More questions about Linux on the Desire. - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
I've been especially interested in getting Linux working on the Desire, and have discovered that the Ubuntu available for the Nexus one will not work. However,
(i cant post the link, but google "Archlinux on the Desire, Chroot inside" and it will be the first result).
is a thread where i followed the instructions and successfully chrooted into Archlinux. Problem is that Arch doesn't have a very large ARM repository - so no X.
There are a few questions i have. Firstly: Is it possible to add the Debian or Ubuntu repo to Pacman (the package manager for Arch)?
Is it possible to install Aptitude (and then add the repository)?
Something else that I am wondering. In the Thread provided, the tar.bz2 extracts to a fully functional chroot - how would one go about preparing Linux like that (for ARM) for another distro?
The problem with the Ubuntu chroot is that it wants to mount a .img. If the contents of the .img were extracted (i don't know how to do this), could it be manually chrooted from a directory instead of a file.
Thanks for readin'
Josh.

You could try putting the contents of the Ubuntu image on the ext partition of your SD.
You could do it quite easily on your phone.
Mount the image somewhere then just cp the files over to the ext partition.

hello, long time I visit this great site, but had never encouraged me to register. I managed to run ubuntu in the desire, following the same tutorial for the nexus one but with some minimal changes. If people are interested I can create a mini howto...
Sorry about english : )

Yes please do XD
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App, WHILE SHOUTING AT THE CAT

Yeah, please do!
I attempted to follow the nexus one guide, but i don't know enough about linux to work out why things don't/shouldn't work properly.
So yeah, if you made a guide, it'd be great!
Josh.

Related

[WIP] Ubuntu netbook 10.10 porting

Hi !
I'm actually porting/playing with ubuntu on my Galaxy S. The goal would be to boot ubuntu "natively" from the ubuntu initramfs, but since i was unable to get a working framebuffer output on kernel boot (if someone have a solution for this, it would really help me), i'm using a chrooted environment for now. Some guys already had ubuntu to run on the Galaxy S in a chrooted environment, but the android UI was still running (using a lot of memory) and we had to use VNC to experience the ubuntu desktop. With this version, X is using the s3cfb framebuffer and fbdev driver to draw to the screen. I have also modified a Xorg input driver (plpevtch) to have a preliminary touch screen support. Since we still run it after the android services initializations, ubuntu will use the current connection (wifi, 3G).
If someone want's to play/help/try this stuff, here is the procedure i'v done for now :
Requirements :
- A Linux computer ( tested on ubuntu 10.10 )
- Galaxy S i9000 running an android kernel with ext2 support ( tested with Universal lagfix kernel )
- root (provided with the previous kernel i think)
- busybox (market)
- sdcard 2GB at least, primary partition formated to ext2 (play with the scripts to change to fat or ext4 etc)
- I think that's all
Download :
Download the attached package and extract it, this one contains the required scripts to download/patch ubuntu, prepare the sdcard, and stat/stop ubuntu.
Usage :
create.sh :
usage : create.sh /path/to/my/ext2/sdcard
This script will download the ubuntu netbook 10.10 compressed image for arm, decompress it, mount it then copy the filesystem to a specified path (should be an ext2 formated partition on the sdcard, and be the first partition on the sdcard ( /dev/mmcblkXp1 ).
Should be run first, one time ...
start.sh :
usage : start.sh
This script run "droid_ubuntu_init.sh" on the phone, which stop the android interface, mount the sdcard, prepare the chrooted environment and start a chrooted session (chroot_init.sh, which simulate a "daemon" to allow services to run in the background and start the ubuntu desktop.
Should be run everytime you wants to start ubuntu.
update.sh :
usage : update.sh
At the first "boot", ubuntu desktop (X) will not work, we have to update the distribution. To do so, run "start.sh" (if not already done) to start ubuntu, then run this script. It will update ubuntu (you should really use a wifi connection to do so), and X should then work. It will also install an ssh server. This will take a long time
Should be run one time.
====== Notes =====
If you want to run some "services", you should edit the file "scripts/chroot_init.sh" and add your service here (after the ssh service for example).
The package contains the "patch" applied to the ubuntu rootfs, and the sources of the modified touchscreen xorg input driver.
I did not work on a "stop" script yet, you'll have to reboot the phone if you want the android UI back.
It's really a work in progress, nothing really usable for now.
This is realy cool thumbs up
Il defently start looking at this at first possible time slice.
Download the attached package
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, where is the script ?
I would love to see Ubuntu running in native mode like it did on my former HD2 (witch, btw, i still think it's the best smartphone ever, Galaxy S - no were near).
mdalacu said:
Hi, where is the script ?
I would love to see Ubuntu running in native mode like it did on my former HD2 (witch, btw, i still think it's the best smartphone ever, Galaxy S - no were near).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't that be primarily because of the HUGE amount of development for it?
What about trying with a lightweight disto like puppy linux? last one uses lucid lynx package and it can run in ram (so very light).
Also maybe you can make some kind of "boot menu" using recovery mode:
in recovery mode, android is not started so if we add an entry to to recovery to run the start script on the sd from there it should be what you are looking for.
The only big problem i see for me to port ubuntu or anything else natively is a way to debug the boot process. Unfortunately, i was unable to get the kernel framebuffer to work, i would really need some help on this. For now it work great enough in a chrooted env to port some drivers etc. Anyone ? Else yes i'm using a custom rootfs to debug the kernel/drivers/rootfs.
Let's hope i find the time to try this tonight, while booting from a Ubuntu livecd
Oups, i did forget to attach the files. .. Will do so tomorow.
Has anyone worked on "really" porting another distro, done some work on kernel drivers? Actually it seems the s3cfb framebuffer isnt hardware accelerated using fbdev, preventing screen rotation and such. Any hint?
Hi,
I'm a french poweruser of Ubuntu (Server/Desktop).
May I have your script please?
Thanks,
RolluS
Hi,
I'm a french poweruser of linux
Mais ou sont donc les scripts ?
How is the script ?
Julien_050
Cpasjuste said:
Oups, i did forget to attach the files. .. Will do so tomorow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Posting the script might generate more interest.
When the files are up, i will try it thx.
koe1974 said:
Posting the script might generate more interest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
hi, i was almost at goal, but when starting X-session, it unmounts my sd card... any ideas?
Right when it starts?
Maybe some x app is taking over the sdcard.. just an idea

