Using Rockbox?

[KandieMan]

I was thinking of trying out the Rockbox firmware this week...

Is there a high risk in using it... that I may possibly not be able to put old firmware on and have a working player?

[dapureplaya_04]

As l ong as u follow the steps correctly, there would be no risk at all.

-download fwpatcher.exe here
-use that to patch an UNMODDED .hex file
-now take that patched up .hex file to the root of your iRiver
-go to the 'daily build' and download the "bleeding edge" build for the H100 (here).
-unzip it to the root of your iRiver.
-do a firmware upgrade as normal.

Remember you can always revert back to the iRiver firmware by holding down record when you turn on the unit. But once you get a handle on using Rockbox, you won't wanna .

Of course it's not stable as yet, you'll most likely encounter crashes. But nothing that the reset button cannot fix.

[sman789]

Originally Posted by dapureplaya_04

As l ong as u follow the steps correctly, there would be no risk at all.

-download fwpatcher.exe here
-use that to patch an UNMODDED .hex file
-now take that patched up .hex file to the root of your iRiver
-go to the 'daily build' and download the "bleeding edge" build for the H100 (here).
-unzip it to the root of your iRiver.
-do a firmware upgrade as normal.

Remember you can always revert back to the iRiver firmware by holding down record when you turn on the unit. But once you get a handle on using Rockbox, you won't wanna .

Of course it's not stable as yet, you'll most likely encounter crashes. But nothing that the reset button cannot fix.

thank you thank you....RockBox is awesome

[Arj]

Originally Posted by KandieMan

I was thinking of trying out the Rockbox firmware this week...

Is there a high risk in using it... that I may possibly not be able to put old firmware on and have a working player?

I agree with dapureplaya_04's comments, but feel it is important to state that there are no guarantees. I would say that there is perhaps a slight risk in using it, but it is pretty unlikely you will encounter an unrecoverable problem. I have been using RockBox daily builds pretty much exclusively for a couple of weeks now and have had no problem that at least a reset couldn't fix.

[meowsqueak]

Originally Posted by dapureplaya_04

As l ong as u follow the steps correctly, there would be no risk at all.

-download fwpatcher.exe here

Is there any way to achieve this in Linux? I don't have Windows handy...


EDIT: Also, where exactly are the instructions for doing the upgrade? I can't find them stated in the Wiki - just a (newbie) page that alludes to them.

EDIT: Never mind, I found this:
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/IriverBoot

[zezayer]

1. Dont double post
2. It speciffically says dont start new threads
3. the exe works fine under linux, no need to do it the 'hard way'

[meowsqueak]

1. I didn't double post - my other post is different.

2. Apologies for starting a new thread - I just read the 'kill your dog' warning, which I have to say is a stupid threat and precisely the reason I didn't read it in the first place. Also, what's the point of a forum if everyone writes in the same huge thread? It's an (IMO) silly rule based on one persons (flawed) opinion that no new threads are necessary - obviously they are, but nothing is being done to address that.

3. Works fine if you have Wine perhaps. The 'hard way' is actually the easiest way for me. Besides, with the CVS tools I can see exactly what it's doing by examining the code, which is an important part of using Open Source software. Perhaps the exe code is available too, but I didn't see it.


Finally, delete my messages if you must. I've only been here at misticriver since the early days when people were actually respectful and reasonable, so I guess my opinion is worth nothing. There's something disturbing about how this specific forum is being managed.

[Febs]

Originally Posted by meowsqueak

2. Apologies for starting a new thread - I just read the 'kill your dog' warning, which I have to say is a stupid threat and precisely the reason I didn't read it in the first place. Also, what's the point of a forum if everyone writes in the same huge thread? It's an (IMO) silly rule based on one persons (flawed) opinion that no new threads are necessary - obviously they are, but nothing is being done to address that.

I agree. I think that one-thread limitation is probably outdated now that Rockbox is actually functional. It was fine when the only discussion that was going on was about the development of Rockbox.

[zezayer]

Originally Posted by meowsqueak

1. I didn't double post - my other post is different.

Sorry, but they look v similar

Originally Posted by meowsqueak

2. Apologies for starting a new thread - I just read the 'kill your dog' warning, which I have to say is a stupid threat and precisely the reason I didn't read it in the first place. Also, what's the point of a forum if everyone writes in the same huge thread? It's an (IMO) silly rule based on one persons (flawed) opinion that no new threads are necessary - obviously they are, but nothing is being done to address that.

