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First Time Firmware Installation Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing firmware on a Raspberry Pico using the gatas-rpxxxx.uf2 file.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Download the Firmware File

  • Visit the GA/TAS Releases page to download the appropriate firmware file (gatas-rpxxxx.uf2).
  • Ensure you download the correct version for your Raspberry Pico model:
  • RP2040 or RP2350.

2. Prepare the Raspberry Pico

  1. Hold down the BOOTSEL button on your Raspberry Pico.
  2. While holding the BOOTSEL button, connect the Pico to your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Release the BOOTSEL button once connected.

PICO BootSel

3. Access USB Mass Storage Mode

  • The Pico will appear as a USB mass storage device on your computer:
  • On Windows, it will appear as a removable drive.
  • On macOS and Linux, it will appear as an external drive labeled RPI-RP2.

4. Flash the Firmware

  1. Open the RPI-RP2 drive on your computer.
  2. Drag and drop or copy and paste the gatas-rpxxxx.uf2 file into the Pico's drive.
  3. Do not attempt to open or modify the .uf2 file.

5. Automatic Reboot

  • Once the file is copied, the Pico will automatically reboot and begin running the new firmware.
  • The Pico will disappear from your list of drives, indicating the flashing process is complete.

6. Verify Installation

  • After rebooting, the Pico will start running the newly installed firmware.
  • A green LED on the Pico will flash once per second, confirming successful installation.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

  • Pico does not appear as a USB drive:
  • Ensure you are holding the BOOTSEL button while connecting the Pico to your computer.
  • Use a different USB cable (some cables only provide power and do not support data transfer).

Summary of Steps

  1. Download the gatas-rpxxxx.uf2 file from the GA/TAS Releases page.
  2. Hold down the BOOTSEL button and connect the Pico to your computer.
  3. Release the BOOTSEL button once connected.
  4. Copy the gatas-rpxxxx.uf2 file to the Pico's mass storage drive.
  5. The Pico will reboot automatically and run the new firmware.
  6. Verify the installation by checking the green flashing LED.

For additional support, join the GA/TAS Discord Community.