Securely replacing boot loaders

A method of booting an electronic device, the method comprising:

• initiating execution of a first boot loader on a computing processor of the electronic device;
• electrically connecting a sender input/output terminal of the electronic device to a receiver input/output terminal of the electronic device;
• and
• connecting a removable storage device to a connection port of the electronic device, the storage device storing a signature of a unique identifier of the electronic device and a second boot loader;
• wherein the first boot loader:
• verifies a shorted electrical connection between the input/output terminals;
• reads the signature of the unique identifier of the electronic device from the connected storage device;
• verifies the signature of the unique identifier of the electronic device;
• and
• allows installation of the second boot loader on the electronic device when the signature is valid.

An electronic device comprising:

• a circuit comprising:
• memory storing a first boot loader;
• a computing processor in communication with the memory, the processor executing the first boot loader;
• and
• first and second input/output terminals in communication with the computing process;
• and
• a communication port in communication with the circuit;
• wherein the first boot loader
• verifies a shorted electrical connection between the first and second input/output terminals;
• reads the signature of the unique identifier of the electronic device from a storage device connected to the communication port;
• verifies the signature of the unique identifier of the electronic device;
• and
• allows installation of the second boot loader on the electronic device when the signature is valid.