Archos Pma Kernel Options

[jessed]

I was wondering if anyone has been successful in recompiling the linux kernel for the pma400. I've compiled it in various configurations, but the pma always either hangs or shuts down when I try to use it. I'm using sashz's build tool and have also applied his bootloader checksum removal. (Bravo sashz!)

[jessed]

Well, I still can't get it to take a new kernel (i've been mostly busy with other things anyway), but I have found that building kernel modules seems to work just fine. If anyone has success with the kernel, I'd very much like to hear about it!

[loos]

Well, I still can't get it to take a new kernel (i've been mostly busy with other things anyway), but I have found that building kernel modules seems to work just fine. If anyone has success with the kernel, I'd very much like to hear about it!

I'm also trying to get my own kernel running. When loading a aimage.img with a modified kernel the archos shuts down.

Is there any way to connect a serial cable to the archos?

[jessed]

I'm also trying to get my own kernel running. When loading a aimage.img with a modified kernel the archos shuts down.

Is there any way to connect a serial cable to the archos?

Unfortunately, I have not found a way. I'm thinking about trying a couple more configs today (shots in the dark.) Mine has been freezing rather than powering off, so I think it's a kernel panic. Too bad there's no console output at that point!

[loos]

Unfortunately, I have not found a way. I'm thinking about trying a couple more configs today (shots in the dark.) Mine has been freezing rather than powering off, so I think it's a kernel panic. Too bad there's no console output at that point!

In fact that's great news! I think the Archos powers down if the firmware detects an error in de aimage.img. So you could probably have a kernel panic, but I would be very happy with it!!

Can you please mail me the sources, cross-compiler, kernel-config and tools to build the image? I think I found a dm270 framebuffer driver (in source code). If this driver works we could start the good to work on a patchset for 2.6 on the archos.

[jessed]

I used the Archos supplied toolchain and kernel sources, which can be downloaded from their site:

http://www.shoparchos.com/product.aspx?sku...0&culture=en-US

My config is based off the av500 config in their kernel source. The main change I made was turning off compressed boot loader in ROM/flash under general setup. I think the pma uses it, but those addresses are incorrect, but I'm not 100% sure. I'll attach my latest config, which isn't working yet.

Btw, you've applied sashz's bootloader crack, correct? Just making sure we're on the same page.

Attached File(s)

 config.gz ( 5.49K ) Number of downloads: 56

 

[loos]

I used the Archos supplied toolchain and kernel sources, which can be downloaded from their site:

http://www.shoparchos.com/product.aspx?sku...0&culture=en-US

My config is based off the av500 config in their kernel source. The main change I made was turning off compressed boot loader in ROM/flash under general setup. I think the pma uses it, but those addresses are incorrect, but I'm not 100% sure. I'll attach my latest config, which isn't working yet.

I naively used my own built cross-compiler and a normal 2.6 kernel with some omap patches. These kernels made the archos shut down right after loading the aimage.img. This is worth nothing!

I tried (just like you) to use the official pma kernel source, toolchain and your config after reading your reply. I saw the same thing. The PMA didn't automaticly shutdown anymore. I saw this was actually working better than my own attempts. My second step was to build the very same kernel with my own toolchain which is based on Gcc 3.4.5. I had to modify many .c files in the kernel to get it building with gcc3. I even had to remove some C-flags that were unknow in GCC3. When I booted the new image, the same old behaviour returned: the PMA shuts down again. Not good!

The most frustrating part is yet to come. In my later attempts to boot the same kernel as in the first run, my PMA also shutted down. Although I'm pretty optimistic about seeing different behaviour, I'm less happy with the fact that it's not 100% predictable what happens (assuming I didn't make a mistake). I would have been very happy to see the same thing happening (not shutting down) with a kernel built with my own toolchain. This would give me confidence my toolchain and CFLAGS are correct AND opens the opportunity to compile more recent kernels easily. Ok, I'm going too fast now.

The kernel sources Archos provides are crap, but I really think they worked the time my archos didn't shut down automaticly!
We are missing very important stuff however. Very vital parts like the framebuffer driver are missing. I think it will give confidence to see a sign of life when booting a self built image. Maybe we could get this by attaching very common usb hardware, like an optical mouse which will give light once the USB host gets initialised on bootup. If this happens with a self-built kernel, an open-source PMA lives!!

Btw, you've applied sashz's bootloader crack, correct? Just making sure we're on the same page.

Yes, I'm able to boot modified images. But all working images use the pre-built kernel provided by Archos.

My plan of action is:
* Determine if the kernel works or see it's just a side effect that the PMA doesn't shut down
* Prove a self-built cross-compiler (fuck gcc2) also works
* Makeing up a list of needed changes to get an vanilla kernel working with the stock bootloader
* See if the open-source dm270fb works on the PMA

[jessed]

Looks like the openPMA team has accomplished this task and posted instructions:

openPMA Kernel

[birdman]

This has nothing to do with what your talking, but since you have a pma430 would you please view my post "archos pma430" and give me your advice, thanks