yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Where did you put the gnuharet-*, zImage_cr2 and \Storage Card\initrd.gz files ?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] milanvot:
I put those files in the root of a 4GB FAT32 SD card.

Also, I removed all my files and install your files (haretgnu-..., rd, zi, startup.txt to root of the SD card) and result is zero. The memory map is the only change I can see.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Can you copy them to the wince side and try again ?

I have never used the sd cards >512MB.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Opie screenshot.

The bitmap is a bit distorted because of the unusual

screen dimensions (480x360).
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] milanvot:
Bad news. I copied all the files to the device (root) itself. I even removed the SD card, disconnected the Universal from the PC but nothing has changed, the kernel simply doesn't want to boot :-)

One more thing. From the screenshots you posted it's obvious you have a T-mobile Universal. I have a iMate JasJar. Maybe this the reason why the kernel works on your machine while on my not.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] EyeOfTheStorm:
I am trying to boot the Kernel, but HaRET tells me on the remote session, that there is not enough Memory available.

kernel size: 847152 (847872) initrd size: 5502705 (5505024)

total size: 6349857 kbsize: 6356992

Destination physical kernel address: a0008000

FATAL: Not enough memory 6361087 for the kernel bundle!

What's wrong?

Shoud i tell HaRET some aditional things? Using this tool the first time.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] milanvot:
Maybe you should try to free some memory before trying haret. The best is to restart your Universal before running haret.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] EyeOfTheStorm:
Thanks, now i can boot linux on my Universal.

Next Question .... I can not connect the Linux Universal to my Windows XP Computer. It noticed the connection, but can not find a RNDIS/Ethernet Gadget Driver. Where can i find one?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] milanvot:
Are you saying you are able to boot Linux using the files posted by CR2? Can you see the console on your Universal?

Regarding the USB network connection you may try Belcarra USBNET driver.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
Hello, i tried it my self and i can boot Linux, but it stops at the login prompt. I tried my keyboard on the universal but it didnt work.

All i did to get it to work was that i copied the 4 files to the root of my SD card, and started Harret and the linux kernel booted.

Do i have to connect the universal to my computer?

Is it preferd to use Linux or WinXP to communicate with the linux@universal over USB?

Is it just to follow the INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS on the BlueAngel website ( http://www.handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/BlueAngel ) to boot GPE or OPIE ( using the 4 files i copied + the gpe file form BA webiste ) ?

No more files needed?

(PS. i am using a JasJar with lates O2 rom and 1.06 radio.)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] EyeOfTheStorm:
Ok, thanks for the driver. But it does not work :`(

Windows tells me, that i can not install this driver.

Yes, i can see console output on my Universal screen. There is also the smal pinguin visible in the top left corner.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Your memory is fragmented. It is very easy to solve this problem, but a simple reset will be sufficient for now.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Re: Universal made Opie image

It's not that bad on a dual Opteron with 8GB RAM here :)

The software and OE configuration bugs are what is

really annoying.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
Re: Universal made Opie image

Yes of course, they will be included.

The font's can be increased in the Opie menues, also the icon's.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
I'll try to make it "ready to go". But it's not that diffrent than the one Milanvot's has modified.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Re: Universal made Opie image

As you know most people never change the default

settings, see msword :). BTW, why are the icons look

so "smoothed", as if they are doubled in size ?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
I don't see the smoothing!

What I noticed most about the Milanvot-adjusted version was that apps still open at 320x240 in the centre of the screen.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
This is historic: WLAN at the Universal is up

I have managed to ping with WLAN on Universal. I was connected to my wireless network (useing no encryption).

But, the device got frozen after about half minute, but i managed to get a screenshot of it: :-)

I'll post more, when (if) i get it up again.

BTW: Great job with the driver Milanvot.

This is so cool so i add some more:

It is very unstable, i managed to use OpieIRC, but when i tried to install packages over the net it went down, but as you se in pics #2 it just to start it again to get it to work.

