Orange Pi Zero: Installing Armbian

The Orange Pi Zero needs an operating system to boot. We’ll use Armbian, which has operating system images for many of the Orange Pi models, including the Zero.

1.- Download the image for the Orange Pi Zero from the Armbian website. I've selected the Armbian Xenial image for servers or light desktops. Within a few seconds the download should begin.  

2.- When the download is complete, browse to your downloads folder and locate the file. It should be named something like Armbian_5.38_Orangepizero_Ubuntu_xenial_next_4.14.14.7z. Right click on the file, select 7-Zip from the context menu and choose Extract Here. The archive should expand, resulting in several files including one with a .img extension similar to Armbian_5.38_Orangepizero_Ubuntu_xenial_next_4.14.14.img

3.- Insert your blank micro SD card into your computer. Take note of the drive letter it is assigned.

4.- We need Win32DiskImager aplication to write image into SD card. You can use other programs as Rufus. Open Win32DiskImager by selecting it from the Start menu.

5.- Click the folder icon below the Image File label to browse to and select the Armbian img file (e.g. Armbian_5.38_Orangepizero_Ubuntu_xenial_next_4.14.14.img). 

6.- Under the Device label, select the drive letter of your micro SD card. In my case [G:\]. Again, make sure you are 100% certain you’ve selected the correct drive, otherwise you risk overwriting the data on another drive.

 

7.- Click the Write button to start writing the Armbian image to the micro SD card.

8.- When the writing process is complete, click the Exit button to quit Win32DiskImager.

9.- Use the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media option in the system tray to eject your micro SD card. 

10.- Physically remove the micro SD card from your computer.

Next post: Booting your Orange Pi Zero.

Orange Pi Zero Developer Kit Unboxing and Assembly

Time ago, I bought orange pi zero developer kit.

The package includes two Orange Pi packages, a plastic case and a bag with screws and rubber pads.

The first package comes with Orange Pi Zero board powered by Allwinner H2+ quad core processor with 512 MB RAM, micro USB for power, 10/100M Ethernet, a USB port, a WiFi antenna, and expansion headers on the top and a micro SD card slot on the bottom.

The second package is for Orange Pi Zero Interface board v1.1 with two more USB port, an IR receiver, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a built-in microphone.

The next step is just to plug the interface board into Orange Pi Zero board, bending the WiFi antenna between the two boards. (I've done a little hole on the plastic case to take out the WiFi antenna).

Then, tighten the cover with the 4 screws, and adding the 4 rubber pads. 

Next tutorial: Step-by-step instructions to get a working Armbian Linux environment on the Orange Pi Zero.

Hardware specification
CPU	H2 Quad-core Cortex-A7 H.265/HEVC 1080P
GPU	·Mali400MP2 GPU @600MHz ·Supports OpenGL ES 2.0
Memory (SDRAM)	512MB DDR3
Onboard Storage	100M / 10M Ethernet RJ45 (POE is default off)
Wifi Antenne	XR819, IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Audio Input	MIC
Video Outputs	Support external board via 13pins
Power Source	USB OTG can supply power
USB 2.0 Ports	One USB 2.0 HOST, one USB 2.0 OTG
Buttons	Power Button
Low-level peripherals	26 Pins Header, compatible with Raspberry Pi B+   13 Pins Header, with 2 x USB, IR pin, AUDIO (MIC, AV)
GPIO(1x3) pin	UART,ground.
LED	Power led & Status led
Supported OS	Android, Lubuntu, Debian, Rasberry Pi Image
Interface definition
Product size	46mm × 48mm
Weight	26g
Power supply	5V 3A
Operating Temperature	-10 ~ 65℃

Windows Autologon

* Windows registry:

1. Launch Regedit 
2. Navigate to:
   HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\winlogon
   Set: AutoAdminLogon = 1 (one means on, zero means off.)
3. DefaultUserName. The value should reflect the user who you wish to logon automatically.  If this value does not exist, then right-click in the right pane, New, REG_SZ, name it, DefaultUserName.  Set the string value to the required UserName
4. DefaultPassword. The password of the previous user (If this value does not exist, then right-click in the right pane, New, REG_SZ, name it, DefaultUserPassword).
5. Finally, if it's a domain user, create a String Value called DefaultDomainName.  
   Set: DefaultDomainName = "OnlyYouKnowDomain"

* External application:

https://docs.microsoft.com/es-es/sysinternals/downloads/autologon

This application do the same as "windows registry mode" but in a pretty view.

1. Enter user name.
2. Write user's password.
3. Enter the domain
4. Click on "Enable"
5. Reboot the machine and check autologon.

Adding a Network Location in Windows

Adding a network place in Windows allows you to access FTP, Windows file shares, and some HTTP servers (with FrontPage extensions loaded) directly in My Network Places, without having to use an FTP client. Though this article uses Windows 10, the instructions are similar for 7 and 8. 

1. Open the Start menu, then search and click "This PC." 

•  In Windows 7, search and click "Computer." 

2. A Windows Explorer window will open. Right-click on "This PC" (or "Computer" in Windows 7) and select "Add Network Location." 
  

3. Click "Next" on the wizard that opens. 

   

4. Select "Choose a custom network location" and click "Next." 
   

5. Type in the address, FTP site, or network location, then select "Next." 

   
6. Type a name for the network and select "Next." 
  

7. Click "Finish" on the wizard.
  

8. If a login screen appears, type in your ID and Password, then click "Log in."
  

9. The location will now be listed under "Network Locations" in "This PC."