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= Overview =
+
=Overview=
 +
This how to explains how to '''create a microSD card''' to boot IGEP boards with  '''software distributions ( yocto, Ubuntu, Debian ...)'''.
  
This how to explains how to '''create a customized microSD card''' to boot IGEPv2 or IGEP COM MODULE with other '''software distributions (Including Ubuntu, Linaro ...)'''.
+
__TOC__
  
That is, '''you can boot your IGEP Processor Boards with a different distribution''' than the pre-installed by ISEE (manufacturer).  
+
==Theory==
 +
OMAP35xx, DM37xx, AM335x, OMAP5, iMX6 processors can boot from a microSD. All IGEP boards use the microSD card as highest boot priority, it means that the processor try to boot from the microsd card before try to boot from other devices such the OneNand, Nand, SSD or eMMC.
  
<br> {{Message/Information Message|message=To update your board with the latest version of the '''pre-installed software''' you can follow the article: [[Update the PRE-INSTALLED software image to a current release]].}}
+
Exist some rules to boot from a microSD card.
  
<br> __TOC__
+
===Texas Instruments Processors===
 +
* The microsd card must be content at latest 2 partitions.
 +
* The first one must be primary partition with the boot flag mark and formated using FAT(16 or 32) file system.
 +
* All names used in this partition must be msdos names (applies to OLD OMAP35xx processor).
 +
* The processor must load a first program called '''MLO''', this program must reside in the first partition, this program it's also called '''x-loader or uboot-spl.'''
  
<br>
+
''The processor when boot ONLY&nbsp;load and execute the MLO&nbsp;program and ignore all the rest it's the X-loader(MLO) the program responsible to load the next programs such kernel or uboot if you use this last one approach.''
  
== Theory  ==
+
===Freescale-NXP Processors===
 +
* The microsd card must be content at latest 1 partitions.
 +
* The primary partition can be formatted with any filesystem that u-boot can mount.
 +
* The Processor will load the '''u-boot.imx''' it include the SPL and u-boot.
  
OMAP35xx or DM37xx processors can boot from a microSD. IGEPv2 or IGEP COM MODULE use the microSD card as highest boot priority, it means that the processor try to boot from the microsd card before try to boot from other devices such the OneNand.  
+
''After load this u-boot.imx, u-boot will be ready for boot the kernel.''
  
There exist some rules to boot from a microSD card.  
+
Therefore, we are going to '''setup a microSD card with these requirements''' and '''install a custom software distribution''' into it.
  
*The microsd card must be content at latest 2 partitions.  
+
==Prerequisites==
*The first one must be primary partition with the boot flag mark and formated using FAT file system.  
+
* PC with Linux (We use for this how to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS)
*All names used in this partition must be msdos names, it means you cannot use a extended names.  
+
* MicroSD Card (4 Gbytes - class 4) or bigger ...
*The processor must load a first program called '''MLO''', this program must reside in the first partition, this program it's also called '''x-loader.'''
+
* Tools such, fdisk, mkfs.ext3, mkfs.vfat, gparted ...
 +
* Cross Toolchain included in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS gcc version 4.9.3 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.9.3-13ubuntu2).
  
''The processor ONLY&nbsp;load and execute the MLO&nbsp;program and ignore all the rest it's the X-loader(MLO) the program responsible to load the next programs such kernel or uboot if you use this last one approach.''
+
==ToolChain==
 +
* Read: [[Ubuntu 16.04 LTS Toolchain]]
  
Therefore, we are going to '''setup a microSD card with these requirements''' and '''install a custom software distribution''' into it.
+
==Preparing the microSD card==
 
+
Open a terminal window and clear your dmesg using:
<br>
 
 
 
== Prerequisites  ==
 
 
 
*PC with Linux (We use for this how to Ubuntu 11.04)
 
*MicroSD Card (4 Gbytes - class 4)
 
*Tools such, fdisk, mkfs.ext3, mkfs.vfat, gparted ...
 
*ToolChain.
 
