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uboot bootloader - for the true multiboot

Hi! I have ported the u-boot bootloader to Samsung Galaxy S2.
What's this for
This is for allowing true multi-boot on our device. Since Samsung combined boot and recovery partitions into a single one, it is impossible to use different kernels for boot and recovery, thus it is impossible to, say, dual-boot android and ubuntu with different kernels without reflashing.
Is it safe?
Should be not more dangerous than flashing a new kernel. We're not overwriting the original Secondary Bootloader (SBL), we're chainloading from it.
Mind that currently only european galaxy s2 (with max8997 pmic and wvga screen) is supported.
How to install and test
Download the precompiled u-boot.bin http://www.mediafire.com/?ovd6asa90de4ifn
Download the uImage (3.0.30 cm9 image) http://www.mediafire.com/?y3g1e463rzas9vm
flash the uboot with heimdall
Code:
heimdall flash --kernel u-boot.bin
we abuse the unused-by-default recovery partition for keeping the linux kernel
Code:
heimdall flash --recovery uImage
You may put a custom uImage and u-boot boot script to the emmc ums partition (the 12G one). Put them to
Code:
boot/vmlinux.uimg
boot/boot.scr.uimg
accordingly. vmlinux.uimg is just a renamed uImage. Take care - for this 'custom' kernel the cmdline is different from android one, it tells the kernel to boot off microsd partition 2. If you want to use custom kernels, please hardcode the command line in kernel config when compiling. To boot the 'custom' kernel you need to hold the home key while turning on the device.
A practical example - booting Siyah kernel from emmc
Get boot.scr.uimg http://www.mediafire.com/?k4s2ldudk8g9u4e
Get siyah uImage http://www.mediafire.com/?w57aqn7jig4ij5k
copy them to the device
Code:
adb shell mkdir /sdcard/boot
adb push boot.scr.uimg /sdcard/boot
mv uImage android.uimg
adb push android.uimg /sdcard/boot
For devs - How to compile
Grab u-boot source @ my gitorious, branch is i9100_tracking
https://gitorious.org/i9100-proper-linux/i9100-uboot
for compiling uboot:
export PATH, CROSS_COMPILE and ARCH variables and do sth like this
Code:
make galaxys2_config
make -j6 galaxys2
for compiling uImage either add uboot/tools to PATH and use "make uImage" target in kernel. Or, wrap the existing zImage into uImage
Code:
u-boot/tools/mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x40008000 -e 0x40008000 -n Linux-android-sucks -d cm9_kernel/arch/arm/boot/zImage uImage
for compiling boot script, use the following command. Please remember that you need to use a different loadaddr not to overwrite the boto script
Code:
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n "android" -d boot.cmd boot.scr.uimg
Here is an example boot script
Code:
setenv android_cmd loglevel=4 console=ram sec_debug.enable=0 sec_debug.enable_user=0 [email protected] s3cfb.bootloaderfb=0x5ec00000 ld9040.get_lcdtype=0x2 consoleblank=0 lpj=3981312 vmalloc=144m;
if test $sgs2_bootmode_val -eq 1; then
setenv android_cmd ${android_cmd} bootmode=2;
fi
setenv bootargs ${android_cmd}
setenv devtype mmc
setenv devnum 0
setenv kernel_part 0xb
setenv kernel_name /boot/android.uimg
setenv loadaddr 0x4EF08000
echo Load Address:${loadaddr};
echo Cmdline:${bootargs};
if fatload ${devtype} ${devnum}:${kernel_part} ${loadaddr} ${kernel_name}; then
bootm ${loadaddr};
exit 0;
elif ext2load ${devtype} ${devnum}:${kernel_part} ${loadaddr} ${kernel_name}; then
bootm ${loadaddr};
exit 0;
else
echo failed to boot custom image;
fi
TODO
Add lcd and board revision detection to build a proper command line
Add support for other galaxy s2 and Note revisions - depending on the user feedback and testing volunteers
Fix MTYPE (linux kernel machine type). Samsung uses the same mtype for all boards which is clearly wrong. In my linaro-based kernel I'm using a new mtype which I registered for I9100. Since CM9 kernels enable more than one board, booting will fail if mtype is wrong. So, for now, uboot is using samsung's mtype, and I want to find a way to switch it in runtime.
Add galaxys2 modem support to fsogsmd or ofono, install Mer or ubuntu and get rid of the java-ridden crapware named Android

Great job! Any chance on getting it as a .tar ODIN flashable file? I could make a guide to help newbies use the uboot bl as well when it's developed further
Using both CM9 Kernel for CM9 and Siyah for Resurrection Remix ICS is a great sight!

looks promising. great going

dual boot ... mean two different roms on sgs2 like siyah kernel???

Deleted

I am unsure about multiple android kernels - need to make some boot scripts to test. My initial aim was to support both android and native Ubuntu. I will tell you about dual-booting android, but I need time for testing

How about using my code in board_unit()? Seems to me like the only way. I don't see how it can be done without modifying uboot.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA

MemoryController said:
How about using my code in board_unit()? Seems to me like the only way. I don't see how it can be done without modifying uboot.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please take a look at my git, the boot key detection is done in a very similiar way. I would suppose that we can put any commands in the uboot script file and can boot custom android kernels with that

About the mtype I mean. Doesn't it need to be set in board_init ()? I will checkout the git later.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA

need to think of mtype..
anyway, updated the first post with the instructions how to boot siyah from emmc. now we can multi-boot android kernels

With the SGS3 and this,I think my SGS2 will just replace my fried old PC and get hooked to my TV.Nice job man.Really nice.

cool

Would love it on international gs2 variant
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Awesome work. But I want to know if, at the actual state, it could handle the true multiboot between android and linux's distros
Inviato dal mio GT-I9100 con Tapatalk 2

Why is this posted in the general thread ? Shouldn't it be moved to Original Development?

hello
I know you state this will only work on the European version but just wanted to confirm this would not work on att i777. There was so many variants i was not sure.
I think i have the max8997 pmic and wvga screen but not positive

This is geat news. Just wondering why this is not buzzing as big news. Native booting linux, who wouldn't apreciate that. Especially if the telephony part got worked out, could hardly see much point in booting to android. Good work.

Uboot is extremely useful, and native debian is awesome, not that chroot crap
Sent from my GT-I9100 running CM10

Could anyone write a step by step tutorial. I am a little confused as to how to and what to do. Do I loe my siyah kernel? Or does it dual boot my dual boot kernel, lol.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

This is awesome.. ¿any detailed tutorial, please?

[WIP/DEV/GUIDE] Debian Linux armhf

So following a couple of tuts that I've found on the forums I've been able to install debian linux wheezy armhf build on my tablet in a dual boot configuration with it booting off of a second ext4 partition on the microsd card along with getting the drivers/codecs from Linux4Tegra to be installed and somewhat used on debian linux.
What works:
-Wifi
-USB
-Display (doesnt use tegra drivers)
-Buttons (power, vol, rot switch [acts as wifi switch])
-Touchscreen
What doesnt work:
-Bluetooth (Untested but apparently it finds it and sets it up.)
-Audio (Detects it in the kde info center. System Settings program only says that there's a dummy output. Playing any form of audio crashes the program.)
-HDMI (with the Tegra gfx drivers it finds it but says it's disconnected even when connected.)
-Cameras
-GPS
-Motion Sensing
-Light Sensor
With the display, whenever the tegra drivers are used, it finds HDMI (as HDMI-1) and the LCD screen (as LVDS-1) but says that there is no device on the lcd screen. With that being said, it is using the fbdev driver instead which shows pink and/or inverted colors in some instances but at least it shows a gui.
Guides used:
{HOW TO} Native Debian on A500 and building your own rootfs
[BOOTLOADER][DUALBOOT + RECOVERY][BOOTMENU] Patched ICS bootloader V8 (07/06/2012)
[Dev] Native linux on Iconia
Requirements:
-an A500.
-a 16+GB microsd.
-Linux OS (Debian, Ubuntu, etc.)
-Linux 4 Tegra: Download the Ventana files under "Additional Information" and "Driver Packages"/"Codec Packages".
Ok, so here's how I've done it.
1) Make sure you have a multiboot loader and have flashed the appropriate bootloader image to the second boot partition. get the boot image from the 3rd guide under "precompiled kernel image" and flash that to the second boot partition. (be sure to check the dualboot guide above on flashing the image if you are using the bootloader that is in the guide.)
2) Have a microsd card partitioned with two partitions, one for normal data (can be any format) and a second one that is in ext4. you can do 3 partitions by adding a swap partition but the ext4 partition must be the second partition.
3) Install qemu on the host system.
Code:
For Ubuntu - sudo apt-get install qemu-user-static
4) Mount the microsd's ext4 partition.
Code:
sudo mount -t ext4 /dev/<microsd 2nd partition> /mnt/Linux
5) Run:
Code:
sudo qemu-debootstrap --arch armhf wheezy /mnt/Linux
6) Chroot into the installed environment.
Code:
chroot /mnt/Linux /bin/bash
7) Add sources to /mnt/Linux/etc/apt/sources.list. you can get debian sources from http://debgen.simplylinux.ch/. Be sure to choose "Testing (wheezy)" and all the sources check boxes along with where you live to find the nearest repository.
8) Install the wifi drivers pt1.
Code:
apt-get update ; apt-get install broadcom-sta-common broadcom-sta-source firmware-b43-installer firmware-b43legacy-installer b43-fwcutter
9) Install the wifi drivers p2. In the "{HOW TO} Native Debian on A500 and building your own rootfs" guide, there is a download from mediafire for the firmware files for the drivers. Extract that and put it into /lib/firmware. I dont know if the individual files in the brcm should be in the /lib/firmware or not so i just copied the folder into it and the files within it into /lib/firmware.
10) Install the GUI:
Code:
apt-get install <gui>
List of GUI's (that i know of):
Code:
KDE (takes a long time to install): kde-full
XFCE: xfce4
11) extract the ventana_Tegra-Linux-R16.1.0_armhf.tbz2 file and the ventana_Tegra-Linux-codecs-R16.1.0_armhf.tbz2. you should get a folder called "Linux_For_Tegra" and a file called "restricted_codecs.tbz2". go into the "Linux_For_Tegra/nv_tegra" folders and extract the nvidia_drivers.tbz2 file. from there you should get 3 folders: etc, lib, usr. copy those to "/mnt/Linux" (you are going to have to do this as root). back out of those folders and extract the restricted_codecs.tbz2. you should get a folder called "lib" copy that to "/mnt/Linux". after that, it's time to make a hard link so that the X11 can find the tegra driver:
Code:
ln /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/tegra_drv.abi12.so /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/tegra_drv.so
Note: without using an xorg.conf file, by default it will use fbdrv instead of the tegra driver.
12) set the root password:
Code:
passwd root
13) add a normal user:
Code:
adduser <username>
14) exit chroot by typing "exit" and unmount /mnt/Linux:
Code:
sudo umount /mnt/Linux
15) pop that sucker into the the tablet and boot into it by holding power and vol down to get into the boot menu. select "boot into second partiton".
If everything went ok, you should be presented with a gui, if not and you are at a command line, log into root and type "startx". if that doesnt work then something wrong must have happened.
Untested easy script:
Code:
#! /bin/sh
set -e
#if there is a tegra_install.deb file.
hasTegraDeb=0
tegraDeb=acer-iconia-tab-a500+tegra+brcm+wheezy_1.0-1_armhf.deb
#change these if you do not like default install of kde.
arch=armhf
build=wheezy
rootDir=/mnt/Linux
guiEnv=kde-full
newUser=User
#setup the basics of debian linux using armhf and wheezy build.
qemu-debootstrap --arch $arch $build $rootDir
#copy the tegra_install.deb file for the tegra specific drivers.
if ["$hasTegraDeb" = "1"] then
cp $tegraDeb $rootDir/$tegraDeb
fi
#setup sources.list for apt-get.
echo "deb http://ftp.us.debian.org/debian testing main contrib non-free" >> $rootDir/etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian/ wheezy-updates main contrib non-free" >> $rootDir/etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb http://security.debian.org/ wheezy/updates main contrib non-free" >> $rootDir/etc/apt/sources.list
#create the chroot_install.sh script and set it up.
echo "#! /bin/sh" > $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
echo "set -e" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
#update apt-get inside the chroot.
echo "apt-get update" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
#install the wireless card drivers inside the chroot.
echo "apt-get install broadcom-sta-common broadcom-sta-source firmware-b43-installer firmware-b43legacy-installer b43-fwcutter" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
#install the desktop in the chroot. (note: this will take a long time)
echo "apt-get install $guiEnv" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
#install the tegra specific drivers inside the chroot
if ["$hasTegraDeb" = "1"] then
#install the tegra drivers.
echo "dpkg -i $tegraDeb" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
#hard link the tegra_drv.abi12.so as tegra_drv.so in /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/ to enable X11 to find the display driver.
echo "ln /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/tegra_drv.abi12.so /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers/tegra_drv.so" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
fi
#set the root password in the chroot.
echo "passwd root" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
#add normal user in the chroot.
echo "adduser $newUser" >> $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
#execute the final stage of the install.
chroot $rootDir /chroot_install.sh
#cleanup
rm $rootDir/chroot_install.sh
if ["$hasTegraDeb" = "1"] then
rm $rootDir/$tegraDeb
fi
Script sets up everything along with installing kde window manager. Please note that the tegra_install.deb file does not exist, it is something that i am thinking of making in the future that has all the drivers and what not needed that is from the Linux 4 Tegra site. you are still going to have to manually install the tegra drivers in step 11.
Edit: Experimental copies of the deb files that has all the files needed from Linux 4 Tegra and the wifi drivers can be found at the bottom of the post.
xorg.conf to enable tegra driver (found in the Linux_for_Tegra/nv_tegra/config.tbz2/etc/X11 folder):
Code:
# This is the minimal configuration necessary to use the Tegra driver.
# Please refer to the xorg.conf man page for more configuration
# options provided by the X server, including display-related options
# provided by RandR 1.2 and higher.
# Disable extensions not useful on Tegra.
Section "Module"
Disable "dri"
Disable "dri2"
Disable "glx"
SubSection "extmod"
Option "omit xfree86-dga"
EndSubSection
EndSection
Section "Device"
Identifier "Tegra"
Driver "tegra"
# OverlayDepth is a 32-bit integer which is used to control overlay
# stacking order. The overlay with the lowest depth is in front of
# all others. This value has meaning only when multiple overlays are
# present on a display.
# Option "OverlayDepth" "255"
# ARGBHWCursor controls whether the X driver uses an overlay to
# display 32-bit "true-color" cursors, or whether such cursors are
# emulated in software. Valid values are "true" to enable hardware
# cursors, and "false" (default) to disable them.
# Option "ARGBHWCursor"
EndSection
At the moment, I have looked through the config.tbz2 file and may have to stick the stuff in there into the tablet's linux filesystem. will test this later.
NOTE:
I am not a linux developer, I have no idea how to create linux drivers. All I can do is mash things together and hope things work out.
In theory, this should work for all tegra2 and tegra3 (using cardhu drivers instead of ventana) devices with some minor differences.
Edit:
Apparently it is using kernel version 2.6.38. I'm going to see if I can update the kernel to 3.2.23-1 which is the latest version for armhf in the debian package list (http://packages.debian.org/wheezy/kernel/linux-headers-3.2.0-3-all-armhf).
Edit2:
Looks like updating the kernel from apt-get doesn't necessarily enable the kernel to load as it seems that the boot loader loads a prepackaged kernel that has been flashed into mmcblk0p7. Tried out kexec and the kernel doesn't support it so adding it to the /dev/inittab script is useless for loading up new kernels. I tried making the new kernel into a flashable image using mkbootimg that is found within the Linux 4 Tegra folder but it doesn't do anything and the image apparently isn't valid when i tried booting it from fastboot (black screen). along with that, apparently it changed my password on my encrypted /data partition's password (when i flashed it within linux using dd) so a word of caution with that. If anyone can help me out, i would like to try to create something similar to grub (or even port it) where it loads up new kernels from the microsd or a specified place based on a boot list.
deb Files (Install using "dpkg -i acer-iconia-tab-a500+tegra+brcm+wheezy_<version>_armhf.deb" within the linux environment of the tablet.):
1.0-1: acer-iconia-tab-a500+tegra+brcm+wheezy_1.0-1_armhf.deb
--takes care of steps 9 and 11 sans hard linking the X11 tegra drivers.
1.0-2: acer-iconia-tab-a500+tegra+brcm+wheezy_1.0-2_armhf.deb
--has pre-depends for the first part of the wifi driver installation so this should, in theory, install both part 1 and 2 of the wifi drivers.
--takes care of steps 8, 9, and 11 sans hard linking the X11 tegra drivers.
Update log:
10/17/2012: added updated version of the deb package.
10/16/2012: first version.

