Flashing Your Bitaxe Gamma Firmware: A Complete Guide
- Developer Algo
- Jun 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 19
Flashing your Bitaxe Gamma firmware can seem daunting, but this guide simplifies the process for Ubuntu 24.04 users. By following these steps, you will be able to create a new firmware setup without any hassle.
Setting Up Your Environment
First, create a directory in your home folder. For example, you could name it bitaxefirmware. Assuming your home username on the Ubuntu PC is <user-home-folder>, you need to create the folder like this:
```
/home/<user-home-folder>/bitaxefirmware
```
Next, place both the firmware and the modified configuration file in the bitaxefirmware folder you just created.
Files Required
Firmware and Configuration File
Note: The Esp-miner factory firmware `esp-miner-factory-XXX-vY.Y.Y` combines two `.bin` firmware files and a default text-based configuration into one file. This makes installation easier.
Where `XXX` is the board hardware version and `Y.Y.Y` is the firmware version. It consists of:
esp-miner.bin (the actual Bitaxe firmware file)
www.bin (the AxeOS web-based server file)
Config-XXX.cvs (the default user configuration file)
Modifying the Configuration File
The default sample configuration file looks something like this:
```
key,type,encoding,value
main,namespace,,
hostname,data,string,bitaxe
wifissid,data,string,
wifipass,data,string,
stratumurl,data,string,public-pool.io
stratumport,data,u16,21496
...
```
You only need to change a few lines (4 lines) to suit your setup. Here is a modified version with updated lines:
```
key,type,encoding,value
main,namespace,,
hostname,data,string,bitaxe
wifissid,data,string,JabitaxeLabWifi
wifipass,data,string,LabWifiPassword
stratumurl,data,string,public-pool.io
stratumport,data,u16,21496
stratumuser,data,string,Enter-your-bitcoin-mining-address-here.bitaxe
...
```
Once you've made the necessary updates, save the configuration file.
Using Bitaxetool for Flashing
We also offer a command-line Python tool called Bitaxetool that simplifies the flashing process.
Requirements for Bitaxetool
Python 3.4 or later is required.
pip package manager needs to be installed. If necessary, instructions for installation can be found here.
To install Bitaxetool, run one of the following commands:
```bash
pip install --upgrade bitaxetool
```
or
```bash
pip3 install bitaxetool
```
Verify Installation
Make sure Bitaxetool is installed correctly. Navigate to your local folder where the Bitaxetool .bin file resides, typically located at:
```
/home/<your-username>/.local/bin
```
Next, ensure that your Ubuntu OS can detect the plugged USB-C device. You can do this by running:
```bash
ls -l /dev/tty*
```
You should see several entries. Look for something like this: /dev/ttyACM0.
Flashing Procedures
Flashing Factory Image
To restore your Bitaxe to factory settings, execute the following command. Make sure to choose the correct image for your hardware version (in this case, 601):
```bash
bitaxetool --firmware ./esp-miner-factory-601-v2.8.1.bin
```
Flashing NVS Configuration
To flash just the NVS configuration to your Bitaxe, use this command:
```bash
bitaxetool --config ./config-601.cvs
```
Flashing Both Firmware and Config File
You may also flash both the factory image and your modified configuration file. Note that settings in the config file will replace those stored in the factory image:
```bash
bitaxetool -p /dev/ttyxxxxxxx --config ./config-601.cvs -f ./esp-miner-factory-601-v2.8.1.bin
```
Actual Flashing Process
To flash your hardware, ensure that you have placed both the firmware and the modified configuration file where instructed. The command to flash should look as follows:
```bash
bitaxetool -p /dev/ttyACM0 --config /home/<user-home-folder>/bitaxefirmware/config-601.cvs -f /home/<user-home-folder>/bitaxefirmware/esp-miner-factory-601-v2.8.1.bin
```
Once your Bitaxe Gamma is connected to the USB-C port, it will start flashing. After completion, the device will restart and perform a default Bitaxe test. The test outcome will show as "fail" or "pass" (which is usually not important). Press the RESET or BOOT button as displayed on the screen. This will bypass the test and enter the configuration mode. You can then continue with the normal configuration using your phone and the web interface.
Follow these steps carefully to ensure a successful flashing process for your Bitaxe Gamma. With just a few simple commands, you'll be on your way to having a fully functional firmware setup!