Bugrapport:

Milanvot: when i try to 'modprobe -r htcuniversal_acx' the Universal is freezing. Have to reset it to start haret again.

Also, when trying to do alot more than a ping the network goes down. But IRC worked :-).
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
Cool! :D

(Now I *DO* see the smoothing!!! Also, where did the titlebar go, and why is the "SysTray" moved to the right?)

Rapport

noun: a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well

I think you mean "report" ;-)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] milanvot:
Re: pxafb.

I have modified pxafb driver to support splitted fb used in Universal. The whole device seems to be really :-) faster. Question: do you know what's in the SRAM right before the beginning of fb #1 (0xa3faa000)? It would be nice to put DMA descriptors there...
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Re: pxafb.

Very good :D

You mean at 0xa3f00000 ? Wince puts the descriptors

there.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Three main kernel problems.

1. Why is it impossible to boot with the phone switched off even if the USB host clock counter is halted, and DMA is stopped :?:

1a. Why can't we boot the kernel 2.6.16 :?:

2. How to prepare the phone for resume after

the powerdown ? Do (and why) we need the

same trickery usually used on the HTC PDAs :?:

3. How does the phone communication protocol

look like :?:
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
Opie-universal pre1

I have uploaded a Opie release for the HTC universal.

Its an bitbake made Opie-kdepim-image.

There where a problem with the upload, it upped 100% but the file is still named ***.tar.bz2.part. I dont have write acces to the files so i cant rename it. But i downloaded it, renamed it an unzipped it, so it's package is 100%.

After you have downloaded it just delete the ".part" in the file name so it ends on bz2.

The image got quite big (26MB), it's because it's a kdepim image (expanded pim functions), and becuase i have also baked in som other applications like qpegps, zroadmap, opieftp, embedded konsole and some TTF fonts.

The image runs a little slow, i dont now why, but it might be that it is application installed on than other BA releases.

Feel free to try it out. It can be downloaded form the xda ftp site in the upload section.

[( It has, automatic screen rotation, keyboard support, wlan support (unstable and not out of the box)].

The modules in the image is the latest one with wlan support. Feel fre to use either cr2 latest zImage or you can use the one in the boot directory (zImage-2.6.12).

Here is an screenshot with new fonts, and a little bigger font size.

UPDATE: Be carefull to use the flashlight. I might burn out if you use it for longer periods.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
Looks nice! I will get it when I get home.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
Hey madkat!

How've you been doing?!

I was wondering if you could give me a link or something such as..."an idiots guide to getting linux to run"!

I have absolutely no experience in using linux, as i've always been with windows for as long as i've lived! I'd love to try it out on my univ, but i dont know where to start!

Also, do i need to have a desktop running linux to get the sd card formatted in linux disk format or something? I just have a win xp based laptop here, and my universal.....can i get linux up and running?

thanks in advance!

cheers,

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=UniversalProgress
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
Re: Opie-universal pre1

I have installed it and hit one gazillion of bugs :lol:

in kernel, in opie and in the applications.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
hey gobox!

Thanks for the link. But i must admit that most of it goes right over my head :roll:

The problem as i told earlier is that i have no exposure at all to Linux as i never got a chance to do so :( Its probably why i'm so confused here....

I'm getting stuck right at the 4th step -

# Get SD card with size <= 1GB and partition it to have a ext2(ext3) filesystem.

# Format and mount it and extract the opie image into it.

What tool do i need to use to do this? Just as a reminder, i dont have access to a linux based system...so it has to be done on a winxp system!

The next doubt that i have is with the topic -

Partitioning & formatting the SDCard directly on the Universal (not PC)

Do i need to follow the steps under this too? Or is it an optional procedure? Where do these whole bunch of instructions fit in?

I'm really sorry if i'm asking really lame questions here :oops:

thanks very much again!

I'm really eager to get linux running on my device! The screen grabs are awesome, and i cant wait to see it!