[Guide] preparation guide to running Ubuntu/debian on desire z

Ok , I know there is thread about debian running fine on desire z but the tutorial there is highly unfriendly and there are some other stuff you need to do to your desire z. This is my first guide. The reason for posting in dev thread is because chroot and loop requires specific kernel support to power Ubuntu.
Just to explain certain terms here...
Kernel - the interface for android to access hardware. Note that andorid is stripped down version of ubuntu and it does not have loopdevice support
Loopdevice - Imagine virtual disk mount program such as Daemon tools. This requires specifically supported kernels such
Following tutorial will void your warrenty (root and s off) but you can change to warrenty friendly state of course XD Check out xda wiki for more info( study to know what you are doing there.)
There are plenty of guides to get su and busybox( allows android system to be able to utilise more advanced commands) so check out comprehensive guides for g2 and desirez in this wiki below is my version
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If your phone is stock, do a lot of research before doing root and s off. cyanogenmod has good guide on wiki for you to s off and get permanet root. Just for you to know, s off is to disable security for us to flash new kernel with loopback support and root is well... needed for most of hacks in XDA XD
*note for noobs: this is tested with desire z but G2 should not have problems. just be careful of which device's gfree you are using to s off.
ENGINEERING HBOOT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOU TO DO SO AS IT MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS FLASHING CUSTOM ROM/KERNEL WITHOUT IT (guides are confusing if custom roms require flashing hboot)
Preparation:
1. busybox (install titanium backup and under problems? you can install busybox in a easy way)
2. Recommended: Clockwork recovery(rom manager in market)
3.Root and S off
4.Optional : remove or move sd card installed apps to internal memory or else LOOPDEVICE may be occupied and you may not be able to mount ubuntu. Do this if you encounter error (caused by app2 sd) please note that recent builds in xda mount loop device as 255 to avoid this problem.
You might want to use adb if necessary
5. android terminal from market
6. 2gb free space in sdcard (certain builds use 4gb as storage image, which is limit for fat32 system)
---------Kernel preparation ---------------------------------
Flashing necessary kernel
1. Download suitable kernel with loop device support. I am using cyanogen -> virtuous-kernel-cyanogen kernel from ://files.virtuousrom.com/vision/kernels/
(add http infront) on Stock HTC Sense Rom
2. To flash this, from rom manager, boot into clockworkmod recovery and select zip file to flash. Nandroid backup is recommended beforehand
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Now your phone has loopback support to chroot into UBUNTU or DEBIAN
Well, this method is not native ubuntu but it works fine.
You can now follow any guide on XDA like G1,nexus 1etc on running linux in android. I recommend nexus 1 hacks .com for ubuntu setup or thread "Debian for Desire" for debian setup (note debian seems to have problem with vnc) there are a lot of newbie frendly guides to do this without partitioning your sd card.
What can you do with them? You can use full android terminal , use vim , open office, gcc or eclipse etc ... makes your HTC Vision true small computer with keyboard . Enjoy
Possible solution to errors you encounter while following chroot tutorial for other android devices:
-----------------trouble shoot--------------------------------
Errors:
/device/loop is busy etc.... chroot: cannot execute /bin/bash etc... shutting down ubnutu etc....
Solution: 1. Get loopback support by flashing above kernel i mentioned
if not 2. TYPE SU BEFORE YOU RUN BOOTSCRIPT ON ANDROID TERMINAL
or if they say the bootscript is not found then type sh ./*your boot script name*
if not 3. move sd apps to phone as i mentioned eariler
Other errors could be from not installing busybox.
Note that in some cases, busybox is included inside the custom rom so you dont need to install it.
Post names of kernels with ability to run ubuntu for others to know.I did not test all of them.
This is my first guide on xda and i hope this helped xda in constructive way...
Post script: I will try my best to maintain quality of the posts to be up to xda standard. Thank you for constructive feedbacks...
quick problem i noticed
I'm running post ota de-odexed and I installed virtuous-kernel_vision_advanced-v1.0.9.zip in attempts to get loopdevice but now my phone doesn't react to an touch... hahaha it's no biggie I can't fix, just wanted to state out a weird outcome I have never seen before
But hey! Your prep guide is much appreciated!
EDIT: All of the 1.0.9 kernels seem to break my touch :/
you need virtuous-cyanogen 1.3 not standard vituous kennel. it is under cyanogen. Since it is developed for cyanogen, it should be fine for wide range of roms including sense roms but yes, it is buggy. I am looking for better kennel now....
squarememory said:
Ok , I know there is thread about debian running fine on desire z but the tutorial there is highly unfriendly and there are some other stuff you need to do to your desire z. This is my first guide. The reason for posting in dev thread is because chroot and loop requires specific kennel support to power Ubuntu. Well, do not attempt this unless you can use computer well XD
