Related
Hi,
Here is the fourth version. Its not upgradeable, so delete the old /sdcard/ubuntu before, except you know what you are doing and are able to fix upcoming problems by upgrading.
[Hints]
To remove the stupid overlay scrollbars, goto ubuntu shell and type
Code:
apt-get remove overlay-scrollbar liboverlay-scrollbar*
in the next version setupgnome will automatically do that, all which setup gnome befor, do that to get the normal scrollbars.
in gnome goto system -> preferences -> appearance. there to the fonts tab, and there to details. use a resolution of 120 dpi, so you it is a bit more touch friendly
[Requirements]
Archive from http://www.bisme.net/files/xda/ubuntu/ubuntu_b6.tar.gz
Optionall an VNC client like android-vnc
[step by step]
Install the kernel (without you'll not have full functionality, but it'll work)
Extract the ubuntu archive to /sdcard/ubuntu (in adb shell goto sdcard and type: "tar xzf ubuntu_b6.tar.gz")
cd to this dir and type
Code:
su
then
Code:
sh ubuntu install
you will be asked a few questions, if you have no plan just press always enter. after reboot open a terminal and type
Code:
su
then
Code:
ubuntu start
optional if you want gnome via vnc
Code:
ubuntu setupvnc
and
Code:
ubuntu setupgnome
this still takes long, you are installing here almost the complete ubuntu via internet. that are a few hundred megabytes of downloading and over one gigabyte of extracting and installing. leave with exit and on android shell type (first time it asks for a passwod)
Code:
ubuntu startvnc
then connect to it via: localhost:5901 using a vnc client and the password you set.
[what you got]
you start the ubuntu subsystem with ubuntu start (still chroot)
with ubuntu setupvnc you install vnc service
with ubuntu setupssh you install ssh service
with ubuntu setupgnome you install gnome
with ubuntu setupkde you install kde (if you do so, you need to modify inside ubuntu /usr/bin/vnc)
with ubuntu shell you open an bash session
with ubuntu screen you open an persistent bash session
with ubuntu startvnc you start the vnc service
with startssh inside ubuntu shell you the start the ssh service
with ubuntu stopvnc you stop the vnc service
with stopssh inside ubuntu shell you the stop the ssh service
with ubuntu stop you stop (is rebooting)
with ubuntu uninstall you uninstall the script from system(directory /sdcard/ubuntu stays)
in ubuntu you can access:
android's /dev bound to ubuntu's /dev (fdisk /dev/block/mmcblk0 is working fine(sdcard). don't touch /dev/block/mmcblk1 or you'll kill your android system, maybe your whole xoom )
android's /system bound to ubuntu's /android/system
android's /data bound to ubuntu's /android/data
android's /mnt/sdcard bound to ubuntu's /adnroid/sdcard
[working]
With android-vnc Gnome (bluetooth keyboard and mouse)
Firefox 4
Chromium Browser
LibreOffice
Gnome Terminal
SSH Daemon
"D" key needs to remove the gnome keyboardshortcut uses "D" (just open vnc, goto a textfield and type d then you know what I mean )
and a lot more
[not working]
Ubuntu Software Center (use Synaptic instead, find it in the system menu)
[the tecnical side]
Ubuntu Natty Narwhal (11.04) from http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu
dd for creating an image (no size limit anymore)
image formatted with ext2
adb push /sdcard/ubuntu/img/ubuntu.img (android shell has gunzip)
chroot env
tightvnc, gnome-session
different kernel features which i'll list here later
[changelog]
Beta 6
small changes in the scripts to ensure compatibility with other roms and devices
you can choose now between UBuntu 11.04, 11.10 and 12.04 Beta2
[next]
providing preinstalled images for gnome, kde and xfce
app instead script
[ideas]
weirdx
wayland
Have Fun
Ralph
GhostOfTheNet said:
Hi folks,
Actually I'm poking around with the common "How to get ubuntu onto xoom", but with an own img file i created based on the maverick arm minimal archive. Now I'm installing unity, but in weekend I'll try to make the installation, configuration, ... more userfriendly. maybe I'll build a small app doing thinks like starting, stopping, starting a terminal with the chroot and so on. I've no plan at this moment what I'll do exact. But you can say me what you would like to have, so I know if there is a need for something. I think with the next ubuntu using something based on opengl as replacement for x and the promised touch support, it might be relly interesting to have in a chroot env and maybe write something like a wrapper for androids opengl es api. in this context maybe also a port of the android sdk to linux arm would be very interesting.
Regards
Ralph
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just posted in the general forum about this lol. I would love maverick meerkat on the xoom. I'm sure the software center wouldnt work, but if you could somehow incorporate compiz fuzion, along with all of the standard apps, that would be the sh*t. Good luck man!
Got it to run on gtab but not sure how to do it on xoom.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA Premium App
i have it already running, but I'm not getting the f*** unity running, because it needs opengl... a bit bad with tightvncserver
so i decided to jump over and try directly this out:
http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/natty/ubuntu-natty-alpha3-r0-minimal-armel.tar.xz
the omap4 is an arm cortex a9 processor, so it should be binary compatible.
wish me luck, if it will work you will have today a howto, otherwise i'll go back to 10.10 and search for another useful desktop.
edit: apt is working fine with maverick
regards
Ok, so far so good. Ubuntu 11.04 is basically running, all is working fine, but the repository is buggy, so apt is not letting me install unity.
Besause today i'll not google for a missing lib, let see further tomorow. Hopefully the repositories are fixed then.
I'm uploading now a file called ubuntu.zip
To install it do the steps i'll write now in the first post. (the setup is not tested, so you may still need your knowledge)
Regards
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Hey Ghost -- thanks for your great work on this!
One thing I was wondering -- would it be possible to break out your instructions on how to do this from scratch? I'm interesting in putting together my own version (probably a minmal Ubuntu 10.04 install), and would really appreciate the source "steps".
From what I've read, it looks like it's a matter of grabbing the right kernel (I thought I saw a recent one on the tegra development site), bootstrapping the right debian-based arm-compatible distro, and copying that over to the device with the right script to get it setup. I'd just love it if I could piggyback on your fine work
GhostOfTheNet said:
It's alpha, so nothing for you if you have no plan whats going on here.
Archive: http://www.bisme.net/ubuntu.zip
Needed:
Rooted xoom with busybox installed
Steps:
1.) Extract the zip to /sdcard/ubuntu
2.) Open a terminal su, cd to this dir and type
./setupubuntu (sh*** i forgot to change the file, all cp commands are not working for some reason, needs to be
cat filename > /system/bin/filename
3.) ... ehm fin
(always su before)
If you replaced the cp, you can directly type for example bootubuntu, if not you need to be in dir /sdcard/ubuntu and say ./bootubuntu
After ubuntu booted(real only mounted) you can start a bash shell with shellubuntu. Unmount it with shutubuntu(in most cases will fail, then you need to reboot before you can say bootubuntu again)
Ehm, yes... i love my xoom :-D most of the time i worked on that... my pc i almost didn't need. Small tipp, it is worth its 4 dollar, better android terminal. Without bash this would be the hell.
Regards
Ralph
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man you are the best. I really really want to get this up and running but i cant get through setup. idk how to install... this is not my area of expertise lol. help?!
edit: i guess for clarification, after i type in the cat command it tells me write: no space left on device
Is the touch screen working
Sent from my Evo 4G using Tapatalk Pro
Ok, first of all, this is not a rom. Thats not needed in this case, because with linux more installations can share the same kernel. Android has a linux kernel, ubuntu has one. Google for chroot
This is not an attemp to replace android, just to enhance it a bit
In this state it's just something like a technical preview. Give me a few days. For now only advanced linux users wich understands whats happening there can do something with it.
Concerning a minimal ubuntu, this is now a minimal installation.
Regards
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
After unity 2d is not really working at this moment, I'm actually preparing a version with icewm and lxde. Post will come in a few hours.
Regards
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
What about Enlightenment?
http://www.linuxuk.org/2010/02/the-new-ui-for-arm-based-ubuntu-devices/
i'm installing it. lets see.
the reason why it's still not posted, i have a problem with the xstartup file of tightvnc. for some reason it is not running the commands for the ui, so there is just an empty xserver in vnc until i start icewm lxde manually. i think it would be the same with efl, and i had until today to less time to check out whats wrong.
edit: netbook-launcher-efl + metacity + maximus is looking fine
Is there any way to not use VNC? Can you dual boot or otherwise get into X ?
or possibly something like freenx client on android maybe??? in hopes that it's faster than vnc. if we can't boot into ubuntu.
edit - scratch that, i read you need X to use freenx... kinda defeats the point there.
i thought there was something else though that fowards all the window data over like lightning fast.
I found until now two possibilities but both needs much work. First taking the wayland xserver client and port it to android, or port weirdx to android.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Hmm... so back to the dual boot question... What about something like this guy did?
http://androidforums.com/samsung-i7500/81090-debian-dualboot.html
https://code.google.com/p/linux-on-android/wiki/BasicSteps
Would that also work on the XOOM?
Me personally, I'm not interested in another Linux Distri as main System
1. I would miss the android functionallity and feel, because of that I would never boot Ubuntu.
2. Only android has the needed touch support for a tablet. Maybe this changes i future ubuntu releases.
Because of that my primary target is a more seamless integration of a ubuntu subsystem in android, so we can use many beloved functions without much work. So there is the best of both worlds in the same time avaliable.
Sent from my Xoom using XDA App
Makes sense. My motivation for research and all this is that I want to do (light) web development and server administration on the tablet as well. Of course, buying that bluetooth keyboard makes it all feasible and I'm not looking to do heavy amounts of work on it, but I want to ditch my netbook. For starters, the tablet lasts longer in terms of battery life and the form factor is better.
Other than that, to me, tablets serve merely as an entertainment purpose (unless maybe you're using it to bill people or for a sales pitch/meeting) and I can't justify the cost. A $600 travel Scrabble is retarded. So I think tablets need something like Ubuntu running on them in order for them to be a more productive device that is a justifiable expense.
Right now the biggest thing that I'm thinking about is gedit and git. If I can get those two... Then I think I'd be pretty much set. I think there's actually two or three text editors for Android as is and I might be able to use those provided I could get git for Android.
The graphical user interface isn't the most important thing so I can even live w/o the VNC. Having a local webserver would be rad, but not a high priority since I can use git to update a server on the net.
If you have any ideas, and I know it's getting somewhat off topic, but your research is really the crux of my situation...I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
--edit ok, so i found www.cloud9ide.com which will cover me I guess. but still I want more power under the hood. I really appreciate your work efforts! Thanks.
updated useful for people which knows whats going on
deleted. got it. Thanks! this is awesome. great work!
---
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A REALLY GOOD WAY TO EFF UP YOUR KINDLE IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ADB, PARTED, OR WHAT LINUX IS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO JUST CLICK THE BACK BUTTON!
---
Most that know Android, knows that it's just fancy UI and API on top of Linux, but it's still not quite Linux... But what if you want to run real Linux on your tablet?
Well, it's actually not that hard to do, but certainly not for n00bs...
Need to know: Linux, fastboot, adb, parted, etc.
You will also need the mkbootimg program, fastboot, working ADB, etc.
And a USB OTG adapter and working USB keyboard.
(this is assuming you already have modded your kindle with the usual FFF+TWRP 2.1+CM9)
The first step is to do a little repartitioning, so boot the Kindle into recovery, and run an 'adb shell'.
Then run 'parted'.
The idea here is to basically maintain the stock layout, while making room for linux...
Which can be done a few ways, the easy way would to just delete 'media', then recreate it much smaller (I did 1GB).
Then make one more new partition, using the remaining flash memory (should be a little over 4GB).
Making sure to reassign the name 'media' to partition 12, you can also name the new linux partition 'linux' or whatever, if you like.
After that, quit parted, and create the new FS on the new linux partition (mke2fs -Text4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p13, but you should know that already ).
Then reboot the tablet, get back into Android, it may or may not complain about the 'SDCARD' needing to be formatted, which should be done anyway, since it changed in size.
Do another 'adb shell', mount the new linux partition to a useful place, you can just mount over '/mnt' if you like, it won't hurt anything. Exit out of the shell.
Download this pre-built Debian rootfs I found:
http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/wheezy/
Unpack that file on your host machine, then use 'adb push' to copy the armel-rootfs tar to the Kindle's '/mnt'.
'adb shell' back into the kindle, and change to '/mnt' and untar the armel rootfs tar file... Maybe go to the bathroom, get a drink, get some fresh air or something, it'll take a little time to do it's thing.
After that's done, download my rc.local and 'adb push' that to '/mnt/etc' and make sure to ungzip it, and chmod is 0777 (or is it 0766, either should work lol).
http://www.mediafire.com/?gx46xxb4813n5ob
Then you can delete the rootfs tar file if you like, get out of '/mnt', and unmount it.
Linux is now installed, easy eh?
Now, download my kernel (acutally it's Hashcode's kernel, but with needed changes):
http://www.mediafire.com/?2lqex9j5bgws0b1 (Updated 6/11/2012)
Using mkbootimg:
'mkbootimg --kernel zImage --ramdisk /dev/zero --cmdline "root=179:XX" --base 0x80000000 -o boot.img'
Where XX is the partition that you put linux on (if following this exactly, should be 13), you should now be able to use /dev/mmcblk0pXX as well, if that doesn't work just use 179:XX.
Then using fastboot, boot the kernel package:
'fastboot boot boot.img'
While it says 'waiting for device...", reboot the Kindle and wait for it to download and boot the package.
Then wait for the linux login!
Plug in your favorite USB keyboard, a USB 1.1 one works best I've found.
The root password for that rootfs package is just 'root'.
-------------
Now, the fun part: Internet access, the hard way.
I'm still working out getting the WIFI modules working, so you'll have to use it tethered via USB... Which means no keyboard, but you can still log in by SSH.
In my kernel, instead of being an 'android' USB devices, it's a multifunction USB gadget with ethernet, serial port, and mass storage.
Mass storage works, but a little buggy sometimes.
Serial port seems broken for some reason.
Ethernet is what we're after.
Now the rc.local I made, in addition to enabling the video overlay (so there's a framebuffer console on the LCD), it also sets up the ethernet USB gadget.
I set the IP address to 192.168.5.1, which really should be out of the common IP range that most people use, but if it conflicts, then you can edit rc.local before you push it over above.
On your Linux host, with the Kindle plugged in, bring up the USB ethernet interface:
'ifconfig usb0 192.168.5.2 netmask 255.255.255.0'
After that, maybe try pinging the kindle (192.168.5.1), to make sure everything is working... If it is, you should have no problems connecting with SSH and logging in.
Once you can connect/login by SSH, you'll need to add your host machine as the default gateway ('route add default gw 192.168.5.2'), then edit '/etc/resolve.conf' and add a DNS server (add your ISP's DNS, or use 4.2.2.1).
After that, you should have internet access on the kindle side via SSH, and should be able to download/install your favorite Debian packages.
Oh, did I mention that you'll need a IP forwarding/NAT service running on your linux host too? I'll have to refer to linux manuals on how to do that, but if you can do all this, you should have no problems doing that.
I should also say that this CAN technically be done in windows as well, since all the needed programs are available in WIN32 bins, but you won't be able to get tethered network access working, because Microsoft doesn't support CDC ethernet devices.
Have fun!
