Intel Edison Getting started 2: Updating Edison[incomplete] − kiir.net

Before you start something with Edison, updating Edison image is highly recommended. The initial version image is buggy and embedded utilities have changed a lot. So I write this post just after the 1st step: serial communication. The word “update” is chosen in the title but precisely this post explains how to “flash an image” on Edison module. You can update to new image, re-flash current version, or flash your own yocto distribution in the same way.

0. Before you start

Intel Edison module officially supports yocto linux and Intel directly distributes linux image from Edison software downloads page.

Flashing image on Edison changes the contents of the storage. You may lose your data in Edison. Must backup all your important data before flashing new image.

Loss of power during the image flashing can be harmful to the hardware and software. Use stable power source like USB or DC adaptor. Never cut the power during the flashing.

1. Checking current image version

Connect to Edison’s linux console. Serial or SSH both are ok but to see the whole flashing procedure, serial connection is recommended. After logon, type following command on the shell.

configure-edison --version

Here’s my result. 68 means my Edison’s image version. In your case, it could show other number. Actually I already update to 68 from initial one.

2. Checking newer image

Visit Edison software downloads page and check there’s new image.

There’s new version. Rel-1-Maint-WW42(=42). Although my image’s version is 68(=WW36), 42 is newer one. It seems that they’ve been changing versioning method. Anyway, if there’s newer image, download it, zipped Edison Yocto complete image file.

3. Copy new image to Edison Disk

Connect J16 with your computer. It will power the Edison module and make a new driver name “Edison” on your computer. Windows and OSX will mount it as a new driver. In some linux distribution you need to mount it manually.

If Edison disk is shown in your computer, make sure that the disk is empty. Before copy new image’s files, remove the old files in Edison disk. Formatting it can be a good solusion. If decided to format it, choose FAT32 as the file system.

Extract the downloaded zip file into Edison disk. The total file size is more than 400 MB and Edison disk is quite slow, so it will takes several minute to complete.

4. Flashing the image

– On yocto linux console

Come back to Edison’s linux console using serial or SSH. Type following command on the shell.

reboot ota

Then Edison will be rebooted and flash the new image during the new boot sequence.

During the flashing, Edison can reboot several times.

If flashing is all done successfully, new linux logon prompt will be shown. Because the privious setting are all removed, you should logon with default account “root” with no password.

If you did update command using SSH over Wifi, you can not access SSH just after the update. Wifi connection information(wpa_supplicant) is also removed, so you need to setting it up again.

– On boot loader

In case Edison’s linux is damaged so the linux shell is not reachable, you can try to command flashing in boot loader. Connect serial communication and reboot Edison. Using power button, turn it off and on again.

In a very early stage of booting, you can see “Hit any key to stop autoboot” message. Before the counter end, hit any key, then the boot loader’s prompt will be shown.