SuperZaxxon Beta 1 had an issue with the modules (that's why DSP, etc. didn't work yet), so here's a small update: Beta 1.1
Here is, as a reminder of in case you haven't seen it yet, the announcement from notaz;
So why the name change? The upcoming 512MB units require updated bootloaders to support new RAM. You might also have heard currently used old kernel doesn't support full 512MB of RAM for the new units, updated one is needed. To add to that, linux-omap kernel community has finally reached to working power saving in recent mainline kernel releases. So because of all that, and rebirth production coming real close, it's about time to release a firmware we'll be using on updated units for general testing.
So this has:
Other changes:
For other changes since hotfix 6, see this thread.
The stand-out new feature here is the 3.2 kernel with aggressive power saving and real suspend support. Now if you boot 3.2 and leave your padora sitting around doing nothing, it will automatically enter low power state and use under half the energy it used to use, potentially doubling battery time (could provide even more) in such cases. There is also real suspend support, which is activated by flipping the power switch. I haven't properly tested how long it can stay suspended, but it sould last at least several days - you are welcome to test. Note that currently there is a limitation that you must not run any PNDs while suspending or things may break. I suspect some use cases like paying games and listening mp3s might give noticeably better battery time too.
On the flip side the 3.2 kernel represents over 3 years of mainline development since we branched off 2.6.27, and many things changed. That means certain features of .27 can't be backported as-is, for example overclocking support, so need to be reworked and are currently missing. That also means some compatibility issues. That's the reason by default old kernel is still booted. Since I'm mostly working on kernel alone (over whole pandora history I've received only a few patches, I think they were form urjaman and WizStan), I expect it will take months, maybe half-a-year or more to sort new kernel issues and then, maybe then, the old 2.6.27 kernel can be finally retired. Post any issues you find with the new kernel here.
One more thing to mention is potentially improved boot time - it should now get through the bootloaders faster.
So here it is, available as full flash:
http://openpandora.o...erZaxxon-B1.zip
(I'm not sure it makes sense to provide updater pnd, since you need to run flasher anyway to get the new bootloaders)
SD image is also in the usual place:
http://openpandora.org/firmware/
For those running from SD cards, I still suggest to flash the new bootloaders. You can do this by copying everything from above zip to root of SD card, but leaving out rootfs.img and rootfs.md5 and then following usual reflashing procedure. Then everything but NAND rootfs will be reflashed.
To install it, simply extract the archive onto the root of your SD Card.
Insert the SD Card into the left slot. Keep R (shoulder) pressed while switching on your Pandora and select "Boot from SD1"
If "Boot from SD1" doesn't appear, try to reformat the SD Card using Panasonic SD Formatter, recopy the files and retry.
You can also use the SD Installer and run HF7b1 off SD Card.
Grab the image needed for the SD Installer here
Enjoy
Here is, as a reminder of in case you haven't seen it yet, the announcement from notaz;
So why the name change? The upcoming 512MB units require updated bootloaders to support new RAM. You might also have heard currently used old kernel doesn't support full 512MB of RAM for the new units, updated one is needed. To add to that, linux-omap kernel community has finally reached to working power saving in recent mainline kernel releases. So because of all that, and rebirth production coming real close, it's about time to release a firmware we'll be using on updated units for general testing.
So this has:
- updated 1st level bootloader x-load to latest release 1.5.1
- updated 2nd level bootloader u-boot to latest release v2011.12
- 3.2 kernel release as a boot option in boot menu (hold R shoulder when turning on)
Other changes:
- various script tweaks by ED and me
- DSP modules available for old kernel (player elements still missing, but can't be included anyway due to patent issues)
- addded option to boot the system with RAM reserved for DSP
For other changes since hotfix 6, see this thread.
The stand-out new feature here is the 3.2 kernel with aggressive power saving and real suspend support. Now if you boot 3.2 and leave your padora sitting around doing nothing, it will automatically enter low power state and use under half the energy it used to use, potentially doubling battery time (could provide even more) in such cases. There is also real suspend support, which is activated by flipping the power switch. I haven't properly tested how long it can stay suspended, but it sould last at least several days - you are welcome to test. Note that currently there is a limitation that you must not run any PNDs while suspending or things may break. I suspect some use cases like paying games and listening mp3s might give noticeably better battery time too.
On the flip side the 3.2 kernel represents over 3 years of mainline development since we branched off 2.6.27, and many things changed. That means certain features of .27 can't be backported as-is, for example overclocking support, so need to be reworked and are currently missing. That also means some compatibility issues. That's the reason by default old kernel is still booted. Since I'm mostly working on kernel alone (over whole pandora history I've received only a few patches, I think they were form urjaman and WizStan), I expect it will take months, maybe half-a-year or more to sort new kernel issues and then, maybe then, the old 2.6.27 kernel can be finally retired. Post any issues you find with the new kernel here.
One more thing to mention is potentially improved boot time - it should now get through the bootloaders faster.
So here it is, available as full flash:
http://openpandora.o...erZaxxon-B1.zip
(I'm not sure it makes sense to provide updater pnd, since you need to run flasher anyway to get the new bootloaders)
SD image is also in the usual place:
http://openpandora.org/firmware/
For those running from SD cards, I still suggest to flash the new bootloaders. You can do this by copying everything from above zip to root of SD card, but leaving out rootfs.img and rootfs.md5 and then following usual reflashing procedure. Then everything but NAND rootfs will be reflashed.
To install it, simply extract the archive onto the root of your SD Card.
Insert the SD Card into the left slot. Keep R (shoulder) pressed while switching on your Pandora and select "Boot from SD1"
If "Boot from SD1" doesn't appear, try to reformat the SD Card using Panasonic SD Formatter, recopy the files and retry.
You can also use the SD Installer and run HF7b1 off SD Card.
Grab the image needed for the SD Installer here
Enjoy
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