Ubuntu Category - Page 146 of 187 - CNX Software

December 11, 2015December 17, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

Rikomagic MK36SLE (Linux Edition) Based on Intel Atom x5-Z8300 Processor Runs Ubuntu 15.04

When people think about Linux on Intel platform, they often believe it’s just as easy as flashing an Ubuntu ISO on a USB stick and install it on their computer. While that’s true for desktop or laptop processors, the low power Intel Atom processors for tablets such as Bay Trail-T or Cherry Trail are not well supported in Linux with various issues ranging from an incompatible UEFI binary to a complete lack of audio support. So far, most companies have not provided a decent version of Atom Z3735F or Atom x5-Z8x00 mini PCs with Linux, and all the work has been done by the community such as this Ubuntu 14.04 image for Atom Z3735F. But Rikomagic must have worked on a Cherry Trail Linux port, more exactly Ubuntu 15.04, for their MK36S Cherry Trail mini PC, and has now launched MK36SLE (Linux Edition). [Update: While most features are currently workings, […]

December 11, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Light Biz OS Firmware, Android and Ubuntu Image, and Android SDK Released for GeekBox (RK3368)

GeekBox is an upcoming Android TV box based on Rockchip RK3368 octa-core processor that doubles as a system-on-module and development board. The company has now uploaded the Android 5.1 SDK, including Linux 3.10.79 kernel, on github. It’s not for the Android SDK for RK3368, but at least it’s not just an outdated tarball, and will hopefully be regularly updated directly on github. Beside the source code, the company also released three firmware image including Rockchip’s Light Biz OS desktop operating system based on Lollipop: Biz OS for GeekBox – V151208 (8th of December 2015) Android and Lubuntu dual boot image – V151129 (29th of November 2015) Android 5.1 image – V151129 (29th of November 2015) It’s quite possible those images will also work on other Rockchip RK3368 platform with some modifications, e.g. an updated device tree file for a given hardware. I’ve downloaded Biz OS adn the dual boot image, […]

December 9, 2015December 13, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments

PINE A64 Development Board Kickstarter Campaign is Up

As previously announced, PINE64 $15 64-bit ARM Linux computer was due to launch on December 9, and the Kickstarter campaign is now up, and the shipping costs are $7 to the US, and $12 to the rest of the world. The name have changed to PINE A64 and PINE A64+ since the first announcement, but the specifications have mostly not changed for th two boards with an Allwinner quad core Cortex A53 processor, 512MB to 1GB RAM, a micro SD slot for storage, Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI 1.4, USB ports, and some other expansion headers for I/Os, displays or cameras. The PINE A64+ however now has an option for 2GB for $29, and we’ve got a bit more information about optional modules and accessories: Wireless module with WiFi and Bluetooth adapter Zwave adapter 7″ LCD touchpanel (PINE64+ only) Dry contact I/O board 5MP MIPI CSI camera Various sensors Various remote controls […]

December 7, 2015December 7, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments

How to extract kernel.img with mkboot script

As I tried instructions to install Linux on Amlogic S905 Android TV boxes yesterday, I wanted to extract kernel.img file found in Android firmware, but Google did not help that much until I found mkboot part of mkbootimg_tools scripts. But first let’s see how kernel.img is created… Google provide a Python script called mkbootimg that combine the kernel image (e,.g. zImage), a rootfs/ramdisk and the device tree (DTB) file with a command line that looks like:

./mkbootimg --base=0 --kernel_offset=0x01080000  --kernel ${KERNEL} --ramdisk_offset=0x01000000 --ramdisk ./${ROOTFS} --second ${DTBFILE} --output ./kernel.img

1	./mkbootimg --base=0 --kernel_offset=0x01080000 --kernel ${KERNEL} --ramdisk_offset=0x01000000 --ramdisk ./${ROOTFS} --second ${DTBFILE} --output ./kernel.img

However, AFAIK the company does not provide a “unmkbootimg” script, and mkbootimg can only be used to create kernel.img, not decompile it. But that’s what mkboot does, and it works for kernel.img and recovery.img. Let’s retrieve the necessary files first:

git clone https://github.com/xiaolu/mkbootimg_tools

1	git clone https://github.com/xiaolu/mkbootimg_tools

mkboot is a bash script so we can use it right away:

cd mkbootimg_tools
./mkboot 
<Unpack and repack boot.img tool>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not enough parameters or parameter error!
unpack boot.img & decompress ramdisk：
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; mkboot [img] [output dir]
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; mkboot boot.img boot20130905
Use the unpacked directory repack boot.img(img_info)：
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; mkboot [unpacked dir] [newbootfile]
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; mkboot boot20130905 newboot.img

cd mkbootimg_tools

./mkboot

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Not enough parameters or parameter error!

