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Seamless Software Update

Revision as of 14:56, 2 February 2010

SSU is Nokia's new method for upgrading the tablets. Rather than requiring a reflash as with previous updates, SSU updates are pushed over-the-air and installed onto your live system. When Nokia pushes an update over SSU, you will see an update notification and be given the option to install the update—just like with your computer.

Installing

Once a new update is pushed out, you'll see a flashing notification in your statusbar. Open the Application Manager and install the update. If you don't see the notification, then you can simply open Application Manager, tap "Check for updates", make sure the catalogs are up to date (hit the little rotating circle in the toolbar if it doesn't refresh automatically), and install the update from there. If you still can't see the update, see osso-software-version.

initfs and kernel

Generally speaking, SSU updates should be relatively pain-free, but there are a few issues to watch out for. If you have an aftermarket kernel or intifs installed (like the rotation support kernel or fanoush's bootmenu) and a kernel or initfs upgrade is pushed, they will be overwritten and you'll need to wait for your kernel or the bootmenu to be updated to reinstall them.

osso-software-version

If the update doesn't show up for you at all, you may have accidentally (or intentionally) uninstalled osso-software-version-rx*4, which is required to update. You can get it back by simply running an apt-get install osso-software-version-rx34, for the N800, and an apt-get install osso-software-version-rx44, for the N810. Then updating your repository list in Application manager.

Locking

The osso-software-version-rx* meta packages have exact version dependencies to most of the packages in a given release, and re-installing the meta package will install the specified versions of the dependent packages back to your device.

The reason for this is that Nokia tests the upgrades from these specific package versions to the specific versions listed in next version of the meta package. Due to the resource limitations of the device (mainly disk space and the disastrous effect of using all of it) there are more things that can go wrong in a system upgrade than on a normal Linux Desktop. Forcing the versions makes sure that the update resource needs are known (unless user has manually removed some of the files installed by those dependent packages, see related issues).

Unlocked

The strict dependencies in the osso-software-version-rx* meta packages can be problematic if you want to install a version that is newer than the version Nokia ships. Thankfully Nokia provides "unlocked" versions of the system meta packkages which do not have strict dependencies. Simply install the appropriate osso-software-version-rx*-unlocked for your tablet and you can install newer packages without breaking SSU.

If you want to remove OS packages, osso-software-version-rx*-unlocked<code> will not help, you'll need to remove <code>osso-software-version-rx* and grab further system updates via apt-get.

SSU History

Maemo 4.1.1 (4.2008.30-2): Released on 8/11/2008, 30-2 mostly fixes some Modest and MicroB bugs, as well as a number of minor connection framework bugs. Modest's battery life related bugs were fixed in this update. There is currently no FIASCO image available for this release.

Maemo 4.1.2 (4.2008.36-5): Released on 9/29/2008, 36-5 includes fixes to Modest and MicroB, as well as a number of minor connection framework bugs. The Flash plugin's incorrect version string is fixed in this version.

Related issues

• osso-software-version-rx*4 dependencies prevent removing many unnecessary packages
• 4.2008.36-5 is listed under 4.1.1
• Task:SSU update repository procedure proposes some solutions to address these issues.