Hi all, I purchased a A64+ and would like to install OpenWrt on it. However I believe I made a mistake in not purchasing the serial connector devices along with it?

I am now travelling and because of which it is not possible to have this shipped to me. So my question is, is there any other way to get openwrt installed without serial?

I added openwrt using DD to an SD card as mentioned here: https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/Pine_A64_So...se#OpenWRT

I have it hooked up to HDMI so I can see some stuff, but it doesn't look like console and see many config files not setup and restarts over and over again without giving me the ability to type anything.

I looked here: https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/NOOB Which talks about FEL? Should I be using this instead?

I would like to get it to a point where I can get OpenWRT setup then control its settings from network cable and browser logging into the a64 from another device like how we log into a regular router if possible.

This is pretty advanced for me so I need some direction, I have no clue what FEL is so I need to know if this is what I should and could use without a serial device to install OpenWRT.

Then the guide talks about OTG USB A to A cable. Now this might be possible for me to procure.

If FEL is not possible and OTG USB A to A cable is not possible, is there some way I can make my own serial connector?

The only electronic store near me is a mobile phone store, a computer store and a HAM radio store. Maybe there are some alternatives I should look for there? Please advise.

Thanks for the help

Earlier today I accidentally dropped my PinePhone while trying to get it out of my pocket and after hitting the wooden floor there were a couple of cracks across the screen (despite the rubber case and the screen protector). I guess I would have to replace it soon anyway because of the screen delamination issue. Apart from some misbehaving keys in the bottom right corner of the keyboard (although that's not where the cracks are) the phone is functioning alright.

The only thing that doesn't work anymore, and that's a pretty major thing, is the modem. No matter how often I restart the phone or ModemManager, the modem just won't come up. I'm prompted to enter my SIM card's pin and then it vanishes. It's just like the known problem where the modem disappears sometimes, but now it's all the time. Looking at the dmesg output it shows the same symptoms: First the modem is attached and shortly after it is disconnected.

Does anyone have an idea how to troubleshoot and maybe fix this? At the moment I don't have the tools at hand to open the phone, but in a couple of days I will and then I can take a look inside too. But I don't know what the problem could be in the first place since the modem is soldered to the mainboard and those connections shouldn't be affected by a drop not that severe?

Any help saving me from buying a new phone altogether is appreciated!

Selling a UBports Edition PinePhone in near mint condition. The item is in perfect working order, has no dead pixels and is up to date with the current version of UBports. The phone is the 2GB model with all contents inside in the box, including a custom hard shell case that was purchased directly from Pine64. $150(US) + $20 shipping.

Email me if you are interested. joelandsonja@mailfence.com

Pinebook Pro ISO from the first batch (128 GB eMMC). It's been used for tinker and play with different distros, never used as a daily driver.
It has a cosmetic defect in the plastic shell of the lid (I'll upload pictures soon).

200 Euros + shipping (or face 2 face in Madrid if available).

Hi folks,

Community Edition: UBports with the hardware mod performed (removed the two little pieces).  Mainly used to tinker and play with different distros, never used as a daily driver. It works fine with Simyo mobile carrier in Spain.

180 Euros + shipping (or face 2 face in Madrid if available).

Just wondering. On the Pinephone, would you just use web based sites instead of apps? So things like facebook, youtube, etc, you would just use their web sites?
Can you get Whatsapp, messenger, and Duo? Would you just use the web based versions? 

Lastly, is this thing powerful enough to run a VM in it? I'm a big fan of Microsoft's Your phone program. Also is there SMS texting on the Pinephone?

Thanks for the annoying questions.

HI I am getting an error when trying to download updates with pamac. I am running manjaro on a Pinebook pro.

          error:   "could not find database"

when Trying sudo pacman -Sy I am getting failed retrieving file 'multilib.db' .

Does anyone know how to get multilib.db?

A friend of mine somehow jabbed a nano SIM into his Pinephone, realized something was wrong and had to use a straight pin to fish it out.  Now his phone won't come on.  He just bricked a Pinephone.  Just how screwed is he?

Ok so I've gone daily driver and my volume rocker has jammed and intermittently turns volume all the way down on its own.  I'm going to order a new one tonight but living stateside its gonna be a minute on delivery.  Does anyone have any leads to where in the phoc/phosh settings this was enabled so I can disable it until the replacement arrives?

I noticed that the standard shipping option for $12 to the EU is no longer an option. I can only select courier shipping for $30. This makes it really unattractive to order from the Pine store since that amount by itself exceeds the minimum threshold over which you have to pay VAT in many countries and just the VAT on shipping would be another ~$6 (depending on the country), so about $36 just for shipping.
Are there plans to bring back the cheaper option (which still wasn't very cheap)? Or does the courier option has anything to do with the new VAT EU regulations that enable the seller to pay VAT in advance?

Edit: Tagging @Luke since the community probably doesn't know.