Getting Ubuntu (Bodhi) Linux onto Archos 101 Internet Tablet - attempt 3 = Scuess

So after my my first failed attempt at getting my own install image to run, I turned to someone else's pre-made image.  But as mentioned in that forum, the taping action of the touch screen on that image didn't work.  Further, I couldn't get my USB keyboard and mouse to work either, which made it impossible to work on it any further.  Later mentioned in the forum was the Bodhi Linux project, which is based on Ubuntu and an Enlightenment desktop.  Not only was the touch screen working, but it seems the wireless drivers are also in much better shape than the base install of Angstrom Linux.

To get Bodhi Linux on your generation 8 (gen8) tablet do the following:

1. Install the Archos SDE
2. Download Bodhi for ARM
3. Bring up the boot loader and choose recovery mode (Power on and hold the volume down button until the loader comes up, use the down volume to select 'recovery mode') and choose to re-install the firmware
4. When the device goes into usb mode, connect the tablet to your computer and copy over the Bodhi .img file
5. Rename your rootfs.img file to something else (as a back-up) or just delete it, then rename the bodhi .img file to rootfs.img
6. Exit usb mode by pressing the power button on your device, then the recovery mode by pressing the power button again.
7. On the next boot hold both the down and up volume buttons to boot into Bodhi.

getting Ubuntu on Archos 101 IT attempt 1 = fail

I bought my tablet to use more as a laptop (when coupled with a leather case and keyboard), but android has poor Bluetooth connectivity, and occasionally I need apps that aren't normally installed on a mobile device.  Thus a good linux distribution would be idea.  Archos has made their SDE containing linux Angstrom freely available and easy to install.  Unfortunately this distribution uses a Gnome desktop which is difficult to use due to the small menus and buttons, and wifi doesn't work out of the box  and I haven't figured out how to get it running.

Unity and KDE have been working on the interface problem for some time and thus would make a much better choice.  According to an Ubuntu wiki post Kubuntu is currently working on the gen 8 tablets.  I've attempted my self but found the  instructions a bit vague, here's what I tried, but it didn't work and I'm not sure why.

I installed the Archos SDE on my generation 8 Archos 101 internet tablet

I then generated a kubuntu mobile img using rootstock.

$sudo apt-get install rootstock$sudo rootstock --fqdn archos --login u --password u --keepimage --imagesize 1500M --seed kubuntu-mobile --dist maverick

Next, I booted my tablet into android, and plugged it into my computer, allowing the computer to mount the tablet's filesystems.  Then copied the module files from the Linux Angstrom image to the one we generated via rootstock:

• change to root 

$ sudo su

• make mount points for each image 

# mkdir /media/img /media/img/1 /media/img/2

• mount the images (note your quemu image is probably titled something different)

# mount qemu-armel-201202120033.img /media/img/1 -o loop# mount /media/A101IT/rootfs.img /media/img/2 -o loop

• copy over the modules

# cp -r /media/img/2/lib/modules/* /media/img/1/lib/modules/

• sync and unmount both images

# sync
# umount /media/img/1 /media/img/2

Next I swapped the Linux Angstrom image for the Kubuntu one 

• Change back to normal user, back up the old image, and copy over the new one

# exit
$ cd /media/A101IT/
$ mv rootfs.img rootfs.img.bak
$ cp ~/qemu-armel-201202120033.img /media/A101IT/rootfs.img
$ sudo sync

Attempt to start the disto

• Unmount (eject) the tablet's file systems, power off the device and boot into the developer edition (Power on and hold the volume up and volume down button at the same time until the 'starting development edition' screen comes up)

Since it doesn't work a trick to power down:

• To power off again you'll need to reset by keeping the power button pressed for 10 seconds

Installing Linux Angstrom on the Archos 101 IT (internet tablet)

Archos advertises the Linux Angstrom install as if it comes on the device when you buy it.  However it doesn't.  Fortunately, the install is quick and simple, and is actually what's installed when you install the "Software Developer Edition" or SDE.

Download the current SDE from Archos to your computer.

Don't worry about voiding the warranty, it's only the 'software warranty', all hardware related issues are still covered.  The only way you'll have a problem is if you some how manage to brick your device by interrupting an update (so don't interrupt any updates).

Power down your tablet.  Now start the device in recovery mode by pushing the power button and volume down button at the same time, holding the volume down button until the boot loader screen pops up.

Use the up and down volume buttons to select the "update firmware" option, then push power to select it.

Connect your tablet to your computer via a microUSB cable, your computer should recognize it as a mass storage device.  Transfer the firmware image you downloaded onto (root filesystem) your device.  When the transfer is complete, press the power button.  Follow the instructions on your tablet.

To boot into the Linux Angstrom environment, use the same start-up method you previously used to enter recovery mode, and now a boot loader will appear.  Choose the SDE environment.

Getting Started with Archos 101 IT

After fully charging my device, the first thing I wanted to do was install all the apps I usually put on my android devices.   Unfortunately, the Archos tablet doesn't come with the google android market by default.  (Also unfortunate is that you can't use the microUSB port to charge the tablet while transferring files and thus need a separate cable that has the appropriate polarized tip.)

To do this just download arctools (can be found in appslib if you allowed that to be installed during your initial set-up) and install the latest version of market.

Alternatively, I initially found gApps4Archos to work fine in place of arctools, but arctools gives you more control.

New device

So now that I'm a core member of the LIONS, CEMMI, and Adherean, taking notes on paper has been an organizational nightmare.  Especially with the LIONS as I'm secretary and just have to type out all the notes to submit them anyway.  So I finally caved to the idea that a laptop might not be a bad thing to have as my current phone sucks (I downgraded to a Samsung intercept so I could go on on Virgin Mobile's $25 a month plan so I tolerate it) and even if I had a full sized keyboard for it, it would be too slow to be usable.

I never though I'd like tablets until I had a few sales pitches and a couple interviewees do a mini presentation of their thesis to me.  I realized their value as a mobile presentation device for such occasions, but knew I'd still want a keyboard, and thus the device would have to have Bluetooth.   I also knew there was no way in hell I could justify one over $200 when there's so many good netbooks out three.  I thought about just upgrading to an all-in-one phone like the Atrix, but realized I still wanted a tablet form factor to pair with the phone, and I wanted the pairing device to be brand / model independent.  So the real solution is device with a dock that can plug into the mini HDMI port of a phone to grab the video, and the mircoUSB to control the cursor / touch screen.   Since this doesn't yet exist, I decided I needed to start hunting bargain sites for a tablet.  After stumbling across a WOOT deal, I now have an Archos 10.1 internet tablet, to which this blog will be dedicated to.