Ubuntu on other Tegra2 Devices - Acer Iconia A500

Hey All,
Just wanted to post this link as perhaps it might be helpful for people porting Linux to the A500. This isn't the same device, but still runs on the Tegra2 chip so maybe some of this information is pertinent.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/TEGRA/AC100

Hey,
there is some information about using natively ubuntu with a500 in android dev.
There is some project to build linux kernel (ex roggin).
You need to write a linux kernel to recovery part of iconia, with information to use a filesystem mount on external sd or usb.
rootstock is a linux app to build filesystem.
Actually i'm just missing information for creating recovery.img using zImage to prob with my tab.
With this you can start android with a500 (normal boot) and linux with recovery boot.

Related

Tabuntu: my screenshot

twitpic.com/8bmci1/full
How is it?
Edit:
www.twitpic.com/8bmci1/full
This is a useless reply just to say i'm not allowed to post links bcoz i am noob.... *noob at the moment
I will be verymuch thankfull if somebody can post the image back from my link http ://www .twitpic.com/8bmci1/full (bcoz it is not letting me to do so! )
twitpic.com/8bmci1/full
There you go. By the way, I like it!
i've built ubuntu 12.04 arm chroot image and it worked great! But i'm stuck with dbus scripts;
By the way. Is this a theme or an actual Ubuntu distro on your tab?
bfmetcalf thanks
bfmetcalf said:
By the way. Is this a theme or an actual Ubuntu distro on your tab?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is ubuntu12.04 arm LXDE customised to look in that way, i have built a chroot image(of 3.5GB making more space for packages) from core and added Lxde window manager to it.
That is awesome. I enjoyed Ubuntu when it was on 10.10 with gnome 2. Now I'm running arch with nothing but openbox. Love the minimalism of it all, ha. How did you get it installed on the tab if I can ask? I'm not a total noob, but still no expert on all of that.
bfmetcalf said:
That is awesome. I enjoyed Ubuntu when it was on 10.10 with gnome 2. Now I'm running arch with nothing but openbox. Love the minimalism of it all, ha. How did you get it installed on the tab if I can ask? I'm not a total noob, but still no expert on all of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use linux mint 12 on pc. I simply love it.
This is a non-risky process called "chrooting" or sometimes "chroot virtualisation" :
*android will be running as usual and by terminal emulator we need to start ubuntu shell(by mounting ubuntu's filesystem somewhere to android filesystem)
*but the actual problem is android lacks xserver workaround is vnc
*so, when we we get ubuntu shell, from that run vncserver and use vnc viewer app on android to connect loopback address127.0.0.1
*then we get gui
If somebody can show how to repartition /sdcard to make an ext4 partition then this will go even better.
That is awesome! I may have to try it at some point. For now though, my transformer works great and I just don't have the time.
i have rooted my device and installed busybox too.
'fdisk -l' doesnt list any thing,,,,
If it can list then i want to find out 13.2GB vfat partition i.e mounted at /sdcard, shrink to make space for another ext2 partition (ext2 bcoz mkfs.ext2 command is working from busybox, )
Then need to place ubuntu ARM files in that for better performance
I heard there is a noticeable amount of lag because of all the work arounds, is this true? I've wanted to install a linux distro on my tab for some time. What method did you use? Could I use it to install say Arch Linux with no UI and just SSH into it?
Yes you are right, there is a considerable amount of delay/lag due to these workarounds.
Zedomax has given scripts to do it in an easier way,(thanks to him) which i used for ubuntu12.04
Currently there are some experts porting xserver to android(its almost done) www.androix.org , so I hope for it.
Till that happens easy for noobs like me, we use workarounds in a betterway, we can minimise lag to the extent we will be surprise.
>Since our /sdcard is not any ext* filesystem, so we need to create an virtual harddisk containing ext filesystem(as we do in virtualbox)
# So created ext4 filesystem which is faster than ext2
>prefer building ubuntu/arch from core, and install packages that are essential, so no place for buggy things which are not required
>use lxde which is light weight DE, runs faster than gnome,kde
>I even able to access android's /sdcard from ubuntu by adding a line to scripts (mount -o bind /sdcard $mnt/sdcard) so no need to use ssh workaround
>as there is no xserver support in android(cureently),we use vncserver
#need faster ui, set smaller display size which minimises traffic b/w viewer and server, like i did 800x800 geometry and hold it in portrait, using the bottom portion of screen for keyboard(recommended "hackers keyboard") i used official RealVnc which i dont recommend bcoz it isnt free.
How can we do much more better.
>if we can create ext4 partition by shrinking down /sdcard partition then it will be amazingly fast, believe me I tried it on N900(nokia internet tablet) so I imagined what this sgt 10.1 with dualcore 1GHz and 1 GB ram can do compared to that!
Sent from my GT-P7500 using XDA App
Need a native install
Sent from my GT-P7500 using xda premium
dextroamphetamine said:
I've wanted to install a linux distro on my tab for some time. What method did you use? Could I use it to install say Arch Linux with no UI and just SSH into it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it is very easy one,
Lagging is only for using gui... practically there is no lag for running arch shell by android's terminal emulator,
Google it for "archlinux chroot on android" and follow the guide
Or if you wanna build one for yourself:
1)Get official ARM arch, may be from here http://archlinuxarm.org/platforms
2)understand and follow this excellent guide by making some changes
Http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1302630
Yes you can run SSH, if it is just for sharing files between android and archlinux, just mount your android's /sdcard also to archlinux
On first run:
mkdir $<your-mount-point>/sdcard
Later on:
mount -o bind /sdcard $<your-mount-point>/sdcard
Sent from my GT-P7500 using XDA App
yogeshmha said:
Need a native install
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Native one is a risky process, and we may lose some functionality such as 3G, Camera,Wifi and multi touch etc. But it will be awesome.
canonical announced official ubuntu port coming to smartphones and tablets, so I hope for it.
Sent from my GT-P7500 using XDA App
if thats the case...i would recommend a dual boot for honecomb and ubuntu

[UNOFFICIAL][TF300T] Ubuntu 11.10 v0.01 Alpha (Native)(Dual Boot)

###############-------------------------------------WARNING-------------------------------------------------------##############
I AM NOT RESPONSIBhttp://youtu.be/Zl767IukT5sLE FOR ANY REPERCUSIONS FROM FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS
LISTED BELOW. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED AS IS AND DOES NOT IMPLY FUNCTIONALITY
OR SAFETY FOR YOUR DEVICE. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.
##########################################################################################
I realize this should probably be posted in the Development forum, however I am relatively new to the TF300T and xda will not allow me to post it there.
REFERENCES
Kernel and initramfs are taken from [DEV] ArchLinux on the TF300T(G) which is credited to cb22, with a few modifications of my own to the initramfs to allow ubuntu to boot.
The root filesystem is based on an image I found created by lilstevie for the tf201. From everything I researched the tf201 is nearly identical to the tf300t so it boots extremely well. If the original disk image is flashed to a microSD and the original kernel from the ArchLinux post is used the system is more stable. However my method below was adapted to work with the internal storage, and still works nearly as well.
WORKING
Power Management - Shutdown, Reboot, Battery Status
USB Host Controller
SD and microSD slots
NetworkManager
Ethernet works with a USB Ethernet adapter. I'm using an RTL8150.
Dock Keyboard
Updates Work -- I just don't recommend doing an Upgrade at this time since I haven't tried it. All my experience with getting 12.10 running
shows some problems with Unity which I cannot resolve yet.
You tell me....
NOT WORKING
WiFi -- should be working soon, just need to talk to cb22 since it works in ArchLinux
3G -- same as WiFi for TF300TG models
TouchPad -- data is visible just need driver from cb22's ArchLinux
Touchscreen -- same as TouchPad
Sound -- gets picked up by Ubuntu however no sound can be heard, likely just a setting somewhere
You tell me....
REQUIREMENTS
Asus TF300T
Requires the JB bootloader so you must be updated to atleast 10.4.2.13 Stock Firmware ONLY
--I will try and release a compatible boot blob for Cyanogen builds.
Keyboard Dock
USB Mouse
INTRO
[UNOFFICIAL][TF300T] Ubuntu 11.10 v0.01 Alpha for Asus Transformer Pad TF300T (G untested)
The system installs on the internal storage on the data partition. Installation is the same as for cb22's ArchLinux port.
Part 1 - Kernel Blob
Reboot your device into fastboot mode.
From your computer run:
fastboot flash staging hybridubuntu.blob
fastboot reboot
Your system should now reboot back to Android OS.
Part 2 - Root Filesystem
First copy the rootfs (ubuntu.tar.gz) to your device's internal SD.
Either through adb or the android terminal run the following:
su
cd /media
mkdir linux
chmod 755 linux
cd linux
tar -xzvf /data/media/linux.tar.gz
Lastly, to control which OS is booted the boot blob checks for the file .boot_linux in /storage/sdcard0 or /data/media/
To create the file just run the following commands in adb or terminal:
su
touch /data/media/.boot_linux
chmod 755 /data/media/.boot_linux
Reboot and your system will boot into the Ubuntu 11.10 Configuration followed by the desktop.
To get back into Android just remove the file from within Ubuntu and restart.
*Note the Data partition isn't getting mounted in this release so when you open the terminal run the following:
sudo mount /dev/mmcblk0p8 /mnt
sudo rm /mnt/media/.boot_linux
If anyone has any questions or problems please feel free to let me know.
DOWNLOADS
Kernel Blob - http://depositfiles.com/files/j1mlor3v1
RootFS Tar Ball - http://depositfiles.com/files/rjhu1pwuo
Root Disk Image - http://lilstevie.geek.nz/downloads/ubuntu.img.gz_11.10-0.1a_TF201_52f6273e6ad672358d2ebb181b24c200
This is going to bring a lot of excitement! Hope the development goes smoothly and you're able to work out the kinks.
Hi gjx86,
Im working with your kernel blob and root disk image: wired network works (module dm9601.ko), I can login to ubuntu via ssh.
One important issue with dock keyboard - it hangs after 5-10 min. I can kill gnome session using ssh and keyboard start again, but after few min it hangs again.
Btw, hdmi not working.
How You can use microSD as root file system:
" If the original disk image is flashed to a microSD and the original kernel from the ArchLinux post is used the system is more stable."
Why 11.10 and not 12.04? :'(
Ubuntu 12.04 Kernel and Rootfs
Hey,
I just realized that the Ubuntu porting going on for the TF700 runs on the TF300T!!
Check out this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1988174
There is an image for Unity2D their however so far I've found the Lubuntu to be the most stable.
I am in the process of replacing the firmware with that from the TF300T, specifically the WiFi firmware and driver needs to be rebuilt. I will post an updated TF300T kernel asap and a modded root that will allow WiFi to work.
Have fun and any feedback on issues specific to the TF300T would be great, thanks.
gjx86 said:
Hey,
I just realized that the Ubuntu porting going on for the TF700 runs on the TF300T!!
Check out this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1988174
There is an image for Unity2D their however so far I've found the Lubuntu to be the most stable.
I am in the process of replacing the firmware with that from the TF300T, specifically the WiFi firmware and driver needs to be rebuilt. I will post an updated TF300T kernel asap and a modded root that will allow WiFi to work.
Have fun and any feedback on issues specific to the TF300T would be great, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I'm up to... trying to make firmware and modules from cb22's arch to work with Lubuntu (I tried Ubuntu first but couldn't get past the log on screen, something about ICEAuthority if I remember correctly.
Let me know if there's anything you need help with... I'm kinda taking my first steps with linux but I know how to google! :laugh:
Touchpad and 3G works
gjx86 said:
There is an image for Unity2D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all thank you for your efforts.
The second good thing for me - tried this TF700 Unity2D image - it works. Touchpad and 3G works also for me
I did notning special - just flashed your kernel and tried several rootfs.
btw. I have extracted rootfs for Nexus 7 Ubuntu 12.10. May it be useful to post it here?
At least it boots But with rotaded screen and without Unity
This looks awesome! I'll try as soon as I can! Only thing, can you upload it to another mirror? It's quite annoying to only be able to download 1 file every 20 min from DepositFiles... Also DepostiFiles is extreamly slow. 1 hour to download...
great work guys!
I want to be able to boot Backtrack.
Just decided that I wanted to dual boot Linux, so very interested in this. Just one question: I'm assuming that as I would need to flash a blob using fastboot that I would need to be unlocked. Is this the case as it is not specified?
Thanks,
Stephen.
Another question: as it's based on cb's kernel which is based on unter's kernel I think this won't work with AOSP based ROMs I think because they have another kernel?
@pukeboy: As you need to be unlocked to flash recovery's via fastboot I think you need to be unlocked to flash kernels too
So, I have rooted my stock JB running the latest firmware. Would it be possible to flash this Ubuntu when it's already been rooted? If so, is there a chance I can destroy the bootup that I can't recover from with my ClockworkMod Recovery?
I'd really love for this to work!
It'd be a fun desktop experience
Keep up the awesome work, and no offence to the guy doing ArchLinux (which is awesome!), but ArchLinux is just too hard for me to use. I'm not much of a Linux Power User, so Ubuntu is numba 1!
Keep up the good work GJX, big up to both you and CB22 working on Arch!
By the way, isn't the mounting of the stock filesystem just a quick fix in /etc/fstab?
What about progress?
What about porting rabit's Ubuntu from TF700 thread? They have Ubuntu working now only with small bugs.
need some help
In the last two days i tried to port rabits (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2026919) native ubuntu solution to the TF300T. I followed the Instructions on this github page: https://github.com/rabits/tf700
I compiled the ASUS TF300T stock kernel code with rabbits .config file. Packed the compiled kernel together with rabits ramdisk and flashed everything to the boot partition. But i wasn't able to boot into the multiboot menu. The tablet just booted into android. Has somebody an Idea why this isn't working? Maybe in the kernel config? Do I need to change something in the ramdisk?
Thanks for your help
any news ?
Qub! said:
In the last two days i tried to port rabits (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2026919) native ubuntu solution to the TF300T. I followed the Instructions on this github page: https://github.com/rabits/tf700
I compiled the ASUS TF300T stock kernel code with rabbits .config file. Packed the compiled kernel together with rabits ramdisk and flashed everything to the boot partition. But i wasn't able to boot into the multiboot menu. The tablet just booted into android. Has somebody an Idea why this isn't working? Maybe in the kernel config? Do I need to change something in the ramdisk?
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK
I heave today don nasty staff
i used Kernel Blob from first post
and rabits / tf700 ubuntu 12.10 rootfs-ubuntu-12.10-0.8.0.tar.lzma (687 Mb) from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=34655444&postcount=1
extracted rootfs-ubuntu-12.10-0.8.0.tar.lzma to /data/linux
flashet hybridlinux.blob from Kernel Blob
created file .boot_linux in /storage/sdcard0
rebooted tf300t
and walla ubuntu on
i heave no time to play with tf300t but i tray and started ubuntu 12.10 in 20 min.
i heave 2 hurs more to tray more
P.S. no credits to me. I joust play Lego on tf300t
P.S.S don't bee sad on me if something not leagal ( copyright ) or so
Sorry for me bad English
Edited
Simple multi boot ?
create file .boot_linux in /storage/sdcard1 (external sdcard)
remowe external sdcard - boot to android
insert sdcard - boot to ubuntu
Keshukas said:
OK
I heave today don nasty staff
i used Kernel Blob from first post
and rabits / tf700 ubuntu 12.10 rootfs-ubuntu-12.10-0.8.0.tar.lzma (687 Mb) from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=34655444&postcount=1
extracted rootfs-ubuntu-12.10-0.8.0.tar.lzma to /data/linux
flashet hybridlinux.blob from Kernel Blob
created file .boot_linux in /storage/sdcard0
rebooted tf300t
and walla ubuntu on
i heave no time to play with tf300t but i tray and started ubuntu 12.10 in 20 min.
i heave 2 hurs more to tray more
P.S. no credits to me. I joust play Lego on tf300t
P.S.S don't bee sad on me if something not leagal ( copyright ) or so
Sorry for me bad English
Edited
Simple multi boot ?
create file .boot_linux in /storage/sdcard1 (external sdcard)
remowe external sdcard - boot to android
insert sdcard - boot to ubuntu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which ROM did you use with this? I tried with CleanROM with no success.
I use stock 10.4.4.20 rooted and unloked .
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda app-developers app

