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The Gemini Project

Dumbo - the dumb boot plugin - v0.26a

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Do you have less flash-memory at your Dreambox for your daily Updates, Skins or Picons? Than Dumbo may be interesting for you. This plugin from gutemine helps you to boot the Dreambox via a compressed image from a removable media like Compact Flash or USB-Stick.

Dumbo is not a tool for Multiboot but it supports to boot via removable drives. Of course you can backup this kind of image. This plugin also helps to create a swap-file or swap-partition. Because of this you can use Dumbo at Dreamboxes with less RAM (like the DM 7025) without having problems due to less memory while decompressing or maintaining the image. Swap is activated during the boot process of Dumbo as told in the /etc/fstab.

The Dumbo Plugin

You configure Dumbo in this steps. Install the plugin into the flash image (the main image in the Dreambox). Then plug in the Compact Flash card or your prefered media to create partitions on it. You will get two partitions. The first to create a bootable FAT file system and the second to create the main ext3 file system.

Now start the plugin Dumbo to choose the image that will be installed at your removable media. After about 5 minutes of decompression, installing and rebooting the Dreambox will be available for your new experiments.

The complete configuration of the Dumbo-Plugin is described in this article. Please take your time to read it carefully to get all requirements.

Good luck and have a lot of fun! :-)

This article is based at the forum-topic: Dumbo - the Dumb Boot Plugin (German language)


Objectives:

  • Configure bios of the corresponding box.
  • Prepare desired image for the Dumbo device.
  • Installation of Dumbo plugin.
  • Configuration of Dumbo Plugin.
  • Start Dumbo, partition the desired media and extract desired image to attached media.
  • Learn operation / functions of Dumbo.
  • To know the webinterface of Dumbo.
  • Able to update the Dumbo plugin.
  • Uninstall Dumbo if required.
  • Integrate Dumbo into BluePanel (optional).
  • Read chapter "Troubleshooting Dumbo Plugin".
  • Read chapter "Frequently asked questions (FAQ).
  • Read chapter "Successfully used Dumbo devices".
  • To know the support thread of Dumbo.


Requirements:

  • Enigma2 based Dreambox.
  • Supported boxes are DM 7025 (+), DM 800HD PVR, DM 800HD se, DM 7020HD and DM 8000HD PVR.
    DM 500 HD should also work, but an USB mod (German language) is required.
  • An OE 1.6 image in flash, with recent second stage loader (e.g #83 or #84 depending on box typ). Images with older SSL versions are successfully tested onto Dumbo device. But care about updates. If current SSL will be replaced by an older one, booting from Dumbo device will no longer work. It only helps to update SSL manually via secondstage-dmxxx-xx.nfi, or via dreambox-secondstage_xx-dmxxx.ipk packet, unless flash memory is booting flawlessly.
  • Do not use an iCVS image with GP3 plugin in flash memory when no hard drive is installed! Again, problems has only the one without a hard drive. Is a hard drive installed iCVS can be used in flash memory with or without gp3 plugin.
  • Attached removable device needs at least 512MB.
  • Maximum supported device size is 32GB.
  • DM 7025 (+) needs a CF card as storage medium.
  • DM 500 HD, DM 800HD PVR, DM 800HD se, DM 7020HD and DM 8000HD PVR need an USB Stick as storage medium.
  • During setup, attach only desired media to the Dreambox.
  • The desired device must be formated in FAT or FAT32.
  • Telnet Client, for packet installation.
  • Strong-willed to read the article before anger the family.
  • Read carefully the note below about initramfs.
  • Read the information about using Dumbo on a DM 7020HD.


Ambox attention.png (Initramfs) unlimited happiness with Dumbo
Dumbo works perfect with one attached storage device. Problems occur only when you attach additional devices. Thereby the device names will be shifted and booting is no longer possible. This can only be solved with a bootlog and by editing the file autoexec_*.bat (read chapter "General boot problems"). To avoid this problem use an image with the initramfs patch from gutemine (iCVS, OoZoon and Nemesis). This modification supports label booting and problems with multiple attached devices are over. This note applies only for Dreamboxes which use an USB-stick as storage device. The DM7025(+) supports only CF cards and boots always from it without any problems.


