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Update/Restore using SD-Card

👉 Download the firmware ZIP from your usual link (latest): https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/smhub_os_v0.3.0C.zip You’ll need:

  • A microSD card (8–64 GB is ideal) + microSD–to–SD adapter if your PC needs it

  • A Windows PC

  • A way to read/write the microSD card (built-in reader or USB adapter)

⚙️ What You’ll Do

  1. Download the ZIP file with firmware

  2. Format microSD to FAT32

  3. Copy three files from the archive onto the root of the card

  4. Insert card into SMHUB (click fully)

  5. Power on → wait ~5 minutes (silent)

  6. Power off → remove the card

  7. Power on → watch LED cues → open smhub.loca

1) Get the firmware and unzip it

  1. Click the firmware link above and download the ZIP to your computer (e.g., Downloads).
    [screenshot: browser download]

  2. Right-click the ZIP → Extract All… → choose a simple folder (e.g., C:\SMHUB\firmware\).

Inside the unzipped folder you’ll see these three files, you’ll copy them to the SD card:

  • emmc.img

  • fip.bin

  • partition_gpt.xml

2) Format the microSD card to FAT32

This erases the card completely. Back up anything important first.

  1. Insert the microSD (or SD adapter with the microSD inside) into your PC.

  2. Open This PC (Windows Explorer).

  3. Right-click the SD card drive (e.g., “SDHC (E:)”).

  4. Click Format….

    select-format.jpg

  5. In the Format window:

    • File system: choose FAT32

    • Allocation unit size: leave Default or 16kb

    • Volume label: optional (e.g., SMHUB)

    • Quick Format: checked (recommended)

      format-settings.jpg

  6. Click Start, then OK/Yes to confirm.

  7. Wait for the Format Complete message → click OK and Close.

    format-completed.jpg

Tip: If your SD card is larger than 32 GB and FAT32 isn’t shown, try another (smaller) card. (Advanced users: a third-party FAT32 formatter also works.).

Check the lock switch: If you’re using a full-size SD adapter, make sure the tiny switch on its side is not set to “LOCK.” If locked, Windows won’t let you copy files.

3) Copy the three files to the root of the SD card

  1. Open the folder you unzipped earlier.

  2. Select these three files:
    emmc.img, fip.bin, partition_gpt.xml

  3. Copy them (Ctrl+C).

  4. Open your SD card drive in This PC and Paste (Ctrl+V).

    • The files must be in the root of the SD card (not inside any folder).

      copying-to-sdcard.jpg

  5. When copying finishes, right-click the SD card drive → Eject → remove the card.

4) Insert the microSD card into the SMHUB

  • With the SMHUB powered OFF, insert the microSD into the slot.

    image.png

  • Push until you feel a “click.” It must be fully seated.

    image.png



5) Power ON and wait ~5 minutes

  • Connect power to the SMHUB.

  • The device will silently flash itself from the SD card.

    • No animation, no special lights during this process — this is normal.

  • Do not touch or power off during these ~5 minutes.

    image.png

6) Power OFF and remove the SD card

  • After ~5 minutes, power OFF the SMHUB.

  • Remove the microSD card.

    ⚠️ Important: If you leave the SD card in and power on, the SMHUB will start flashing again. Always remove the card before the next boot.

7) Power ON again and watch the LEDs (readiness)

Boot the SMHUB without the SD card:

First start takes longer than subsequent boots. This is normal.

When the SMHUB starts up after flashing, the LEDs show you exactly what’s happening.
Here’s what to watch step by step:

  1. Power ON indicator:
    As soon as you plug in the SMHUB, the small green LED near the buttons (not the Ambilight LEDs) turns ON.
    → This simply means the device is receiving power. If you can't power your device - check this bug.

    image.png

  2. Blue chase effect (Ambilight):
    Right after powering on, you’ll see a moving blue light (chase effect) running around the Ambilight LEDs.
    → This means the system is booting — please wait.
    smhub-rotating.gif

  3. Blue effect stops:
    When the blue chase effect stops, it means the core system has finished booting and SSH access is available.
    → From this point, advanced users can connect via SSH if needed.

image.png

  1. Green Ambilight turns on:
    After a short delay, all green Ambilight LEDs will light up at once.
    → This means that Web UI and all apps are fully loaded and ready to use.

    image.png


    The green lights will stay on for about 1 minute, then turn off automatically.

💡 In simple words:

  • Blue moving lights = starting up

  • Blue stops = system ready for SSH

  • Green lights = Web interface ready to use

8) (Optional) Quick post-flash checks

Web UI:

  • Open a browser and go to: http://smhub.local/ (or your device’s IP).


    image.png

     

SSH (from Windows using built-in OpenSSH or PuTTY):

  • Hostname: smhub.local (or your device’s IP)

  • Username: smlight

  • Password: smlight

Troubleshooting (quick)

  • Nothing happens after power on?
    Ensure the three files are on the root of the SD card, card is FAT32, and the card was fully clicked in.

  • Flashing loops every time I power on?
    You forgot to remove the SD card. Power off, remove card, then power on.

  • Web UI not loading yet?
    Wait for the green Ambilight LEDs. Blue stopped = SSH ready; Green on = Web UI ready.

  • Card won’t format / no FAT32 option?
    Try a smaller card (8–32 GB is easiest) or a different PC card reader.

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