[Micromax A116] samthechamp:
So , Hello everyone,

This tutorial will guide you through installing Linux on mmx a116 with android side by side..

What is this all about?/Why put this on my device?

This projects aim is to bring a range of linux distros to your android device through a method known as 'chroot', see it has running a linux distro within a virtual machine on your phone (Although its not! its using native ARM ports and the Android kernel) . You can access this virtual machine and run it on your phone without causing any damage to your device, or having to overwrite anything. Why might you want this? well my apps are designed to make the install and set up process as easy as possible while still giving you some flexibility. Once you have the distro up and running then you can pretty much run and install any linux software you like (so long as there is a arm port or it is not architecturally dependent).

Wait this uses VNC why shouldn't I just VNC to a computer?

VNC is used to access the GUI as at the moment I have not yet implemented a native way of viewing the GUI. But the Linux distro itself is running within the phone and can be controlled via the terminal app so if your a seasoned Linux user you may never even want to use the GUI

What is Chroot?/How does this work?

"A chroot on Unix operating systems is an operation that changes the apparent root directory for the current running process and its children" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chroot

This method of running linux distros with android has been around for some time. I have worked on my scripts to make the process more user friendly and give you far more options from the word go.

The scripts start by mounting the linux image file within the android file system and then mounts the sdcard and if you have it internal memory within the linux file system.

Chroot is then used to change the root directory to that of the mounted linux and a bash shell is then opened to allow you to control linux this is kind of like 'booting' the OS.

The likes of VNC and SSH are then set up when linux is 'booted' to allow you to connect to the GUI if you require it.

Note: This requires a lot of free space on sd cards(any)..atleast 2 GB ..

INSTRUCTIONS:

1-Go to play store and download 'Complete Linux Installer' and install it ..

2-if you have a custom or other kernel , you have to check wether it supports loop or not.So better be on Stock Kernel.

3- Now there are 2 ways to install and run distros(eg-linux,backtrack).One is easier but requires an internet connection on the phone.other is a bit difficult but can be done from PC also .

method 1 ( internet on smartphone )

Go to complete Linux Installer and select install guides and select the distro you want it will download and guide you further.(in the unzipping step , i recommend using a PC for it as its too slow on the phone.)

Method 2 ( using a PC )

Download the version and size of your preferable ubuntu from here -

http://sourceforge.net/projects/linuxonandroid/files/Ubuntu/

After that, download androidVNC and terminal emulator from play store

now extract ubuntu.zip and place it in a folder called ubuntu on root of your SD card.Now you are ready to boot too ubuntu. select the launch menu from complete linux installer.

you will be redirected to terminal emulator . press n if you are asked to check boot.img from md5 as it gets stuck there. set screen size to 1280x720 after few seconds you will see a message root@localhost . this means you are succesful.

go to android vnc type in port option 5900 and password and username as ubuntu an color settings as 24 bit..

congratulations! you have booted to Ubuntu!:laugh::highfive: