Firmware/developers releases

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This guide will explain you how to install Open2x developers release by hand using a telnet session to your GP2X device. It┬┤s written to work for Windows users but Linux users will have no problems to adapt.

Please take also a look here to watch the movie about how the complete procedure will look like in realtime (movie created by Lithosphere).

Pre-requisites

 * Format a SD card at your PC (fat32)


 * Download the latest Open2x developers release


 * Extract "Open2x-[release].zip" to your harddrive and copy the contents of ".\Open2x-[release]\Firmware" to the root of your formated SD card.


 * IMPORTANT: Plug-in your external power supply to your GP2X! Most users brick their GP2X because of empty batteries while upgrading the firmware!


 * Start your GP2X


 * Go to settings menu and set the following options:
 * mount on boot (NAND) = off
 * menu extension = on
 * usb network = allways on
 * FTP, Telnet Server = allways on


 * Power off and power on again your GP2X

Installing Open2x developers release

 * Establish a usb network connection to your GP2X


 * If you connect your GP2X the first time to your computer, you┬┤ll be asked to install some drivers. Install the Linux-USB Ethernet/RNDIS gadget firmware from here. If done so, you┬┤ll need to set a fixed IP to your new windows network adapter. In most cases 10.0.0.10 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 will be the best choice.


 * Open your favourite terminal client. If you have none - puTTY will work perfectly for you. Get puTTY from there.


 * Connect to your GP2X by using the IP 10.0.0.1


 * Login as "root". A password is not required.


 * Quit your GP2X GUI by typing in the following command:
 * killall -9 gp2xmenu


 * To get sure your NAND is unmounted, type in the following two commands:
 * umount /mnt/nand
 * umount /mnt/yaffs


 * Insert your SD card with the copied firmware files.


 * Type in the following two commands:
 * cd /mnt/sd
 * ./install.gpe


 * Many files will now be extracted to you GP2X.


 * A splash screen appears at the display of your GP2X, telling you that Open2x is now installing.


 * 1-2 minutes later your terminal client will lost it┬┤s connection to your GP2X.


 * The usual bootloader screen appears. Press "Select" + "Start" at the same time.


 * Wait until screen changes and you see "Firmware upgrading". Release "Select" + "Start".


 * You will notice a new kernel splash (Open2x splash)


 * Gmenu2x will start.

Gratulations! You successfully installed Open2x to your GP2X!

What is in these?

 * Totally new set of libraries and base applications (such as new versions of BusyBox with additional features compiled in).
 * TV-out support
 * Semi-functional USB host support
 * Much shorter boot time than the GPH firmware
 * Boots straight to GMenu2X using a custom skin by Ashley Morgan
 * GP2X controls as a standard Linux joystick device
 * mmuhack
 * Very good compatibility with the GPH firmware
 * Compat mode for the few applications that won't load

What is coming

 * More built in applications! (i.e. MP2X, text reader, GP2Xpdf, GP2X11 and so on)
 * Fully functional USB host support
 * Additional USB drivers

(Original guide by Zwirch)