HACKBERRY - Boot up correct dtb

andreapazzo · November 15, 2015

Hi!

I have a Hackberry and i've tried to install Debian jessie for Cubieboard.

First I have installed a legacy version; hackberry boot up correctly but my keyboard don't work so i have replaced script.bin and overwrited u-boot-sunxi-with-spl.bin with the latest version (http://dl.linux-sunxi.org/nightly/u-boot-sunxi/u-boot-sunxi/u-boot-sunxi-latest/) and it's work.

Then i've try to use Vanilla version.

As the same, hackberry boot up correctly but my keyboard don't work.

I've tried to recompile boot.cmd with correct dtb but nothing changed.

Then i've tried to create uImage from zImage (linked to vmlinuz-4.2.3-sunxi) and overwrite u-boot.bin with the latest (seek=32) and Hackberry don't boot up.

How can i install Vanilla version and made it work correctly for my Hackberry?

Thanks!

Igor · November 16, 2015

I assume your USB doesn't work since it's not defined or not properly defined in DT.

Similar situation is within legacy kernel. You need to have proper board configuration that things works properly. You already had a luck that you could boot the board without changing anything.

To fix vanilla kernel, you will need to look into the difference / manual or check around for a proper DTB. First check here: https://github.com/linux-sunxi/linux-sunxi/tree/sunxi-next

andreapazzo · November 16, 2015

Thanks Igor.

So, do you think that I have to *only* replace my dtb file and link it in boot.src? Or maybe I have to overwrite something else (u-boot, u-boot-sunxi-with-spl.bin, zImage)?

However this evening I'll try to search and change dtb file, then I'll give you a feedback.

Thank you

Igor · November 16, 2015

Proper way is to build:

u-boot with hackberry configuration. In this case you don't need to touch boot scripts since your target DTB is chosen auto. Than if things doesn't work properly is most likely that something is missing from DT ... or is not done yet. Basic thing should work. This is A10 or A20 version?

andreapazzo · November 16, 2015

Ok, can I follow this guide? Or have you another way for your armbian version?

My board is an A10 version.

Igor · November 16, 2015

I suppose it should work within this manual. I am not doing much different except I use mainline u-boot / kernel source and automate some things ... but those sources doesn't fully support your board. I guess first try some alternative sources and linux sunxi should be the first to try out.

If you succeed ... Inside armbian documentation you will find "how to add a board" ... If it's working we can add the board to the script.

milose · December 14, 2015

Hello Andrea,

Did you manage to make it work?

I cannot :/

Thanks,

Milos

andreapazzo · January 8, 2017

Hello everyone!
I'm sorry for the time to my last post.

One week ago I decided to install the legacy version of Armbian debian based servers of Cubiebord v1 on my hackberry.

@Igor: I'll report what i'd do so you can choose if include an image for hackberry into your distributions.

0. download Armbian_5.20_Cubieboard_Debian_jessie_3.4.112.7z
1. write the image on SD
2. mount filesystem (need a Unix OS i.e. virtual machine with Ubuntu)
3. replace /boot/script.bin with my script.bin generated from hackberry.fex (see attachments and remove '.txt' extension from filename)
4. change boot.cmd to avoid frequency error and regenerate boot.scr (optionally - i do this step because i use an hdmi to vga converter)

Hackberry at this point is ready. (YEAH) .

The only problem that i have is with ethernet because dhcp not work (maybe for the driver?).
A workaround that i use is to setup a static ip.

For the main line distribution i don't know how to proceed because i'm not understand some step.

However this is a point to start for you (if you want) and for other people in community that like me have an Hackberry.

Happy new year to all!
Best regards,
Andrea