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Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 20 Jan 2011, 19:34
by mrblp
Hello,

I patched the NXT Firmware v1.29 to remove everything I do not need:
- No "View", "Try Me", "Datalog" or "NXT (OnBrickProgramming)"-Menu anymore
- Most of those functions eliminated
- Only one startup picture

It works :-)

I added support for sending and deleting .ric-files. But I do not understand how to view the content of a .ric-file. Does anybody know how to do this directly in firmware? I had a view on how sound-file are played but the graphic module is a part of the cmd-module and I simply do not understand how to use it.

Another question: I would like to add a setup for the display contrast and store the data via nvram. Does anybody know how stable their code is?

Thank you for your suggestions :-)

Bye - marvin

PS: Did anybody try to understand the color sensor code in firmware??? That is a real mess - sorry LEGO. I know I understood parts of it in summer - but I seem to get older and forgot it...

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 20 Jan 2011, 20:12
by mattallen37
Hey, that is a great idea; eliminate all that junk that lego put into the FW. I don't know how much flash that saves, but I know that I NEVER use some of that stuff.

John, if it wouldn't take too much work, would you consider making two FW's? Both would work with NXC/NBC as well as NXT-G, but one of them would eliminate all the totally useless parts. Also maybe add some special features, like being able to view .ric files.

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 20 Jan 2011, 20:39
by gloomyandy
So do you folks regularly run out of flash space? What do you store in it? Must admit I've never found how much flash the NXT has a limitation...

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 20 Jan 2011, 20:51
by mattallen37
I have run out many times. Most of the time I just delete a few programs and that takes care of it. However, it would be nice to not have all the unwanted stuff in the FW. If for no other reason, it would clean up the menu a little.

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 21 Jan 2011, 16:21
by nxtboyiii
Yes. That would be very nice if john could do that.

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 21 Jan 2011, 18:00
by afanofosc
In my enhanced NBC/NXC code I have added ifdefs that let you build the image without a lot of stuff that is not critical. I will see about distributing both versions in the future.

John Hansen

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 21 Jan 2011, 20:29
by nxtboyiii
How do you change the firmware?

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 21 Jan 2011, 21:08
by mattallen37
nxtboyiii wrote:How do you change the firmware?
Do you mean replace the FW on the brick? Or do you mean modify the FW?

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 21 Jan 2011, 22:13
by nxtboyiii
I mean modify.

Re: Wanted: Firmware Hackers...

Posted: 21 Jan 2011, 22:21
by nxtboyiii
mrblp wrote:Hello,

I patched the NXT Firmware v1.29 to remove everything I do not need:
- No "View", "Try Me", "Datalog" or "NXT (OnBrickProgramming)"-Menu anymore
- Most of those functions eliminated
- Only one startup picture

It works :-)

I added support for sending and deleting .ric-files. But I do not understand how to view the content of a .ric-file. Does anybody know how to do this directly in firmware? I had a view on how sound-file are played but the graphic module is a part of the cmd-module and I simply do not understand how to use it.

Bye - marvin
Can you post the compiled firmware?