Building a NanoPi M4V2 based All-in-One Linux PC running Armbian (Ubuntu/Debian)

At the end of my review of “RPI All-in-One” PC with Raspberry Pi 4, I noted the system also appeared to be compatible with NanoPi M4V2 single board computer. I’ve now tried it out, and assembling the board inside the 10.1-inch display is even easier than I initially thought. That means I now have a NanoPi M4V2 All-in-One PC running Ubuntu Hirsute or Debian Buster with XFCE desktop environment from Armbian, and most features work including the display and wireless connectivity, but I still have an issue with the touchscreen function.

Armbian All-in-One PC

Here are the steps I followed initially:

  1. Download Armbian Buster XFCE image from Armbian and flash it to a microSD card with tools like USBimager.
  2. Insert the microSD card in the board
  3. Install the USB Type-C and HDMI-A adapters in the display.
  4. Insert the USB Type-C and HDMI port of the NanoPi M4V2 SBC into the adapters
  5. Install the RPI3 side plate from the display kit with openings for USB ports, Ethernet, and as well see below the antennas…
  6. Secure the board in the display with four screws (or three since I lost one)
  7. Install the USB cable (green, white, black) for the touchscreen display.
  8. Attach the two SMA connectors to the two remaining holes of RPI3 side plateNanoPi M4V2 SBC installation All-in-One PC
  9. Close the bottom cover of the display and secure it for the provided screws
  10. Install the two 2.4/5.8 GHz antennasRPI All-in-One WiFi Antennas
  11. Connect the power supply and profit!?

Not so fast! Did you really think it would be that easy? When Armbian boots it will ask the user to input a new root password in the terminal. So I connected my wireless keyboard USB dongle, and… I wasn’t able to type. I borrowed a USB keyboard, but I could not type… hmm what’s going on? I then decided to disconnect the USB touchscreen cable and it worked! I was able to complete the setup, configure WiFi and browse the web using a wireless mouse and keyboard.

NanoPi M4V2 All-in-One PC WiFi

It’s really odd the touchscreen does not work and causes other USB devices not to work. So let’s see what happens when we connect the USB cable:


It’s perfectly recognized, but then there’s an error, and eventually, the xHCI host is halted and all USB peripherals disconnected.  The Debian Buster image runs Linux 4.4, so maybe it’s a driver issue? I tried Armbian Bullseye (client/headless) image with Linux 5.10, but a similar issue occurred.

xHCI controller dead

Scrolling down in Armbian, there are unstable images with Linux 5.13, I flashed Ubuntu Hirsute with XFCE, and nothing changed:


Again, I can use the Ubuntu image and browse the web without issues. it’s just that nagging USB touchscreen issue.

Armbian Ubuntu All-in-One PC

Loading the hid-multitouch module with modprobe did not help. I’ve read somewhere that TSTP Mtouch drivers have been part of the Linux kernel for several years, so it may be a hardware issue instead…

USB touchscreen, GND USB DP, USB DM

The USB cable only carries GND and data signal, so the 5V signal comes from another location in the display, and I suspect there may be an issue with the 5V signal or grounding that makes the USB host turn it off completely. I haven’t found a solution yet.

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