Flashing with Compact Flash

Flashing a new firmware (image) by Compact Flash

What you need to flash

You need the image file you want to flash. Image files have the extension *.nfi. You can't flash other
images like *.img files from the DM7000. Don't try it - it won't work.

You need either a Compact Flash card with 32MB+ (Microdrives are ok, too) and CF reader
(USB or PCMCIA-adapter work fine) working on your PC

 DM7020 CF FLASH Version 1 (download here)

1.) Prepare your CF card

The CF card must be formatted as usual (FAT12/FAT16/FAT32). We've never seen incompatible
formats, if in doubt use the windows explorer to reformat the card.

Please tell us any problems.

2.) Copy required files onto CF card

Copy autorun.bat and flash.elf to the CF card, into the root (uppermost) directory.
Don't rename these files. Don't edit autorun.bat!

Copy the firmware image to the card. Then, rename it to "flash.nfi". It has to be in the
root directory as well.

3.) "Eject" the card

In Windows, you need to "unmount" rewriteable media. Close all explorer windows accessing
the CF card, and right-click on the CF-drive. Click "Eject".
You can now pull your CF card out of your read.

4.) Switch off your Dreambox. Plug the card into the CF socket

Don't use the CI-socket (like with an adapter), it won't work. It will work only on the CF socket.

5.) Switch on your dreambox. Watch the LCD

It should say "CF FOUND" (for a very short moment), then "/cf/flash.elf" and finally
the question "flash now?" should appear.

6.) Press the upper button

The upper button corresponds to "yes".

7.) Watch the LCD

First, a "loading" (1.) should appear. This might take some minutes, depending on your CF card!

Then, a screen with "loading" (2.) should appear and a filling bar.

At last, a screen will appear which tells you that flashing went all ok (3.):

8.) Remove the CF card, press power

Your DM7020 will restart with the new flashed firmware.

FAQ:

Q: I edited the autorun.bat and it doesn't run anymore.
A: Use a unix editor with proper line endings. This is a bug in secondstage <= 27.
    Later versions have no problems with DOS line endings.
Q: The dreambox boots as normal ("/flash/zImage.elf" appears), or hangs with "CF FOUND".
A: The bootloader had problems accessing the CF card. Please try another brand, or re-format the card.
Q: A screen with "FLASH FAILED" appears. The display blinks.
A: Count the number of blinks: