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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

      Download the ZIP file with firmware

      Format microSD to FAT32

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

      Insert card into SMHUB (click fully)

      Power on → wait ~5 minutes (silent)

      Power off → remove the card

      Power on → watch LED cues → open smhub.loca

      1) Get the firmware and unzip it

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

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

        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

          (Names are the same in every release; you’ll always copy these three from rom.)

          2) Format the microSD card to FAT32

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

            Insert the microSD (or SD adapter with the microSD inside) into your PC.
            [screenshot: card inserted / “This PC” view]

            Open This PC (Windows Explorer).

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

            Click Format….
            [screenshot: right-click → Format]

            In the Format window:

              File system: choose FAT32

              Allocation unit size: leave Default

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

              Quick Format: checked (recommended)

              Click Start, then OK/Yes to confirm.
              [screenshot: format dialog with FAT32]

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

              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

                Open the folder you unzipped earlier.

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

                Copy them (Ctrl+C).

                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).
                  [screenshot: SD root showing 3 files]

                  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.

                    Push until you feel a “click.” It must be fully seated.
                    [screenshot: hand inserting SD until click]

                    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.
                        [screenshot: simple “please wait” overlay]

                        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:

                            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

                            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

                            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

                              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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