Ambox notice.png Dumbo and DM7020HD
Dumbo works only with an OoZooN Image (initramfs 2.1) in flash memory. And only the rear USB ports are supported. Other images can also be extracted onto the Dumbo device. But Dumbo settings Labelmount and Flashcopy must be enabled.


Installing Dumbo the dumb boot plugin

Bios-Configuration of the Dreambox

Bios - DM 8000 HD PVR
Bios - DM 800 HD se
Bios - DM 7025 (+)

You need to prepare the Bios to be able to boot via a removable media containing the FAT filesystem.
The following chapter shows you the needed preparation for the different kind of Dreamboxes.

You need to activate USB Support at all Dreamboxes. But you do not need to activate this at the 7025.

Ambox notice.png Changing the Bios
Like flashing the Bios via Webbrowser you can connect to the Bios.
After you see "STOP" at the display you can connect via telnet ip_of_dreambox to the Bios. Than you can change the needed values. Further informations about accessing the BIOS can be found in Wiki article The Dreambox Bios.


Ambox notice.png Choose Boot Source
If you cannot change the values at Boot Source between Flash / CF / USB,
then use the [Page UP] or [Page Down] keys at your keyboard.
Mac users can use the following combination [Fn]+[Shift]+[Arrow up/down].

The following picture shows how these keys can look ;)

Dumbo Plugin keys example.png


DM 500 HD

Primary boot source: usb [/autoexec_dm500hd.bat]

Secondary boot source: flash

Enable USB support: [ENABLED]


DM 7025 (+)

Primary boot source: cf [/autoexec_dm7025.bat]

Secondary boot source: flash

Enable USB support: [DISABLED]


DM 800HD PVR

Primary boot source: usb [/autoexec_dm800.bat]

Secondary boot source: flash

Enable USB support: [ENABLED]


DM 800HD se

Primary boot source: usb [/autoexec_dm800se.bat]

Secondary boot source: flash

Enable USB support: [ENABLED]


DM 7020HD

Primary boot source: usb [/autoexec_dm7020hd.bat]

Secondary boot source: flash

Enable USB support: [ENABLED]


DM 8000HD PVR

Primary boot source: usb [/autoexec_dm8000.bat]

Secondary boot source: flash

Enable USB support: [ENABLED]


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Dumbo plugin installation

The installation may vary, depending on the box type.
Make sure you are using the correct one ;)


Installation for DM500HD, DM800(se), DM7020HD and DM8000

For the installation are both files from the Dumbo thread needed. Or from here.

  • dosfstools_3.0.11-r2_mipsel.ipk
  • enigma2-plugin-extensions-dumbo_x.xx_mipsel.ipk

Dosfstools is used to create the FAT partition. The second packet is the actual Dumbo plugin.

Copy dosfstools and Dumbo plugin via FTP to the Dreambox into the /tmp folder. Use telnet or ssh to access the command prompt and install both packets with following command.

opkg install /tmp/*.ipk


To install both packets individually, use following steps.

opkg install /tmp/dosfstools_3.0.11*

Followed by the next command, that installs the Dumbo plugin.

opkg install /tmp/enigma2-plugin-extensions-dumbo*


Switch dreambox off and connect the USB-Stick.
Turn on the dream (Dreambox) and follow the next step of the wiki article.


Installation for DM 7025 (+)

For the installation are again both files from the Dumbo thread needed. Or from here.

  • dosfstools_3.0.11-r2_mipsel.ipk
  • enigma2-plugin-extensions-dumbo_x.xx_mipsel.ipk

Dosfstools is used to create the FAT partition. The second packet is the actual Dumbo plugin.

Copy dosfstools and Dumbo plugin via FTP to the Dreambox into the /tmp folder. Use telnet or ssh to access the command prompt and install both packets with following command.

opkg install /tmp/dosfstools_3.0.11*

The procedure to install the Dumbo plugin is different because the required second stage loader packet is not present in the opkg status database. The installation will be canceled for this reason because of missing dependencies. Or the second stage loader will automatically be downloaded and installed and causing boot problems.

