DerDave

Hi @Pita Bread, thanks for your input!
I've been struggling with this for two straigt days now.
I was *finally* able to downgrade my Vontar x3 (identical with the X96 Max) - it wasn't possible through TWRP or USB burner, but it did eventually work with the Burn Card Maker.

Anyway, so now I have the identical software version on it as you (AML_user_H96MaxX3_9_20220516.1821.img) and I created an SD card with a new armbian build with BalenaEtcher.
I selected the same dtb file as you and took care of the u-boot.ext.

But still, I just can't make the thing boot into Armbian and it's so frustrating.

As long as I keep the reset button pressed, the screen will just stay black - Armbian never shows up. When I release the button, after a while the H96max splash screen shows up, then it turns black and then the screen signal is lost. There is no boot loop or anything. It just get's stuck.

The same thing happens, no matter if I push the reset button or not, as long as the SD card is inserted.
What am I doing wrong? 
The only difference I see to you is that I'm using a more recent Armbian version (can't download the one you used, because the internet archive doesn't actually transfer any data).

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!


EDIT:
I just randomly tried inserting the SD Card in an USB adapter and plugged that into the USB2 port of the device. And it worked! Totally random, but it seems like that did the trick. Didn't see this documented anywhere so maybe the information is helpful to anyone!

Hi @Pita Bread, thanks for your input!
I've been struggling with this for two straigt days now.
I was *finally* able to downgrade my Vontar x3 (identical with the X96 Max) - it wasn't possible through TWRP or USB burner, but it did eventually work with the Burn Card Maker.

Anyway, so now I have the identical software version on it as you (AML_user_H96MaxX3_9_20220516.1821.img) and I created an SD card with a new armbian build with BalenaEtcher.
I selected the same dtb file as you and took care of the u-boot.ext.

But still, I just can't make the thing boot into Armbian and it's so frustrating.

As long as I keep the reset button pressed, the screen will just stay black - Armbian never shows up. When I release the button, after a while the H96max splash screen shows up, then it turns black and then the screen signal is lost. There is no boot loop or anything. It just get's stuck.

The same thing happens, no matter if I push the reset button or not, as long as the SD card is inserted.
What am I doing wrong? 
The only difference I see to you is that I'm using a more recent Armbian version (can't download the one you used, because the internet archive doesn't actually transfer any data).

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!


EDIT:
I just randomly tried inserting the SD Card in an USB adapter and plugged that into the USB2 port of the device. And it worked! Totally random, but it seems like that did the trick. Didn't see this documented anywhere so maybe the information is helpful to anyone!

Keep in mind that after package upgrade you also should install new uboot release via armbian-config.