 
 
<br>
 
 
 
== ToolChain<br>  ==
 
 
 
We will use the Ubuntu/Linaro Toolchain in this howto.
 
 
 
You can install it using synaptic package manager.
 
 
 
[[Image:LinaroUbuntu ToolChain.png|center|544x344px]]
 
 
 
= Preparing the microSD card  =
 
  
Open a terminal window and clear your dmesg using:
 
 
<pre>sudo dmesg -c</pre>
 
<pre>sudo dmesg -c</pre>
 
Now insert a new microsd card in your PC and then check your dmesg:
 
Now insert a new microsd card in your PC and then check your dmesg:
 +
 
<pre>dmesg</pre>
 
<pre>dmesg</pre>
You should see something like this:  
+
You should see something like this:
 +
 
 
<pre>mmc0: new high speed SDHC card at address 0001
 
<pre>mmc0: new high speed SDHC card at address 0001
 
mmcblk0: mmc0:0001 00000 3.79 GiB
 
mmcblk0: mmc0:0001 00000 3.79 GiB
 
mmcblk0: unknown partition table
 
mmcblk0: unknown partition table
</pre>  
+
</pre>
Ensure all in your microsd card it's erased:<br>
+
Ensure all in your microsd card it's erased:
 +
 
 
<pre>$ sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/mmcblk0 bs=1024 count=1024
 
<pre>$ sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/mmcblk0 bs=1024 count=1024
 
[sudo] password for jdoe:
 
[sudo] password for jdoe:
 
1024+0 records in
 
1024+0 records in
 
1024+0 records out
 
1024+0 records out
1048576 bytes (1.0 MB) copied, 0.43556 s, 2.4 MB/s</pre>  
+
1048576 bytes (1.0 MB) copied, 0.43556 s, 2.4 MB/s</pre>
  
 +
==Install GParted==
 +
We will use the gparted program for create the partitions, if you don't have this program installed then you must install it with this command:
  
== Install GParted  ==
 
 
We will use the gparted program for create the partitions, if you don't have this program installed then you must install it with this command:
 
 
<pre>sudo apt-get install gparted</pre>
 
<pre>sudo apt-get install gparted</pre>
  
 
== GParted and Creation of Partitions ==
 
 
When the install procedure ends you can call the program from your system tools menu or directly using a terminal console.
 
  
=== [[Image:Gparted initial.png|thumb|center]]Create the MSDOS&nbsp;Partition Table  ===
+
==GParted and Creation of Partitions==
 +
When the install procedure ends you can call the program from your system tools menu or directly using a terminal console.
  
The next step it's create the msdos table partition for it you should click in the "Device" menu and then in the "Create Partition Table" option.  
+
[[Image:Gparted initial.png|thumb|center]]
  
[[Image:Gparted create msdos table partition.png|thumb|center]]Check the default option it's create a msdos partition table.<br>
+
===Create the MSDOS&nbsp;Partition Table===
 +
The next step it's create the msdos table partition for it you should click in the "Device" menu and then in the "Create Partition Table" option.
  
After that you can '''Apply'''.  
+
[[Image:Gparted create msdos table partition.png|thumb|center]]Check the default option it's create a msdos partition table.
  
 +
After that you can '''Apply'''.
  
=== Create the BOOT Partition  ===
 
  
The Next step it's create the partitions for it you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:
 
  
[[Image:Gparted create first partition.png|thumb|center]]We will configure the partition as:<br>  
+
===Create the BOOT Partition - IGEP Texas Instruments Processor based===
 +
<u>This Step it's only for OMAP35xx, DM37xx, AM335x, OMAP5432 processor based IGEP boards.</u>
  
*Primary Partition<br>
+
The Next step it's create the partitions for it you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:
*Format: FAT32<br>
 
*Size: 100 MegaBytes<br>
 
*Label: Boot<br>
 
*'''Align to: cylinder'''
 
  
<br> We must "add" the partition and gparted shows a partitions structure like this:  
+
[[Image:Gparted create first partition.png|thumb|center]]We will configure the partition as:
  
[[Image:Gparted configure boot partition.png|thumb|center]]
+
* Primary Partition
 +
* Format: FAT32
 +
* Size: 100 MegaBytes
 +
* Free Space Preceding: 0 MiB
 +
* Label: Boot
 +
* '''Align to: cylinder'''
  
It is recommended to '''apply changes''' now or you might get an error later.  
+
It is recommended to '''apply changes''' now or you might get an error later.
  
