Topics

1

Firmware / What does it take to support a new CPU?

« on: February 19, 2025, 07:21:42 pm »

I'm just wondering what I should know about modifying the firmware to support a new CPU 

Here is my situation: I've been trying to upgrade my firmware to the newest version, but it won't IPL on anything past System Package v2.00    . I've got a weird Talos II lite development board for a discount back in 2018 that I think uses a different DD2.1 stepping CPU (02AA883)  . So I managed to pick up two CPUs off of ebay with the number 02CY230 

If anyone wants, I'll send you the other 02CY230 in the mail for free if you're interested in working on the firmware with it (I've only got a single-socket board anyways) 

I found this post which discusses altering the firmware with a 02CY231:

tl;dr I bought an unsupported CPU, which was mostly ok, and I tweaked some firmware to make it work properly...

I figured I'd try to get a newer version of linux on the PNOR to get petitboot running on amdgpu, cause right now I've got no output even after adding firmware to BOOTKERNFW. I'll also probably try to adjust the fan curves to be quieter and undervolt if possible 

2

Firmware / Updating PNOR/BMC firmware on talos II Lite

« on: September 28, 2024, 09:12:25 pm »

Hey all,

I'm trying to get my NAVI10 AMDGPU to work with my Talos II lite. I've got the firmware in BOOTKERNFW. Just not sure if that requires an up-to-date PNOR cause this PNOR/BMC is from 2018. Just wondering if I need to update the PNOR to a more modern one to get the firmware to load.

I went on a major month-long mission bricking and re-flashing the BMC/PNOR to discover that my system won't work with the new PNOR/BMC, I even had to get a CH341a to flash it manually. Maybe this is because it's a special developer system with DD2.1-stepped CPU?. Also, I can't build the old version of OpenBMC due to bitbake having fetch issues with github.com, so it's not like I could patch BMC/PNOR myself which sucks, I guess I could bisect the code and figure it out but that would be like 50+ hours of work.

Maybe the solution for me is just to use coreboot or HEADS or something simpler. Does anyone know what the state of that is?