PC Engines apu2 experiences
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@kevindd992002 said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
@stephenw10 said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
Does the UPS log anything when this happens? It looks like it removes itself as a device, though that seems unlikely.
I don't know where to check the UPS logs since it's a consumer UPS so the only software it has is for Windows.
there won't be any. it'll have a really rudimentary limited function microcontroller to manage comms, and was probably tested only to ensure minimal functionality from windows on whatever test pc they were using 5 years ago or whenever the circuits were designed.
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@kevindd992002 said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
@bigsy I see. So we're just preserving boot order here? Since I just have one boot device in my APU2, then it wouldn't matter to me.
@bigsy Following up on my pending question here please?
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You're asking if that was the only change in that release? It wasn't. You can check the change-logs:
https://github.com/pcengines/coreboot/blob/release/CHANGELOG.mdSteve
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@stephenw10 said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
You're asking if that was the only change in that release? It wasn't. You can check the change-logs:
https://github.com/pcengines/coreboot/blob/release/CHANGELOG.mdSteve
No. I was asking if the new command is the way to go moving forward? And if the difference to the old command is preserving the boot order?
Old command:
flashrom -p internal -w apuX_v4.14.0.2.rom
New command:flashrom -p internal -w apuX_v4.14.0.2.rom --fmap -i COREBOOT -
@kevindd992002 This was already discussed in jul 5 post 612 and is preserving boot order.
As most have just one boot device it doesn't really matter, but it cannot hurt, so I have switched using the new command
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@qinn said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
@kevindd992002 This was already discussed in jul 5 post 612 and is preserving boot order.
As most have just one boot device it doesn't really matter, but it cannot hurt, so I have switched using the new command
I know, but my last question was left unanswered and that's why I followed up. I just needed confirmation. Thanks.
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@qinn said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
I would check the advice from @fireodo; "A little question: Have you CPU Boost activated?" as this makes a lot off difference.
Then I may add, always install pfSense using the ZFS filesystem not the UFS (default). For a few reasons;
TRIM is default enabled (I am using mSATA), but this can also be enabled manually on a UFS filesystem, but the most important reason I advice to use ZFS is that it can 100% safegard you against bit errors, because the APU2 has ECC memory
Just wanted to correct you, before you mislead the community: only the 4 Gigabyte RAM APU2/3/4 (and so on) SKU has ECC RAM, the 2 GB editions do NOT have ECC RAM. The community can blame pcengines.ch clearly, the specification on their page is misleading A.F.
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@soder Thanks for clearing this
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Btw does anyone know why the package manager in the pfS GUI doesn't keep track or better does not show packages that are installed from the CLI, like flashrom ?
Cheers Qinn
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It only shows pfSense packages, which can also be installed from the CLI. They contain the xml element the package manager reads to get the version info etc. For example:
https://github.com/pfsense/FreeBSD-ports/blob/devel/sysutils/pfSense-pkg-Netgate_Firmware_Upgrade/files/usr/local/share/pfSense-pkg-Netgate_Firmware_Upgrade/info.xmlSteve
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@stephenw10 Thanks for the explanation, so in my case the Netgate coreboot upgrader won't work on an APU2C4, understandable of course as it is not Netgate certified hardware.
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Indeed, it doesn't include any ROMs for APU or recognise the hardware to offer it.
It does install flashrom though so you can use it to add that via the gui.Steve
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@stephenw10 I can't use the GUI and I don't like to have something in the GUI menu that doe not work. Flashrom is already installed using pkg
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The only advantage to doing that is that the package is in the config so if you ever re-install and restore the config flashrom gets installed again. You still need to use flashrom in the CLI.
Steve
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@stephenw10 I can't use the GUI and I don't like to have something in the GUI menu that does not work. Flashrom is already installed using pkg
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@stephenw10 said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
The only advantage to doing that is that the package is in the config so if you ever re-install and restore the config flashrom gets installed again. You still need to use flashrom in the CLI.
Steve
This is what I do. Even though I don't use the package (since it doesn't work for my APU2C4) I have it installed so that flashrom gets installed persistently even after updating pfsense or reinstalling it.
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@kevindd992002 said in PC Engines apu2 experiences:
For the APU2C4, why is it that when I have a serial cable connected between its serial port and a computer, its USB ports don't work? I have a UPS plugged in to one of its USB ports and I use the NUT package in pfsense. As soon as I connect to the hardware through the serial port (using putty), the USB port does not work. Unplugging the serial cable fixes the issue and that's why I know it's the one causing it. This is happening for both of my APU2C4 boxes.
As an update to this issue, I bought a Gearmo USB to Serial adapter and it solved the issue I'm having. So the cause is definitely because of the old cheap cable that I was using. Lesson learned.
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S stephenw10 referenced this topic on
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S stephenw10 referenced this topic on
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Anyone try 2.6.0 (or upgrade to pfSense Plus) on the APU2 yet?
https://www.reddit.com/r/PFSENSE/comments/ssabdz/pfsense_plus_version_2201_and_pfsense_ce_version/
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@logan5247 I don't plan to until I know there are APU LED drivers available, as for sanity at home I rely on those a lot to know whether NBN is working or the backup connection.
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@logan5247 During testing I migrated mine without a single issue.
