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adafruit / circuitpython-org

CircuitPython's website
https://circuitpython.org
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Should "Upgrade CircuitPython Bin Only" option erase the flash? #1440

Open RetiredWizard opened 2 months ago

RetiredWizard commented 2 months ago

I've encountered this on several ESP boards, but most recently the QTPY ESP32-pico. I was expecting the difference between the "Full Circuitpython Install" and "Upgrade CircuitPython Bin Only" option to be that the Upgrade option wouldn't perform a complete flash erase first.

If that was not the intent, then it would be useful to have an option to simply re-flash the bin without the erase first. Perhaps an additional separate option to erase the flash could be added as well.

As it is, I can't really use the web flashing option in cases when I simply want to change the version of CircuitPython but don't want to loose my flash contents. I know that's a somewhat risky option but I does seem to work most of the time and is much more convenient than backing everything up and then restoring it.

Thanks!

makermelissa commented 2 months ago

The full bin option means that it also sets up web workflow. Upgrade means it erases and flashes only. I think there are issues if the flash isn't erased, but perhaps that's not necessary.

RetiredWizard commented 2 months ago

There are definitely times that if you don't erase the flash, it may look like it was successful but you'll have problems with the file system down the road so I understand wanting to always erase the flash first. That being said, I do frequently risk it :grin: