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Author Topic: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?  (Read 10197 times)

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Offline HanzuTopic starter

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Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« on: August 23, 2011, 01:09:41 PM »
I'm trying to repair Phase 5 Blizzard PPC 040 which I modified to 060 but which has its flash memory completely removed by previous owner (for unknown reason, maybe as a spare for some other card). So for starters I ordered new unused AMD AM29F040B flash memory just because silkscreen under in the card had white text saying 29F040. Later I noticed that 29F040 flash memory is 512k according to datasheet.

I downloaded the latest flash update here:
http://phase5.a1k.org/download.php?f=a12c7b93e0a936ab933791543da26d84&countonly=1

But readme says

Quote
for a Blizzard PPC 040(SCSI/NOSCSI) use BlizzPPC040Update
for a Blizzard PPC 060(SCSI/NOSCSI) use BlizzPPC060Update
for a CyberstormPPC with a 128KB Flash use PPCUpdate
for a CyberstormMK3 with a 128KB Flash use MK3Update

for a *DCE* CyberstormPPC with a 512KB Flash use BigPPC040Update
for a *DCE* CyberstormMK3 with a 512KB Flash use BigPPC060Update

So I'm not sure if I should use
BlizzPPC060Update (because I have Phase 5 version)
or
BigPPC060Update (because I have 29F040 which is 512k)

Actually this FlashUpdates-26042002.lha packet does not contain files called
BigPPC040Update
or
BigPPC060Update

I wonder if those Big ones have ever been included in older flash updates...

So I guess I need to use BlizzPPC060Update, right?

What happens if this BlizzPPC060Update is only for 128k flash memory?

What are my chances on flashing empty 29F040 anyway is it impossible when chip is already soldered and there is no prommer adapter or hex for firmware available?
« Last Edit: August 23, 2011, 01:49:35 PM by Hanzu »
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Offline HanzuTopic starter

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2011, 01:10:12 PM »
Also is there any way to check what "firmware version" those excecutables contain? (For example this one - BlizzPPC060Update)

And is there any way to check "firmware version" of any Cyberstorm PPC or Blizzard PPC?
« Last Edit: August 23, 2011, 01:44:31 PM by Hanzu »
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Offline Franko

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2011, 02:54:10 PM »
Quote from: Hanzu;655847
Also is there any way to check what "firmware version" those excecutables contain? (For example this one - BlizzPPC060Update)

And is there any way to check "firmware version" of any Cyberstorm PPC or Blizzard PPC?

On my Phase 5 Blizzard 060/PPC which I believe has the most up to date "flash" files stored on it, all I can tell you is the following...

It should have these library versions installed in the "flash" once done... :)
68060.library Ver 46.15
PPC.library Ver 46.35

I've never had to re-flash my PPC and the documentation that comes with the flash updates doesn't give you a clue as to what versions of the libraries they contain but when you do re-flash the blizzard just check to see if the 68060.library and the PPC.library match the versions given above and then you should have the most up to date "flash" available... :)

You should use the "BlizzPPC060.UpDate" file to reflash your Blizzard and I believe the file you provided a link to is the correct one to take you to the versions mentioned above but like I say, the documentation is very poor and until you actually run the flash installer on your Blizzard there is no way of knowing if it is indeed the correct one...

I have a number of these flash updates & other than the dates on the files there is no way to say which is the correct one until you actually "flash" the Blizzard... :(

So unless you can contact the author or someone posts here telling you if you have the correct update, all you can do is give it a try and see if you end up with the library versions installed on your Blizzard's Flash as mention above... :)
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Offline HanzuTopic starter

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2011, 03:16:21 PM »
Quote from: Franko;655856

It should have these library versions installed in the "flash" once done... :)
68060.library Ver 46.15
PPC.library Ver 46.35


Ok thanks. I'll see what comes up if I manage to flash successfully.

68060.library seems to be same than the newest one that is separately available from www.a1k.org downloads, but the newest PPC.library available separately there is only Ver 46.31.
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Offline Franko

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2011, 03:40:12 PM »
Like I say I have number of the "Flash Update" files but due to the lack of info in the documentation I have no idea which versions of the library they contain... :(

All I know is the PPC.library installed on my Blizzard is version 46.35, so if you send me a PM with an email address I'll email you the UpDate archives I have and you can give them a try to see if one of them will take you up to PPC.library ver 46.35... :)
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Offline Framiga

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2011, 03:47:08 PM »
Quote from: Hanzu;655846
I'm trying to repair Phase 5 Blizzard PPC 040 which I modified to 060 but which has its flash memory completely removed by previous owner (for unknown reason, maybe as a spare for some other card). So for starters I ordered new unused AMD AM29F040B flash memory just because silkscreen under in the card had white text saying 29F040. Later I noticed that 29F040 flash memory is 512k according to datasheet.

I downloaded the latest flash update here:
http://phase5.a1k.org/download.php?f=a12c7b93e0a936ab933791543da26d84&countonly=1

But readme says



So I'm not sure if I should use
BlizzPPC060Update (because I have Phase 5 version)
or
BigPPC060Update (because I have 29F040 which is 512k)

Actually this FlashUpdates-26042002.lha packet does not contain files called
BigPPC040Update
or
BigPPC060Update

I wonder if those Big ones have ever been included in older flash updates...

