The BBG Firmware installation instructions below applies to Acorn, AcornSix, and Hickory

Terminology: "Debrick" is slang for installing or reinstalling or updating the Firmware located on the BBG

The Debricking process is used to update the existing BBG Boot Loader Firmware -OR- Replace corrupted Boot Loader firmware -OR - Prepare a new BBG for CNC Control board use.

BEFORE YOU Debrick the BBG....

Don’t be quick to assume the BBG needs debricked. While it is possible to "brick" (corrupt the Centroid CNC firmware on the BBG) the BBG it is quite tough to do.

If there is no power LED or heartbeat LED on the Beagle Bone Green(BBG) before debricking…

STOP! Do some trouble shooting procedures first:

1. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from BBG
2. Unplug ALL connections to the CNC control board except for the logic power connector. (If something is wired wrong it could be "dragging" down the BBG" so, an easy test is to go back to “bench test mode” with no connections except for the logic power).
3. Once all connections have been removed, power up the CNC control board and see check for a heartbeat on the BBG. If heartbeat returns, then power it down and plug the Ethernet cable back into BBG and retest.

If heartbeat is still present, start CNC12 to see if it comes up with communication established and run the communications stress test \ncfiles\stressTest.cnc Note: communication errors are not firmware/debricker related see Tech Bulletin #270 for more information on solving communication errors.

If heartbeat DOES NOT come up with everything disconnected from Acorn, but the power led on Acorn does, then proceed to the debricking procedure.

If the BBG has been damage by incorrect voltage applied to it, then you may order a Beagle Bone Green from a supplier of your choice, and then perform the debricking procedure to load the Centroid firmware onto the new Beaglebone Green to prepare it for use with the CNC control board.

If the BBG heartbeat comes on and then goes off as the PC boots, disconnecting the Ethernet cable may help diagnose this.

Lastly, if no heartbeat at all pull BBG off the CNC control board and power it up via the mini USB port on BBG (as if you were going to debrick it). Does the BBG boot up and heartbeat LED come back? If so, could be an issue with the CNC control board or connections to it.

Just don't be so quick to assume BBG has died without doing basic test procedures first. Marty says..." I have been through many many Acorn builds and haven't had one BBG go bad on me yet. But I have had the heartbeat not come on, and found it was something OTHER than BBG, " so be sure to trouble shoot before debricking, here is a link to a related thread on the Forum.

BBG Debricking (aka Centroid CNC Firmware Installation) procedure.

1.) Prepare an Micro SD card with the proper Firmware files
2.) Then use that Micro SD card to 'copy' the firmware onto the BBG on-board memory.

BBG Firmware installation requirements:
- Windows 10/11 PC
- A Micro SD or Micro SD HC card (1GB to 32 GB capacity). Do not use Micro SD XC (over 32GB capacity).
- HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool v2.0.6 Portable.exe format utility (included with the Centroid BBG firmware files download on the next line!)
- Download Centroid Acorn, AcornSix Hickory BBG Firmware files and the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool
- Micro USB cable

How to Load the SD card with the Centroid CNC firmware:
1. Insert an appropriate MicroSD card "Use a MicroSD or MicroSD HC card (1GB to 32 GB capacity) into the PC. Do not use Micro SD XC (over 32GB capacity)."
2. If using a used SD card, remove any files/data from the SD card to another drive
3. Using a Windows PC, Run the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool and ensure that the correct drive letter is selected for the SD card. (if the wrong drive letter is selected you WILL LOSE DATA on that drive).
4. Format the SD card with the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, ensure FAT32 is selected and all the check boxes that are not checked.
5. Once the SD card is finished formatting, Use Windows to copy and paste the matching the corresponding firmware files MLO and APP from the Centroid firmware folder onto the SD card. The MLO and APP files should be the only files present on the SD card when finished. Be sure to use the Acorn MLO and APP files with a BBG for use with Acorn. Be sure to use the AcornSix MLO and APP files with a BBG for use with AcornSix. Be sure to use the Hickory MLO and APP files with a BBG for use with Hickory.
6. The SD card can now be ejected from Windows and is ready for flashing the CNC firmware onto the BBG.

Install the Centroid CNC firmware on the BBG for Acorn ONLY:
1. Disconnect Ethernet cable and Remove BBG from the CNC control board without bending any pins use the corners to lift and rock the BBG up off the control board, place the BBG on a wood table top. (do not use metal or plastic tables)
2. Insert the prepared SD card into SD slot on the BBG.
3. On the BBG Firmly hold down USER button while inserting a microusb cable into the microusb connector to power the BBG. (Note: the microusb cable is connected to a powered USB connector on the other end, such as a USB connector on a PC)
4. Verify all 4 LEDs on board light up sequentially. (Should take 2-5 seconds) Wait until all 4 tiny LED's come on, then release the USER button.
5. Wait a couple seconds then remove power (unplug the microusb cable from the BBG). Remove SD card from slot. BBG should now have firmware flashed and is ready to place back on the CNC control board.
6. Install the BBG back onto the CNC control board, ensure that the pins are aligned correctly and not offset.
7. Power up the CNC control board and wait for the BBG Heartbeat light (once-a-second flashing blue led). The Heartbeat indicates that the BBG has successfully been debricked.
8. Power down, connect the CNCPC to control board shielded Ethernet cable, power up wait for CNC control board to boot and start CNC12 from the CNCPC.
During this first boot, CNC12 will update the firmware on the BBG to match the CNC12 version automatically.
Do not power off the CNC control board during CNC12 updating of the firmware!
Please use the latest CNC12 software on the CNCPC.
The latest CNC12 software download is here.

Note: when shopping for a new BBG, the BBB (a Beagle Bone Black is also compatible with Acorn, AcornSix and Hickory)

For AcornSix and Hickory Please follow the AcornSix and Hickory Video below. You DO NOT have to remove the BBG from AcornSix or Hickory.

FAQ's

1.) What versions of CNC12 does this new boot loader work with? All

2.) Can this boot loader be installed on any version BBG? Yes, and it also works with the BBB (Beagle Bone Black)

3.) Would it hurt to install this on a BBG that already has it? No.