FROM: Julian Elischer DATE: 05/23/1998 16:09:35 SUBJECT: RE: BIOS bootstrap? That`s what we do on the Interjet. We altered our BIOS to use com2 as it`s POST output. That way it goes to the LCD. Does anyone know if there is a FreeBIOS project anywhere? On Sat, 23 May 1998, Marc Nicholas wrote: > On Sat, 23 May 1998, Mike Smith wrote: > > > > This is a tiny bit off-topic for the list, but I thought I`d throw it out > > > there... > > > > > > My embedded system supports BIOS extension and includes it`s own local > > > Flash memory to do so. Basically what I`d like to do is build some sort of > > > (EE)ROM bootstrap to load my custom FreeBSD operating system. HOWEVER... > > > > > > All input/output must be done via COM1. I`ve never done much low level PC > > > programming...has anyone attempted something like this? In an ideal world, > > > I`d also be looking to front-end the BIOS setup screen over COM1. > > > > > > And, no, I can`t just get a BIOS kit and re-write the BIOS :-p > > > > The FreeBSD bootstrap already supports serial console I/O, and FreeBSD > > has always supported serial consoles. You can tweak the bootblock > > build to always use com1 for I/O, and then set the appropriate flags in > > the kernel to use com1 as the serial console. > > Sorry, I guess I wasn`t very clear... > > I`m talking about system bootstrap stuff *before* the FreeBSD > bootstrap...i.e. showing some sort of POST output, allowing the user to > possibly tweak some BIOS settings, etc. all over a console. > > > -marc > > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > Hippocampus OSD, Inc. "Industrial Strength Internet Solutions" > vox://416.979.9000 fax://416.979.8223 http://www.hippocampus.net > > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to > with "unsubscribe freebsd-small" in the body of the message > To Unsubscribe: send mail to with "unsubscribe freebsd-small" in the body of the message