Difference between revisions of "Firmware"
From GalliumOS Wiki
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
The stock/factory firmware on some Chromebooks and Chromeboxes contains a legacy boot payload (RW_LEGACY) capable of running Linux out of the box; however, many ChromeOS devices, particularly those with BayTrail/Braswell CPUs, do not include this capability stock and must use a 3rd party firmware update in order to run GalliumOS (or any other OS). | The stock/factory firmware on some Chromebooks and Chromeboxes contains a legacy boot payload (RW_LEGACY) capable of running Linux out of the box; however, many ChromeOS devices, particularly those with BayTrail/Braswell CPUs, do not include this capability stock and must use a 3rd party firmware update in order to run GalliumOS (or any other OS). | ||
| − | Three types of custom firmware updates are available | + | Three types of custom firmware updates are available (though not all types are available for every device): |
# '''RW_LEGACY''' | # '''RW_LEGACY''' | ||
| − | #* Updates/replaces the stock legacy boot payload (SeaBIOS) included on many models | + | #* Updates/replaces the stock legacy boot payload (SeaBIOS) included on many models; supplements the ChromeOS / secure boot payload (BOOT_STUB) |
| − | #* Leaves all stock functionality intact, including the white "OS verification is OFF" screen | + | #* Leaves all stock functionality intact, including the developer mode boot (white "OS verification is OFF") screen |
#* Allows device to dual-boot GalliumOS alongside ChromeOS | #* Allows device to dual-boot GalliumOS alongside ChromeOS | ||
#* Does not require disabling the firmware write-protect | #* Does not require disabling the firmware write-protect | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
#* On some models, includes bugfixes and enables additional functionality | #* On some models, includes bugfixes and enables additional functionality | ||
# '''BOOT_STUB''' | # '''BOOT_STUB''' | ||
| − | #* Replaces the ChromeOS payload with a legacy boot payload (SeaBIOS) | + | #* Replaces the ChromeOS verified boot payload with a legacy boot payload (SeaBIOS) |
| − | #* | + | #* Removes the developer mode boot (white "OS verification is OFF") screen |
#* Requires the firmware write-protect screw to be removed | #* Requires the firmware write-protect screw to be removed | ||
| − | #* Removes the ability to run ChromeOS | + | #* Removes the ability to run ChromeOS, creating a small risk of bricking your device |
| − | #* Leaves the | + | #* Leaves the recovery mode (REFRESH + POWER) functionality of the stock ROM intact |
#** If you engage this key sequence, device will reboot and try to run ChromeOS Recovery (which will fail) | #** If you engage this key sequence, device will reboot and try to run ChromeOS Recovery (which will fail) | ||
#** This process will repeat on every boot until you disassemble the device and briefly disconnect the battery | #** This process will repeat on every boot until you disassemble the device and briefly disconnect the battery | ||
# '''Full Firmware / ROM''' | # '''Full Firmware / ROM''' | ||
#* A complete firmware image which replaces the hardware init component (coreboot) and payload components (BOOT_STUB, RW_LEGACY) of the stock firmware with updated and/or customized versions of coreboot and SeaBIOS | #* A complete firmware image which replaces the hardware init component (coreboot) and payload components (BOOT_STUB, RW_LEGACY) of the stock firmware with updated and/or customized versions of coreboot and SeaBIOS | ||
| − | #* Removes the white "OS verification is OFF" screen | + | #* Removes the developer mode boot (white "OS verification is OFF") screen |
| − | #* Removes the ability to run ChromeOS | + | #* Removes the ability to run ChromeOS, creating a small risk of bricking your device |
#* Offers the best support for booting all OSes besides ChromeOS (including Windows). | #* Offers the best support for booting all OSes besides ChromeOS (including Windows). | ||
#* On many models, adds full hardware support for virtualization (vmx / VT-x) | #* On many models, adds full hardware support for virtualization (vmx / VT-x) | ||
| − | #* Fixes many bugs and/or idiosyncrasies associated with the stock firmware (but potentially | + | #* Fixes many bugs and/or idiosyncrasies associated with the stock firmware (but could potentially add new ones) |
| + | #* Essentially turns your ChromeOS device into a "regular" PC / laptop | ||
Revision as of 16:11, 19 March 2016
The stock/factory firmware on some Chromebooks and Chromeboxes contains a legacy boot payload (RW_LEGACY) capable of running Linux out of the box; however, many ChromeOS devices, particularly those with BayTrail/Braswell CPUs, do not include this capability stock and must use a 3rd party firmware update in order to run GalliumOS (or any other OS).
Three types of custom firmware updates are available (though not all types are available for every device):
- RW_LEGACY
- Updates/replaces the stock legacy boot payload (SeaBIOS) included on many models; supplements the ChromeOS / secure boot payload (BOOT_STUB)
- Leaves all stock functionality intact, including the developer mode boot (white "OS verification is OFF") screen
- Allows device to dual-boot GalliumOS alongside ChromeOS
- Does not require disabling the firmware write-protect
- Carries zero risk of bricking the device
- On some models, includes bugfixes and enables additional functionality
- BOOT_STUB
- Replaces the ChromeOS verified boot payload with a legacy boot payload (SeaBIOS)
- Removes the developer mode boot (white "OS verification is OFF") screen
- Requires the firmware write-protect screw to be removed
- Removes the ability to run ChromeOS, creating a small risk of bricking your device
- Leaves the recovery mode (REFRESH + POWER) functionality of the stock ROM intact
- If you engage this key sequence, device will reboot and try to run ChromeOS Recovery (which will fail)
- This process will repeat on every boot until you disassemble the device and briefly disconnect the battery
- Full Firmware / ROM
- A complete firmware image which replaces the hardware init component (coreboot) and payload components (BOOT_STUB, RW_LEGACY) of the stock firmware with updated and/or customized versions of coreboot and SeaBIOS
- Removes the developer mode boot (white "OS verification is OFF") screen
- Removes the ability to run ChromeOS, creating a small risk of bricking your device
- Offers the best support for booting all OSes besides ChromeOS (including Windows).
- On many models, adds full hardware support for virtualization (vmx / VT-x)
- Fixes many bugs and/or idiosyncrasies associated with the stock firmware (but could potentially add new ones)
- Essentially turns your ChromeOS device into a "regular" PC / laptop
Check Hardware Compatibility and the appropriate Support page to determine the status of your model.
There are several custom firmware options available, depending on your Chromebook/box model class, and the features you require:
| Firmware Provider / Link | ARM | Pineview | Sandy/Ivy Bridge | Haswell | Broadwell | Bay Trail | Braswell | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoolStar | No | No | No | Full Firmware (Chromebooks) | Full Firmware (Chromebooks) | No | No | • Fixes factory firmware bugs • Boots Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows! • Install Guide: Haswell, Broadwell • Firmware build scripts |
| johnlewis.ie | No | No | Full Firmware, BOOT_STUB (all) | Full Firmware, BOOT_STUB, RW_LEGACY (all) | RW_LEGACY (all) | BOOT_STUB (all) | No | • Fixes factory firmware bugs • General purpose firmware for Linux • Single script works for all supported models • Firmware build scripts/configs not published |
| MattDevo (MrChromebox) |
No | No | Full Firmware (Chromeboxes) | Full Firmware (Chromeboxes), RW_LEGACY (all) | Full Firmware (Chromeboxes), RW_LEGACY (all) | RW_LEGACY (all) | No | • Fixes factory firmware bugs • Headless boot support for servers • PXE booting support • Supports integration of Kodi Media Center • Firmware source/build scripts and payload source |
Additions and corrections, please let us know: contact@galliumos.org
