Ubuntu for OMAP 44XX - Galaxy Tab 2 General

Not sure if this should go in the development section or here due to this being purely speculation...
I know this is light-years beyond happening anytime soon, but I'm inclined to think that this could possibly make a native Ubuntu installation possible. The Galaxy Tab 2 does indeed use the OMAP 4430, which is documented here,
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/OMAP/
Is there anything on our tablets that might prevent this type of thing from happening, like a locked boot section or hardware limitations? It also mentions drivers for SGX hardware, possibly referring to the PowerVR SGX540?
This seems to good to be true. Could this be to complex for an enthusiast with little coding experience to accomplish? I'm really intrigued by this and would like to give it a try; where would I begin?

Wow. That would be amazing to have it running natively.
I'd run it. At least for a week or two.

How much difference is there between the Sasmung GT-P31XX and these Beagle boards?
http://beagleboard.org/
How much do we know about the P31XX's boot process?
UPDATE: Sucks that's theres no Fastboot; there goes that option,
but the website w/ all the documentation appears to have prebuilt images made. Possible to work from that?

Related

[Q] so...

Now that we have kernel source... anyone see Ubuntu in our future?
I have unbuntu on my pc and in process of partitioning he for mac os x install 3 OS why not
Well, ubuntu netbook edition 10-10 would be the perfect candidate, but it seems someone already beat us to the punch:
http://techietonic.com/an-ubuntu-netbook-os-tablet-pc-edition-2011-the-tenq-p07-specs-features/#respond
If we could find a somewhere to download that version of ubuntu netbook, all the basic tablet specific work has already been done, might just need a couple tweeks. I have personally had no luck to even find the company's website though.
TheZedo said:
Well, ubuntu netbook edition 10-10 would be the perfect candidate, but it seems someone already beat us to the punch:
http://techietonic.com/an-ubuntu-netbook-os-tablet-pc-edition-2011-the-tenq-p07-specs-features/#respond
If we could find a somewhere to download that version of ubuntu netbook, all the basic tablet specific work has already been done, might just need a couple tweeks. I have personally had no luck to even find the company's website though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does not apply, there are no hardware similarities between an android tablet and that one other than form factor.
That machine uses an Intel Atom processor, ubuntu install image on a usb drive and you're pretty much done on that one. Not so much for us.
I see now why the lack of Linux support for Tegra tablets...
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/linux-support-becoming-unsupported
(follow the link in his post for some udated info)
Its sad, but between the Honeycomb delays, and Linux being put on the back burner, we have very limited choices at the moment. Ultimately I would like to have Linux on my A7 too, as long as its not uncomfortably slow with only 512MB DDR2 RAM. It looks like Meego might be the distribution to watch for any kind of prebuilt distributable images, at least they have some big players still on board for backing, and they support a variety of platforms.
If you have access to the Nvidia Tegra 250 Developer kit, you could try building a custom Gentoo distro. I really like Gentoo for its configurability options, but honestly, I'm afraid of bricking my A7 with one little mistake.
Android still uses a Linux kernel though, so with kernel source and ability to compile for the tegra chip progress will not grind to a halt. Things just unfortunately won't move along as quickly as most of us would like.
I think a modified version of Ubuntu NBR would run fairly quick on an a7 though.
After some more digging around on the Nvidia Developers forum, I tracked down a few "work-arounds" to install linux...however, please note that most of these posts are very dated.
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/workaround-run-ubuntu-now
http://developer.nvidia.com/tegra/forum/fedora-12gnome-running-tegra
http://www.elinux.org/Installation_Detail
I would dare to call this post, "Instructions for the Brave".
After reading those it does sound like we could have a unbuntu os

[Q] Ugh no NVFlash, is there?

