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Tutorials -> ODROID -> Tutorial 13

Tutorial 13: EMMC Memory Module How-To

• Author: Brian A. Ree

  
  

  Sections

  - Parts Needed
  - Introduction and Tutorial Goals
  - Prepping eMMC Module
  - Flashing the eMMC Module
  - Installing the eMMC Module
  

  
  
  

  0: Parts Needed

  - A Monku Retro 1,2,3 / ODROID-C1+,2,XU4:     link C1+     link C2     link XU4
  Double check and make sure that you have the correct eMMC modules for your device.
  
  - A 32GB eMMC Memory Module: ~ $27.00     link C1+     link C2     link C2
  - A Micro SD to USB Adapter: $11:     link
  - An eMMC to Micro SD Adapter: $2:     link
  

  1: Introduction and Tutorial Goals

  Have you ever wondered about using the eMMC module capability on your ODROID device but though, naah that looks too complicated. It can be down right scary if you're new to these devices. Besides how do you use one? What tools do you need? Am I gonna mess it up and be out $30 bucks? I'd should just stick with the SD card slot right? Well if you're like me you might have had those exact thoughts, or maybe just similar thoughts. Having those exact some thoughts might be a little weird. This is the tutorial for you. It's short and sweet and will cover using eMMC modules on an ODROID device, XU4, from start to finish. You can take that knowledge and apply it to any of your other devices that support eMMC modules.

  To follow along with your own hardware you'll need an ODROID C1+, C2, or XU4. The tutorial specificaly focuses on an ODROID-XU4. Let's face it the ODROID-XU4 is awesome, it's super pwoerful and gives any SOC out there a run for its money if it doesn't leave it in the dust. So why not upgrade it and push it to the next level with an eMMC module as the boot drive. You'll also need an eMMC module, an eMMC adapter, and a micro SD adapter. Now there are eMMC adapters that go right to USB but since I use so many micro SD cards I just decided to use an adapter I had and got an eMMC to micro SD adapter instead. The base parts excluding the ODROID device will run you about $38. That includes a dual micro SD, SD to USB adapter, an eMMC to micro SD adapter, and a 32GB eMMC module. Now if you already have a micro SD to USB adapter that brings the price down to around $27. Not bad at all. The 32GB unit gives us plenty of OS room for upgrades etc, and the enhanced performance will mean the unit will boot faster and function quicker all around. What's not to love! In the next section I'll introduce you to the parts and show you how to prep the eMMC module.

  2: Prepping the eMMC Module

  Let's take a look at the parts we'll be working with. The following image shows the 32GB XU4 eMMC module and an eMMC to micro SD adapter.

  
  
  

  Take a moment to inspect the eMMC to micro SD adapter. Notice the little white circle on one corner of the connection pins? The image below shows the circle next to a red arrow.

  
  
  

  Now take a look a the eMMC module itself. Notice the little white triangle on one corner of the module? I'll post an image below. The white mark in question is next to the red arrow.

  
  
  

  What we're going to do now is attach the eMMC module to the micro SD adapter. You'll want to line up the white triangle and the white circle so that they are on the same side of the connector pins. They won't be on the same corner, at least with the parts I have, but they'll be on the same side. You'll want to keep both items at an angle and let the connector pins meet then slowly and gently push them together. You can almost roll the eMMC module onto the adapter's connection pins. There will be a satisfying, though slight, sort of click once they are properly connected.

  
  
  

  That wraps up this section of the tutorial. We're ready to flash our eMMC module. In the next step we'll flash it with an OS image from the ODROID site.

  3: Flashing the eMMC Module

  Now that we have our eMMC module prepped and ready to flash let's head over to the ODROID site that has all the different OS images. We'll be focusing on Linux OS images for this tutorial.
  
  The direct link for XU4 images is here The general link for XU4 images is here
  
  You can use the second link to find images for other devices like the ODROID C1+ or C2. Just locate the device on the left hand pane of the site. We'll be using a slightly older Ubuntu 18.04 image, but it's one I've used before so I'm comfortable with it. The image I downloaded for my XU4 eMMC test is the ubuntu-18.04.1-4.14-mate-odroid-xu4-20181203.img.xz image file.

  Once you've got your image ready it's time to get some software that you can use to flash the eMMC module. If you are using a Mac I recommend getting Balena Etcher. It works great and I highly recommend it. If you're using Windows you can grab a copy of Win32 Disk Imager. Though not as pretty as Balena Etcher, Win32 Disk Imager gets the job done.
  
  For Linux users you'll have to perform the following steps. Don't worry it's not too bad. 1. Insert your SD card into your computer.
  
  2. Locate the device, by running sudo fdisk -l. It will probably be the only disk about the right size. Note down the device name; let us suppose it is /dev/sdx. If you are in any doubt, remove the card, run sudo fdisk -l again and note down what disks are there. Insert the SD card again, run sudo fdisk -l and it is the new disk.
  
  3. Unmount the partitions by running sudo umount /dev/sdx*. It may give an error saying the disk isn't mounted - that's fine. Write the contents of the image file onto the SD card by running the following command.
  
  sudo dd bs=1M if=your_image_file_name.img of=/dev/sdx
  
  Of course, you'll need to change the name of the image file above as appropriate. You'll also need to adjust the destination argument, of, to match the target device in your environment.
  
  ALERT: Tripple check the drive, device, drive letter you are flashing. Make sure you are not overwriting another important drive!!! I'll include images of the process as it looks on Mac. You may be prompted to gain admin priveledges on Mac and Windows.

  Select the image file that you want to flash the eMMC module with after inserting it into a USB slot on your Mac, or however you intend to access the module.

  
  
  

  Answer any prompts for admin privs.

  
  
  

  Double check that you're indeed flashing the correct device and that it is the correct approximate size.

  
  
  

  Start flashing the device and wait for the process to complete.

  
  
  

  That wraps us this section of the tutorial. In the next part we'll install the eMMC module and make sure that it is functioning properly on our device.

  4: Installing the eMMC Module

  So if you've followed along this far you should have an eMMC module all flashed and ready to boot! Let's take a look at our ODROID-XU4 and the eMMC module. Note the module is still connected to the eMMC to micro SD adapter.

  
  
  

  Let's take a closer look at the spot on the ODROID-XU4 where the eMMC module goes. It requires that you either take apart the case, or that you have cut out the eMMC module door from the case. If you're working on a test unit I recommend taking a sharp razor and scouring the eMMC door connections until the plastic separates. Then you have direct access to the eMMC module's connector. It makes things much easier especially if you plan to be popping it on and off. Again notice the little white circle on the board, it's next to the red arrow.

  
  
  

  It's still a little small, let's zoom in a bit more.

  
  
  

  Carefully line up the white circle and the white triangle so that they are on the same side. Use the same angled approach to let the connectors meet then sort of push them together with a rolling motion. If you are using an eMMC adapter door, meaning you still have the case on, be careful not to let the eMMC module slip into the case. Once you have the chip connected you should have something similar to the following.

  
  
  

  We're almost done. You'll have to check how your particular device interacts with eMMC but on the ODROID-XU4 you have to set a little switch on the back to the eMMC position otherwise it expects to boot from the micro SD card. Notice the little white switch on the back of the case? Use a paper clip or safety pin to push the switch to the position farthest from the edge of the case. In other words towards the middle.

  
  
  

  Now it's time to test things out. You should get a boot, possibly followed by a quick reset or shutdown. Don't worry some versions of Ubuntu will do a partition resize then shutdown on their first boot. As long as you see something post to the screen you're golden.

  
  
  
  
  

  Well that's it. I hope you found this tutorial useful. Enjoy using eMMC modules without fear and I hope you enjoy the performance upgrades!! Till next time.