Restoring the Factory jffs2 image using a Usb stick

[NewIT_James]

So here is how to restore the Factory Ubuntu rootfs on a Sheevaplug using Usb.

This does require uboot to be functioning and assumes you still have the original kernel in place.

First download the jffs ubuntu image and put onto a FAT formatted usb stick.
http://www.plugcomputer.org/405/us/plug-basic/distributions/ubuntu_sheevaplug_9.0.4.jffs2

Boot the plug and stop at uboot with the USB stick inserted.

Code:

usb start
fatload usb 0:1 0x6400000 /ubuntu_sheevaplug_9.0.4.jffs2
nand erase 0x500000 0x1fb00000
nand write.jffs2 0x6400000 0x500000 0x0656d64c

These are the uboot env vars I used.

Code:

setenv bootargs 'console=ttyS0,115200 mtdparts=nand_mtd:0x400000@0x100000(uImage),0x1fb00000@0x500000(rootfs) rw root=/dev/mtdblock1 rw'
setenv bootcmd 'nand read.e 0x00800000 0x00100000 0x00400000; bootm 0x00800000'
saveenv
reset

There is also a Gentoo image there that should work in the same fashion if anyone fancies trying it.
http://www.plugcomputer.org/405/us/plug-basic/distributions/gentoo_sheevaplug_70M_selinux.jffs2

NewITJames :-)

[ulrith]

Hi James!

I have wrote the image and now I've got the following:

Code:

Marvell>> boot

NAND read: device 0 offset 0x100000, size 0x200000

Reading data from 0x2ff800 -- 100% complete.
 2097152 bytes read: OK
## Booting image at 02000000 ...
   Image Name:   Linux-2.6.32.7
   Created:      2010-02-10  21:21:03 UTC
   Image Type:   ARM Linux Kernel Image (uncompressed)
   Data Size:    2822164 Bytes =  2.7 MB
   Load Address: 00008000
   Entry Point:  00008000
   Verifying Checksum ... Bad Data CRC

Could you please comment?

[NewIT_James]

Image Name:   Linux-2.6.32.7

That's a newer kernel and there seems to a problem with it, here's how to get back to the factory supplied kernel.

Download the kernel source.

http://www.plugcomputer.org/405/us/plug-basic/distributions/linux-2.6.22.18_ferocean_427KW.tar.bz2

Now extract file 'uImage.6plug' and put that on the Usb stick.
Code below will then replace your kernel with the factory original kernel.

Code:

usb start
 fatload usb 0:1 0x6400000 /uImage.6plug
 nand erase 0x100000 0x400000
 nand write.e 0x6400000 0x100000 0x400000

If you are still having problems we need to look at your uboot env vars.

This post contains the factory supplied variables
http://www.newit.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,134.0.html


NewITJames

[ulrith]

Thank you James.

Now I have returned to the state described above (SheevaPlug stops on 'booting the kernel').

Code:

Streaming disabled
Write allocate disabled


USB 0: host mode
PEX 0: interface detected no Link.
Net:   egiga0 [PRIME], egiga1
Hit any key to stop autoboot:  0
Marvell>> set bootargs 'console=ttyS0,115200 mtdparts=nand_mtd:0x400000@0x100000(uImage),0x1fb00000@0x500000(rootfs) rw root=/dev/mtdblock1 rw'
Marvell>> setenv bootcmd 'nand read.e 0x00800000 0x00100000 0x00400000; bootm 0x00800000'
Marvell>> boot

NAND read: device 0 offset 0x100000, size 0x400000

Reading data from 0x4ff800 -- 100% complete.
 4194304 bytes read: OK
## Booting image at 00800000 ...
   Image Name:   Linux-2.6.22.18-6plug
   Created:      2009-03-11  18:32:36 UTC
   Image Type:   ARM Linux Kernel Image (uncompressed)
   Data Size:    2014176 Bytes =  1.9 MB
   Load Address: 00008000
   Entry Point:  00008000
   Verifying Checksum ... OK
OK

Starting kernel ...

Uncompressing Linux... done, booting the kernel.

