How to boot/debug ARMv5 Linux box?

[Wavebourn]

Hi!

I have a box based on ARMv5 architecture. It runs Linux.

Due to an error in rc file it hangs on loading of the main application, before ifconfig sets up network address, so I can't access it.

I wonder, how do they upload software on the flash memory initially, or how do they debug it?

The box has i2c interface with few buttons, but it does not work because the main application won't load. When I press and hold Enter button before powering it on, it does not boot. I may assume, it is waiting for some input somewhere, for kind of alternate boot that may be usable. Also, if I connect a keyboard to USB port and press Ctrl-Alt-Dell 3-finger salute, it reboots. However, getty is not up, it is commented out in init, but the box has /dev/console.

It has some 4-pin socket on the board. Is it kind of I/O? Like, UART?
Also, it has a socket that looks like JTAG, but I did not deal with embedded computers, so don't know how to use it.

Any information will be greatly appreciated!

The box is called Night Owl DVR K-8500

It has 8 BNC video ins, one audio in, 1 audio out, 1 video out, and VGA out.
I have another one that is alive, so can login and compare/perform some investigations.

I have a firmware upgrade for it, but it loads by still the same main app from USB device, so I even don't know it's format. It may contain some raw chunk of a flash image. What I know for shure, it is not a cramfs image.

Also, I have a complete Linux system for ARMv5 in crams format, but don't know how to boot it. It has even X11 preconfigured...

[barryblue]

Originally Posted by Wavebourn

Hi!

I have a box based on ARMv5 architecture. It runs Linux.

Due to an error in rc file it hangs on loading of the main application, before ifconfig sets up network address, so I can't access it.

I wonder, how do they upload software on the flash memory initially, or how do they debug it?

The box has i2c interface with few buttons, but it does not work because the main application won't load. When I press and hold Enter button before powering it on, it does not boot. I may assume, it is waiting for some input somewhere, for kind of alternate boot that may be usable. Also, if I connect a keyboard to USB port and press Ctrl-Alt-Dell 3-finger salute, it reboots. However, getty is not up, it is commented out in init, but the box has /dev/console.

It has some 4-pin socket on the board. Is it kind of I/O? Like, UART?
Also, it has a socket that looks like JTAG, but I did not deal with embedded computers, so don't know how to use it.

Any information will be greatly appreciated!

The box is called Night Owl DVR K-8500

It has 8 BNC video ins, one audio in, 1 audio out, 1 video out, and VGA out.
I have another one that is alive, so can login and compare/perform some investigations.

I have a firmware upgrade for it, but it loads by still the same main app from USB device, so I even don't know it's format. It may contain some raw chunk of a flash image. What I know for shure, it is not a cramfs image.

Also, I have a complete Linux system for ARMv5 in crams format, but don't know how to boot it. It has even X11 preconfigured...

Hi

Usually firmware/OS is loaded through the JTAG. Debug can be through here two.

Once alive the kernal usually communicates through one of the serial ports.

As the USB port responds to the three finger salute then the serial port should be up and available.

Barry