Ambox attention.png Do not install the dumbo plugin without cheating the packet management. Otherwise you have to flash the Dreambox with DreamUP when the second stage loader is installed using the package management. Please use only following procedure (Cheating the packet management) to install the Dumbo plugin!


Cheating the packet management

We are cheating now a little bit. So the packet management thinks the correct second stage loader is already installed. First we create a file (dreambox-secondstage.list) with following command.

touch /usr/lib/opkg/info/dreambox-secondstage.list

Now edit the file /usr/lib/opkg/status and add following entry at the end. Use please an unix conform editor (e.g. Nodepad++).

Package: dreambox-secondstage
Version: 84-r0a
Depends: dreambox-bootlogo (>= 7.0)
Provides:
Status: install ok installed
Architecture: dm7025
Installed-Time: 1315676295
Auto-Installed: yes

Now install the Dumbo plugin with following command.

 opkg install /tmp/enigma2-plugin-extensions-dumbo*

Switch dreambox off and connect the CF card.
Turn on the dream (Dreambox) and follow the next step of the wiki article.


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Prepare desired image for the Dumbo device

Now copy the desired image for the CF card or USB-Stick to the Dreambox.
Per default, the plugin scans following directories.

  • /MB_Images
  • /media/hdd/backup


Ambox notice.png Selection of other directories
Is the image stored in a different location (e.g. USB-stick) the desired path can easily be changed. Open the Setup menu in Dumbo and change the path.
Save input with the [OK] key.
Ambox notice.png Image from Flash memory
The flash image can also be extracted to the Dumbo device.
Ambox notice.png Selection of network locations
Extracting images from a network drive (e.g. NAS) is not possible due to stability problems. Use please above paths or the hard drive (/media/hdd/backup). The desired image can also be copied to a storage device (e.g. USB-stick). But do not forget to change the path in the setup menu.


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Configure the Dumbo plugin

Dumbo works with default settings without any problems. But there are maybe some interesting settings available. Check please the description and decide if you want to change something. Especially the last setting is interesting for booting the Dumbo device via label.

Ambox notice.png Handling of settings

Check and change always the Dumbo settings before extracting an image. And do not forget changes of the Dumbo settings are only applied when extracting an image to the Dumbo device (except the backup path setting).

Enter Backup path
Image backups are saved into the configured path. And of course, images are also taken from the path when extracting an image to the Dumbo device.

Dumbo settings


Dumbo FAT size 0 [8-512 MB]
Defines the [FAT] size (8MB are enough, see chapter "Frequently asked questions").


Dumbo Image size 0 = entire device [MB]
With setting 0 the entire Dumbo device will be used as storage medium. If you want to shrink the size (e.g. for rest partitions) then use this setting. Recommended Dumbo size is 512MB - 1GB


Swapsize [128-2047 MB]
Defines the swap size which is active after booting from the Dumbo device.


Swappartition
Instead of using a swapfile it is also possible to use swap as a partition, when changing the setting to [true]. Boot process is a little bit faster if the Dumbo size is not choosen to large.


Restpartition
The rest of the partition can be used as an additional partition if you have limited the Dumbo image size. The rest partition must be mounted manually or edit the /etc/fstab file!


Restlabel
The entered name will be used as label for the rest partition.


Restformat
If set to [true] the rest partition will be formated. Attention turn this option to false after extracting an image. Otherwise the rest partition with all your data will be formated.


Ignore devices larger than [MB]
Protection mechanism, so that storage devices are not accidentally formatted, while using Dumbo.


alphabetic sort
Value true lists all available images in alphabetical order. Using false the plugin lists first all images from /MB_Images, then the images from the configured path (e.g. /media/hdd/backup).


rootdelay [sec]
This will improve the BIOS recognition for some devices. Changing the value in between 10 till 15 seconds may help. See chapter rootdelay for more informations.


Copy Flaskernel
Setting appears only if an image with initramfs is installed in the flash memory (e.g. with iCVS, OoZoon oder Nemesis). Value [true] copies the flash kernel to the Dumbo device so that label booting works. Very interesting when the Dumbo image has no initramfs support (e.g. Merlin or a DMM experimental). Only with the setting true is it possible to boot such images. Has the desired image initramfs support then change the setting to false. On a DM 7025(+) is this configuration not visible.


