diff --git a/arch/arm/lib/board.c b/arch/arm/lib/board.c
index 169dfeb..033baa7 100644
--- a/arch/arm/lib/board.c
+++ b/arch/arm/lib/board.c
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@
 #include <command.h>
 #include <malloc.h>
 #include <stdio_dev.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 #include <net.h>
 #include <serial.h>
@@ -70,12 +69,7 @@ extern int  AT91F_DataflashInit(void);
 extern void dataflash_print_info(void);
 #endif
 
-#ifndef CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
-const char version_string[] =
-	U_BOOT_VERSION" (" U_BOOT_DATE " - " U_BOOT_TIME ")"CONFIG_IDENT_STRING;
+const char * const version_string = U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING;
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_DRIVER_RTL8019
 extern void rtl8019_get_enetaddr (uchar * addr);
diff --git a/arch/avr32/lib/board.c b/arch/avr32/lib/board.c
index 5edef8f..b02df8f 100644
--- a/arch/avr32/lib/board.c
+++ b/arch/avr32/lib/board.c
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 #include <command.h>
 #include <malloc.h>
 #include <stdio_dev.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 #include <net.h>
 
@@ -41,8 +40,7 @@
 
 DECLARE_GLOBAL_DATA_PTR;
 
-const char version_string[] =
-	U_BOOT_VERSION " ("U_BOOT_DATE" - "U_BOOT_TIME") " CONFIG_IDENT_STRING;
+const char * const version_string = U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING;
 
 unsigned long monitor_flash_len;
 
diff --git a/arch/blackfin/lib/board.c b/arch/blackfin/lib/board.c
index 362b8c4..be13479 100644
--- a/arch/blackfin/lib/board.c
+++ b/arch/blackfin/lib/board.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 #include <malloc.h>
 #include <mmc.h>
 #include <net.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <status_led.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ int post_flag;
 
 DECLARE_GLOBAL_DATA_PTR;
 
-const char version_string[] = U_BOOT_VERSION " ("U_BOOT_DATE" - "U_BOOT_TIME")";
+const char * const version_string = U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING;
 
 __attribute__((always_inline))
 static inline void serial_early_puts(const char *s)
diff --git a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5227x/start.S b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5227x/start.S
index d09d492..c5096a8 100644
--- a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5227x/start.S
+++ b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5227x/start.S
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include "version.h"
 #include <asm/cache.h>
 
@@ -508,7 +507,5 @@ _int_handler:
 
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf523x/start.S b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf523x/start.S
index a726b59..e6a69ab 100644
--- a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf523x/start.S
+++ b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf523x/start.S
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include "version.h"
 #include <asm/cache.h>
 
@@ -270,7 +269,5 @@ _int_handler:
 
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf52x2/start.S b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf52x2/start.S
index f0cfa6f..ee17792 100644
--- a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf52x2/start.S
+++ b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf52x2/start.S
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include "version.h"
 #include <asm/cache.h>
 
@@ -330,7 +329,5 @@ _int_handler:
 
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf532x/start.S b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf532x/start.S
index 53ac471..fe98d76 100644
--- a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf532x/start.S
+++ b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf532x/start.S
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include "version.h"
 #include <asm/cache.h>
 
@@ -283,7 +282,5 @@ _int_handler:
 /*------------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5445x/start.S b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5445x/start.S
index 5255f37..9906014 100644
--- a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5445x/start.S
+++ b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf5445x/start.S
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include "version.h"
 #include <asm/cache.h>
 
@@ -540,7 +539,5 @@ _int_handler:
 
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf547x_8x/start.S b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf547x_8x/start.S
index e30923f..ec65cae 100644
--- a/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf547x_8x/start.S
+++ b/arch/m68k/cpu/mcf547x_8x/start.S
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include "version.h"
 #include <asm/cache.h>
 
@@ -277,7 +276,5 @@ _int_handler:
 
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/microblaze/lib/board.c b/arch/microblaze/lib/board.c
index c5f7ac4..fd0606b 100644
--- a/arch/microblaze/lib/board.c
+++ b/arch/microblaze/lib/board.c
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 #include <common.h>
 #include <command.h>
 #include <malloc.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 #include <watchdog.h>
 #include <stdio_dev.h>
@@ -35,7 +34,7 @@
 
 DECLARE_GLOBAL_DATA_PTR;
 