Has anyone been successful in booting into APX/NVFlash mode on this? I have one ordered and already have a little buyers remorse.. blobs and all that junk, its rather pathetic. No OC kernel either, eh? Coming from a 1.7ghz gtab, this might be unusable! Well, we'll see. Are there any custom branches of the asus source? Maybe we can get a few things working like gpu/cpu oc to t25 standards.
Currently nvflash is locked. Overclocked kernals are coming i've heard. Alot of the problems with really custom stuff is the lack of source code.
Woops lost my intended post.. was something to the tune of how nvflash has saved many gtabs from being bricked.. seriously, its a great tool. I'm sure its a Google thing, maybe one of their Honeycomb decrees. Probably thinking of how nvflash and Windows 8 would come into play..
Google is really getting on my nerves... they're starting to get the "we know better than you, so here" attitude that Apple has. Catch the diss on Microsoft, regarding their 'torture' of users by letting them manage things? Ugh. Google can't play the bash ms card, its ****ing old. Can't believe I bought another tegra tab.. who wants?
Blades said:
Woops lost my intended post.. was something to the tune of how nvflash has saved many gtabs from being bricked.. seriously, its a great tool. I'm sure its a Google thing, maybe one of their Honeycomb decrees. Probably thinking of how nvflash and Windows 8 would come into play..
Google is really getting on my nerves... they're starting to get the "we know better than you, so here" attitude that Apple has. Catch the diss on Microsoft, regarding their 'torture' of users by letting them manage things? Ugh. Google can't play the bash ms card, its ****ing old. Can't believe I bought another tegra tab.. who wants?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think its the company that makes the device that is blocking nvflash not google.
Blades said:
Woops lost my intended post.. was something to the tune of how nvflash has saved many gtabs from being bricked.. seriously, its a great tool. I'm sure its a Google thing, maybe one of their Honeycomb decrees. Probably thinking of how nvflash and Windows 8 would come into play..
Google is really getting on my nerves... they're starting to get the "we know better than you, so here" attitude that Apple has. Catch the diss on Microsoft, regarding their 'torture' of users by letting them manage things? Ugh. Google can't play the bash ms card, its ****ing old. Can't believe I bought another tegra tab.. who wants?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your rant finished? Maybe you should have read up a little before purchasing this wonderful tablet. So you dont want a tegra tab huh? Whats left to choose from? Ipad? GL
husker91 said:
Is your rant finished? Maybe you should have read up a little before purchasing this wonderful tablet. So you dont want a tegra tab huh? Whats left to choose from? Ipad? GL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I said I can't believe I bought another Tehran tab. Key word is another. Nvidia is starting to pull their antics with gb video decoding drivers for the harmony board. By antics, I mean what they've (and ATI) been doing with their linux video drivers - not supporting older hardware and not releasing source so consumers can create their own drivers for 'older' hardware - ie harmony based devices.
I might only have a use for an ipad as a dog toy/frisbee - I have a pitbull and a Dogo Argentino, itd be funny.
I was done with my rant.. but I suppose you prolonged it.
BTW: I did read up. I found no info on the issue of NVFlash. Have a Xoom, Gtab, and now one of these wonderful tablets. So far, the gtab is the most fun. Can the Asus get 4700 in quadrant? Do you see it ever being that fast? You're right about lack of alternatives, I suppose there is the Hardkernel odroids for someone like me, new device has a modular cpu board.
I'll be sure to at least try to get nvflash working. Does anyone have a bootloader they could post up? Usually viewing in a hex editor can give you a clue as to what the boot scenarios could be.
There's a thread over in development where several people tried to get nvflash going. Their opinions in the end were nvflash is locked and you need some sort of signed key to use it. Any nvflash commands tried, failed.
It may be possible that in the future asus may provide the key, but from their response to the people who bricked via the ota update (just having them rma the device), it doesn't seem like it.
You probably need a dev bootloader. This is based on the Ventana board, right? Another reason could be that the nvflash tool doesn't support ext* fs, but I doubt that. If Asus releases a tegra2 linux netbook, based on the same Ventana board, things could get better. Thanks for the heads up. I'll check out the development section
I know quadrant is pretty cool benchmarking tool but you might want to give this a try too. Grab a friend, load the same movie up on the Gtab and the Transformer, place both the devices three feet in front of you flat on a table and ask your friend which one is better.
I had to return my GTab when my girlfriend commented that having a tablet that can't actually be seen unless held at the right angle directly in front of you is rather useless.
The Transformer is a brand new tablet with an active, if somewhat still empty handed, community behind it. Out of the box though, using the default software, it's an entirely useable system that does exactly what I want it too (in my case quickly display photos, web browsing, youtubing and web surfing). I suspect three months from now it'll have some solid development work behind it since all of the alternatives have managed to overlook the importance of price point as well as innovation in their scheduled releases.
i just downloaded nvflash and just got my root was easy as pie rooted in literally in five minutes would have been 2 minutes but my computer is a bit slow let me know if you would like some links i got it to work

