IXUS 970IS (Powershot SD890IS ) :: interested in porting chdk, but need help.

Sapog_topchet

« on: 26 / September / 2008, 21:37:23 »

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I'm a slightly happy owner of $subj
I would like to get RAW and scripting capabilities to shoot HDR.
As i found, there is no port available, so the only way a can get such things is doing some coding myself.
Here we meet some problems:
1.

Quote

Introduction
This manual assumes that
* firmware dump

Here is a dump available for this model, but it is of ver. GM1.00C, while i have one with GM1.00B:
Canon DIGITAL IXUS 970 IS
P-ID:3173 PAL D

Firmware Ver GM1.00B
E18
Jan 24 2008 19:30:31
Adj Ver.009.007
ZoomLensError
2008.08.30 15:45:25

IS Firm Ver. 3.00
IS Param Ver. 3.00

Does such a difference in firmware version matter? I really don't want to make my warranty void (am i right that fw dumping require camera disassembling, soldering etc.?)
(also, it shows an error. could anyone tell what does it mean, and can it be a sign of a coming death?)

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* basic ARM assembler knowledge

to my shame, i have absolutely no knowledge of assembler, either ARM or not (while i can remember some basics of x86 asm from my school lessons on CS).

Quote

* decent ARM reversengineering tool

i have no one. can i get it from my Gentoo repository?

Quote

* C knowledge

I know C, and other english letters from A to Z.
When it comes to Programming language... My hardest try didn't get over 'printf("hello world");'.

Quote

* chdk building environment

is it about source code tree or I need some special versions of automake/autoconf/gcc/<what.else>?

Taking all together, I want to get CHDK for my camera and i'm ready to do some work for it. But i need a step-by-step instruction for dummies; ideally, i hope to find somebody wise and experienced, kind to teach me how to do things.

PS: sorry for awful languge: i'm not a native speaker and also high on mj right now. Hope everything is clear, anyway.

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whim

2042
A495/590/620/630 ixus70/115/220/230/300/870 S95

Re: IXUS 970IS (Powershot SD890IS ) :: interested in porting chdk, but need help

« Reply #1 on: 27 / September / 2008, 07:18:09 »

Welcome to the forum !

As you correctly assume, you will first need a firmware dump - which should be doable for
anyone (and you don't need to open cam or loose your warranty)

read the developer info page on the wiki For Developers - CHDK Wiki.

under Porting the CHDK - CHDK Wiki you will find instructions how to dump your firmware.
Since you mentioned Gentoo, I think you should try the Udumper method,
(CardTricks doesn't work under Linux, unless you install Windows in a virtual
machine first and run it from there)

About the error: the Canon firmware records the last error it encountered here,
probably for diagnostic purposes; it does not reset this anymore, so even if at
the next camera bootup the problem is gone, it will still show up when you do
the 'ver.req' / Func.Set + Display thingy.

hope that helps (a bit)

wim

« Last Edit: 27 / September / 2008, 08:43:19 by whim »

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*Wikia FAQ *GCC Compiler Shell for Windows

reyalp

13746

Re: IXUS 970IS (Powershot SD890IS ) :: interested in porting chdk, but need help.

« Reply #2 on: 27 / September / 2008, 15:07:46 »

Quote

to my shame, i have absolutely no knowledge of assembler, either ARM or not (while i can remember some basics of x86 asm from my school lessons on CS).

When it comes to Programming language... My hardest try didn't get over 'printf("hello world");'.

To port the camera, you will need to know quite a bit. It is possible to teach yourself, but it will require quite a lot of dedication and effort. The ARM documentation is freely available and fairly good, but it assumes a good understanding of computer architecture and programming. Without that understanding, knowing the meaning of the instructions is not particularly useful.

Quote

* decent ARM reversengineering tool
i have no one. can i get it from my Gentoo repository?

IDA Pro (free version is not sufficient) is the preferred tool. However, you can see here: GPL Tools - CHDK Wiki

If you want to try to port, I would start by reading (or at least skimming) everything in the For Developers - CHDK Wiki page and the stickies in the development forums.

Note that even if you aren't up to porting the camera, getting the firmware dump would be a good start.

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Don't forget what the H stands for.

Sapog_topchet

Re: IXUS 970IS (Powershot SD890IS ) :: interested in porting chdk, but need help.

« Reply #3 on: 17 / October / 2008, 21:58:15 »

Thanks!
I think i shall report my 'achievements'.
Udumper method doesn't work. That's all

Also, 970IS is gone for some time, so i'll prepare CardTricks on my friend's Win-based PC and wait my camera back. Now i'm looking at scripting guides:there is an 570IS around, and want to prepare a bracketing script...

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Cuchulainn

Re: IXUS 970IS (Powershot SD890IS ) :: interested in porting chdk, but need help.

« Reply #4 on: 22 / March / 2009, 09:10:11 »

I have the same firmware. Did you upgrade to 1.00C in the end?

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