Following tutorial will void your warrenty (root and s off) but you can change to warrenty friendly state of course XD Check out xda wiki for more info( study to know what you are doing there.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If your phone is stock, do a lot of research before doing root and s off. cyanogenmod has good guide on wiki for you to s off and get permanet root. Just for you to know, s off is to disable security for us to flash new kennel with loopback support and root is well... needed for most of hacks in XDA XD
*note for noobs: this is tested with desire z but G2 should not have problems. just be careful of which device's gfree you are using to s off.
ENGINEERING HBOOT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOU TO DO SO AS IT MAY BRICK YOUR PHONE YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS FLASHING CUSTOM ROM/KENNEL WITHOUT IT (guides are confusing if custom roms require flashing hboot)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Preparation:
1. busybox (install titanium backup and under problems? you can install busybox in a easy way)
2. Recommended: Clockwork recovery(rom manager in market)
3.Root and S off
4.Optional : remove or move sd card installed apps to internal memory or else LOOPDEVICE may be occupied and you may not be able to mount ubuntu. Do this if you encounter error (caused by app2 sd)...
adb if you want to type things in cmd
5. android terminal from market
6. 2gb free space in sdcard
---------Kernel preparation (may not be needed in some custom roms)---------------------------------
Flashing necessary kernel
1. Download suitable kernel with loop device support. I am using cyanogen -> virtuous-kennel-cyanogen kennel from ://files.virtuousrom.com/vision/kernels/
(add http infront) on Stock HTC Sense Rom
2. To flash this, from rom manager, boot into clockworkmod recovery and select zip file to flash. Nandroid backup is recommended beforehand
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Now your phone has loopback support to chroot into UBUNTU or DEBIAN
You can now follow any guide on XDA like G1,nexus 1etc on running linux in android. I recommend nexus 1 hacks .com for ubuntu setup or thread "Debian for Desire" for debian setup (note debian seems to have problem with vnc)
What can you do with them? You can use full android terminal , use vim , open office, gcc or eclipse etc ... makes your HTC Vision true small computer with keyboard . Enjoy
Possible solution to errors you encounter while following chroot tutorial for other android devices:
-----------------trouble shoot--------------------------------
Errors:
/device/loop is busy etc.... chroot: cannot execute /bin/bash etc... shutting down ubnutu etc....
Solution: 1. Get loopback support by flashing above kennel i mentioned
if not 2. TYPE SU BEFORE YOU RUN BOOTSCRIPT ON ANDROID TERMINAL
or if they say the bootscript is not found then type sh ./*your boot script name*
if not 3. move sd apps to phone as i mentioned eariler
Other errors could be from not installing busybox.
Note that in some cases, busybox is included inside the custom rom so you dont need to install it.
Post names of kennels with ability to run ubuntu for others to know.I did not test all of them.
This is my first guide on xda and i hope this helped xda in constructive way...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's KERNEL! not KENNEL!
teh5abiking said:
it's KERNEL! not KENNEL!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really dude? That was the only time he mispelled it and you the spelling police make a lousey post as if he mispelled it everytime...get a life
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Well thanks for spelling correction. English is not my primary language
Spastic909 said:
Really dude? That was the only time he mispelled it and you the spelling police make a lousey post as if he mispelled it everytime...get a life
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell it spastic tell it!
xsteven77x said:
Tell it spastic tell it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought you were insulting him XD
I have installed ubuntu without a hitch, but how do i fix the incorrect key bindings?
im thinking of using the technique that uses vnc to access ubuntu on my desire z. i am running 2.3.3 (cyanogenmod-7.1.0) on it. now forgive me for asking this its nearly 1am and im exhausted so my brain is not working right. which version of the kernel am i best getting for this? im a novice at it all but i do want to make sure i do it properly and dont brick my phone.
traumatism said:
im thinking of using the technique that uses vnc to access ubuntu on my desire z. i am running 2.3.3 (cyanogenmod-7.0.0) on it. now forgive me for asking this its nearly 1am and im exhausted so my brain is not working right. which version of the kernel am i best getting for this? im a novice at it all but i do want to make sure i do it properly and dont brick my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a thread about installing ubuntu on the phone, not accessing it from the phone.
tsubus said:
This is a thread about installing ubuntu on the phone, not accessing it from the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*facepalms* yes i know that. i will be installing it along side android and using vnc to access it locally. its a method i wish to use but i need the kernel for installing ubuntu and want to know which one. i shoulda made it more clear really.
ive just tried flashing the latest kernel for cyanogen with 7.1 but it freezes at the HTC screen on boot. any assistance will be apreciated

