Install System to eMMC

Note

This tutorial is for users with the Cubie A5E onboard eMMC version.

This guide explains how to install the system to eMMC using the dd command when the system can boot normally from a MicroSD card.

warning

Installing the system will format the eMMC. Please back up any important data in advance!

Prerequisites

To use the dd command to install the system to eMMC, you need to meet the following conditions:

• The system can boot normally from a MicroSD card
• eMMC is installed on the board or the board has built-in eMMC

Hardware Connection

eMMC Module

eMMC Module Installation Steps:

1. Observe the notch direction on the eMMC module and the notch marking on the board's eMMC module interface to determine the correct installation orientation.
2. Place the eMMC module above the board's eMMC module interface, ensuring the eMMC module interface is properly aligned with the board's eMMC module interface.
3. Gently press one end of the eMMC module until you hear a "click" sound, indicating successful installation. Then press the other end in the same way to ensure the eMMC module is properly installed.

Onboard eMMC

If your board has onboard eMMC, no installation is required.

System Installation

Download System Image

Access the Resource Download page from your device and download the latest system image to the device.

Image Note

The downloaded system image is a compressed file and needs to be extracted before use!

You can use the wget command to download the system image file to your device.

radxa@cubie-a5e$

sudo apt update
sudo apt install wget -y
wget <download_url>

Where <download_url> is the download URL of the system image file. You can copy the image download URL from the Resource Download page to replace it.

Download example: wget https://github.com/radxa-build/radxa-cubie-a5e/releases/download/rsdk-b1/radxa-cubie-a5e_bullseye_kde_b1.output_512.img.xz

Extract System Image

Our system images are generally in *.img.xz format and need to be extracted before use.

radxa@cubie-a5e$

sudo apt install xz-utils -y
unxz <path_to_image_unxz>

Where <path_to_image_unxz> is the path to the system image file, which needs to be replaced with the actual system image file path.

Extraction example:

unxz radxa-cubie-a5e_bullseye_kde_b1.output_512.img.xz

Determine Device Path

You can use the lsblk command to check the device path and determine it based on the disk capacity.

Note: If the disk capacities are similar, you can safely remove and reinsert the eMMC module (for eMMC modules) to observe which device path appears and disappears, thus determining the correct device path.

radxa@cubie-a5e$

lsblk

If the system recognizes the eMMC device, it will typically be identified as a /dev/mmcblk* device.

Terminal output example:

NAME        MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
···
mmcblk1      179:0    0 29.1G  0 disk
└─mmcblk1p1  179:1    0 29.1G  0 part
···

Install System Image

Use the dd command to install the system image to the eMMC.

radxa@cubie-a5e$

sudo dd if=<path_to_image> of=<device_target> bs=4M status=progress

Write example:

sudo dd if=radxa-cubie-a5e_bullseye_kde_b1.output_512.img of=/dev/mmcblk1 bs=4M status=progress

Parameter description:

• <path_to_image>: The path to the system image file, which needs to be replaced with the actual system image file path.

• <device_target>: The device path of the eMMC module, which needs to be replaced with the actual eMMC module's device path.

• bs=4M: Block size for writing.

• status=progress: Display write progress.

Verify Write Result

After the system installation is complete, you can use the lsblk command to check if the eMMC partition table has been created correctly.

radxa@cubie-a5e$

lsblk

Terminal output example:

NAME        MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINTS
···
mmcblk0      179:0    0 29.1G  0 disk
├─mmcblk0p1  179:1    0   16M  0 part
├─mmcblk0p2  179:2    0  300M  0 part
└─mmcblk0p3  179:3    0 28.8G  0 part
···

Boot the System

After completing the system installation, power off the board and disconnect the power supply. Follow these steps to boot the system:

① Remove the microSD card from the board

② Connect the monitor to the board using an HDMI cable

③ Connect a mouse or keyboard to the USB-A port: If you have a USB-A hub, you can connect the mouse and keyboard through the hub

④ Power the board using a 5V Type-C power adapter

If the board is powered on normally, the power indicator will light up green; if the system boots normally, the status indicator will flash blue.

After successfully booting the system, the system desktop will be displayed on the monitor. You can log in and use the system according to the system information.

System Information

When using the official system image, please use the following default login credentials:

Item	Content
Username	radxa
Password	radxa

Login to the System

Log in and use the system according to the system information.

Using the System

After successfully booting the system, you can officially use the Radxa system on Cubie A5E. For basic usage of the Radxa system, please refer to the System Usage tutorial.