Flashing, Modifying, and Removing

The above instructions are for building firmware from scratch. However, coreboot is developing rapidly as its adaptation grows, and a growing number of Linux hardware vendors are making custom firmware more accessible. For instance, System76 offers its own instructions, including scripts to assist in finding hardware specifications [6], and makes installing its own firmware updates much simpler than the steps shown here. Similarly, Ubuntu now ships with a firmware manager. While installing custom coreboot configurations are not yet as easy as updating an Android phone, that goal may not be far off.

For now, the easiest way to flash your custom firmware is to use flashrom [7], the same utility used to flash a BIOS. So long as you have researched the required characteristics and built the firmware successfully, you should have few problems. All the same, to be cautious, be sure to research the process before you attempt it, and backup your files. If you follow the instructions given above, you should be able to use flashrom's internal programmer (i.e., the one used to install a file on the same computer). In the directory that contains your firmware, run:

flashrom -p internal -w coreboot.rom

You may need to boot the machine entering iomem=relaxed in the boot manager. Should this process not succeed, consult the coreboot documentation on other methods of flashing, which are usually more complicated [8].

Currently, the easiest way to edit coreboot firmware is to repeat the process shown here. However, Star Labs has recently released a graphical tool called coreboot-configurator for Debian derivatives that allows editing of installed firmware and greatly eases the process [9]. Should you want to remove custom firmware for any reason, flashing of another version of coreboot firmware or a manufacturer's BIOS and UEFI should restore accessibility to your machine. All you will have wasted will be your time. However, you will have learned more about Linux in general and an important emerging technology.