Even Bob Won't Unbrick :(

[oneandoneis2]

I've got a first edition GP2X that bricked itself on the first attempt at firmware upgrading.

So I got a BoB, arrived at the weekend.

Connected BoB to a Windows PC & the Gp2X, ran the software that comes with the manual:

E:\>GP2XRecovery.exe
JTAGProbe - JTAG interface to the ARM9TDMI/ARM7TDMI
DIGNSYS Inc. (www.dignsys.com)
Modified by Kane. September 2004

Jtag - Using port 0x378
CreateService SUCCESS
failure: StartService (0x02)
Can't get a handle to \\.\giveio
		1 file(s) copied.
failure: CreateService, ERROR_SERVICE_EXISTS
StartService SUCCESS
CreateFile SUCCESS
jtag_reset();
JTAG interface reset.
jtag_idcode();
Device ID..0xFFFFFFFF
CPU Not Support!
ControlService SUCCESS
DeleteService SUCCESS

And still, I get a white screen with those lovely colored lines. . .

Short of applying a sledgehammer, is there any advice on what to do with the blasted thing?

 

[TelcoLou]

Short of applying a sledgehammer, is there any advice on what to do with the blasted thing?

Return it to the place of purchase for an exchange. <_<

 

[Squidge]

Device ID..0xFFFFFFFF

There's your problem right there. Check your cable and connections.

 

[EvilDragon]

Yep, it shows an Device ID..0xFFFFFFFF if it can't find the gp2x.

 

[BradN]

Make sure the parallel cable you're using has all 25 pins and that they're wired straight-through (check with a multimeter to be sure)

 

[nubie]

Make sure the parallel cable you're using has all 25 pins and that they're wired straight-through (check with a multimeter to be sure)

What makes you think he is even using a parrallel cable? :rolleyes: (or are you just trying to be nice? B) )

Edit: retracted, but it looks like people are trying it with USB!!

 

[BradN]

He said he's using a breakout board, which exposes the JTAG via a 25 pin parallel connector - it's not a huge leap of logic

 

[Manwe]

Here is a solution: http://www.gp32x.de/board/index.php?s=&am...st&p=403065

 

[Squidge]

He said he's using a breakout board, which exposes the JTAG via a 25 pin parallel connector - it's not a huge leap of logic

Well, I've already had an email from one person who's tried to jtag there gp2x through the usb cable

 

[oneandoneis2]

It is indeed a 25-pin parallel cable. It should have all 25 pins wired together, but I'll check it when I get home just in case. . .

 

[diegor]

I've got a first edition GP2X that bricked itself on the first attempt at firmware upgrading.

So I got a BoB, arrived at the weekend.

Connected BoB to a Windows PC & the Gp2X, ran the software that comes with the manual:

E:\>GP2XRecovery.exe
JTAGProbe - JTAG interface to the ARM9TDMI/ARM7TDMI
DIGNSYS Inc. (www.dignsys.com)
Modified by Kane. September 2004

Jtag - Using port 0x378
CreateService SUCCESS
failure: StartService (0x02)
Can't get a handle to \\.\giveio
		1 file(s) copied.
failure: CreateService, ERROR_SERVICE_EXISTS
StartService SUCCESS
CreateFile SUCCESS
jtag_reset();
JTAG interface reset.
jtag_idcode();
Device ID..0xFFFFFFFF
CPU Not Support!
ControlService SUCCESS
DeleteService SUCCESS

I see a failure in creating service. I'm not sure if this is a problem, but you can try to flash again, logging in windows as Administrator. BTW, if you get 'Device ID..0xFFFFFFFF' it means that the program is not talking correctly with bob.

I hope it help...

 

[Squidge]

The failure in creating the service in this case just means the service is already present and running.

The main problem is the device id. You normally get that when the lead isn't connected, or power isn't applied.

I wonder - do you have both psu's connected? One to the gp2x, and one to the bob, and the gp2x powered on?

 

[oneandoneis2]

I have the GP2X running off batteries, and the BoB running off a PSU - I don't have two PSUs. I believe that the GP2X running off batteries should be OK, so long as the BoB is running off the mains adaptor..?

 

[BradN]

Another thing is to try playing around with the parallel port mode setting in your computer BIOS (ECP/EPP/Bidirectional, etc)

 

[oneandoneis2]

For no reason other than frustration, I tried flashing again.

AND IT WORKED!!!!

What has changed? I'm not sure. Same hardware, same software - everything was identical. The only thing different was, I plugged everything in & powered it all up BEFORE turning on the PC - I wouldn't have thought that would be necessary, but in hindsight it could well have been that, I suppose.

So, I got the black logo screen followed by the green screen that says stuff is loading, but it wouldn't get past that. So then I realized I hadn't held down Select & Start & reflashed.

Hallelujah, "Firmware upgrading" appeared, followed by "Now patching", followed by "Formatting", followed, at last, by the familiar orange screen with icons in it.

Just for the Hell of it, I plugged a USB flash drive into the BoB USB port and played a movie off it. Worked flawlessly!

So YAY, I have a 1st edition GP2X with Firmware 2.0 installed, and no longer just a brick! And Wow, the boot time is a lot faster now, isn't it? And I have a BoB that lets me plug lots of other cool stuff in. . .

And suddenly, it's all worthwhile again

Thanks to everybody for their help!

 

[xinfernoofdantex]

you're welcome

 

[daclassicgamingmaster]

For no reason other than frustration, I tried flashing again.

AND IT WORKED!!!!

What has changed? I'm not sure. Same hardware, same software - everything was identical. The only thing different was, I plugged everything in & powered it all up BEFORE turning on the PC - I wouldn't have thought that would be necessary, but in hindsight it could well have been that, I suppose.

So, I got the black logo screen followed by the green screen that says stuff is loading, but it wouldn't get past that. So then I realized I hadn't held down Select & Start & reflashed.

Hallelujah, "Firmware upgrading" appeared, followed by "Now patching", followed by "Formatting", followed, at last, by the familiar orange screen with icons in it.

Just for the Hell of it, I plugged a USB flash drive into the BoB USB port and played a movie off it. Worked flawlessly!

So YAY, I have a 1st edition GP2X with Firmware 2.0 installed, and no longer just a brick! And Wow, the boot time is a lot faster now, isn't it? And I have a BoB that lets me plug lots of other cool stuff in. . .

And suddenly, it's all worthwhile again

Thanks to everybody for their help!

That's pretty inspiring. Im glad you're happy again

Shit, I can hardly wait for the BoB with casing to become available B)

 

[dylan]

I was in the same situation, and thanks to this thread got a bit unstuck: I needed to adjust the PC's BIOS settings for the parallel port.

At that point the GP2XRecover.exe ran through to completion with a success message at the end.

But my GP2x still boots with the vertical lines, no matter what key combinations I hold-down as I turn it on.

I tried FAT, FAT 32, recopying the firmware upgrades, all to no avail.

Ideas of what to try next, anyone?

 

[BradN]

Do you see anything on the screen before the lines? If not, I don't think UBoot flashed correctly. If so, you should try to borrow another card to attempt flashing the rest with.

 

[oneandoneis2]

What do you have on the card? The instructions just say to have Uboot, but I found it best to have the complete firmware available on it - kernel & all.

Oh, and if you don't hold down the buttons the first time after you boot, you need to reflash - you only appear to get one shot at getting it right. At any rate, I did. . .