Boot stuck on "random : crng init done"

[adrian0541]

After trying the 6.1.11 version of the system (XFCE Edition), I could get the system to start, but the loading proccess get stuck on "random : crng init done". I've been waiting for about 20 minutes now and the proccess stay on like the attached image.

 

Downloaded file:

Armbian_23.02.2_Aml-s9xx-box_bullseye_current_6.1.11_xfce_desktop.img.xz

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by adrian0541

[well83]

@adrian0541 Hi. Try sei610 dtb file or others that support s905x3 processor cause sei510 i think it is for s905x2

[adrian0541]

@well83

How do I know the list of DTB files that support S905X3 proccessors?

[hexdump]

@adrian0541 - s905x3 is sm1, s905x2 is g12a, s905x is gxl and so on ...

[adrian0541]

Hello, guys.

 

I've tried to edit the extlinux.conf file as showed on the attached file.

 

Is that the correct way to set file path? With this path file, the proccess stucks in the exact same step showed in the attached image showed before.

 

Do I need to repeat the proccess of creating a bootable USB Drive with Balena Etcher before trying a new dtb file? Am I creating the u-boot.ext file in the correct way?

 

Sorry for all the questions. I'm pretty much new on this.

 

 

Edited September 16, 2023 by adrian0541

[well83]

@adrian0541 Ok. One thing i would try is to change dtb to any of this files and see what happens

[adrian0541]

@well83

Should I restart the proccess from the creation of the bootable USB Drive or can I just edit the extlinux.config and retry without redoing the USB creation part?

[well83]

@adrian0541 Hi. just change extlinux file.

[SteeMan]

Cleaned up the instructions thead, moved this content to its own thread.

[SteeMan]

@adrian0541  In answer to your question on what uboots map to which cpus and dtbs, I just updated the FAQ instructions with such a mapping (based on your question and other posts in that thread).

[SteeMan]

@adrian0541  It would be helpful if you mentioned in this thread which box you have?  (I realize that you may have originally posted that information but after moving things around it isn't in this thread).

 

Also to your original question, in the extlinux file you should just reference the /dtb/  directory (not the kernel specific one).  The install/upgrade to new kernels will potentially remove that kernel and replace it with a new one and then your box won't boot as that specific file will no longer exist.  The files in the /dtb/ directory are a copy of those for the latest installed kernel, so by using that directory you are isolated from upgrades.

[adrian0541]

Quote

 

@adrian0541 It would be helpful if you mentioned in this thread which box you have?  (I realize that you may have originally posted that information but after moving things around it isn't in this thread).

 

Also to your original question, in the extlinux file you should just reference the /dtb/  directory (not the kernel specific one).  The install/upgrade to new kernels will potentially remove that kernel and replace it with a new one and then your box won't boot as that specific file will no longer exist.  The files in the /dtb/ directory are a copy of those for the latest installed kernel, so by using that directory you are isolated from upgrades.

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

This post was constructed from the

answers of another one, so I will try

to clarify what's going on.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

I'm trying to install ARMBIAN 23.02.2 on a T95 MAX+ TV Box, with an AMLOGIC S905X3 proccessor (4 GB of RAM; 100 mbit/s ethernet; 32 Gb of internal memory).

 

The 23.8.1 ARMBIAN version for AMLOGIC (link) proccessors, does not work well. It was suggested to me (Thanks to @well83) to use the 23.02.2 version (link). In this post I will be trying the Armbian_23.02.2_Aml-s9xx-box_bullseye_current_6.1.11_xfce_desktop.img.xz file.

 

After trying some differents DTB files I was able to boot to a graphical user interface (see the subsequent answers below for more details). Now I'm trying to determine how to install and/or congifure the propper wifi and sound drivers.

 

Edited September 17, 2023 by adrian0541

[adrian0541]

Quote

@adrian0541  In answer to your question on what uboots map to which cpus and dtbs, I just updated the FAQ instructions with such a mapping (based on your question and other posts in that thread).

 

@SteeMan  Where do I find the FAQ Section? Could you, please, post a link for me and future users?

 

----------------------------------------

Update:

 

I found the DTB and U-BOOT files instructions on the original post:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 16, 2023 by adrian0541

[adrian0541]

After adding the meson-sm1-a95xf3-air.dtb file on extlinux.config I was able to start on a graphical user interface.

 

Then I used these credentials:

 

User:

root

 

Password:

1234

 

By the way, for this test I'm using a Rii X8+ USB Mini Keyboard, which works as a keyboard and a touchpad

 

 

-------------------------------------

After this achievement, I have some questions:

1. How do I Active the wifi connection? Could I try another DTB file? Or Should I try using a USB Wifi Stick and then try to update the drivers from the terminal using some commands?
2. The same question goes for sound driver.