[HaRET] hx4700 linux development - ubuntu image available

Soft chewy center
Here are instructions and downloads that will have you on your way in no time, to running Linux on an IPAQ hx4700.
Step 1: Download a disk image
Ubuntu light weight X desktop download
Android download currently this barely boots
Step 2: Uncompress the file
See p7zip link
Step 3a: Copy the image to a CF or SD card using Linux
Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where you extracted the img file.
Code:
cd somedirectory
Copy the image to the card using dd
Code:
sudo dd if=image-name.img of=/dev/sdx
Where x is the destination of your card. Note there is no partition number "i.e. /dev/hda1" Just the destination letter /dev/hda
Step 3b: Copy the image to a CF or SD card using Windows
Code:
stub
Step 4: Edit startup.txt if you are using a SD card
Code:
stub
Step 5: Run HaRET
Safely remove the card from your computer, insert it in to your hx4700 navigate to the card directory using the file manager then click on haret.exe
Hard crunchy shell
Stuff for the masochist that lives inside you.
Kernel 2.6.21-hh20
Found the source tarball for 2.26.21-hh20 on this link.
I found an android patch for 2.6.21 at this link.
Finally I hammered out this patch that applies smoothly with no fuzz.
And here is my .config file.
Android usb gadget and the low memory killer currently need some love. But without configuring them the kernel compiles nicely
A-Z build instructions
Code:
stub
HaRET
I use HaRET to boot linux on the hx4700, until that day comes when I have learned enough about the hx4700 to provide a ROM, tinboot isn't really that hard to use.
Also the latest HaRET does not boot the hx4700 maybe it is being built with a newer instruction set, until I get a newer version compiling there is an older version in the .img files that works fine.
stub- haret from source
Filesystems
These xxx.img files should be written to a cf card using dd, or sd card if you change startup.txt and the swap file in /dev/fstab. The card should be no less than 1 GB. Gparted can resize/move your partitions if you have a larger card.
I have to admit I don't have a 1gb card to test the img file on, only a 4 and 2 GB card. If someone who does have one finds out that it doesn't boot or something let me know.
Card image layout:
fat16 16mb [haret] partition 1
ext 880mb [root] partition 2
linux-swap 128mb [swap] partition 3
Creating an Ubuntu file system
Creating a file system to run Linux on the hx4700 via HaRET. Rootstock is a tool the will pull down precompiled packages suitable for various devices, from a server. Then install, unpack, and configure them on a disk image file system inside a virtual machine, all without you leaving the comfort of your x86 compatible environment.
For rootstock I followed this guide link.
I used this command to create the image.
Code:
sudo ./rootstock --fqdn ubuntu --login xda --password xda --imagesize 3G --seed tslib,build-essential,openssh-server,lxde,gdm --dist jaunty
I'm still thinking of including gnome-core simply for more function but lxde will have to do as the session manger. Gnome is just to heavy.
Light weight X download link at top of page
working:
the Mouse pad is configured
all drivers and firmware load
auto login via gdm.conf
/etc/network/interfaces is preconfigured for usb net and stubbed out for wireless.
not working:
touch screen - needs configured
wireless?? - I think only OPEN or WEP is supported ATM.
Android
stub- building the android filesystem
android.img download link located at top of post
now if I could just get the hang of making my forum post... not ugly
Nice! very nice!
Marvelous news, THX man!
...i love you! :']
As soon as I found this thread I smiled like a giddy school girl. My hx4700 might just be useful once again! I know nothing on programming... but i'd be glad to help out in any way possible!
Update folks,
I was up all night slaving away at this but, WE HAVE AN ANDROID PATCHED KERNEL!!! its 2.6.21.hh20 with android patches. This means the drivers should be easier to get worked out.
And Android almost boots, I suspect its the generic "goldfish" file system or some other trivial thing stopping it from booting all the way.
After mounting root and running /init, It shows the message "A N D R O I D_" then freezes well not really freezes the cursor continues to blink. but still almost there...
edit - links added
thanks
thanks a lot it's very usefull
Just seen a boot animation, it just got real people... but still not booting all the way.
keep up the good work...seems that this is the only development going on for my trusty iPaq 4700.......
I just want to say thanks for all the supportive comments. It's a real shot in the arm when I'm feeling over whelmed by the complexities of this. I did something really stupid with "sudo dd" last night and boogered up my root file-system, so I'm spending today re-setting up my build environment
All of the hardware is supported but just not pushed upstream but I’m working on a new 3.0 kernel right now for the universal when I finish I will add the hx4700 patches and post the source and message you. But I know wifi, Bluetooth, touchpad, sound, led, and all buttons work in 3.0. And these are the same on the universal and I have these working with froyo now. But I can post my 2.6.36 kernel I’m using now after I make a few corrections.
