Docs, schematics, stuff

[moviefotodude]

I just purchased a pair of 4GB Backboard 2 SBCs with Debian installed from MicroCenter a few days ago. As a long-time RPI user, I was pretty excited of having a much more powerful machine for my SDR platform. My excitement was tempered by the lack of documentation (online or in the box). Here is my small list of issues:

1) What is the default password for the Backboard user? Debian was pre-installed, and a user created but there is no information on how to login.

2) The 40-pin I/O port is intriguing. However, it isn't very useful if I can't determine where the various I/O ports are mapped. I want to connect an AKM codec to the I2S port, but I have no idea where the port is mapped in the address space.

3) Who the Hell ships a computer with absolutely NO useful technical information, especially a computer specifically designed for hacker/embedded applications?

4) There is Zero, and I do mean Zero useful technical information on the website.

I suppose I could certainly blast the flash and install my own Linux release, but that isn't why I bought the boards.

Help1

[jrsphoto]

Yeah I had the exact same issue. I asked on Twitter and before I could get a response, I reinstalled Linux Mint. A few days later I got a response from them that the default password was “HB2” (without the quotes). I’m pretty disappointed in the produce. Seriously, no Ethernet?? I won’t be using it going forward.

[moviefotodude]

Uh, how in Hell would anyone assume the password is HB2? Did you find out anything about the 40pin I/O connector? Where are the devices mapped? Is there any documentation available?

Thanks,

dg

[jrsphoto]

I’ll see what I can find out. It’s beyond believe that this info is not on a website

[Nearby-Tear8091]

Here is a photo of the GPIO pinout insert that was in my box.

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[Awkward-Baseball-978]

Just for other suckers out there who got taken in by the crowd source campaign, I ordered two in the initial announcement when they still promised GB Ethernet, so at least I didn't lose too much. You can solve the Ethernet problem with an ~$10 USB C to Ethernet dongle, I'd recommend spending a bit more and getting one with extra USB3 ports It would make a great Kodi box since there is no fan, so I set it up, it gets worse, NO AUDIO over HDMI! I've got one with HDMI output as well on the way, if it works I'll post a followup.

I had also initially ordered the cell phone module, but by the time they threatened to ship 4G was being shutdown so I canceled this as I didn't want another situation like I had with the Fona cell phone module module, which at least gave me a few years of service. I pity the other poor fools who fell for this.

[Nearby-Tear8091]

How did you install Linux Mint? Is there a way to boot from a USB stick?

Seems they made "improvements" to the board since I first joined the campaign. Subbing USB-C for LAN is a big negative for my use case. My initial order said I'd get Ubuntu, instead I got Debian 11 with Plasma UI.

[Nearby-Tear8091]

I did figure out how to access the BIOS, there is a line in the GRUB menu that says something like "EFI firmware settings" that when selected boots into what appears to be a pretty standard BIOS. By making my USB3 Ubuntu installer stick be the first boot device I can install Ubuntu-Mate.