Overview

This page describes what you need to do to replace the software on the 8515.
The software in the 8515 includes several different parts:

  • The main operating system (OS), which is the most-frequently upgraded component.
  • Software for the peripheral controller (PCon), which is often upgraded when the main OS is upgraded.
  • The BooSt bootloader, which runs on the main PXA270 processor. This is rarely upgraded.

This software is installed at the factory. Upgrading this software is described in the following sections.



Upgrading software as described in this section is likely to overwrite configuration settings in the 8515.
The unit's settings should be saved in a backup profile on a removable memory device, using Total Recall. A USB memory key works well for this purpose. In the 8515, you can also save the profile to the system flash memory on the main logic board, as the system flash memory is in a MicroSD card which can be transferred to a new MLB during service.
In most circumstances, the user's files will not be affected by a software upgrade, unless the MLB of the 8515 is replaced. However, it is good practice to back up all the user's files to a removable memory device as a safety precaution.

 

 

Memory Devices Required for Software Updates

When updating software in Psion Teklogix Devices, you will need memory devices such as USB keys, SD cards, or CF cards. In general, the following equipment should be available when performing software updates:

  • USB Memory Keys (minimum capacity 512 megabytes)
  • CF Memory Cards (minimum capacity 512 megabytes)
  • SD Memory Cards (minimum capacity 512 megabytes)

Not all memory devices provide reliable operation on Psion Teklogix Devices. The following manufacturers and model numbers are preferred:

USB memory cards and devices:

  • Verbatim USB keys (256MB, 1GB and 2GB)
  • SanDisk Cruzer mini 256MB and 1GB
  • Sony Micro Vault 256MB
  • Kingston DataTravler 1GB
  • Imation Swivel 1GB
  • Verbatim Store 'n' Go 4GB USB HD drive

CF memory cards:

  • Sandisk 'Industrial' cards

SD memory cards:

  • Sandisk Industrial cards

Software Files And The Boot Process

There are two reset key combinations on the 8515: [BLUE] + [ENTER/ON] and [BLUE] + [SPACE] + [ENTER/ON]. These key combinations should be held down for six seconds.

The [BLUE] + [ENTER/ON] key combination causes a warm boot of the 8515. If Windows CE is running, it will be restarted, but not reloaded. The main operating system is not reloaded from flash, and the contents of RAM are preserved. If BooSt is running, and the 8515 is fully-configured, it will cold boot into the main OS.


Note:
If the 8515 has not been fully configured (detected when the MLB revision is checked and found to be not properly set), any cold boot from BooSt (the unit's first-time power up, the reboot following a PCon update, the go hw command, the reset resulting from a [BLUE] + [ENTER/ON] key combination while in BooSt) will not start the main OS. Instead, the unit remains in BooSt. One of the messages on the display will be 'MLB revision not configured!'. Use the config command to set the MLB revision.

The [BLUE] + [SPACE] + [ENTER/ON] key combination causes a reboot to the BooSt bootloader. It does not load the main OS from the file 8515OS.img in the reserved partition in the flash memory, though it will load and run a file named 8515.img from that partition.

It will load and run any file named 8515.img or 8515OS.ing that it finds in the root directory of any other filesystem partition. Such source filesystem partitions include storage devices, such as a Compact Flash card, or a USB Mass Storage Device. If the file contains an image of the main OS, it will be copied to the reserved partition of flash.

This auto-loading of files allows an easy operating-system upgrade without requiring user input. The [BLUE] + [SPACE] + [ENTER/ON] key combination will always attempt a boot from an attached filesystem partition on a CF card first, and only do a normal boot from the boot region of internal flash (as described above) if an attached partition containing an 8515boot.img file is not present. This allows a computer with a corrupt or missing copy of BooSt to bootstrap from a memory card.

Replacing Software

Serial Download

This section explains how to replace software on an 8515 from a PC through a serial cable.

Equipment Needed

Replacing the software serially requires the following items:

  • The new software image.
  • A PC with an available serial connection.
  • Serial communications software that can handle YMODEM file transfer.
  • A special service cable. This cable, available as Psion Teklogix part number 1008105, has a 9-pin D-connector on one end and a USB Lock connector on the other. The serial lines from the 9-pin connector use the extra pins on the USB Lock connector.
Replacing The Software

Software on an 8515 is upgraded serially by rebooting the device into the BooSt bootloader, then sending the software image file to the 8515. The software is loaded and run automatically; some types of software, such as BooSt and that for the PCon, may initiate a reboot before they run.

The following steps explain the process for upgrading software in a 8515 using a serial connection:

On the 8515...
  1. Select Start, Shutdown, Boot to BooSt, or hold the [BLUE], [SPACE] and [ENTER/ON] buttons simultaneously for six seconds. The 8515 reboots to the BooSt bootloader and displays text similar to the following on its display:
    Starting BooSt...
    Testing RAM 00100000 - 001FFFFF...success.
    Testing RAM 07E00000 - 07FFFFFF...success.
    Initializing display controller (type 0)...
    Powering up AC97 CODEC...
    Graphical console connected.
    CPU: PXA270 (rev = 0x7) clock 312 MHz
    MMC SD card 4 bit data bus enabled
    MLB revision not configured!
    Flash: 120 MB (microSD), RAM: 128 MB
    BooSt version E227l (0x4653125E)
    PCon version F287n (0x4683EA23)
    Boot code image info: size = 257308
    BooSt OS for 8515
    Build version E227l (0x4653125E)
    8515OS.img image info: size = 15130423
    Windows CE 5.0 for 8515
    Build version E317o (0x465F1E85)
    Console cable detected.
    OS load skipped.
    Touch calibration read from EEPROM successful.
    psd0-0 mounted FAT16: 24.0 MB
    ram0-0 mounted FAT16: 62.5 MB
    >
    Command>
    8515 boot menu
    ----------------------
    1) Run main OS
    !) Clean start main OS
    2) Begin YMODEM load
    3) Show configuration
    4) Audio test
    5) Display test
    6) Touch test
    7) RAM test
    Command>
  2. Connect the 8515 to the development PC using the service cable. The D-connector end of the service cable plugs into the PC serial port and the other end of the cable plugs into USB Port 1 on the lower front of the 8515.
On the development PC...
  1. Set the serial communications software for the serial port where the service cable is connected. Use 8 data bits, no parity, one stop bit (8N1), a data rate of 115 200 bits per second, and no flow control.
  2. Start the serial communications software.
  3. Press [ENTER/ON]. The 8515 echoes a menu to the PC screen through the communications software. This menu is also displayed on the screen of the 8515.
In the communications software on the PC, or on the 8515...
  1. Press 2 to begin a YMODEM transfer. The 8515 displays:
    Attempting YMODEM receive to BooSt loader...
    CCCCCCCCCCC

    Note:
    If a transfer connection is not made after 30 seconds, the 8515 stops the transfer attempt.
On the PC...
  1. Select the software file for serial transfer, using XMODEM or YMODEM protocol.
  2. Start the transfer. The 8515 receives the image file and places it in its internal flash storage, then displays messages similar to the following:
    YMODEM successfully received 0xDAFC00 bytes.
    Load copy to psd0-0 info: size = 14351315
    Windows CE 5.0 for 8515
    Build version D266l (0x444FCA1A)
    Load completed successfully.
    Command> load "/psd0-0/8515os.img" run
    Loading "/psd0-0/8515os.img"...
    Load multi-image info: size = 14351315
    Windows CE 5.0 for 8515
    Build version D266l (0x444FCA1A)
    Load RAM image info: size = 14210840
    Windows CE 5.0 for 8515
    Build version D266l (0x444FCA1A)
    Loading 32% complete...
    Loading 66% complete...
    Loading 100% complete...
    Jumping to RAM module

    The 8515 automatically identifies the software file from its header, and loads and runs it as appropriate.


    Note:
    You may need to reconfigure any changes done to the system configuration through the Control Panel. The registry will be set to default values if the new OS determines that the previously-existing registry values are not compatible.

USB Download

This section explains how to replace software in a 8515 from a PC through a USB cable.

Equipment Needed

Replacing a software image requires the following items:

  • The new software image.
  • A PC with an available USB Type-A connection.
  • A standard USB A/B cable.
Replacing The Software

The software on a 8515 can be replaced through a USB cable by rebooting the device into the BooSt bootloader, and copying the software image file to the 8515. The 8515 bootloader loads and runs the new software as appropriate.

When the 8515 is booted into BooSt and connected to a PC using a USB cable, a drive labeled "Removable Disk" or "Mobile Device" appears on the PC. This drive will appear empty since it maps to a RAM disk on the 8515. To upgrade the software image copy the new software image (which must be named 8515.img or 8515OS.img) to this drive.


Important:
Before connecting a 8515 to the PC using USB, you must update the USB .inf file on the PC. This can be done by running the USB Setup program included on the SDK CD.
The USB Setup program can also be downloaded from the PTX developers web site at http://www.psionteklogix.com/ with part number 1000997x.

The following steps explain the process for upgrading the software in a 8515 connected through USB using a USB cable connected to the auxiliary port:

  1. Select Start, Shutdown, Boot to BooSt, or hold down the [BLUE], [SPACE] and [ENTER/ON] buttons simultaneously for 6 seconds. The 8515 reboots to the BooSt bootloader and displays text similar to the following on the screen:
    PXA boot, file not found
    >
    8515 Boot Code.
    Copyright Psion Teklogix Inc. 2005, 2006
    Starting BooSt...
    Testing RAM 00100000 - 001FFFFF...success.
    Testing RAM 07E00000 - 07FFFFFF...success.
    Initializing display controller (type 0)...
    Powering up AC97 CODEC...
    Graphical console connected.

