Flashing eMMC help

General Discussion
#1

I’m trying to flash the eMMC on a Beaglebone Black. I’m doing this from an SD card that I have been booting from and using for a while, with software installed on it.

After I flash, the board does not power down, even if I leave it overnight. When I power cycle, USR0 correctly starts blinking “heartbeat.” However, I can no longer log in (neither my custom password nor “temppwd” works), nor does the Beagleboard page at port 3000 open, or the pages on other ports that my installed software uses.

Is there anything I can try short of wiping the SD card and starting over, which I’d rather not do?

1 Like
#2

Hello,

I think the sudo bealgecfg script works…I think. There is a script in this long text somewhere about some flashing the eMMC from SD Card on this forum. Please try the search bar. If you cannot find it, I will try and look through the older texts on the script that flashes the eMMC from the SD Card.

Seth

P.S. Just let me make sure I understand this correctly. “You want to stick the SD Card in the BBB and flash the contents of the SD Card attached to the BBB to the eMMC.” Right?

Also…there is a lot going on right now it seems with the bbb.io peoples and the GSoC. I think the best bet may be me or the search bar. I will look soon and reply.

#3

Flashing the eMMC is power consuming. Using an 5V/2A power supply connected to the power jack is recommended. (Or at least an USB-Y-cable powering from two USB ports.)

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#4

Here,

@Calion , this is what I found. It may work depending on your image or kernel.

Seth

#5

Yes.

My current problem is that I can’t log in at all.

#6

Hello @Calion ,

Seth here. Okay…

  1. Try ssh debian@192.168.7.2 on Win 10 and above or use PuTTY
  2. Try ssh debian@beaglebone.local on any Linux or Win comptuer
  3. Also, try this if using Win 10 or Win 11, get into PuTTY and find the serial console. Sometimes signing in via the serial console with USB networking can get you in for a specific amount of time.

Seth

P.S. Try those ideas and return the output if any of those issues.

#7

@Calion

Boot from uSD (by pressing the boot button), take care of a good power supply (> 1A) and flash the eMMC again.

This should solve your issue.

#8

I’ve tried this several times, with no luck.

Maybe the power is the problem. This is an Insteon Hub Pro, with its own power adapter. I have no idea how much power is getting to the Beagleboard.

#9

When you power by a single USB port, the current is limited to 500 mA (2.5W). That’s not enough.

For some high power USB devices (ie DVD burner) special Y-cables are used, connecting the device to two USB hosts, and therefor serving double power.

Can’t you connect the power adaptor of the USB hub directly to the power jack on the BBB?

#10

There’s no USB hub. There’s no USB. The power comes from Insteon’s power brick (I’d have to check the amperage), through its network board, and from there into the Beagleboard.

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#11

@Calion ,

Hello…did you ever test the Insteon? I mean…was there any voltage you say that resembled 5v and a UART or I2C connection to the BBB?

I think the vdd_5v on the Cape or Host should give out 5v at 2A or a little less to power the BBB correctly. It depends too on other things.

  1. Is there enough power for the other parts of the BBB to work?
    a. Are peripherals in use or in the way of taking on too much per pin and having the pins maxed out at a specific mA?
    b. I am asking b/c I think the BBB and its pins can only handle so much output…
  2. And…
    a. Where are the schematics or diagrams and literature on these devices attached to the BBB?
    b. It would be helpful in tracking down specifics.

Seth

P.S. This is just a follow up. I know nothing about the Insteon so far. But, when plugged into the BBB, this Insteon host, powering the BBB is one thing and communicating to the BBB is another. So, I am trying here with life happening all the time. If you could, please try to find out anything and I may be able to give more feedback. Also, other people are more knowledgeable than me on specifics if things get too complicated to me.

#12

did you ever test the Insteon? I mean…was there any voltage you say that resembled 5v and a UART or I2C connection to the BBB?

No, and I’m unsure how to go about doing so. I have never pulled the connector off, and have no idea what the pinouts are.

Sorry, I’m not a Beaglebone hobbyist; I’m a Homebridge hobbyist trying to get Homebridge working on the Hub Pro now that Insteon has discontinued HomeKit support (and then went out of business).

Is there enough power for the other parts of the BBB to work?

Definitely. It was running flawlessly off the SD card, other than needing an occasional restart.

Are peripherals in use or in the way of taking on too much per pin and having the pins maxed out at a specific mA?

The peripheral is the network board, which is feeding power to the BB. So…no?

Where are the schematics or diagrams and literature on these devices attached to the BBB?

I don’t think schematics are available; The Hub Pro is (was; it’s discontinued, unsupported, and Insteon has closed down) a proprietary product. As for literature, there’s a user manual, but I don’t know how helpful it will be, apart from the Specifications at the end. http://cache.insteon.com/documentation/2243-222-en.pdf

However, here’s a picture of the Hub Pro: Dropbox - IMG_1151.heic - Simplify your life

#13

Hello @Calion ,

I know this is redundant and may not prove any value but!

…

Have you detached the BBB off the Insteon yet? I am asking b/c of these issues:

  1. Maybe testing the Insteon with a oscilloscope could be handy.
    a. Test the pins that feed into the BBB…
    b. GND, vdd_5v, and UART or however you think it is communicating with the BBB.
  2. Once the BBB is detached, boot the BBB with your SD Card and hold down the S2 Button (the button near the USB Port) while the boot takes place and release once all your LEDs light up.
  3. Now, for flashing your SD Card to the BBB eMMC onboard the SBC, use /boot/uEnv.txt.
  4. There are a couple of lines in there about flashing the BBB.

Seth

P.S. I know things are “awkward” right now. Hence, your questioning. I wonder if it is possible to detach it. If so, reply and take those steps. It should boot off the SD Card, i.e. depending on your Image, Kernel, and developed source.