 +
===Create the BOOT Partition - IGEP NXP-Freescale Processor based===
 +
<u>This Step it's only for iMX6 processor based IGEP boards.</u>
  
=== Create the ROOTFS Partition  ===
+
The Next step it's create the partitions for it you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:
  
The Next step it's create the root file system partition.  
+
[[File:imx6-primary-part.png|thumb|center]]
  
First you should select the unallocated partition area and then&nbsp; you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:<br> [[Image:Gparted create first partition.png|thumb|center]] We will configure the rootfs partition as:<br>
+
We will configure the partition as:
  
*Primary Partition<br>
+
* Primary Partition
*Format: EXT4<br>
+
* Format: FAT32
*Size: All the Rest<br>
+
* Free Space Preceding: 8 MiB
*Label: Rootfs'''<br>'''
+
* Size: 100 MegaBytes
 +
* Label: Boot
 +
* '''Align to: cylinder'''
  
At end we will click on "Add" button.
 
  
[[Image:Gparted all configured.png|thumb|center]]
+
It is recommended to '''apply changes''' now or you might get an error later.
  
 +
===Create the ROOTFS Partition===
 +
The Next step it's create the root file system partition.
  
=== Apply all Changes  ===
+
First you should select the unallocated partition area and then&nbsp; you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:<br /> [[Image:Gparted create first partition.png|thumb|center]] We will configure the rootfs partition as:
  
Click on apply button in the main menu after that gparted show a window like this for confirm all operations
+
* Primary Partition
 +
* Format: EXT4
 +
* Size: All the Rest
 +
* Label: Rootfs'''<br />'''
  
[[Image:Gparted apply changes.png|thumb|center]]We should click on apply button.  
+
At end we will click on "Add" button.
  
[[Image:Gparted apply information.png|thumb|center]]When the process finish we can see all changes applied
+
[[Image:Gparted all configured.png|thumb|center]]
  
[[Image:Gparted operations complete.png|thumb|center]]
+
or
  
Now we can see all partitions and configurations done in the main gparted window
+
[[File:imx6_str.png|thumb|center]]
  
=== [[Image:Gparted partitions done.png|thumb|center]]Select "Boot flag" for the boot partition  ===
+
After all apply all changes
  
Now we must select the boot flag for the first partition for it we use the right mouse button over the boot partition and select "Manage Flags" option  
+
===Select "Boot flag" for the boot partition===
 +
Now we must select the boot flag for the first partition for it we use the right mouse button over the boot partition and select "Manage Flags" option
  
 
[[Image:Gparted boot flag.png|thumb|center]]Now we have the microsd prepared for copy the boot files
 
[[Image:Gparted boot flag.png|thumb|center]]Now we have the microsd prepared for copy the boot files
  
 +
==MLO + u-boot IGEP Boards Texas Instruments based boards==
 +
After build or download the MLO and u-boot you should follow the next steps:
  
== Boot Partition Structure  ==
+
* Copy MLO and u-boot.img to primary boot partition
 
 
We commented in the theory point the OMAP needs only the MLO (x-loader) file for boot, we will start checking this point.  
 
  
Before you follow the next points you should mount the microsd boot partition in your host pc.
+
$ cp MLO u-boot.img /media/user/boot
 +
You can follow this [[U-Boot Texas Instruments Series|HowTo]] if you want build the MLO and u-boot
  
Select the boot partition and mount it in your host.
+
==u-boot.imx IGEP Boards based on NXP-Freescale Processors==
 +
* Copy u-boot.imx using dd before primary partition in raw mode as
  
[[Image:Microsd partitions.png|thumb|center]]
+
sudo dd if=/home/user/u-boot-imx/u-boot.imx of=/dev/sde bs=512 seek=2
 +
Where /dev/sde is your microsd card
  
<br>
+
You can follow this [[U-boot Freescale-NXP iMX6 Series|HowTo ]]if you want build the u-boot.imx
  
 +
==Kernel==
 +
You can follow this other howto about [[The Linux kernel|how compile and install the Linux Kernel]].
  
