iAudiophile.net Forums - View Single Post - Rockbox dual-boot available!

cjbrooker · 08-04-2006, 05:04

After reading this thread and it's sister thread over on the Rockbox forums for the best part of a day and eventually working out how to get all of the relevant files and create a dual boot firmware for my X5, I though I'd create a little HOWTO for those (like me) who didn't find this process immediately obvious. Please note that the precompiled bootloader mentioned here is the STABLE version from 12th May.

Here's what I did (on a Windows machine):

Register on the Rockbox forums.
Go to RaeNye's 'Everything needed is here' message.
At the the bottom of the message is an attachment, ending in .zip.jpg. (You will ony see this attachment if you have registered and logged in). Download this file (N.B. This is the STABLE version from 12th May).
Rename the file to end in just .zip.
Extract the contents. There are 3 files: a Windows executable (mkboot.exe), the source file (mkboot.c) and the bootloader bin file.
Get the latest (or other) X5 firmware from the Cowon website (http://www.cowonglobal.com/ -> download -> F/W S/W -> iAUDIO X5 Firmware) and save it into the directory of the extracted files above (It will be called x5_fw.bin).
From the Windows command prompt, cd to the directory you extracted the files to.
Run 'mkboot -iax5 x5_fw.bin x5-dual-bootloader.bin new_x5_fw.bin'. This will create your new dual boot firmware file (new_x5_fw.bin).
Download the latest daily build (or other) for the X5 from Rockbox
Attach your X5 to your computer via USB. Make sure the ac power lead is NOT connected to your X5.
Copy the extracted file (rockbox.iaudio) and folder (.rockbox) from your Rockbox daily build download to the root directory of your X5.
Copy the new_x5_fw.bin file to the FIRMWARE directory on your X5. Rename the file to x5_fw.bin
Disconnect the USB and connect the ac power lead. The screen should display 'Firmware upgrade' and a progress bar.
When this is done you should have a dual boot X5! (Short power on for Rockbox, long power on for Cowon firmware)

Hope this helps some people.

08-04-2006, 05:04	#180
cjbrooker Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 18	Dual boot HOWTO After reading this thread and it's sister thread over on the Rockbox forums for the best part of a day and eventually working out how to get all of the relevant files and create a dual boot firmware for my X5, I though I'd create a little HOWTO for those (like me) who didn't find this process immediately obvious. Please note that the precompiled bootloader mentioned here is the STABLE version from 12th May. Here's what I did (on a Windows machine): Register on the Rockbox forums. Go to RaeNye's 'Everything needed is here' message. At the the bottom of the message is an attachment, ending in .zip.jpg. (You will ony see this attachment if you have registered and logged in). Download this file (N.B. This is the STABLE version from 12th May). Rename the file to end in just .zip. Extract the contents. There are 3 files: a Windows executable (mkboot.exe), the source file (mkboot.c) and the bootloader bin file. Get the latest (or other) X5 firmware from the Cowon website (http://www.cowonglobal.com/ -> download -> F/W S/W -> iAUDIO X5 Firmware) and save it into the directory of the extracted files above (It will be called x5_fw.bin). From the Windows command prompt, cd to the directory you extracted the files to. Run 'mkboot -iax5 x5_fw.bin x5-dual-bootloader.bin new_x5_fw.bin'. This will create your new dual boot firmware file (new_x5_fw.bin). Download the latest daily build (or other) for the X5 from Rockbox Attach your X5 to your computer via USB. Make sure the ac power lead is NOT connected to your X5. Copy the extracted file (rockbox.iaudio) and folder (.rockbox) from your Rockbox daily build download to the root directory of your X5. Copy the new_x5_fw.bin file to the FIRMWARE directory on your X5. Rename the file to x5_fw.bin Disconnect the USB and connect the ac power lead. The screen should display 'Firmware upgrade' and a progress bar. When this is done you should have a dual boot X5! (Short power on for Rockbox, long power on for Cowon firmware) Hope this helps some people. Last edited by cjbrooker; 08-08-2006 at 04:53.