Labelmount
Setting appears only if an image with initramfs is installed in the flash memory (e.g. with iCVS, OoZoon oder Nemesis). Activate (true) the setting to boot via label. On a DM 7025(+) is this configuration not visible.


Description of color keys

  • [Cancel] - Closes the Dumbo plugin.
  • [OK] - Saves the input.
  • [About] - Shows Dumbo version and memory consumption.
  • [Donation] - Opens the donation screen.


Ambox notice.png Customized settings
Customized settings will be saved in /etc/enigma2/settings.


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Start Dumbo Plugin, partition it and decompress it

Dumbo in action

Start the Dumbo Plugin via the extensions menu and press the yellow Button called [Booting] at your remote control. To configure you need to execute the following steps. The GIF animation on the right side shows the steps as screenshots.

1. Select [Destination device] (CF-Card or USB Stick)
2. Choose [fill with image]
3. Select [Your desired Image]. The flash memory can also be extracted to the attached media.
4. Confirm the questions by pressing the [OK] button.


The partitions are now build at the plugged in removable media. After this the images is decompressed.
While the plugin is working the sleeping Dumbo is shown.

After the automatic restart, the new image should be started and ready to use.


Ambox attention.png DM 7025(+) users please read
After the Dumbo image is up and running do not forget to cheat again the packet management. Otherwise during update the second stage loader will be installed and the box will not boot any more. After modifying the opkg status database, updating the Dumbo image is possible without any problems. This procedure is only necessary if u have extracted an image from the hard drive. If the flash image was extracted to the Dumbo device the modification is already made and there is no need to cheat the opkg status database again.
Ambox notice.png Password and network settings
After the image extraction, the root password and network settings are copied to the Dumbo device.
Ambox notice.png Partition Label
After partitioning the FAT file system is labeled TIMOTHY and the ext3 file system is labled DUMBO.


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Using the Dumbo Plugin

The functions of Dumbo depends of using the Flashimage or the Dumbo-device.
Please read the following chapters to learn the main functions.


Start via Flash image

Yellow button [Booting]

The red button [Cancel] closes the plugin. The green button [Backup] cannot be used as long as the flash image is active.


You can call four functions by pressing the yellow button at your remote control called [Booting].
The screen-shot on the right shows the possibilities.


  • [boot existing image] - Starts the image from the Dumbodevice
  • [re-fill with image] - Starts partitioning and choosing the image to decompress at the Dumbodevice.
  • [Filesystemcheck] - Verifies the Dumbodevice about FAT or ext3 filesystem errors
  • [Bootlogofix] - The Bootlogofix is imported when booting no longer works after updating the Dumbo image. Read please chapter Problems after updating the Dumbo device.


The blue button [Setup] opens the setup page of Dumbo.

Ambox attention.png Function - re-fill with image
Please check always the setup menu before extracting an image!


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Start via Dumbo device

Functions of Dumbo device

Is the Dumbo image up and running, following functions can be executed.

  • [Cancel] - Closes the Dumbo plugin.
  • [Backup] - Saves Dumbo image to a selectable destination (See next section).
  • [Booting] - Boots image from flash memory.
  • [Setup] - Opens the setup menu of Dumbo.


Create backup from Dumbo device

Start Dumbo plugin and press the green button [Backup]. Then select path for the backup using the remote control (e.g. /media/hdd/backup). The image will be saved into the selected folder.


Ambox notice.png Valid Backup locations
Backups are only possible within folder /media/xxx. The Dumbo device cannot be selected as backup device.
Ambox notice.png Path settings for backups
The selected backup location (e.g. NAS) , will from now on be used for re-filling the Dumbo device.


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The Dumbo web-interface

Dumbo - Started from flash memory
Dumbo - Started from Dumbo device

Access Dumbo web-interface with following syntax.

http://ip-address_of_dreambox/dumbo

The functionality is the same as described in the chapter Using the Dumbo Plugin.
Big difference is that you control Dumbo with mouse/keyboard using your webbrowser and not with your remote control.


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Updating the Dumbo plugin

Updating Dumbo is easy. Are new functions added or bugs corrected, Dumbo can easily be updated to the latest version. All you need, is the most recent version from the Dumbo Thread. Or from here.