-const char version_string[] = U_BOOT_VERSION " ("U_BOOT_DATE" - "U_BOOT_TIME")";
+const char * const version_string = U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING;
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_SYS_GPIO_0
 extern int gpio_init (void);
diff --git a/arch/mips/lib/board.c b/arch/mips/lib/board.c
index 623c4d7..2cc8176 100644
--- a/arch/mips/lib/board.c
+++ b/arch/mips/lib/board.c
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 #include <command.h>
 #include <malloc.h>
 #include <stdio_dev.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 #include <net.h>
 #include <environment.h>
@@ -50,8 +49,7 @@ extern ulong uboot_end;
 
 ulong monitor_flash_len;
 
-const char version_string[] =
-	U_BOOT_VERSION" (" U_BOOT_DATE " - " U_BOOT_TIME ")";
+const char * const version_string = U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING;
 
 static char *failed = "*** failed ***\n";
 
diff --git a/arch/nios2/cpu/start.S b/arch/nios2/cpu/start.S
index bf5d672..0f4ab28 100644
--- a/arch/nios2/cpu/start.S
+++ b/arch/nios2/cpu/start.S
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 /*************************************************************************
@@ -196,14 +195,8 @@ dly_clks:
 	bge	r4, r0, dly_clks
 	ret
 
-
-#if !defined(CONFIG_IDENT_STRING)
-#define CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
 	.data
 	.globl	version_string
 
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/74xx_7xx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/74xx_7xx/start.S
index f6011fc..75fb773 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/74xx_7xx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/74xx_7xx/start.S
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <74xx_7xx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #include <ppc_asm.tmpl>
@@ -52,10 +51,6 @@
 #include <galileo/gt64260R.h>
 #endif
 
-#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /* We don't want the  MMU yet.
 */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -89,9 +84,7 @@
 	.long	0x27051956		/* U-Boot Magic Number		*/
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii	U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii	" (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii	CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	. = EXC_OFF_SYS_RESET
 	.globl	_start
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc512x/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc512x/start.S
index 9c2e488..ed362d8 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc512x/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc512x/start.S
@@ -31,7 +31,9 @@
 
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
+#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
+#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING "MPC512X"
+#endif
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define CONFIG_521X	1		/* needed for Linux kernel header files*/
@@ -46,10 +48,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING "MPC512X"
-#endif
-
 /*
  * Floating Point enable, Machine Check and Recoverable Interr.
  */
@@ -89,9 +87,7 @@
 	.long	0x27051956		/* U-Boot Magic Number */
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii " ", CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 /*
  * Vector Table
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xx/start.S
index cc11c8f..cc4c33e 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xx/start.S
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc5xx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define CONFIG_5xx 1		/* needed for Linux kernel header files */
@@ -46,10 +45,6 @@
 #include <asm/processor.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /* We don't have a MMU.
 */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -82,9 +77,7 @@
 	.long	0x27051956			/* U-Boot Magic Number */
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	. = EXC_OFF_SYS_RESET
 	.globl	_start
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xxx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xxx/start.S
index 192aa50..51cc4e2 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xxx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc5xxx/start.S
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc5xxx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define CONFIG_MPC5xxx 1	/* needed for Linux kernel header files */
@@ -41,10 +40,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /* We don't want the  MMU yet.
 */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -80,9 +75,7 @@
 	.data
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 /*
  * Exception vectors
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8220/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8220/start.S
index 300b35c..a1a2dc5 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8220/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8220/start.S
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc8220.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define _LINUX_CONFIG_H 1   /* avoid reading Linux autoconf.h file  */
@@ -40,10 +39,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef	 CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define	 CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /* We don't want the  MMU yet.
 */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -79,9 +74,7 @@
 	.data
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 /*
  * Exception vectors
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc824x/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc824x/start.S
index fc4e922..70db73e 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc824x/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc824x/start.S
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc824x.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define _LINUX_CONFIG_H 1	/* avoid reading Linux autoconf.h file	*/
@@ -52,10 +51,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /* We don't want the MMU yet.
 */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -92,9 +87,7 @@
 	.long	0x27051956		/* U-Boot Magic Number			*/
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	. = EXC_OFF_SYS_RESET
 	.globl	_start
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8260/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8260/start.S
index 702546e..3299d72 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8260/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8260/start.S
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc8260.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define CONFIG_8260 1		/* needed for Linux kernel header files */
@@ -41,10 +40,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /* We don't want the  MMU yet.
 */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -87,9 +82,7 @@
 	.data
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 /*
  *  Hard Reset Configuration Word (HRCW) table
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc83xx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc83xx/start.S
index 7e60315..b70b4ca 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc83xx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc83xx/start.S
@@ -30,7 +30,9 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc83xx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
+#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
+#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING "MPC83XX"
+#endif
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define CONFIG_83XX	1		/* needed for Linux kernel header files*/
@@ -43,10 +45,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING "MPC83XX"
-#endif
-
 /* We don't want the  MMU yet.
  */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -107,9 +105,7 @@
 
