Author Topic: Connecting Gemini to laptop  (Read 6573 times)

geomannie

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Connecting Gemini to laptop
« on: March 06, 2018, 05:24:02 am »
As well as having issues connecting my Gemini to a TV using the HDMI adaptor, I am also having problems with that simplest of tasks,connecting to my laptop. The Gemini recongises that it is plugged in, I select the "transfer files" option but the Gemini refuses to appear as a drive in the Windows file manager.

EDIT:
I have sucessfully connected to a laptop running Linux Mint. Could there be a driver issue in Windows (8.1)?

Help appreciated.
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« Last Edit: March 06, 2018, 08:03:07 am by geomannie »

Steve Goodey

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Connecting Gemini to laptop
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2018, 11:00:55 am »
geomannie,

Where is this option. I've tried looking everywhere! At first I thought it only appeared if plugged into a PC, but I've tried that and still can't find it!!  

geomannie

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« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2018, 11:16:18 am »
Digging further it seems that there is a driver issue. The Gemini is appearing in the device manager as an "unknown device" with no driver, but when I try to get/update the driver I get the message that while Windows found a driver, there is a problem with the inf file.

If I delete the "unknown device" from the device manager and then replug in the Gemini, a driver starts to be installed and the Gemini is briefly recognised during the installation phase. The driver install invariably fails and the device manager reverts to "unknown device". If I look at the Gemini properties during driver installation I get the error below about an inf section being invalid.

I dunno, is the only driver a Win 10 driver and I using Win 8.1? I need to get this sorted for file transfer and for Linux flashing. Help appreciated.

Thanks


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Quote from: geomannie
As well as having issues connecting my Gemini to a TV using the HDMI adaptor, I am also having problems with that simplest of tasks,connecting to my laptop. The Gemini recongises that it is plugged in, I select the "transfer files" option but the Gemini refuses to appear as a drive in the Windows file manager.

EDIT:
I have sucessfully connected to a laptop running Linux Mint. Could there be a driver issue in Windows (8.1)?

Help appreciated.
 [ Invalid Attachment ]

geomannie

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« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2018, 11:19:03 am »
Hi Steve

Once your device is plugged in this option appears when you swipe down from the top of the home screen. You will see "USB charging this device, tap for more options". Tap away!

I hope this helps.

Cheers

Quote from: Steve Goodey
geomannie,

Where is this option. I've tried looking everywhere! At first I thought it only appeared if plugged into a PC, but I've tried that and still can't find it!!  

Steve Goodey

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Connecting Gemini to laptop
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2018, 11:41:44 am »
Good man, thanks very much. Obvious when it's pointed out.  

joe

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« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2018, 12:45:42 pm »
In my experience of Android devices, including my Gemini, the Android File Transfer software works: https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ .

It doesn't actually mount as a USB filesystem, Android has a special protocol (if you look at the Android filesystem APIs, it's a lot more complicated than a single FS!). There may be drivers for Windows, but I'd start with Android File Transfer.

geomannie

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« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2018, 03:58:22 pm »
Hi Joe

The utility you link to is for Mac. My issue is with Windows 8.1 and as far as I can see is a driver problem.

Cheers

Quote from: joe
In my experience of Android devices, including my Gemini, the Android File Transfer software works: https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ .

It doesn't actually mount as a USB filesystem, Android has a special protocol (if you look at the Android filesystem APIs, it's a lot more complicated than a single FS!). There may be drivers for Windows, but I'd start with Android File Transfer.

joe

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« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2018, 04:32:03 am »
My mistake. I assumed it was the same for all desktop OSses.

geomannie

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« Reply #8 on: March 07, 2018, 10:01:51 am »
Hi

I case anyone elase has this problem I have found a strange fix. Windows update was telling that there was MTP driver issue and I was to download KB4016754. I am not sure if this is significant. After the update, on plugging in the Gemini Windows took a long time to install a driver. During the process, the Gemini was recognised. After the driver was fully installed the Gemini once again disappeared, same as before KB4016754. In the  Device Manager it was appearing under "Other devices, unknown device". Driver properties indicate an MTD device. Reinstalling the driver via the device manager does not help.

I found a fix as follows.
  • Delete the Gemini (unknown device) from the device manager panel
  • Unplug the Gemini
  • Plug it back in
  • As Windows reinstallls the driver, the Gemini will be recognised
  • Cancel the driver install before completion.
Its totally half-arsed but its the only thing that worked.


Update: It stopped working and I cannot get it back. Needs a new Win 8.1 driver :-(
« Last Edit: March 07, 2018, 12:21:23 pm by geomannie »

Varti

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« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2018, 10:18:00 am »
A bit of a stab in the dark, but could the recently released flashtool drivers for Windows be of any help? Not the flashtool itself, just the drivers for it:

http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_Flash_Guide
http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_Support
Direct link: http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/FlashToolDrivers.zip

Varti
Planet Gemini PDA WiFi/LTE with Mediatek x27
SL-C1000 running Arch Linux ARM May2017, K30225 Wi-Fi CF Card, 64GB SDXC card
and many other Zauruses!

geomannie

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« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2018, 11:58:32 am »
Hi Varti

Many thanks for taking the trouble to reply. As it happens I emailed PC for their thoughts and they were kind enough to suggest the site https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider...98-a12196cc279c. Even though I am using Win 8.1, a couple of hours ago I gave the suggested procedure a try and SUCCESS!

It was really bugging me.

Cheer

Quote from: Varti
A bit of a stab in the dark, but could the recently released flashtool drivers for Windows be of any help? Not the flashtool itself, just the drivers for it:

http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_Flash_Guide
http://support.planetcom.co.uk/index.php/Linux_Support
Direct link: http://support.planetcom.co.uk/download/FlashToolDrivers.zip

Varti

Varti

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« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2018, 01:24:37 pm »
Quote from: geomannie
Hi Varti

Many thanks for taking the trouble to reply. As it happens I emailed PC for their thoughts and they were kind enough to suggest the site https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider...98-a12196cc279c. Even though I am using Win 8.1, a couple of hours ago I gave the suggested procedure a try and SUCCESS!

It was really bugging me.
That's great! I'll add this issue and its solution on the issues thread, just in case someone will have your same problem.

Varti
Planet Gemini PDA WiFi/LTE with Mediatek x27
SL-C1000 running Arch Linux ARM May2017, K30225 Wi-Fi CF Card, 64GB SDXC card
and many other Zauruses!