12-15-2020, 02:55 PM
(12-13-2020, 01:24 PM)Mwo87 Wrote: I am considering buying a few Pine64 SBC's, but I need to know how amenable the various models are to building a fully libre custom linux. Specifically, building my own ATF, mainline U-Boot, mainline de-blobbed kernel, etc.
I own some Libre Computer Tritium boards and have successfully done this with them, but I've found the hardware somewhat unreliable, e.g ethernet ports going bad, etc. so I am looking for an alternative.
Would RockPro64 or H64 be a good fit for what I am doing? Also, are the Wifi/BT modules usable with open firmware?
Thanks
great more people are interested in fully libre options.
Rock64pro was reported before to work with fully libre builds, here are instructions:
https://stikonas.eu/wordpress/2019/09/15...rockpro64/
Few commands might not work so you can cross-check this (non-libre) guide:
https://wikipeida.deadbsd.org/view/ROCKPro64
According to instructions you can remove blobs from ATF and compile your own ATF and u-boot. You can stick to gentoo or other libre disros
Rock64pro does not have wifi, you can use usb dongle.
If you prefer something simple, you might be interested in buying less powerful freedom box:
https://freedombox.org/buy/
Or installing freedom os (debain for arm) or supported boards, including rock64 and rockpro64:
https://freedombox.org/download/