userdoc:board_bmax_b1_plus [AstLinux Documentation]

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====== Bmax B1 Plus/Pro Celeron N3350/N4000 Fanless Mini PC ======

!!Note: AstLinux 1.5.0 or later is recommended!!

**Board Specifications:**

The Bmax B1 Plus/Pro Mini PC currently (November 2023) can be purchased new for ~$100 USD.  The value proposition is key, running AstLinux quite nicely, albeit with a single ethernet interface. Alternatively, similarly priced Mini PCs with SATA storage or reused thin clients may have a similar setup and configuration.

**AstLinux Board Type:**

  * "genx86_64" (Video Console: VGA)

**Complete System Recommended Options:**

  * Storage: M.2 type 2280 SATA SSD (Silicon Power 128GB A55 or similar)

**Total System Power (no VGA/HDMI connection):**  3 Watts when idle.

**Performance (B1 Plus):**  16.9 secs. (Single-core test, lower is better)\\
**Performance (B1 Pro):**  12.7 secs. (Single-core test, lower is better)

  time ( echo "scale=3456; 4*a(1)" | bc -l )

BTW: The BMAX works fine with this type of PoE-splitter (12V/2A) incl. Wake-on-LAN on a PoE-switch:

https://www.amazon.com/Splitter-Compliant-Surveillance-5-5x2-1mm-PS5712TG/dp/B08HS4NT13/?th=1

**Configuration:**

''/mnt/kd/rc.conf.d/user.conf''

  SENSEMODS="coretemp"
  
  ## Optional USB TTY serial login
  #USBTTY="yes"
  #USBTTY_BAUD_RATE="115200"

!!More Info ->!!
**[[userdoc:usbtty_serial_login|USB TTY Serial Login]]**

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''/mnt/kd/sensors.conf''

  # libsensors configuration file
  # -----------------------------
  # Bmax B1 Plus/Pro
  
  # coretemp CPU sensor

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**BIOS Setup for Auto Power On:**

On startup (quickly) press the <ESC> or <DEL> key (many times) to enter the BIOS Setup, go to the "Chipset" tab.  Make the following changes...

  * ''HD-Audio Support -> Disable''
  * ''SCC eMMC Support -> Disable''
  * ''WIFI Support -> Disable''   (no setting on B1 Pro)
  * ''Bluetooth Support -> Disable''   (no setting on B1 Pro)
  * ''Auto Power On Configuration -> Power On''

!!Important ->!! Disabling eMMC support will prevent booting to Windows.

The results should look like the following screen...

{{:userdoc:bmax_b1_plus-bios-chipset-tab.png?nolink|BIOS Chipset Tab}}

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**BIOS Setup for OS Selection:**

Without this next change, the Power Button will not ''poweroff'' when pressed.  Assuming you want this //feature//...

While in the BIOS Setup as above, go to the "Chipset" -> "South Bridge" menu...

  * ''OS Selection -> Intel Linux''

{{:userdoc:bmax_b1_plus-bios-os-selection.png?nolink|BIOS OS Selection}}

Save the above BIOS changes, reboot.

Optional, with ''Intel Linux'' enabled, choose whether UEFI or Legacy boot is enabled (example: UEFI only), go to the "Advanced" -> "CSM Configuration" menu...

  * ''Boot option filter -> UEFI only''

The results would look like the following screen...

{{:userdoc:bmax_b1_plus-bios-uefi-legacy-boot.png?nolink|BIOS UEFI/Legacy Boot}}

Save the above BIOS changes, reboot.

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**Disable CPU C-states:** (Optional)

!!Requires AstLinux 1.5.0 or later!!

Using the CLI, enter the command:

  set-kcmd-cstate help

Read over the ''help'' information, if you want to disable C-states, then...

  set-kcmd-cstate disable

!!Tip ->!! An added benefit to disabling C-states, it eliminates the high-pitched squeal at idle.

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**Photos:**

{{:userdoc:bmax_b1_plus-front-sides.png?nolink|Front and Sides}}

{{:userdoc:bmax_b1_plus-SATA-SSD.png?nolink|SATA SSD}}

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