diff --git a/httpd/httpd.c b/httpd/httpd.c
index 78b8339..b9d6ead 100644
--- a/httpd/httpd.c
+++ b/httpd/httpd.c
@@ -436,6 +436,9 @@ void handle_post(void)
 			flash_region.addr = CONFIG_START;
 			flash_sector_erase();
 		}
+		flash_init(0); // Re-initialize flash for non-DIO operation, otherwise flashing fails
+		set_sys_led_state(SYS_LED_FAST);
+
 		crc_value = 0;
 		bindex = 0;
 		write_len = 0;
diff --git a/rtl837x_common.h b/rtl837x_common.h
index b51799a..0b0db2e 100644
--- a/rtl837x_common.h
+++ b/rtl837x_common.h
@@ -124,5 +124,6 @@ void get_random_32(void);
 void read_reg_timer(uint32_t * tmr);
 void sfp_print_info(uint8_t sfp);
 bool gpio_pin_test(uint8_t pin);
+void set_sys_led_state(uint8_t state);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/rtl837x_regs.h b/rtl837x_regs.h
index 1ebd6eb..9f38fa7 100644
--- a/rtl837x_regs.h
+++ b/rtl837x_regs.h
@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@
 #define RTL837X_REG_HW_CONF		0x6040
 // Bits 4 & 5: CLOCK DIVIDER from 125MHz for Timer
 
+#define SYS_LED_OFF	   0
+#define SYS_LED_FAST   1
+#define SYS_LED_SLOW   2
+#define SYS_LED_ON     3
+
 #define RTL837X_REG_LED_MODE		0x6520
 // Defines the LED Mode for steering the Port LEDS and the System LED
 // BIT 17 set: LED solid on
diff --git a/rtlplayground.c b/rtlplayground.c
index ba46007..041282f 100644
--- a/rtlplayground.c
+++ b/rtlplayground.c
@@ -1416,6 +1416,9 @@ void led_config_9xh(void)
 	sfr_mask_data(0, 0xe0, 0xa0);
 	reg_write_m(RTL837X_REG_LED_MODE);
 
+	// Set LED blink rate to slow during booting
+	set_sys_led_state(SYS_LED_SLOW);
+
 	// Disable RLDP (Realtek Loop Detection Protocol) LEDs on loop detection
 	reg_read_m(RTL837X_REG_LED_RLDP_1);
 	sfr_mask_data(0, 0, 0x3);
@@ -1442,6 +1445,12 @@ void led_config_9xh(void)
 	reg_write_m(RTL837X_REG_LED3_0_SET1);
 }
 
+void set_sys_led_state(uint8_t state)
+{
+	reg_read_m(RTL837X_REG_LED_MODE);
+	sfr_mask_data(2, 0x03, state);
+	reg_write_m(RTL837X_REG_LED_MODE);
+}
 
 void led_config(void)
 {
@@ -1794,7 +1803,7 @@ void bootloader(void)
 	// Flash controller should be initialized before any code in other banks is being fetched
 	// See this issue: https://github.com/logicog/RTLPlayground/issues/70
 	print_string("\nInitializing Flash controller\n");
-	flash_init(0);
+	flash_init(1);
 
 	// Set default for SFP pins so we can start up a module already inserted
 	sfp_pins_last = 0x33; // signal LOS and no module inserted (for both slots, even if only 1 present)
@@ -1850,6 +1859,9 @@ void bootloader(void)
 		__xdata uint8_t * __xdata bptr;
 		print_string("Identified update image. Checking integrity...");
 
+		flash_init(0); // Re-initialize flash for non-DIO operation, otherwise flashing will fail
+		set_sys_led_state(SYS_LED_FAST);
+
 		crc_value = 0x0000;
 		for (i = 0; i < 1024; i++) {
 			flash_region.addr = source;
@@ -1910,6 +1922,8 @@ void bootloader(void)
 		}
 	}
 
+	set_sys_led_state(SYS_LED_SLOW);
+
 #ifdef DEBUG
 	// This register seems to work on the RTL8373 only if also the SDS
 	// Is correctly configured. Therefore, we can test it, here...
@@ -1955,6 +1969,8 @@ void bootloader(void)
 	print_string("\n> ");
 	idle_ready = 1;
 
+	set_sys_led_state(SYS_LED_ON);
+
 	// Wait for commands on serial connection
 	// sbuf_ptr is moved forward by serial interrupt, l is the position until we have already
 	// printed out the entered characters