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
Well, i tried something and this is what happened....

1. I downloaded harret, kernel, rd, harret-config

2. I copied them all into my device root

3. I modified default.txt to -

set KERNEL zuni
set MTYPE 855
set INITRD rd
set CMDLINE "root=/dev/mmc/blk0/part2 console=tty0 mem=63M"
boot2

4. i soft reset my device, and ran the exe....

i got a whole bunch of text output and it gave me this error -

VFS: Cannot open root device "mmc/blk0/part2" or unknown-block(0,0)
Please append a correct "root=" boot option
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(0,0)

am i missing something?

thanks!

San

UPDATE:

I tried to execute instructions under "Partition SD on the universal" section . When i start haret, it goes all the way upto "mmc_rescan" and just freezes there, nothing happens further. This is when i dont have an SD card installed.

When i have an SD card installed, it gives a kernel panic error, and says it cant mount to mmc/blk0 or something.....

???

thanks,

San

UPDATE:

Looks like it locks up at mmc_rescan

Approximately how long does it stall at mmc_rescan?

Am i resetting my device by not waiting long enough by any chance??? (I've waited for 3-4 minutes, and it doesnt seem to be doing anything....
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
Re: Opie-universal pre1

Yes it seems like we have to "tune" the bitbakes files a little more.

Because it is not right out of the box the image i'll get out of bitbake.

Example: The /etc/inittab must be modified to tty1 - tty4, irattach is setup with ttyS1 (which is our BT), the keyboard works in GPE, but in Opie i have to use Milan's patch.

So it's a lot to do. :-)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
All right, I am pretty familiar now on how I need to setup things to get my univ to boot linux. Unfortunately it still fails, but I guess I can describe the problem better now!

1. As I don't have my sd card partitioned and ready to have opie, I realised I needed to use harret to load the kernel with the format tools to do so on my universal. So here is what I dd -

a. I got the kernel, harret, config file & rd

b. config file has -

set KERNEL ZIK
Set MTYPE 855
set INITRD rd
set CMDLINE "root=/dev/ram0 init=/linuxrc ramdisk_size=14336 keepinitrd console=tty0 mem=63M fbcon=rotate:1"
boot2

c. I put my sd card in the slot, and after a fresh boot started harret from my file explorer

d. My universal is running as a STAND-ALONE device, not connected to my laptop in any way.

when I run harret, it goes all the way upto mmc_rescan, and stops there. When I press the power button it echoes "power pressed", it also responds by echoing a message when I close and open my clamshell. None of the other keys seem to do anything.

am I missing something?

Thanks!

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] goxboxlive:
Are you running the lthe files from SD card or from internal storage?

If you run it from the sd card it might be the problem. Try to move them over to the device and boot again. I havent my self tried this metode as i self use a linux computer.

An other metode is to run linux from a live cd and do the partitions with your computer.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vve:
Try to create at least one partition (FAT or other) on your card before you boot a kernel.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
@goboxlive

I am running it from the device root and not the sd card. I tried putting the files in all locations and have tried 2-3 different kernels. All of them fail at the same location.

@vve

How do I create a partition on my sd card? Do I have to use diskmgmt.msc in win xp? I don't have a linux based desktop. Also, what file system should it have - fat16?

Another doubt I have - does the keyboard on the universal work in the harret app used? Or do I have to press some key sequence to get it to ask for login details? I read somewhere that you need to connect it to ur desktop and enter text thru the desktop, not sure where I read this!

I shall try partitioning and let u know if I covered any ground! I guess the more eager u r, the more hurdles u face! I stayed awake till 6:30am last night trying to get it to work hehe :-)

thanks very much!

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] EyeOfTheStorm:
Hi,

no, the current kernel versions have keyboard support. Not all keys are available, but you can use it.

set KERNEL zuni
set MTYPE 855
set INITRD rd
set CMDLINE "root=/dev/mmc/blk0/part2 console=tty0 mem=63M"
boot2

It is better and easier to make the full SD card available for linux. Then you should give root=/dev/mmc/blk0/part1 in your kernel parameters.

But this Kernel does only start with a valid rootfs on the SD Card. You should make a ext2 or ext3 partition. No idea how to make that in a Windows environment. We all did this in Linux.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
I wrote the guide because I found it was impossible to partition the card properly using an SDCard reader on a PC (in either Linux or Windows!)

I think FAT16 is detailed in the guide - if not, I'll update it :-)

What size SDCard do you have inserted into your device? I think there were issues with cards >1Gb.

The stuff in the guide requires only a Universal with no connection. The prescribed kernel supports the keyboard. Your screen should be in landscape when you boot.

I'm working on an app to read all the sector-level data from the SDCard. Once I've done that, I should be able to change it to write all the data back from within Windows Mobile. Not sure yet whether to run a data server on the PC - that would mean an app of minimal size could run on the device. Installing Linux will be like "flashing" the SDCard.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
You can reuse the code from itsutils.

The only thing i do not understand: is there any logic

behind the number of sectors/tracks on the SD card ?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
No we didn't. I partitioned the card entirely on the device. And I copied the data onto the device from my Windows PC.

Without the FAT16 partition, there is no way to get the root image onto the device. The NIC drivers for XP cause a Kernel Panic on the device, so it is effectively inaccessible from a Windows machine.

The root= should be /dev/ram0 in the first instance (to decompress RD and boot from it)

It's all here (under "Partitioning & formatting the SDCard directly on the Universal (not PC)" - but includes decompressing the root image too)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
DoC G3 and SAFTL.

FYI: i have found some useful code here (though it's not in C): http://cvs.sourceforge.net/viewcvs.py/octave/octave-forge/main/comm/
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
The HOWTO can be structured better if we divide it into such parts:

1. I have a Linux computer with the SD cardreader.

2. I have a Linux computer without the SD cardreader.

3. I have a Windows computer with the SD cardreader.

4. I have a Windows computer without the SD cardreader.

A possible variation is "i can access my Universal over wifi".
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
Agreed, except that I had such trouble with my card reader under both Windows and Linux that I had to do it on the Universal :-)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vve:
Yes, you do. But if you don't have a cardreader you may try to install this program http://www.softick.com/pocket-pc/cardexport2/ on device (under wince) and switch it to Export mode. You will not get the possibility to create EXT partitions that way, however :).

Yes, it's a best choice if windows tools are everything you have on your PC.

Generally, partition could be of any type that is supported by a kernel you try to boot. And this partition should be valid, of course.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
Thanks =)

Isn't it the case with all solid-state media that sectors/tracks are simply used to identify the size of the device? There may be other factors, like most efficient read/write block size?

As far as I know, the number of sectors/tracks is just the one which fits best for the number of available bytes. It's a legacy interface.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] nedge2k:
Don't worry about asking questions. It took me a while to get it up and running as i've never used linux either.

You should be able to complete the whole installation process from the Universal itself without having to use a linux or win PC. For everything to go smoothly it really is the best way.

The mms_rescan crash happed to me when there was no sd in the slot. Try putting the card in ur PC, right-click and format. Selecting quick format will do. Make sure the card is in your Universal before you start harret even if you are only booting the kernal from the Universal. The process will not work if you create the partitions on your PC...trust me. The EXT2 partition will only get corrupted later on.

Once its booted, follow the instructions in the wiki TO THE LETTER and everything should be fine. If you've had DOS experience some of it may seem a little strange at first but you'll get it.
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
seconded :-)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
Thanks for the detailed reply dude. But it still doesnt work here :( Guess i'm just jinxed :roll:

Here are some more facts -

1. I have a 512 meg sd card i'm trying to setup

2. I have the SD card inserted while booting, no luck

3. I have formatted the SD several times in winxp, no luck

4. I tried formatting in wm5 using resco, that doesnt help either

5. I have changed root=dev/ram0....no luck, stops at mmc_rescan

I guess i have only two things to try here -

1. Formatting SD in linux, or somehow get two partitions on it (still didnt find any winxp based software to do it, and diskmgmt.msc doesnt allow me to create partitions)

2. Hard resetting and seeing if there is some screw up in my current OS state in running it

If any of you all have something else to add, i guess that'll help!