[Q] Using nvflash directly (Ubuntu) to modify partition sizes

Does anyone know the proper command line (and source files) to use nvflash to overwrite the existing partition layout with one suitable for VegaComb, VegaCream etc.
More recent builds like this seem to demand a repartitioning of a stock Advent Vega before installing and they use nvflash to achieve this, but I don't know how I get the source images and the right calls to reflash the partition layout.
For recent Roms targeting the Vega, a Moddedstock modification to the partition layout of the internal nand was put together as an executable for Windows. I believe this makes a call to the 'nvflash' tool. However, I need to do this reflashing on Ubuntu, not having any Windows computers.
The nvflash package appears to be available for Ubuntu. I found a copy of this NVidia tool packaged for Ubuntu at ac100.grandou.net, assuming I've got the right thing. So now I'm just puzzling what image needs to be written and how to do it. Grateful for any help.
Successful sequence found for Ubuntu
Just wanted to record that I did in fact manage to use the Ubuntu nvflash utility which I downloaded as a .deb, and worked out how to arrive at the proper command line following the reply to a thread in Tabletroms and now I'm back with a working Jellybean OS - (Vegabean beta6) on the Vega which has completely solved all bugs and added more functionality than I could have hoped for.
Just google...
tabletroms "flashing nvFlash ROM from linux"
...to find the thread.
The approach seems to work pretty well universally, having already run a series of .exe NVFlash installers for different roms through Wine, and just copying the arguments in their (failed) attempts to my own command line in the terminal, but running the linux version of nvflash. So far Moddedstock_2, HoneyICE and Vegabean version 6 have all installed fine via nvflash from Ubuntu 12.04, once I got the Vega into NVFlash mode (a complicated button sequence well documented elsewhere).

[Q] Nook color kernel building

Hi guys,
Can we use the android NDK tool from this link here to compile an overclocking kernel on Cyanogenmod 10.2.2 for the nook color? Or do we need to modify the existing overclocking kernel at this source here? It looks like android NDK comes with the toolchains needed for compiling a kernel on the nook color? Or do the makefiles need to be changed from the earlier <dalingrin> kernel to work properly on this device? https://github.com/meteorrock/android_kernel_bn_encore
I am on a x64 linux machine and have all of the dependences met to try to compile a kernel for us. I am using this link here for the dependencies.http://ohheyitslou.blogspot.com/2011/09/ohheyitslou-custom-android-kernel-guide.html
Code:
sudo apt-get install -y build-essential kernel-package libncurses5-dev bzip2
I am aware of the Android SDK package with its pre-installed toolchains but the nook color is a stubborn tablet device. Most kernel building guides online are for smartphones.
Any help in this area or input would be appreciated. I have noted this question was asked before in 2011, and went unanswered on this issue as noted above asking this question with the options of XDA 2013 beta.
Thanks.
meteorrock:
Good luck on kernel development. I just set up an android build environment which includes kernel building. If you want a smaller system look at this thread. While the information is specific to the touchpad, almost everything applies to any device, including the NC.
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/21362-guide-build-cm9-kernel-wo-building-rom/
Everything is the same up to the uImage stuff. The touchpad needs a ramdisk combined with the kernel image. It's actually simpler for the NC. All you have to do is adb push the uImage you build to /uImage . Reboot and hope it boots.
An even better guide, in my opinion, is this old one from fattire. It is specifically for the Nook, and will teach you to build Cyanoboot as well. If you are building the 3.0+ kernel, you don't use the omap_evta conifg, anymore, use the encore config in arch/arm/config
There is a separate config for CM-10.1...better to use that if building the component for that rom.
All that is needed is to swap the config in the example for the one you use, and makes sure that the command is pointing to your exact ndk. The example is from NDK 5b, which is way way old by now. There is some talk about Code Aurora tools chains, but you do not need them, it compiles with the NDK just fine.

