INSTALLATION

HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

• Cardputer ADV or Cardputer v1.1
• USB-C data cable and a computer for flashing
• FAT32-formatted microSD card for app data
• Python and esptool on the computer

The computer is used to install firmware. Code editing, compilation, and execution are available on the device after installation.

SELECT YOUR HARDWARE

The external-display builds use a 320 × 240 panel with a 240 × 135 application window. They are separate from the standard Cardputer builds.

WRITE THE FIRMWARE

Install esptool on the computer:

pip install esptool

Connect the device by USB. Run the command for your hardware from the directory containing the downloaded firmware.

esptool.py -c esp32s3 -b 460800 write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size 8MB --flash_freq 80m 0x0 Area512Adv.bin

esptool.py -c esp32s3 -b 460800 write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size 8MB --flash_freq 80m 0x0 Area512V11.bin

esptool.py -c esp32s3 -b 460800 write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size 8MB --flash_freq 80m 0x0 Area512TFT7789.bin

esptool.py -c esp32s3 -b 460800 write_flash --flash_mode dio --flash_size 8MB --flash_freq 80m 0x0 Area512TFT9341.bin

If the port is not detected, add -p PORT before write_flash, replacing PORT with the device port, such as /dev/ttyACM0.

FILE MANAGER

1. Insert microSD

   Insert a FAT32-formatted microSD card for application data.

2. Open a directory

   Use j / k to select an entry. Press Enter to open it; Backspace returns to the parent directory.

3. Run an application

   Select an app directory under /home/tool or /home/game, then press uppercase R.

UPDATE PREINSTALLED FILES

Flashing new firmware does not update files already on the microSD card. After flashing, press t to open the terminal, run fullupdate, and answer y:

fullupdate
Update /etc, /share/backgrounds, /home/tool/*, /home/game/*? (y/n)

• In /etc and /share/backgrounds, files included in the firmware are overwritten; other files are kept.
• Each preinstalled app directory under /home/tool and /home/game is deleted and rewritten. Your own app directories are kept.

Back up your changes first: edits to etc/theme and files added inside preinstalled app directories are lost. The device reboots when the update finishes.