[mathewb64]

Record whether rpi-eeprom-ab is missing, the bootloader lacks AB support or the SPI check failed. Report the reason if the flashrom fallback also fails, and in the AB_EEPROM=1 error.

[timg236]

LGTM @peterharperuk ?

[peterharperuk]

It now says this...

[sudo] password for peterh:
*** PREPARING EEPROM UPDATES ***

BOOTLOADER: update available
CURRENT: Fri 6 Feb 14:31:40 UTC 2026 (1770388300)
LATEST: Fri 30 Oct 20:55:54 UTC 2026 (1793393754)
RELEASE: latest (/usr/lib/firmware/raspberrypi/bootloader-2712/latest)
Use raspi-config to change the release.
Checking flashrom probe
WARNING: SPI device /dev/spidev10.0 not found
WARNING: AB EEPROM update not available: the current bootloader does not support AB EEPROM updates
Setting RPI_EEPROM_IMMEDIATE_UPDATE to 0

CURRENT: Fri 6 Feb 14:31:40 UTC 2026 (1770388300)
UPDATE: Fri 30 Oct 20:55:54 UTC 2026 (1793393754)
BOOTFS: /boot/firmware
'/tmp/tmp.vbduOYcGfj' -> '/boot/firmware/pieeprom.upd'
Copying recovery.bin to /boot/firmware for EEPROM update

EEPROM updates pending. Please reboot to apply the update.
To cancel a pending update run "sudo rpi-eeprom-update -r".