Ok, so since I cant post anything including into ongoing threads in the android development forum due to the 10 post required thing i'll just have to ask development questions here till i reach the 10 post requirement.
Can anyone point me into the direction for how the second boot image that you flash for the dual boot bootloader is created? Trying to figure out how to create an image so that it boots everything off the microsd card including the kernel. It seems that the kernel used in the guide is locked to 2.6.38 and if you update the kernel within the tablet's linux environment it doesnt load it up. so i need to figure out how to create a boot image so that it loads it up or create a boot image that has grub (or other bootloaders) installed on it to boot different linux images.

alatnet said:
Ok, so since I cant post anything including into ongoing threads in the android development forum due to the 10 post required thing i'll just have to ask development questions here till i reach the 10 post requirement.
Can anyone point me into the direction for how the second boot image that you flash for the dual boot bootloader is created? Trying to figure out how to create an image so that it boots everything off the microsd card including the kernel. It seems that the kernel used in the guide is locked to 2.6.38 and if you update the kernel within the tablet's linux environment it doesnt load it up. so i need to figure out how to create a boot image so that it loads it up or create a boot image that has grub (or other bootloaders) installed on it to boot different linux images.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are on the right track with mkbootimg. I have not figured it all out myself yet.
You have to compile your arm linux kernel then make a bootable image with mkboot
I don't know if you have seen this or if. this will help---Nethams kernel compile commands are;
make ARCH=arm menuconfig
make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-linux-gnueable--j16
./mkbootimg --ramdisk dev/zero --kernel arch/arm/zimage -o ../recovery.img
I believe these are the commands he uses to compile his recovery image (boot.img)
It is my understanding that mkboot combines the kernel with a ram disk to make an image file that will boot the system
That image file can be placed in several places 1-primary boot position 2 recovery position 3 and if you have Skrilax dual boot secboot position
So it depends on what mkboot compiled as to what happens when that boot point is activated.
I am still trying to work out how Spdev and Netham combine or configure the kernel + initramfs+ ramdisk to create their bootable images.
I know these images boot and point to the file system which can be stored on internal or external sd card or even usb drive it all depends on how the boot image is configured.
Still learning myself
Here is a link I found explanes about Linux ram disk and initram
http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/linux/library/l-initrd/index.html
And more info here downloads a PDF presentation on how to.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...poCoAw&usg=AFQjCNHLTHE3DaroC71FAjOjQWU2A61qEQ
All about that mkbooting after you get your kernel
http://android-dls.com/wiki/index.php?title=HOWTO:_Unpack,_Edit,_and_Re-Pack_Boot_Images

themechaniac said:
snip (freaking 10 post limit...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, i did find some stuff with mkbootimg including the last link that you posted.
The kernel was already compiled when i downloaded it using apt-get and it is placed in /boot folder.
I did make a boot.img from that kernel using mkbootimg and looking at "/proc/cmdline" at the arguments that were passed to the kernel in the other kernel image and it made it, flashed it to secboot and it didnt do anything except use the same kernal as before, though i did flash the image via dd in linux. Apparently this sorta screwed up my /data partition or something in where it wouldnt recognize my password for de-encryption to mount it. (fixing it by just erasing "/data" [bye bye data... TT.TT]) So i tried booting it using "fastboot boot <kernel>" and it didnt boot, only showing a black screen, but using the other boot.img it would boot linux up.
So I'm thinking of somehow creating a kernel image that can use kexec to make a grub like bootloader kernel that you flash onto the secboot partition that has something similer to grub.cfg in which you can easily select which kernel to load.
As for looking for a grub.cfg file, it would look in a few different places:
-in internal storage (probably recovery partition or the "/system" partition as the "/data" partition can potentially be encrypted and not mountable.)
-sd card (has to be in first partition and in fat32 format)
-usb drive (same as sd card)
from these places it will load each grub.cfg. that way it'll make the grub like bootloader kernel extendable in which kernel to load (i.e. have a linux system on usb that you want to boot from.)

I may be wrong but it is my understanding that the compiled kernel is in the boot image packed by mkbootimg.
The kernel is compiled to look for the compatible root file system in a particular place.
So when you change or use a boot image you change the kernel you are using.
So we have a system that;
Has a modified Linux kernel that selects the Android file system from internal memory installed in the first boot position.
We can put a Linux kernel compiled to find a compatible root file system say on external sd card in the second boot position.
We can replace the recovery image with a Linux kernel that finds a compatible root file system on the internal sd card.
That gives us a hardware selective three different systems (triple boot)
With fastboot on the PC we can quickly change any of the Three boot images, replace the recovery image or repair system.
I think all we need is a 3.2.23 kernel compiled thee separate ways and packaged with mkbootimg.
1st find root file system internel, 2nd find file system externel 3rd find file system usb
We already have two 2.6.38 kernels. One from Spdev (external root file system)and One from Netham {internal file system)
They are different kernels as Nethams has added modules.
I believe the were both compiled from the same Git.
I have tried switching the two boot images in second boot position with both root file systems installed and when you boot the second position
it switches to it's own file system.
I haven't tried swapping the root file positions yet.

themechaniac said:
I may be wrong but it is my understanding that the compiled kernel is in the boot image packed by mkbootimg.
The kernel is compiled to look for the compatible root file system in a particular place.
So when you change or use a boot image you change the kernel you are using.
So we have a system that;
Has a modified Linux kernel that selects the Android file system from internal memory installed in the first boot position.
We can put a Linux kernel compiled to find a compatible root file system say on external sd card in the second boot position.
We can replace the recovery image with a Linux kernel that finds a compatible root file system on the internal sd card.
That gives us a hardware selective three different systems (triple boot)
With fastboot on the PC we can quickly change any of the Three boot images, replace the recovery image or repair system.
I think all we need is a 3.2.23 kernel compiled thee separate ways and packaged with mkbootimg.
1st find root file system internel, 2nd find file system externel 3rd find file system usb
We already have two 2.6.38 kernels. One from Spdev (external root file system)and One from Netham {internal file system)
They are different kernels as Nethams has added modules.
I believe the were both compiled from the same Git.
I have tried switching the two boot images in second boot position with both root file systems installed and when you boot the second position
it switches to it's own file system.
I haven't tried swapping the root file positions yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. Though i think it needs to be a specific type of kernel (i.e bzImage or uImage instead of vmlinuz) to actually run. also, the precompiled kernel in the guide that i had used in the opening post had a command line where one option was "root=/dev/mmcblk1p2" which pretty much says for the kernel to look for the linux file system in the second partition on the sd card.

Yes with the way the system is formatted you cannot change out the kernel on the fly. It is basically hard coded in the boot image. Skrilax has given us a way to change boot positions so we don't have to sacrifice recovery position to boot second kernel. I have not seen any pre configured 3.2.23 kernels yet. The one that Netham posted boots from internal SD but causes problems for some people as not all a500 have their internal SD card formatted in the same memory block. It works great for me I prefer to have my root file system on a fast external SD so would like to modify or compile a kernel like Netham's. I find I run out of space when I have it internal. Netham's kernel has USB sound and seems to boot differt than Spdev's.

themechaniac said:
Yes with the way the system is formatted you cannot change out the kernel on the fly. It is basically hard coded in the boot image. Skrilax has given us a way to change boot positions so we don't have to sacrifice recovery position to boot second kernel. I have not seen any pre configured 3.2.23 kernels yet. The one that Netham posted boots from internal SD but causes problems for some people as not all a500 have their internal SD card formatted in the same memory block. It works great for me I prefer to have my root file system on a fast external SD so would like to modify or compile a kernel like Netham's. I find I run out of space when I have it internal. Netham's kernel has USB sound and seems to boot differt than Spdev's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, but this is how the linux boot loader is going to go with, instead of loading the linux system (sans kernel and initrd) from the sd card, we create a boot.img that has a linux system built in that has a sole purpose of loading other linux systems using kexec.
Edit:
Here's how the path is going to go:
Startup-->Bootloader-->Linux Bootloader (loads linux on external drives)-->Linux (on external drives)

Well I am happy with Ubuntu on my external SD card, I even ran a kernel compile on it and it ran pretty fast. I am stuck on the mkbootimg part. It can't be done on the tablet, has to be a PC. I tried unpacking the Two ready made boot images to see how they are configured but they don't seem to have a ram disk. Still working on that. It is learning how the system is put together that is half the fun, Getting it to work the way you want is the goal. When it is all squared away it will be time to move on to the next puzzle. I have enough computers that I could just put a system on each one and be done with it. Where's the fun in that. Most of them are dual booted already.

themechaniac said:
Well I am happy with Ubuntu on my external SD card, I even ran a kernel compile on it and it ran pretty fast. I am stuck on the mkbootimg part. It can't be done on the tablet, has to be a PC. I tried unpacking the Two ready made boot images to see how they are configured but they don't seem to have a ram disk. Still working on that. It is learning how the system is put together that is half the fun, Getting it to work the way you want is the goal. When it is all squared away it will be time to move on to the next puzzle. I have enough computers that I could just put a system on each one and be done with it. Where's the fun in that. Most of them are dual booted already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, even though mkbootimg is suppose to be run on linux, i don't think it was compiled for arm so you are going to have to use a pc for that program. as for the initrd, i did find a website that may help in creating an A.L.B.L. (Android Linux Boot Loader): http://www.thewireframecommunity.com/node/14
Essentially what is needed to create the A.L.B.L. is to create a kernel with kexec in it and an initrd that mounts the external drives along with an easy to use interface to be loaded before loading any kernels to allow for selecting kernels. with that said, how do you figure out how to use the volume buttons and the power button within linux using a c\c++ program?

BUMP!
any progress?
also
-Audio (Detects it in the kde info center. System Settings program only says that there's a dummy output. Playing any form of audio crashes the program.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But
Code:
cat /any/file/for/ex/bin/bash > /dev/dsp
works properly

Unfortunetly no.
Been to busy with other stuff to work on this.

tegra driver
I have ubuntu 12.10 armf runing on my a500 thanks to the "Linux on A500: The Future" thread. I am using the ferrariforzaleo mod of rogro82's kernel.
The problem I had was getting the xorg tegra module to load. I fixed this by getting the "https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/quantal/armhf/nvidia-tegra/16.0-0ubuntu1"]https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/quantal/armhf/nvidia-tegra/16.0-0ubuntu1 and installing with
sudo dpkg -i
after I rebooted it started using the tegra video driver.
Cheers

HardlyAbelson said:
I have ubuntu 12.10 armf runing on my a500 thanks to the "Linux on A500: The Future" thread. I am using the ferrariforzaleo mod of rogro82's kernel.
The problem I had was getting the xorg tegra module to load. I fixed this by getting the "https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/quantal/armhf/nvidia-tegra/16.0-0ubuntu1"]https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/quantal/armhf/nvidia-tegra/16.0-0ubuntu1 and installing with
sudo dpkg -i
after I rebooted it started using the tegra video driver.
Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you explain me the steps you done ? I also want ubuntu 12.10 running but I can't install any desktop on it ( show error and other error )

ubuntu 12.10
Forzaferrarileo said:
can you explain me the steps you done ? I also want ubuntu 12.10 running but I can't install any desktop on it ( show error and other error )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I used the debootstrap and and qemu / chroot to setup my rootfs. i found post #61 in the "Linux on A500: future" very helpful.
Also, make sure you have a usb keyboard handy. After you run "apt-get install -d ubuntu-desktop" (assuming you have a pc running ubuntu to use) in a qemu chroot, you can move to the a500 and boot up and login as root and run "apt-get install ubuntu-destop". since the stuff is cached. I found this faster than installing the desktop while in the chroot. After that finishes, you should boot up with a desktop available. If something is wrong and you can't login, try doing "ctrl-alt-f1" to get to the getty command line login and look at the /var/log/ folder for clues in the logs.

How to compile the kernel?
I succesfully got debian running on my iconia a500 :laugh:
Building my own rootfs and getting the wifi to work were not that hard, but I still don't know how to compile the Linux kernel for the a500 from source.
I already found the git repository of rogru82 (https://github.com/rogro82/picasso-kernel) and I downloaded the source to my pc (running ubuntu 13.04). Can someone point me to a tutorial explaining how to compile this source?
Also, can someone explain what sort of partition table the internal memory uses? I am running the 3.0 kernel and I can see a block memory device in the /dev folder but there are no partitions. How can I mount the internal memory?

[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

Guide for building your own custom Raring Ubuntu-Core IMG.

Guide to making a Raring Ubuntu-core image on a Linux PC/laptop (NOT a virtual machine (VM)) for the purpose of installing it on your TF101.
All credit goes to the time and consideration x3maniac took to assist me with doing this!
OP for Tubutnu by x3maniac
This guide allows you to create a CORE Ubuntu image on your Linux box and then install it using the Tubuntu application for Windows. ***Please note, a CORE image does not contain a GUI. The gnome-core guide in the next link will walk you through the steps of installing the gnome-core GUI after you have made your fresh Raring Ubuntu-Core image.***
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37803357
***Why do I want to do this when the OP by x3maniac already has a Raring image for download? This guide is helping you make your own UPDATED image. There are daily builds of Raring and the image in the OP by x3maniac is over 2 months old as of this last update to this post.***
Please note that I am using a stock Ubuntu 12.10 laptop. I believe any variant of Ubuntu on a laptop or PC should work with this guide just fine.
Download the files first and then open Terminal to input our commands.
Download: http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-core/daily/current/raring-core-armhf.tar.gz
(You may optionally choose any date time from the Ubuntu-core folders. Ensure you are using the armhf tar.gz file.
Download (Recommended): https://www.dropbox.com/s/dqn9aa94oeju9kf/modules.tar.gz
Alternate Download: http://goo.im/dev/x3maniac/mod_firm_ext.zip
Alternate Download: http://www.novaspirit.com/downloads/mod_firm_ext.zip
After the downloads are complete, open Terminal and let’s get the image built!
A side note, I did not know that using ~ represented the user folder so if you do great, if not it will help you understand that /home/thomas can be represented using ~. So any subfolders of /home/thomas are included using the ~. I will specify my full paths and you can substitute the directories you wish to use. (Linux is still new to me too, I know enough to be dangerous!)
1. mkdir /home/thomas/images/ubuntu-raring
2. cd /home/thomas/images/ubuntu-raring
3. sudo apt-get install qemu
4. sudo apt-get install qemu-user-static
5. Now type this command: qemu-img create raring.img 200M
a.The Ubuntu Raring core image is approximately 186MB. So you understand at 186MB you only have 14MB available of extra stuff you can put into the image. You can resize up later but never down. You may specify any MB size you wish to use for the image. Experiment later, for now just make it 200M.
6. fdisk raring.img (you will see an error about invalid flag, this is ok, step 7 below is w for write, do proceed to step 7)
7. Type w to quit
8. Determine the file system you want (I used ext4)
a. Now type: mkfs.ext4 raring.img (according to config file of Tubuntu app, the partition is set up as ext3, you can use that as well)
b. A warning that your image is not a block special device (when choosing ext4) hit Y to proceed.
c. From /Ubuntu-raring directory type: mkdir mount
9. Now type: sudo mount –o loop ./raring.img ./mount
10. Now type: cd mount
10a. Now type: ls (you are only listing the mount directory to verify you have the lost+found directory) Go up one directory to /home/thomas/images/ubuntu-raring
11. Now type: cp /home/thomas/Downloads/raring-core-armhf.tar.gz /home/thomas/images/ubuntu-raring
12. Now type: sudo tar xvvf raring-core-armhf.tar.gz –C ./mount (you should not be in the mount directory)
13. Now type: sudo tar xvvf modules.tar.gz -C ./mount (you should not be in the mount directory)
14. sudo cp /usr/bin/qemu-arm-static /home/thomas/images/ubuntu-raring/mount/usr/bin (enter)
15. Now type: sudo chroot mount (if successful you will see /#)
16. Now type: passwd and make a password and confirm it.
17. Now type: exit
18. Now type: sudo umount ./mount
19. You should now be in the /home/thomas/images/ubuntu-raring/ directory. From here use the ls command and see your raring.img file.
20. You will need to copy this file your Windows box and use the Tubuntu installation application OR wheelie and nvflash commands. (Wheelie and nvflash commands are for more advanced users).
21. Click on this link for the next guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=37803357

Hi, I have no problems creating the image and mounting it. But when chrooted:
apt-get update
0% [Working]qemu: Unsupported syscall: 374
Err http://ports.ubuntu.com raring Release.gpg
Something wicked happened resolving 'ports.ubuntu.com:80' (-11 - System error)...
I am on Ubuntu 12.10 64-bit. What could it be? qemu & qemu-user-static installed, qemu-arm-static copied...
Thank you and sorry for my CZ-english

onmail said:
Hi, I have no problems creating the image and mounting it. But when chrooted:
apt-get update
0% [Working]qemu: Unsupported syscall: 374
Err http://ports.ubuntu.com raring Release.gpg
Something wicked happened resolving 'ports.ubuntu.com:80' (-11 - System error)...
I am on Ubuntu 12.10 64-bit. What could it be? qemu & qemu-user-static installed, qemu-arm-static copied...
Thank you and sorry for my CZ-english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I need to update my guide. After the image is created on your Linux box you then install it on your tablet using tubuntu application. From the tab is where you run apt get commands. Sorry about that.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

TomTcom said:
I need to update my guide. After the image is created on your Linux box you then install it on your tablet using tubuntu application. From the tab is where you run apt get commands. Sorry about that.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I see, but I think I will not be able to install apt-utils wpasupplicant if the wlan0 adapter is not working (I mean when wpasupplicant is not installed in the image).

onmail said:
Oh, I see, but I think I will not be able to install apt-utils wpasupplicant if the wlan0 adapter is not working (I mean when wpasupplicant is not installed in the image).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you will because the core image has everything you need except the supplicant. You can make your own supplicant or copy from your working dual booted prime image of android. Let me try and update the guide later tonight.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

onmail said:
Oh, I see, but I think I will not be able to install apt-utils wpasupplicant if the wlan0 adapter is not working (I mean when wpasupplicant is not installed in the image).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, made several changes to my guide. Here's a couple things to note in case you missed them.
1. This guide helps you make an image of Raring Ubuntu-Core. This means there is no GUI and an additional post I have linked to for installing Gnome-Core (your actual desktop environment) for Raring.
2. After the Raring.img is made, you need to start on the Raring Gnome-Core guide and follow those instructions. That installation takes about 2 hours to download and answer questions because it is such a core install.
3. About the wifi, you will be using x3maniac's Tubuntu Windows installation application and starting from fresh with Prime Android and your new Raring image and if you follow the second guide it will walk you through setting up your wifi (do make sure you boot into Prime Android and set up your wifi first before booting to Raring.
4. Please familiarize yourself with the OP I have linked to for the x3maniac Tubuntu application.
It's not as hard as it may seem. After you do it a few times it's rather quick. Installing gnome-core by yourself is kind of slow and a bit tedious but the purpose of doing this was to have complete control of your image.
Later on if you are brave you can also build your own kernel as well and make changes. See my guide in my xda signature.
Hope this helps, thanks for using my guide. Hit the thanks button a couple of times and I'll make sure you get up and running.

TomTcom said:
Ok, made several changes to my guide. Here's a couple things to note in case you missed them.
1. This guide helps you make an image of Raring Ubuntu-Core. This means there is no GUI and an additional post I have linked to for installing Gnome-Core (your actual desktop environment) for Raring.
2. After the Raring.img is made, you need to start on the Raring Gnome-Core guide and follow those instructions. That installation takes about 2 hours to download and answer questions because it is such a core install.
3. About the wifi, you will be using x3maniac's Tubuntu Windows installation application and starting from fresh with Prime Android and your new Raring image and if you follow the second guide it will walk you through setting up your wifi (do make sure you boot into Prime Android and set up your wifi first before booting to Raring.
4. Please familiarize yourself with the OP I have linked to for the x3maniac Tubuntu application.
It's not as hard as it may seem. After you do it a few times it's rather quick. Installing gnome-core by yourself is kind of slow and a bit tedious but the purpose of doing this was to have complete control of your image.
Later on if you are brave you can also build your own kernel as well and make changes. See my guide in my xda signature.
Hope this helps, thanks for using my guide. Hit the thanks button a couple of times and I'll make sure you get up and running.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, thanks a lot, I will try. I have been playing with Tubuntu for some weeks and now I just started playing with building the image (and thinking about kernel...). Just now I am on Lubuntu (with xfce4 which I prefer) with 2.6 kernel and I am trying on my son's TF101 Raring with Gnome and 3.1 kernel. I am just thinking about the possibility when one system is "fine tuned" if it would be possible to copy it from one TF to the other one (I mean just the Linux partition).

onmail said:
Hi, I have no problems creating the image and mounting it. But when chrooted:
apt-get update
0% [Working]qemu: Unsupported syscall: 374
Err http://ports.ubuntu.com raring Release.gpg
Something wicked happened resolving 'ports.ubuntu.com:80' (-11 - System error)...
I am on Ubuntu 12.10 64-bit. What could it be? qemu & qemu-user-static installed, qemu-arm-static copied...
Thank you and sorry for my CZ-english
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Replying to my own post because I must say - sorry, I am ehm an idiot... Because the only problem was - I have not edited the /etc/resolv.conf in the mount/etc directory. So now I can easily apt-get anything in the chroot! So it seems I can easily "prepare" an image with everything inside

onmail said:
Replying to my own post because I must say - sorry, I am ehm an idiot... Because the only problem was - I have not edited the /etc/resolv.conf in the mount/etc directory. So now I can easily apt-get anything in the chroot! So it seems I can easily "prepare" an image with everything inside
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it work? I couldn't not without finding a way to inject VI into the image for editing the file. You can mess with permissions but it ultimately doesn't work from the Linux box.
If you are able to do it without the tab, post the instructions and I'll add it to my OP and give you the credit.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

TomTcom said:
Did it work? I couldn't not without finding a way to inject VI into the image for editing the file. You can mess with permissions but it ultimately doesn't work from the Linux box.
If you are able to do it without the tab, post the instructions and I'll add it to my OP and give you the credit.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It works I am just in the middle of installing xubuntu-desktop... I have made a quick & dirty bash script which will help to set hostname for the new TF101, root password, make a new user with password and add him to sudo group, automatically enable all the deb repos (universe etc.), set cpu freqs in rc.local and install some usefull utils (sudo cpufrequtils bash-completion wpasupplicant nano mc net-tools). And there is a second script you can run on the first run on TF101 which will resize the linux partition to its limit, copy the wpa_supplicant.conf from the android partition and starts wlan0 I will send this to you asap but will test this first. Hope my English is understandable

onmail said:
It works I am just in the middle of installing xubuntu-desktop... I have made a quick & dirty bash script which will help to set hostname for the new TF101, root password, make a new user with password and add him to sudo group, automatically enable all the deb repos (universe etc.), set cpu freqs in rc.local and install some usefull utils (sudo cpufrequtils bash-completion wpasupplicant nano mc net-tools). And there is a second script you can run on the first run on TF101 which will resize the linux partition to its limit, copy the wpa_supplicant.conf from the android partition and starts wlan0 I will send this to you asap but will test this first. Hope my English is understandable
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xubuntu on raring is working without any problems. Now I would like to get the nvidia accelerated drivers working. I have tried 2 or 3 3.1 kernels but still without success. Googling for some help on compiling 3.1 kernel.

onmail said:
Xubuntu on raring is working without any problems. Now I would like to get the nvidia accelerated drivers working. I have tried 2 or 3 3.1 kernels but still without success. Googling for some help on compiling 3.1 kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! If you go to the op for x3maniac, you can view his github that has 3.1 kernel source. Take a look and see of it helps.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

TomTcom said:
Awesome! If you go to the op for x3maniac, you can view his github that has 3.1 kernel source. Take a look and see of it helps.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the way, I have instructions for compiling the 2.6.36 kernel in my xda signature if that helps you.
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TomTcom said:
By the way, I have instructions for compiling the 2.6.36 kernel in my xda signature if that helps you.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I know, I have already checked that. The 2.6 kernel is ok but I would really like to see the nvidia drivers working...

Had an issue mounting raring.img in step 9, had to run sudo fsck.ext4 "path to file" afterwards it mounted smoothly, dont know why tho.

JoinTheRealms said:
Had an issue mounting raring.img in step 9, had to run sudo fsck.ext4 "path to file" afterwards it mounted smoothly, dont know why tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm...did step 8a work ok?
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TomTcom said:
Hmmm...did step 8a work ok?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Afaik it did, gave me the mentioned prompt, and finished without error. Might have something to do with me running a x64 vm ? as i wasnt able to chroot either. Im trying to get this running on my tf300t, but its alot different to installing it on the trusty tf101
Cheers for the guide tho, help me understand the whole process :good:

JoinTheRealms said:
Afaik it did, gave me the mentioned prompt, and finished without error. Might have something to do with me running a x64 vm ? as i wasnt able to chroot either. Im trying to get this running on my tf300t, but its alot different to installing it on the trusty tf101
Cheers for the guide tho, help me understand the whole process :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe our dev x3 mentioned there were differences on a VM so it probably has to do with that.
Glad the guide is helpful. Welcome!
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Nice guide ! I just crated a 13.04 raring img. ( Used VM Kubuntu 12.04 )
Need some updates but nice
And there is a problem with actual release, wpa supplicant is not pre installed and now I'm in the begining of your second guide and cant set up wifi.
I had to download package with chroot, then install with my tab same for nano
Anyway, it's just FYI I dont really need help

Kingzak34 said:
Nice guide ! I just crated a 13.04 raring img. ( Used VM Kubuntu 12.04 )
Need some updates but nice
And there is a problem with actual release, wpa supplicant is not pre installed and now I'm in the begining of your second guide and cant set up wifi.
I had to download package with chroot, then install with my tab, and now it doesnt find iwlan0
Anyway, it's just FYI I dont really need help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guide wasn't designed to use wifi, only to correctly package it for flashing 13.04 directly to the tab. The next guide adds the gui and requires your Android to be set up to copy over the wpa_supplicant file before executing those commands.
Onmail was able to script more changes to the image from "chroot" but I didn't go that far, he was able to get the supplicant and other abilities such as adding to the package better than I did.

[DEV][WIP][Linux] Easy GNU/Linux on our tablet

Hi all!
Many of us are dreaming of having a real native desktop operating system on Galaxy Note 10.1 as a second system. Of course, the software there is not touch-optimized, but you can attach keyboard and mouse via USB-OTG and Bluetooth and imagine it's a netbook
exception13 showed us that it's possible and shared his work on in a forum and repo. X-Stranger could use it and shared compiled images of ArchLinux. But what if you want to do something more specific for your own needs and you are not such a great developer as both of them are?
My project is for all of you who want to have native GNU/Linux, who want to participate but don't know how yet. It's a guide how to build it from scratch. The problem is - I am not a superdev too and I couldn't do many things. Frankly speaking, all the remaining things seem to be small but I don't know how to overcome them. Maybe it's because I'm studying economics but not programming
Link to the guide.
I need help from anyone who knows how to overcome any of the problems on every step! Everything I managed to do by myself is already written there and currently I have a compiled kernel which is booting a partition on external SD but it freezes there.
If you have any ideas - you can just make a pull request out of Github's webinterface, if you don't know how to edit this html but know something about building Linux - you are welcome to open an issue or write it here and I will include it in the guide.
Let's make our Galaxy Note 10.1 better together!

,I just got my Note 101.1 earlier today. I'll look into the missing information and add to the webpage. Is there anything that you think I should look into first?

I actually had a question.
Looks like you have the section "Harder Way - how to prepare binaries" split into Ubuntu and Arch. Instructions for compiling the kernel are the same.
I guess my question is why the choice to show the arch kernel being compiled under arch?
Might be easier to read the guide with all the kernel compiling done in Ubuntu.
**Edit**
What I didn't originally mention is that i really like it. Hoping to help contribute as well.

darksabre_x said:
I actually had a question.
Looks like you have the section "Harder Way - how to prepare binaries" split into Ubuntu and Arch. Instructions for compiling the kernel are the same.
I guess my question is why the choice to show the arch kernel being compiled under arch?
Might be easier to read the guide with all the kernel compiling done in Ubuntu.
**Edit**
What I didn't originally mention is that i really like it. Hoping to help contribute as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. The reason for that are that despite how close Arch Linux and Ubuntu are, the environments are different. Ubuntu usually has some sort of bash completion enabled by default whereas Arch Linux doesn't and of course each of them requires diferent packages installed to perform the same functions. I believe thermatk did each distro separately as to make things simpler for the end user. Pick a distro and go as each distro's guide can be tuned independent of the others.

Soul_Est said:
Good question. The reason for that are that despite how close Arch Linux and Ubuntu are, the environments are different. Ubuntu usually has some sort of bash completion enabled by default whereas Arch Linux doesn't and of course each of them requires diferent packages installed to perform the same functions. I believe thermatk did each distro separately as to make things simpler for the end user. Pick a distro and go as each distro's guide can be tuned independent of the others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't really answer my question considering the end kernel will be the same regardless of the distro being used. I think you took my question as "Why are there 2 options for kernel compilation?", which wasn't what I was asking.
Looks like thermatk actually addressed the question with a page update.
It now gives separate options depending on which distro you want to end up with on your Note 10.1, in addition to separate kernel compilation options.
What I was referring to was when it was Ubuntu only instructions from kernel compilation all the way to deployment on the tablet and Arch only instructions. The kernel and linux image instructions weren't independent of each other, as they currently are.

Update
I'm really happy to hear that someone else wants to use it and contribute! :victory:
darksabre_x, you are right I separated the guide into parts yesterday because the system where you compile kernel doesn't really affect anything on the tablet.
Soul_Est, thank you for helping with questions in the thread :good:
Now I understand that tabs are not the best way to do it, will start this day from trying to rewrite this to a navbar constantly on top which lets you choose options from a dropdown.
Also yesterday got the guide to the point when one path through can get ypu to a bootable distro! You can compile kernel wherever you want, you should be on stock based rom and choose to install Arch on separate partition which probably will be a partition on SD. What you have to add at the end is
Code:
pacman -S lxde
and copy xorg.conf from X-Stranger's post. Once rebooted, you will be able to enter android:changeme and
Code:
sudo lxdm
and the gui will start if you don't have USB-OTG and keyboard you won't be able to enter password but you can poweroff from the interface's right corner :good: Attention: if gui says that it has no permissions to write logs do
Code:
sudo mount -n -o remount, rw /
and retry but do not forget to write here about it!
What are the current problems:
Why exception13 and X-Stranger both hardcoded the whole cmdline for kernel and forced it not to be changeable from bootloaders. It's easy to fix in the config but there should have been some idea or i'm paranoic?
What's wrong with LinuxDeploy, separate partitions and CyanogenMod? hiruna filed a bug but meefik seems to be away for a week. If anyone else with CM has an idea on how to overcome this maybe with some special unmount commands CM is thinking that ext4 partition is th extSdCard and mounts it so that LinuxDeploy can't install anything there (seems that it's the problem) while stock can't mount ext4 as extsdcard and is not touching the partition.
How do we make Debian/Ubuntu to boot? Both ways - for separate partition and img are stuck one the problem that not any mkinitramfs or abootimg or their combinations could get to a better state than initramfs shell. Separate partition should be easier so focus should be on it for the start.
Adapt X-Stranger's guide about booting Arch from *.img. It's there and should be tested, rewritten and easied and some whitespaces should be filled. I know there are some as i have spent many hours in Arch with little dirty hacks like
Code:
ln -s /proc/self/fd /dev/fd
that are needed but no one ever wrote that they are.
What's wrong with basic video? While we get bootable Arch if you add lxdm and xorg.conf it should work with lightdm and boot there without console commands. If you try to install lightdm you will get nothing but a black screen if you start it with
Code:
sudo lightdm
... and it should boot automatically without touching console.
Oh and why is kernel from exception13 not building at all? XD

Redesign #2
Anyone dislikes the new design idea with navbar selectors instead of tabs?
I hope it's better.
Will soon update the guide with last steps to have Arch with LXDE bootable from separate partition.
That's fun as I started this project to get Ubuntu working... :angel:
If anyone can understand what should be done with mkinitramfs to make debian/ubuntu rootfs bootable - please do it.

First success!
If you choose any pc distro, arch on sgn with lxde on a seaprate partition you will now get a fully working guide that will give you a native bootable GNU/Linux =)
That's first success for me but still i hope to get help as i don't know things I asked two posts ago and it's difficult to move forward.

XFCE problems
XFCE is booting (not in the guide yet) but for working with fingers in XFCE one should probably disable multitouch S-pen works fine.
http://lists.x.org/pipermail/xorg/2012-July/054626.html
http://xfce.10915.n7.nabble.com/Xfwm-window-borders-do-not-respond-to-touch-screen-td17348.html
Will find a way to enable onscreen keyboard on LightDM and update the guide with XFCE. Still I was hoping to make it my primary DE and they are not supporting fingers moving windows upstream :crying:

I was hoping to contribute this weekend but unfortunately my only machine is down after mucking up the /lib folder when heimdall. To add insult to injury, I have no backups. Installing Arch Linux or Debian and configuring everything to my liking again will take a few hours.
Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk 2

How to setup WiFi using wpa_supplicant.conf
How to setup WiFi using wpa_supplicant.conf​
1. Copy the "wifi" folder to "/opt"
- You will need gedit to edit the nameservers.
- You also need two dependencies before installing gedit.
- The two dependencies are : gtksourceview3-3.6.1-1-armv7h.pkg.tar.xz and libpeas-1.6.1-1-armv7h.pkg.tar.xz
2. Download them and copy over to ArchLinux
3. Install the dependencies first then gedit:
Code:
sudo pacman -U gtksourceview3-3.6.1-1-armv7h.pkg.tar.xz
sudo pacman -U libpeas-1.6.1-1-armv7h.pkg.tar.xz
sudo pacman -U gedit-3.6.2-2-armv7h.pkg.tar.xz
4. insmod the drivers:
***NOTE*** " 3.0.31-gedcc915 " is my kernel name. Change it to your
kernel name if it is different.
Code:
sudo insmod /lib/modules/3.0.31-gedcc915/kernel/net/wireless/cfg80211.ko
sudo insmod /lib/modules/3.0.31-gedcc915/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/bcmdhd/dhd.ko op_mode=0 firmware_path=/opt/wifi/bcmdhd_sta.bin nvram_path=/opt/wifi/nvram_net.txt_murata
5. Enable the wlan0:
Code:
sudo ip link set wlan0 up
6. Setup wpa_supplicant and ip address:
Code:
sudo wpa_supplicant -B -i wlan0 -Dwext -c /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
sudo ip addr add 192.168.1.33/24 dev wlan0
sudo ip route add default via 192.168.1.1
7a. Add nameservers:
Code:
sudo gedit /etc/resolv.conf
7b. Go to the next available line and type:
Code:
nameserver 8.8.8.8
7c. Next line :
Code:
nameserver 8.8.4.4
7d. Save it
8. Go back to the terminal and edit the wpa_supplicant file:
Code:
sudo gedit /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf
- wpa_supplicant.conf file should be like this:
Code:
ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
eapol_version=1
network={
ssid="NETWORKNAME"
scan_ssid=1
proto=RSN
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
pairwise=CCMP TKIP
psk="NETWORKPASSWORD"
}
9. And finally, to connect to your network, run
Code:
sudo dhcpcd
Open up a web browser and enjoy!
:good: :good: :good:

WiFi
I am currently including WiFi in the main guide as it's something everyone needs :laugh:

Soul_Est said:
I was hoping to contribute this weekend but unfortunately my only machine is down after mucking up the /lib folder when heimdall. To add insult to injury, I have no backups. Installing Arch Linux or Debian and configuring everything to my liking again will take a few hours.
Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will be happy if you join :good:

thermatk said:
I will be happy if you join :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll get right on the Arch Linux instructions once I get an Arch based OS installed. Hopefully that'll be tomorrow.
Written on my Galaxy Note 10.1

is this project dead ?

Equilibrio said:
is this project dead ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great job! This is awesome.
Anyone else having dependency conflicts with bluez and obexd-client?

cctoro said:
Great job! This is awesome.
Anyone else having dependency conflicts with bluez and obexd-client?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did before but it really depends on what you have install at the time when you do the update.

Having a small issue
Ok, so I followed all the instructions and set the kernel up to boot from mmcblk1p2 (my ext4 partition on my sdcard I made for linux), and used dd to copy the prebuilt arch to the partition, and it boots and eveything seems to work but the wifi.... I repeated the process from the beginning all over and recompiled to make sure i didn't miss anything, but still no wifi... And since I'm using the prebuilt image copied to the sdcard for the distro, and everything works in it if i boot the .img from the internal storage and use the premade recovery, I'm assuming maybe there's something missing from compiling the kernel? In either case, if anyone has any ideas about this, please help, or if someone can make a properly compiled recovery.img that boots from mmcblk1p2, that would be super awesome.... I'm only mediocre in linux skill so any help would be appreciated!

K, so i was an idiot and forgot to copy the compiled kernel modules to /lib........ OOPS!
Arch linux distro booting from mmcblk1p2 with 1p3 as swap... all work awesome! Working on dri2 for the mali now.....
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Could you post a prepared .IMG, possibly? Thanks.
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