Related
OK, i'm hearing all the time about different ROM's being put on phones like cyanogenmod and many others. even some people dual booting. is it possible to dual boot with ubuntu and an android ROM? if you're wondering i have the HP touchsmart (has a touchscreen) would it be possible to boot into android. i've done alot of research but can't find anyone that has done it or has a guide. would it be possible to load it into my grub or are the files entirely different. i've seen people put ubuntu on phones why not android on my laptop. (oh and not the SDK...its too slow to be seriously used and then i'm still using it as more of a virtual machine than an OS)
google search Chromium OS , Beta build , lolz , looks like android
Chromium OS is not android in the slightest!
If you want to play with Android on your PC, there are two ways you can run it:
A) Install the emulator - this is pretty slow, but gives you a phone-in-a-box you can play with
http://www.androidguys.com/2010/12/15/android-emulator/
B) Use Android x86 - a port of Android that runs on PCs
http://www.android-x86.org/
(Grab the generic iso from here: http://android-x86.moonman.dk/old/)
Now either burn that to a cd, and boot from that, create a bootable usb stick with http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ or install it in a VM like VirtualBox
EDIT: I can't post to XDA due to the fact that i just signed up for an account, but look at fards' copy of my post to see how to install Ubuntu on your Dell Streak
Here's Pats Post on modaco;
although it would be nicer to keep development discussion to just one thread, the more constructive input the better
Hello All,
I'm attempting to natively port Ubuntu and/or Debian to the Streak. With it being such a powerful device there really is no reason it SHOULDN'T be running a “desktop” operating system. However, implementing his is quite a difficult task, so if any and everyone's help would be very much appreciated.
In the mean time, this is my first guide on how to get ubuntu running piggyback on the Dell Streak. After quite a while (and numerous different trials), I have found that this is the easiest way to get Ubuntu Mobile up and running fast. All commands can be done through either ADB shell or the terminal emulator on the phone.
This was *NOT* done entirely by me, but is a culmination of the effort of lots of people in the android community. I just modified it so that it would work on the Streak.
**This Installation DOES NOT install Linux natively, and as such is should not be destructive to your Android system, however i take absolutely no responsibility for anything that happens and you do this COMPLETELY at your own risk**
Here is how to do it:
1) Root your phone. There are plenty of guides on how to do it, so find one and get root access on your phone.
**YOUR PHONE MUST BE ROOTED. THIS WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT IT.**
2) Download Ubuntu Mobile Bundle: http://uploading.com/files/bbm6b311/ubuntu.zip/
This contains an image of the filesystem as well as other necessary scripts to get it working.
2) Busybox - Install Titanium Backup from Android Market - if you press the "Problems" button it will install Busybox on your phone for you (Feel free to uninstall Titanium after this is done). This is the fastest and most pain free way to install busybox on the streak that i know of for now (the other ways of doing this ARE NOT fun...)
3) On your SD card's root directory, create a folder called ubuntu and extract all files in the ubuntu mobile bundle there.
4) Replace the bootubuntu executeable file in the ubuntu directory with mine, found here http://www.mediafire.com/?fi011w4fbmymw3y
5) Unmount phone from computer. ADB and Android Terminal will not work if the phone is mounted.
5) Download a terminal from the Android Market - I used Jack Palevich's Android Terminal Emulator (android market search: terminal) but anything similar should work the same
CODE
Code:
su
cd /sdcard/ubuntu
sh ubuntu.sh
6) Ignore any errors thrown up by ubuntu.sh. From this point, all that is needed to boot ubuntu is just to enter this:
CODE
Code:
bootubuntu
To start ubuntu from now on, this is all you need to do.
You should now have ubuntu working on your laptop, and while it DOES connect to your phone's internet sources, it DOES NOT yet have a graphical interface.
Here is how to add one:
1) Update the system with the following commands in ubuntu:
CODE
Code:
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
The first one updates the package lists, the second one downloads updates to the system itself.
2) Install TightVNC in ubuntu:
CODE
Code:
apt-get install tightvncserver
3) Configure TightVNC:
CODE
Code:
export USER=root
vncserver -geometry 800x480
For security purposes, it is recommended that you assign a password to your VNC server when asked.
4) Download Android VNC Viewer from the market
5) Configure Android VNC Viewer:
Change the port to 5901 and type in your password that you entered before.
Other Problems
There appears to be a bug with the X window server sometimes refusing to connect to VNC. DO NOT change any settings on Android VNC Viewer, instead open a terminal and run the folloring command:
CODE
Code:
rm -R /tmp/.X11-unix
What Does Not Work – Will Try To Fix
Keyboard from Android VNC Viewer
Shutdown – Does Nothing
Reboot
Log Out
Native Install
I hope you guys enjoy this, and I can't wait to get your feedback.
- Pat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there was a thread about this but it wasnt work on me. now i am downloading and i will inform you again
what is the address for vnc ?
OMG! Could that be any slower on the download?
EDIT:
That sounded totally ungrateful - sorry!
Thank you very much for this
yeah works fine without problems.
it is better from g1 but not as well as a netbook. so only experimental use i think
I connected to the loopback 127.0.0.1 on 5901 and it worked - haven't seen how to connect to it remotely though
Edit:
Reading is fundamental - I can connect to it form another machine
now to fix the keyboard issue
in terminal emulator there is a note : localhost:1 vnc could work properly so i connect with only port and password.
is it possible to install jolicloud since its an ubuntu based system?
Newbie questions, sorry....
Before to try this port, just some maybe stupid questions for you:
- Still working the phone function?
- Is it easy to go back to standard or Steve Streaks Roms?
- Are there lack of drivers for bluetooth, gps, audio, wifi, etc?
Thanks.
No your missing the point here, this isn't an OS separate to android. Think of this as an app it runs on top of the android system. Also this is very experimental most features would be limited and no ubuntu can't be used as an smartphone os -No phone...
beginner said:
Before to try this port, just some maybe stupid questions for you:
- Still working the phone function?
- Is it easy to go back to standard or Steve Streaks Roms?
- Are there lack of drivers for bluetooth, gps, audio, wifi, etc?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Ubuntu does not replace android, and the UI only runs in a VNC server, so you can switch back and forth between ubuntu and the phone app (or angry birds?)
2) I installed mine on top of DJ Steve's 1.8.1 rom... It's not native, so it only runs on top of android instead of replacing it
3) Haven't tried audio yet, but it should work (let me know how it goes)... internet connectivity works and provided you have an internet connection enabled in android you can use tools like APT or Firefox in ubuntu... only problem is keyboard is a bit wonky...
For those who had trouble figuring out how to set up the VNC, here is a picture of my VNC configuration on my phone. If you find out the phone's IP address you should even be able to VNC into it from your computer (if your on the same wifi network)
Also, openoffice.org
- pat
Is anyone actively attempting to get Ubuntu running native?
audio not working
keyboard not working
also lots of lags.
ear0wax said:
Is anyone actively attempting to get Ubuntu running native?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, i'm looking into it, but it's quite an uphill battle in order to get it working. I'll let everyone know when we make some progress.
www.cepdukkani.net said:
audio not working
keyboard not working
also lots of lags.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cause you are running 2 operating systems at the same time
But seriously, if ubuntu can run native (no android in the background) then the lag would be gone, and (if set up right) audio and keyboard would work.
- pat
could i recieve phone and uses sms?
Getting error
Hi all after passing command for booting ubuntu I get a error chroot can't find /bin/bash folder or directory missing
Sent from my Dell Streak using XDA Premium App
www.cepdukkani.net said:
audio not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im wondering if I install a rdp server instead of vnc if I can get remote audio working.
Ill post with whatever results i get once I'm done waiting 2 hours for the ubuntu image to download.
As for lag. I had a n900 running @600mhz and was doing a chroot into ubuntu and it ran fine, but it used xpyher not vnc. Is there any embedded X servers for android yet? (I highly doubt it)
data requirement for updating GUI pkg of Ubuntu
Can any body tell me size of the data required to update to gui ......as i m not using wi -fi i hv to stick on gsm data usage which is limited in my plan
Very cool!
I had lots of trouble rooting my 2.2.2, but finally got it done by running Gingerbreak twice in a row on a cleanly re-started Streak.
Thanks for a fun gig!
Turning note into a Linux laptop: a step by step guide
The main advantage of the method here is that you can run android app and linux program side by side. Moreover, S-pen can act as mouse
Device: p600
ROM: P600UEUBMK1
(Following method may be applicable if your device is rooted and has other selinux permissive ROM installed)
1 Root and flash selinux permissive kernel
a. for root method, see
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2490805
b. Flash selinux permissive kernel, for instructions, see
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2590311
Please read the instructions completely.
c. Install SElinuxModeChanger
Install SElinuxModeChanger from Google Play (app is free and without ads) and change selinux mode to permissive.
