Reflashing (and When Things Go Wrong™)

This article pertains to:

• DSM-G600 Rev A Hardware only
• SlugOS 4.3-beta

Reflashing the Device

SlugOS, of course, doesn't come with a web-based GUI with an "upgrade firmware" screen. But fear not - instead it has the easy-to-use "reflash" command. The reflash command can be used to reflash the entire image, or just the kernel or rootfs, if you wish. It also offers you the ability to preserve settings and customizations you may have done - a useful option for upgrading.

An important caveat - you cannot reflash if you running from flash. That's sort of like trying to replace the turbine in a jet's engine while in-flight -- not a process that's very likely to be successfully completed once started. Reflash will not let you do so, and will suggest that you reboot into a ram-disk based boot (turnup ramdisk) in order to reflash. Of course if you have turned up to disk or flash memory stick, you can reflash at will.

The following example shows how to revert back to the original firmware:

<insert procedure>

But I Can't Boot SlugOS to do a Reflash, Now What?

You did install a serial port, didn't you? If you didn't, well, now would be really good time to do that.

You'll have to find a terminal emulation utility that can do the xmodem file transfer protocol.

• Download the D-Link firmware for the device from the D-Link web site.
• Extract the bits and chunks: tar xvf Djfsk.bin.
• Power up the dsmg600, and press <ctrl>C to interrupt the attempt to boot.
• Now upload the kernel image, and burn it to flash.

<insert procedure>

I Can't Boot OpenSlug, and I Can't Make My Serial Port Work Either, Now What?

Oh dear. You didn't test your serial port first? Or you didn't install one to begin with and now you find you can't make it work -- after you already reflashed? Did you not read DSMG600.SerialConsole?

Sigh. Ah well, here's what to do:

1. Remove the top.
2. Remove the disk drive, if you have one installed.
3. Remove the screws holding the metal disk drive bracket to the base.
4. Remove the disk drive bracket.
5. Now fill the case with potting soil.
6. Insert your favorite bit of flora.
7. Water well and place in a sunny location near a window.
8. Enjoy.

Seriously - there's little to be done unless you can either get the serial console working, or you can get the JTAG port working. Either will require some hardware expertise.