Upgrading Firmware

[Meonlyeviler]

I've heard alot of people so they broke there gp32 by upgrading the firmware, and I just want to see how many people have succesfully done it.

 

[Nirvanaj]

I had no problems upgrading. you just need to make sure you don't rush and read all directions. battories too need to be fresh. best to wait a bit after the software for upgrading says to reboot.

I'm working on a read-me for those who have broken their GP. It will require a little soldering. it will consist of about 3 resistors, some wire, and a conector to their computer (cost no more the 7-15 dollars. depending if you have a soldering iron). you will have to take it apart. but not all the way.

I'm also working on a ram upgrade for those that are skilled in soldering. go to the cool ideas and wish forum and check out the post.

 

[kill me2]

LOL, when i got my gp32, it had a used 16mb smc card in it, and ran this weird prog that was in it, and i didnt know it updated my firmware
=D

 

[Meonlyeviler]

Well, only one person screwed up so far.

 

[mr.spiv]

I know of four failed bios flashes and one partially failed that could be saved with reflashing..

 

[stickofjoy]

What have you reflashed with? Darkfader's Pacrom etc?

Any links?

 

[Tobriand]

Mr. Spiv's Multi-fw, the current king of bioses. Although aparrently not good if you use MacOS X or something. I'm a windows user, so it doesn't matter though.

 

[mr.spiv]

mac OSX is also ok with multifw.. as I use one.. sometimes Mac is just a bit picky but I have noticed that hooking gp32 via usb hub solves "remaining mac pecularities"..

 

[DarkWolfNine]

Alright. I just upgraded my bios w/ the Spiv Multi.... worked like a charm.. My only question is:

it says I can set a Default to one of the options.. if I do that is there any way to get it back to the select menu if you ever wanted to change?

thanks.

 

[Arutha]

Hold select while you turn on your GP32.

Select to select... that crazy Mr. Spiv!

 

[DarkWolfNine]

Thank you dude. I won't be afraid to try it now.

 

[MrT]

I have had no reason yet to flash my machine, but the knowledge that Mr Spiv could (not necessarily would) be able to fix things might change things for me. But due to my location in the USA, this might not be feasible

but nice to keep in mind though

MrT

 

[divadsci]

Well i just upgraded my firmware. A lot simpler then I thought it would be

 

[Shibaz]

I'm still hesitant.

 

[Shibaz]

^ Nevermind that, I just flashed multifw with the help of Mr.Spiv. Thanks

 

[hugofurst]

Just flashed this weekend -> Many Many Many thanks to the resourceful Mr. Spiv !!!
Now another Mac OSX user can join the GP32 party ! (MacOSX in da hi-youse !)

RE: Firmware - If you are uncomfortable with the thought of rendering your nice new GP32 useless,
maybe upgrading the firmware isn't for you ! Honest.

Otherwise - Per various flashers;
1) Use a fresh set of batteries - Doy !
(the math - $5.00 for set of new AA's -or- $150 for a new GP32 !!)
2) Know exactly what you are doing and why.
(maybe you don't want to mess with the firmware just yet; enjoy your GP32 awhile longer)
3) Backup, backup, backup, backup !
4) Have a plan "b" if you screwup your GP32 - Stress management ? a flash eeprom guru at work ?
or $150 to purchase a new GP32 ?

Having said all that - it was relatively painless & relatively quick.

(Originally) Being a MacOSX /user, I had no luck w/ VPC or Softwindows when trying to register w/ GP.
Broke down & "borrowed" a PC just to reg + get free launcher.
After that debacle, Smooth Sailing(tm) --- Per Mr. Spiv, USB SMC reader/writer is smoooth, fast & flawless.
(Just wish the GP32 delt with .ds_store & other MacOSX file system "trash" better )

Now, where's that damn backlight ?!

 

[rcx21000]

Hehehehehe, I voted I'm to scared, but now, I flashed MutiFW No Prob! I can't wait until the next version tonight

 

[ralp99]

i dont know why I'd want to upgrade the bios.. I guess I am not completely certain I understand what the benefit is. It sends data over faster? lets you load emulators faster? start into windups? thats all well and good, but not enough reason for me to give it a shot. my main concern is with running the prog's for it it, I am not terribly concerned about loading them that much faster or front-end aesthetics.

however.. if upgrading a BIOS would allow certain things to run better (faster emulators, higher compatibility, etc) then I would be all for it.. but I am not under the impression that this is the case??

 

[sloth]

Nope... no real benefit at all.. except faster boot up time and a cool UI.
The only reason I flashed was so itd boot into windups on power up. I dont have any commercial games (nor am I particularly interested in any...), so the whole Animation/Game/Freelauncher sequence annoyed me... Like you said, its just front-end aesthetics...

 

[rcx21000]

Nope, no faster emus... The davantages I see are faster getting to games, accurate loading bars (it seems the the games actually load faster, too in pacrom mutifw) and if you are a dever (like me ), there is debugging stuff in the fw.

P.S. I upgraded to mutifw v2 no problem