37 replies to this topic

[-M-]

I notice that for the Maxytec Multibox it is two zip files for OpenPLi 7.2 (recovery_emmc and emmc) on the download page. How are they supposed to be used?

The instruction on the wiki doesn't mention that it is two, but it says "The flashing of the recovery image starts.". Does it mean that it is the recovery that should be flashed? How about the real OpenPLi image?

[twol]

recovery is used to set up the "recovery system" on the Maxytec from which you can also install images such OpenPli, switch between E2 and Android (if you have installed the ß Android zip).

The normal image is in the emmc and can be installed by Flash Online, or through the Recovery system  

[WanWizard]

The "recovery image" gives you a multiboot system, not only between E2 and Android, but also between different E2 images, which you can flash either from the boot menu, or from the image.

 

If you flash the "emmc" image, you don't have multiboot, but only a single image, like with other boxes.

[Guardian]

Standard the multibox comes with recovery R235 wich has 2 linux partions for E2

Latest recoverij R238 has 4 linux partions for E2 and 1 for Android

[twol]

The "recovery image" gives you a multiboot system, not only between E2 and Android, but also between different E2 images, which you can flash either from the boot menu, or from the image.

 

If you flash the "emmc" image, you don't have multiboot, but only a single image, like with other boxes.

This is a multiboot box and the emmc image contains the kernel and root which can be flashed to one of the partitions

[WanWizard]

I don't think we disagree.

[-M-]

I'm little confused, but...

If I with the poweron-reset-usb-flash routine flash the recovery. I will have a multiboot functionality and a bootmenu. How can I reach the bootmenu? In it I suppose I can select what to boot and also flash the different systems.

If I with the poweron-reset-usb-flash routine flash the OpenPLi emmc image. The box will have only OpenPLi. Is this possible, or most the recovery/bootmenu be in the box?

Is it possible to go back from this, by flash recovery? Will Android still be in it?

PS. I will for now, only want to run OpenPLi.

[twol]

The amazing technicolour „recovery“ system is enough to confuse anyone ..... zgemma never read the words „keep it simple“ !!

Recovery latest is R298 - power on the receiver an dhold power button on remote until it boots into recovery.

Check version (bottom left if I remember correctly) if R298 throw away any recovery  zip - not needed.

If unfortunate then unzip the recovery zip to a fat32 usb - power off and then insert a paper clip into reset button on left hand side of box - power on  whilst pressing paper clip until you get red led flashing - remove paper clip and wait - it will eventually boot into the recovery system.

From there you can download and install OpenPli:

go to boot menu -> flash online -> select Openpli

 

Good luck!

once installed forget the recovery system

[-M-]

Okay, but how about flash only OpenPLi image (remove recovery). Is that possible, or will it destroy something?

PS. Just wonder, maybe best to keep recovery system.

[mimisiku]

The recovery.emmc.zip needs to installed using the power button+U-boot button. The recovery.emmc.zip needs to be unzipped to a FAT32 formated USB Stick. Pace this USB stick in the USB 2.0 port BEFORE applying power! The recovery.emmc.zip contains the new Multiboot features and is now r311. This destroys nothing (just overrides the previous one)
The emmc.zip must NOT be unzipped! Just place the file on the USB stick. Boot into recovery mode and choose Flash local image...

[WanWizard]

The question I think is "can I flash the emmc image the regular way, and not use the recovery image or multibooting at all".

[Frenske]

AFAIK from the introduction of the recovery images flashing of a regular image isn’t possible anymore. But don’t blame me if I’m wrong.

[twol]

The question I think is "can I flash the emmc image the regular way, and not use the recovery image or multibooting at all".The

The „normal“ emmc“ image zip contains a kernel & root, so you can use the normal flash online software to flash one of the partitions on the receiver - its a typical multiboot receiver - and No you cannot change it to a 1 partition receiver.

 

Once I have an image flashed on any of these receivers with this over -the-top recovery system, I always use the standard facilities in the image (whether its OPenPli, OpenViX or OpenATV) to handle image updates - and if you really want to flip between Enigma and Android (assuming you can find the correct Android image and flash it) you can also do that with Power button menu - it does take you into the recovery menu unfortunately.

[-M-]

Thanks all for important information. However I don't understand how a normal user can get to know all this, especially without knowing that it is something very special with this box. I will see if I can sum it up (later).

I now learned the important: Use recovery (=multiboot) system in this box.

However one thing I'm not clear with, what is "the normal flash online software"?

PS. Is it any company relationship between Technicolour, Zgemma and Maxytec (or only use one and the same software)?

[twol]

“However I don't understand how a normal user can get to know all this, especially without knowing that it is something very special with this box. I will see if I can sum it up (later).“

——> Most images have posts that contain specific receiver information (with both text and visuals) like how to flash “Recovery“ or “Images“ for boxes like the Multibox - otherwise its like trying to solve a crossword puzzle!

 

“However one thing I'm not clear with, what is "the normal flash online software"?“

————-> From memory in OpenPli if you long press blue button - you get the software options - one of which is flash online.

Edited by twol, 23 December 2019 - 16:13.

[WanWizard]

Menu - Setup - Flash image.

[FREETESTER]

I know its an year old topic but I acquired right now the Maxytec Multibox, and have the following questions to all of you guys out there:

Is there a possibility to see the other 3 partitions, during the use of the current ???

If yes, then how ???

Is there a way to format the EEMC memory to work with one partition on root, having for use the whole 8GB ???

 

Thanks in advance...

[betacentauri]

Yes, possible. But only do it if you know what you are doing.
And you need to do it manually via telnet/ssh:
mkdir /tmp/d
mount /dev/mmcblk0p23 /tmp/d
Then you will find up to 4 directories in /tmp/d with the root filesystems in it.

And that’s also the answer to the last question. There is only one partition for all 4 root filesystems. Each root filesystem lies in a sub directory of this partition. Sounds a little bit strange, but with chroot during boot it looks like an own partition.
So all 4 images share the around 7 GB space (the rest is needed for kernel and boot data).

[FREETESTER]

MANY MANY THANKS,  betacentauri!
Thanks also for the quick replay!

Now, thanks to you, I can see the "partitions" as you describe:

linuxrootfs1
linuxrootfs2
linuxrootfs3

I guess, the fourth Partition is D: minus the above three, plus the Android one ...

Culd be possible to manipulate the boot loader so that the space for the partitions can be created on a USB instead of the flash where its  created?

If so, how ???

[betacentauri]

If you install an image in slot 4 you should see a linuxrootfs4 directory. I’m not sure where Android image is stored. I think it has own partition with fixed size.

Some boxes support partitions on a SD card (like sf8008, but it is not fully supported by OpenPLi). USB should also be possible in theory. The multibox don’t support it or it’s unknown how to do it.