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+--- Thread: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? (/showthread.php?tid=15023)
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Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - zkajdan - 10-03-2021
Hi,
do I need to wipe out the eMMC before flashing a new OS to it?
In fact, I didn't do it, and after booting from the eMMC lsblk reports, in addition to the expected mmcblk2p1 and mmcblk2p2, two additional entries: mmcblk2boot0 and mmcblk2boot1. I wonder if those are left over from the previous OS...
Many thanks in advance!!
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - vajak - 10-03-2021
(10-03-2021, 11:30 AM)zkajdan Wrote: In fact, I didn't do it, and after booting from the eMMC lsblk reports, in addition to the expected mmcblk2p1 and mmcblk2p2, two additional entries: mmcblk2boot0 and mmcblk2boot1. I wonder if those are left over from the previous OS...
According to wiki.pine64.org/wiki/Pinebook_Pro#eMMC_information:
"The eMMC storage will show up as multiple block devices:
- mmcblk1boot0 - eMMC standard boot0 partition, may be 4MB
- mmcblk1boot1 - eMMC standard boot1 partition, may be 4MB
- mmcblk1rpmb - eMMC standard secure data partition, may be 16MB
- mmcblk1 - This block contains the user areas
The Wiki contains an overwhelming wealth of information and is a bit hard to digest on the fly.
Takes some time and patience to get acquainted with the information it offers.
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - bcnaz - 10-03-2021
(10-03-2021, 11:30 AM)zkajdan Wrote: Hi,
do I need to wipe out the eMMC before flashing a new OS to it?
In fact, I didn't do it, and after booting from the eMMC lsblk reports, in addition to the expected mmcblk2p1 and mmcblk2p2, two additional entries: mmcblk2boot0 and mmcblk2boot1. I wonder if those are left over from the previous OS...
Many thanks in advance!!
I'd recommend at least formatting before flashing an install.
A zero wipe can take quite a bit of time.
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - zkajdan - 10-04-2021
(10-03-2021, 07:13 PM)bcnaz Wrote:(10-03-2021, 11:30 AM)zkajdan Wrote: Hi,
do I need to wipe out the eMMC before flashing a new OS to it?
In fact, I didn't do it, and after booting from the eMMC lsblk reports, in addition to the expected mmcblk2p1 and mmcblk2p2, two additional entries: mmcblk2boot0 and mmcblk2boot1. I wonder if those are left over from the previous OS...
Many thanks in advance!!
I'd recommend at least formatting before flashing an install.
A zero wipe can take quite a bit of time.
Thanks a lot @bcnaz !
Just to be sure, - by formatting you mean creating a partition and a filesystem (a combination of parted and mkfs), right?
By wiping I meant dd if=/dev/zero etc. (without any partitioning, because the new image already is partitioned (and has a filesystem)?
I do have the time for the latter, just wanted to make sure there is no harm done using dd on the eMMC :-)
Many thanks!
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - bcnaz - 10-04-2021
when I format I include the whole disk so there is just one partition.
For some reason Manjaro seems harder to record over, so I zero wipe any sd cards before flashing a new OS to any cards that previously had Manjaro on them.
I am lucky in that I do have multiple Pine phones, so I have one that I use as my daily driver,
and several that I can test without the worry of the system 'breaking' as those are just my 'test' phones.
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - zkajdan - 10-05-2021
(10-04-2021, 09:20 PM)bcnaz Wrote: when I format I include the whole disk so there is just one partition.
For some reason Manjaro seems harder to record over, so I zero wipe any sd cards before flashing a new OS to any cards that previously had Manjaro on them.
I am lucky in that I do have multiple Pine phones, so I have one that I use as my daily driver,
and several that I can test without the worry of the system 'breaking' as those are just my 'test' phones.
Thanks a lot, again, @bcnaz !
Yes, the old OS was indeed the Manjaro the phone came with ... so I'll use dd on it.
> I am lucky in that I do have multiple Pine phones...
Sounds useful! In fact I already have 2 phones (although I'm just starting out) - with my first, I immediately ruined the SIM slot because I fell into the infamous use-nano-SIM-with adapter trap ... (I found the warnings against doing that only after I'd ruined it ...)
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - kqlnut - 10-05-2021
(10-04-2021, 09:20 PM)bcnaz Wrote: when I format I include the whole disk so there is just one partition.
For some reason Manjaro seems harder to record over, so I zero wipe any sd cards before flashing a new OS to any cards that previously had Manjaro on them.
Out of curiosity, why do you recommend formatting or even writing over with zeros before flashing a new OS? And what is "harder" with formatting a disk with Manjaro on it? I've never had any problems flashing a new OS that formatting would have solved (since flashing itself is already reformatting I guess).
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - bcnaz - 10-05-2021
I'm not too tech savvy, but I have flashed a lot of sd cards since I got my first PBP and the Pine phones after.
Just from my personal use and what works for me.
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - kqlnut - 10-05-2021
(10-05-2021, 01:40 AM)bcnaz Wrote: I'm not too tech savvy, but I have flashed a lot of sd cards since I got my first PBP and the Pine phones after.
Just from my personal use and what works for me.
Thanks, I would still be interested what kind of problems you encountered that led you to formatting before flashing and what was different with a Manjaro installation if you want to share.
RE: Wipe out eMMC before flashing new OS? - susy1075 - 11-12-2021
Hello,
I am very new to Linux…
Was wondering if anyone knew the commands for flashing an SD card from the actual pine phone itself???
Appreciate any help, because currently the phone is unusable…. It came with Manjaro….