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Agilent E7495 linux root account

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DogP:

--- Quote from: lectrohamlincoln on April 19, 2017, 07:46:46 am ---I picked up an E7495A described as "LOCKS UP ON POWER UP." I suspected that the firmware was corrupted and it would be easy enough to flash the latest A.06.25 version. I've tried using both a Sandisk 512MB and a 8Gb Compact Flash formatted to FAT32. With no luck :(
--- End quote ---
Did you try doing a fresh firmware install?  When you put the CF card in with the 6.25 update, and are promted to install... press the bottom right button, across from NO.  I believe that does a rebuild of the drive.  That error does look more like a Linux/disk kinda error than a general hardware error (other than bad flash maybe).

Other than that, if you can connect into it over a serial port, maybe you can check the logs for more specifics on the crash?

DogP

kirill_ka:

--- Quote from: lectrohamlincoln on April 19, 2017, 07:46:46 am ---Hello Everybody,

I picked up an E7495A described as "LOCKS UP ON POWER UP." I suspected that the firmware was corrupted and it would be easy enough to flash the latest A.06.25 version. I've tried using both a Sandisk 512MB and a 8Gb Compact Flash formatted to FAT32. With no luck :(

So, I followed the "Update via Load Firmware Utility" procedure described in the Service Guide. I removed the RF section and set the DIP Switch as instructed. I tried again with both Sandisk CFs, but my E7495A would only turn on with a blank display. Is it possible this factory reset requires a PCMCIA instead of CF?

--- End quote ---
That's the right thing to do. I don't know if it's supposed to work from CF. If it doesn't boot kernel anymore, "utility" was able to erase it at least...

--- Quote from: lectrohamlincoln on April 19, 2017, 07:46:46 am ---I'm beginning to suspect there might be a hardware problem. I also noticed that there was a red LED lit on the controller board. I'm hoping for any suggestions before I start doing a component level debug tomorrow.

--- End quote ---
I think that "load firmware utility" should write something to the screen or serial port. Maybe you should try it again and check the output?

lectrohamlincoln:
I was able to get serial port 2 working. It says all DRAM tests have passed at least. If anyone's curious the baud rate is 38400 and it expects a return CR on transmitted text.

I also tried the A.06.25 firmware on a CF to PCMCIA adapter to no avail. I know its loaded too because without the PCMCIA inserted it says "There is no PCMCIA card on Socket 0"

With DIP switch set to 1&2 I get the same error message on the bottom of the screen: "Kernel Panic: No init found. Try passing init= option to kernel"

With DIP switch set to 2&3, 1&3 or 1&2&3, I get the following menu options from the serial terminal:

--
[1] Display Register
[2] Set Register
[3] Dump Memory
[4] Set Memory
[5] Erase Blocks of Flash
[E] Set Ethernet MAC Address

Select Menu & Hit Enter Key:
--

The "Dump Memory" returns real looking values. I'm unsure how to use the "Set Memory" and I feel a little uneasy using the "Erase Blocks of Flash."

I wish we had a board level Maintenance Manual. I just have a feeling that Red LED means somethings gone bad. I was able to find this brief BOOT ROM manual that seems to correspond to the E7495 http://support.eurotech-inc.com/developers/linux/files/boot/bootrom.pdf

I'll do some more investigating this weekend.

DogP:
Did you try the full fresh reinstall (not just the standard firmware upgrade)?  IMO, it sounds like a file system problem... you can read a bit about the "No init found" message here: http://lxr.free-electrons.com/source/Documentation/init.txt?v=3.13 .

DogP

lectrohamlincoln:
I believe I am doing a full reinstall. The boot process never gets to stage where I am prompted with a Yes or No about firmware upgrades and the buttons are all unresponsive.

The only sign of life I have gotten out the E7495 is through the Serial Terminal after following what the Service Guide calls a "Update via Load Firmware Utility." Which is "used to reload firmware on an E7495A/B just as it is loaded at the factory," according to the Guide.

Is there another way to initiate a full fresh reinstall? I scoured the manual and can't find any reference. I fear my only option might be to Block Erase the Flash and hope for the best. But, I think I'm first going to write a program to try and download the flash before I do anything irreversible.

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