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii " ", CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	.align 2
 
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc85xx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc85xx/start.S
index 5777493..626ccce 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc85xx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc85xx/start.S
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc85xx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define _LINUX_CONFIG_H 1	/* avoid reading Linux autoconf.h file	*/
@@ -42,10 +41,6 @@
 #include <asm/cache.h>
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 
-#ifndef	 CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define	 CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
 #define MSR_KERNEL ( MSR_ME )	/* Machine Check */
 
@@ -399,9 +394,7 @@ _start:
 	.long	0x27051956		/* U-BOOT Magic Number */
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	.align	4
 	.globl	_start_cont
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc86xx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc86xx/start.S
index 3e3c21e..32896d4 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc86xx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc86xx/start.S
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc86xx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #include <ppc_asm.tmpl>
@@ -43,10 +42,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef	CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /*
  * Need MSR_DR | MSR_IR enabled to access I/O (printf) in exceptions
  */
@@ -78,9 +73,7 @@
 	.long	0x27051956		/* U-Boot Magic Number */
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii	U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii	" (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii	CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	. = EXC_OFF_SYS_RESET
 	.globl	_start
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/start.S
index fe3daa2..ebca3ac 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/start.S
@@ -40,7 +40,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <mpc8xx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define CONFIG_8xx 1		/* needed for Linux kernel header files */
@@ -53,10 +52,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/u-boot.h>
 
-#ifndef  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define  CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 /* We don't want the  MMU yet.
 */
 #undef	MSR_KERNEL
@@ -89,9 +84,7 @@
 	.long	0x27051956		/* U-Boot Magic Number			*/
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	. = EXC_OFF_SYS_RESET
 	.globl	_start
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/video.c b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/video.c
index c79c499..7725c67 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/video.c
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/mpc8xx/video.c
@@ -33,7 +33,6 @@
 #include <common.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <version.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <i2c.h>
 #include <linux/types.h>
 #include <stdio_dev.h>
diff --git a/arch/powerpc/cpu/ppc4xx/start.S b/arch/powerpc/cpu/ppc4xx/start.S
index b43e22c..3b0e364 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/cpu/ppc4xx/start.S
+++ b/arch/powerpc/cpu/ppc4xx/start.S
@@ -68,7 +68,6 @@
 #include <asm-offsets.h>
 #include <config.h>
 #include <asm/ppc4xx.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 #define _LINUX_CONFIG_H 1	/* avoid reading Linux autoconf.h file	*/
@@ -80,10 +79,6 @@
 #include <asm/mmu.h>
 #include <asm/ppc4xx-isram.h>
 
-#ifndef	 CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
-#define	 CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
-#endif
-
 #ifdef CONFIG_SYS_INIT_DCACHE_CS
 # if (CONFIG_SYS_INIT_DCACHE_CS == 0)
 #  define PBxAP PB1AP
@@ -549,9 +544,7 @@ tlbnx2:	addi	r4,r4,1		/* Next TLB */
 	.long	0x27051956		/* U-Boot Magic Number			*/
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	. = EXC_OFF_SYS_RESET
 	.globl	_start_of_vectors
diff --git a/arch/sh/lib/board.c b/arch/sh/lib/board.c
index ed91643..3e9f657 100644
--- a/arch/sh/lib/board.c
+++ b/arch/sh/lib/board.c
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@
 #include <command.h>
 #include <malloc.h>
 #include <stdio_dev.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 #include <watchdog.h>
 #include <net.h>
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ extern int board_init(void);
 extern int dram_init(void);
 extern int timer_init(void);
 
-const char version_string[] = U_BOOT_VERSION" ("U_BOOT_DATE" - "U_BOOT_TIME")";
+const char * const version_string = U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING;
 
 unsigned long monitor_flash_len = CONFIG_SYS_MONITOR_LEN;
 
diff --git a/arch/sparc/cpu/leon2/start.S b/arch/sparc/cpu/leon2/start.S
index f22fb7e..9cd6c66 100644
--- a/arch/sparc/cpu/leon2/start.S
+++ b/arch/sparc/cpu/leon2/start.S
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <asm/psr.h>
 #include <asm/stack.h>
 #include <asm/leon.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 /* Entry for traps which jump to a programmer-specified trap handler.  */
@@ -200,9 +199,7 @@ _trap_table:
 	.data
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	.section	".text"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/sparc/cpu/leon3/start.S b/arch/sparc/cpu/leon3/start.S
index 56ae88d..1e393a5 100644
--- a/arch/sparc/cpu/leon3/start.S
+++ b/arch/sparc/cpu/leon3/start.S
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <asm/psr.h>
 #include <asm/stack.h>
 #include <asm/leon.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
 /* Entry for traps which jump to a programmer-specified trap handler.  */
@@ -201,9 +200,7 @@ _trap_table:
 	.extern leon3_snooping_avail
 	.globl	version_string
 version_string:
-	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION
-	.ascii " (", U_BOOT_DATE, " - ", U_BOOT_TIME, ")"
-	.ascii CONFIG_IDENT_STRING, "\0"
+	.ascii U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING, "\0"
 
