On Sunday 16 February 2003 09:17 pm, civileme wrote: > On Saturday 15 February 2003 09:40 pm, mycal62 wrote: > > tell us more Please > > > > Civileme wrote: > > > > Well, I have a device that will prevent that, if ever I have time to > > implement it. > > > > Civileme > > It's not Mandrake. It is a 32M DiskOnChip in a standard Dual-In-Line Pack > frequently used in BIOS storage though the BIOS is usually a 2M EEPROM. > > Using some of the prebuilt stuff from www.linuxbios.org, and adding in a > few things, I have built a ROM image of linux kernel 2.4 compiled for a > specific Board, with FramebufferX, Python, ROX, and PointlessWM. I am > working on a / image for HD that will load the rest of the system. > > What about the BIOS? Well there isn't anything but linux and you need a > password to boot, and it is hardwired in the DOC in an /etc/passwd > (non-shadowed) file which is overtaken when / is mounted from disk. > > The DiskOnChip is available here and there if you look hard for about $75 > in single quantities including shipping. Boards with DIP Bioses are > getting harder to find, though, and you MUST compile the kernel for the > board. Furthermore there is an extra-scary step in flashing the DOC, > because you have to lever up the BIOS chip you booted with to make the > kernel image and swap in the DiskOnChip--Yes, the BIOS EEPROM IS _REALLY_ > hot-swappable, but if you make a mistake you fry many things including > possibly yourself. > > > As for a rescue CD--well none is necessary so the linuxbios is set up NEVER > to boot from CD or from floppy, only from itself, and then to seek a > loadable full linux system. > > On the first board I used, which was unfortunately a real cheapie, I booted > linux with framebuffer X in about 5 seconds. Now the second board is being > readied, and I have to wait til I have a job for funds to complete the > project, (need DDR and Processor and case, cause the last one was sold....) > > Civileme
Civileme: Please quantify "funds". While I'm certainly not in a position where I could underwrite this project, I could make a small contribution, and I bet that some other listers would also be willing to contribute. Disclaimer: Hot swapping BIOS chips is NOT something I'm ever apt to do, but I'm curious to see where this could lead. -- cmg
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