31
Zaurus - Void Linux support / Re: kernel patches? to Vanilla
« Last post by DiTBho on April 26, 2025, 03:26:27 pm »to exactly which kernel 5.4.? version?
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32
Gemini PDA - Linux / Working UBports (Ubuntu Touch) Focal for the Gemini PDA by NotKit
« Last post by AnotherLinuxUser on April 17, 2025, 02:13:19 pm »I recently gave NotKit's UBports (Ubuntu Touch) port for the Gemini PDA and it works pretty well. It is Halium 9-based. For those who are looking for a newer Linux-based distribution to run on the Gemini PDA and/or helpful sources that could lead to something like Droidian being ported, here's the link:
https://gitlab.com/ubports/porting/community-ports/android9/planet-geminipda/planet-geminipda
The instructions on the Gitlab repo assumes that the installation is being done from Linux (such as Gemian) from the Gemini PDA. The actual vendor image with the UBports root filesystem doesn't need to be directly written to any partition; only the boot image file.
The 'ubuntu.img' file has to be placed at the root of the Gemian partition, so, the path to the file should look like: '/ubuntu.img'
Do note that the 'ubuntu.img.zstd' from the 'artifacts.zip' file has to be decompressed to in order to get the 'ubuntu.img' file.
As mentioned in the instructions, to boot UBports from "Boot 3" does the following command need to be executed:
cat boot.img > /dev/disk/by-partlabel/boot3
Note: The port requires the Android 8.1 firmware to be installed already. Elevated permissions are required to write the 'boot.img' file and to move the 'ubuntu.img' to '/ubuntu.img'
After testing, I can confirm that the Gemini PDA runs UBports quite well.
https://gitlab.com/ubports/porting/community-ports/android9/planet-geminipda/planet-geminipda
The instructions on the Gitlab repo assumes that the installation is being done from Linux (such as Gemian) from the Gemini PDA. The actual vendor image with the UBports root filesystem doesn't need to be directly written to any partition; only the boot image file.
The 'ubuntu.img' file has to be placed at the root of the Gemian partition, so, the path to the file should look like: '/ubuntu.img'
Do note that the 'ubuntu.img.zstd' from the 'artifacts.zip' file has to be decompressed to in order to get the 'ubuntu.img' file.
As mentioned in the instructions, to boot UBports from "Boot 3" does the following command need to be executed:
cat boot.img > /dev/disk/by-partlabel/boot3
Note: The port requires the Android 8.1 firmware to be installed already. Elevated permissions are required to write the 'boot.img' file and to move the 'ubuntu.img' to '/ubuntu.img'
After testing, I can confirm that the Gemini PDA runs UBports quite well.
33
Zaurus - Other distros support / Re: Back after many years - and finally tried Zubuntu
« Last post by greguu on April 17, 2025, 06:10:06 am »https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?topic=34937.msg288207#msg288207
there should be the latest kexecboot versions. the files should contain a boot.cfg.
otherwise look into the voidz rootfs tarball for an example config
there should be the latest kexecboot versions. the files should contain a boot.cfg.
otherwise look into the voidz rootfs tarball for an example config
34
Zaurus - Void Linux support / Re: Void Linux Packages
« Last post by greguu on April 17, 2025, 06:04:34 am »The power management is a bit broken since 3.x kernel I think.
You can re-plug the charger cable _after booting_ and the zaurus may charge properly.
You can re-plug the charger cable _after booting_ and the zaurus may charge properly.
35
Zaurus - Other distros support / Re: Back after many years - and finally tried Zubuntu
« Last post by MaBo on April 13, 2025, 10:01:43 am »Hi All,
Working on multiple options for reviving my Zaurus. zUbuntu is one of them, void another (looking forward to the new release, varti), netBSD as "new kid on the block" (for me).
zUbuntu (jaunty updates) was working when I stored the Zaurus a while ago, but now there are issues. After some forum archaeology, I think that the largest chance of success is the combination of
zubuntu-desktop-jaunty-rootfs_feb.2009-rev-armel.tar.bz2 and spitz-root-addition.tar.gz (from first zubuntu release).
Source is https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?topic=26510.msg184114#msg184114 stating:
However, my boot.cfg is incomplete, resulting in kernel panic, and a message about missing "root=" boot option.
Can anyone share a working boot.cfg with me?
Another question:
Is it worth installing the latest kexecboot from https://github.com/LinuxPDA/linux-kexecboot/tree/master ? It has a kernel-4.4.8 version...
Thanks,
Maarten
Working on multiple options for reviving my Zaurus. zUbuntu is one of them, void another (looking forward to the new release, varti), netBSD as "new kid on the block" (for me).
zUbuntu (jaunty updates) was working when I stored the Zaurus a while ago, but now there are issues. After some forum archaeology, I think that the largest chance of success is the combination of
zubuntu-desktop-jaunty-rootfs_feb.2009-rev-armel.tar.bz2 and spitz-root-addition.tar.gz (from first zubuntu release).
Source is https://www.oesf.org/forum/index.php?topic=26510.msg184114#msg184114 stating:
Quote
so you want to stick with the spitz-root-addition.tar.gz used with 1.0RC for use with zubuntu-desktop-jaunty-rootfs_feb.2009-rev-armel.tar.bz2
However, my boot.cfg is incomplete, resulting in kernel panic, and a message about missing "root=" boot option.
Can anyone share a working boot.cfg with me?
Another question:
Is it worth installing the latest kexecboot from https://github.com/LinuxPDA/linux-kexecboot/tree/master ? It has a kernel-4.4.8 version...
Thanks,
Maarten
36
Astro Slide - Hardware / Re: changed my battery now with video
« Last post by slide on April 10, 2025, 07:35:38 am »I guess the flexible flat cable has three conductors: minus, plus, and NTC. The NTC is probably on the BMS board, connected to the minus and NTC conductors. Probably, the NTC is a 10 kΩ one.
That is, there are two wires between the battery proper and the BMS board, and three wires between the BMS board and the battery connector.
I assume that the right tool is a soldering iron, not a spot welder. You need a spot welder for round cells, but not for Lipo cells.
That is, there are two wires between the battery proper and the BMS board, and three wires between the BMS board and the battery connector.
I assume that the right tool is a soldering iron, not a spot welder. You need a spot welder for round cells, but not for Lipo cells.
37
Astro Slide - Hardware / Re: changed my battery now with video
« Last post by cam1965 on April 10, 2025, 06:01:02 am »Ok, one last thing - does the Astro battery have three or four terminals once you open it up? Does it have a data terminal for battery status? Or just +, - and temp?I really don´t know.
If it has four, are you getting accurate indications on battery capacity (SoC, percentage)?
I left the astro to a technician sometimes ago to solder the battery and don´t remember.
Maybe searching in google you can find the answer. I only know about gemini and cosmo batteries that I have oppened recently. They have in it the marks ID, +, - and T. Maybe the battery astro is similar.But I really don´t know. I will try to attach a photo to a battery terminal similar to gemini, but I think this forum as I said before are not letting me to attach photos.
Confirmed this ( The attachments upload directory is not writable. Your attachment or avatar cannot be saved. )
38
Astro Slide - Hardware / Re: changed my battery now with video
« Last post by Zarhan on April 10, 2025, 01:41:12 am »Ok, one last thing - does the Astro battery have three or four terminals once you open it up? Does it have a data terminal for battery status? Or just +, - and temp?
If it has four, are you getting accurate indications on battery capacity (SoC, percentage)?
If it has four, are you getting accurate indications on battery capacity (SoC, percentage)?
39
Astro Slide - Hardware / Re: changed my battery now with video
« Last post by cam1965 on April 09, 2025, 12:29:53 pm »Yes, the bms was removed from the replacement cameron sino battery. I soldered the BMS from the original astro battery onto the replacement battery
Ok, thanks for confirming. I guess once you remove some of the covers you can see all three terminals (or four?) and then can solder the Astro BMS in there.
With that in mind, I'll wait for the Astro battery to degrade a bit more before (e.g. where it no longer holds even a half-a-day charge), meaning that the battery replacement is mandatory to keep the device usable as a daily driver, in case I break things.
OK. Good luck. Only another link ( But for gemini and cosmo ). In this case it is not necessary to remove the BMS from the replacement battery. Check the polarity befory connecting. https://electronicsera.eu/2024/01/04/planetbatteries/ . I have changed my battery in gemini for this Hsabat battery ( https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005007976621754.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.295fcaa4HQTq2Y&gatewayAdapt=glo2bra ) . The battery cable must be twisted to put the battery in place.
40
Astro Slide - Hardware / Re: changed my battery now with video
« Last post by Zarhan on April 09, 2025, 09:54:29 am »Yes, the bms was removed from the replacement cameron sino battery. I soldered the BMS from the original astro battery onto the replacement battery
Ok, thanks for confirming. I guess once you remove some of the covers you can see all three terminals (or four?) and then can solder the Astro BMS in there.
With that in mind, I'll wait for the Astro battery to degrade a bit more before (e.g. where it no longer holds even a half-a-day charge), meaning that the battery replacement is mandatory to keep the device usable as a daily driver, in case I break things.