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AmigaOne - U-Boot - Upgrading the Firmware

Periodically, Hyperion Entertainment will release an updated firmware image that will typically have to be applied before a new version of the Amiga Operating System (AmigaOS 4.0) can be installed. The update will specify whether a firmware upgrade is required.

Since the release of AmigaOS 4.0 Update#4, there is a new tool for updating the firmware, namely BIOSUpdater. However, there have been no new firmware updates since then to know what Hyperion will supply in the future. In addition to the files detailed below, they may also make available a '.wtf' file which could be used to update the firmware from within AmigaOS 4.0, because BIOSUpdater may prove to be a less risky process that those described here.

The updates can be downloaded from Hyperion Entertainment in a few simple steps, although the response times can be annoyingly slow.

  1. The first step is to log in by specifying your Username and Password on the left hand corner of the screen, and clicking on the Login button.
  2. The second step, if you have not done so previously, is to register your version of OS4 by clicking on the "register products" button in the left hand menu bar, then select the product to be registered (i.e. AmigaOS 4.0) and enter the 30 character or so code specified on the back of the CD packaging. If you do not do this, the required items will not shown in the download list.
  3. The next step is to click on the "Downloads" button in the top menu.
  4. You should now see a list of folders containing downloadable files. Select "AmigaOne Firmware".
  5. When the next page appears you should see two (or possibly three) versions listed.
    - A1Firmware_Floppy_dd_mmm_yyyy.zip is the 'Floppy' edition that contains a standalone U-Boot bootable image that can be directly written to a floppy disk and booted, or loaded via a network boot.
    - A1Firmware_ISO_dd_mmm_yyyy.zip is the 'ISO' edition that contains a bootable ISO image that must be written to a blank CD-R.
    - there may also be something like A1Firmware_wtf_dd_mmm_yyyy.zip that contains a '.wtf' file that allows the firmware to be updated using BIOSUpdater.
  6. Click on the version appropriate to the method you will use to upgrade the firmware.
  7. A confirmation screen will then be displayed. Read the information there before clicking on Download.
  8. When the next page appears click on Download Now and save the file to an appropriate location.
Once you have downloaded the file you need to unzip it and examine the contents.

IMPORTANT: Upgrading your firmware is potentially dangerous. If something goes wrong during the update, it might leave your system unusable. Should this situation occur, you will need to return your system, or at least the U-Boot ROM, to your dealer so that the firmware can be re-built. If you do not feel comfortable upgrading under these circumstances, contact your dealer to arrange for the upgrade or for Amiga Auckland club members, contact a member of the Executive for assistance.

Disclaimer: Amiga Auckland have prepared the above information for the use of its members based on our experiences and as such is subject to revision at any time. Amiga Auckland cannot guarantee any of the information and cannot be held accountable for any issues that may result from using it.

Copyright © 2005 Amiga Auckland Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised: September 25, 2005.