OH! And X works fairly well with the omap3 video driver, just so long as you DON'T touch the screen, the touch screen driver currently crashes X on input.
So fair warning, make sure you know how to navigate X with just a keyboard, unless you have a OTG working hub and can use a keyboard and mouse, or have a wireless keyboard/mouse combo of some kind.
Update 6/11/2012:
Uploaded new kernel (link above), touch screen is now working, though no multitouch.
I have a boot loader with multiple boot options, http://www.mediafire.com/?l6aaqgsdkiksfw0
To use it, make a partition named "linuxboot", and flash your linux's boot.img created with the above instructions.
Still working on wifi.
Update 6/11/2012:
Ok, WIFI is working... Not sure why it wasn't before.
Here are the modules: http://www.mediafire.com/?139hold2a2l9vbl
Don't forget to run depmod.
You'll also have to copy the firmware from android system partition in /etc/firmware and copy it to Linux /lib/firmware
In case no one believes me, here's a console dump (typing blind of course, this was an early attempt with no LCD):
Code:
d.
.
Starting periodic command scheduler: crond.
FATAL: Could not load /lib/modules/3.0.21+/modules.dep: No such file or directory
Debian GNU/Linux 5.0 carrier tty1
carrier login: usb 1-1: new low speed USB device number 2 using musb-hdrc
usb 1-1: device v0b38 p0010 is not supported
input: HID 0b38:0010 as /devices/platform/omap/musb-omap2430/musb-hdrc/usb1/1-1/1-1:1.0/input/input4
generic-usb 0003:0B38:0010.0001: input: USB HID v1.10 Keyboard [HID 0b38:0010] on usb-musb-hdrc-1/input0
input: HID 0b38:0010 as /devices/platform/omap/musb-omap2430/musb-hdrc/usb1/1-1/1-1:1.1/input/input5
generic-usb 0003:0B38:0010.0002: input: USB HID v1.10 Device [HID 0b38:0010] on usb-musb-hdrc-1/input1
root
Password:
Last login: Sun May 27 21:55:28 UTC 2012 on tty1
Linux carrier 3.0.21+ #40 SMP PREEMPT Sun May 27 16:59:27 CDT 2012 armv7l
The programs included with the Debian GNU/Linux system are free software;
the exact distribution terms for each program are described in the
individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright.
Debian GNU/Linux comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
carrier:~# echo skdjfhnsdkjfshdsummit_bat_notifier_call val=41
summit_smb347 4-0006: summit_fsm_stateTransform:state : suspend(0) -> suspend(0) ; event : EVENT_BATTERY_NTC_NORMAL
kfjshdkjfshdfkjshdfkjsdhfkjsdhfkjsdhfkjshksdjfhskjdhfskjdhfsdkjfhsdkjfh > /dev/fb0
carrier:~# echo skdjfhnsdkjfshdkfjshdkjfshdfkjshdfkjsdhfkjsdhfkjsdhfkjshksdjfhskjdhfskjdhfsdkjfhsdkjfh > /dev/fb1
-bash: echo: write error: No such device
carrier:~# omap-rproc omap-rproc.1: rproc_loader_cont: failed to load ducati-m3.bin
cat /dev/vcs1 > /dumpp.txt
I was trying to get something to come up on the framebuffer, to no avail of course.
The backlight comes on, and it seems like it want to work, but there's nothing.
Are you talking about a true Debian dual-boot on our tablet? That could be really awesome .
Envoyé depuis mon Amazon Kindle Fire avec Tapatalk
Actually, yes.
It's mostly a matter of having a proper framebuffer console and telling the kernel to use a root instead of using the initrd to setup android.
If we could get a scripted bootloader, one that would give a customizable boot menu, you could easily boot whatever you wanted.
And what about it : http://thomaspolasek.blogspot.fr/2012/04/arch-linux-lxde-w-xorg-mouse-keyboard_16.html?m=1 ?
Envoyé depuis mon Amazon Kindle Fire avec Tapatalk
Well, I already got most of that working, chroot environment is easy.
I got the full Linux init going, no android at all... just no display.
seishuku said:
Well, I already got most of that working, chroot environment is easy.
I got the full Linux init going, no android at all... just no display.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Display might be tricky, as we are currently using the very latest graphics modules from TI. I'm not sure if you can use those in our current build.
That being said you could send a cat /proc/msg to a file during boot and that might contain your error.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
Well I already have a working fbcon in android, but it seems the display just isn't being enabled in Linux.
I've tried "echo 1 > /sys/devices/omapdss/display0/enabled" to force it on, but nothing.
The back light is already on though...
I thought EXT2 was for really old linux distros.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using XDA
Not really, its just more compatible.
I could have made pretty much anything...
I read somewhere that SSDs should use EXT4.
i am really anxios to see this even though is only cmd line.
will the steps to get this going available even for SSH commands?
I really should hack together a wifi script to get some kind of network connection, would make working on it a little (lot) easier.
The idea here though is to basically have a full linux, to operate exactly like it would on a PC.
With a working framebuffer console, an X.org config can be made and X should work just fine with the touch screen too.
The end result, with just keyboard, should be a full blown linux system.
The real question is how long it would take to compile android for.. itself.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
Hashcode said:
The real question is how long it would take to compile android for.. itself.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can start reproducing them selves, isn't this how terminator started?
Sent from my LG-VM670 using Tapatalk
Hashcode said:
The real question is how long it would take to compile android for.. itself.
Sent from my Amazon Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pbailey212 said:
They can start reproducing them selves, isn't this how terminator started?
Sent from my LG-VM670 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is really off topic but Hashcode's comment and pbaileys phone reminded me of a test project Drew (of Team Hydro) did where he chrooted ubuntu onto an LG-LS670 and compiled a kernel for it natively, took just under 3 hours.
I'm at a bit of a loss here... if I disable surfaceflinger, so I keep my android fb console, then if I disable the display and reenable it, I lose the console.
Also, in my initrd, I can remove everything except ueventd and still keep the console... so something ueventd (init) is doing to enable the console.
In Linux I can play with enabling/disabling the display, but nothing seems to provoke Linux to give me an actual console.
Sblood86 said:
This is really off topic but Hashcode's comment and pbaileys phone reminded me of a test project Drew (of Team Hydro) did where he chrooted ubuntu onto an LG-LS670 and compiled a kernel for it natively, took just under 3 hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the vm670 legend has it, people have compliled whole roms in 30 minutes, with an optimus v, and Leslie Ann's build server
sent from my Nokia 5110
Aha! Got it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXhnVP3lWLU
For whatever reason sysfs wasn't taking my commands.
Now I can work out some bugs and get X working.
I also switched the USB gadget from android to an Ethernet CDC, so I can SSH via USB while I get wifi working.
Edit-
Sorry about the super blurry video, my phone's camera is having "issues".
Ok, I've switched to the official Debian armel wheezy distro (basically just formatting my linux partition and untaring the distro), seems to have fixed a lot of problems... One being aptitude not working correctly (seen in the video).
I need to enable some kind of ip forwarding on my local linux install, so I can get a temp internet connection on the kindle via USB gadget ethernet cdc (ssh and http already works).
I've always been more of an Arch than Ubuntu person (how do you know if someone uses ArchLinux? Don't worry, they'll tell you)
This requires you to be unlocked and on the JB bootloader. I disclaim all responsibility if it somehow turns your tablet into a pile of ashes...
What works:
Dual boot with Android.
Internal storage and MicroSD Card
X11, with compositing
Audio
Mouse and keyboard on the dock, as well as dock hotplugging.
Touchscreen
Playing videos (full 1080P works great.) using Xfce's media player
Sensors (Light, compass, accelerometer, gyro). These are all exposed under sysfs.
Charging / Dock charging. This appears to be managed by the kernel.
