After Flash Zaurus 3100 Will Not Turn On

[SadaraX]

Hello. I have been trying to get debian to install on my zaurus sl-c3100. I had only completed the install of basics from this:

http://ewi546.ewi.utwente.nl/mirror/www.op....5.4-RC/sl3100/

With only the files:

bootstrap-image-borzoi-20051022114722.rootfs.img    
updater.sh.borzoi  
zImage-borzoi-20051022114722.bin  

Each renamed to:

initrd.bin
updater.sh
zImage.bin

I successfully flashed the system. It installed properly, though I did not choose to install OPIE or GPE. It then rebooted and plopped me into a basic command prompt system. I could mount and unmount the CF. This was good. Then I shutdown the system with 'telinit 0.'

Now I cannot start the computer again. Neither of the "on" buttons respond and it just sits dormant. I have removed the battery cover and hit the small 'reset' button but still no difference. I even held down the front and back "on" buttons at the same time, which normally brings up the maintain menu. Still nothing.

Can anyone give me an idea how to start the system when the buttons and reset do not work?

[SadaraX]

I keep seeing references to something call the 'D+M' thing, but I do not know what that is. Could someone please enlighten me? (Still trying to just start my zaurus...)

[SadaraX]

Just as a last bit of information here, the power light will not even turn on now when I hook my zaurus up to the wall. I am deeply suspicious that I have created a $600 brick...

[lardman]

Don't worry - the power light is controlled by the kernel (i.e. it must be running for the light to come on).

Equally it's not easy to brick the device (certainly not by flashing it).

I don't have a C3100 so I'm not sure of the steps for flashing myself, though I'd double check the md5sums of the files.

There are some comments in the comments section on this page about installing on the 3100: http://openzaurus.org/wordpress/installation/sl-c3000/

Si

[SadaraX]

Actually, I found this thread:

https://www.oesf.org/forums/index.php?showt...733&hl=no+light

To be remarkably helpful. One of the first suggestions by benito actually looks like it works for me. I got my zaurus to turn on and give me a menu by using D+M. I am going to leave it for now and look into recovering fully later (tomorrow).

But joyous day, it looks as though I do not own a very expensive paper weight.

[SadaraX]

I still need some help, but I'm doing alright. I followed these instructions for what I found on the other thread.

Press D+M (I think D+P works as well but you get a slightly different menu), hold down firm & attach AC while holding keys down for 3-5 seconds ... this should get you into the service menu. You can do a lot here but I wouldn't do anything if I were you - just detach power again.

I can get to here just fine and look at all the menus. But I cannot do this next part.

Then (while AC still detached): press D+B and hold down firmly while inserting battery and locking battery switch - then switch the unit on (while still holding keys) and you should get the SHARP boot screen and console login. This last thing is what I had to try a number of times - getting into the service menus was easier.

I cannot get back to a console to reboot and I cannot get to the CF flash menu (which I normally get to by using the side-On button plus the front On/Off buttons).

I need some help in getting back to the flash menu. Thanks.

[lardman]

I'd try doing a NAND restore - you may have accidentally corrupted the flash (I managed this with my c750 a while back).


Si

[Cresho]

shut down the unit.

remove cover and click reset with stylus.

hold d m

put battery and do not remove d m until it lights up.

if nothing comes up, retrywith hitting reset and start over.....keep doing till something pops up.

[SadaraX]

I'd try doing a NAND restore - you may have accidentally corrupted the flash (I managed this with my c750 a while back).

Si
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I restored the NAND from TriSoft. It restored OK. However, I am still getting the service menu. I cannot reboot the system. it does not show me the Sharp Loading screen and it does not give me a console.

[lardman]

Is there more than one type of NAND restore? One which does the whole lot and one which only does part? - I can't see why you'd have the same problem after a full restore.

Si

[TRIsoft]

SadaraX,

...However, I am still getting the service menu. I cannot reboot the system.

in the lower part of the diag menu, there're some lines with
status informations.
I bet, that the line "BootFlg:" shows "Diag" instead of "----"  

Go to "Extra Menu" -> "Clear Diag Flag" .

This should solve your problem.

///TRIsoft

Marc Stephan

[SadaraX]

I bet, that the line "BootFlg:" shows "Diag" instead of "----"   
Go to "Extra Menu" -> "Clear Diag Flag" .
This should solve your problem.

Thanks for the help. I did as you said. However there are still problems. 1) The little yellow light for the battery charging is not turning on. 2) It is still going to the service menu. But now, after following your instructions, It says BootFlg: "----"

What should I do next?

[TRIsoft]

SadaraX,

1) The little yellow light for the battery charging is not turning on.
2) It is still going to the service menu.
But now, after following your instructions, It says BootFlg: "----"

after you turned your Zaurus off, tick the reset switch to
prevent it from starting the diag after power-on.
If the charge led doesn't work, there're two possibilities:
1: Your charger circuit is blown up / AC wall socket is bad.
2: The yellow led is software controlled. So you should try to
restore the NAND backup a second time.

Fingers crossed.

///TRIsoft

Marc Stephan

[SadaraX]

Thanks for all the help so far guys. I really appreciate it.

Alright. The battery light does turn on when the battery is plugged in and the AC is attached. So that is good.

But getting the unit to start up is still a problem. Let me restate exactly what I am doing.

1) Remove battery and unhook AC power, leave the battery hatch open and unlocked
2) Press D+M,
3) While holding down firm on D+M, attach AC while holding keys down for 3-5 seconds ...
4) This pops up the service dialog menu, with about 3 pages of menus and options
5) The bootflag is currently, "----"
6) Turn off zaurus
The battery is still not in the system, but AC is still attached
9) Click the reset switch
10) Leave the battery hatch open and unlocked
11) Attempt to turn on by pressing the front side "on/off" button
12) Nothing happens

The only way to get the zaurus to turn on at all or respond is to follow steps 1 to 4.

I have not tried doing another NAND backup restore yet. Should I give that a whirl?

Also, I believe the batter is probably out of power. Could this affect anything?

[TRIsoft]

SadaraX,

10) Leave the battery hatch open and unlocked
11) Attempt to turn on by pressing the front side "on/off" button
12) Nothing happens

the Zaurus won't start up (except for Diag) with the battery
switch in "open" position (look in the manual).

///TRIsoft

Marc Stephan