Here's my form page link
And this is where some of my code and android builds are: link
The common.tar.gz is my old 2.6.36 kernel I have to make some corrections and fix the hx4700 code I messed up and reload it in a day or so.
--I had to post this here as I got a message that you cannot receive private messages.
Thanks!
Don't know why you got that message, I did get your PM.
Could you make a tutorial, step by step how to run android(haret, etc.) on hx4700, please?
I'm noob in windows mobile tools
im currently running Angstrom on my hx4700
but would love android too..
havent tried any of these images yet. but ill probably have some
spare time this week..
/Kyndal
On tenterhooks ...
It failed to boot (couldn't mount /dev/hda2 I think) when I tried to install and run from a Compact Flash, so I'm in the middle of dd-ing to an SD card instead. Fingers crossed ...
EDIT: It boots fine from the SD card.
However, it's rather sluggish at best, and there don't seem to be many productivity apps -- and no onscreen keyboard. Still, it's a start!
EDIT 2: Attached a small photograph for the curious. Sorry about the blur, but I couldn't manage a better shot, given the lighting and the camera's fudged-up CCD.
kyndal said:
im currently running Angstrom on my hx4700
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How in the world did you manage that? I've been trying to get Angstrom working on my hx4700 for months now, without success. (Aside from an old bootpack that literally has no useful programs.)
I haven't had much luck with any "new" Angstrom builds from the
narcissus online builder..
Right now. im running an older X11 build
booting from SD card .img file
Functional.. but ya. not up to date..
/Kyndal
kyndal said:
I haven't had much luck with any "new" Angstrom builds from the
narcissus online builder..
Right now. im running an older X11 build
booting from SD card .img file
Functional.. but ya. not up to date..
/Kyndal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like a copy of this .img file (cleaned of personal stuff, of course). It'd be nice to have a usable Angstrom for a change.
you can try it out with the prebuild images (OLD)
apparently im not allowed to post external links yet...
so go to this address
angstrom-distribution.org/releases/2007.12/images/hx4700/
and download
Angstrom-x11-image-glibc-ipk-2007.12-hx4700.rootfs.img.bz2
Angstrom-boot-2.6.21-hh20-r6-hx4700.exe
extract the .img file from bz2 to a FAT SD card
and place the .exe there too..
run the .exe select the img file. can be a little fiddly on the "touchpad"
"enter" is like in the middle. and half the time moves the cursor up/down
this linux lives in the loop .img file on vfat..
not on partitions. so pretty easy to try..
run these commands to get online with wifi
su
/sbin/modprobe acx
/sbin/modprobe hx4700-acx
/sbin/iwconfig wlan0 essid ACCESSPOINT
/sbin/ifconfig wlan0 up
/Kyndal
kyndal said:
you can try it out with the prebuild images (OLD)
Angstrom-x11-image-glibc-ipk-2007.12-hx4700.rootfs.img.bz2
Angstrom-boot-2.6.21-hh20-r6-hx4700.exe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I've tried the image before - months ago -- but I didn't know about those commands /sbin! I'll give them a try and see if I can get anything useful installed (the image comes without any useful GUI - or even CLI, for the most part - applications).
EDIT: Unfortunately, even though the package manager seems to be capable of fetching the correct packages (it's hard to tell), it consistently fails to install them -- I even tried installing man and nano (one at a time) and was met with failure even though the URLs check out. (abiword took longer before failure, hence my suspicion it downloads fine).
I apologize for derailing the thread like this, but this is the only place I've found since I got interested in putting Linux on my iPAQ where someone is actually *answering* my questions.
It's ok Strife89, I appreciate you all actively helping out, I was out of town house hunting last week.
Maybe everyone here could come up with a "wish list" request for packages to be installed among other useful things/configuring/etc, so we can all help polish the ubuntu installation, and make it something nice/useful.
As far as android goes, I have more confidence in the kernel than I do the file system, as to where I am right at this moment, donut will boot and show a boot animation. That is as far as I have gotten, but still it is progress.
I look forward to working with anyone interested with helping out, so lets here some thoughts/suggestions.
Well let me add mine first I guess we need a clearer easier tutorial on getting linux booting from the sd or cf card. both of these options have subtle differences and need better defined instructions.
edit- As far as installing apps to the ubuntu.img. The usbnet interface is configured on the hx4700 side hopefully, if some one wants to do some googling on how to get it setup all the way on the PC side of things, I think we would all appreciate that. Then we could just ssh in and apt-get anything we wanted to try out or change. Later we could make it part of the download/tutorial after testing.