Natice Linux Installation No Android

As anyone who has tinkered around with android and linux will know there are tons of different security mechanism in place or even general lacks of features that dissallow the ability to start linux on boot instead of android. One of the features that will make booting our own OS easier is the use of RAM-Disk.
First we must consider the way that Android boots when we turn on our devices currently, The system powers on and depending on button combination or system state the bootloader decides where to start booting. In the case of my Samsung SM-T520 this means that I have 2 partitions that I can access in order to interrupt the Android boot sequence and boot instead into an OS of my choosing. Those two partitions are Labelled as Boot and Recovery and reside at /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 and /dev/block/mmcblk0p10, but it is not as simple as simply mounting the partition and modifying the contents, we have to Modify the stock Kernel as well a little bit to be able to achieve better performance in the Linux side of things.
In the case of the SM-T520 I have compiled a preconfigured Kernel for this and will upload it below, But for those of you who do Not have the SM-T520 I will upload a sample Kernel config that you can base your own off of.
That settles the Kernel side of things but there is still 1 other part missing, If we just modify the Kernel then we are really not making any difference so we must edit...
The Initial RAMDISK
The Initramfs as many know it is glued to the back end of our kernel zImage that we get from compiling our own kernel, and includes a few small files to set up the initial environment for Android, or our Guest OS to finish booting from. This means that we have a pretty good base to start out with booting Linux. We simply have to grab this base and modify to our will.
So to start I took an image of /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 using dd from recovery like so ‘dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p9 of=sdcard/mmcblk0p9.img’ and copied the file onto my linux development machine. I then used umkbootimg passing the file to it as input in order to deconstruct that file into the zImage and the Ramdisk. i then copied the Ramdisk which will be in a file called initramfs.cpio.gz into a new folder on my computer and ran unpack_ramdisk on it to get to the nitty gritty inside which is what we need. and i promptly threw out the old initramfs.cpio.gz and kept only the ramdisk folder. This allowed me to modify the “scripts” inside of it so that it would boot Linux by mounting the linux install location as / then telling if to boot using the init function that linux already has. while I was testing i decided to leave the android install mounted essentially, what that means is that the android install hides away in the filesystem inside the linux install if we ever want to boot Android into a chroot Jail of its own.
That is possible because Android’s file system and the linux filesystem being used are the same structure, but at different locations /system being empty for the Android system to occupy. This is all fine, but where do we put linux? The short answer, Wherever the heck ya want to!
My answer was to put the linux install onto my MicroSD card at /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 so that i could write an addition to the logic inside the Ramdisk to start linux or android based on whether the SD card was inserted at boot.
More yet to follow
Interesting read. It will be great to see where this leads.
Very interesting. If this develops in would love to test.
Hei @DJHenjin1 , any update on this? I would love to see ubuntu running native on my SM-T520, especially now that it is sure we are not going to get any firmware update. Anyway, nice job! Thanks

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