The New Bootloader ( 7.xx ) From Fortis
Note: The information below was originally posted by [Only registered and activated users can see links. Click Here To Register...] 0n 5-13-2012. EB
Quote:
Fortis finally accepted the idea that users may want to use, as alternative image, an Enigma2 located on memory stick!
their first step was to modify the structure of .IRD file ... so complicated as nobody ( except Titan ) was'nt able to
implement the new flash images ... this was made by bootloader 6.xx.
Later, experimental at Optibox, Fortis released a sub version ... instead of Bootloader 6.40 ... 6.46 witch was able to
detect the presence and to load an Enigma2 image located on memory stick. The newest developement is Bootloader 7.6 ,
allready implemented into PKT image for Octagon 918G SE+ ( a cable version of Octagon 918S SE+ ) !!!
What's new in this version ?
The loader will accept in Boot-mode two commands :
* pressing CH-UP will load from a FAT32 MS an .IRD image file and will update the flash memory
* pressing CH-DWN will load in RAM from a FAT32 MS an Enigma2 image organised as follows : uImage file
( containing the Linux Kernel ) and root.img file ( containing the root file system) to be loaded in RAM and
mapped by the Kernel. The MS must be an reliable one ! and as fast as possible ! this will affect the behaviour
of your running image.
As you can see ... the image looks like Fulan's image but will not be written into flash memory ... will be
loaded directly into RAM , as loader usually does, and ... executed ! the difference is that the image file
is mapped as regullary flash memory is and written as flash is !!! simple things are genial !
Fortis came with some enlightments !
- loaders with code 6.x6 can boot E2 from stick and are dedicated to normal
Fortis STB's with 64Mb of Flash
- loader with code 7.x6 cand boot E2 from stick and are dedicated to the new
extended versions of Fortis STB's with more than 64Mb of Flash to acomodate
into the factory image WebZeal !
Enigma2 images can be organized :
- two partitions , one FAT32 where resides uImage ... the Kernel, second a EXT2/3
partition where is located the root file sistem ... this is the clasical aproach
- one FAT32 partition containing uImage ( the Kerrnel ) and rootfs.img ( the root
file system in the form of a flash image file ) ... this is the new aproach.
Both loaders can load both types of images.
The new Bootloader ver 7.x6 will support both stb's ... the old ( actual )
models with up to 64Mb of Flash ...as well the new models ( Extended )
having over 64 Mb of Flash.
This is good news! Hopefully it will happen soon.
The only drawback I see is the 6.0 boot flashers will be obsolete, but I would not be surprised if they are updated too. EB
