Bin folder

For convenience I added compiled kernel files (uImage, dts, boot.scr) to the bin folder if you just want to update your system. Just copy the files to /BOOT.

Dependencies (Debian/Ubuntu)

General:

sudo apt install git build-essential

For u-boot build:

sudo apt install gcc-arm-linux-gnueabihf \
    bison flex swig python3-distutils python3-dev

For Linux Kernel 5.7:

sudo apt install libssl-dev u-boot-tools

For generating Debian rootfs:

sudo apt install multistrap qemu-user-static

thanks @omgmog

Automatic procedure

Run:

./auto-create-image.sh

Copy image to SD card (Replace /dev/sdX with your SD card):

sudo dd bs=4M if=clockworkpi-debian.img of=/dev/sdX conv=fsync

If you have problems, try using bs=1M.

Manual procedure

SD card preparation

Use lsblk to make sure you are working with the SD card. Replace /dev/sdX with your device.

Create partitions

sudo fdisk /dev/sdX

1. Delete all existent partitions. Use d to delete.
2. Create two new primary partitions. Use option n to create.

First Partition Start = 8192 End = 93814 Second partition Start = 94218 End = XXX - End = Size available for your OS. You can use any size.

3. Define vfat type for first partition. Use t, 1 to select first partition, and use code c for W95 FAT32 (LBA)
4. Define ext type for second partition. Use t, 2 to select second partition, and use 83 for Linux.

You must have a similar table (Use p to check):

Device     Boot Start      End  Sectors  Size Id Type
/dev/sdb1        8192    93814    85623 41.8M  c W95 FAT32 (LBA)
/dev/sdb2       94208 62521343 62427136 29.8G 83 Linux

5. Use w to write new partition table.

Format the SD card, and set the labels (labels are not neccessary, but convenient)

sudo mkfs.vfat /dev/sdX1
sudo fatlabel /dev/sdX1 BOOT
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdX2 -L rootfs

u-boot

git clone git://git.denx.de/u-boot.git --depth=1
cd u-boot
cp ../cpi-u-boot.patch .
git apply cpi-u-boot.patch
export ARCH=arm
export CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf-
make clockworkpi-cpi3_defconfig
make
sudo dd if=u-boot-sunxi-with-spl.bin of=/dev/sdX bs=1024 seek=8
cd ..

Kernel - 5.7

You can use mainline. I use smaeul's for better power management support.

git clone https://github.com/smaeul/linux.git --branch=patch/irqchip-v2 --depth=1
cd linux
cp ../cpi-kernel-5.7.smaeul.patch .
git apply cpi-kernel-5.7.smaeul.patch
export ARCH=arm
export CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueabihf-
make clockworkpi_cpi3_defconfig
make
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x40008000 -e 0x40008000 -n "Linux kernel" -d arch/arm/boot/zImage uImage
chmod +x uImage
sudo cp -p uImage /media/$USER/BOOT/
sudo cp -p arch/arm/boot/dts/sun8i-r16-clockworkpi-cpi3.dtb /media/$USER/BOOT/
sudo cp -p arch/arm/boot/dts/sun8i-r16-clockworkpi-cpi3-hdmi.dtb /media/$USER/BOOT/
cd ..

Generate boot.scr

mkimage -C none -A arm -T script -d boot.cmd boot.scr
sudo cp -p boot.scr /media/$USER/BOOT/

Generate Debian root

If you want to have wifi already connected, change the contents of wpa_supplicant.conf with your information.

sudo ./create-debian.sh
sudo rsync -axHAX --progress target-rootfs/ /media/$USER/rootfs/
sudo umount /media/$USER/rootfs

Don't interrupt the script. It uses chroot.

umount will take a while, be patient.

Insert SD cart in the device and boot.

troubleshooting

apt

If you have a error with apt like:

dpkg: error processing package base-files (--configure):
 installed base-files package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of bash:

Run on the device:

apt clean
apt remove base-files
apt install base-files bash

No sound

Use alsamixer to unmute AIF1 Slot 0:

Navigate with cursor and use M to unmute.

Set locale

https://wiki.debian.org/Locale

Known Issues

1. HDMI audio doesn't work, the sound is being routed to GameShell speakers. To have HDMI out connect the HDMI cable and reboot.
2. Charging/Power LED doesn't work. FIXED

sites for reference

https://www.acmesystems.it/debian_wheezy

https://github.com/jubinson/debian-rootfs.git

https://github.com/clockworkpi/USB-Ethernet

https://linux-sunxi.org/U-Boot

https://linux-sunxi.org/LCD

https://github.com/balena-os/brcm_patchram_plus

https://github.com/clockworkpi/bluetooth/wiki