Difference between revisions of "Hardware/Starlet"
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Starlet is the first processor to run code in the Wii. | Starlet is the first processor to run code in the Wii. | ||
| − | * Starlet boots from an internal Mask ROM, BOOT0 (about 1300 bytes of code out of 4K possible) | + | *Starlet boots from an internal Mask ROM, BOOT0 (about 1300 bytes of code out of 4K possible) |
| − | * | + | *[[boot0]] decrypts, verifies, and runs the first few blocks of NAND, BOOT1 (up to the first 48 pages of flash) |
| − | * | + | * [[boot1]] locates, loads, decrypts, verifies, and runs BOOT2 |
| − | * | + | *[[boot2]] bootstrap then loads the embedded ELF file |
| − | * | + | *[[boot2]] starts the IOS |
| − | * IOS loads code into the EXI buffer and bootstraps the {{hw|Broadway}} | + | *[[IOS]] loads code into the EXI buffer and bootstraps the {{hw|Broadway}} |
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 06:45, 22 August 2010
The Hollywood includes an ARM9 core to handle I/O and security, nicknamed the Starlet. This is a very interesting piece of hardware, as it basically does everything that makes a Wii different from a GameCube.
Note: this page is incomplete. Please expand it as you see fit!
Specs
- NEC ARM926EJ-S SoC. See also ChipWorks.
- Big endian for compatibility with the Broadway
- ARM thumb instructions
Boot
Starlet is the first processor to run code in the Wii.
- Starlet boots from an internal Mask ROM, BOOT0 (about 1300 bytes of code out of 4K possible)
- boot0 decrypts, verifies, and runs the first few blocks of NAND, BOOT1 (up to the first 48 pages of flash)
- boot1 locates, loads, decrypts, verifies, and runs BOOT2
- boot2 bootstrap then loads the embedded ELF file
- boot2 starts the IOS
- IOS loads code into the EXI buffer and bootstraps the Broadway
Links
More information about the Starlet:
- ARM926EJ-S Technical Reference Manual - CPU, MMU, Cache specs and programmer's interface
- ARM9EJ-S Technical Reference Manual - CPU specs and programmer's interface
- ARM Architecture Reference Manual - Documentation about the ARMv5 architecture.
- IOS - the OS that runs on the Starlet and handles calls from the Broadway during game execution and while in the system menu.
- ARM Binaries - the formats used for Starlet executable code
- WAD Files are used for BOOT2 and the IOS