[Q] Mount/UnPack SYSTEM.IMG Files from 1.29.728.12

I cannot find a method in Linux or Windows that will allow me to access the files in the system.img partition image from:
RUU_ENDEAVOR_U_ICS_40_hTC_Asia_SEA_WWE_1.29.728.12_Radio_1.1204.105.14_release_261350_signed.exe
I have never had a problem "unpacking" system.img files from other HTC phones using unyaffs or even in Windows with WinImage for EXT2/3/4 partitions.
Obviously many Devs have had success with the HOX system.img! Could someone please tell me what file system the system partition uses AND/OR reveal the correct approach to accessing the files within the img?
I presume the partition formats are identical in:
RUU_ENDEAVOR_U_ICS_40_hTC_Asia_SEA_WWE_1.28.728.9_Radio_1.1204.103.14_release_256493_signed.exe
...so I suppose there's no point in making an attempt with its system.img either!
Any help will be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks in advance.
BTW: I'm not one who asks for assistance as his 1st move.
I have been searching for resolution to this problem for @least a week!
Using appropriate keywords the best I have come up with is either others in this same predicament or suggested remedies which are not effective.
The overall picture I have got is that those with the solution seem reluctant to share the knowledge, which I find strange in development communities.
if you want just access to files inside the img, in windows use this jar attached to convert it to ext4 and then mount with DiskInternals Linux Reader.
or in linux use this tool to unpack.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=28837507#post28837507
don't even try to repack it will not work.
if you know how it posible to repack files to this img format please let me know.
Thanks heaps avicohh!
I solved the problem only a few hours before your post came in.
I used a slightly different approach through linux but basically same process & result.
If you follow this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1081239
you'll be able to unpack AND repack but it's done in linux.
I used Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (64bit) to compile & use the ext4_utils in the thread above.
Since you were so kind to answer my query please feel free to PM me if i can help you!! My use of the forum is sometimes sporadic though, unfortunately.
EDIT: Sorry, just realised we both had the same thread! So it doesn't work for repacking?? I'll see if I can find something that works.
Obviously something does but there's not as much free sharing of really useful stuff as I would have expected with this kind of thing.
Yap.. is the same thread.
probably the odin (samsung) img and the stock htc img they not exactly the same format.
i seraching after sulution to this thing because i'm trying to make custom rom to be able to flash on device with stock rom/locked bootloader from the stock recovery like the ruu firmwares.