Start the flash image. Copy new Dumbo plugin into the /tmp directory and execute following command to install it.

opkg install /tmp/enigma2-plugin-extensions-dumbo*


Restart Enigma2 or reboot the Dreambox.


Ambox notice.png Updating the Dumbo device
Dumbo will automatically be updated on the Dumbo device once it is started.


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Uninstalling the Dumbo Plugin / Formating the Dumbo device

Uninstall Dumbo with both steps described below.

  • Erase and format the Dumbo device (CF-Card or USB-Stick)
  • Remove Dumbo plugin from flash memory

Start the flash image. After starting the Dumbo plugin choose [Boot] => [re-fill with image] and then the entry [Delete]. The Dumbo device will now be formated with an ext3 file system.

The following command will remove the Dumbo Plugin in the flash memory.

opkg remove enigma2-plugin-extensions-dumbo


Ambox notice.png Note about Bios settings
You do not need to reset the Bios settings. The box will boot normally via the flash memory. Nevertheless you can reset the BIOS to factory default.
Ambox notice.png Removing image from the Dumbo device
You can also format the Dumbo device with other tools. For Windows users is the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool interesting and for Linux users gparted.


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Integrate Dumbo plugin into BluePanel (optional)

Dumbo meets BluePanel


Dumbo can be integrated into the Blue Panel as an alternative start option.
The menu where Dumbo appears can be chosen (e.g. Settings menu).

Use steps written below.


1. Open BluePanel and select menu for the Dumbo plugin (e.g. Settings menu).

2. Press [Menu] key.

3. Select [Settings] entry.

4. Select [Add plugin].

5. Chose Dumbo entry with [OK].

6. Select key combination for the plugin.

7. Save inputs with the green button on your remote control.


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Timothy / Dumbo as Spinner (optional)

Timothy

Here is a sweet Timothy or a Dumbo spinner for your Dreambox. Set the spinner up with the geminispinner plugin or use the Spinner-Selector.


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Dumbo meets DM8000HD PVR on a SATA SSD device

SSD Power

The desired image can run on a SATA SSD device. The advantage is that booting is very fast. Use for example the DeLOCK SATA 2GB Flash Modul (vertical). It fits perfectly in the DM 8000HD PVR and the delivered power cable can easily be connected to the power supply unit.

The BIOS must be adapted for the SATA SSD device. But not like written in the Dumbo article. Booting works only from a SATA device if the Kernel Command Line is enabled and correctly configured.

Please note booting from flash memory only works when disabling the kernel command line. Otherwise starts always the Dumbo device.

If you want to switch between flash memory and Dumbo device an image must be installed using the initramfs patch (recommended option). The modified kernel is much smarter than the default kernel. Before starting from SSD it checks whether a /autoexec_dm8000.bat file is found on the FAT partition or not. If no file is available the image starts from flash memory. Is the file present then the adapted BIOS settings will be used to boot from the SATA SSD device.

Connect SATA SSD device

SSD - 8K old revision
SSD - 8K new revision

Connect the SSD device using the following two descriptions. The difference is if an hard drive is installed or not. Use the pictures for connecting the devices (SSD, HDD and DVD).


DM 8000 PVR without hard drive

Use the pictures and attach the SSD device to the upper right (1) SATA port. Now connect the power supply cable to the psu and the SSD device. The storage device will later be recognized as /dev/sda. Use command df -h to check the device name.


DM 8000 PVR with hard drive

SSD device is also connected to the upper right (1) SATA port. Then connect the hard drive to the port on bottom left (2). On older DM8000 models is only one SATA port left for the connection.

Newer revisions are providing three SATA connections on the main board. Connect the hard drive on the left side of both SATA ports. The port on the right is used for the DVD drive (3). Is everything correctly connected the SSD device will be recognized as /dev/sdb and the hard drive as /dev/sda.


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Adapting the BIOS

BIOS without HDD

This section shows the BIOS adjustments for boxes with or without hard drives. Enable the Change Command Line and adapt the Kernel Command Line as described below. See picture BIOS without HDD as an example for boxes without an hard drive.


