New uConsole CM5 + AIOv2: Refuses to boot when AIOv2 is physically installed

uConsole
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Hi everyone,

I recently jumped into the uConsole ecosystem and received my unit a week ago. It is a CM5 version, and I’m using it with a HackerGadgets AIOv2 board (with the battery upgrade and antennas) running on 18650 cells.

I am hitting a very specific boot issue that I could use some help troubleshooting. The uConsole completely refuses to boot when the AIOv2 is fully installed, but works under one specific condition.

Here is exactly what happens during my isolation testing:

  • Power on with ONLY the ribbon cable connected (AIOv2 loose/dangling): WORKS perfectly. The system boots right up.

  • Power on connected but with NO ribbon cable (AIOv2 slotted in): DOES NOT WORK.

  • Power on fully connected (Ribbon attached + AIOv2 slotted in): DOES NOT WORK.

Because it works fine when the AIOv2 is only attached via the ribbon cable, the basic logic of the board seems okay. The issue only triggers the moment the AIOv2 is physically slid or mounted into
the upper expansion bay.

Do you have any advice?

Thank you,
Nikos

2

Does it work without the card attached at all? Did you do the eeprom edits?

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Kind of wished you would have attached a photo of the setup as sounds like a short issue.
(do note that I am a newbie myself, but I had this issue with the new battery addon and the AC1200 dongle)

4

@Rex What eeprom edits you refer? I have only run rpi-eeprom to update to the latest version and I am using `ClockworkPi-Trixie-6.12.85.img.xz`

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@t8923n if its a short issue. is there a way to find where it shorts?

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That is crazy but its progress.

Unless you find any extruding metal, like a pointy sodering cone, on the underside of the AIOv2 I would also do a test with the connector connected to the motherboard but with the plastic underneath still.

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This way you know what its likely not the FPC nor the buss adapter.

Then I would just contact hackergadgets support to get directions on what to look for or even request replacement of the AIOv2 board.

p.s Be careful of booting it without any antennas for LoRa (not sure if SDR is the same) as
the circuit may burn out if electrified.

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sdr and gps are receive only so they’re safe, lora and wifi should always have antennas, though lora is decently safe if you haven’t set up the software yet

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I try with the plastic wrapper and nothing changed. The weird on that is that by mistake I order 2 aiov2 and both are behaving the same.

12

sounds like a problem with your AIO, does it still boot with the stock ext board?

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yes it boots. but the stock ext board is empty (it have traces but not components) and only the speakers are connected

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Wait, so you connected both FPC and the buss adapter but with the plastic underneath. And it boots flawlessly?

And you experience the boot issue with both your AIOv2 modules?

Could it be a short from the case then, like the edges where the IO is :thinking:
(if this is a short?)

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How to check if there is a short?

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With a multimeter, but it’s best to contact hackergadgets support, we don’t have schematics to help guide you

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yea, this is a though one as Snipeytje says.

Most is just to look intensively around to see if you find scratches or any extruding parts.
You could use a thermal camera to see if any component is overheating (often a sign of a short).

But easiest would be to contact any of the two support channels.

18

I have a confusion!

I recently bought a used ClockworkPi with the CM4 module, and then bought the AIO v2 and, thinking I would need it, the fancy adapter board.

This thread, and everything I read about the adapter board, talks about that ribbon cable that carries the 5V power from the battery, and I see it in the photos above.

My ClockworkPi does not have any such cable, nor anywhere to attach it on the battery side.

Is mine older? Newer? Should I just set the AIO adapter board aside as not usable in my setup?

Guidance sought!

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The ribbon cable to/from the battery only applies if you have the HackerGadgets battery/NVME board in place of the stock battery board.

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Ah-hah! Thank you, that was the context I was missing! I can foresee maybe getting one eventually, but for now, I don’t need the NVMe capability. So in short, the CM4 module should work with the AIO v2 adapter board without any ribbon cable for power, yes?