Install Tow-Boot on the SPI

[KC9UDX]

My model, which I received a couple weeks ago, will not boot to ANYTHING except eMMc. By that I mean, there is no blank or invisible display, no seemingly boot but doesn't work, no error messages, no beeps or warnings...just ignores the SD card and continues right into Manjaro. Unfortunately, I attempted to open up my box and look for the eMMc disable switch but didn't see any way to push it, toggle it, slide it, or otherwise do anything to a little brown box that looks like a switch and matches the location of the picture. So I guess I am stuck with a boat anchor that I can't configure and work with. Any hope for me or should I look elsewhere? I've done the Google search, the forum tour, the NOOB site, the Manjaro site, the PINE64 site. Bummer!

The picture does *not* match your PBP.  The switch does exist but it does not look like the one in the picture and is not in the same location.  You'll have to find it as unfortunately I don't recall where it is.  But I think it is still near the eMMC.

But even without opening the PBP, you should be able to flash Tow-boot to the SPI-ROM, from Manjaru, if that's what you intend to do.  It would solve your problem, assuming you don't have the aforementioned problem with Tow-boot not working.

Just to be clear, your problem is due to the U-boot that comes pre-installed on the eMMC of the latest batch of PBPs (and possibly earlier ones).  It also might get installed to older ones during the Manjaru update process.