Proper way to install Armbian linux on H96 Pro Plus s912 or equivalent CLI ver.
for those who have trouble in their existing systems.
I have been installing/testing on my old dusty H96 pro plus Armbian Linux tested both flavours Debian and Ubuntu
from almost all sources nothing works 100% on emmc except one source and installing method which i will
mention below.
Problem faced: Even correct SDcard burn with proper uncomment dtb for s912 and rename correct uboot as mentioned
all over the forums: - installing on emmc problem, system halt on reboot/shutdown/power on/idle, Ethernet disconnection, no WiFi
even with correct ath10k module in libraries, keyboard hang, lost HDMI signal etc.
Correct Installation method for H96 Pro Plus s912 and possible similar Boxes (not tested)
Tested on H96 Pro Plus 3gb/32gb Green PCB - CLI version only.
Download Armbian linux from community https://github.com/armbian/community/
for aml-s9xx-box Release: lunar Variant: CLI As on 10/04/2023
Please see Direct file link below.
1. Connect your HDMI, LAN, Keyboard cable with box
2. Make a bootable SDcard 16gb is enough with rufus
3. After burn completed go to DOS partition and edit file /boot/extlinux/extlinux.conf for correct
dbt i.e FDT /dtb/amlogic/meson-gxm-q200.dtb uncomment it and comment others (Note: if don’t see DOS partition on SDcard assign drive letter on windows)
4. Boot the SDcard with toothpick method (keep pressing the reset button and insert power cable)
Note: In case your sdcard doesn’t boot rename u-boot-s905x-s912 to uboot.ext (my box booted without renaming it so first try without renaming)
5. After successful boot, assign root password, assign user etc. when you back to the prompt just do nothing but install OS to your emmc by typing command "./install-aml.sh"
or "sh install-aml.sh"
6. After migrating OS to box emmc SWITCH OFF THE BOX" by removing power cable and back it on applying power cable again. (Give pause of 2 to 3 sec in between)
7. It should boot up from emmc successfully !
8. Freeze Kernel update from armbian-config and update your system with apt update and apt upgrade command make sure after upgrade POWER OFF AGAIN and ON like before this the last time we are doing this just in case.
9. Your system is ready !! if you want WIFI support just copy ath10k module from the link below (copy directory “ath10k” from lib-firmware/ to your system directory "/lib/firmware/" and then reboot (credit goes to @mazdlc)
This method is working for me 100% tested box for 5 days online without any hiccups.
Link for firmware: https://github.com/armbian/community/releases/download/23.05.0-trunk-e33842ef2/Armbian_23.05.0-trunk-e33842ef2_Aml-s9xx-box_lunar_edge_6.2.9.img.xz#aml-s9xx-box
link for WIFI fix: https://github.com/maz-1/h96-pro-plus-armbian-stuff
WARNING: I HAVE NOT BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO ANDROID WITH SDCARD RECOVERY OR WITH USB BURNING TOOL TO STOCK ANDROID FIRMWARE - AS I DON'T REALLY CARE AND NEVER TRIED MUCH SO IF YOU ARE CONCERN ABOUT STOCK USE ONLY SDCARD BOOT DO NOT TRANSFER FIRMWARE TO EMMC AS IT WILL OVERWRITE YOUR BOOT AND POSSIBLE RECOVERY IF YOU REALLY WANT TO PROCEED - DO IT ON YOUR OWN RISK !