DM 8000 PVR without hard drive

Change Command Line      [ENABLED ]

Kernel Command Line      [console=ttyS0,115200 ip=dhcp root=/dev/sda2 rootfstype=ext3 rw]


DM 8000 PVR with hard drive

Change Command Line      [ENABLED ]

Kernel Command Line      [console=ttyS0,115200 ip=dhcp root=/dev/sdb2 rootfstype=ext3 rw]


Dumbo installation and configuration

Set Dumbo up as written in the article. Good luck and have a lot of fun ;)


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Troubleshooting the Dumbo plugin

Dumbo log file

When the Dumbo plugin is working it writes a log file to /tmp/dumbo.log. Attach the file to the Dumbo thread whenever you have problems.


Dumbo Plugin versions

Use always the most recent Dumbo version from the first post of gutemine's thread. Old hoarded plugin's will never be supported. So use always the newest available version. Here can you also find the plugin (ihad).


General boot problems

USB stick

The BIOS accepts probably an USB stick if Windows recognizes it as a "mass storage device" and not as a "USB stick yxz". When booting fails, use an USB hub in between or use another USB stick (a passive hub is sufficient, there is no need for an extra power supply).


Prerun

Disable [Prerun] option in BIOS if Dreambox is hanging while starting up. This setting is only valid for USB devices.


Rootdelay

For some devices is it helpful to increase the rootdelay value of 10 till 15 seconds. This will improve the BIOS recognition. But if you have to increase the time the USB device is to slow and unsuitable. Useful USB devices are recognized after 5-7 sec. That means the default value of 10 seconds is more than sufficient. The value can be changed in the setup menu of Dumbo. Changes of the rootdelay value are only active when extracting an image or by executing the bootlogofix (The new value will be written into the autoexec*.bat file).


BIOS settings - Change command line

In BIOS, make sure the entry Change command line is set to [DISABLED].


Reset BIOS to factory defaults

Are you not able to boot from the Dumbo device then reset the BIOS to factory defaults. Edit again the BIOS and try again to boot from the Dumbo device.


Problems with several attached storage media

For the first boot only the Dumbo device should be attached to your Dreambox, because the root devices in the autoexec_*.bat file are made for this situation. If you are going to attach further USB devices the device names will be shifted. In this case the autoexec_*.bat of your Dreambox has to be changed at the root=/dev/sdX2 by using a different letter at the X.

Ambox notice.png Flash an image with "Initramfs"
Please use an image with the modified initramfs patch. And all booting problems are gone.


Booting from Dumbo device will simply not work

Use please following steps if booting won't (never) work from Dumbo device.

  • Create a bootlog to check how the dumbo device is recognized by the Dreambox. Check also that the box reads the correct autoexec*.bat entry. A mistype is quickly made. And do not play with BIOS settings. It reacts quite sensitive when playing around. All you need are the modifications (as described in the beginning of the article) to be able to boot from the attached Dumbo device. If boot problems still arise (e.g. wrong autoexec*.bat entry) reset the BIOS to factory defaults. Modify the settings in BIOS and try again to boot.
  • Doesn't booting work, then extract the desired image to the Dumbo device. Afterwards connect the Dumbo device to the PC and format the FAT partition (Save first all files from FAT partition and copy them back after the formating process).
  • You could also test an USB hub (Not needed / possible when using a CF card).
  • Or increase the rootdelay value in the Dumbo settings. Extract the image again and test the booting process.
  • Or simply use another USB device.


Problems after updating the Dumbo device (initramfs)

Booting from Dumbo device will no longer work after a kernel (initramfs) update. In that case start the flash image (is already the case) and make sure labelmount is enabled. Now perform the bootlogofix. The autoexec*.bat and the donation logo will be rewritten and booting should work. The Dreambox reboots automatically after the bootlogofix.


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Problems with formating of storage media

Are there problems formating storage media then use the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool. It formats storage media without problems, if recognized by the application.

Download the application from this link.


"root" password missing on Dumbo device

During desired image extraction, Dumbo copies the file /etc/passwd from flash memory onto the Dumbo device. Is there no password set onto the flash image no password will be available on Dumbo device (Default setting on all OE images).