unpack boot.img & decompress ramdisk：

    mkboot [img] [output dir]

    mkboot boot.img boot20130905

Use the unpacked directory repack boot.img(img_info)：

    mkboot [unpacked dir] [newbootfile]

    mkboot boot20130905 newboot.img

So it can be used both for unpacking and repacking kernel.img to/from the output directory. Let’s run the command […]

December 6, 2015December 6, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 118 Comments

How to Run Headless Linux on Amlogic S905 Devices Such as MINI MX or K1 Plus

A few week ago, I had been informed that Amlogic S905 U-boot and Linux source code was released, and one person use the code and other resources to load a minimal Ubuntu 14.04 image to his K1 Plus TV box and released the installation instructions and the image (Thanks olin!). I also have K1 Plus here, but since I’ve just finished reviewing Beelink MINI MX, I decided to use the latter instead. The instructions below boot Linux from the (micro) SD card, and can still boot Android if you remove the SD card. Modifying U-boot environment The instructions include opening the box, and connecting or soldering a USB to TTL debug board to access U-boot and change some parameters. But later once an image with network is working, you could also build and load fw_setenv and fw_saveenv, and do the same steps with an Android shell and without the need […]

December 5, 2015December 13, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 30 Comments

$15 PINE64 64-Bit ARM Single Board Computer is Powered by Allwinner R18 Processor (Crowdfunding)

It looks like Next Things’ C.H.I.P computer with Allwinner R8 processor will soon have a big brother with PINE A64 board powered by Allwinner R18 / A64 quad core Cortex A53 processor, and made by a US start-up also called PINE 64. PINE A64 and PINE A64+, a version with more memory and features, will have the following specifications: SoC – Allwinner R18 (based on Allwinner A64?) quad core ARM Cortex A53 processor @ 1.2 GHz with Mali-400MP2 GPU System Memory PINE64 – 512 MB DDR3 PINE64+ – 1 GB DDR3 Storage – micro SD slot supporting up to 256 GB Video Output HDMI 1.4 up to 4K resolution @ 30 Hz PINE64+ only – 4-lane MIPI DSI connector and touch panel connector Video Codecs – H.265 up to 4K Audio – HDMI, 3.5 mm headphone jack Connectivity PINE64 – Fast Ethernet + optional WiFi & Bluetooth module PINE64+ – […]

November 30, 2015December 1, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 14 Comments

UP Board Gets 2GB RAM and 32GB Storage Option, Linux Port in Progress

The UP Board is a Raspberry Pi like board with an Intel Atom processor that’s currently on Kickstarter with a few hours left, and it has just reached its 100,000 Euros stretch goal meaning that beside the 16GB storage / 1 GB version, a version with 32Gb storage and 2GB is now offered. The company also showed their progress with the implementation Debian based Ubilinux on the Intel Atom x5-Z8350 board. That means the specifications have now been updated: SoC – Intel Atom x5-Z8350 “Cherry Trail” quad core processor @ 1.44 GHz (Burst frequency: 1.84 GHz) with Intel Gen8 HD graphics @ 500 MHz System Memory – 1 GB or 2 GB DDR3L-1600 Storage – 16 or 32 GB eMMC Video Output / Display – HDMI, DSI connector Audio I/O – HDMI Connectivity – Gigabit Ethernet USB – 4x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x USB 2.0 pin header, 1x micro […]

November 26, 2015November 26, 2015 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 4 Comments

Inforce 6309 micro SBC is Software Compatible with DragonBoard 410c Board, Includes an Ethernet Port

I’ve recently written a review of DragonBoard 410c with Android, one of the first board part of Linaro’s 96Boards initiative that’s supposed to get Android and Debian distributions with recent Linux kernel & U-Boot, together with full source code. Inforce Computing has now launched Inforce 6309 micro Single Board Computer (SBC) with the same footprint, albeit different connectors’ placements, and software compatible with DragonBoard 410c development board powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor. The board targets applications such as industrial automation, “sophisticated” IoE devices, medical devices, augmented reality computing, and robotics and drones. Inforce 6309 micro single board computer specifications: SoC- Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 (APQ8016) quad-core ARM CortexA53 @ 1.2 GHz with Adreno 306 GPU and Hexagon QDSP6 @ 700 MHz System Memory – 1GB LPDDR3 @ 533MHz, Single-channel 32-bit (4.2GBps) Storage – 8GB eMMC flash (eMCP package with RAM) + micro SD slot Video Output / Display […]