BBG Boot Loader Advisement for Hickory and AcornSix 3-11-24

[cnckeith]

BBG Boot Loader Advisement for Hickory and AcornSix 3-11-24

We have released a new version of the Beagle Bone Green (BBG) Centroid CNC Boot Up Firmware that improves the boot up reliability of the Hickory and AcornSix power-on boot up process.

If your Hickory or AcornSix has shipped after 3-5-24 you already have the new firmware and do not need to update it.

Why this new BBG boot up firmware (often called “Boot Loader” for short) is needed:

Recently we became aware of inconsistent boot ups of a BBG installed on a Hickory due to an IC change that was made on the BBG by the BBG supplier (the old chip is not available anymore). This new chip requires some small changes to the Centroid BBG boot loader firmware to produce the best reliable CNC control board boot up process. This new Boot Loader Firmware is now available for download on this page. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... icker.html

Note: You can make your own Boot Loader SD card to use to perform the installation as described in the page above or if you like, as a courtesy, we can mail you an SD card with the new boot loader firmware ready to use. ( as see in this video. )

Notes:

- The old BBG Boot up firmware (what you currently have) does work with the new BBG chip it is just will not boot the CNC control board 100% of the time.

- Once the control board has booted with the old boot loader firmware everything will run fine.
This issue has nothing to do with any daily operation once the control board has booted! Said another way, this new Boot Loader firmware update only affects and improves the Boot Up process of the CNC control board not any CNC Control operation once it has been booted.

- With the OLD Boot Loader firmware if the CNC control board doesn’t boot, the work around is: you simply power down and try again until it boots.

So, the choice is yours on whether or not to update the Boot Loader Firmware but, we suggest that you do take the time to perform the update for maximum boot up reliability.

Installing the new BBG Boot Loader firmware just takes a few minutes and the CNC Control board or the BBG does not have to be removed from the electrical cabinet, on Hickory and AcornSix the update can be done in place. See video link above.

FAQs

1.) What is the symptom of the problem? The Hickory or AcornSix will not boot every time it is turned on, you have to power cycle to get it to boot.
2.) What versions of CNC12 does this new boot loader work with? All
3.) Can this boot loader be installed on an old BBG that has the old chip? Yes,
It also improves the boot up process with the old BBG’s as well with more check and verify type functions in it.
4.) How do I know if I have new or old BBG?
Oddly the NEW BBG’s are labeled “BBG1” on the barcode and “v1.1” on the PC board.
And all the old BBG’s are labeled “BBG2” Centroid began receiving the new BBG’s in 2022, only about a month ago was this issue recognized since it is quite intermittent in most systems.
5.) Would it hurt to install new Firmware on a BBG that already has it? No.

[glbreil]

Thanks and how do I go about getting you to mail me a jumper and SD with the firmware update?

Thanks Gary

[cnckeith]

email support@centroidcnc.com with your mailing address and request the Hickory SD card and Jumper kit for Boot Loader installation.