Bookworm 64-bit on MiniSSCM4

[Punkmuki]

Hello,

I have two MiniSSCM4 units. One with a CM4 Lite 4 GB RAM, and another one with CM4 Lite 8 GB RAM.

Both CM4s are running stable with a high overclock (2380-2340 MHz), with a good cooling. And they run great with Retropie, with all its updates. To avoid voltage issues, I use a 5V 6A power supply and have modified the plug soldering to a micro-USB male connector.

Recently, I attempted a fresh installation of Bookworm 64-bit, without any success. I tried everything I found online, and with the help of Chat GPT: Used Raspberry Pi Imager with several official Bookworm 64-bit versions. Applied the overlays and modifications recommended by Martinx72. Tinkered with config.txt and cmdline.txt, testing all possible options (I believe), even leaving them barebones. Managed to get the real PARTUUID. Followed your tutorial for the bootloader… Nothing works. Bookworm doesn’t boot at all. It seems to read the SD at first, but gets stuck on a black screen with no message.

Is it possible to run Bookworm 64-bit on the MiniSSCM4? If so, do you have any tips to get it to boot?

Thank you very much and kind regards.

[martinx72]

It runs with bookworm. Just use latest PiOS arm64 and install RetroPie script manually and then install it via the script. It should work as I have one running MiniSS cm4 with bookworm arm64 here

[Punkmuki]

I installed the latest PiOS arm64 with Raspberry Pi imager, on a MicroSD SanDisk Extreme Pro 256 GB, exactly the same one I use for my Retropie installation. However, It doesn't boot at all. Not even with a fresh installation. Neither using your config_HDMI.txt. Modifying the cmdline.txt. With the special overlays you provided. I've tested lots of options. It hasn't booted a single time.
Any idea, please?
Thank you so much.

[martinx72]

I installed the latest PiOS arm64 with Raspberry Pi imager, on a MicroSD SanDisk Extreme Pro 256 GB, exactly the same one I use for my Retropie installation. However, It doesn't boot at all. Not even with a fresh installation. Neither using your config_HDMI.txt. Modifying the cmdline.txt. With the special overlays you provided. I've tested lots of options. It hasn't booted a single time.
Any idea, please?
Thank you so much.

Will original PiOS image without any config changed, you should see Linux boot right away. As the OS is different, those config in the GitHub repo are all not for bookworm.
Or, maybe your CM4 internal firmware is too old to work with those updated bootcode came with the bookworm?

[Punkmuki]

Hello,

Yes, you are absolutely right. The CM4 4GB had Bootloader 1613481816 (from 2021), and I performed all my tests with that one. I’ve tried the newer CM4 8GB, and the fresh Bookworm 64-bit installation booted without issues.

However, after flashing the CM4 4GB with a later Bootloader (1738788742 – 2022), it doesn’t boot from any SD card or USB device. I believe this is installed on a Rev A first batch Mini SS. Perhaps I need to follow your instructions regarding the “SD card is not detected issue (for RevA only)” and solder pins 1 and 2 of the SD card power source?

Thank you so much!

[martinx72]

Hello,

Yes, you are absolutely right. The CM4 4GB had Bootloader 1613481816 (from 2021), and I performed all my tests with that one. I’ve tried the newer CM4 8GB, and the fresh Bookworm 64-bit installation booted without issues.

However, after flashing the CM4 4GB with a later Bootloader (1738788742 – 2022), it doesn’t boot from any SD card or USB device. I believe this is installed on a Rev A first batch Mini SS. Perhaps I need to follow your instructions regarding the “SD card is not detected issue (for RevA only)” and solder pins 1 and 2 of the SD card power source?

Thank you so much!

Check this repo

https://github.com/martinx72/MiniSS_MB_mod_for_CM5

Newer bootloader need the SD card fix in this post.

[Punkmuki]

Solved! Thank you very much!