So I guess I need to use BlizzPPC060Update, right?

What happens if this BlizzPPC060Update is only for 128k flash memory?

What are my chances on flashing empty 29F040 anyway is it impossible when chip is already soldered and there is no prommer adapter or hex for firmware available?


there is no way you can flash an empty 29F040 chip.

The FlashUpdate are just ... updates and NOT full flash images!
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Offline dreamcast270mhz

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2011, 04:39:13 PM »
I'm sure someone can dump their 060 flash chip for you to flahs your chip, and I'm sure there is a way out of his predicament, there almost always is.
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Offline Framiga

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2011, 07:47:44 PM »
Quote from: dreamcast270mhz;655869
I'm sure someone can dump their 060 flash chip for you to flahs your chip, and I'm sure there is a way out of his predicament, there almost always is.


no way ... forget it.
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Offline HanzuTopic starter

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2011, 07:55:59 PM »
Quote from: Franko;655864
Like I say I have number of the "Flash Update" files but due to the lack of info in the documentation I have no idea which versions of the library they contain... :(

All I know is the PPC.library installed on my Blizzard is version 46.35, so if you send me a PM with an email address I'll email you the UpDate archives I have and you can give them a try to see if one of them will take you up to PPC.library ver 46.35... :)


Looks like I'm not even getting that far... :(

Quote from: Framiga;655866
there is no way you can flash an empty 29F040 chip.

The FlashUpdate are just ... updates and NOT full flash images!


I should have guessed that when it comes to grappy manufacturer like Phase 5 and DCE which never really cared about customer support, made empty promises in their manuals (for example promising 060 update pack for Cyberstorm Mk I 040) and keep documentation, schematics, firmware and everything locked in some private archive even when they will have less and less market value for them in future and for use they would be valuable.

Also why do I have to kill my nostalgia again and again to see why so many things in Amiga equipment business had to be done so anti-professional way even when it is not about resources. Imagine if you would not get full BIOS or firmware file for example for your PC motherboard but only update. The world would have so much more electronic trash from those who managed to corrupt their BIOS or firmware.

Quote from: dreamcast270mhz;655869
I'm sure someone can dump their 060 flash chip for you to flahs your chip, and I'm sure there is a way out of his predicament, there almost always is.


That would surely be great, but I doubt that no-one have TSOP capable programmer or TSOP-adapter for ZIF based programmer to get that dump inside empty 29F040. I know That kind of adapters exist but they are very expensive.

I have no problem desoldering that 29F040 and adding new one including full dump, but I really doubt that anyone can do such a favor even if I offer to pay for it. :(

I need to start considering selling/ebaying this Blizzard PPC as faulty/spares.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2011, 08:05:29 PM by Hanzu »
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Offline Piru

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2011, 08:03:06 PM »
Quote from: Hanzu;655889
I should have guessed that when it comes to grappy manufactorer like Phase 5 and DCE which never really cared about customer support and why so many things in Amiga equipment business had to be done so anti-professional way.

If the flash ROM is empty there is just no way the HW can initialize itself. It's rather stupid to blame Phase5 for the trouble you're having.

Quote
Imagine if you would not get full BIOS or firmware file for example for your PC motherboard but only update.

Have you ever tried to flash a PC motherboard with an empty BIOS?

Hint: It won't even POST.
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Offline Framiga

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2011, 08:06:06 PM »
DCE basement's shelves are full of CSPPC and BPPC, in need to full reflash theyrs firmware chips! :-/

and IIRC, the firmware content is cripted as well.
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Offline Piru

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2011, 08:37:45 PM »
Quote from: Framiga;655891
and IIRC, the firmware content is cripted as well.
It's not.

If you're not sure why spread such nonsense?

EDIT

Parts of the firmware are compressed to allow more code being included (BPPC firmware is quite stuffed, it has 68060.library, ppc.library, GRex support etc included). This has nothing to do with "encryption" which would be totally pointless anyway.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2011, 08:52:12 PM by Piru »
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Offline Framiga

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2011, 08:41:32 PM »
Quote from: Piru;655896
It's not.

If you're not sure why spread such nonsense?


sorry mom!
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Offline Franko

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2011, 08:46:21 PM »
Quote from: Framiga;655891
DCE basement's shelves are full of CSPPC and BPPC, in need to full reflash theyrs firmware chips! :-/

and IIRC, the firmware content is cripted as well.


The firmware content is encrypted but rather poorly, less than 20 minutes to crack... :)

Course it still doesn't help if you can't write to the Flash in the first place... :(
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Offline Framiga

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Re: Blizzard PPC flash update - which flash excecutable to use?
« Reply #14 on: August 23, 2011, 08:50:07 PM »
Quote from: Franko;655900
The firmware content is encrypted but rather poorly, less than 20 minutes to crack... :)

Course it still doesn't help if you can't write to the Flash in the first place... :(


uh! encrypted like the Elbox drivers? i didn't know .... thanks!
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