 

 

-------------------------------------

 

Edited September 16, 2023 by adrian0541

[adrian0541]

Well, after trying all the DTB files, these are the results:

 

meson-sm1-a95xf3-air.dtb

• Boots with a graphical user interface.
• Max Res 4K
• There is no WIFI connection
• There is no Ethernet connection
• There is no sound

meson-sm1-a95xf3-air-gbit.dtb

• Boots with a graphical user interface.
• Max Res 1080p
• There is no WIFI connection
• It appears there is Ethernet connection
• There is no sound

 

meson-sm1-bananapi-m2-pro.dtb

• Boots with a graphical user interface.
• Max Res 1080p
• There is no WIFI connection
• It appears there is Ethernet connection
• There is no sound

 

meson-sm1-bananapi-m5.dtb

• Boots with a graphical user interface.
• Max Res 1080p
• There is no WIFI connection
• It appears there is Ethernet connection
• There is no sound

 

meson-sm1-h96-max.dtb

• Boots with a graphical user interface.
• Max Res 1080p
• It appears there is Bluetooth (at least an item is showed)
• There is no WIFI connection
• It appears there is Ethernet connection
• There is no sound

 

meson-sm1-khadas-vim3l.dtb

• The system does not start

 

meson-sm1-odroid-c4.dtb

• The system does not start

 

meson-sm1-odroid-hc4.dtb

• The system does not start

 

meson-sm1-sei610.dtb

• The system does not start

 

meson-sm1-x96-air.dtb

• Boots with a graphical user interface.
• Max Res 1080p
• There is no Bluetooth
• There is no WIFI connection
• There is no Ethernet connection
• There is no sound

 

meson-sm1-x96-air-gbit.dtb

• Boots with a graphical user interface.
• Max Res 1080p
• There is no Bluetooth
• There is no WIFI connection
• It appears there is Ethernet connection
• There is no sound

 

I think I will try to continue with meson-sm1-h96-max.dtb file.

 

Using a USB Wifi Stick I'm perfectly capable to connect to a Wifi Network.

 

---------------------------------------------

I updated the system using (on terminal):

 

sudo apt update

 

Then

 

sudo apt upgrade

---------------------------------------------

 

 

 

Now I will try to install the TV Box Wifi and Sound Drivers

 

 

 

---------------------------------------------

 

Edited September 17, 2023 by adrian0541

[adrian0541]

How can I determine the type of hardware I need to search the drivers for? How do I know my Wifi, Ehernet and sound hardware?

 

I've installed Hardinfo from the APT repository and made a scan of the hardware if it helps. I Also Installed AIDA64 on Android.

 

Hardware Info.zip

Edited September 17, 2023 by adrian0541

[well83]

@adrian0541 Hi. For audio try to use ubuntu version of build . If there no audio it apears after install on emmc. And for wifi try to run armbian config

[adrian0541]

 

@well83 Thanks for the answers.

 

Quote

@adrian0541 Hi. For audio try to use ubuntu version of build . If there no audio it apears after install on emmc. And for wifi try to run armbian config

 

Which one (links) is the Ubuntu Version?

 

 

 

Edited September 17, 2023 by adrian0541

[adrian0541]

On the other hand I started this project as a hobby, trying to build an affordable mini console for my nephews (I already have one for my own, made from a HP Elidesk Mini). After succesfully achieving that (using Emuelec) on this TV Box (T95 Max+) I asked myself if it was possible to also install a fully functional version of Linux, so they could use this TV Box as a mini PC (you know, for navigation and school homework).

 

For the price of the TV Box, (around 30 USD on Aliexpress) I have no problems to start over again with another model. So, I would like to ask a little more questions:

 

1. Is there a TV Box with similar specs (AMLOGIC S905X3, 4 Gb of RAM, 32/64 Gb of internal memory, 100/1000 gbit/s ethernet, etc.) that has a fully functional version o ARMBIAN?
2. If there is, Which model is it? What is the exact version or ARMBIAN that proved to work?
3. If there is not, could you recommend to me another TV Box with simmilar or better specs which I could use for similar purposes.
4. Maybe, should I try with rockchip TV Boxes?

 

Edited September 17, 2023 by adrian0541

[well83]

@adrian0541 Hi ubuntu version is jammy 6.1.11

Working s905x3 are in dtb file 

a95xf3-air

x96-air

and H96 Max version with s905x3

(be careful when choosing this model cause there are many with same name but other cpu brands)

[adrian0541]

I'm configuring the XFCE Desktop UI. Any idea of how to pass from the original menu to Whisker Menu?

 

 

 

 

 

[SteeMan]

@adrian0541  I want to point you to the following FAQ post to make sure your expectations are set correctly:  https://forum.armbian.com/topic/16976-status-of-armbian-on-tv-boxes-please-read-first/

 

[SteeMan]

On 9/16/2023 at 8:34 PM, adrian0541 said:

How can I determine the type of hardware I need to search the drivers for? How do I know my Wifi, Ehernet and sound hardware?

 

I've installed Hardinfo from the APT repository and made a scan of the hardware if it helps. I Also Installed AIDA64 on Android.

Generally the best way to determine your hardware is to open the box and look at what chips are installed (but that sometimes in tv boxes isn't helpful as the manufacturers are known to use chips with fake markings).  The other thing to do is to hook up to the serial console and review the uboot output and early kernel output.