iOS on Transformer?

*Waits for the bombardment of hate*
I don't want it on my TF01 as I love Honeycomb and personally Android is far superior, but I was just wondering if it would actually be possible due to the TF01 running what is essentially the same chipset as the iPad 2.
OSX got ported to PC's with an Intel chip, so what would be stopping iOS getting put on the TF01?
Again, Im not asking when its going to be done, im just wondering as proof of concept since it just hit me they have the same chipset. So yeah, in theory, could it be done?
Here we go.........
I like iOS as well but if you wanted iOS....then you REALLY should have gotten a iPad instead.
With respect.
EDIT: I misunderstood. Apologies.
It may be possible. ANYTHING is possible.
Digiguest said:
I like iOS as well but if you wanted iOS....then you REALLY should have gotten a iPad instead.
With respect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With respect. Did you actually read my post?
Evostance said:
With respect. Did you actually read my post?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With respect did you see my edit?
Digiguest said:
With respect did you see my edit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With respect, I have now No worries
Im not an Apple lover who really wanted an iPad.
Simply wondering for proof of concept.
iPad use custom ARM A4 and A5 processors. I doubt they'll run on anything else (and I'm sure Apple has done a lot to make sure it stays that way).
Where's the auto-ban here?!
I'm sure it's possible since the architecture is similar. Though it's doubtful anyone would care enough to invest the time required to make the port possible.
Though I am looking forward to the HAL 9000 port... not that different than iOS
Evostance said:
due to the TF01 running what is essentially the same chipset as the iPad.
?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only similarity in pocessor chips is they are both licensed by ARM
Ravynmagi said:
iPad use custom ARM A4 and A5 processors. I doubt they'll run on anything else (and I'm sure Apple has done a lot to make sure it stays that way).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm...seems to me all is needed is to inject a CPU driver into iOS to make it work with Tegra.
akarol said:
Where's the auto-ban here?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...and yet....you are still here.
The Tegra 2 is Dual Core A9 processors with an Nvidia GeForce 333 chip. The iPad 2 uses the same Dual Core A9 processors, just with a PowerVR SGX 543MP instead.
Hence why I asked the question
I still have an old iPod laying around.. I would rather get android on that..
( http://www.idroidproject.org/ )
ppirate said:
I still have an old iPod laying around.. I would rather get android on that..
( http://www.idroidproject.org/ )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but Android is open source so..
Like I said, OSX on PC has been done because they both use Intel. Now both the Asus and iPad 2 use A9's so its a challenge if anyone wants it (if its possible)
even if it was possible iPad doesnt have a 16:9 screen so it would look like poop, would def love to just have ubuntu instead
Edit: please delete. I didn't refresh page for a loooong time
cowballz69 said:
even if it was possible iPad doesnt have a 16:9 screen so it would look like poop, would def love to just have ubuntu instead
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats not the point though, its proof of concept. HTC said Sensation couldn't go on older phones but they got it on the DHD and it was all out of size. That was sorted out eventually though
iOS is closed source, just like all the rest of Apple's software. iOS on the Xoom/Transformer/Galaxy Tab 10.1 won't happen because there are no drivers for Tegra on iOS, and without the source code, only Apple knows how to write drivers for it. The only people capable of porting iOS to other devices are Apple's own developers.
Evostance said:
Like I said, OSX on PC has been done because they both use Intel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OSX on PC has been done because Apple themselves originally made a port of OSX for x86 architecture, and all modern Macs use the exact same hardware that has been available on PCs. This means that hackers for projects like OSX86 don't even have to write new drivers if your motherboard specs match that of a recent Mac. OSX has the drivers to support a fairly large range of hardware, because unlike iPhones and iPads, high end Macs are designed to taken apart so you can install new hardware, with a few limitations of course for quality control.
The EULA for OSX actually states that you are in violation of its terms by installing OSX to a non-Apple device, which means no warranty or support from Apple if it all goes belly up. Furthermore, Apple implements their own specialized bootloader for the precise purpose of making it near impossible to run OSX on anything that doesn't possess special Apple branding on the firmware level.
Apple software is only designed for Apple devices. Enforcing that artificial restriction is what allows Apple to sell their devices at such a premium price, and if there ever existed a way to install iOS to something besides an iPhone or iPad, you can bet that Apple would sue the pants off the developer, because that's their main revenue stream at risk.
Short version: No
Long Version: Hackintoshes can happen why people find PC's that match the hardware of existing or old Macs, This is because OsX contains drivers for many older Macs. iOS has a smaller kernel built only for the version of the device it's on. How many android devices do you know that can run an unmodified build from a different phone? virtually none. And how do Android hackers get non-native builds to work:
1. Recompile source from AOSP -> no source available for iOS
2. Recompile Just Kernel with new drivers -> no available Kernel source for iOS devices
3. Swap binary blob drivers from other devices -> no iOS binary blob drivers available for any Android devices
4. Unlock bootloader to boot different OS builds -> iOS requires specific boot hardware that no Android device has.
Every single bit of wiggle room we normally have is a dead end on iOS, so no, its never going to happen.

