Firmware update from Linux?

ezequielv · 06-29-2009, 08:55 AM

Hello. I'm considering buying a Sony PRS505, and I wondered if it was possible to do a firmware update from Linux.

Ideally, I'd like to achieve it in one of the following ways (in decreasing order of preference): Linux native, SD card, wine, virtual machine running Windows XP.

Any ideas?

dpierron · 06-29-2009, 11:03 AM

The only way to run a firmware update is via the Sony Reader software, which only exists on the Windows platform.

As a Mac user, I've been tempted to run it in a VMWare virtual machine, but I've been warned that it wouldn't work for firmware updates (it would brick the device). It works well enough for normal use, though I don't use it (I'm a Calibre user).

So, unfortunately, I guess you'll be forced to dirty your hands on a real, plastic and metal Windows PC

Cheers,
David.

ezequielv · 06-29-2009, 12:56 PM

David,

Thank you for your reply... I suspected as much. It's such a pity that companies just "take" what the FOSS movement has to offer, then they happily ignore the ideas behind it -- they'd just support the Windows OS, even though there's probably no technical reason *not* to develop a (firmware update) protocol on top of a standard, leaving out the non-targetted 'consumer' platforms of *their* choice. It shouldn't be too hard to do: I understand other readers do it (for example, upgrading from a file in the SD card, etc.).

dpierron · 06-29-2009, 04:59 PM

Well, I agree with you... It ain't very useful, but at least it's good to say it

Who are you? · 06-30-2009, 04:53 PM

In the dev subforum you can find Universal Flasher, use it to flash from SD card.

ezequielv · 07-01-2009, 09:23 AM

"Who are you?": Thank you for the tip. That's exactly what I wanted (failing having a "native" program to run form my Linux box): flexible, easy (for a developer) to change, and (supposedly) working! :-)

dpierron · 07-01-2009, 09:37 AM

I wasn't aware that the Universal Flasher (also used by PRSCustomizer) could be used for flashing the complete firmware, but only the part of the firmware that is accessible (configuration and script files, ...) and is modified by PRSCustomizer ...

Let me know if it works, and maybe if you find the time please detail the procedure, so that other can apply it too.

Mac users will be very interested, too...

Cheers,
David.

gwynevans · 07-02-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpierron

Let me know if it works, and maybe if you find the time please detail the procedure, so that other can apply it too.

Well, the general idea is here...

dpierron · 07-02-2009, 01:20 PM

Well, thanks Gwin ! I'll try that when I'll have to reflash...

06-29-2009, 08:55 AM	#1
ezequielv Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony Reader PRS-505SC, Palm T\|X	Firmware update from Linux? Hello. I'm considering buying a Sony PRS505, and I wondered if it was possible to do a firmware update from Linux. Ideally, I'd like to achieve it in one of the following ways (in decreasing order of preference): Linux native, SD card, wine, virtual machine running Windows XP. Any ideas?

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06-29-2009, 11:03 AM	#2
dpierron calibre2opds guru Posts: 533 Karma: 8792 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Metz, France Device: iPhone, iPad, PRS-650	The only way to run a firmware update is via the Sony Reader software, which only exists on the Windows platform. As a Mac user, I've been tempted to run it in a VMWare virtual machine, but I've been warned that it wouldn't work for firmware updates (it would brick the device). It works well enough for normal use, though I don't use it (I'm a Calibre user). So, unfortunately, I guess you'll be forced to dirty your hands on a real, plastic and metal Windows PC Cheers, David.

06-29-2009, 12:56 PM	#3
ezequielv Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony Reader PRS-505SC, Palm T\|X	David, Thank you for your reply... I suspected as much. It's such a pity that companies just "take" what the FOSS movement has to offer, then they happily ignore the ideas behind it -- they'd just support the Windows OS, even though there's probably no technical reason not to develop a (firmware update) protocol on top of a standard, leaving out the non-targetted 'consumer' platforms of their choice. It shouldn't be too hard to do: I understand other readers do it (for example, upgrading from a file in the SD card, etc.).

06-29-2009, 04:59 PM	#4
dpierron calibre2opds guru Posts: 533 Karma: 8792 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Metz, France Device: iPhone, iPad, PRS-650	Well, I agree with you... It ain't very useful, but at least it's good to say it

06-30-2009, 04:53 PM	#5
Who are you? Groupie Posts: 184 Karma: 300001 Join Date: May 2009 Device: 505	In the dev subforum you can find Universal Flasher, use it to flash from SD card.

07-01-2009, 09:23 AM	#6
ezequielv Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Device: Sony Reader PRS-505SC, Palm T\|X	"Who are you?": Thank you for the tip. That's exactly what I wanted (failing having a "native" program to run form my Linux box): flexible, easy (for a developer) to change, and (supposedly) working! :-)

07-01-2009, 09:37 AM	#7
dpierron calibre2opds guru Posts: 533 Karma: 8792 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Metz, France Device: iPhone, iPad, PRS-650	I wasn't aware that the Universal Flasher (also used by PRSCustomizer) could be used for flashing the complete firmware, but only the part of the firmware that is accessible (configuration and script files, ...) and is modified by PRSCustomizer ... Let me know if it works, and maybe if you find the time please detail the procedure, so that other can apply it too. Mac users will be very interested, too... Cheers, David.

07-02-2009, 01:20 PM	#9
dpierron calibre2opds guru Posts: 533 Karma: 8792 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Metz, France Device: iPhone, iPad, PRS-650	Well, thanks Gwin ! I'll try that when I'll have to reflash...

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