[U-Boot] Resubmitting plus update.

[Jerry Van Baren]

Thomas Delbeke wrote:
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:29:37 +0000
> From: "Thomas Delbeke" <toom2079 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [U-Boot] Winphlash
> To: u-boot at lists.denx.de
> Message-ID:
>        <799cc56a0901151429j3c58d3aydca1c12caca93c58 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Hi there,
> 
> I am new here. Just wanted to ask you: is there a precompiled u-boot version
> available that I can flash with a tool like for instance Winphlash, that
> will work.
> 
> I am a medium experienced ubuntu hobbyist and I tried to install it from
> there. I tried to follow the cook book from your website. I git cloned your
> rep and did the config make install thing. Then I tried crossmake, but the
> given package wasn't installed (I forgot the name) and the build of it
> failed. I could obviously use another java-crosscompiler from the ubuntu rep
> (found trough synaptic).
> 
> I just prefer the Windows way, as I now the Winphlash thing works and I
> don't want to find out that I have to reflash my BIOS with a live FREEDOS
> disk because my system is now inoperable.
> 
> Thanks for reliefing me from my ignorance,
> 
> Thomas
> 
> Update: Also see:
> 
> http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=6564773#post6564773

Hi Thomas,

U-Boot has almost no support for x86 architectures and definitely isn't 
a "standard PC/laptop" BIOS replacement.  It is used for embedded 
systems in a very different environment and application than a PC-BIOS.

While it is theoretically possible to flash your BIOS with u-boot, it 
would be a MAJOR undertaking, starting with collecting manufacturer's 
full data sheets for all the chips in your Acer (the data sheets are 
usually unavailable due to proprietary restrictions and/or age).

You would also need a way to program a bricked motherboard as well, 
which typically means a JTAG debugger (more $$$ than simply replacing 
for your Acer).

Sorry,
gvb