== X-Loader (MLO)<br>  ==
+
==Root File System==
 +
In this tutorial we will use the [http://downloads.isee.biz/pub/files/linaro/releases/linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz linaro headless]&nbsp;(soft floating) image as rootfs but you can use your favorite rootfs also.
  
You can follow this other howto about the [[The IGEP X-loader|IGEP-X-loader]].  
+
<br /> {{Message/Information Message|message=Here there are many articles about how to get '''many other [[:Category:Software distributions|software distributions]]'''.}}
<pre>We will compile the sources and get it from our git repository:
 
  
$/home/jdoe&gt; git clone git://git.isee.biz/pub/scm/igep-x-loader.git
+
<br /> Here you've the [http://downloads.isee.biz/pub/files/linaro/releases/linaro-11.09-nano-n-tar-20110929-0.tar.gz linaro nano 11.09]&nbsp;(soft floating) available for download from the ISEE server.
  
$/home/jdoe&gt; cd igep-x-loader
+
Notes: You must build your programs with the hard floating if your rootfs is build with it.
  
$/home/jdoe/igep-x-loader&gt; make igep00x0_config
+
Notes: IGEPv5 must use Hard floating Rootfs
  
$/home/jdoe/igep-x-loader&gt; make
 
  
$/home/jdoe/igep-x-loader&gt; contrib/signGP
 
</pre>
 
Alternatively you can download the binary package from [http://downloads.isee.biz/pub/releases/IGEP_xloader/igep-x-loader-2.4.0-2.tar.bz2 here]
 
  
 +
===Create the Rootfs mount point===
 +
Go to /media directory and create one sub-folder called "binary"
  
 
Copy the x-loader.bin.ift into the boot partition.
 
 
[[Image:Copy Xloader.png|thumb|center]]
 
 
Rename the x-loader.bin.ift to MLO<br>
 
 
[[Image:Rename Xloader to MLO.png|thumb|center]]Now we're ready for test the board boot from the microsd card.
 
 
<br>
 
 
=== X-Loader Boot  ===
 
 
We will eject the boot and rootfs partitions from our Host PC, this step it's a lot important due the Linux must sync all changes before eject the microsd card.
 
 
We will insert our microSD card into the IGEP board, connect the serial debug cable and open the serial terminal
 
 
[[Image:Putty Serial Configuration.png|thumb|center]]Power UP the board.
 
 
[[Image:IGEP-X-Loader Boot.png|thumb|center]]
 
 
<br>
 
 
=== Configure the IGEP-X-Loader with igep.ini ===
 
 
You can use a file like this:
 
<pre>[kernel]
 
; Kernel load address, NOT&nbsp;Modify
 
kaddress=0x80008000
 
; RAM disk load Address, NOT Modify
 
;rdaddress=0x84000000
 
; Board Serial ID
 
serial.low=00000001
 
serial.high=00000000
 
; Board Revision
 
revision=0003
 
; Kernel Image Name
 
kImageName=zImage
 
; Kernel RAM Disk Image Name
 
;kRdImageName=initrd.img-2.6.35-1010-linaro-omap
 
MachineID=xxxx Where Machine ID =&nbsp;2344 for IGEPv2,  ID = 2717 for IGEP COM Module, ID = 3203 for IGEP COM&nbsp;PROTON
 
; Mode can be: kernel (boot linux kernel) or binary (boot u-boot, QNX kernel or other binary ARM&nbsp;executable)
 
Mode=kernel
 
 
[kparams]
 
; buddy parameter selects your expansion board
 
; buddy = igep0022 (IGEPv2 Expansion board)
 
; buddy =&nbsp;base0010 (IGEP PARIS or IGEP&nbsp;BERLIN&nbsp;Expansion Board)
 
