoping that someone may have experience with this netbook and may be able to point me in the right direction but at this point its not looking hopeful.
Understood. But you have said you attempted install of several u-boot binaries, none of which had USB mass storage support; however if they have some sort of USB support other than mass storage, then maybe they could be rebuilt from source with mass storage support added. Can you list the boards for which you tried some binaries?
Amicalement,
Albert.
Le 04/07/2011 08:02, Chris Barnes a écrit :
however I have been successful if restoring functionality to my netbook.
Great!
The working version is:
U-Boot 1.1.4 (Oct 8 2010 - 10:39:28)
Not that old if you look at the date, quite old if you look at the version number. But hey, IIAB(any more)DFI. :)
WonderMedia Technologies, Inc. WMT U-Boot Version : 0.12.01.00.27
So I'm pretty happy right now because U-Boot can finally access the internal storage.
The only downside to using the internal usb storage is the usb subsystem in u-boot appears to be quite slow. The command usbinit must be called first which appears to load the driver, and then scan the bus for devices. Once it is done the system can then boot from the usb storage. It easily adds atleast 5 seconds to the bootup, especially if the logo is loaded from usb.
There is no loading a driver in U-Boot (the binary is self-contained), so the slowness is probably due to the USB driver or line speed (or both). Anyway, that'll be a problem only while you boot things via USB; once you have R/W access to the internal storage Flash, booting from Flash should be (hopefully) quicker.
The next step is to load an operating system onto the internal storage.
Thanks for your help.
You did all the hard work, just thank yourself. :)
Amicalement,
participants (3)
-
Albert ARIBAUD -
Chris Barnes -
EvilSibling