Reboot note, if SELINUX status is Permissive in the Setting--about device, you can move on to next step.
2 Install Linux distro using Linux Deploy
Install Linux Deploy from Google Play (app is free and without ads), Start Linux Deploy and push the Download Button, and then in the Deploy option, you have the following choices:
a. Distribution
I have tried Debian and Ubuntu, both have been successful installed.
b. Distribution suite
For Debian , choose Jessie.
For Ubuntu, choose Trusty.
c. Architeture
Choose armhf.
d. Mirror URL
For Debian, http://202.141.160.110/debian
202.141.160.110 is the IP address of debian.ustc.edu.cn (one of the Debian mirrors in China)
You can choose other mirrors from
https://www.debian.org/mirror/list
but remember to convert the web address into IP address
For Ubuntu, http://18.7.29.125/ubuntu-ports/
18.7.29.125 is the IP address of mirrors.mit.edu
The above mirrors are chosen because they are stable and fast for users in China.
e. Installation type
File(default option)
f. Installation path
For Debian, /storage/emulated/0/debian.img
For Ubuntu, /storage/emulated/0/ubuntu.img
In fact , You can choose whatever file name you like. I chose the above names, because I actually installed both Debian and Ubuntu on my device.
g. Image size
Automatic calculation (default option)
h. File system
Auto (default option)
i. User name
Android (default option)
j. DNS server
Automatic detection (default option)
k. Localization
en_US.UTF-8 (default option)
l. Desktop environment
Xfce
m. Select components
Just check all components
After the Deploy options have been set, choose Install under Action options.
The installation time taken depends on the mirror chosen and how stable the internet connection is.
When you see “end: Install”
Push the Stop Button, and then Start Button.
If no information about failure of starting SSH and VNC services are shown, then the installation is successful.
3 Configure startup environment using Linux Deploy
Push the Download Button, ensure that both SSH and GUI are checked under STARTUP option.
for Graphic subsystem, choose VNC
for GUI setting, Display is set to 0, Depth 24, DPI 270, Width 2560, Height 1600.
check Custom mounts
For Mount points, add /mnt/extSdCard/ so that you can access external sdcard under linux environment.
or add /mnt/0/ to access internal sdcard.
Back to the main page, push Stop and then Start Button to see if external sdcard and internal sdcard can be mounted.
4 Set up ssh and vnc client
a. Install JuiceSSH from Google Play (app is free and without ads),
Launch JuiceSSH, under Connections, choose New Connection,
In basic settings, Type is set to SSH, Address is set to 127.0.0.1 (IP of local host), and Identity is android.
Back to the main page, connect to 127.0.0.1, when prompting for password, enter changeme. You are now login into Debian or Ubuntu.
b. Install bVNC from Google Play (there are free and pro versions, free version is fine)
In the Connect Type, choose Basic VNC.
In the VNC Connections Settings, Address is set to 127.0.0.1, port 5900, and password changeme.
Push the connect button, You are now login into Debian or Ubuntu desktop.
Can you please upload a video of Linux running on your note, if you can please. Never thought Linux would run on note. It would really transform this tablet into a powerful productivity tool.
excalibar001 said:
Can you please upload a video of Linux running on your note, if you can please. Never thought Linux would run on note. It would really transform this tablet into a powerful productivity tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no experience of making and uploading video .
some screenshots are attached
Does this guide is for P600 only ? :silly:
It's impractical at best. I mean I appreciate the time it took for you to write this, but linux through chroot is not very useful, it cannot be. It's like trying to run linux on a p3 machine, which is painful to see especially since our machines have the raw power of a fast core 2 duo (if cross platform benchs are to be believed).
What we need is a custom bootloader which would enable dual boot of Linux and android and then a proper linux kernel including driver support for all our tablets main components. Native linux. I've always dreamt of an ultra portable do-it-all machine and my note is almost that, with *almost* being the imperative word.
Note 2012 has it, raspberry f....ING pi has it even though it includes 1/10th of the firepower of our note, we don't, and I miss it oh so much for certain apps. The pen via hovering can act like a proper ultra portable mouse (tapping -> left click, pressing the key + tapping -> right click) + a floating keyboard (like Sammy 's official one) and we're golden. Alas without a proper kernel and a proper bootloader we're nothing.
Appreciate the effort, I really do, but linux deploy is mostly a toy :/
I'll await for the day that native linux comes.
does it work with framebuffer option (instead of vnc)?
Stevethegreat said:
It's impractical at best. I mean I appreciate the time it took for you to write this, but linux through chroot is not very useful, it cannot be. It's like trying to run linux on a p3 machine, which is painful to see especially since our machines have the raw power of a fast core 2 duo (if cross platform benchs are to be believed).
What we need is a custom bootloader which would enable dual boot of Linux and android and then a proper linux kernel including driver support for all our tablets main components. Native linux. I've always dreamt of an ultra portable do-it-all machine and my note is almost that, with *almost* being the imperative word.
Note 2012 has it, raspberry f....ING pi has it even though it includes 1/10th of the firepower of our note, we don't, and I miss it oh so much for certain apps. The pen via hovering can act like a proper ultra portable mouse (tapping -> left click, pressing the key + tapping -> right click) + a floating keyboard (like Sammy 's official one) and we're golden. Alas without a proper kernel and a proper bootloader we're nothing.
Appreciate the effort, I really do, but linux deploy is mostly a toy :/
I'll await for the day that native linux comes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Linux through chroot is sufficient for the following purposes:
1 have a taste of different linux distro
2 learning programming in R, python, and octave.
3 editing and compiling no so large latex files
4 learning and practicing the universal editor emacs ( I use it with R,python and octave) if equipped with a physical keyboard.
In sum, note 10.1 with linux through ssh and vnc is perfect for educational purpose.
For developer, at least, they can learn how their linux program looks like in a 10 inch screen with 2560*1600 resolution.
ziotom2 said:
does it work with framebuffer option (instead of vnc)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same question for op or anyone in the know. Can you start gui without vnc?
I have tried framebuffer on several devices, including note , without success.
Are there any prerequisite to use it?
Thank you for the guide. I am stuck in point 4th setup ssh and vnc when I try to connect I think it doesnt rcognize address 127.0.0.1 as I recive this msj: failled to connect to /127.0.0.1 port 22 connect failed ECONREFUSED. Any idea why?
Thank you
What I can do on Linux?
Sent from my Galaxy Note 2
Why install Linux?
Stevethegreat said:
It's impractical at best. I mean I appreciate the time it took for you to write this, but linux through chroot is not very useful, it cannot be. It's like trying to run linux on a p3 machine, which is painful to see especially since our machines have the raw power of a fast core 2 duo (if cross platform benchs are to be believed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually there are several Linux applications I would like to run, which require very little processing power and I believe would run just fine.
WikidPad and FreeMind are the obvious ones for me; but I also have a proprietary simulation package that would probably benefit from running slower
Their value to me would because they are always available so using them would lack the friction I currently endure- I have to be at home to use them.
I have new instructions here that are much better, but require some amount of software compiling (mainly with the kernel): https://forum.xda-developers.com/iconia-a500/linux-acer-iconia-tab-a500-2020-edition-t4136023
I'm a latecomer to the scene of seeing GNU/Linux userland distros run on this tablet, as I only acquired mine from a friend since last year, and couldn't use it until I replaced the ac adapter and battery. I was this lucky as Android devices capable of running GNU/Linux distros natively are hard to come by, and moreso for getting it for free. But first, the tablet needed to be fixed up by software:
I upgraded the stock Android OS from 3.?.? to 4.0.3 by downloading Acer-provided updates to a microSD card.
Now I could retrieve the tablet's serial number and generate the SBK from it in order to flash Skrillax_CZ's custom bootloader with nvflash.
I flashed CWM 6.0.4.5 custom recovery first (to AKB partition), then OmniROM based on Android 4.4.4 (to LNX partition). I flashed an Open GApps package at first, but I had to remove it as those apps try to utilize the NEON extensions that this tablet's CPU lacks, causing them to crash. (4.4 is the minimum version the Open GApps supports anyways) Instead, I used F-Droid for an app store replacement, which sufficed for most of my needs.
Then I got to flashing a kernel that enables booting native Linux distros (to SOS partition). While I tried both sp3dev's 2.6.38 kernel and rogro82's 3.1.10 kernel (a modded version that loads the distro from the 2nd partition of a microSD card), I stuck with the 3.1.10 kernel, as it included the ASIX AX8817X USB 2.0 Ethernet driver which allows me an alternate method of internet connection in case I couldn't use wi-fi (both boot images are attached for preservation and convenience, renamed).