 

With arm based tv boxes and boards the hardware is made available to the kernel via the dtb file.  So it is the dtb that maps the kernel to the on board hardware.  So if you aren't using a dtb explicitly designed for your board/box you won't get working features as the linux kernel won't know what the correct hardware is.  That is why with these tv boxes where there are only dtbs for a small handful of them that you are unlikely to get all features working on a box.  This is why the suggestion is to try all the dtbs and find the one that is closest to your hardware (i.e. has the most things working).

 

[well83]

@adrian0541

Quote

9 hours ago, adrian0541 said:

I'm configuring the XFCE Desktop UI. Any idea of how to pass from the original menu to Whisker Menu?

Right click on panel doesn't work? Try to install whisker from apt. I dont know cause i use armbian headless and on desktop i have kde. So i cant help you here.

 

[adrian0541]

Generally the best way to determine your hardware is to open the box and look at what chips are installed (but that sometimes in tv boxes isn't helpful as the manufacturers are known to use chips with fake markings).  The other thing to do is to hook up to the serial console and review the uboot output and early kernel output.



With arm based tv boxes and boards the hardware is made available to the kernel via the dtb file.  So it is the dtb that maps the kernel to the on board hardware.  So if you aren't using a dtb explicitly designed for your board/box you won't get working features as the linux kernel won't know what the correct hardware is.  That is why with these tv boxes where there are only dtbs for a small handful of them that you are unlikely to get all features working on a box.  This is why the suggestion is to try all the dtbs and find the one that is closest to your hardware (i.e. has the most things working).

 

@SteeMan

 

Is there way to obtain or to construct the correct DTB file from the original files on Android? (The files that came on the internal TV Box Memory)

 

 

[adrian0541]

By the way, I have ordered an A95X F3 TV Box to test ARMBIAN on it. I hope It all works from the begining, since there is an specific DTB file for it.

[SteeMan]

2 hours ago, adrian0541 said:

Is there way to obtain or to construct the correct DTB file from the original files on Android? (The files that came on the internal TV Box Memory)

You can find clues in the android dtb, but the kernel implementations between the vendor custom kernel used for android and mainline kernel are significant different, so they in general are not compatible.

[adrian0541]

2023-10-18

Today I will start with the second attemp to use ARMBIAN on a TV Box for a fully Linux desktop experience.

I gaved the old TV Box (T95 Max+) to one of my nephews as a retro game console with Emuelec (he was very pleased). I could make ARMBIAN work with the Ubuntu version from this link. I used the 6.1.11 jammy version. The user interface and the ethernet port worked well with the meson-sm1-a95xf3-air-gbit.dtb file. Sadly I could not make the sound or the wifi to work, but I could easily reach wifi connection through a USB Wifi Device.

 

I also changed the original device firmware for Aidan's ROM, which let me install a pure Android TV system on the TV Box, instead of the uglier original one.

 

Today I will start trying a new TV Box: the A95X F3 AIR, with 4 GB of RAM, 32 Gb of internal memory and 100 Mbits ethernet. I will let you know how the ARMBIAN experiment went.

 

 

 

[adrian0541]

Hello, folks.

 

I can not make neither the 23.02.2 or the 23.8.1 version to work on the A95X F3 AIR Tv Box. Any suggestion?

[Pita Bread]

Hello everyone. I will write a short message here to ensure the that moderator will approve this message.

 

Thanks to @adrian0541 here, and thanks to others in the S905 forums threads. I have a T95 Max+ (plus) Amlogic S905x3 4GB RAM / 32 GB ROM tv box. I successfully installed a similar Armbian onto a USB thumb/flash drive that he mentioned in his message #171678 on September 16 2023, but I used the server file "Armbian_23.02.2_Aml-s9xx-box_bullseye_current_6.1.11.img.gz" instead of the xfce desktop file. I edited the extlinux.conf file and set "FDT /dtb-6.1.11-meson64/amlogic/meson-sm1-x96-air.dtb" and added "video=HDMI-A-1:1920x1080@60e monitor=hdmi" to the end of the append line. The tv box boots nicely, gives 1080p resolution, and ethernet 100 MB works, USB 2.0/3.0 works but there is no bluetooth, no wifi and no sound. I can test playing wav and mp3 files by using aplay and mpg123 commands. I really want to make the sound work! In Emuelec ng 4.0, the sound works, and the "aplay -l" Emuelec describes the audio device as AML-AUGESOUND device 1 TDM-B-T9015-audio-hifi. Here is an excerpt of the dtb (dts) file that correclty describes the audio device:

 

aml-audio-card,name = "AML-AUGESOUND";
compatible = "amlogic, aml_codec_T9015";

 

I don't know how, but I want to make a new and compatible dtb file for Armbian 23.02.02 / 6.1.11 so that the sound could work.

 

 

Quote

(adrian0541) I can not make neither the 23.02.2 or the 23.8.1 version to work on the A95X F3 AIR Tv Box. Any suggestion?

 

I ordered that box S905x3, 4GB / 64GB and I am waiting for it to arrive. I will write a new message after I try Armbian and test it. Cheers mates.

Edited October 20 by Pita Bread