fca9b19e18
See: https://codeberg.org/libreboot/lbmk/issues/216 Almost all users will be OK running GRUB, but a minority of users have experienced a fatal error pertaining to grub_free() or grub_realloc() (as my investigation of GRUB sources reveal when grepping the error reported in the link above). We don't yet know what the bug is, only that the error occurs, leading to an effective brick if the user has GRUB as their primary payload. So far, it has only been reported on some Intel SandyBridge-based Dell Latitudes in Libreboot, but we can't be too sure. The user reported that memtest86+ passes just fine, and SeaBIOS works; BIOS GRUB also works, which means that the bug is likely only in an area of GRUB that runs specifically on the coreboot payload, so it's probably a driver in GRUB when running on the metal rather than BIOS/UEFI. The build system supports a configuration whereby SeaBIOS is the primary payload, but GRUB is available in the SeaBIOS boot select menu, and an additional configuration is available where GRUB is what SeaBIOS executes first (while still providing boot select); both of these are now the *only* configurations available, on all x86 targets except QEMU. The QEMU target is fine because if the bug occurs there, you can just close QEMU and try a different image. Even after this bug is later identified and fixed, the GRUB source code is vastly over-engineered and there are likely many more such bugs. SeaBIOS is a reliable payload; the code is small and robust. Remember always: Code equals bugs Therefore, this configuration change is likely going to be permanent. This will apply in the next release. Signed-off-by: Leah Rowe <leah@libreboot.org> |
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README.md
Canoeboot
Find canoeboot documentation at https://canoeboot.org/
The canoeboot project provides
libre boot
firmware that initializes the hardware (e.g. memory controller, CPU,
peripherals) on specific Intel/AMD x86 and ARM targets, which
then starts a bootloader for your operating system. Linux/BSD are
well-supported. It replaces proprietary BIOS/UEFI firmware. Help is available
via #canoeboot IRC
on Libera IRC.
Canoeboot is maintained in parallel with Libreboot, by the same developer. Strictly speaking, it is a fork of Libreboot, but with a twist:
Canoeboot is provided for the purists who absolutely wish to have no proprietary software of any kind. Regardless of any other firmware that exists outside of it, the boot flash on your system will be entirely free software if you install Canoeboot on it. That includes a complete lack of CPU microcode updates, as per FSF policy.
More specifically: Canoeboot is engineered to comply with the GNU Free System Distribution Guidelines. It has, as of November 2023 releases, been strictly audited by FSF licensing staff (Craig Topham lead the audit), and it is listed on the FSF's own Free Software Directory.
Libreboot previously complied with that same policy, but changed to a different one permitting binary blobs in limited circumstances, so as to support more newer machines. Canoeboot is, then, a continuation of the traditional Libreboot project prior to that policy change. Some users still want it, so, Canoeboot releases are rigoriously maintained, re-basing on newer Libreboot releases over time, just like how, say, Trisquel, re-bases itself on each new Ubuntu release.
Project goals
- Obviously, support as much hardware as possible (within the limitations imposed by GNU FSDG, and using what coreboot happens to have in its source tree - Canoeboot also heavily patches coreboot, sometimes adding new mainboards out-of-tree).
- Make coreboot easy to use. Coreboot is notoriously difficult to install, due to an overall lack of user-focused documentation and support. Most people will simply give up before attempting to install coreboot. Canoeboot's automated build system and user-friendly installation instructions solves this problem.
Canoeboot attempts to bridge this divide by providing a build system automating much of the coreboot image creation and customization. Secondly, the project produces documentation aimed at non-technical users. Thirdly, the project attempts to provide excellent user support via IRC.
Canoeboot already comes with a payload (GRUB), flashprog and other needed parts. Everything is fully integrated, in a way where most of the complicated steps that are otherwise required, are instead done for the user in advance.
You can download ROM images for your canoeboot system and install them without having to build anything from source. If, however, you are interested in building your own image, the build system makes it relatively easy to do so.
Not a coreboot fork!
Canoeboot is not a fork of coreboot. Every so often, the project re-bases on the latest version of coreboot, by virtue of maintaining sync with Libreboot releases (minus un-GNU parts), with the number of custom patches in use minimized. Tested, stable (static) releases are then provided in Canoeboot, based on specific coreboot revisions.
LICENSE FOR THIS README
It's just a README file. This README file is released under the terms of the Creative Commons Zero license, version 1.0 of the license, which you can read here:
https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode.txt
The documentation in Canoeboot will use a mix of other licenses, so you should check that for more information.