Now I was ready to experience running Linux distros natively on a mobile device for the first time. :fingers-crossed: From this point on, I would be using rootfs images to reach this dream of mine. With the new instructions posted above, I may have finally realized this dream! While I have more stuff working smoothly (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 2D software acceleration), other minor things are still not, including the camera and 3D acceleration (due to such support not existing in mainline kernel).
Some notes I made for this time period:
I have found out that glibc versions 2.24 and later have removed support for Linux kernel versions < 3.2, which limits the choice of distros I can select from without additional work.
The minimum Linux kernel version that this version of the GNU C Library can be used with is 3.2, except on i[4567]86 and x86_64, where Linux kernel version 2.6.32 or later suffices (on architectures that already required kernel versions more recent than 3.2, those requirements remain unchanged). Linux 3.2 or later kernel headers are required on all architectures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The workarounds to this are to use an alternate C library, or use older versions of glibc (Version 2.23 is used in Ubuntu 16.04, but it is compiled to only run with Linux 3.2 or later, so it must be recompiled by lowering the minimum kernel version to 2.6.32).
The file bcm4329-fullmac-4.bin can be found in packages of linux-firmware, but bcm4329-fullmac-4.txt needs to be obtained from the stock Android OSes, as the file "/system/etc/wifi/bcmdhd.cal" (original file attached for convenience, renamed).
Linux kernel version 3.1.10 is the latest one provided by NVIDIA, and new versions are unlikely to be ported to this tablet's CPU, according to https://developer.nvidia.com/linux-tegra-rel-16.
Other than the above three points, Linux distros will work almost flawlessly, but if the screen is turned back on, an external keyboard is needed to switch to one of six virtual terminals by using Ctrl+Alt+[1-6], and then switching back to Ctrl+Alt+7, where 7 may be replaced if the GUI is running in another virtual terminal location. This process is not needed if the NVIDIA proprietary drivers are being used, which can be found on this page: https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nvidia-graphics-drivers-tegra/16.3-0ubuntu2/+build/4804631 (Beware that X11 ABI versions > 14 are not supported, so downgrade the xorg version somehow to the 1.14.x series to use this driver).
[Version 16.3] is the final release supporting Ventana. T20 support will not be included in future releases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The internal storage is also detected by the kernel, but its contents cannot be normally accessed, as it has a special partitioning scheme that cannot be recognized. It is possible to format it, and partition it to hold accessible data, but I recommend not doing any partitioning for it, as it may require a longer restoration process that will not be explained here for now. However, using TestDisk to search for partitions using the GPT partitioning scheme allows four of them to be accessible. I recommend only copying data from those partitions; writing the detected partitioning scheme is risky for now.
Putting the tablet to sleep by use of pm-utils works, and the tablet will even power back up after the power button is pressed, but it may cause the BCM4329 SDIO card to stop working until the next reboot.
Any programs that utilize OpenGL during their operations are very likely to have poor performance, and will remain so, as this tablet model's GPU only supports OpenGL ES and EGL :crying: , unless those programs are altered by source code to include support one of these two APIs. Additionally, some colors may appear to be off during any OpenGL rendering (e.g. orange is rendered blue) However, the proprietary drivers may help with faster OpenGL ES and EGL rendering, but still, most programs are unable to utilize them.
I guess I can be blamed for sticking with too old hardware; people are moving onto newer hardware so quickly! However, there's still hope for having some sort of Linux tablet, but the road to getting there is not easy.
NEW: I have successfully cross-compiled this Linux 3.17.0-rc7 kernel, using the picasso config from rogro82's kernel source. When compiling this kernel, do not switch to any other branches, or prompts like this will appear upon invoking make:
Code:
Patch physical to virtual translations at runtime (ARM_PATCH_PHYS_VIRT) [N/y/?] n
Physical address of main memory (PHYS_OFFSET) [] (NEW)
I also created a boot image for it, but after flashing it, attempting to boot results in the bootloader being stuck at the loading screen, without hope for anymore activity unless powered off by force. Even inserting an initrd will not change anything but the size of the boot image (Max size for the SOS partition is ~5MB). :crying: This also seems to have happened a version of the 2.6.38 kernel from sp3dev that I have self-compiled, but that one was without an initrd. Either I'm not using the correct toolchain (I'm using the ones provided from the Ubuntu repositories), or non-manufacturer-provided kernels don't have the special code to support this tablet model. However, I really want to get this kernel to boot successfully, so that newer distro versions can be used (my results will appear in another post).
