Can I get a clarification on re-flashing the firmware?

MNT Pocket Reform
1

I’d like some clarification on these directions for reflashing the firmware so I can boot up the computer, since I’ve misunderstood directions on this machine already. (Thanks I think to overly literal reading of the materials.)

  1. Prepare a roughly postcard sized piece of cardboard or plastic for isolating the motherboard.
  2. Carefully unscrew and open the Top Half’s back cover.
  3. Unscrew the right port cover and the motherboard’s four screws.
  4. Lift the motherboard out of the case while not causing any shorts/contact with the case or tools, and place the isolation material from step 1 in between the motherboard and the case.
  5. Set the 2 jumpers on the motherboard to the position that is further away from the internal USB-C port.
  6. Connect a USB-C cable to the motherboard’s internal USB-C port and the other side to your computer.
  7. Set DIP switch PROG on Pocket Reform’s motherboard to “ON”.
  8. Press RESET button next to the DIP switch.
  9. System Controller’s memory appears as a virtual flash drive on your computer.
  10. Execute flashing command (see below) without bus --3 argument.
  11. Unplug the USB-C or Micro-USB cable.
  12. Set DIP switch PROG to “OFF” (labelled “1” on the switch).
  13. Reassemble the device.

On Pocket Reform or your other computer, execute the following commands:

… code-block:: none

git clone Reform / MNT Pocket Reform · GitLab
cd pocket-reform
./install-fw-dependencies.sh
cd pocket-reform-sysctl-fw
./build.sh
sudo picotool load build/sysctl.uf2 --bus 3 -f

Note the --bus 3 argument to picotool. This instructs picotool to look for the RP2040 on the third USB bus, so you don’t actually flash the System Controller’s firmware onto the keyboard, which has the same type of chip. If you’re flashing the controller from another computer, you have to remove this --bus 3 argument.

My understanding here is that I:

  1. Open the computer, connect the other computer, and manipulate the switches.

  2. Execute the picotool command from the other computer without the --bus 3 argument.

  3. Do the steps to reassemble and boot up the computer.

  4. Run the picotool command a second time, either from the reform (with the --bus 3 argument) or from the other computer (without the argument).

That’s my understanding, but perhaps the section “On Pocket Reform or your other computer, execute the following commands” isn’t a next step, but simply a further explanation of the command, and the picotool command only needs to be run once?

I wish I parsed directions easily! Any elaboration would be greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
-Colin

2

You only need to run the picotool command once (this is what updates the firmware).
Except for this I think your understanding is correct!

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