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HiKey Linux Install

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Robert Wolff edited this page Apr 1, 2016 · 9 revisions

<<< Back to HiKey Crossroads

HiKey Linux Installation Guide

This Users Guide provides a general overview for getting started with Linux installations on the HiKey.

If you have found this page without having downloaded the appropriate files, please return to the HiKey Crossroads to choose your download path!

Linux Host

This section show how to install the Linaro based Debian operating system to your HiKey using the SD Card method on a Linux host computer.

####Step 1: Prepare MicroSD card

  • Ensure data from mircoSD card is backed up
  • Everything on microSD card will be lost by the end of this procedure.

####Step 2: Find SD Card Device name

  • Use host computer
  • Open "Terminal" application
  • Remove SD card from host computer and run the following command:
lsblk
  • Note all recognized disk names
  • Insert SD card and run the following command (again):
lsblk
  • Note the newly recognized disk. This will be your SD card.
  • Remember your SD card device name, it will be needed in Step 7.

####Step 3: Recall Download Location

  • Locate SD card install file from Downloads page.
  • This file will be needed for the next step.

####Step 4: Unzip Debian SD Card Install Image

  • When unzipped, you will have a folder with the following contents:
    • Linaro/Debian Install Image (.img)
    • Readme

####Step 5: Go to directory with Debian SD Card Install Image folder using Terminal

  • Use host computer
  • Open "Terminal" application
  • cd to the directory with your unzipped Debian SD Card Install Image 
cd <extraction directory>

#Example: 
#<extraction directory> = /home/YourUserName/Downloads
#For this example we assume the "Debian SD Card Install Image" is in the Downloads folder.
cd /home/YourUserName/Downloads

####Step 6: Install Image onto SD Card

Checklist:

  • SD card inserted into host computer
  • Recall SD Card device name from Step 2
  • From within the extraction folder, using the Terminal execute the following commands:

Execute:

sudo dd if=hikey-jessie_alip_2015MMDD-nnn.img of=/dev/XXX bs=4M oflag=sync status=noxfer

Note:

  • if=hikey-jessie_alip_2015MMDD-nnn.img: should match the name of the image that was downloaded.
  • of=/dev/XXX: XXX should match the name of the SD Card device name from Step 2. Be sure to use the device name with out the partition.
  • This command will take some time to execute. Be patient and avoid tampering with the terminal until process has ended.
  • Once SD card is done flashing, remove from host computer and set aside for Step 8

####Step 7: Prepare HiKey with SD card

  • Make sure HiKey is unplugged from power
  • Connect an HDMI monitor to the HiKey with an HDMI cable, and power on the monitor
  • Plug a USB keyboard and/or mouse into either of the two USB connectors on the HiKey
  • Insert the microSD card into the HiKey
  • Plug power adaptor into HiKey, wait for board to boot up.

####Step 8: Install Linaro/Debian onto HiKey

  • If Steps 1 - 8 were followed correctly, the above screen should be visible from your HiKey
  • Select the image to install and click “Install” (or type “i”). OS will be installed into the eMMC memory
  • This process can take a few minutes to complete
  • Upon completion, “Flashing has completed and OS has installed successfully....” message will appear.

Before clicking "OK":

  • Remove the SD Card
  • Now click "OK" button and allow HiKey to reboot.

Congratulations! You are now booting your newly installed operating system directly from eMMC on the HiKey

Mac OS X Host

This section show how to install the Linaro based Debian operating system to your HiKey using the SD Card method on a Mac OS X host computer.

####Step 1: Prepare MicroSD card

  • Ensure data from mircoSD card is backed up
  • Everything on microSD card will be lost by the end of this procedure.

####Step 2: Find SD Card Device name

  • Use host computer
  • Open "Terminal" application (Press Command+Space bar and type "Terminal")
  • Remove SD card from host computer and run the following command:
diskutil list
  • Note all recognized disk names
  • Insert SD card and run the following command (again):
diskutil list
  • Note the newly recognized disk. This will be your SD card.
  • Remember your SD card device name, it will be needed in Step 7.

####Step 3: Recall Download Location

  • Locate SD card install file from Downloads page.
  • This file will be needed for the next step.

####Step 4: Unzip Debian SD Card Install Image

  • When unzipped, you will have a folder with the following contents:
    • Linaro/Debian Install Image (.img)
    • Readme

####Step 5: Go to directory with Debian SD Card Install Image folder using Terminal

  • Use host computer
  • Open "Terminal" application
  • cd to the directory with your unzipped Debian SD Card Install Image 
cd <extraction directory>

#Example: 
#<extraction directory> = /home/YourUserName/Downloads
#For this example we assume the "Debian SD Card Install Image" is in the Downloads folder.
cd /home/YourUserName/Downloads

####Step 6: Install Image onto SD Card

Checklist:

  • SD card inserted into host computer
  • Recall SD Card device name from Step 2
  • Make sure SD Card is unmounted
  • From within the extraction folder, using the Terminal execute the following commands:

Execute:

sudo dd if=hikey-jessie_alip_2015MMDD-nnn.img of=/dev/XXX bs=4M
sudo sync

Note:

  • if=hikey-jessie_alip_2015MMDD-nnn.img: should match the name of the image that was downloaded.
  • of=/dev/XXX: XXX should match the name of the SD Card device name from Step 2. Be sure to use the device name with out the partition.
  • This command will take some time to execute. Be patient and avoid tampering with the terminal until process has ended.
  • Once SD card is done flashing, remove from host computer and set aside for Step 8

####Step 8: Prepare HiKey with SD card

  • Make sure HiKey is unplugged from power
  • Connect an HDMI monitor to the HiKey with an HDMI cable, and power on the monitor
  • Plug a USB keyboard and/or mouse into either of the two USB connectors on the HiKey
  • Insert the microSD card into the HiKey
  • Plug power adaptor into HiKey, wait for board to boot up.

