CoreELEC for Libre
These instructions explain how to install and boot CoreELEC on supported Libre SBC's from µSD Card by use of a Windows PC. The instructions can easily be adapted for other Operating Systems.
Supported devices
- La Frite
- Le Potato
- Alta
- Solitude
Requirements
- Personal Computer with Internet Access
- Memory Card Reader
- A compatible Class 10 (USH 1/V 10) or better μSD Card (LePotato)
- USB Flash Drive (LaFrite)
- Image Writing Software
Image writing software
| Application | Function | Linux | Mac | Windows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| balenaEtcher | Bootable Media Creator | X | X | X |
| UNetbootin | Bootable Media Creator | X | X | X |
| USBImager | Bootable Media Creator | X | X | X |
| DDRescue / DDRescue-GUI | Disk Utility | X | ||
| Disk Utility | Disk Utility | X | ||
| Rufus | Bootable Media Creator | X |
Preparation
- Visit the CoreELEC website
- Select a version to download
- The Download Helper will pop up
- Select Skip that and just show me all download options
- Download the generic image (CoreELEC-Amlogic-ng.arm-xxx-Generic.img.gz)
- Write the downloaded image to a μSD Card or USB Flash Drive
Installation
| Device | Edition | DTB | SoC |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Frite | 1G | CoreELEC-Amlogic-ng.arm-xxx-LaFrite.img.gz | S805X |
| Le Potato | 1G/2G | CoreELEC-Amlogic-ng.arm-xxx-LePotato.img.gz | S905X |
| Alta | 2G/4G | CoreELEC-Amlogic-no.aarch64-xxx-Alta.img.gz | A311D |
| Solitude | 2G/4G | CoreELEC-Amlogic-no.aarch64-xxx-Solitude.img.gz | S905X3 |
- Insert the µSD Card or USB Flash Drive
- Power on the device
Once the image is transfered to μSD Card, the device is Ready To Boot (RTB), meaning no Device Tree Blob (DTB) needs to be copied.
Install CoreELEC to eMMC
La Frite
- ensure the latest firmware is installed
- write the downloaded image to La Frite’s eMMC using the included USB cable
Le Potato
CoreELEC 9.2.8 (Legacy)
- write CoreELEC to a μSD Card
- boot LePotato with the μSD Card inserted
- attach the eMMC module when prompted to
- once CoreELEC is booted:
- SSH into to the device and type:
lepotatotoemmc
CoreELEC 19.x (Matrix)
In CoreELEC 19.x the script is currently broken. Following workaround is suggested:
- follow the instructions above and install CoreELEC 9.2.8 (Legacy) to eMMC
- once CoreELEC 9.2.8 is booted from eMMC:
- update to CoreELEC 19.x
Alta, Solitude
- download image to Alta/Solitude mounted eMMC by using SPI boot mode.
- stop boot process in u-boot console by hit Enter multiple times. Run ums 0 mmc 0 and a UMS USB media device should be available on host PC.
- write downloaded image to UMS USB media.
Device Support
For support unrelated to CoreELEC, please refer to the Libre User Support Forums.
Notes
The above instructions also can be used to create a bootable USB Flash Drive.