~drscream

bios, bug, freeze, incorrect signature, net6501, soekris, uManager

Soekris net6501, Error, Incorrect signature of BIOS image

I writing this article because it takes some time to find a solution for my problem. There is a reboot / freeze bug in the firmware 2.40a of the Soekris BIOS. After an reboot of the system the BIOS freezes with the output:

POST: 012345

So i started to update the BIOS version to 2.41a. The upload to the board works but the flashupdate return an error.

> download -

Start sending file using XMODEM/CRC protocol.
### Send (x) b6501_141a.bin: 253696 bytes, 2:34 elapsed, 1645 cps, 14%

File downloaded succesfully, size 1982 Blocks.

> flashupdate

Error, Incorrect signature of BIOS image.

The Solution is easy but hard to find. Using the uManager, a ARM based out-of-band management. Follow the instructions to update the BIOS:

  • Type ‘+++’ just after the board is powered up in the console. Pressing the reset button for more than 3 seconds to power down the board.
  • Use “download -“ to update the BIOS.
  • Follow the instructions from the Soekris Wiki for the Xmodem settings.

Helpful answer from Luc in the mailing list and some information for the uManager BIOS update.

  1. Steven Selph says:

    Sat 18/02/12, 12:43 am

    I found your suggestion for updating a soekris 6501 very helpful. I had to turn the speed down. I went all the way down to 2400 but 19200 didn't seem to work.

    /

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