####Step 9: Install Linaro/Debian onto HiKey

  • If Steps 1 - 8 were followed correctly, the above screen should be visible from your HiKey
  • Select the image to install and click “Install” (or type “i”). OS will be installed into the eMMC memory
  • This process can take a few minutes to complete
  • Upon completion, “Flashing has completed and OS has installed successfully....” message will appear.

Before clicking "OK":

  • Remove the SD Card
  • Now click "OK" button and allow HiKey to reboot.

Congratulations! You are now booting your newly installed operating system directly from eMMC on the HiKey!

Windows Host

This section show how to install the Linaro based Debian operating system to your HiKey using the SD Card method on a Windows host computer.

####Step 1: Prepare MicroSD card

  • Ensure data from mircoSD card is backed up
  • Everything on microSD card will be lost by the end of this procedure.

####Step 3: Recall Download Location

  • Locate SD card install file from Downloads page.
  • This file will be needed for the next step.

####Step 3: Unzip Debian SD Card Install Image

  • When unzipped, this download will be a folder with the falling contents
    • Linaro/Debian Install Image (.img)
    • Readme

####Step 4: Download the Win32DiskImager tool

####Step 5: Use Win32DiskImager tool to flash Debian onto SD Card

  • Open Win32DiskImager tool
  • Click the folder icon in the top right
  • Find your way to the appropriate .img file (This is why you need to remember the location of your extracted image.)
  • Insert your microSD card (through a USB SD card-reader, if necessary)
  • Select the correct device and click "write" There may be a warning about corrupting the device. Click "Yes" to proceed.
  • This process may take a few minutes, be patient and wait for a completion notice.
  • Upon completion you should see the following pop-up:
  • Eject SD Card and proceed to next Step

####Step 6: Prepare HiKey with SD card

  • Make sure HiKey is unplugged from power
  • Connect an HDMI monitor to the HiKey with an HDMI cable, and power on the monitor
  • Plug a USB keyboard and/or mouse into either of the two USB connectors on the HiKey
  • Insert the microSD card into the HiKey
  • Plug power adaptor into HiKey, wait for board to boot up.

####Step 7: Install Linaro/Debian onto HiKey

  • If Steps 1 - 6 were followed correctly, the above screen should be visible from your HiKey
  • Select the image to install and click “Install” (or type “i”). OS will be installed into the eMMC memory
  • This process can take a few minutes to complete
  • Upon completion, “Flashing has completed and OS has installed successfully....” message will appear.

Before clicking "OK":

  • Remove the SD Card
  • Now click "OK" button and allow HiKey to reboot.

Congratulations! You are now booting your newly installed operating system directly from eMMC on the HiKey!

Install Debian Using Fastboot

##Linux Host

This section show how to install the Linaro based Debian operating system to your HiKey using the fastboot method on a Linux host computer.

Step 1: Make sure fastboot is set up on host computer

  • Android SDK “Tools only” for Linux can be downloaded here
  • The Linux “Tools Only” SDK download does not come with fastboot, you will need to use the Android SDK Manager to install platform-tools.
  • To do this follow the “SDK Readme.txt” instructions included in your SDK “Tools Only” download.

If you are still having trouble setting up fastboot, click here for a short tutorial video

Step 2: Boot HiKey into Fastboot mode using J15 header

  • Link pins 1 and 2
  • Link pins 5 and 6
  • Connect host computer to HiKey board using USB to microUSB cable
Name Link State
Auto Power up Link 1-2 closed
Boot Select Link 3-4 open
GPIO3-1 Link 5-6 closed
  • Power on HiKey board by plugging in power adapter
  • Esure HiKey is detected by host computere
  • Wait for about 10 seconds
  • Open Terminal application and execute the following:
$ sudo fastboot devices
0123456789abcdef fastboot

Note: If your HiKey is not being detected by fastboot, you might want to try Board Recovery and return to this step once your board is ready

Step 3: Install Operating System update using downloaded files

NOTE: the ptable must be flashed first. Wait for a few seconds after the reboot command to allow the bootloader to restart using the new partition table.

$ sudo fastboot flash ptable <ptable_FILE_NAME>.img
$ sudo fastboot reboot
$ sudo fastboot flash boot <boot_FILE_NAME>.uefi.img
$ sudo fastboot flash system hikey-jessie_alip_2015MMDD-nnn-Xg.emmc.img

Step 4: Reboot HiKey into new OS

  • Wait untill all files have been flashed onto HiKey board
  • Power down HiKey by unplugging the power adapter
  • Remove microUSB cable from HiKey
  • Remove Link 5-6 from J15 header
Name Link State
Auto Power up Link 1-2 closed
Boot Select Link 3-4 open
GPIO3-1 Link 5-6 open
  • Plug mouse/keyboard USB into type A USB ports
  • Power up HiKey by plugging in power adapter

Note: the username and password are both “linaro” when the login information is requested.

Congratulations! You are now booting your newly installed OS directly from eMMC on the HiKey!

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