; buddy.revision = A or B (Selects Expansion board Revision IGEP Paris or IGEP Berlin only, if you dubt select B)
 
;buddy=igep0022
 
;buddy=base0010
 
;buddy.revision=B
 
; Setup the Kernel console params
 
; console= Configure the kernel console (ttyS2 kernel &lt;= 2.6.35 ttyO2 if kernel &gt;= 2.6.37)
 
;console=ttyS2,115200n8
 
console=ttyO2,115200n8
 
; Enable early printk
 
;earlyprintk=serial,ttyS2,115200
 
; Setup the Board Memory Configuration
 
mem=430M
 
;mem=512M
 
; Setup the Boot Delay
 
boot_delay=0
 
; Setup the ARM Processor Speed
 
;mpurate=800
 
; Setup the loglevel
 
;loglevel=7
 
; Enable Kernel Debug Output
 
;debug=1
 
; Fix RTC Variable
 
;fixrtc=1
 
; Configure nocompcache variable
 
nocompcache=1
 
; Configure Frame Buffer Configuration
 
;omapfb.mode=dvi:1280x720MR-16@60
 
omapfb.mode=dvi:hd720-16@60
 
; Configure Video Ram assigned
 
vram=40M
 
; Configure Video RAM assigned to every frame buffer
 
omapfb.vram=0:12M,1:16M,2:12M
 
; Configure frame buffer debug output
 
;omapfb.debug=1
 
; Configure DSS Video Debug option
 
;omapdss.debug=1
 
; Configure the Board Ethernet Mac Address
 
smsc911x.mac=0xb2,0xb0,0x14,0xb5,0xcd,0xde
 
;  --- Configure UBI FS boot ---
 
;ubi.mtd=2
 
;root=ubi0:igep0020-rootfs
 
;rootfstype=ubifs
 
;  --- Configure NFS boot ---
 
;ip=192.168.2.123:192.168.2.129:192.168.2.1:255.255.255.0::eth0:
 
;root=/dev/nfs
 
;nfsroot=192.168.2.129:/srv/nfs/igep_rootfs
 
;  --- Configure MMC boot ---
 
root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rw rootwait
 
; Assign Init program
 
;init=/bin/bash
 
 
</pre>
 
Create a new file into the boot partition named igep.ini with these content and save the file.
 
 
== Kernel  ==
 
 
You can follow this other howto about [[The Linux kernel|how compile and install the Linux Kernel]].
 
 
We will get from our git repository the kernel sources and build it:<br>
 
<pre>a) Clone the Kernel git repository
 
 
$/home/jdoe/&gt; git clone git://git.igep.es/pub/scm/linux-omap-2.6.git
 
 
$/home/jdoe&gt; cd linux-omap-2.6
 
 
b) Checkout your desired branch (we used for this howto 2.6.37.y)
 
 
$/home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6&gt; git checkout origin/linux-2.6.37.y -b linux-2-6-37.y
 
 
c) Configure the kernel
 
 
$/home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6&gt; make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabi- igep00x0_defconfig
 
 
d) Build the kernel and Modules
 
 
$/home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6&gt; make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabi- zImage modules
 
</pre>
 
Notes: The kernel binary resides inside the directory: $/home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6/arch/arm/boot/'''zImage'''
 
<br>
 
Alternatively you can download the kernel binary from this [http://downloads.isee.biz/pub/releases/linux_kernel/v2.6.37-3/zImage-2.6.37-3.bin link] and modules from [http://downloads.isee.biz/pub/releases/linux_kernel/v2.6.37-3/modules-2.6.37-3.tar.gz this].
 
 
== Root File System ==
 
 
In this tutorial we will use the [http://downloads.isee.biz/pub/files/linaro/releases/linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz linaro headless] image as rootfs but you can use your favorite rootfs also.
 
 
 
{{Message/Information Message|message=Here there are many articles about how to get '''many other [[:Category:Software distributions|software distributions]]'''.}}
 
 
 
Here you've the [http://downloads.isee.biz/pub/files/linaro/releases/linaro-11.09-nano-n-tar-20110929-0.tar.gz linaro nano 11.09] available for download from the ISEE server.
 