 	.section	".text"
 	.align 4
diff --git a/arch/x86/lib/board.c b/arch/x86/lib/board.c
index df54222..c1a626c 100644
--- a/arch/x86/lib/board.c
+++ b/arch/x86/lib/board.c
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@
 #include <watchdog.h>
 #include <command.h>
 #include <stdio_dev.h>
-#include <timestamp.h>
 #include <version.h>
 #include <malloc.h>
 #include <net.h>
@@ -66,8 +65,7 @@ extern ulong __rel_dyn_end;
 extern ulong __bss_start;
 extern ulong __bss_end;
 
-const char version_string[] =
-	U_BOOT_VERSION" (" U_BOOT_DATE " - " U_BOOT_TIME ")";
+const char * const version_string = U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING;
 
 /************************************************************************
  * Init Utilities							*
diff --git a/common/cmd_version.c b/common/cmd_version.c
index 83cb11c..b8fb9c1 100644
--- a/common/cmd_version.c
+++ b/common/cmd_version.c
@@ -25,8 +25,6 @@
 #include <command.h>
 #include <version.h>
 
-extern char version_string[];
-
 int do_version(cmd_tbl_t *cmdtp, int flag, int argc, char * const argv[])
 {
 	printf("\n%s\n", version_string);
diff --git a/common/main.c b/common/main.c
index 2730c6f..574f7c1 100644
--- a/common/main.c
+++ b/common/main.c
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #include <common.h>
 #include <watchdog.h>
 #include <command.h>
+#include <version.h>
 #ifdef CONFIG_MODEM_SUPPORT
 #include <malloc.h>		/* for free() prototype */
 #endif
@@ -311,8 +312,6 @@ void main_loop (void)
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_VERSION_VARIABLE
 	{
-		extern char version_string[];
-
 		setenv ("ver", version_string);  /* set version variable */
 	}
 #endif /* CONFIG_VERSION_VARIABLE */
diff --git a/drivers/video/cfb_console.c b/drivers/video/cfb_console.c
index b427c84..77e7285 100644
--- a/drivers/video/cfb_console.c
+++ b/drivers/video/cfb_console.c
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ CONFIG_VIDEO_HW_CURSOR:	     - Uses the hardware cursor capability of the
 */
 
 #include <common.h>
+#include <version.h>
 
 #include <malloc.h>
 
@@ -1458,7 +1459,6 @@ void logo_plot (void *screen, int width, int x, int y)
 static void *video_logo (void)
 {
 	char info[128];
-	extern char version_string;
 	int space, len, y_off = 0;
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_SPLASH_SCREEN
diff --git a/include/version.h b/include/version.h
index a34291a..39d09be 100644
--- a/include/version.h
+++ b/include/version.h
@@ -24,8 +24,19 @@
 #ifndef	__VERSION_H__
 #define	__VERSION_H__
 
+#include <timestamp.h>
+
 #ifndef DO_DEPS_ONLY
 #include "version_autogenerated.h"
 #endif
 
+#ifndef CONFIG_IDENT_STRING
+#define CONFIG_IDENT_STRING ""
+#endif
+
+#define U_BOOT_VERSION_STRING U_BOOT_VERSION " (" U_BOOT_DATE " - " \
+	U_BOOT_TIME ")" CONFIG_IDENT_STRING;
+
+extern const char * const version_string;
+
 #endif	/* __VERSION_H__ */
diff --git a/lib/display_options.c b/lib/display_options.c
index d0480f5..694d2f2 100644
--- a/lib/display_options.c
+++ b/lib/display_options.c
@@ -23,13 +23,12 @@
 
 #include <config.h>
 #include <common.h>
+#include <version.h>
 #include <linux/ctype.h>
 #include <asm/io.h>
 
 int display_options (void)
 {
-	extern char version_string[];
-
 #if defined(BUILD_TAG)
 	printf ("\n\n%s, Build: %s\n\n", version_string, BUILD_TAG);
 #else