Can it be hardware problem?

[NewIT_James]

Can you do a 'printenv' and post the results please.

NewITJames

[ulrith]

Code:

Marvell>> printenv

baudrate=115200
loads_echo=0
ipaddr=10.4.50.165
serverip=10.4.50.5
rootpath=/mnt/ARM_FS/
netmask=255.255.255.0
e=ttyS0,115200 mtdparts=nand_mtd:0xc0000@0(uboot)ro,0x1ff00000@0x100000(root)
CASset=min
MALLOC_len=1
ethprime=egiga0
bootargs_end=:::DB88FXX81:eth0:none
image_name=uImage
standalone=fsload 0x2000000 $(image_name);setenv bootargs $(console) root=/dev/mtdblock0 rw ip=$(ipaddr):$(serverip)$(bootargs_end) $(mvPhoneConfig); bootm 0x2000000;
ethmtu=1500
mvPhoneConfig=mv_phone_config=dev0:fxs,dev1:fxs
mvNetConfig=mv_net_config=(00:11:88:0f:62:81,0:1:2:3),mtu=1500
usb0Mode=host
yuk_ethaddr=00:00:00:EE:51:81
nandEcc=1bit
netretry=no
rcvrip=169.254.100.100
autoload=no
ethact=egiga0
bootargs_root=ubi.mtd=1 root=ubi0:rootfs rootfstype=ubifs
mtdpartitions=mtdparts=orion_nand:0x400000@0x100000(uImage),0x1fb00000@0x500000(rootfs)
ethaddr=F0:AD:4E:00:41:83
bootargs_console=console=ttyS0,115200
recover1=setenv mainlineLinux yes; setenv arcNumber 2097; setenv bootcmd run recover2; saveenv; reset
recover2=run recover3; setenv bootcmd $(real_bootcmd); saveenv; setenv bootargs $(bootargs_console) $(mtdpartitions) root=/dev/ram0 rw ramdisk=0x01100000,8M install_type=nand; bootm 0x00800000 0x01100000
recover3=run recover4; nand erase clean 0x00100000 0x00400000; nand write.e 0x00800000 0x00100000 0x00400000
recover4=usb start; fatload usb 0 0x00800000 uImage; fatload usb 0 0x01100000 initrd
bootargs_root_nand=ubi.mtd=1 root=ubi0:rootfs rootfstype=ubifs
bootcmd_nand=setenv bootargs $(bootargs_console) $(mtdpartitions) $(bootargs_root_nand); nand read.e 0x00800000 0x00100000 0x00400000; bootm 0x00800000
bootargs_root_mmc=root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootdelay=5
bootcmd_mmc=setenv bootargs $(bootargs_console) $(bootargs_root_mmc); mmcinit; ext2load mmc 0:1 0x800000 /uImage; bootm 0x00800000
real_bootcmd=run bootcmd_mmc; run bootcmd_nand
arcNumber=2097
e=ttyS0,115200
bootargs=a0000 rootfstype=squashfs root=/dev/mtdblock2 mv_net_config=(00:11:88:0f:62:81,0:1:2:3),mtu=1500
e=ttyS0,115200
e=ttyS0,115200
e=ttyS0,115200 mtdparts=nand_mtd:0x100000@0(uboot)ro,0x300000@0x100000(uImage),0x1fc00000@0x400000(rootfs)rw
loadaddr=0x2000000
mtd1Size=0x300000
e=ttyS0,115200
e=ttyS0,115200
filesize=44AD000
bootcmd=setenv bootargs $(console) rootfstype=squashfs root=/dev/mtdblock2 $(mvNetConfig) $(mvPhoneConfig; nand read.e $(loadaddr) 0x100000 0x200000; bootm $(loadaddr);
console=a0000
e=ttyS0,115200
stdin=serial
stdout=serial
stderr=serial
nandEnvBase=00
mainlineLinux=yes
enaMonExt=no
enaCpuStream=no
enaWrAllo=no
pexMode=RC
disL2Cache=no
setL2CacheWT=yes
disL2Prefetch=yes
enaICPref=yes
enaDCPref=yes
sata_dma_mode=yes
netbsd_en=no
vxworks_en=no
bootdelay=3
disaMvPnp=no
enaAutoRecovery=yes
pcieTune=no

Environment size: 2707/131068 bytes

[NewIT_James]

Those Envvars are a mess and probably explains why you want to return to factory defaults.