 
 
=== Create the Rootfs mount point  ===
 
 
Go to /media directory and create one sub-folder called "binary"
 
 
<pre>$ cd /media
 
<pre>$ cd /media
  
 
$ sudo mkdir binary
 
$ sudo mkdir binary
</pre>  
+
</pre>
  
 +
===Mount the RootFS partition===
 +
Mount the rootfs partition using the 'binary' directory
  
=== Mount the RootFS partition  ===
 
 
Mount the rootfs partition using the 'binary' directory
 
 
<pre>$ media &gt; sudo mount /dev/mmcblkp2 /media/binary
 
<pre>$ media &gt; sudo mount /dev/mmcblkp2 /media/binary
</pre>  
+
</pre>
 
 
  
=== Untar the rootfs package ===
+
===Untar the rootfs package===
 +
Copy "linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz" file inside the /media directory and untar the file
  
Copy "linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz" file inside the /media directory and untar the file
+
<pre>$ media &gt; sudo tar xvfz linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz</pre>
<pre>$ media &gt; sudo tar xvfz linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz</pre>  
+
<br /> Now you should see inside your rootfs partition a similar structure like this.
<br> Now you should see inside your rootfs partition a similar structure like this.<br>
 
  
=== [[Image:Linaro RootFS.png|thumb|center]]Install the kernel modules<br>  ===
+
===[[Image:Linaro RootFS.png|thumb|center]]Install the kernel modules===
 +
Now you should install your kernel modules inside your root file system.
  
Now you should install your kernel modules inside your root file system.<br>
 
 
<pre>$ media &gt; cd /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6
 
<pre>$ media &gt; cd /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6
  
 
$ /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6&gt; sudo make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabi- modules_install INSTALL_MOD_PATH=/media/binary
 
$ /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6&gt; sudo make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabi- modules_install INSTALL_MOD_PATH=/media/binary
</pre>  
+
</pre>
 
Alternatively if you downloaded the binary package uncompress it inside the directory /media/binary
 
Alternatively if you downloaded the binary package uncompress it inside the directory /media/binary
  
=== Install the kernel Image<br>  ===
+
===Install the kernel Image===
 +
Just copy the zImage inside your boot partition, remember before that you must mount your mmc boot partition.
  
Just copy the zImage inside your boot partition, remember before that you must mount your mmc boot partition.<br>
 
 
<pre>$ /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6&gt; sudo cp arch/arm/boot/zImage /media/boot/
 
<pre>$ /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6&gt; sudo cp arch/arm/boot/zImage /media/boot/
</pre>
+
if you're using dtb kernel as 3.8.y you must copy the dtb too.
After that you can unmount the boot &amp; rootfs partitions.  
+
$ /home/jdoe/linuz-omap-2.6&gt; sudo cp arch/arm/boot/dtbs/omap5-igep0050.dtb /media/boot
  
Now we're ready for test our new microsd card<br>
+
</pre>
 +
After that you can unmount the boot &amp; rootfs partitions.
  
= Test your new MicroSD<br>  =
+
Now we're ready for test our new microsd card
  
 +
=Test your new MicroSD=
 
You can test your new microSD card with a Serial client such as PuTTy. [[Using serial debug port to communicate|Here]] is an explanation about how to configure it.
 
You can test your new microSD card with a Serial client such as PuTTy. [[Using serial debug port to communicate|Here]] is an explanation about how to configure it.
  
(Note that speed should be configured to 115200 bauds).  
+
(Note that speed should be configured to 115200 bauds).
  
If you already have configured it or you are using another Serial client and you have connected the Serial cable to the IGEPv2 board, then you are ready to test your microSD.  
+
If you already have configured it or you are using another Serial client and you have connected the Serial cable to the IGEPv2 board, then you are ready to test your microSD.
  
Insert the microSD in your IGEPv2 board and power up the board.  
+
Insert the microSD in your IGEPv2 board and power up the board.
  
