Boot Loader updates available for the RockPro64 and PineBook Pro

drmozes · 04-29-2022, 03:37 AM

Hello

I've upgraded to the latest version of the U-Boot boot loader for the RockPro64 and Pinebook Pro.

The main reason to upgrade is if you want to see the Slackware boot logo ;-)

At the moment this is slightly a manual affair, but it's easy enough.

Code:

cd /tmp
wget http://ftp.arm.slackware.com/slackwarearm/platform/aarch64/bootware/tools/flash-spl
more flash-spl

The instructions are in there. I don't anticipate upgrading U-Boot regularly, but I'll bake this functionality into the OS later if needed.

mralk3 · 04-29-2022, 12:24 PM

Works here. The Slackware logo looks great on the Pinebook pro.

enorbet · 04-30-2022, 07:18 PM

Works here, too.. rather satisfying seeing the logo, however briefly. Thank you.

Perhaps I should make a separate thread for this but it is related. I noted the elements in extlinux.conf seem a lot like lilo.conf and upon seeing "PROMPT 0 " and "TIMEOUT 90" I first wondered if I could enable prompt which led to "Can I dual boot via extlinux.conf?" If so where can I review proper syntax? One of the reasons I hesitate to create a new thread is that I'm such a n00b at ARM this is very likely a stupid question since I also noted extlinux.conf did not seem to be modified to enable the logo, that is if it is even a jpg, png, or an actual graphics file.

mralk3 · 04-30-2022, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enorbet

Works here, too.. rather satisfying seeing the logo, however briefly. Thank you.

Perhaps I should make a separate thread for this but it is related. I noted the elements in extlinux.conf seem a lot like lilo.conf and upon seeing "PROMPT 0 " and "TIMEOUT 90" I first wondered if I could enable prompt which led to "Can I dual boot via extlinux.conf?" If so where can I review proper syntax? One of the reasons I hesitate to create a new thread is that I'm such a n00b at ARM this is very likely a stupid question since I also noted extlinux.conf did not seem to be modified to enable the logo, that is if it is even a jpg, png, or an actual graphics file.

The logo is compiled into the U-boot binary, which is the boot loader. You can dual boot by copying a section of the extlinux.conf and put it below the other. Point it to the kernel, ram disk, and device tree files (dtb/) and then reboot. I cannot speak to the quality of another distribution being dual booted, however. I will say that I can boot OpenBSD using a Slackware U-boot. So it works.

I use the boot menu often for testing stuff. You need to pick your boot option from within the serial console connection. U-boot has a bug that lead us to disable USB peripherals while u-boot is active.

enorbet · 04-30-2022, 08:05 PM

Thanks mralk3, I'm a tinkerer too, can't leave stuff alone heheh. Actually this time there is some method to my madness as I'd like to dual boot OpenMediaVault to see if I can adapt the web login to Slackware to make it a real NAS. I have ssh X11forwarding working but a web interface would be great. Also thanks for the heads up regarding USB disabled. I do have a PS/2 keyboard/touchpad combo and PCIe adapter but only the one PCIe slot for drives so that's a problem. I don't think I've used a serial console since Laplink days even on x86 so apparently I have a buncha research to do.

I may just have to continue finding a way to package Webmin or Cockpit for Slack..

mralk3 · 04-30-2022, 08:24 PM

Here is a list of compatible hardware that Stuart and I tested on the RockPro64. That should get you started.

https://docs.slackware.com/slackware...4#requirements

At the bottom of the document, there is a section discussing serial adapters.

https://docs.slackware.com/slackware...l_uart_adapter

drmozes · 05-11-2022, 05:57 AM

A newer build of U-Boot is available for the RockPro64 and Pinebook Pro. This update enables the USB bus permitting interaction with the U-Boot console through the a USB-connected keyboard/the PbPro's built-in keyboard. This is useful if you need to change any settings, avoiding the need to use the serial/UART adapter.

Thanks to Brent Earl for tracking and testing the status of that.

To upgrade, see the first post in this thread for instructions.

enorbet · 05-12-2022, 04:42 AM

Brent's new UBoot works great and solved several issues for me, both in Slackware for boot options (like testing kernels) and also for flexibility to try other systems,. even those that use Grub with multiple boot options like default,RT, preempt, and recover. Now I can boot from any storage device, eMMC, MicroSD, and SATA (haven't tried a handoff to USB yet). Thank you very much.

glorsplitz · 05-15-2022, 03:14 PM

upgraded to the latest version of the U-Boot boot loader and rebooted a few times, seems to working

hey Stuart, you've been really keeping pace with x86_64, thank you! need to catch your breath?