This code will wipe your envars back to some defaults.

Code:

nand erase 0xa0000 0x50000
reset

This should then get you booting from the Nand again.

Code:

setenv bootargs 'console=ttyS0,115200 mtdparts=nand_mtd:0x400000@0x100000(uImage),0x1fb00000@0x500000(rootfs) rw root=/dev/mtdblock1 rw'
setenv bootcmd 'nand read.e 0x00800000 0x00100000 0x00400000; bootm 0x00800000'
saveenv
reset

NewITJames

[ulrith]

Dear James!

Thank you very much for your patience. Now I can boot my SheevaPlug again!

I think it's good place to ask you about an upgrade - possible reason of my SheevaPlug fails to boot:

as we can see its factory defaults are: U-Boot 1.1.4 (Marvell version: 3.4.19), Linux kernel 2.6.22 , Ubuntu 9.0.4.

But I can see Ubuntu 9.0.5 (?) distribution on the CD.

Could you please comment is it a good idea to update U-boot and Linux distribution of my SheevaPlug?

Thank you!

[NewIT_James]

First thing to do is sort your sources.list, follow the post below.

http://www.newit.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2329.0.html

Then update Ubuntu to as new as possible on the Sheevaplug.

Code:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

You may or may not then want to upgrade your kernel but I would recommend you don't update uboot unless you have a reason to do so.

NewITJames

[ulrith]

Thank you!

[ulrith]

Hi Jason!

As I've just noticed, after restoring of my SheevaPlug my Esata external HDD stopped to be recognized by the device.

I have "Warning Sata is Powered Off" in my dmesg.

Why is that and how could I return Esata interface back?

Danil

[ulrith]

Hi James!

I'm still unable to recognize esata disk on my plug.
Due to my new 2TB esata external disk I've got on the New year , I would like to return to this topic.
Please advice how I can set esata interface working!

P.S. Regarding U-boot:

Code:

** MARVELL BOARD: SHEEVA PLUG LE

U-Boot 1.1.4 (Sep 14 2009 - 15:36:37) Marvell version: 3.4.19
...

Marvell>> ide reset

Reset IDE:
Marvell Serial ATA Adapter
Warning Integrated SATA is Powered Off
no device found

Regarding kernel:

Code:

root@debian:~# uname -a
Linux debian 2.6.22.18-6plug #1 Wed Mar 11 11:32:30 PDT 2009 armv5tejl GNU/Linux

[NewIT_James]

you need an esata capable uboot,here is a link.

http://www.downloadsnewit.co.uk/u-boot/

[ulrith]

Thank you! But what specific version of U-boot would you recommend?

Can I use this manual for upgrade?
http://www.cyrius.com/debian/kirkwood/sheevaplug/uboot-upgrade.html

[ulrith]

Ok, I have flashed U-boot version from the link mentioned, and plug did not boot (stopped on 'Kernel is loading...').
Then I have flashed uboot-sata-090903.bin version from your link using same method (not appropriate?) and now I have bricked device which does not return U-boot prompt through serial console.

You know, guys, SheevaPlug is probably worst IT-device which I ever bought.

I just want to do the simple thing: to return it to the factory defaults. I'm trying to do this during several months but with no success. I'm advanced Linux user with 5 years experience but it looks I'm not enough smart to deal with the device. When looking at manual how to restore bricked Plug (at http://www.plugcomputer.org/plugwiki/index.php/Setting_Up_OpenOCD_Under_Linux#Example_2:_Reflashing_a_Bricked_U-Boot_.28Method_1.29) I feel strong wish just to drop my Plug to trash. It's really pity that for my 185 pounds I've bought device which just waste my time and give me so little usefulness…