Librem 5 needs to be reloaded. OS corrupt

SteveBNH · April 9, 2024, 9:02pm

Librim 5 FOOBAR’d. No WIFI when switch on. How do I reload Purism? Are there directions ?

FranklyFlawless · April 9, 2024, 9:04pm

If you are looking to reflash the Librem 5, here are directions for Byzantium:

Librem 5 out of memory on Boot partition

PureOS is a Debian derivative. The instructions below assume you are running Debian or any of its derivatives, such as PureOS, using the x86-64 architecture, and that your Librem 5 is from the Evergreen batch:
sudo apt install git uuu
git clone https://source.puri.sm/Librem5/librem5-flash-image.git
cd librem5-flash-image
sudo apt build-dep .
sudo ./scripts/librem5-flash-image --udev
./scripts/librem5-flash-image --stable
After the Byzantium image has been downloaded, you will see the following instructions:
Enter the flashing mode by holding volume-up button while turning the phone on.

            If it's not detected, follow these steps:
            - Ensure that the phone is powered off
            - Turn all Hardware-Kill-Switches off
            - Unplug the USB cable if connected
            - Remove battery
            - Hold volume-up button
            - Insert the USB-C cable (red light blinks, no green light)
            - Reinsert the battery (red and green lights constantly on, the script will continue)
            - Release volume-up button
After following those instructions, the Byzantium image will be flashed onto the phone, so during these 10 or so minutes, take a break and grab a ${DRINK_OF_CHOICE} until the procedure is complete.

SteveBNH · April 9, 2024, 9:14pm

WOW! Thank you for the quick reply with instructions. My Linux machine is a Thinkpad X301 with USB ports can I use a USB A to C cable rather then the C to C that is used to charge with?

FranklyFlawless · April 9, 2024, 9:15pm

Yes you can.

SteveBNH · April 9, 2024, 9:24pm

Thank you again. I asked this because I just flashed a chromebook wit a SuzyQable cable and it had to fit just right. X301 USB ports are 2.0 . I might temporarily put PureOS on a HP Zbook for the USB C speed.

FranklyFlawless · April 9, 2024, 9:26pm

Sure, the instructions I provided are for a PureOS image on a USB drive, but you can also install an operating system if you prefer. I am confident Ventoy will also work in a similar manner.

SteveBNH · April 9, 2024, 9:38pm

I would rather use a USB flash drive. I have a few with C connectors. Will the flash image script call for a flash drive?

FranklyFlawless · April 9, 2024, 9:39pm

No, it is not a requirement.

SteveBNH · April 9, 2024, 9:41pm

Think I am all set. Will try this tomorrow after two bowls of Wheaties.

SteveBNH · April 10, 2024, 5:32pm

The flashing went smooth… but now when I power on the phone it asks for a - disk decription passphrase - and when I enter the one BEFORE flashing, it errors out! I tried 123456 and also error. I thought the flashing would set everything back ??

FranklyFlawless · April 10, 2024, 5:58pm

Your Librem 5 should be fully functional. The default passphrase is 123456 as you stated. Try doing some basic troubleshooting such as ensuring the hardware kill switches are deactivated and turning off and on your phone.

SteveBNH · April 10, 2024, 6:07pm

I pulled the battery and held down the power switch and… IT WORKS!
Doing the software updates now.
The flash procedure worked perfect on a MX Linux notebook.
Thank You.

FranklyFlawless · April 10, 2024, 6:07pm

Great, mark my first post in this thread as a solution.