[[Image:Linaro Boot1.png|thumb|center]][[Image:Linaro Boot2.png|thumb|center]]  
+
[[Image:Linaro Boot1.png|thumb|center]][[Image:Linaro Boot2.png|thumb|center]]
  
  
= Related articles =
 
  
*[[Boot up sequence]]
+
=Related articles=
*[[Update the PRE-INSTALLED software image to a current release]]
+
* [[Boot up sequence]]
*[[The Linux kernel]]
+
* [[Update the PRE-INSTALLED software image to a current release]]
 +
* [[The Linux kernel]]
  
 
{{Message/Forum}}
 
{{Message/Forum}}

Latest revision as of 11:46, 9 March 2018

Overview

This how to explains how to create a microSD card to boot IGEP boards with  software distributions ( yocto, Ubuntu, Debian ...).

Theory

OMAP35xx, DM37xx, AM335x, OMAP5, iMX6 processors can boot from a microSD. All IGEP boards use the microSD card as highest boot priority, it means that the processor try to boot from the microsd card before try to boot from other devices such the OneNand, Nand, SSD or eMMC.

Exist some rules to boot from a microSD card.

Texas Instruments Processors

  • The microsd card must be content at latest 2 partitions.
  • The first one must be primary partition with the boot flag mark and formated using FAT(16 or 32) file system.
  • All names used in this partition must be msdos names (applies to OLD OMAP35xx processor).
  • The processor must load a first program called MLO, this program must reside in the first partition, this program it's also called x-loader or uboot-spl.

The processor when boot ONLY load and execute the MLO program and ignore all the rest it's the X-loader(MLO) the program responsible to load the next programs such kernel or uboot if you use this last one approach.

Freescale-NXP Processors

  • The microsd card must be content at latest 1 partitions.
  • The primary partition can be formatted with any filesystem that u-boot can mount.
  • The Processor will load the u-boot.imx it include the SPL and u-boot.

After load this u-boot.imx, u-boot will be ready for boot the kernel.

Therefore, we are going to setup a microSD card with these requirements and install a custom software distribution into it.

Prerequisites

  • PC with Linux (We use for this how to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS)
  • MicroSD Card (4 Gbytes - class 4) or bigger ...
  • Tools such, fdisk, mkfs.ext3, mkfs.vfat, gparted ...
  • Cross Toolchain included in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS gcc version 4.9.3 (Ubuntu/Linaro 4.9.3-13ubuntu2).

ToolChain

Preparing the microSD card

Open a terminal window and clear your dmesg using:

sudo dmesg -c

Now insert a new microsd card in your PC and then check your dmesg:

dmesg

You should see something like this:

mmc0: new high speed SDHC card at address 0001
mmcblk0: mmc0:0001 00000 3.79 GiB
mmcblk0: unknown partition table

Ensure all in your microsd card it's erased:

$ sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/mmcblk0 bs=1024 count=1024
[sudo] password for jdoe:
1024+0 records in
1024+0 records out
1048576 bytes (1.0 MB) copied, 0.43556 s, 2.4 MB/s

Install GParted

We will use the gparted program for create the partitions, if you don't have this program installed then you must install it with this command:

sudo apt-get install gparted


GParted and Creation of Partitions

When the install procedure ends you can call the program from your system tools menu or directly using a terminal console.

Gparted initial.png

Create the MSDOS Partition Table

The next step it's create the msdos table partition for it you should click in the "Device" menu and then in the "Create Partition Table" option.

Gparted create msdos table partition.png
Check the default option it's create a msdos partition table.

After that you can Apply.


Create the BOOT Partition - IGEP Texas Instruments Processor based

This Step it's only for OMAP35xx, DM37xx, AM335x, OMAP5432 processor based IGEP boards.

The Next step it's create the partitions for it you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:

Gparted create first partition.png
We will configure the partition as:
  • Primary Partition
  • Format: FAT32
  • Size: 100 MegaBytes
  • Free Space Preceding: 0 MiB
  • Label: Boot
  • Align to: cylinder

It is recommended to apply changes now or you might get an error later.