[REQ] Tutorial on how to cook a custom firmware

Hi,
i 'm an archos user since not so long Thanks to the community I managed to install sde and root my device.
I have been lately searching for a tutorial or guide on how to cook a custom firmware, but I couldn't find such info.
Can someone write one for us newbies of Android and archos?
What I'm looking for is how to create the archos. ext4. update file from. aos and how to install busybox root etc..
thanks
adonix said:
Hi,
i 'm an archos user since not so long Thanks to the community I managed to install sde and root my device.
I have been lately searching for a tutorial or guide on how to cook a custom firmware, but I couldn't find such info.
Can someone write one for us newbies of Android and archos?
What I'm looking for is how to create the archos. ext4. update file from. aos and how to install busybox root etc..
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi There,
Like most things on XDA, we've already covered it and the search is very much you're friend , However heres some links which sould help you on your way [HOWTO] Unpack and repack stock firmware, works also for gen8 and [HOW TO] Root, Install Busybox and SuperCharge your G9 These guides are on pages 4-5 of this section you might to work on that "searching" technique
Hi trevd and thanks for your reply.
I did find these links before i posted my request.
The first one provides tools for Gen8 and supposedly compatible with Gen9. But as i read through the thread, it seems to be dealing with a squashfs partition and not ext4 like the one we're using. So it confused me.
The second one shows how to install busybox. But how is it possible to do the same thing directly on the mounted ext4 partition?
Thanks
You can also use my update/modify script as base:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1735790&highlight=script
Quallenauge said:
You can also use my update/modify script as base:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1735790&highlight=script
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you Quallenauge for your help.
i've tried the script, but it's not working properly at step 4. It seems that it's unable to mount the file to the loop. I'm using ubuntu x64. any idea?
Code:
mount: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/loop1,
missing codepage or helper program, or other error
In some cases useful info is found in syslog - try
dmesg | tail or so
Thanks
Quallenauge said:
You can also use my update/modify script as base:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1735790&highlight=script
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which version of linux did you use? letama's unpackAOS doesn't work on Lubuntu 12.10 even when I install correct version of libcrypto. So I tried Xubuntu 12.04 and your script works fine. Thank you for the script.
stevemp said:
Which version of linux did you use? letama's unpackAOS doesn't work on Lubuntu 12.10 even when I install correct version of libcrypto. So I tried Xubuntu 12.04 and your script works fine. Thank you for the script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ubuntu 12.04 x64. Any idea?
root
adonix said:
I use ubuntu 12.04 x64. Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unpack ExtractAOS.tar.bz2
cd ExtractAOS
copy firmware_archos_it4.aos to dl directory
I use terminal as root.
Type sudo -i in terminal then your password.
Then ./unpackAOS Do step 1 to 5 options, check archos_update_folder to see if firmware unpacked. Make your mods now, do the rest of steps.
1) clean
2) downloadPackages
3) setupBuildDir
4) createExt4Image
5) unpackAOS
6) copyAOSData
7) addSuperuser addBusyBox
8) finish
Thanks for the reply stevemp.
i'm doing the exact same steps but it fails at 4 while trying to mount the ext4 image.
I tried the same steps in OpenSuse and it seems to be working. I'm not sure if everything is getting extracted, but i'll check that.
Since the created update file is 512MB, is there a way to trim the unused space prior to flashing?
Thanks.
change image size
adonix said:
Thanks for the reply stevemp.
i'm doing the exact same steps but it fails at 4 while trying to mount the ext4 image.
I tried the same steps in OpenSuse and it seems to be working. I'm not sure if everything is getting extracted, but i'll check that.
Since the created update file is 512MB, is there a way to trim the unused space prior to flashing?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just change the size in unpackAOS script.
# Image size in MByte
EXT4_IMAGE_SIZE=512

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