licheepi-4a
Documentation Technical support SD writing tool Maintainer: chainsx

Sipeed
Community maintained Unofficial builds
* More about support definitions, criteria and relationships

Current images doesn't work? Use old images from archive and report to forums exactly which image fails.

1. Download u-boot files for Armbian

Download the u-boot file for the corresponding memory version of LicheePi 4A from the Action or Releases section of chainsx/thead-u-boot.

2. Flash u-boot to EMMC (required)

If there is a DIP switch, set it to EMMC mode. Press the BOOT button on the board and connect lpi4a to the computer using a data cable. Then perform the following operations:

sudo fastboot flash ram ./firmware/u-boot-with-spl.bin
sudo fastboot reboot
sleep 10
sudo fastboot flash uboot ./firmware/u-boot-with-spl.bin

For installation of drivers, refer to the Sipeed official Wiki.

3. Flash the system

Option 1: Flash the system to an SD card

You can use Etcher or other software.

Option 2: Flash the system to EMMC

(1) Use the UMS (USB Mass Storage) feature of u-boot (experimental):

Interrupt the u-boot countdown by pressing `Ctrl^C` when counting down using the serial port to enter the u-boot command line, then enter the following command:

ums 0 mmc 0

The EMMC will be mapped as a USB Mass Storage device on the computer, and you can use Etcher or other software to flash it.

(2) After booting from the SD card, use the dd command to copy the Armbian image to the EMMC.

4. Support status

It is recommended to use the legacy version based on T-Head SDK.

The edge version based on the mainline currently does not support the HDMI.

Community releases

User space Interface URL Torrent Kernel Integrity Size Release date
 
Armbian Jammy XFCE 6.6.14 SHA    ASC 853.8MB Apr 25, 2024
Armbian Noble Minimal 6.6.14 SHA    ASC 229.1MB Apr 25, 2024
 
* Made with official Armbian build framework but untested by Armbian team.
While we try best possible to test provided images flaws can happen. If you experience issues please report those. Until we're able to fix latest builds stick to older images from our archive.

Specifications

* Specifications differ from hardware revision, model and software support level

FAQs

  • check previous images from archive
  • join community forums

Simple

BASH or ZSH shell, standard Debian/Ubuntu utilities. Features can be adjusted with menu-driven utility. Login is possible via serial, HDMI or SSH.

Universal

Minimal, server or Desktop. We work with XFCE, Gnome and Cinnamon but more is possible to build: Mate, KDE, Budgie, Deepin, i3, …

Light

No bloatware or spyware. Special utilities are completely optional. Suitable for newcomers and professionals.

Optimized

Distributed images are optimized for flash media (SD/eMMC/SSD) and compacted to real data size.

Fast

Armbian is optimized on kernel and userspace level. ZRAM & ZSWAP support, browser profile memory caching, garbage commit delay.

Secure

Security level can be adjusted with the armbian-config. OS is reviewed by professionals within the community.

Supported

Maintainers and community have deep understanding how HW work. We are seniors with 30+ years of experience in Linux + embedded Linux.

Open

Armbian provides open source build framework to build a distribution of optimised Linux hardware interface for armhf, aarch64 and x86.

We provide a selection of images that fits hardware best. If you need different image – use build framework and make whatever you need. Build framework relies on Debian and Ubuntu packages – you can build any combination – stable, old stable or rolling release.

Minimal images comes only with essentials and without armbian-config, armbian-zsh, build-essentials, Python, DKMS, …

Make sure you have a good & reliable boot media (SD card / USB key) and a proper power supply. Archives can be flashed with Etcher (all OS) directly.

Insert the SD card into the slot, connect a cable to your network if possible or a display and power your board. (First) boot (with DHCP) takes a bit longer.

Support is provided in one of two ways: