Messages

1

Gemini PDA - Android / New firmware update released

« on: June 14, 2018, 06:36:20 am »

Can confirm.. for rooted/dual-boot linux, I get "error: partition table not match".

I know it's still early stages, but I do hope an update path becomes available for rooted or dual-boot phones. Even a manual process would be fine, as long as we don't have have to "factory reset" each time.

For now, I'll "wait and see".

2

Gemini PDA - Linux / Cannot boot into Debian linux

« on: June 02, 2018, 06:04:45 pm »

Your boot issue sound similar to  [a href=\'index.php?showtopic=34961\']mine[/a].
 
First off, get your scatter file from here: http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/partitionTool.html  - I recommend that you do not check the "by default boot into linux", as that creates problems when trying to upgrade the kernel later on.

Next up, when you unzip it, use peazip (http://www.peazip.org/) instead of Windows Explorer or 7-zip. This is where I ran into problems and I ran into the same problem you have. Windows Explorer and 7-zip choke on the IMG file.

ALSO - if you want root on android, you need to use a good text editor (notepad++) to edit "Gemini_Dual_Boot.txt" and replace where it says "boot.img" to "patched_boot.img".

Go ahead and flash using the tool.  To boot into linux:
1. power off completely.  
2. Then hold both the power button (Esc) and the silver side button
3. As soon as the unit vibrates for power on, release the Esc key. This MUST be released before the screen turns on. Continue holding the side button until the screen turns on.

Assuming that gets you booted into Linux, follow the instructions provided on this wiki link:  https://github.com/gemian/gemini-keyboard-a.../wiki/DebianTP2   You can essentially ignore the older "DebianTP" page as that contains instructions that have now been merged into Debian Technical Preivew 2.

3

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Mini USB-C travel mouse

« on: May 16, 2018, 01:15:32 pm »

Actually, I picked this one because it is wired. Never have to be concerned about a battery or pairing issue.

4

Gemini PDA - Hardware / Mini USB-C travel mouse

« on: May 16, 2018, 12:14:30 pm »

I've seen a few people mention a Targus mini mouse.  I wanted to avoid an adapter, and found a usb-c mini mouse.

The  Verbatim Usb-C™ Mini Optical Travel Mouse:  http://a.co/btZCFY4

Since there's no battery, pairing, or adapter to worry about, this works out really well. It can even slip into a pocket.


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5

Gemini PDA - Linux / scatter file for dual boot android rooted + linux

« on: May 15, 2018, 08:47:09 pm »

That worked perfectly. If editing the scatter file on Windows.. use a proper editor like sublime or notepad++ instead of notepad.

My main reason for wanting to root android is so I can format and mount the sdcard as ext4 in both Android and linux. For android, if you're using termux+git, the msdos/fat filesystem can't preserve permissions. With android root, you can mount ext3/ext4 for storage.

6

Gemini PDA - Android / com.mediatek.ims.ImsApp has stopped

« on: May 15, 2018, 04:07:44 pm »

I'm surprised I haven't seen this more often since I get it all the time.  The box with "com.mediatek.ims.ImsApp has stopped" pops up with a button to Close App. But if you close it, it just pops up again a second later. Usually, power cycling the device makes this go away, but today it's been surviving reboots. It does go away if I remove the sim card.  Disabling SIM slot 1 & 2 does not help.

Has anyone else encountered this?

7

Gemini PDA - Linux / scatter file for dual boot android rooted + linux

« on: May 15, 2018, 03:33:24 pm »

I've been good with dual boot android and linux. Then I wanted to go back and root android. Somewhere in the last couple days, they updated their Firmware page a bit.

http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Gemini_Firmware

Each firmware archive above contains 3 different version of the firmware that can be installed:

    Standard Android firmware
    Please use the "Gemini_Android.txt" scatter file to flash the Android firmware.
    Rooted Android firmware
    With Gemini you have the option to easily root your device. Please bear in mind that rooting an Android device comes with associated risks, and some application might not work correctly. You can search the Internet for more information, we suggest that you proceed only if you know what you are doing.
    If you know what you are  doing and you want to continue, then you can use the "Gemini_Android_Rooted.txt" scatter file to flash the rooted Android firmware. Please complete the process by installing Magisk Manager.
    Dual Boot Android/Linux
    To install a dual boot Android/Linux image you must first partition your Gemini, deciding how much space to reserve for each system and what system you would like to boot into by default. For example, if you specify to boot into Android by default, then the Gemini will boot into Android when started. To boot into Linux, you will have to press the side button when booting. You can configure the space and the default booting system using this partition tool: http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/partitionTool.html
    Make sure you reserve enough space for Linux, you will need around 5 GB of space for Debian. The flash tool will show you an error message if the partition size is too small.
    When you have selected your parameters, click on the  "Download Scatter file" button to retrieve a copy of the Gemini_Dual_Boot.txt scatter file and place it in the folder containing the firmware. You can now use this scatter file to flash a dual boot Android/Linux firmware on your Gemini. Don't forget to check out this Web page for further information about

So now, you have a scatter file for rooted android, or you use their partition tool to generate a scatter file for dual boot. However, the dual-boot scatter file does not reference the patched boot image needed for android root. I wish it was a checkable option on their tool.

There is this other page, which I think is now deprecated (hard to find directly) which directs you to download a modified boot-verified.img and overwrite the original. But I suspect that these instructions (and image) are now outdated.

http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Android_Support

Rooted Android

With Gemini you have the option to easily root your device. Please bear in mind that rooting an Android device comes with associated risks, and some application might not work correctly. You can search the Internet for more information, we suggest that you proceed only if you know what you are doing.

If you know what you are  doing and you want to continue, then follow these steps:

    Download the rooted boot image
    Follow the Android installation notes above but before flashing the unit, overwrite the original boot-verified.img file in the Gemini_Android_1_1_0 folder with the rooted boot image that you just downloaded
    Complete the flashing and your device will now be rooted. Install Magisk Manager to complete the process.

8

Gemini PDA - Linux / Observations a few days in

« on: May 13, 2018, 04:07:52 pm »

Thanks. I did end up re-flashing this morning. I went through pretty much all the steps in the wiki and set the hostname. After all the software and kernel updates, it is running nicely with responsive mouse and app performance.

Even though I didn't use the settings you posted, it'll be good to have them on the forum for reference.

I am loving this tablet. I am going to get a small mouse for it for right click capabilities and I think it will be rather usable  on the linux side for radio programming and field troubleshooting.

9

Gemini PDA - Linux / Observations a few days in

« on: May 13, 2018, 11:56:44 am »

A braver man than I am would have typed them into a terminal on Gemini itself; I copied and pasted 'em from the browser on my desktop into my SSHed terminal. Later, I learned that I could have done pretty much all of it after the upgrade by simply running Cos's script, which is available here:

https://coshacks.blogspot.it/2018/04/gemini...kers-guide.html

A bit of caution here. This script installs gnome which sets up defaults to setting up gdm as your login manager. This soft-bricks your linux install. Once you login, you get a grey screen. No mouse or keys work, and wifi doesn't connect. The only way in is to connect via usb and ssh in.

I could just reflash, though I am working on seeing if I can figure out how to recover. If I can figure out how to get wifi network working from the command line, that'll make things a bit easier.

After task-gnome-desktop installs, the file /etc/X11/default-display-manager points to /usr/sbin/gdm3, a file that doesn't exist. I edited this to say /usr/bin/xfwm4 but that prevents the gemini from getting past the "Powered by Linux" splash screen.  You can still connect via usb networking though.  

Code: [Select]

gemini@gemini:~$ cat /etc/X11/default-display-manager
/usr/sbin/gdm3

gemini@gemini:~$ sudo update-alternatives --config x-window-manager
There are 3 choices for the alternative x-window-manager (providing /usr/bin/x-window-manager).

Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0 /usr/bin/xfwm4 60 auto mode
1 /usr/bin/kwin_x11 50 manual mode
2 /usr/bin/mutter 60 manual mode
3 /usr/bin/xfwm4 60 manual mode

Press to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 0

I'll plug away a bit, but wanted to throw this out as a warning in case others decide to try the script. I think there was a question during the task-gnome-desktop install

10

Gemini PDA - Linux / Help booting into linux

« on: May 11, 2018, 12:01:38 pm »

It was a bad flash. tl;dr - use peazip on windows instead of 7-zip or windows explorer.

I discovered that windows explorer and 7zip are failing CRC check on debian.img.  Linux unzip doesn't seem to have a problem.

6e0f1267f8009eff42eaa7856a027668449de824678735be4b306b86bfe4d82d  Gemini_Debian_TP.zip
    testing: Gemini_Debian_TP/debian.img   OK

For reference:

6427ae2bff5348f06cb96b1ad7ef250f2ce25fb4ea54be7c9a6aa3bd5df965d9  Gemini_Debian_TP/debian.img
Size is 6.6Gb.

When unzipping with 7-zip, it only exacted about 2.5G before the CRC failure and stopping. The window with the error message was hidden behind other windows.

I then downloaded peazip and that extacted the files correctly.

11

Gemini PDA - Linux / Help booting into linux

« on: May 11, 2018, 10:04:26 am »

I'm attempting to flash linux for dual boot. My Gemini was from the second batch which arrived May 2nd.

There are two guides I've read through and followed.

http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/F...native_firmware
https://geminiplanet.com/2018/04/07/how-to-...-on-the-gemini/

Everything seems to follow along just fine, until I attempt to boot into Linux.

> Press Esc (On) for around one second to turn ON the unit and at the same time press and hold the side button until the screen turns ON to boot into Linux. You should release the Esc (On) button before the screen turns ON, but you must keep the side button pressed until you see the turning ON. When the screen turns ON you can release the side button, and the unit will boot into Linux.

When I turn on the phone normally. I get a splash screen showing Tux, which indicates success with flashing. After 2-3 seconds, it says "Powered by Linjux" at the bottom, then that screen is replaced a second later by the normal one that says powered by Android. At that point, it boots into Android.

If I turn on the phone and hold the side silver button, the first Tux splash screen comes on for 3-4 seconds, then the screen turns off for 2-3 seconds, then comes back on. On the second go around, to boots "normally"  into android as described above.

If I hold the silver down button constantly, it just seems to keep rebooting. Once I release it, it will then cycle into Android.

Any suggestions?

12

Gemini PDA - General Discussion / Vehicle Mount / APRS Use

« on: May 03, 2018, 01:06:19 pm »

I got my Gemini yesterday and mounted it today.  The mount I used is an "Arkon Heavy Duty Tablet Wall Mount".  Now, I have a Proclip mount in my car that this attaches to. Without that, you'll want a suction cup version, or just simply drill into an appropriate part on your dash. They also sell the holder separately so that you can attach it to any 2-prong t adapter.

I used to put a tablet in the car when supporting events for APRS use. But this is a perfect use for the Gemini, and it's a much more capable device than any prior tablet I've owned.

 I haven't ran the cables through the trim completely yet, but the 90 degree usb-c cable I picked up just manages to fit perfectly around the vertical support arm. The cable itself actually snugs into a track in the mount itself, securing it in place for when the Gemini is removed.  The gemini makes my 4th USB device for in my car. I have a regular android smartphone, a dashcam, a unifi hotspot (that white cable behind the gemini leads to it - will replace that with black as well), and now the gemini. I also have my amateur radio connected as well.

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Full Mount: http://a.co/cJNfARz
Seat Belt bolt variant: http://a.co/iIBKCE8
Standalone holder: http://a.co/02skGCQ
Cables: http://a.co/0Ys6hhu