Thanks so much everyone, you all have been extremely helpful and patient!

Best,

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] madkat:
dev/ram0 or /dev/ram0 ?

it MUST have the leading /
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vve:
Where to? :)

Unfortunately, internal cardreader is not even common feature for latest notebooks...For desktop PCs it's MORE than uncommon.

2dreamtheater39

Can you see you FAT partition (after all of your explorations) in WM5 as "Storage Card"?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] nedge2k:
YOU NEED A CARD READER TO DO THIS :P

hmm..ok...try going into command prompt on the pc (start > run > type cmd)

then type: format X: /fs:FAT16 (where "X:" is the drive letter of your SD card)

*If FAT16 doesn't work, try FAT*

then type: chkdsk X: (where "X:" is the drive letter of your SD card)

that will tell if its fat16 and all working correctly
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
When i follow instructions to partition using my universal and boot my device using harret, this is the exact error i get -

Console output -
NET: Registered protocol family 17
platform_device_register asic3_mmc
mmc_rescan
mmcblk0: mmc0:b368 501248KiB
/dev/mmc/blk0: p1
Kernel panic - not syncing: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on unknown-block(1,0)

It runs upto this point and just stops further processing. As i mentioned earlier, none of the buttons respond except for the power button. When i press the power button, it echoes "gpio: power_button"

Any clues?

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vve:
Well, I think we should follow the cr2's way:

First, what configuration are you trying to boot kernel with:

3. I have a Windows computer with the SD cardreader.

4. I have a Windows computer without the SD cardreader.

?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
C:\Documents and Settings\DarkLamp>format g: /fs:FAT16
Insert new disk for drive G:
and press ENTER when ready...
The type of the file system is FAT32.
The new file system is FAT16.
FORMAT is not available for FAT16 drives.

looks like my sd has a fat32 partition! I guess i need to bring it down to fat16, looks like i need to continue searching for a winxp based format/partition managing utility

the quest continues :)

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vve:
Maybe it's better to try to format it in some gadget, say, camera or MP3 player that support SD?
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] nedge2k:
You can also try the files i've just uploaded to the FTP. They are 100% working for getting the SD card set up.

Get them HERE
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
The physical blocksize is 512 bytes, like on the SCSI disks, so you can address anything by the linear block number. In theory it should be possible to do

mke2fs on a raw block device like

/dev/sda or /dev/mmc/blk0/disc

ignoring any weird things like partition tables,

and use

root=/dev/mmc/blk0/disc

But i have not tried it :)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] dreamtheater39:
Not an option for me :(

Unbeilevable.....i've been searching the internet for almost 1 hour now, and i still havent found a freeware format utility which will do a fat16 format in winxp! I have found Paragon Partition Manager, and Partition Magic...both are commercial, and are practically useless after i've formatted it. As of now, it looks like i have no other option but to buy it....guess i'll look around for a few more hours before i give up and eventually buy one of these tools.... :evil:

San

I'm downloading it and trying it out. However, what exactly do you mean by HTC_Universal_Linux_For_Device_Only(not_SD)?

Thanks,

San
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] cr2:
The most kosher way of installing Linux from a windows

host computer should be to use Activesync and the

modified 'psdwrite' program:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~itsme/projects/xda/tools.html
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] nedge2k:
put them on your device, not the sd ;)
[JASJAR, XDA Exec, MDA Pro General] vve:
2dreamtheater39

It seems that you're in category #3:

"I have a Windows computer with the SD cardreader"

Right?

Have you tried to delete all the partitions in diskmgmt.msc and create the new FAT16 partition?