Create the BOOT Partition - IGEP NXP-Freescale Processor based

This Step it's only for iMX6 processor based IGEP boards.

The Next step it's create the partitions for it you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:

imx6-primary-part.png

We will configure the partition as:

  • Primary Partition
  • Format: FAT32
  • Free Space Preceding: 8 MiB
  • Size: 100 MegaBytes
  • Label: Boot
  • Align to: cylinder


It is recommended to apply changes now or you might get an error later.

Create the ROOTFS Partition

The Next step it's create the root file system partition.

First you should select the unallocated partition area and then  you should go to the partition menu and select the "New" option then the application show a window like this:
Gparted create first partition.png
We will configure the rootfs partition as:
  • Primary Partition
  • Format: EXT4
  • Size: All the Rest
  • Label: Rootfs

At end we will click on "Add" button.

Gparted all configured.png

or

imx6 str.png

After all apply all changes

Select "Boot flag" for the boot partition

Now we must select the boot flag for the first partition for it we use the right mouse button over the boot partition and select "Manage Flags" option

Gparted boot flag.png
Now we have the microsd prepared for copy the boot files

MLO + u-boot IGEP Boards Texas Instruments based boards

After build or download the MLO and u-boot you should follow the next steps:

  • Copy MLO and u-boot.img to primary boot partition
$ cp MLO u-boot.img /media/user/boot

You can follow this HowTo if you want build the MLO and u-boot

u-boot.imx IGEP Boards based on NXP-Freescale Processors

  • Copy u-boot.imx using dd before primary partition in raw mode as
sudo dd if=/home/user/u-boot-imx/u-boot.imx of=/dev/sde bs=512 seek=2

Where /dev/sde is your microsd card

You can follow this HowTo if you want build the u-boot.imx

Kernel

You can follow this other howto about how compile and install the Linux Kernel.

Root File System

In this tutorial we will use the linaro headless (soft floating) image as rootfs but you can use your favorite rootfs also.


Information.jpg Here there are many articles about how to get many other software distributions.


Here you've the linaro nano 11.09 (soft floating) available for download from the ISEE server.

Notes: You must build your programs with the hard floating if your rootfs is build with it.

Notes: IGEPv5 must use Hard floating Rootfs


Create the Rootfs mount point

Go to /media directory and create one sub-folder called "binary"

$ cd /media

$ sudo mkdir binary

Mount the RootFS partition

Mount the rootfs partition using the 'binary' directory

$ media > sudo mount /dev/mmcblkp2 /media/binary

Untar the rootfs package

Copy "linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz" file inside the /media directory and untar the file

$ media > sudo tar xvfz linaro-m-headless-tar-20101108-2.tar.gz


Now you should see inside your rootfs partition a similar structure like this.

Linaro RootFS.png
Install the kernel modules

Now you should install your kernel modules inside your root file system.

$ media > cd /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6

$ /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6> sudo make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabi- modules_install INSTALL_MOD_PATH=/media/binary

Alternatively if you downloaded the binary package uncompress it inside the directory /media/binary

Install the kernel Image

Just copy the zImage inside your boot partition, remember before that you must mount your mmc boot partition.

$ /home/jdoe/linux-omap-2.6> sudo cp arch/arm/boot/zImage /media/boot/
if you're using dtb kernel as 3.8.y you must copy the dtb too.
$ /home/jdoe/linuz-omap-2.6> sudo cp arch/arm/boot/dtbs/omap5-igep0050.dtb /media/boot

After that you can unmount the boot & rootfs partitions.

Now we're ready for test our new microsd card

Test your new MicroSD

You can test your new microSD card with a Serial client such as PuTTy. Here is an explanation about how to configure it.

(Note that speed should be configured to 115200 bauds).

If you already have configured it or you are using another Serial client and you have connected the Serial cable to the IGEPv2 board, then you are ready to test your microSD.

Insert the microSD in your IGEPv2 board and power up the board.

Linaro Boot1.png
Linaro Boot2.png


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