In a previous news, we were discovering that the TI-Nspire ViewScreen peripheral was a true TI-Nspire calculator and was including an OS, a Boot1, a Boot2, and a Diagnostic software.



Since, we have discovered that the TI-Nspire Lab Cradle peripheral a real TI-Nspire calculator too, including an OS, a Boot1 and a Boot2.

    Boot Loader Stage 1 (3.0.1.1658)
    Build: 2011/3/3, 15:0:52
    Copyright (c) 2008-2011 Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Using production keys

    Last boot progress: 28
    Clocks: CPU = 90MHz AHB = 45MHz APB = 22MHz

    Available system memory: 33196
    Checking for NAND: NAND Flash ID: Samsung K9F5608Q0C
    SDRAM memory test:   Pass
    SDRAM is good
    Clearing SDRAM...Done.
    Boot Mode = Boot2

    Loading BOOT2 software...

    99% ... loading completed.

    Launching software.

    Boot Loader Stage 1 (3.0.1.1658)
    Build: 2011/3/3, 15:0:52
    Copyright (c) 2008-2011 Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Using production keys

    Last boot progress: 28
    Clocks: CPU = 90MHz AHB = 45MHz APB = 22MHz

    Available system memory: 33196
    Checking for NAND: NAND Flash ID: Samsung K9F5608Q0C
    SDRAM memory test:   Pass
    SDRAM is good
    Clearing SDRAM...Done.
    Boot Mode = Boot2

    Loading BOOT2 software...

    99% ... loading completed.

    Launching software.

    Boot Loader Stage 1 (3.0.1.1658)
    Build: 2011/3/3, 15:0:52
    Copyright (c) 2008-2011 Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Using production keys

    Last boot progress: 28
    Clocks: CPU = 90MHz AHB = 45MHz APB = 22MHz

    Available system memory: 33196
    Checking for NAND: NAND Flash ID: Samsung K9F5608Q0C
    SDRAM memory test:   Pass
    SDRAM is good
    Clearing SDRAM...Done.
    Boot Mode = Boot2

    Loading BOOT2 software...

    99% ... loading completed.

    Launching software.


But one question remained... Did the TI-Nspire Lab Cradle include a Diagnostic software too, although they've only got one key?

And as reported in two news on TI-Planet, we have answers for you!

And the answer is definately yes according to the system strings. It should look like that:

TI-Data Collection System(DCS) DIAG
1.Memory
2.Power Port Test
3.USB Hub Test
4.BTD Port Test
5.BTA Port Test
6.Expansion Test
7.Information screen
0.Additional Function
We assume it should output/input on the RS232 port.



Next question is then how to launch it with only one key which doesn't seem to trigger anything at boot time...

And we allready have the next answer: there is probably no diags shortcut, but there is a maintenance menu in the Boot1 (yes, not the Boot2) and the diags can be launched from this menu:

    Maintenance Menu
    D: Start Diagnostics
    O: Start OS (Boot2)
    U: Download and Update Boot2
    Y: Download and Update Diagnostics
    I: Download and Update Preinstall Image
    T: Toggle Startup Mode (Diag<->Boot2)

    W: Erase File System
    E: Erase Diagnostics
    B: Erase Boot 2
    A: Erase All

    R: Reboot
    S: ReWrite Data Collection Sled Manufacturing Info
    M: Reset mark


But this means we've got another question now: how can we launch the Lab Cradle maintenance menu with only one key which doesn't seem to trigger anything at boot time?...

Can't you plug a normal TI-Nspire keyboard to the PCB or something? And did you tried sending the characters via RS232? Or even, via the Nspire connected to the cradle?