HOWTO: flash image to eMMC from a computer

loverpi

La Frite supports eMMC-based storage via a proprietary connector since there is no "standard".
The latest La Frite firmware can export the eMMC as a USB mass storage device.
The USB Type A port next to the IR sensor is device-mode capable and you need to connect that port to a computer via the USB Type A to USB Type A cable included with the eMMC module. 

1. On startup of La Frite, press escape to go into the bootmenu.
2. Select "eMMC USB Drive Mode" and the eMMC module should appear as a block storage device on your computer.
3. Use your favorite tool to write the image to the block storage device and eject it when complete.

jsparber

How can i set La Frite into the "eMMC USB Drive Mode" when i don't have a monitor nor keyboard? Is there a way to enable it via the second computer?

davisonja

I've used serial to control the boot menu very successfully, if that's an option for you. I've got it connected directly to a raspberry pi that I ssh into, but any serial connection would work I imagine.

Ruben

Hello! How about there?

I am trying to flash image to eMMC from a computer, but I enter the menu with esc during startup, and no cursor, arrow or similar appears to indicate which option I am selecting. I tried to count the keystrokes, but it always starts again and loads the OS that I currently have in eMMC. I attach a photo. What I can do?

Thank you

jsparber

@davisonja Using the serial would be ok. Which pins to i need to connect to? In the schematics there are 3 different RX/TX pins 

davisonja

@jsparber  I'm using pins 3 and 5  on the header, which seems to be attached to the default serial output and @ 115200 8N1

jsparber

@davisonja I managed to enter the boot menu, but when selecting `eMMC USB Drive Mode` now I get `eMMC not dedected`

Iperpido

jsparber said:

@davisonja I managed to enter the boot menu, but when selecting `eMMC USB Drive Mode` now I get `eMMC not dedected`

You have to do that with the USB still not connected.

Mblank92

I followed the directions to update the firmware.  It seemed to work, but when I push ESC on startup, all I get is the command prompt... Am I missing something?

loverpi

@Mblank92 You need to update to the latest one. If the firmware isn't the latest, you will get a command prompt.

jimm0thy

I have updated to the latest firmware but when pressing ESC I still get a command prompt and not a boot menu

jimm0thy

I was able to fix the issue by resetting the u-boot environment to default by entering

"env default -a -f"  and then  "saveenv" and rebooting

borrowedcarbon

jsparber said:

@davisonja Using the serial would be ok. Which pins to i need to connect to? In the schematics there are 3 different RX/TX pins 

Use PIN 3 and 5 (Linux Rx and Tx) plus GND 6. 

djismgaming

is there a way to "reset" an emmc module on la frite? My emmc is not working correctly after sudden power loss and now shows as a 2TB (8GB model) emmc that balena can't write to from Windows. Even appears as 2TB from the Console (selected in the boot menu)
mmcinfo output from console here:

mmcinfo
Device: mmc@74000
Manufacturer ID: 65
OEM: 646f
Name: M MOR
Bus Speed: 52000000
Mode: MMC High Speed (52MHz)
Rd Block Len: 512
MMC version 4.4.1
High Capacity: Yes
Capacity: 2TiB
Bus Width: 8-bit
Erase Group Size: 512 Bytes
HW WP Group Size: 512 KiB
User Capacity: 2TiB
Boot Capacity: 2 MiB ENH
RPMB Capacity: 128 KiB ENH
Boot area 0 is not write protected
Boot area 1 is not write protected

sk8ermeb

Whenever I boot to the menu and select eMMC USB Drive Mode I get the following error. (If USB is attached or not). Any idea what I am doing wrong?