Linux on 7" mini netbook ARM-VT8500 ?

[lemonjoe]

Hello.
I'm install Debian for the netbook (wm8505) but i can't use GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G-modem with this system. For my opinion, module usbserial isn't work in that system (in kernel).
Say me, please, how to run the modem in debian? What you need to do?
Sorry for my english, I'm not a native speaker.

[alchark]

I have a EasyPC E700 with VT8500 chip. I tried the Linux version for this CPU but al I get is a black screen partly with white lines.

I have managed to open it and made pictures:
http://www.savage-elve.net/pub/pic_344004.JPG
http://www.savage-elve.net/pub/pic_344005.JPG
http://www.savage-elve.net/pub/pic_344006.JPG

(I also asked the same question on the Nextvolume forums, but this thread seems to more alive)

The board is identical to mine, so it could be expected to work

Which Linux did you try? Current open-source development is being done at http://gitorious.org/linux-on-via-vt8500/vt8500-kernel (or at least it's the only place I know of), while the only vendor-provided kernel is the blobbed 2.6.10 that Nextvolume has made available. You may also consult this Google Group for some info: http://groups.google.com/group/vt850...5-linux-kernel

If you're using Nextvolume's EasyPC distribution as-is, then you might just be too impatient, as it took quite some time to boot when I tried it (seeming to have hung up).

[DonutFUN]

I was wondering, I've heard people say when they got these they had wce5 instead of 6 ce6, does anyone here have an installer for windows ce 5 for the vt8500, I'm curious to try it if someone does for some programs I'm trying to get running.

[WendyB]

The board is identical to mine, so it could be expected to work

Which Linux did you try? Current open-source development is being done at http://gitorious.org/linux-on-via-vt8500/vt8500-kernel (or at least it's the only place I know of), while the only vendor-provided kernel is the blobbed 2.6.10 that Nextvolume has made available. You may also consult this Google Group for some info: http://groups.google.com/group/vt850...5-linux-kernel

If you're using Nextvolume's EasyPC distribution as-is, then you might just be too impatient, as it took quite some time to boot when I tried it (seeming to have hung up).

He, thanks for the resources. I will have a look at it.

I'm using Nextvolumes kernel. What do you mean with patient? I mean 5 minutes or so? Or longer?

[alchark]

He, thanks for the resources. I will have a look at it.

I'm using Nextvolumes kernel. What do you mean with patient? I mean 5 minutes or so? Or longer?

5-10 minutes should have been enough, probably... You may try to play a bit with the kernel cmdline in scriptcmd and/or get a serial console to see what is going on.

The strange stripes in the lower part of the screen are drawn by the bootloader with Nextvolume's stock scriptcmd (namely, the mw.l commands at the end). If the screen then blanks, it should imply that the kernel has reinitialized LCD controller registers. You might have some problems with the root fs afterwards, which would prevent it from finishing the boot.

[alchark]

Hello.
I'm install Debian for the netbook (wm8505) but i can't use GSM/GPRS/EDGE/3G-modem with this system. For my opinion, module usbserial isn't work in that system (in kernel).
Say me, please, how to run the modem in debian? What you need to do?
Sorry for my english, I'm not a native speaker.

As soon as you have sources of your kernel version downloaded and unpacked, getting it to work is in no way different on WM8505 from the good old x86 or whatever else. You'll need to either recompile the kernel image with the required drivers built in or compile them as modules and use `make modules_install`. For the latter option you need to follow your stock kernel configuration as closely as possible, otherwise the modules may fail to load.

Compiling a kernel on the device itself would take ages though, so you should consider getting a cross-toolchain for ARMv5 on x86 (e.g. from CodeSourcery) and compiling the kernel on your PC with `make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=/path_to_toolchain_bins/arm-eabi-` or similar.

[DonutFUN]

They've started porting Ubuntu to ARM!!!!
http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/N...ported-to-ARM/

[WendyB]

I have a EasyPC E700 with VT8500 chip. I tried the Linux version for this CPU but al I get is a black screen partly with white lines.

I have managed to open it and made pictures:
http://www.savage-elve.net/pub/pic_344004.JPG
http://www.savage-elve.net/pub/pic_344005.JPG
http://www.savage-elve.net/pub/pic_344006.JPG

(I also asked the same question on the Nextvolume forums, but this thread seems to more alive)

I wrote down some numbers which might be difficult to read on the pictures:
BV07_A_LED_V2.0
2009-03-24
E 316362

s/n BV07-A-8500V1
3094907943

BV07_A_8500_IO_V1.3
2009.09.26

some of the chips on the board:

VIA VT8500

Samsung 940

VIA VT1613

Pulse H1102NL

VIA VT6103x

GL850A

[thi_santos]

Hello I have the card and the VIA VT8500 BV07_A_8500_IO_V1.3.
I want a favor from someone in the forum that has the same pc that even with my windows CE installed. I want to copy the Windows folder and send me by mail because I need it to re-install the system is not working because the wifi and sound. I have this folder as the original drives.
Who could do this for me my email is
thiago@tecpontintas.com.br or garmin_gps@hotmail.com.
sorry my English is that I am Brazilian and I speak only Portuguese.
Thanks

If you can not someone get me those original files from windows, possesses some tutorial here explaining how to install Linux in 8500? because I do not have much knowledge on the subject

[dario_]

The strange stripes in the lower part of the screen are drawn by the bootloader with Nextvolume's stock scriptcmd (namely, the mw.l commands at the end). If the screen then blanks, it should imply that the kernel has reinitialized LCD controller registers. You might have some problems with the root fs afterwards, which would prevent it from finishing the boot.

Hello,

I have the last problem you described. The boot sequences freezes at last, while opening the initial console...

I copy the last lines I see:

Waiting 10sec before mounting root device...
VFS: Mounted root (ext2 filesystem) readonly.
Freeing init memory: 112K
Warning: unable to open an initial console.
Kernel panic - not syncing: No init found. Try passing init= option to kernel.

I'm really new to Linux, I don't know how to solve this, i hope someone can magnanimously help me .
Thanks in advance!