agon-firmware-upgrade.md

This is thankfully outdated, keeping below for reference (and anyone below 1.04 RC1)

• New "flash" tool from envenomator https://github.com/envenomator/agon-flash does both VDP and MOS (!)
• Easy to up/downgrade
• See also in this video https://youtu.be/iLz1VUNjSAU
• Binaries https://github.com/envenomator/agon-binaries/tree/master and https://github.com/AgonConsole8

Upgrading MOS and VDP on an Agon light OLD SKOOL

• Complete and tested(-ish) steps to update Agon Light from 1.02 1.03-RC3 to latest (1.03 Official Release)
• More or less successfully stumbled through these steps in this livestream https://www.youtube.com/live/1YSsFT5JrCM and https://www.youtube.com/live/7eSDdzOzUZU

Procure required HW

• Agon + microSD
• PC (Win10 in my case) with microSD slot
• USB-C cable

Download required SW

• MOS 1.03 Final binary https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-mos/releases/download/v1.03/MOS.bin
• MOS update utility https://github.com/envenomator/agon-flash/releases/download/v1.2/flash.bin
• If you need to create a CRC code for your VDP version https://simplycalc.com/crc32-file.php
• VDP1.03 Final https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-vdp/archive/refs/tags/v1.03.zip
• Extract the Zip, and rename the folder containing the source to "video"
• Arduino IDE https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
• using version IDE 1.8.19 for now (to avoid the python serial error)
• BBC Basic 1.04 Final binary https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-bbc-basic/releases/download/v1.04/bbcbasic.bin
• BBC Basic "examples" & "tests" & "resources" folders from https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-bbc-basic/archive/refs/tags/v1.04.zip

UPGRADE

• Always do the MOS first while the Agon is in a stable config because it needs to be launched from MOS command line. MOS update may break screen/keyboard, then you cannot type the command anymore. Then do the VDP second.

Prep

• Download
• Tidy up your SD Card (optional)
• Copy BBC Basic 1.04 Final to the SD card + all sample files (optional but good for testing)

MOS

• Copy MOS Update utility "flash.bin" to (to /MOS) & MOS.bin (to /root) to SD card
• Get CRC for MOS version 0x86696B8A for MOS 1.03 RC3 0x81E397C9 for MOS 1.03 Final (different for each version)
• Transfer SD card to Agon and boot Agon
• Flash MOS = Usage: "FLASH <filename> <crc32>"
• Test - you may not be able to type and or screen will look weird because MOS is now speaking differently

VDP

• Install Arduino IDE
• Config Arduino IDE - follow ALL instructions https://github.com/breakintoprogram/agon-vdp , enter the URL + install the board, also install the two libraries selecting the right version (note: since 1.04x, it uses vdp-gl instead of fab-gl)
• Open the folder of your VDP version
• Disconnect power ~~& flip jumper x2 (ON)
• connect USB-C to Agon and PC
• Determine COM port (I had to go into windows devide manager and disable Bluetooth that was hogging COM3 and COM4)
• Update VDP: Menu - Sketch - Upload, or press ctrl+U
• Wait for successfu write: You will see successful write at the bottom of the Arduino IDE screen, and you should see VDP come up on your VGA screen
• Flip jumper x2 (OFF) & Reconnect power
• Test