u/MadFranko008 — reddlx

Here's a link to a guide I have put together based on some very neat tools by "SpannerNick" & others that will explain/ show you how to flash a kernel or firmware to your A500 Mini... 😊

Main reason for wanting (needing) to do this was the absurd decision made by "Retro Games Ltd" who decided in ALL of their "firmware updates" to remove/ disable the "Root Access" to the console, which broke things like "RetroAami" and early versions of "Pandory" from running without having to re-write everything and jump through hoops to do so...

The guide will explain and show you how to restore that "Root Access" to ANY firmware updated console...

It will enable you to choose which version of the firmware YOU decide to have and still be able to if you choose use any "Official firmware update" on the console...

It opens up the ability to easily make backups of your consoles kernel/ firmware, to modify or change things in the kernel/ firmware such as for example updating the list of controllers the console can handle or whatever other ideas/ changes you might like to tinker with and try or indeed simply restore ANY version of the kernel/ firmware you choose from version 1.0.0 to 1.2.1...

The guide itself is split into 5 parts and while it might seem quite lengthy then rest assured the first 4 sections deal with the hardware and software set up that is required, which once done will allow you to easily "mod" the console with just a few clicks of the mouse and some "terminal" commands... 😉

So for anyone interested then here's the link to the guide that will enable you to NOT be restricted by the absurd limitations the "Official firmware updates" place on your console and leaves it open to be completely modded by anyone comfortable enough with some knowledge of "Linux" to do so or simply be able as said to flash any kernel/ firmware you choose and NOT be restricted as the "Official" updates do...

https://amigaminimods.forumotion.com/f7-guide-how-to-flash-the-kernel-firmware-to-the-a500-mini

Note: the guide requires you to be using "Windows 10" either on a Windows computer or via `Windows emulation as I do on my iMacs...

Would You Like To Be Able To Flash Kernels/ Firmware On The A500 Mini ???

Just posting this to see if there are enough A500 Mini owners out there who would like to be able to flash the kernel on their console before I spend time putting together a guide showing people how to do that ?... 🤔

Main reasons for me personally to be able to flash a kernel to the A500 Mini are...

1) It allows me to restore "Root Access" to ANY A500 Mini that has had an "Official Firmware Update" done to it which sadly disables that "Root Access"...

2) It also means you can make backups of the installed kernel (any version your console has) which you can the modify/ change and best of all restore the "Root Access" that the muppets at "Retro Games Ltd" decided to block/ disable on their firmware updates...

3) As well a restoring the "Root Access" again it also allows you if you are fluent in "Linux" to be able to mode the firmware/ kernel itself, opening up all sorts of different possibilities for you to mod the system to make changes or create something completely different on the console...

4) Best of all you can do this WITHOUT even dismantling the consoles case and be able to press the "Hidden" "FEL Mode' button on it's motherboard just by using a strip of plastic cut from an old credit/ bank card or similar...

I've now modded my own A500 Mini's and a number of friends and families consoles including ones that had updated firmware on them with 100% success using this method and restoring "Root Access" to them all along with them being able to recognise hundreds more controllers & joysticks than the current "official" firmware recognises, which means your controller can be used across the entire console from boot up...

You can even after flashing the kernel if you choose easily still use the "Official Firmware Updates" if you choose...

Anywhoo, before I spend the time putting together a guide on how to do this I thought I'd just ask first other A500 Mini owners out there if this is something they would be interested in !!!

Let me know in the comments here if you will be interested in being able to flash kernels/ firmware to your A500 Mini for whatever reason you might also have and that will help me decide whether or not to put a guide together... 😉

PS: The Guide might look quite long when it's ready but rest assured once you have installed required software on your computer (Windows 10) it really after that just comes down to hooking the console up to the computer and typing or copying and pasting a few different command lines into the "terminal" (using "Putty) that will then flash or copy ANY kernel you choose... 😊