Supported Distros
Almost any distro will work out-of-the-box (OOTB), but some require software-level modifications that can only be done on a real armv7-based device or emulation, so here is a list of distros whose latest stable versions have an arm build, can successfully boot up, use glibc <= 2.23, and their image locations (all of them can at least boot to a terminal login screen, if a graphical desktop environment is not preinstalled, but this will require use of an external USB keyboard):
Devuan 1 Jessie (Mirrors for this distro are located in the directory "devuan_jessie/embedded/")
Slackware ARM 14.2 | http://ftp.arm.slackware.com/slackwarearm/slackwarearm-devtools/minirootfs/roots/
CentOS 7 | http://mirror.centos.org/altarch/7/isos/armhfp/
openSUSE Leap 42.3 | http://download.opensuse.org/ports/armv7hl/distribution/leap/42.3/appliances/
Unfortunately, for some reason, the BCM4329 wi-fi works OOTB only with older versions of some distros, including these:
Devuan 1 Jessie (already listed above)
Debian 8 Jessie and older (supported until May 2020)
Ubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr and older (supported until April 2019)
On newer versions of these distros, if I was able to boot them successfully, they will work, but when running
Code:
iwconfig wlan0 txpower auto
it results in input/output errors that are meaningless, and the kernel messages do not really help that much, even when using the supplied nvram file (do I need to get a different one, or support had been dropped entirely for this card?) For these cases, USB ethernet adapters are the only way to get an internet connection to this tablet model. I have never been able to get Bluetooth to work, unless I missed some other task that I have not yet heard of.
NOTE: To remove the root password, use this command on a Linux/BSD/other Unix OS:
Code:
sed -i 's/root:x:/root::/' /etc/passwd
"/etc/passwd" can be replaced with another location if needed. "/etc/fstab" may also need to edited to reflect the partition layout of the microSD card that a selected distro is installed to.
OOTB distro support for this tablet model is very limited at this time; support for it seems to be being dropped implicitly , unless I can compile and successfully get a newer kernel version to boot up. DistroWatch.com lists many more, but older versions of most distros will most likely have to be used. It's better to use the versions that are still supported, for that they will still receive software and security updates occasionally.
booted up slackware rootfs using thor2002ro installer successfully
Potential new kernel source
See the bottom of the first post for more information about this.
I'm working on trying to get us a newer kernel version than the NVIDIA-provided 3.1.10 one, located at https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/tegra/linux.git/. This one is at 3.17.0-rc7. It's better in that comes straight from kernel.org, the official source of Linux kernel releases. However, its last update was from 09/28/2014, so while it is considerably newer than manufacturer-provided sources, it's not as new as the 4.x series (I'm not sure if I'm even willing to try compiling this series due to the age of this tablet model's hardware), but at least this will allow the tablet to successfully boot up newer distro versions. The issues with the BCM4239 card are likely to carry over here, but I can compile more drivers, either built-in to the image, or as modules that need to be added to a rootfs. Doing this will open up more alternate methods of getting an internet connection, such as by USB wi-fi/cellular adapters, or by USB RNDIS tethering. For reference, here are the current two 3.x release series, both of which are receiving updates as long-term support series:
3.16.x, supported until April 2020.
3.2.x, supported until May 2018.
That means in about two more years, this tablet model will effectively reach its end-of-life.
Do not flash the boot image attached here; it does not work yet. All of the attachments are provided for analysis, as they need more work before becoming usable. I try to learn most things on my own, but some things are not obvious to me as to what I should, so I need all the help I can get so that we can load new distro versions and give life to the remaining of these tablets for a few more years. At most, CentOS 7 is supported until June 2024 (enterprise-oriented distros tend to be supported for unusually longer amounts of time), if older kernels versions must be used or I fail to get this new kernel working at all, so this will be our only supported option if we can't get a new solution by the 1st half of 2020.
i found a thread with step how to install wifi drivers on deb-based distros
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1782549
we need packages: broadcom-sta-common broadcom-sta-source firmware-b43-installer firmware-b43legacy-installer b43-fwcutter
(i never tried it, idk if it even works)
still pursuing this project?
not sure if you are still pursuing this but if you are i would like to help
Aaron
adconway said:
not sure if you are still pursuing this but if you are i would like to help
Aaron
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm still looking for people to help me with this; it will happen for as long as I own this tablet model; I haven't made much progress as I haven't found enough people to help me. It's good that you would like to help me.