So set a password when booted from Dumbo device. Or change the password in flash memory before extracting the desired image. Procedure can also be used to reset an unknown password ;)


Unsupported boot media

Observe please the supported storage devices as written in the beginning of the article (to avoid problems). A lot of people still asking about CF cards in combination of a Dreambox DM 8000 PVR. But they do not understand that an additional device does not simplify the device recognition but aggravates it. The use of unsupported devices is not supported. And USB card readers also cause problems to the BIOS.


Dumbo device was removed before starting the Dreambox

If someone removes the Dumbo device the Dreambox boots without any problems from flash memory.


Cut Dreambox off using the main switch)

If the Dreambox is often stalled by the main switch, the file system can be damaged on the Dumbo device. Booting from storage media is no longer possible. Perform a file system check in such problems. Remove first the USB stick and boot from flash memory. Attach the USB stick to the Dreambox and start the Dumbo plugin. Press the yellow key [Booting] and select the entry Filesystemcheck.

On a DM 7025 (+) is the procedure different because its cf reader is not hot pluggable. Connect cf card to your pc and rename the file autoexec_dm7025.bat, into autoexec_dm7025.none. Start now the Dreambox with attached cf card and perform a file system check.

See also chapter Start via Flash image


Avahi-Daemon - High CPU usage (initramfs)

Some users reported avahi problems after starting the Dumbo image. The daemon was running with a high cpu load. To check the process use the command top using the console. This avahi script DMM issue is fixed with current Dumbo versions. Now to ensure a smoothly running avahi daemon the start script will be modified. Patching of the start script takes place when extracting an image. If you still have problems execute the bootlogofix it will also change the start script of avahi.

The avahi start script will be patched (/etc/init.d/avahi-daemon) from...

$DAEMON -c && return 0

to...

start-stop-daemon -S -b --exec $DAEMON


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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Compatibility of Flash and Dumbo (SSL, driver, etc.)

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) 28.03.11 - Speeedster, 28.03.2011

In what way need the images (Flash / Dumbo) be compatible like SSL, driver, kernel etc...?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) 28.03.11 - Speeedster, 28.03.2011

Inwiefern müssen die Images (Flash / Dumbo) zueinander passen...SSL, Treiber, Kernel usw...?

The flash image is not important. But it need the current Second Stage Loader #83 (#82 bei 800) build in. Kernel and flash are not used by the Dumbodevice as soon as the image was booted by the Dumbodevice.

Dumbo is not like BarryAllen that boots via chroot by Flashimage!

If the Dumbo Image contains the latest SSL than the flash memory will be updated. Therefore it is still compatible to kernel, drivers and Dumboimages.


Compatibility flash image and Dumbo (with initramfs)

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) mfgeg, 03.10.2011

Want to explain / know the difference when using initramfs. What do we need? Is in flash memory and on the Dumbo device the initramfs modification needed? Or is ok to have a recent second stage loader in flash and an image with initramfs on the Dumbo device?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) mfgeg, 03.10.2011

Möchte die Unterschiede bei Benutzung von initramfs erläutern / kennenlernen. Wie sieht es da aus? Braucht es dazu im Flash wie auf dem Dumbo Device die initramfs Unterstützung? Oder reicht ein aktueller SSL im Flash und ein Image mit initramfs auf dem Dumbo Device?

Labelmount also works without an image with initramfs patch in flash memory. Interesting if users who want to keep the DMM image in flash memory. This case does not work with the plugin (because the setting is not visible) but you can manually change the file /etc/enigma2/settings. But remember in this case only images with initramfs kernel are working. And the function Flashcopy must be set to false otherwise the kernel on the Dumbo device will be overwritten.

Stop (init 4) Enigma2 before changing the settings file. Entry config.plugins.dumbo.labelmount=true activates the Labelmount function. Start (init 3) Enigma2 and extract desired image to the Dumbo Device.


Has the Dumbo plugin a second stage loader?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) Benq2705, 28.03.2011

Thought this would not matter, because I boot from USB and the Dumbo image has the current ssl integrated.

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) Benq2705, 28.03.2011

Dachte das wäre egal, denn ich boote doch vom Stick....mit Dumbo, das Image hat ja den aktuellen SSL (integriert).

The image on the Dumbo device has no second stage loader. The ssl is the only thing that is used from flash and it must be up-to-date.