USB gadget (as a RNDIS device for network access via USB)
CPU frequency scaling / Tegra LP core. The LP core is automatically used you can see its status in /sys/kernel/cluster/active (when that file reads LP) and its use is simply what the current CPU1 use appears to be.
WiFi, with NetworkManager
3G, on the TF300TG model, with NetworkManager
Battery (and dock) status in Xfce
USB port on the dock
Some sensible key remapping (Back -> Escape, Search -> Alt, Home -> Super)
What doesn't work:
Bluetooth
Two finger scrolling with the mouse
Rebooting from Linux (have to do a sync then hard power off)
Basic framebuffer console - to get dual boot working I had to remove the FB console
Using "standard" xv (as in, mplayer -vo xv). Untested really, use gstreamer.
Cameras
Current priorities:
Get Bluetooth working
Get two finger scrolling working.
Get rebooting working
Anything else is untested. Currently, I'm using the TF300TG's kernel source at https://github.com/cb22/tf300tg_jb_kernel - which is just the standard source from ASUS with a patch or two.
Dual booting:
At the moment, my "hybrid" initramfs checks for a file ".boot_linux" on the internal SD card (/data/media/.boot_linux or /storage/sdcard0/.boot_linux - same thing). If it exists, it boots Linux, otherwise, Android starts up. It wouldn't be difficult at all to make a simple Android app with a "Reboot into Linux" button, and vice versa one for Linux with "Reboot into Android"
Important note:
Currently, the provided kernel / initramfs is built for the TF300TG. It does seem to work fine on the TF300T however.
Downloads:
Kernel + Initramfs blob: https://rapidshare.com/files/2827313479/hybridkernel.blob
RootFS with Xfce: https://rapidshare.com/files/201953815/linux.tar.gz
Installation:
Flash the blob to staging using fastboot.
Untar the rootfs to /data/linux/. The easiest way to do this is probably to copy it across to the Transformer via adb or MTP, then run
Code:
$ su
# mkdir /data/linux
# tar -xzvf /storage/sdcard0/linux.tar.gz -C /data/linux
Issues:
Apparently permissions aren't set properly when untar-ing. This can be "fixed" by a chmod 755, apparently. As soon as I can, I'll make a better way of installing this (update.zip style)
Credits:
This work is based off the Arch Linux ARM distribution
Sounds good, I think would be nice together with a dual boot kernel :good:
AWESOME! This is what I've been looking for. Thanks for kick starting this, I'm flashing the recovery right away. I suppose I'll start playing around with the .config and see where that takes me.
C'mon people! lets get this done so we can then try out dualboot options and bring some GNU/Linux flavor to the Transformer Pad.
Good work. Im waiting for a working Ubuntu so I can install Blackbuntu.
Shame Im on ICS bootloader as I would have tried it.
The Prime Ubuntu project aint had any updates recently sadly.
if you get this working, would you then maybe get the win8 tablet version also working? Loving linux, but Win8 on tablets even a bit better :good:
Valantur said:
AWESOME! This is what I've been looking for. Thanks for kick starting this, I'm flashing the recovery right away. I suppose I'll start playing around with the .config and see where that takes me.
C'mon people! lets get this done so we can then try out dualboot options and bring some GNU/Linux flavor to the Transformer Pad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the aim! It would be really nice to have Android for tablet mode, and GNU/Linux for dock mode.
Nekromantik said:
Good work. Im waiting for a working Ubuntu so I can install Blackbuntu.
Shame Im on ICS bootloader as I would have tried it.
The Prime Ubuntu project aint had any updates recently sadly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always use NVflash to backup your bootloader and such, then freely flash away. That's what I did (I'm on the TF300TG, and no one has uploaded their JB dlpkgfile *hint* *hint* and it's not available on ASUS's site yet) so I simply restored using NVflash to get my ICS with 3G back for when I'm not dev'ing.
Also - the ideas port over to any GNU/Linux system fairly easily once figured out - getting Ubuntu running wouldn't be much more effort. I'm using Arch to start since I understand it better (and prefer it)
-angel* said:
if you get this working, would you then maybe get the win8 tablet version also working? Loving linux, but Win8 on tablets even a bit better :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Highly unlikely, sorry, and definitely not my field of expertise!
yeah nP - was just a think if they would have similar kernels...
Video looks very good, but as you say in the first post, nothing for ppl who don't know how to flash it and as I need the tablet for school I'd need dual boot at all... :/
But get on your working, really nice, but unfortunately I don't know anything about developing such things, so I can't help you...
This is awesome i'm gonna have to read up on this to see how it works! great work! Always wanted something like this.
cb22 said:
You can always use NVflash to backup your bootloader and such, then freely flash away. That's what I did (I'm on the TF300TG, and no one has uploaded their JB dlpkgfile *hint* *hint* and it's not available on ASUS's site yet) so I simply restored using NVflash to get my ICS with 3G back for when I'm not dev'ing.
Also - the ideas port over to any GNU/Linux system fairly easily once figured out - getting Ubuntu running wouldn't be much more effort. I'm using Arch to start since I understand it better (and prefer it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.
Might try when I get some spare time.
Great initiative! I'd personally prefer a native debian distro over Arch but I figure once you've laid the groundwork the road's paved for more distro's.
Finally, a real reason to unlock the tab. When this works and it's dual boot, I will be unlocking and installing this.
Amazing! I just hope that it will be possible to dualboot with normal android installed. If so, it would be absolutely perfect. Keep going, buddy!
Would it be possible to get it dualboot with an external HDD's? Because you can only get external SD's only up to 64gb (as I know and not all of them work) and external HDD's usually have a bit more storage
I've been playing around with this today, and I was wondering if you could upload a barebones arch system (without KDE) but with any other improvements you might have been working on.
Thanks
spenat said:
Amazing! I just hope that it will be possible to dualboot with normal android installed. If so, it would be absolutely perfect. Keep going, buddy!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I've been working on! I have a kernel that supports full features of both Android and Arch (well sorta - no FB console, so no boot messages or such) and an initramfs that allows you to select (at the moment its hard coded, but I'll make a simple interface to select which one to boot, as well as things like telling Android to reboot into Linux, or vice versa). In terms of implementation, essentially it's just an initramfs chain loader.
Valantur said:
I've been playing around with this today, and I was wondering if you could upload a barebones arch system (without KDE) but with any other improvements you might have been working on.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I shall - I've gotten WiFi working (works great with NetworkManager even) - I just have a very busy week with varsity work, I'll try and put the latest stuff online over the weekend.
Hello,
Can you use the package manager and install other DM the same way we would on a X86pc?
aachour said:
Hello,
Can you use the package manager and install other DM the same way we would on a X86pc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess you could, once you get wifi working. We are waiting for cb22 to upload a new kernel+rootfs with a working wifi interface.
cb22 said:
That's what I've been working on! I have a kernel that supports full features of both Android and Arch (well sorta - no FB console, so no boot messages or such) and an initramfs that allows you to select (at the moment its hard coded, but I'll make a simple interface to select which one to boot, as well as things like telling Android to reboot into Linux, or vice versa). In terms of implementation, essentially it's just an initramfs chain loader.
I shall - I've gotten WiFi working (works great with NetworkManager even) - I just have a very busy week with varsity work, I'll try and put the latest stuff online over the weekend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This project looks awesome. i have a tf300t and intermediate arch linux experience( have made multiple working setups, compiled drivers etc, and would love to do anything i can to help this project, let me know if there is anything i can do
yeah! always looked for linux on this tablet! keep up the development guys
Valantur said:
I guess you could, once you get wifi working. We are waiting for cb22 to upload a new kernel+rootfs with a working wifi interface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I didn't have time over the weekend to get things tidied up and uploaded - I start writing exams soon so things are a bit hectic on my side (coupled with the fact that I actually use my TF for varsity). I'll try to sort things out as soon as I can
So I have an Optimus G LS970, added a couple apps, but other than that it's pretty basic. I'm wanting to root this device and eventually add a custom rom on it perhaps, but I've very new to this and don't want to accidentally brick my device.
