Issues Installing NetBSD on a PineBook Pro
Greetings,
I've recently acquired a second-hand PBP. I'm quite impressed with the construction of this laptop, and eager to make it into a useful machine. I've also been looking for an excuse to try a BSD system. Thus, these two developments meet in some problems I've had with the PBP.
So the PineBook Pro came with the default Manjaro ARM OS. This booted without any trouble and was usable. I then went and flashed a NetBSD Current image for the PineBook Pro onto a microSD card. I used `dd` on a Void Linux desktop to do this. I was hoping to eventually flash NetBSD from the microSD onto the internal SSD.
However, when I inserted the SD card into the PineBook, it ignored the microSD card and just went ahead to boot Manjaro. This happened even after a reboot. Then I disassembled it and disabled the internal SSD using the switch. While leaving the microSD card inserted, I powered the PBP on again. However, this time the screen remained black and there was no activity from any of the power lights. I don't think I've bricked it, but I'm not sure what to do next.
I've been looking through the forums, reddit, the wiki. But I'd like clarity from anyone who has successfully installed NetBSD: Did I follow the correct procedure for installing NetBSD? Is it simply a case of flashing the microSD and then switching on the PBP, and that'll present me with a ready-installed NetBSD or an installer?
Also, I'd appreciate any troubleshooting tips. If that's more appropriately asked in the hardware section, I'll begin another thread there.
Regards,
R.T.G.
I've recently acquired a second-hand PBP. I'm quite impressed with the construction of this laptop, and eager to make it into a useful machine. I've also been looking for an excuse to try a BSD system. Thus, these two developments meet in some problems I've had with the PBP.
So the PineBook Pro came with the default Manjaro ARM OS. This booted without any trouble and was usable. I then went and flashed a NetBSD Current image for the PineBook Pro onto a microSD card. I used `dd` on a Void Linux desktop to do this. I was hoping to eventually flash NetBSD from the microSD onto the internal SSD.
However, when I inserted the SD card into the PineBook, it ignored the microSD card and just went ahead to boot Manjaro. This happened even after a reboot. Then I disassembled it and disabled the internal SSD using the switch. While leaving the microSD card inserted, I powered the PBP on again. However, this time the screen remained black and there was no activity from any of the power lights. I don't think I've bricked it, but I'm not sure what to do next.
I've been looking through the forums, reddit, the wiki. But I'd like clarity from anyone who has successfully installed NetBSD: Did I follow the correct procedure for installing NetBSD? Is it simply a case of flashing the microSD and then switching on the PBP, and that'll present me with a ready-installed NetBSD or an installer?
Also, I'd appreciate any troubleshooting tips. If that's more appropriately asked in the hardware section, I'll begin another thread there.
Regards,
R.T.G.
