I am not sure it is on-topic, but here are
my $0.02 on this thread (multiple answers):
> > > Many flash chips have a separatly write-protectable area used
> > > for boot areas.
> >
> > I know. Is it large enough?
>
> AMD 29F040 flash chips (512KB) are divided into 64KB sectors that
> can be individually erased.
Take care that even with write-protectable sectors, most of
FLASHs cannot erase and program themself by executing code
from the FLASH been treated. You also do not want to enable
memory cache in this process. A small independant ROM is
sometime better (to do basic checks like RAM check) instead
of coping code to erase/program FLASH in RAM.
> [people talking about reprogram FLASH after total panic]
Surely there should not be complex drivers in the non
erasable boot software, because it should be bug free.
Anyway, when a company build a motherboard, it has to
test it on the production line, without any card on
the ISA bus... I have heard they use a connection through
the keyboard interface, with a very basic protocol,
use this one at last choice.
Note also that programming a FLASH *before* soldering
is theoretically not guaranted to work...
Etienne.
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