Install windows 8 in acer A500!

is just an idea, but is that possible?but some windows may be installed, or some linux??
I know there is a Ubuntu port out there so far but the last time I checked, it was still very buggy.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 2
hopefully in the near future can be made!!??
??(This is microsoft specialist on the microsoft site)??
?
Dear cubano2031:
Hi,
Acer Iconia Tab A500 specification suggests the compatible operating system as Android Honeycomb.
However according to the hardware specifications, it seems that you can install Windows 8 Consumer Preview in this tablet.
cubano2031 said:
??(This is microsoft specialist on the microsoft site)??
?
Dear cubano2031:
Hi,
Acer Iconia Tab A500 specification suggests the compatible operating system as Android Honeycomb.
However according to the hardware specifications, it seems that you can install Windows 8 Consumer Preview in this tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check my dulbooting thread im assuming he probably meant the arm version but judging on how useless xp was i dont foresee windows 8 being useful :/ although most of the lag is created from the actual app emulation but stil unless someone wants to create a compatiblle recovery.img (you could utelise fastboot) kernel bootloader drivers etc then i dont think it has a chance
I really don't see Windows 8 coming the Iconia due to the type of processor that we have. The Tegra doesn't have any windows drivers as far as I know...... There is more of a chance of us seeing Mac running on our tablet . Due to the fact that it has a Unix base
gears177 said:
Check my dulbooting thread im assuming he probably meant the arm version but judging on how useless xp was i dont foresee windows 8 being useful :/ although most of the lag is created from the actual app emulation but stil unless someone wants to create a compatiblle recovery.img (you could utelise fastboot) kernel bootloader drivers etc then i dont think it has a chance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
calebcoverdale said:
I really don't see Windows 8 coming the Iconia due to the type of processor that we have. The Tegra doesn't have any windows drivers as far as I know...... There is more of a chance of us seeing Mac running on our tablet . Due to the fact that it has a Unix base
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i dont either maybe if were extremely lucky a stripped down mini version of iit but even thats wishfule thinking
Windows 8/RT will NEVER be installable on the A500.
Ever.
End of.
never say never
FloatingFatMan said:
Windows 8/RT will NEVER be installable on the A500.
Ever.
End of.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's been my experience if someone is determined enough anything is possible. In fact you may just have ignited a fire and determination in someone just to prove you wrong. Let's hope so!
I'm not going to be the one to do it, but I too think this is all but impossible... After all, there's an ARM build, so all that's really missing are drivers. The WiFi/Bluetooth chipset is prety widespread, so this one ought to work. There aren't too many manufacturers of touchscreen devices, so this one ought to work, too, and for audio the situation is much the same. MMC chipsets are mostly broadcom anyway (a500 too, I guess) so there's another component that most likely will work. Also, USB will work as it's well specified and used for a lot of stuff internally by most devices... The only major issues could be with the graphics card, as I don't think Win8 likes VESA mode too much... Also, I wouldn't epect A501 UMTS to work. While graphics support may be a fair amount of work, it certainly seems possible... and UMTS isn't all that important after all (it's unlikely to work without direct manufacturer support as baseband protocols are a nightmare to work with).
haag498 said:
I'm not going to be the one to do it, but I too think this is all but impossible... After all, there's an ARM build, so all that's really missing are drivers. The WiFi/Bluetooth chipset is prety widespread, so this one ought to work. There aren't too many manufacturers of touchscreen devices, so this one ought to work, too, and for audio the situation is much the same. MMC chipsets are mostly broadcom anyway (a500 too, I guess) so there's another component that most likely will work. Also, USB will work as it's well specified and used for a lot of stuff internally by most devices... The only major issues could be with the graphics card, as I don't think Win8 likes VESA mode too much... Also, I wouldn't epect A501 UMTS to work. While graphics support may be a fair amount of work, it certainly seems possible... and UMTS isn't all that important after all (it's unlikely to work without direct manufacturer support as baseband protocols are a nightmare to work with).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you need to take into consideration that this is a totally new system. It will probably come only with the drivers for hardware approved by MS (like with Windows Phone). So unless some other Win8 tablets are going to use exactly same hardware parts with same configuration we wouldn't have anywhere to get those drivers from. We don't even know if Win8 would support Tegra2 instruction set which may be missing some instruction sets available in newer processors.
Remember who you are dealing with.... Microsoft.
Remember who is pushing out Surface Tabs.. (sometime in the next decade).... Microsoft.
And I will guess, the hardware drivers will be extremely closed source. And the tabs will probably run on different hardware than the current tabs.
A tech can say "well, your tablet certainly has the hardware to run it". Don't mean diddly squat unless it's the same hardware they support. And I would guess, MS ain't gonna support Android tabs. Just like iOS.
And look who they partnered with..... Nokia. The last of the dumbphone manufacturers, who are just about to go under if android phones get any cheaper. Sorta says how "this" story is gonna pan out. "Too little.... Too late"
Windows8 touch on an A500? Ain't gonna happen. They already have a W500 (which nobody wants).
RIP Win8...... Stick with PC's.
MD
Actually, the main issue why it won't run is less to do with the hardware drivers than you might think.
The main cause is down to the bootloader and the interaction between it and the OS. Even if you managed to get RT somehow on to an A500, you'll never get it to boot. It would be easier to write your OS from scratch.
FloatingFatMan said:
Actually, the main issue why it won't run is less to do with the hardware drivers than you might think.
The main cause is down to the bootloader and the interaction between it and the OS. Even if you managed to get RT somehow on to an A500, you'll never get it to boot. It would be easier to write your OS from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would rather think the oposite as it should be definitelly easier for a hacker/cracker to remove requirement for specific bootloader (e.g. encrypted one as MS requires from hardware makers) than to fetch working drivers.
That way or another there are just too many problems to overcome to make it work.
yaworski said:
I would rather think the oposite as it should be definitelly easier for a hacker/cracker to remove requirement for specific bootloader (e.g. encrypted one as MS requires from hardware makers) than to fetch working drivers.
That way or another there are just too many problems to overcome to make it work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortu'ently the algorithm used to crack it wouldnt expire in my life time completely useless it would still be sweet though hmmm....
Don't android tablets run on ARM architecture? Thats incompatible with Windows right there.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk 2
Microsoft has said that they will not be selling the Win8RT OS seperately and that the only way to get it is pre-installed on a tablet. Because of that, and that the A500 doesn't meet the resolution, multi-touch, or have appropraite drivers, the only way to get Win8RT on the A500 is through hacking of the OS.
So it can be done, but it isn't going to be easy, nor would it be legal due to the licencing issues (you can't buy the winRT os without a tab).
For everybody that wants Windows on their tab....
http://market.yandex.ru/model.xml?modelid=7268033&hid=6427100
Much easier... and they have tons of them left for a reason....... :laugh:
MD
The W500 doesn't really even factor into this equation. It's Win7. Windows 8 was specifically designed to be tablet-friendly. Windows 7 on a touch device is... problematic at best.
Better to look at what Acer ~IS~ doing in the Win8 arena:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/03/acer-iconia-w700-w510-windows-8/
But the real problem is Microsoft mandating what will and will not be allowed to run Windows 8 RT. Their secure boot garbage and requirements for locked bootloaders on RT will be a huge issue. Aside from the aforementioned issues with device drivers, which will be a HUGE issue, Microsoft is doing all it can to block just anyone from installing the final release on unsupported devices.
Of course, with enough time and people, all this can be bypassed and someone, somewhere will make it happen, but the question will be... Will it be worth the effort? We have a great tablet that runs great on ICS and JB. Why mess with a good thing? Windows 8 RT is a gimped version of Windows that's made for phones. The full Windows 8 is a resource-hog that will clog an a500 and bring it to a standstill. I just don't see a need for this.
Hi guys
with a google search I found the file. cab with the driver (Tegra2) for windows 8.
If you want I can upload it online

How would one go about porting Tizen?

How would one go about porting Tizen?
From what I read in the past weeks, it'll be some time before we get some more hardware support in Tizen. Sure it's open source, sure you can get the TF101 Android kernel... but porting it would be an extensive task. The TF101 kernel was built for android, so you would probably have to rewrite part of the modules and likely at least some part of the libraries. Then get all the hardware recognized, etc. There's also the boot loader issues that would have to be addressed... and as far as I know, Asus aren't involved in the Tizen project, so you can't expect anything from them on that front.
I just hope Tizen doesn't end up such as cluster**** like Android did lol. If it's decent and gets full tegra 2 support, we might end up seeing it for our beloved device... but by the time it becomes really usable and a real Android competitor, this device will most likely be deprecated.
Lethe6 said:
From what I read in the past weeks, it'll be some time before we get some more hardware support in Tizen. Sure it's open source, sure you can get the TF101 Android kernel... but porting it would be an extensive task. The TF101 kernel was built for android, so you would probably have to rewrite part of the modules and likely at least some part of the libraries. Then get all the hardware recognized, etc. There's also the boot loader issues that would have to be addressed... and as far as I know, Asus aren't involved in the Tizen project, so you can't expect anything from them on that front.
I just hope Tizen doesn't end up such as cluster**** like Android did lol. If it's decent and gets full tegra 2 support, we might end up seeing it for our beloved device... but by the time it becomes really usable and a real Android competitor, this device will most likely be deprecated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would the kernel/modules from the tf101 Ubuntu work?
Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

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