Hi!
Sorry for the noob question folks...
I really would like to try some linux distros on this tablet, I have the Skrillax_CZ's custom bootloader installed, also the latest OmniROM but how can I install / boot a linux distro?
Thank you!
Ladislav
The kernel that I used expects the root file system to be on
Code:
/dev/mmcblk1p2
. Images for the Raspberry Pi are usually formatted with two partitions: one containing the boot files; the other containing the actual filesystem. The latter is what the kernel expects to read.
I've been hoping for a thread like this since I wasn't getting anywhere with my own old A500. With Google support flaky as ever on my tablet, I've been itching to remove it entirely for a Linux distro. When I get time, I would love to tinker with the materials you've shared, Worldblender.
Do someone have headers for kernel 3.8.13.20-digetx-thor-01232-gfe12f92?
2019 Status
Finally, I've decided to try again to get something a little more recent onto here. Ubuntu 16.04 and one flavor, Ubuntu MATE 15.04, can currently be run. Ubuntu Mate is an Ubuntu flavor shipping with the MATE desktop environment, and the only flavor to produce images for the Raspberry Pi, hence their partition layout is compatible with the 3.1.10 kernel image.
Here's what I went through today (all versions require editing /etc/fstab to disable mounting of the first partition for them to complete booting. To get Wi-Fi working, use the text file from the very first post of this topic, and place it in the same location (/lib/firmware/brcm); no need to copy the BIN file as it will already be present on the images):
Ubuntu MATE:
15.04: Only version that successfully boots out-of-the-box. Unsupported version. Use this image for now, as all others listed here don't work out-of-the-box.
15.10: Crashes with a kernel panic. Unsupported version.
16.04: Crashes with a kernel panic. Requires replacing the libc6 package and everything that directly depends on it with the ones from 15.10. Supported until April 2021. Glibc version 2.23 is in 16.04, while 2.21 is in 15.04 and 15.10.
Ubuntu:
16.04: Preinstalled images for Raspberry Pi 2/3 available at http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/16.04/release/. Username and password is "ubuntu", and will prompt to change password upon logging in. Requires replacing the libc6 package and everything that directly depends on it with the ones from 15.10. Glibc version 2.23 is in 16.04, while 2.21 is in 15.04 and 15.10.
For Ubuntu 16.04, the following packages must be replaced prior to first boot with a chroot running on either an ARM virtual machine (the instructions at https://wiki.debian.org/QemuUserEmulation will also work), or another ARM computer (Android smartphones and tablets can be used here, as long as they have a microSD slot or support USB-OTG, where a USB SD card reader has to be used instead):
libc-bin
libc6
locales
perl
perl-base
perl-modules
After that, I recommend pinning/locking the packages "libc6" and "perl-base" to prevent the OS from becoming unbootable after an upgrade.
For all unsupported versions of Ubuntu, change the package repository URLs to point to http://old-releases.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ so that more packages can be installed.
To download any of the Ubuntu MATE image versions listed above, use the torrents attached below (should still work at the time of writing this post). The Internet Archive has saved copies of these torrents, as they can no longer be accessed from the current Ubuntu MATE download page. They can be found at https://web.archive.org/web/*/https://ubuntu-mate.org/raspberry-pi/*
This is the best that I can offer; either use Ubuntu 15.04 right away (and access some newer program versions, but have no access to the latest security updates), or tweak Ubuntu 16.04 post-install with the package names listed above (and access even newer program versions plus security updates until April 2021). It may be the last time we can get newer software on an aging tablet from 2011 [!], unless new ones are compiled from source.
digetx repository
TeTriNol said:
Do someone have headers for kernel 3.8.13.20-digetx-thor-01232-gfe12f92?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
digetx has a repository on bitbucket, might be there
Upgrade from 14.04 lubuntu by digetx
Thanks for posting the upgrade info, trying for a while but never found out the fix, until now.
After installing and upgrading 14.04 install as originally described on tegraowners I locked all the packages you mentioned eg:
libc-bin
libc6
locales
perl
perl-base
perl-modules
Then did a distrbution upgrade and presto, v16.04. Now I can install the latest versions of some programs I use.
Many thanks for sharing and kudos for finding issue. One day I hope to get back into linux seriously, changed a lot since the 14 floppy disk distributions. :good:
18.04 upgrade works so far
After the v16.04 upgrade I thought "go for broke" and try another dist upgrade and after a few warnings it worked.
