Automated Flashing of n900

Warning: You can write over the emmc if mmc is not mounted

This follows on from the post on Manual flashing.

1. Prepare the n900

You need an n900 with a memory card

The n900 needs to be adjusted so that the memory card will be recognised without the cover on.

I used a small screwdriver to remove the magnet from behind the stand and some sellotape to attach the magnet to the rear of the device.

Test whether the magnetic field is strong enough by switching on the n900 and seeing if the memory card is shown in the file system when the device is switched on.

2. Prepare the Switchbox and the Jig

Connect up the switchbox as follows

Make sure the switch in the jig is in Normal mode

(switch on the back of the jig)

3. Testing the Switchbox

Using the switchbox_pu41.py script

sudo python switchbox_pu41.py -d /dev/ttyUSB0 -n 1 sleep 5 sudo python switchbox_pu41.py -d /dev/ttyUSB0 -n 1 -p -u

Check that the LED alongside the USB outputs goes off and on

4. Set the rd flags on the device

sudo flasher-3.5 –enable-rd-mode sudo flasher-3.5 –set-rd-flags=force-power-key

5. Prepare the meego-ai-flasher

The meego-ai-flasher automates the flashing.

Install this:

python setup.py install

There is a dependency on the ots conductor.

Edit the config file (normally in /etc/meego_ai_flasher.conf) so that it links to the flashing utility scripts on your host:

• power_cycle_command
• pre_flash_command
• post_flash_command

6. Run the flasher

sudo meego-ai-flasher -f /path/to/your_image.tar.gz

The output to host should go something like

2010-11-17 15:39:26,252 INFO here goes ..
2010-11-17 15:39:26,253 WARNING custom flasher for n900/netbook autoinstall still PofC level
<snip>
2010-11-17 15:44:32,090 INFO ...OK
2010-11-17 15:44:32,090 INFO Flashing completed!

The switchbox output lights should go and the n900 should flash in a similar fashion to the manual process