OLIMEX© 2018
A20-OLinuXino-MICRO user's manual
Q: How to install Android on an SD-card?
A: First download one of the official Android images, which might be found in the Android section
above.
Make sure that the download link you visit clearly indicates that the image is suitable for the
microSD card since there are images suitable for NAND memory also. The images suitable for the
microSD memory and those suitable for NAND card are different. However, the upload method is
almost identical – using PhoenixSuit.
There are two types of Android images for microSD card that we usually provide and each of them
has to be downloaded to a microSD card using a different method. The image provided for microSD
card is either the native Android image that can be downloaded to the card via a software tool like
PhoenixSuit (through the board) or an image taken from an already prepared microSD card that
requires to simply write the image (through a microSD card reader).
It is more likely that you have an Android image that requires a simple copy to a card. If that is the
case you can follow the exact steps as for Linux (e.g. using "Win32 Disk Imager" or "dd"
command).
In order to prepare a microSD card with a native Android you will need a software tool called
PhoenixSuit and then:
•
Install and run PhoenixSuit.
•
Go to the firmware tab of the program and point to a valid Android image (note that the
images on Gdrive are compressed and you have to extract them to .img files to be able write
them with PhoenixSuit)
•
Disconnect the power supply and USB cable from the A20 board. Put an SD card in micro SD
holder. We recommend 4GB class 10 card.
•
Press and hold RECOVERY button, apply power supply (6-16)V, release RECOVERY button.
•
Connect USB cable to the mini USB connector.
•
You will be asked for drivers for the boot-loader. Navigate to the folder where you extracted
the PhoenixSuit and install the drivers from the respective executables (or manually point the
installer to the drivers folder in the PhoenixSuit installation path).
•
PhoenixSuit will detect the board and would ask for the method of writing the image. Choose
method of writing the image and confirm your wish to write the image.
•
Wait till upgrade succeeds
Note that it is not recommended to have your mini USB connected to an external USB hub. This
might cause delays and might distort the signal levels. Always test with the USB connected straight
to the USB ports of your computer.
Important: When Android runs for very first time it takes several minutes to initialize all files and
buffers please do not cut the power supply during this process! Also when fresh image is installed
fast boot may be disabled, which means that when you apply power supply after few seconds
Android will go in sleep mode and you have to press POWER button to start it, you can change to
fast boot when you power off there is dialog box asking you if you want next boot to be fast boot,
you have to check this box before you power off. Also note that you must do touch screen
calibration when you run Android for very first time which might require a mouse.
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