Havent tried everything yet but Chromium works to get this typed, and system profiler but I can't upload image here.
Kicad 5 installed but eeschema crashed in 16.04 but it runs on 18.04 albeit a little slower than an i5
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X3yEyWYsCWyF6RXxgd4GpBkyIHBmIPlw/view?usp=sharing
beaka said:
After the v16.04 upgrade I thought "go for broke" and try another dist upgrade and after a few warnings it worked.
Havent tried everything yet but Chromium works to get this typed, and system profiler but I can't upload image here.
Kicad 5 installed but eeschema crashed in 16.04 but it runs on 18.04 albeit a little slower than an i5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi beaka, can you share rootfs and install files from tegraowners lubuntu 14.04 ? I'm looking for it but tegraowners is gone now.
rootfs and installer from tegraowners
pheex79 said:
Hi beaka, can you share rootfs and install files from tegraowners lubuntu 14.04 ? I'm looking for it but tegraowners is gone now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi pheex,
Here are links to the files I used to install lubuntu 14.04 then do the distupgrades to 18.04
installer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13Gg7Xhyx_C1Ra7_rkD4G_3yoPbf-qvC5/view?usp=sharing
rootfs:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14YZ-_o2c-3afqD0PbppWod12p3xB5fs2/view?usp=sharing
I have skrilax v8 loader and install to sd card.
Hope that helps. :good:
thanks a lot !
Now wifi work, i can't figure it out with ubuntu debootstrap root fs
beaka said:
Hi pheex,
Here are links to the files I used to install lubuntu 14.04 then do the distupgrades to 18.04
I have skrilax v8 loader and install to sd card.
Hope that helps. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dist upgrade don't work for me, something broke dependencies, maybe the packages i freeze (libc...)
Do you remember how do you proceed ?
pheex79 said:
Dist upgrade don't work for me, something broke dependencies, maybe the packages i freeze (libc...)
Do you remember how do you proceed ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a new install to card.
apt update
apt upgrade
reboot
open synaptic package manager and lock the versions of:
libc-bin
libc6
locales
perl
perl-base
perl-modulesby selecting then Package/Lock version from menu
reboot and make sure it works
open software updater and update (use gui version as apt doesnt seem to lock version)
reboot and make sure it works
open software updater and do dist upgrade to 16.04 (go to bed as slow dl on 3g)
reboot to see if it worked
then I did a dd of the sd as the upgrade takes hours over 3g
software updater to upgrade 16.04 security
after that I again used software updater to go to 18.04
dd sd card so never have to do it again
using apt from 18.04 doesnt seem to break anything so far that I use.
brief summary but hope it helps. once you get it to 16.04 it seems a bit more stable and on 18.04 it works and is a bit more responsive but I havent tried every feature, just web(chromium and ff v55, had to find old pre-neon vers) , samba, kicad, freerdp (works well) and I can even print to epson wifi x420 (just found it on network, almost thought I was in windows )
good luck let us know how you go
https://github.com/mnet-repo/mnet
https://github.com/mnet-repo/mnet have been working on this and its at a point where others may find use of it. I made it on lingeage based ROMs both 15.1(oreo) and 16(pie). I don't keep stock ROMs longer than it takes to enable developer settings and OEM unlock, so stock will need supplental binaries most likely. I'm willing to help if I can and I give contact info.
This uses python, I modded py4a to serve my functions, no apks no gui level anything(other than terminal emulator and hackers keyboard of course)it's self contained. python baseHTTPserver and iptables is the base. Lineage provides hostapd, dnsmasq, iptables, iw, etc. It works on motorola, lg, and rockchip devices that i tested on, all with lineage 15.1+ environments kernel 3.14 + the rockchip uses mainline 5.x kernel. It also works in a debian chroot, ask me if your interested and ill share my linuxdeploy conf and postinstal script to pull it off. Im sure it would work in termux, but I personally dont use that.
Try it out, the portable python2.7(I did both 2.7 and 3.7 and will put its components in individual repos, pip and other modules such as flask could likely work and do work before modifications. I simply changed config files and libraries to one folder and psuedo relative paths) and portal script can be adapted to the android system hotspot or any other hotspot method. The mnet script is not limited to wifi repeating, for example I got it to tether from a bluetooth internet connection bnep0(something similar) and also ethernet, usb tether(rndis) interfaces. Just specify the interface and an addressort within the subnet assigned to it to host portal on. The html code can of course be changed to your needs.