    CPU: PXA270 (rev = 0x7) clock 312 MHz
    MMC SD card 4 bit data bus enabled
    MLB revision not configured\!
    Flash: 120 MB (microSD), RAM: 128 MB
    BooSt version E227l (0x4653125E)
    PCon version F287n (0x4683EA23)
    Boot code image info: size = 257308
    BooSt OS for 8515
    Build version E227l (0x4653125E)
    8515OS.img image info: size = 15130423
    Windows CE 5.0 for 8515
    Build version E317o (0x465F1E85)
    Console cable detected.
    OS load skipped.
    Touch calibration read from EEPROM successful.
    psd0-0 mounted FAT16: 24.0 MB
    ram0-0 mounted FAT16: 62.5 MB

    8515 boot menu
    ----------------------
    1) Run main OS
    !) Clean start main OS
    2) Begin YMODEM load
    3) Show configuration
    4) Audio test
    5) Display test
    6) Touch test
    7) RAM test

    Command>
  2. Connect the 8515 to the PC using the USB cable. The A end of the USB cable plugs into the PC and the smaller square B end of the USB cable plugs into the 8515's USB Client port. When the USB connection is established, a new drive appears on the PC named "Removable Disk" or "Mobile Device". The 8515 displays the following line on the screen and the console:
    ram0-0 removed
    Command>

    The RAM disk, set up by the boot loader for fast image updates, has been dismounted from the filesystem of the 8515, and has been made available to the USB Mass Storage Device emulation code of the bootloader.

  3. Rename the software image file from the part number under which it was provided (such as 1070663.img) to 8515OS.img.
  4. Copy the file 8515OS.img to the "Removable Disk" drive on the PC.
  5. 'Stop' the Removable Disk drive.

Once the file copy has finished, the Removable Disk must be 'stopped' to properly save the new file. To do this, select the Unplug or Eject Hardware icon in the system tray in the bottom right corner of the PC, or use the Add/Remove Hardware option in the Control Panel (follow the options to "Uninstall/Unplug a device", and then "Unplug/Eject a device", then select the Mass Storage Device).


Important:
If the Removable Disk is not stopped, the 8515 image could become corrupt causing the computer not to boot properly.
If this happens, you must boot the 8515 into BooSt. This recreates and formats the Removable Disk.

Once the Removable Disk has been properly stopped on the PC, the BooSt Console displays a message similar to the following:

ram0-0 mounted FAT16: 61.5 MB
>

The RAM disk containing the operating-system image has been disconnected from the development computer and is now accessible by the bootloader. The bootloader loads, runs, and/or copies to flash the new image automatically, as appropriate for the image type. The user shouldn't touch anything until this load finishes.


Note:
You may need to reconfigure any changes done to the system configuration through the Control Panel. The registry will be set to default values if the new OS determines that the previously-existing registry values are not compatible. Settings can be saved and loaded using Total Recall.

Load From Memory Card Or USB Device

This section explains how to replace software in a 8515 from a memory card or USB Mass Storage Device. For initial software installation, when the computer is open, loading from memory card is easiest.

Equipment Needed

Replacing software from a memory card requires the following items:

  • A Compact Flash memory card, or a USB mass storage device ("USB key"), containing the required software.
Configuring the Memory Card Or USB Device

The memory card or USB key should be formatted to one of the FAT12, FAT16 or FAT32 filesystem formats before loading any software on it. Files should be placed in the root directory of the memory card.

When loading from a memory card or USB key, the 8515 loads software in a particular order.

If the 8515 is booting to BooSt, and a CF memory card is present, it first attempts to load a file named 8515boot.img from the root of the CF memory card into RAM, then run it. If present, this file must contain the 8515 BooSt bootloader. This file is not automatically copied into the boot region of the internal flash memory in the 8515. When BooSt is booting from a memory card in this way, its screen background is blue.

When run from a file named 8515boot.img on an CF memory card, BooSt does not automatically load any files from any file system partition other than the memory card.

If a file named 8515.img is present on the memory card or USB key, it is loaded first. The operation performed depends on the type of image in the file. This is typically a BooSt script or image.

A second image file named 8515OS.img can be stored on the memory card or USB key, and it will be loaded after the 8515.img file has been loaded (but it is recommended not to use this name if the 8515.img file is a BooSt script). When the 8515 boots normally (in other words, not to BooSt), it attempts to load 8515OS.img from the psd0-0 partition before loading any other files.

To create a bootable CF card that also loads BooSt into the boot region of the internal flash, you must either put the BooSt file on the memory card twice (once named 8515boot.img and once named 8515.img), or put a BooSt script on the card named 8515.img that directs the loading of the 8515boot.img file. This script can load other images as well. Be sure not to use the 8515OS.img name in such a script, to avoid a race condition between the auto-load of that name, and any operations which the BooSt script may be doing.

Replacing The Software

To replace the software automatically:

  1. Insert the memory card into the slot in the open computer, or insert the USB key into either of the USB Host connector on the computer.
  2. Reboot the computer by selecting the Boot to BooSt item from the Start menu, or by holding down the [BLUE], [SPACE], and [ENTER/ON] keys simultaneously for 6 seconds. If the 8515 contains a CF card containing an 8515boot.img file that contains BooSt, it boots using the BooSt on the memory card. Otherwise, it boots using the copy of BooSt in its internal flash memory. After booting, BooSt loads the software from the memory card or USB key and runs it as appropriate for the image type(s).
  3. Remove the memory card.