Agree there.

Originally Posted by meowsqueak

3. Works fine if you have Wine perhaps. The 'hard way' is actually the easiest way for me. Besides, with the CVS tools I can see exactly what it's doing by examining the code, which is an important part of using Open Source software. Perhaps the exe code is available too, but I didn't see it.

The source is available on the website, if your not confident with doing it the 'hard way' then why do you want to be able to see what it is doing. all it does it decode the hex file, add on teh rockbox bootloader and reencode the hex file.

Originally Posted by meowsqueak

Finally, delete my messages if you must. I've only been here at misticriver since the early days when people were actually respectful and reasonable, so I guess my opinion is worth nothing. There's something disturbing about how this specific forum is being managed.

Sorry if ive upset you, if you've been here a long time im sure you know the rules well.

[meowsqueak]

Originally Posted by zezayer

The source is available on the website, if your not confident with doing it the 'hard way' then why do you want to be able to see what it is doing. all it does it decode the hex file, add on teh rockbox bootloader and reencode the hex file.

It's ok, I just wanted to make sure that the instructions were up to date - one thing I wanted to avoid was using an old bootloader.bin (I figured the 'hard way', which is actually easier for me, is less used and therefore might not have been updated).

No worries now however - I have it all working.

Thanks for your response - it is appreciated.

[TCK]

I'm gonna agree on the "one thread rule" being outdated. Personally I'd just go ahead and lock the lounge thread (the H300 series one should stay, or be on another forum). Keep the progress thread strictly moderated though.

We really need some FAQs submitted to the Rockbox FAQ forum. This will hopefully stop the same questions being asked again. I might get started on some. I encourage others to do the same.

[the_winch]

Check the rockbox site first. They allready have lots of existing documentation and faqs. A lot of the questions are allready answered on the rockbox site, no point duplicating the effort and answering them here as well.

[MartinG]

Well, I couldn't resist any longer and loaded up the loader and firmware - and I'm totally impressed! The plugins are very cool. Everything has been pretty stable for me too...

A few questions that I haven't been able to find answers to on any of the FAQs and people may/may not have opinions on:

1) Anyone know if untimately it'll be possible to use the plugins whilst playing music? Or read texts? Or use the GB emulator, etc.?

2) Anyone know if there's a limit to the text files that can be read? One of the things that always put me off doing this was the 128Kb limit in the iRiver f/w...

3) Anyone know if there's an thoughts to offer different music equalisation settings (e.g. SRS, etc.) under RockBox? Not sure if this is something that's already available on other players (which would probably answer the question) but personally I like SRS (I know, I know...)

TIA,
Martin

[TCK]

While true, some of the answers relate to the Archos version of the firmware. There are certainly questions that are asked multiple times that are not covered in the Rockbox.org FAQ (although may be elsewhere on the site). The faq here would be for more specific questions only relating to the iRiver port.

I've sent a PM Sweet Spots way to check if the Rockbox FAQ forum is still accepting FAQs.

EDIT:
1) In time, it's possible. It basically revolves around optimising playback so that as little CPU is used, so then it can be used for other things, such as games.

2) I haven't tried reading .txt files on Rockbox, but I don't believe there to be a limit.

3) SRS is unlikely. Equalisations will have to be open source, and since SRS isn't, you're not likely to see that one. But others I believe are possible. Someone else will know more about this.

Feel free to correct, I am not the absolute all knowing being I pretend I am :P

[ozzy-sa]

Hi

Good to here everything is progessing well for rockbox.

? are people able to use the remote with rockbox and if so what functionality?
or are the controls only working on the main unit.

pics of remote in use would be good too

thanks

[smafty]

The remote controls work well for navigating, but because the lcd just shows the Rockbox logo (for now) I don't bother using it. If I want to use the remote I boot up the iRiver firmware. Hopefully I won't have to do that for much longer.

[NPswimdude500]

Freezes are no big deal. I assume you keep your player in a case ? (If not you should...it is a rather expensive investment not to). Then take a pin, you know, the standard sewing type, and slide the pin between the layers of fabric. That way, it's always with the player, and you can reset rather quickly.