Helios64 at the end of 2025

[tmb]

Hi folks, long time lurker here.

 

My helios64 is pretty much brand new, didn’t really needed it at that time, only bought it as I found it really cool. I may power it a couple of times per year for some backups (got 3x 6tb in it, no raid so I can take them out when needed, also back up stuff to external drives), it still starts-up from the initial sd card as I never finished setting it up. I also have a 1 bay separate NAS for downloading movies that if fails, I will just replace; and a drive attached directly to my router for easy file swaps; so don’t need much running 24x7.

 

While I work in IT (on the Windows side, so the Armbian stuff is still a learning path for me), the last years have been so busy that I can’t find myself tinkering anymore at the end of the day.

 

To the ones of you that are running one, does it still make sense, or should I maybe switch to something more mainstream?

 

Thank you!

[BipBip1981]

Hi,

In 2025, Helios64 is now stable for me and for my brother, who also uses it.

The only thing to do is, just after installation or after any upgrade, you must reinstall the special file rk3399-kobol-helios64.dtb-6.12.xx-L2-hs400-opp because I think the specific tuning in this file is not included in the official image.

For me, I suggest keeping it, using it, and saving your money for other things.

Bye.

[tmb]

Hi @BipBip1981, thank you for sharing your thoughts. It is positive to hear from people still running these, much appreciated!

[djurny]

I think it still makes sense. And in the off chance that you DO find you have some time leftover, it's also nice to tinker and hobby about with.

Mine is still running Buster and has not missed a beat since I got the thing - besides some issues with the SATA connector on the top drive and the inability to upgrade RAM.

Groetjes,

[tmb]

Hi @djurny, 

 

Yes it’s nice to tinker just so busy/tired that I’m not even doing that on the Windows side anymore. Still like the helios64 and would love to bring it up and running stable when needed, was just curious if worth the effort so looking for some success stories. I only plan to use it as a handy backup device which does sound strange for something unsupported.

 

I think I’m still on buster as well on the sd card and never had the instability issues discussed around here (I think I mostly let it run 3 or 4 days at once in the first couple of years just to see if anything happens and did not). But I do read around here every couple of weeks.

 

Thank you for your time!
 

Edited 1 hour ago by tmb