Setting up Debian on a BeagleBone Black

This post is about installing Debian (BeagleBone Black – 2GB eMMC) 2014-03-27 and Flashing the eMMC using a Mac running OSX 10.9 Mavericks.

I decided to get a head start on using Debian with the BBB which is soon to tbe the default OS installed on them.

These are the steps I used today to get up and running:

1. Download image from http://beagleboard.org/latest-images
    – BBB-eMMC-flasher-debian-7.4-2014-03-27-2gb.img.xz
2. Use Unarchiver to extract disk image
    – BBB-eMMC-flasher-debian-7.4-2014-03-27-2gb.img
3. Download PiFiller to copy the disk image to the SD card
    – http://ivanx.com/raspberrypi/
   WARNING: Do not insert the SD card yet, PiFiller will tell you when
4. Run PiFiller and follow the directions
1. Choose the disk image
2. Insert the SD card
3. Verify that PiFiller has found the correct device
4. Some more verifying, click OK a couple of times
5. Now wait awhile, it took about 20 minutes on my MacBook Pro
   Holy Cow! The dialog box opening and closing gets really annoying to watch!
6. All set when you get the “Your SD card is ready” message
5. Eject the SD from the Mac OS then remove it from the computer
6. With the BBB unplugged, no network, USB, video, power cables, insert the SD card into the BBB
   WARNING: The SD card pokes out of the back of the BBB enough that it is easy to bump it and cause it to eject. Especially when plugging in a USB or HDML cable. It pays to be slow and patient when manipulating the BBB with an SD card in place.
7. Get ready: When plugging in the BBB you will need to hold down the Boot button until all 4 USR lights turn on
    – While holding down the Boot button insert a 5V 2A power supply, release the Boot button when all 4 USR lights turn on
8. Now the USR buttons should start blinking in a seemingly random pattern, this should go on for 20 to 60 minutes depending on the OS and SD card
9. When the USR lights all light-up again the eMMC has been flashed with Debian
10. Remove the power adapter
11. Remove the SD card

You are now ready to plug-in the devices you want to work with and enjoy Debian

More information about installing operating systems on the BeagleBone Black:
http://beagleboard.org/Getting%20Started#update
http://learn.adafruit.com/beaglebone-black-installing-operating-systems/overview