Flash ROM from SD card

2xMcK · 05-30-04, 03:10 PM

Hi, I saw that long thread about the new rom DELL released last week for our X3, and I have some fresh information which may be useful for you. I'm not responsible of any damages you can cause with it. You know rom update is a delicate process. Read and follow these steps as carefully you can. I have tested and it worked for me.

It is possible to flash our rom from a SD card. Just copy the .IMG from dell to your root directory in the SD card. You will need about 32Mb free space on it. You can use your own axim or an external card reader.

Backup all your data and copy all your Built-in storage data to your PC or SD card, as all of it will be deleted. You should backup your actual rom with the pc utility provided by dell too. Make sure your battery is fully charged and plug the ac adapter.

Now press the magic key combination scrollenter + contacts and without release them press the tiny reset button. After a while you will see the bootloader messages. Release the buttons and DON'T TOUCH IT AT ALL until it shows you the windows' welcome screen.

It will first read all the .IMG to check header, size and checksum.
If correct it will read all the .IMG to the ram.
Now it will erase all your rom, and flash the new rom image. Then it reboots. You will see the dell logo for a few minutes, wait patiently until it finishes. On first bootup after rom upgrade it will take it more time than usually. Now align the screen, you already have you new rom running. ;)

Notes:
-I think this procedure is safer than dell's one, as you just use the axim to flash. Your pc isn't involved.
-If you messed your axim rom and it doesn't even boot, if your bootloader is ok (first 256k of rom) you will be able to flash a new image to it.
-It won't check Rom versions, it just will check if that image is correct. You will be able to flash every X3 rom you want. No A01 ->A00->A02 trick to flash is needed.
-I think you can restore your .RIS images just by renaming them to .IMG and following the same steps, but I have not tested it yet.
-Make sure you only have one .IMG file in the card.
-If you press the magic key combination without a SD inside the axim, it will ask you about a special test utility. It will test Rom, Ram, touchscreen, buttons, leds, sound... Maybe useful if you are having problems with some of these. WARNING: Test utility will erase all your ram, make a backup before. It won't touch your builtin storage.

I will be glad to hear your experiences.
Good luck.

sheepy · 05-30-04, 04:47 PM

I'm kinda curious how I'm gonna manage to press all those buttons and get the reset button in at the same time :D but thanks for that - sounds like a very useful thing to know.

2xMcK · 05-30-04, 05:30 PM

I did it by taking my axim in my left hand with the screen looking to my hand. I hold it with index and thumb fingers on each side. With index finger I press the scroll enter and with the little finger I press contacts. I have the other hand free to reset with the stylus. Just imagination ;)

sheepy · 05-30-04, 06:06 PM

just contortion more like ;) thanks for the tip - how did you find that one out, dare i ask?

GWing_02 · 05-30-04, 06:55 PM

Hmm, there was info on that magic key combo way back when on the Linux on Axim site...

Remember that you have to hit the buttons in that order, too.

joelw135 · 05-30-04, 09:51 PM

On the X3 which is scrollenter?

Odie2004 · 05-31-04, 06:49 AM

I'm guessing it's the jog dial pressed inwards.

- Odie

2xMcK · 05-31-04, 08:01 AM

Yes, push the left scroll wheel.

gwing, you are right, it was known to work on X5 with the CF card. Now we know that it is possible on X3 and how to do it. I discovered it when I was analyzing a disassembly of the bootloader. Curiously the key combination is the same as on X5.

05-31-04, 10:29 AM

awesome tutorial - i bet this would save a lot of people troubles from the A01 to A02 update, etc :) Thanks!

GWing_02 · 05-31-04, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2xMcK
Curiously the key combination is the same as on X5.

I guess Dell was too lazy to figure out and memorize a new one :p

06-01-04, 10:28 AM

I have one question. Is it possible to make the bios boot up to bypass the language checking and alow you to flash your device with a different language? Because the PC flash utililty does not allow you to load up a rom with different language - but maybe there is a chance to load up another language's rom on the SD Card and flash the device with it? :)

danosimo · 06-02-04, 03:40 PM

Hello Kazuni,

Yes, you can do that with a little bit of work, look at my old post here
http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showt...threadid=38891

You will have to modify the image or backup file, but just a couple of lines. By the way, anyone could provide a X3i english backup so I can change my unit to english (from spanish), please. BR
Daniel

06-02-04, 05:59 PM

Thanks for the guide -

I was successful in flashing *part* of the rom - the rom was divided into 2 parts (as the bootloader says) and it won't continue flashing afterso......

------------------status changed:

Yes i have successfully flashed my device into a different language. You can follow the guide here:

Guide and rants
You can leave your comments on the left panel.

remember I am not responsible for any damage made to your device - here I only provide the working solution to my pocket device and therefore it's your responsibility if it fails.

06-03-04, 11:21 AM

btw, does anyone know if you can backup the rom using the same way - i.e. dump the rom into the SD card?

2xMcK · 06-05-04, 11:51 AM

I haven't seen anything about that inside bootloader, so I think the best way is to use Dell utility. Anyway there are a few tools like Haret http://zap.eltrast.ru/en/haret.html or Bootblaster http://lesswire.info/genio/howto_backup_ROM.html which may help you to get your rom image without usb and a pc needed.