1) I've been looking for stable linux rooting methods, the only one I've found that looks promising is here, but it's 2 years old. Does anyone know anything about it's stability for android 4.1.2, kernel 3.4.0?
2) In order to transfer files (music, pictures, pdfs/ebooks) to/from my device it needs to be mounted, but I haven't been able to mount it for this (or any other) purpose at all. It shows up as connected (command "lsusb" shows "Bus 002 Device 028: ID 1004:631d LG Electronics, Inc.") but it won't mount. Will this be possible once rooted, or is there some other cause to this?
3) Once rooted, I want to get rid of some of the Preinstalled apps but I'm not sure which will lead to instability and which would be fine to remove, does anyone know where I can check this, or would I just need to list all the apps I don't want on my phone and have you all tell me on an app-by-app basis which is safe to remove?
4) Lastly, when it comes to using alternative app markets, I haven't had much luck. I was trying to test using alt stores with f-droid and nothing showed in the lists, so I don't know if that's a thing with f-droid or my device. Is there anything you need to do to use alt app stores aside from enabling it in the system settings, and installing the app store's .. app?
Thanks in advance!
JustAk said:
So I have an Optimus G LS970, added a couple apps, but other than that it's pretty basic. I'm wanting to root this device and eventually add a custom rom on it perhaps, but I've very new to this and don't want to accidentally brick my device.
1) I've been looking for stable linux rooting methods, the only one I've found that looks promising is here, but it's 2 years old. Does anyone know anything about it's stability for android 4.1.2, kernel 3.4.0?
2) In order to transfer files (music, pictures, pdfs/ebooks) to/from my device it needs to be mounted, but I haven't been able to mount it for this (or any other) purpose at all. It shows up as connected (command "lsusb" shows "Bus 002 Device 028: ID 1004:631d LG Electronics, Inc.") but it won't mount. Will this be possible once rooted, or is there some other cause to this?
3) Once rooted, I want to get rid of some of the Preinstalled apps but I'm not sure which will lead to instability and which would be fine to remove, does anyone know where I can check this, or would I just need to list all the apps I don't want on my phone and have you all tell me on an app-by-app basis which is safe to remove?
4) Lastly, when it comes to using alternative app markets, I haven't had much luck. I was trying to test using alt stores with f-droid and nothing showed in the lists, so I don't know if that's a thing with f-droid or my device. Is there anything you need to do to use alt app stores aside from enabling it in the system settings, and installing the app store's .. app?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of your questions are answered here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2050582
And the FAQ.
1. See above
2. Install the LG drivers, link is in that OP, then tick MPT. That should transfer your files. If not, you may need to uninstall, then reinstall them.
3. DO NOT remove any apps unless you unlock! Info is in that link also.
4. I have no idea on that one.
Sent from my LG-LS970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
engine95 said:
All of your questions are answered here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2050582
And the FAQ.
1. See above
2. Install the LG drivers, link is in that OP, then tick MPT. That should transfer your files. If not, you may need to uninstall, then reinstall them.
3. DO NOT remove any apps unless you unlock! Info is in that link also.
4. I have no idea on that one.
Sent from my LG-LS970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) *EDIT* [Doesn't say anything about linux rooting, how am I supposed to install a windows drive on a linux system?] I overlooked the linux mention. Thanks! Can't find something. How/where do I find adb?
2) Ignore, see 1) [Again, how am I supposed to install the Windows driver in linux?]
3) Thanks for that. I didn't know the importance of unlocking the bootloader.
JustAk said:
1) *EDIT* [Doesn't say anything about linux rooting, how am I supposed to install a windows drive on a linux system?] I overlooked the linux mention. Thanks! Can't find something. How/where do I find adb?
2) Ignore, see 1) [Again, how am I supposed to install the Windows driver in linux?]
3) Thanks for that. I didn't know the importance of unlocking the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry bout that. Linux drivers are native, so they're anyway installed.
You use either fiddy629 root for Linux, or Framaroot.
Sent from my LG-LS970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 10:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 PM ----------
Edit. You don't have to have ADB, but there's alot of info if you google it.
Sent from my LG-LS970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
engine95 said:
Sorry bout that. Linux drivers are native, so they're anyway installed.
You use either fiddy629 root for Linux, or Framaroot.
Sent from my LG-LS970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
---------- Post added at 10:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 PM ----------
Edit. You don't have to have ADB, but there's alot of info if you google it.
Sent from my LG-LS970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried fiddy619's thing here using the universal linux one. It asked me for ADB. Found that debian has "android-tools-adb" so I installed that, now there's this:
Code:
Using: /usr/bin/adb
Waiting for device... Connect your LGOG via USB in Charge Only Mode
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
Device found
Beginning Root Process
Disconnect your phone from USB
Disable USB Debugging
Enable USB Debugging
Press enter to Continue
I can't tell if this is telling me to do these things, or if it's saying it already did them. Any idea?
JustAk said:
I tried fiddy619's thing here using the universal linux one. It asked me for ADB. Found that debian has "android-tools-adb" so I installed that, now there's this:
Code:
Using: /usr/bin/adb
Waiting for device... Connect your LGOG via USB in Charge Only Mode
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
Device found
Beginning Root Process
Disconnect your phone from USB
Disable USB Debugging
Enable USB Debugging
Press enter to Continue
I can't tell if this is telling me to do these things, or if it's saying it already did them. Any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nevermind that, I got it working just fine. took o nly a couple seconds and it was done. Now I have "SuperSU" in my apps menu, so I'm guessing it worked.
JustAk said:
Nevermind that, I got it working just fine. took o nly a couple seconds and it was done. Now I have "SuperSU" in my apps menu, so I'm guessing it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome, glad to hear it worked! Which if you have SuperSU it should have. I too only use linux(Linux Mint specifically) and while most guides are made for Windows, things are usually easier from the linux terminal because we don't need to download drivers, android uses a modified linux kernel, etc. Welcome to the forums, glad to have you here! All the info you need is here and plenty of people will be glad to help(as engine has already demonstrated). As for the alternative app markets, Ive read plenty and tested a few but really, nothing comes close to the play store. On our phone Banks Gapps is the standard google apps package to install if you are flashing a custom rom. Just make sure you get the correct version of gapps for the version of android your rom is based on.
HPTesla said:
Awesome, glad to hear it worked! Which if you have SuperSU it should have. I too only use linux(Linux Mint specifically) and while most guides are made for Windows, things are usually easier from the linux terminal because we don't need to download drivers, android uses a modified linux kernel, etc. Welcome to the forums, glad to have you here! All the info you need is here and plenty of people will be glad to help(as engine has already demonstrated). As for the alternative app markets, Ive read plenty and tested a few but really, nothing comes close to the play store. On our phone Banks Gapps is the standard google apps package to install if you are flashing a custom rom. Just make sure you get the correct version of gapps for the version of android your rom is based on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah. brilliant, thanks!
The only problem I'm now having is getting the phone to connect to my computer so I can transfer music or ebooks or whathaveyou to/from my device. I've gone through the arch wiki for android (even though I'm running debian) and this forum postt but I keep getting an error:
Code:
$ android-connect
Listing raw device(s)
Device 0 (VID=1004 and PID=61f9) is a LG Electronics Inc. V909 G-Slate.
Found 1 device(s):
LG Electronics Inc.: V909 G-Slate (1004:61f9) @ bus 2, dev 8
Attempting to connect device
PTP_ERROR_IO: failed to open session, trying again after resetting USB interface
LIBMTP libusb: Attempt to reset device
Android device detected, assigning default bug flags
Error 1: Get Storage information failed.
Error 2: PTP Layer error 02fe: get_handles_recursively(): could not get object handles.
Error 2: (Look this up in ptp.h for an explanation.)
Listing File Information on Device with name: (NULL)
LIBMTP_Get_Storage() failed:-1
I can start a separate thread regarding this issue, but if you have any insight, figured it couldn't hurt to ask real quick.
JustAk said:
Ah. brilliant, thanks!
The only problem I'm now having is getting the phone to connect to my computer so I can transfer music or ebooks or whathaveyou to/from my device. I've gone through the arch wiki for android (even though I'm running debian) and this forum postt but I keep getting an error:
Code:
$ android-connect
Listing raw device(s)
Device 0 (VID=1004 and PID=61f9) is a LG Electronics Inc. V909 G-Slate.
Found 1 device(s):
LG Electronics Inc.: V909 G-Slate (1004:61f9) @ bus 2, dev 8
Attempting to connect device
PTP_ERROR_IO: failed to open session, trying again after resetting USB interface
LIBMTP libusb: Attempt to reset device
Android device detected, assigning default bug flags
Error 1: Get Storage information failed.
Error 2: PTP Layer error 02fe: get_handles_recursively(): could not get object handles.
Error 2: (Look this up in ptp.h for an explanation.)
Listing File Information on Device with name: (NULL)
LIBMTP_Get_Storage() failed:-1
I can start a separate thread regarding this issue, but if you have any insight, figured it couldn't hurt to ask real quick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This may or may not help, but when I've had issues with Linux hooking up I've had to format my SD. Something gets stuck in there that Linux just didn't like.
Sent from my LG-LS970 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
JustAk said:
Ah. brilliant, thanks!
The only problem I'm now having is getting the phone to connect to my computer so I can transfer music or ebooks or whathaveyou to/from my device. I've gone through the arch wiki for android (even though I'm running debian) and this forum postt but I keep getting an error:
Code:
$ android-connect
Listing raw device(s)
Device 0 (VID=1004 and PID=61f9) is a LG Electronics Inc. V909 G-Slate.
Found 1 device(s):
LG Electronics Inc.: V909 G-Slate (1004:61f9) @ bus 2, dev 8
Attempting to connect device
PTP_ERROR_IO: failed to open session, trying again after resetting USB interface
LIBMTP libusb: Attempt to reset device
Android device detected, assigning default bug flags
Error 1: Get Storage information failed.
Error 2: PTP Layer error 02fe: get_handles_recursively(): could not get object handles.
Error 2: (Look this up in ptp.h for an explanation.)
Listing File Information on Device with name: (NULL)
LIBMTP_Get_Storage() failed:-1
I can start a separate thread regarding this issue, but if you have any insight, figured it couldn't hurt to ask real quick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you doing this with the phone turned on and booted into the os? It gives you a PTP error first, make sure the phone is in MTP. At the bottom you also have a LIBMTP error tho. I don't have much experience with debian but from what I understand it is extremely stable but the downside is that it can be a bit out of date at times. Ubuntu and all ubuntu derivatives had a major mtp flaw awhile back but it has since been fixed. Im not sure if it has been fixed in debian. Yes ubuntu is based off of debian, but just like linux mint will add things to the ubuntu base, ubuntu will do the same to the debian base. So LIBMTP MAY be out of date, Im not sure. I know that I have no problem seeing my phone from either the terminal or file browser. Check this out and see if it helps any.
If not you may have to follow engine's advice and format the sd.
EDIT: Also this might work, it is for linux mint but adding the repository and installing it should work on debian(I think) since they all use .deb files. Before ubuntu officially supported mtp by default this was the most popular work around.
HPTesla said:
Are you doing this with the phone turned on and booted into the os? It gives you a PTP error first, make sure the phone is in MTP. At the bottom you also have a LIBMTP error tho. I don't have much experience with debian but from what I understand it is extremely stable but the downside is that it can be a bit out of date at times. Ubuntu and all ubuntu derivatives had a major mtp flaw awhile back but it has since been fixed. Im not sure if it has been fixed in debian. Yes ubuntu is based off of debian, but just like linux mint will add things to the ubuntu base, ubuntu will do the same to the debian base. So LIBMTP MAY be out of date, Im not sure. I know that I have no problem seeing my phone from either the terminal or file browser. Check this out and see if it helps any.
If not you may have to follow engine's advice and format the sd.
EDIT: Also this might work, it is for linux mint but adding the repository and installing it should work on debian(I think) since they all use .deb files. Before ubuntu officially supported mtp by default this was the most popular work around.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first thing you linked to (steneteg.org or somesuch) was another avenue I went down trying to solve this, but alas it resulted with much the same problems. The second link to the linuxmint forums looked very promising, the only problem with it is the ppa has been dropped by webupd8 so it no longer is available (404s).
I have just discovered earlier today that adb push/pull works for getting things onto/off of my device, but I can't use adb to mount the device to allow it to be seen with a filemanager (thunar in this case). So, that's progress I think.
EDIT : I just saw mention somewhere of androidair, have yyou any experience with this app's reliability/security?
JustAk said:
The first thing you linked to (steneteg.org or somesuch) was another avenue I went down trying to solve this, but alas it resulted with much the same problems. The second link to the linuxmint forums looked very promising, the only problem with it is the ppa has been dropped by webupd8 so it no longer is available (404s).
I have just discovered earlier today that adb push/pull works for getting things onto/off of my device, but I can't use adb to mount the device to allow it to be seen with a filemanager (thunar in this case). So, that's progress I think.
EDIT : I just saw mention somewhere of androidair, have yyou any experience with this app's reliability/security?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can try searching for other places where go-mptfs is located, other ppas where it still might be. The ubuntu forums also has this as a possible solution. I haven't used androidair but I have moved files over wifi using the sshdroid app and an ssh server on my pc with great success. If you have any experience with ssh that could be a possible solution although it is obviously slower than usb. But ssh in general is a simple and great tool, also pretty secure since you are simply connected to your home wifi - as long as your wifi is secure you should be fine.
On my pc I believe its openssh that I use - plenty of tutorials out there for that - and here is the link to sshdroid in the play store. Hope this helps!
EDIT: I will also be at work until 2p.m. EST so may not be able to reply back until then - don't worry, I will as soon as I get home if you have any other issues.
Since this Defy Forum is getting a bit old, I thought I'd give my recent experience with my defy. This is quite a lengthy thread but there is so much information on this forum that it becomes confusing so thought I'd share my experience so you can cut through a lot of the information. I've had my defy for over 5 years with the stock froyo 2.2.2 and its served me well until recently its beginning to bug me with how laggy it is. Also I wasn't sure if the battery was running out a faster than it used to.
The first thing I thought I'd do is do a factory reset which I successfully did however when I went to put back on some of the apps that I had before such as Runkeeper, Telstra 24/7 and RSA Security token, none of them were compatible with my old phone. I was able to find old versions of some of the apps but not Telstra 24/7 which I use to recharge. At this point I decided on installing a custom rom which I'd done before on other devices. If it didn't work out then phones with the same specs were selling for $29 at a local supermarket so no real damage if I get it wrong.
The first thing was to root the phone which I found something called Superoneclick. I had to turn off my antivirus on my PC use it as there are some files that appear corrupt but doing some searching gave me confidence it was just an overzealous AVG and appeared safe.
Once this was done it was a matter of picking a Rom which I went for CM11 Kit Kat it seemed ok but not heaps better. The thing was I'd now picked up a real battery problem. I tried various Calibration apps to no avail. My battery was experiencing quite large drops of 20% ie it would go from 89% to 50% and then later from about 35% to 20%. It would then stay on 1% for quite some time.
Thinking this was due to the ROM, I tried several ROMs but they all had the same problem. Eventually i found a thread on the battery problem and although I didn't change all the permissions as advised I did so some of the other stuff to no avail.
At this stage I thought my main issue was now the battery and thought I'd read someone that perhaps a stock based rom might sort it out. I installed MS4Ginger which was really smooth however was still a bit laggy at times. Also I noticed that it wasn't able to support various apps being Android 2.3. After a bit more reading, my minimum requirement was Jellybean 4.1 and I'd read that the more recent the ROM the more RAM intensive so I decided to try ROMs with my minimum requirement ie 4.1
I'm not a fan particularly the way the Cyanogen type rom look so was looking for something with a different look and feel. The main ones were:-
Miui based ones (Wiui, Jiui) which I quite liked however lag was still there and the occasional sudden reboot. Battery problem still there.
Xperia ROM which was also nice but also did a sudden reboot then stuck in a bootloop.
There was still lag which I couldn't really understand.
Last Rom I tried was Motor Gun Ice 4.1, it still had the Cyanogen look about it but seemed to run pretty smooth. One thing I had to do was change the Baseband to Telstra in the 'Advanced' section of settings. This made the phone and internet connection work faster.
At this point I ordered a new battery. While I was waiting for that to arrive I read that Facebook app is really bad at taking up RAM. In found another app called Facebook lite and uninstalled the standard Facebook app. All of a sudden Lag Fixed.
This got me searching other 'Lite' apps. Now for web browsing i use Opera Mini and the launcher I now use is Holo Launcher. I also tried to find a replacement for Messenger but no luck and its not been an issue.
So now my phone is running better than ever. Web searching is fast and apps are running well, not that I use my phone for much more than a phone.
A few days later my new battery arrived and comparing to the old one, it appeared that the old one had a slight bulge. I charged the new one right up, discharged and charged again and now no more battery drops.
One last tweak I wanted was to try change the status bar icons. I found Xposed Installer and was able to change the icon colours to white but not the icon pictures. Good enough for me.
So now I'm very happy with my 5 year old defy, took a bit of trial and error but got there in the end. So in a nutshell: -
- If your battery is dropping upon installation of a Rom, likely need a new battery.
- If you phone is lagging, look what is taking all the Ram and look for a lite option or uninstall. Facebook is bad for that.
Note that there are many old links to roms and other mods so finding things that work was at times a challenge but here's the process that I found worked for me and works if bricked as well, which I did a couple of times.
If Bricked or to get back to stock
Download RSD Lite
Install drivers for the phone
Download an SBF for your region, I used Telstra with 2.2.2
To install custom rom
Install and use Superoneclick to root (may need to turn off antivirus)
Install 2ndinit.apk then run it. May need to reboot phone first
Download the Rom and Gapps and put on SD card of phone
Get into custom recovery
Wipe Data and Cache
Install Rom and Gapps
Wipe Cache and Dalvik Cache (for all but one Rom, I forget which one, read instructions)
Reboot and enjoy.
the gun rom link is down, where you downloaded it?
That was one of the few that worked. I accessed from the defy wiki page then I think downloaded from the XDA thread.
Yep, there some links in the last post of the MG ROM thread. Post #222.
Good someone still use defy. I give up after digitizer gone mad. Time run over this device... Uuuh, just if it had 1 gb ram and dual core...
Good to hear that someone else still have this cute little thing. I have too, as my second device. The ROMs I tried on this device! Man, it's countless. I had dropped it on all the different terrains you can think of, yet it's still fully healthy (save the jack and usb covers - they are loose now) without a single crack. I didn't have any covers or screen guards. It stayed true to its name. I will never regret spending money to buy this, it is one of Moto's legendary devices. I think I'm drunk, but it feels good to say all this. I'll keep this device forever with me - a product from a time when smartphones weren't made in an oven, but carefully and delicately cooked up.
Digitizer gone mad me too, the upper line is not working, but it is a good phone, for kids.
Which seller you order the battery?
Can you suggest ROMs to watch videos on Kodi, or Youtube?
I liked this phone, this is the best size phone, what i ever had.
Why the companys not make phone like this size, one hand controlled, with 2GB/32GB, and quad cpu??
Now i have Samsung S4 mini, and it is big for me
Battery was off eBay, can't remember seller but was Australian selling genuine batteries.
Just try all the roms possible, that's part of the fun
Sent from my SM-T210 using Tapatalk
I've been wanting to play around w/ my old defy again. This thread may have got the ball rolling. What do you all use as your daily driver? I've got a xperia z3 compact, but want a new phone. unfortunately, I think my best bet is to just get another z3 compact cheap and save it as a backup?
Hi tronjojo, I was still using my Defy until recently I found an old 4 year old Samsung Galaxy SII of my wife's. The problem for her was that it was switching off all the time so she got an S5. I've now flashed various roms and fixed the random reboot issue. The only thing I wish it has is the notification LED.
Sent from my SM-T210 using Tapatalk
I bougnt a Defy + battery on my Defy Red Lens, made my own BL7 fixed SBF and nandroid with 720p patch which made it a Defy Plus, then I rooted it and repartitioned to install CM11 and has made it very usable in 2016.
Make that Defy in 2018
I'm still using a Defy, since 2011. The battery still lasts longer than that in my wife's new Sony Experia X Compact, about as long as in my daughter's Xiaomi Redmi 4X. I will probably have to move to another device somewhere in 2018 as one of the more important apps - the Swedish BankID app - will cease support for Android 4.4 but that is more or less the only reason. For the rest the thing still does what it did 7 years ago so were it not for this I'd keep on using it until it gave up from sheer old age or electron migration or whatnot.
Make that Defy in 2020
I've recently tried if my Defy+ could learn some new tricks and I thought I'd share my findings.
CM11 build
I tried to build CM11 from Quarx repository, but it seems that many of its dependencies no longer exist and whole project is no longer buildable.
3.0 kernel
This one builds fine, however I was unable to boot it - there's one frame or random pixels followed by a reboot. I checked many branches and put the output into most probable directories. I wish there were any instructions as to what actually do with a built kernel. TWRP zips found here didn't work either. Anyone?
SD card size
Defy supposedly shouldn't work with SD cards larger than 32GB. But did anyone try bigger cards? My Defy mounts 256GB cards without any problems.
Debian on chroot
I set up a Debian environment with debootstrap. Unfortunately outdated kernel puts a limit on a Debian version that could be run. For 2.6.32.9 it is Debian Jessie.
With XServer XSDL it is possible to run a full graphical environment.
2.6.32.9 kernel modules
I also succeeded with building kernel modules for the old kernel. These are mostly filesystem modules and cryptographic ciphers. Now I could use whole Debian Jessie repository (49GB) locally from a squashfs filesystem.
Another nice feature is encryption with dm-crypt/LUKS.
I uploaded modules that insmod loads without any error.
CA certificates
These should be updated with system updates, but we won't have new CM/Lineage/stock releases anymore, so I did it by hand. If you want to try it for yourself, remount /system as writable, remove contents of /system/etc/security/cacerts/ (they could be expired) and copy certificates from the archive. Certificates are same as Debian's ca-certificates version 20200601.
Mirror
I also uploaded tools and images - self contained with instructions to go back and forth between stock and CM11, because many links here are spread across many threads or simply dead. Kernel modules and certificates are for CM11. I didn't try them with anything else.
I can't post a link to these files, because this is my first post. Search for ybea in Motorola Defy section at AndroidFileHost.
Another 2020 Defy warrior
ybea said:
3.0 kernel
This one builds fine, however I was unable to boot it - there's one frame or random pixels followed by a reboot. I checked many branches and put the output into most probable directories. I wish there were any instructions as to what actually do with a built kernel. TWRP zips found here didn't work either. Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello! Did you check on /bootstrap/bootstrap/binary and other folders? There seem to be a zImage (and the recovery one).
