RPI safe mode

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Revision as of 11:22, 28 December 2012 by Bgirardot (talk | contribs) (Added image of jumper wire in place)
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This results in config.txt being ignored (except for avoid_safe_mode). A default cmdline.txt is applied, and kernel_emergency.img is loaded (if not available, then just kernel.img).

It provides a means of recovering from, e.g.

  • too high an overclock
  • a typo in cmdline.txt
  • an incorrect kernel=<filename> parameter
  • an invalid display mode

without requiring a PC. (Obviously it won't help if you've deleted start.elf...)

The busybox based kernel_emergency.img has /boot mounted, and vi installed so you can fix up config.txt or cmdline.txt. (You can also mount /dev/mmcblk0p2 and fix up the rootfs if you have problems there that stop you booting).

Short Jumpers 5&6. Be very careful with where you insert the jumper. Some pins carry power, so shorting those would not be a good idea. Third row from the end.

20 AWG wire used to connect P1 pins 5 and 6 to boot RPi into safe mode. Also, 20 AWG wire insulation used to protect the power pins on the P1 header from accidentally being shorted to another pin or each other.


More info: http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=12007