Armbian for TV box rk3328

[balbes150]

Please note that from now on, instead of the previous ArmbianTV builds for rk3328, the release of builds for Fyrefli Station M1 has begun.

 

http://bbs.t-firefly.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2803&extra=page%3D1

 

https://www.stationpc.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=88&extra=page%3D1%26filter%3Dlastpost%26orderby%3Dlastpost

[Digit97]

Fantastic image, thankyou for the work, there is a way to install on microSD instead of eMMC.? Hope that is possibile beacuse my eMMC is very slow.

[Faisal]

Hi, am a noob here

I got a H96 max 64GB, 4GB, and want to install Linux on it. All of the conflicting posts are kinda confusing me, does anyone have a step by step guide on how to install it

[SteeMan]

On 12/20/2020 at 8:53 AM, Faisal said:

I got a H96 max

First question is are you sure exactly what box you have.  The naming of these boxes is not obvious.  There are boxes labeled 'H96 max', 'H96 max+', 'H96 max x2' 'H96 max x3' and probably others as well.  Each of these boxes is completely different with different cpus from different manufacturers.  For example I have an H96 max x2 which has an amlogic s905x2 cpu, but an actual H96 max has a rockchip rk3318 cpu.  Often in the forums people don't clearly specify the box they have making searching through the forums a problem as a search result could really be for an entirely different box.

 

Having said all that, if you really do have a rk3318 based box, you may have a difficult time getting something running on that box.  The rk3318 cpu is not well supported by the manufacturer to the point from what I have read that this chip isn't even on rockchips roadmap.  Here is a recent thread on another rk3318 based box that might help you:

 

[mkultra]

just taken delivery of a H96 Max+ at a bargain price...4gb+64gb

It boots fine BUT when I put an SD card in won't power on! What am I missing?

cheers

[balbes150]

For everyone, in order to avoid problems and have a guaranteed working device with a desktop (DE XFCE \ Mate\Lxde\KDE\IceWM etc), I recommend using proven models. Now full-fledged devices are available that can completely replace the PC. Entry-level device Firefly Station M1 (rk3328). For those who need maximum performance Firefly Station P1 (rk3399). For these models, there are versions of ArmbianTV Armbian LibreELEC (there are versions with HW acceleration).

 

https://www.stationpc.com/

 

 

P.S. I have both models available, you can draw conclusions yourself ....

[Scrooge69]

Hi Guys,

 

First of all I want to thank you all for the dedicated work you are doing.

 

I have read around a lot in this thread but are a little confused about some things.

 

I have this TV Box and wonder if I can flash it with Linux: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07GF9MM9S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Android 8.1 TV Box 4GB+64GB Superpow MXQ Max Android Box Quad Core with BT4.1 3D/ 4k / 2.4Ghz WiFi / 100 LAN / H.265, HDMI Smart TV Box

Brand: superpow

 

It has RK3328 Chip.

 

Can I follow the steps in the first Post?

 

Which DTB should I use if it works?

 

Any changes I should do in any setup files?

 

Shall I flash an SD Card and an USB, if so whcih files to use?

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

Keep up the Great work!

 

Best Regards, Scrooge69

[SteeMan]

@Scrooge69 Welcome to the armbian world and your first post in the forums.

I unfortunately don't have much information in response to your questions.  balbes150 who created the builds referenced in this thread has moved his focus to other projects (the StationPC M1 and P1 boxes).  I don't own a rk3328 based device so I have no personal experience with them.  If you look at the recent activity in this thread there isn't anyone actively engaged currently supporting boxes like the one you have.  The best I can recommend is to try using the images linked in the thread and try things out.  Since you are puttimg the images on an SD card it won't hurt your device to test and experiment.  (I wouldn't recommend installing anything onto your emmc memory however).

[Scrooge69]

On 1/27/2021 at 3:44 PM, SteeMan said:

@Scrooge69 Welcome to the armbian world and your first post in the forums.

I unfortunately don't have much information in response to your questions.  balbes150 who created the builds referenced in this thread has moved his focus to other projects (the StationPC M1 and P1 boxes).  I don't own a rk3328 based device so I have no personal experience with them.  If you look at the recent activity in this thread there isn't anyone actively engaged currently supporting boxes like the one you have.  The best I can recommend is to try using the images linked in the thread and try things out.  Since you are puttimg the images on an SD card it won't hurt your device to test and experiment.  (I wouldn't recommend installing anything onto your emmc memory however).

 

Hi SteeMan,

 

Thank You!

 

Yeah I guess this is outdated, I will check a little closer in this thread if I can find anything that helps me further.

 

Once again Thanks SteeMan.

 

Best Regards,

 

Scrooge69

[maka]

@Scrooge69 Your box needs sd to boot with the uboot rock _pc.img and also an usb-drive with the armbian image. This is because the sd card filesystem is not available once uboot has started.

[Scrooge69]

On 1/29/2021 at 8:31 AM, maka said:

@Scrooge69 Your box needs sd to boot with the uboot rock _pc.img and also an usb-drive with the armbian image. This is because the sd card filesystem is not available once uboot has started.

 

Thanks maka,

 

I am just confused what I shall put on the SD card and what to put on the USB stick, which image on which device?

 

Thanks in Advance.

 

Best Regards,

 

Scrooge69

[maka]

You have to write U-boot in the sd card.  In the following link is the one that works for you.

https://yadi.sk/d/_rQgn_FosYuW0g/U-BOOT/U-BOOT-ARMBIAN/20201004

Comes from this Balbest150 thread

https://forum.armbian.com/topic/12162-single-armbian-image-for-rk-aml-aw-aarch64-armv8/

 

In the usb drive you write Armbian image. You have them in the above link from Balbes150 for rk3328. I would use buster legacy which works fine in your box and media framework if you want to play video.

[nightguest]

H96 MAX H2 RK3328 4GB 32GB   https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32850883633.html

 

13 часов назад, maka сказал:

You have to write U-boot in the sd card.  In the following link is the one that works for you.

 

 

I write U-boot in the sd card via balenaetcher, write Armbian in the usb drive but box starts with stock android.  Tried with all usb ports. If reset is pressed at power on device is boot to recorvery. Should i do something else to boot into sd?

[maka]

@nightguest My post refers to Superpow Mxq max. I have read in this thread that is not posible to boot with your box.  Anyway the u-boot for rock pc can not boot any rk3328 box, including yours.

 

In order to boot the reset button in the sound jack must be pressed with a toothpick while powering. After booting once many boxes can boot later without the reset pressed.

[Scrooge69]

On 2/2/2021 at 5:20 PM, maka said:

You have to write U-boot in the sd card.  In the following link is the one that works for you.

https://yadi.sk/d/_rQgn_FosYuW0g/U-BOOT/U-BOOT-ARMBIAN/20201004

Comes from this Balbest150 thread

https://forum.armbian.com/topic/12162-single-armbian-image-for-rk-aml-aw-aarch64-armv8/

 

In the usb drive you write Armbian image. You have them in the above link from Balbes150 for rk3328. I would use buster legacy which works fine in your box and media framework if you want to play video.

Thank You maka, so Far :=)

 

To install Armbian on My Android 8.1 TV Box 4GB+64GB Superpow MXQ Max Android Box Quad Core with BT4.1 3D/ 4k / 2.4Ghz WiFi / 100 LAN / H.265, HDMI Smart TV Box
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07GF9MM9S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used BalenaEtcher to Flash Both images below.

 

U-Boot to SD-Card at https://yadi.sk/d/_rQgn_FosYuW0g/U-BOOT/U-BOOT-ARMBIAN/20201004
u-boot-rk3328-roc-pc.img

 

Armbian to USB at https://mega.nz/folder/zoZywCTQ#9sNfXIAB3m_DyLl5I8P94w/file/L4wCVQCQ
Armbian_20.07_Rk3328-tv_buster_current_5.7.8.img.xz

 

It seems I cannot boot when I have the USB stick with the SD card in the box, so I put in the SD card, hold down the reset button and then plugged in the power in the box, waited 30 secdonds, nothing happened, then I released the button and Linux system started to do a lot of stuff.

 

I will try to do the same again and when Linux system do its stuff I plug in the USB quickly to see what happens.

 

Can I put Both the Uboot and Armbian Image on the SD Card and if that works, what shall I change in any setting file if so?

 

I apologise for all these questions, I have read through a lot of forums and I am so close now (I think)!

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

Best Regards,

 

Scrooge69

[maka]

Scrooge69 Congratulations, you have seen your box booting 

 

You have to use SD+USB ....... nothing more works. 

With SD+USB  unpowered box press reset and power on. Wait 10 seconds and release the reset. I don't have to do that. anymore, because I think after first botting is enable sd-booting.  ¿Or maybe when you see the recover of the box? Don't know for sure.

 

You don't have to begin without usb. I wonder if you have an armbian image in the sd card, only boot in the sd card must be present

 

Why don't you use this. I tried yesterday and works for sure.

 

https://yadi.sk/d/GnFmvx9A8ExVDw/ArmbianTV/20201229-legacy/Armbian_21.02.0-trunk_Station-m1_buster_legacy_4.4.213_xfce_desktop.img.xz?w=1

 

[Scrooge69]

12 minutes ago, maka said:

Scrooge69 Congratulations, you have seen your box booting 

 

You have to use SD+USB ....... nothing more works. 

With SD+USB  unpowered box press reset and power on. Wait 10 seconds and release the reset. I don't have to do that. anymore, because I think after first botting is enable sd-booting.  ¿Or maybe when you see the recover of the box? Don't know for sure.

 

You don't have to begin without usb. I wonder if you have an armbian image in the sd card, only boot in the sd card must be present

 

Why don't you use this. I tried yesterday and works for sure.

 

https://yadi.sk/d/GnFmvx9A8ExVDw/ArmbianTV/20201229-legacy/Armbian_21.02.0-trunk_Station-m1_buster_legacy_4.4.213_xfce_desktop.img.xz?w=1

 

 

Thanks maka,

 

I have now got it to work with Both USB and SD Card, YaY

 

Now I just need to learn how to deal with this, I am not so good with console typing, I want a desktop version.

 

Is it possible to install that on this?

 

I also want to get a log file for when it boots up so I can check that all is OK, how can I do that or maybe it is in the logs somewhere?

 

Any good place where to go from here to config my TV Box, I know only basic Linux

 

Can I just put that imgae on the USB (Replace the other one) and Boot up with it as it is now?

https://yadi.sk/d/GnFmvx9A8ExVDw/ArmbianTV/20201229-legacy/Armbian_21.02.0-trunk_Station-m1_buster_legacy_4.4.213_xfce_desktop.img.xz?w=1

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

Best Regards,

 

Scrooge69

 

 

[hexdump]

@nightguest - if you want to seriously put some effort into getting your h96max h2 to boot then here is how to get there: https://github.com/hexdump0815/u-boot-misc/issues/2 - but be warned this is not easy, so if you just want to get linux on it the easy way then it might be better to search for another box

 

best wishes - hexdump

[Scrooge69]

Hi Guys,

 

I have installed below on my system:

 

u-boot-rk3328-roc-pc.img
Armbian_20.07_Rk3328-tv_buster_current_5.7.8.img.xz

 

But I cannot get ETH or WiFi to work.

 

I try nmtui to activate either ETH or WiFI but there is nothing to choose by.

 

@maka I will try the other image you sent me as soon as I get Buster to work.

 

Do I need to change anyhting anywhere when trying other images l below:

 

Armbian_21.02.0-trunk_Arm-32_sid_current_5.10.6_xfce_desktop.img.xz

Armbian_21.02.0-trunk_Station-m1_buster_legacy_4.4.213_xfce_desktop.img.xz

 

IF so, which file and where?

 

 

Thanks in Advance!

 

Best Regards,

 

Scrooge69

[maka]

You don't have to do nothing different with other images, they just must be compatible with your hardware. I have never seen ethernet or wifi up in this box, so your alone in this.

 

The .dtb file that you use in extlinux.conf is the key for this hardware to work. I use rk3328_rock64.dtb because others seem to work well but in fact your loosing the gpu driver with them. With the correct .dtb file is very likely the net hardware would work, but this is a very dificult task. I use a RTL8812bu usb wifi adapter that is supported in armbian. In case you look for one you must make sure that there is a good linux driver for it. In fact you have a good one near you, because  you can use your phone and activate usb tethering, this always works.

[nightguest]

04.02.2021 в 13:49, maka сказал:

@nightguest My post refers to Superpow Mxq max. I have read in this thread that is not posible to boot with your box.  Anyway the u-boot for rock pc can not boot any rk3328 box, including yours.

So, its no way to install any linux system on my box?

[maka]

Without uboot no Linux will work in your box

[Scrooge69]

Hi Guys,

 

First of all I totally forgot to Thank You all for doing this and Specially @balbes150

 

On my TV Box I have this chip for WiFi and Bluetooth RTL8723CS.

 

Is it hard to add this to the image or maybe even Kernel, I am not so good in this part and I hope you understand what I mean  

 

I found this GitLab Thread, a little old though but maybe usefull.

 

https://gitlab.com/TeeFirefly/linux-kernel

 

Maybe you could point me in the right direction, Thanks.

 

 

[Wizzard]

Was anybody successfull installing Armbian to Rockbox (Rock64 chipset)?

[Wizzard]

Hi, I tried almost all the images but it seems like it does not boot at all. Changed DTB config to Rockbox.

SD card is not faulty, cause I was able to boot Libreelec from the same card. What is wrong? Help, please.

[SteeMan]

@Wizzard In searching through this thread and the forums, I can't see anyone reporting to have tried installing on your model.  Since no one has responded to your post, it is unlikely anyone around here has your model of box and therefore unlikely to be able to help you out.  There are hundreds of different TV box models each with different components which makes support for the vast majority nearly impossible.  There is likely information in this thread that could help you, but unfortunately you are likely on your own to sort through it and try out potential solutions to get your box working.  One thing I noticed in this thread that may be helpful to your case is a comment that mentioned replacing the uboot on the armbian image with a libreelec uboot.  Since you indicate you can boot libreelec that path sounded relevant to your situation.  Unfortuantely I don't own any rockchip boxes and therefore am of little help beyond providing pointers to others efforts.

[Wizzard]

2 hours ago, SteeMan said:

@Wizzard One thing I noticed in this thread that may be helpful to your case is a comment that mentioned replacing the uboot on the armbian image with a libreelec uboot.  Since you indicate you can boot libreelec that path sounded relevant to your situation.  Unfortuantely I don't own any rockchip boxes and therefore am of little help beyond providing pointers to others efforts.

 

That sounds reasonable, thanks. I am just not sure how to do that. Could you please point me a little? I guess uboot is not stored as a file (there is only a few files in Libreelec) but a part of some partition that I need to write from one image to another. Right?

[Generic_user]

received an mx10 pro 4K

basically a mxq rk3328, 4gb 32 emmc version:

https://imgur.com/a/pQhwSW6

 

After digging legacy images and trying different dtbs (mostly rk3328-box, rk3328-mx10) I can't seem to boot into armbian no matter what with micro-sd + adapter.

From what I read it could be an sd card adapter issue, so here are my questions:

-should I try to boot from usb, if yes which port?

-should I change the sd card adapter or just buy a full size card and try burning the image on it?

[capricorn20]

On 5/20/2021 at 4:50 PM, Generic_user said:

received an mx10 pro 4K

basically a mxq rk3328, 4gb 32 emmc version:

https://imgur.com/a/pQhwSW6

 

After digging legacy images and trying different dtbs (mostly rk3328-box, rk3328-mx10) I can't seem to boot into armbian no matter what with micro-sd + adapter.

From what I read it could be an sd card adapter issue, so here are my questions:

-should I try to boot from usb, if yes which port?

-should I change the sd card adapter or just buy a full size card and try burning the image on it?

Hi. I have same device. It is not able to boot from SD or USB with stock firmware. You can use instruction from:

https://github.com/hexdump0815/u-boot-misc/issues/2

(works for me, two small round plates on third photo in the top right corner should be shorted for maskrom mode).

 

[Generic_user]

@capricorn20

thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately I just erased the flash before reading your comment, but I entered maskrom mode by pressing the button and using the usb.

I hope I didn't brick my box because I may not backed up properly