I tried to flash and boot the ROM at http://blechdose-live.de/download/kernel/3.0.x/:
Tried flashing from TWRP 2.8: failed.
Extracted the update-binary, copied it to /tmp and executed it from ADB shell (/tmp/update-binary 3 0 /sdcard/cm11-blah.zip) and flashed with some things, mostly partition related errors. After rebooting, it stays on black screen (turned on), ADB available but unauthorised (just look on Github how to enable ADB from recovery to solve that) and that's all; the ROM doesn't work. I'll try debugging this to check if I can do something.
ybea said:
CM11 build
I tried to build CM11 from Quarx repository, but it seems that many of its dependencies no longer exist and whole project is no longer buildable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a sad thing, this year even quarx2k.ru became offline...
MaicoLinuX said:
Hello! Did you check on /bootstrap/bootstrap/binary and other folders?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Files extracted from 20131213 version did not work for me. I tried swapping /bootstrap/ (and /system/bootstrap/) zImages, binaries, edited cmdline, anything I could think of. Always with the same outcome - black screen.
Flashing in TWRP (v2.6.3.0) initially also failed. Fix_TWRP_and_boot_kernel3.0_v2.zip (on AndroidFileHost) makes it succeed. It is 3.0.8 kernel. It froze during the boot, restarted and finished eventually.
ybea said:
Files extracted from 20131213 version did not work for me. I tried swapping /bootstrap/ (and /system/bootstrap/) zImages, binaries, edited cmdline, anything I could think of. Always with the same outcome - black screen.
Yeah, it did the same for me. Did you read the logcat while device was in that screen? I saw something crashing there (can't remember), anyway that's not so useful if you need a whole new ROM just for the new kernel version. Maybe modules are causing problems?
Pretty offtopic, did you try the OTG function? I can't get it to work, most people say it should work out of the box but I wasn't able to use my USB mouse. Didn't check dmesg, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MaicoLinuX said:
ybea said:
Always with the same outcome - black screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you read the logcat while device was in that screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How could I? Android isn't running yet. It it Linux that either fails to load or silently panics. That is my understanding anyway.
The right thing to do would be to check how cm11 build compiles the kernel and the 2nd-init (or whatever it is), but I am not knowledgeable enough, nor keen enough to do that.
OTG is buggy, but usable. If it doesn't work, unplug and plug it again. It is quite normal for my defy to recognize a device on a second or third attempt. No problems with mice, keyboards, flash drives, usb hubs. On the picture in the previous post you can see it with a wireless keyboard+touchpad. If I remember correctly, the driver is set to output 200mAh max. Maybe you mouse draws more (rather unlikely for a mouse). It works for me with cm11-20161124. Also, I think the port outputs 5V even after a device is disconnected, so it unnecessary drains power, but I am not so sure about it.
dmesg should definitely log any new device. Even if android stays quiet. If there's silence, perhaps your cable may of wrong type. USB A to USB micro varies with resistancy across two pins. I don't remember the details. If it is OTG cable, then it should work.
Or simply you have dirty socket/plug pins.
ybea said:
How could I? Android isn't running yet. It it Linux that either fails to load or silently panics. That is my understanding anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK 2ndInit keeps adbd running so you can take a logcat/dmesg from there, also faced the same issue while flashing CM10.2 OTG kernel on CM11 (what was I thinking?) and from there was able to see that something was crashing.
ybea said:
The right thing to do would be to check how cm11 build compiles the kernel and the 2nd-init (or whatever it is), but I am not knowledgeable enough, nor keen enough to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, I think just taking some time to understand the 2ndInit boot process is enough, anyway when I get some free time I'll check about this all.
About OTG things, now will install CM11 3.0 kernel and see how it works (I expect some unstability) but don't really need to use the Defy, it's just there for experiments
Anyway, my main goal now is to install Debian natively (on /data partition because of the size) and get X running. As you said, the 2.6.32 kernel puts the limit at Jessie, but that's not a problem as it's still mantained IIRC. I'm using a prebuilt rootfs but it keeps throwing Segmentation Fault whenever I try to chroot there, don't know what happens with this.
I'm doing the same on other 2 phones (Galaxy Y and Pocket Plus, ARMv6 and v7 respectively) but one doesn't boot my compiled kernels (?) and the other complains about the buggy framebuffer driver (thanks Samsung/Broadcom). I went pretty offtopic...
PD: tried to flash some JB Ice Gun Edition v2.02 from CWM and after reboot the phone just is stuck on boot splash, but WIUI runs fine. Maybe the JB IGE BootMenu is broken or something like that.
MaicoLinuX said:
About OTG things, now will install CM11 3.0 kernel and see how it works (I expect some unstability)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have any luck with flashing zips with only the kernel. This 20131213 rom is the only way i know of. But frankly, there's more instability then stability in it. For example only home and power buttons work. OTG also non functional.
MaicoLinuX said:
As you said, the 2.6.32 kernel puts the limit at Jessie, but that's not a problem as it's still mantained IIRC. I'm using a prebuilt rootfs but it keeps throwing Segmentation Fault whenever I try to chroot there, don't know what happens with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jessie is no longer maintained. It stopped being oldstable about a month ago. AFAIK it changes little - apt continues to work; unless your applications have dependencies to newer libc, they should at least compile.
I build Debian root with debootstrap. On host machine:
Code:
debootstrap --arch armhf --foreign stable /debian http://http.debian.net/debian
Then mounting on Defy:
Code:
# Mount an sd card partition
mount -o remount,rw /
mkdir -p /debian
mount -o remount,ro /
mount -t ext3 -o noatime,suid,exec /dev/block/mmcblk0p2 /debian
mkdir -p /dev/shm
mount -t tmpfs -o rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec none /dev/shm
mount -t proc proc /debian/proc
mount -t sysfs sysfs /debian/sys
mount -o bind /dev /debian/dev
mount -o bind /dev/pts /debian/dev/pts
mount -o bind /dev/socket /debian/dev/socket
mount -o bind /dev/shm /debian/dev/shm
Then debootstrap second stage:
Code:
LD_PRELOAD= TMPDIR= PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin HOME=/root SHELL=/bin/bash /system/bin/chroot /debian /debootstrap/debootstrap --second-stage
Done. To login:
Code:
chroot /debian /bin/su -
Don't chroot into bash. It will leak Android's shell environment into Debian's.
Android has its own groups and users. To make Debian adapt:
Code:
dpkg -i android-permissions_0.2_all.deb
Edit /etc/group, so that it contains:
Code:
inet:x:3003:root,_apt
net_raw:x:3004:root
Edit /etc/passwd/:
Code:
-_apt:x:104:65534::/nonexistent:/bin/false
+_apt:x:0:65534::/nonexistent:/bin/false
Edit /etc/adduser.conf:
Code:
-LAST_SYSTEM_UID=999
+LAST_SYSTEM_UID=99900
-LAST_SYSTEM_GID=999
+LAST_SYSTEM_GID=99900
-FIRST_UID=5000
+FIRST_UID=500000
-LAST_UID=8999
+LAST_UID=899900
-FIRST_GID=5000
+FIRST_GID=500000
-LAST_GID=8999
+LAST_GID=899900
Then:
Code:
apt-get update
apt-get install dialog
apt-get install locales
dpkg-reconfigure locales
apt-get install less man
If apt can't resolve hostnames select a nameserver in /etc/resolv.conf.
This how I setup Debian on chroot. Some of these steps may be unnecessary - they got accumuated over the years and I don't fully remember reasoning behind them. Debian inside /data/ should work too. I can imagine there would be problems with permissions on fat32 /sdcard, but /data/ is ext3.