I followed the instructions in the “Getting Started with BPI-R4” document and downloaded the BPI-R4-mtk-bpi-r4-SD-20231030 image. I used Balena Etcher to flash it onto a 64GB SD card, set all the jumpers to 1, and successfully booted the system from the SD card. Later, I downloaded the bananapi_bpi-r4-sdcard.img.gz, flashed it onto the SD card, and attempted to reboot. However, I was unable to successfully boot the system again. I tried replacing the SD card and re-flashing the BPI-R4-mtk-bpi-r4-SD-20231030 image, but I still couldn’t get the system to boot successfully.
I don’t know what happened. The only suspicious reason is that my motherboard once fell off the table, but it didn’t hit the ground because the power cord caught it.
I have tried many times. I have tried using different SD cards, deleting all partition information from the SD card and then formatting it, and using both Balena Etcher and Win32 Disk Imager to flash the image.
Before this, I successfully used the original image and the OpenWRT image, but now, no matter what I try, it doesn’t work, the console only prints the above information. Perhaps my SD card slot is broken.
BPI R4’s built-in NAND (at least in my sample) comes pre-flashed with MTK firmware. Switch to NAND boot and see if the system starts up. Then check if SD slot still functional once in Linux.
EDIT: Personally I found the DIP switch feels flimsy…and fragile, and hence I handle it very carefully. Perhaps it’s the weakest link on otherwise a very sturdy board.
It appears to be working correctly. When I toggle different switches, the console output changes appropriately. I suspect that my SD card slot is broken, but I don’t know how to verify this. I will seek help from my dealer.
If you had run stock OpenWrt once, the factory image inside the built-in NAND is likely damaged. It happened to me and I haven’t spent time to understand the cause. But it may explain why NAND doesn’t work for you.
If your SD slot is also broken, then your R4’s virtually bricked.
What you may try is apply little pressure on the SD slot cage…then power on and see if it helps.
Someone may be able to de-solder the NAND chip and flash an image. Then if your SD slot is broken & can’t be fixed, you will still have a usable board.
After I completed this step, I successfully booted the system from the SD card. However, when I rebooted the device, the same initial error occurred again. @frank-w