Dumbo plugin and the flash memory

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) Benq2705, 29.03.11

If I remove the USB stick, will the Dreambox automatically boot from flash? Am I right?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) Benq2705, 29.03.11

Wenn man den USB Stick /mit dem Dumbo Device abzieht ,und die DM dann neu bootet ,dann bootet diese automatisch aus dem Flash heraus ? Liege ich da richtig?

The flash memory remains except the Dumbo plugin completely untouched. Once the Dumbo device is filled you can delete the plugin or re-flash the box. No Dumbo plugin is needed to boot from the Dumbo device, it all makes the BIOS of the Dreambox.


What is FAT and how big should it be?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) Speeedster, 30.03.11

I am asked how big the FAT partition should be. Must it be as big as the expected, extracted Dumbo Image? Or what is meant?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) Speeedster, 30.03.11

Ich werde ja gefragt, wie gross die FAT Partition sein soll. Muss die so gross sein, wie das erwartete, ausgepackte Dumbo Image, oder womit hängt das zusammen...?

The Dumbo image will be booted from the FAT partition. The proposed 8 MB ​​are sufficient. 8 MB corresponds to about 3-4MB in flash memory - and that is the size what the /boot directory has. Therefore a smaller FAT partition is not possible.

The maximum FAT partition is 512MB. And such a big partition is only helpful if you mount it later via fstab as a storage media for pictures or some mp3s.


Stop mode (for flashing via webinterface) does not work

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) Benq2705, 16.09.11

Stop mode does not work with attached Dumbo device.

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) Benq2705, 16.09.11

Mit angestecktem Dumbo Stick konnte ich die Box nicht mehr in den STOPP Zustand setzen.

Some Dreamboxes wont stop for the flashing mode if an USB device is attached (e.g. 800se). It is a known problem and has nothing to do with Dumbo. Every stupid USB device that consists of picons is able to do that. So power off the box and remove the Dumbo device. Now you can easily access the BIOS.


Backup does not work (Dreamboxes without hard drives)

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) hammed41, 15.10.11

During backup process appears following error, No mount / media / hdd / backup.

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) hammed41, 15.10.11

Beim Sichern erscheint der Fehler, No mount / media / hdd / backup.

The default path for backups points to the hard drive. Is no hard drive installed the backup wont work. Use in this case another attached storage media or use a network mount for the backup. But do not forget to change the path using the settings menu of Dumbo.


What are the benefits using Dumbo on a 7020HD?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) fendodendo, 24.10.11

Why should i use Dumbo on an 7020HD? The box has more than enough flash memory!? The box will not be faster using Dumbo?

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) fendodendo, 24.10.11

Was bringt einem Dumbo auf der 7020HD? Derzeit hat sie doch mehr als genug Speicher!? Schneller wird die Box doch auch nicht wegen Dumbo?

FAT and ext3 are booting faster than a jffs2 file system. And it does not fragment that much while updating because it is not a compressed file system. Therefore it uses less file system cache memory and the Dreambox feels much more agile with Dumbo.


dFlash and Dumbo

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Translation in English) muelleimer321, 27.11.11

dFlash Backup issues with Dumbo image.

Buch.png  Zitat - (Quote - Original in German) muelleimer321, 27.11.11

dFlash Backup Problem mit Dumbo Image.

Do not use dflash for Dumbo (image) backups. Dumbo can easily backup / restore images. dFlash is only used for backup / restoring of flash images.


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Successfully used Dumbo media

Here is a conglomeration of storage media that is (successfully) used by Dumbo users.


DM 7025 (+)

  • SanDisk CompactFlash Card (CF) Ultra II 4GB (SDCFH-4096)

DM 800HD PVR

DM 800HD se

DM 8000HD PVR


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Improvements, suggestions for the Dumbo article

Please write your suggestions / improvements for the Dumbo article into following topic.
And of course, you can change it on your own ;)
Dumbo - the (dumb) boot plugin


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Support thread of Dumbo plugin

Need some help then use following links.
Dumbo - the Dumb Boot Plugin (ihad)
Dumbo - the Dumb Boot Plugin - Released Kit & Support Thread (OoZooN)


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