Android on Fsc T830?

[TooKooL]

I read a lot about android is running on this, and that.. lot of devices. Is there a possibility to run it on a T830? I don't know much about android, and it's hardware support, so this question might sound a bit lame :)
It have to be pda specific like windows mobile?

[k1dugar]

Hello,

Well i think it is possible to compile a Android Kernel to boot on FSC T830. But the main problem is its hardware support. Well, FSC T830 has supported Processor and enough ROM and RAM to make Android fit in. I did not test it or did any work to compile such kernel but if you want to work on it then let me know :D. All we need are some basic info about the hardware to know if its worth trying or not.

[TooKooL]

Hello,

Well i think it is possible to compile a Android Kernel to boot on FSC T830. But the main problem is its hardware support. Well, FSC T830 has supported Processor and enough ROM and RAM to make Android fit in. I did not test it or did any work to compile such kernel but if you want to work on it then let me know :D. All we need are some basic info about the hardware to know if its worth trying or not.

What do we have to know about it?:)

[k1dugar]

Hi, Tookool

Well we need the chipset info about the GSM controller, mainboard, wlan, gps, bluetooth, display, touchscreen and keyboard.

We need the keyboard and display to work at the very first place else it would be impossible to do anything. I have read on the forum about dual booting from SD card using gnuharet.exe. So we can compile a kernel and boot it on SD memory. Well I'm going to take a look on the Android Kernel and try to compile it and run it over QEMU. Hope for the luck. :)

[TooKooL]

Hi, Tookool

Well we need the chipset info about the GSM controller, mainboard, wlan, gps, bluetooth, display, touchscreen and keyboard.

We need the keyboard and display to work at the very first place else it would be impossible to do anything. I have read on the forum about dual booting from SD card using gnuharet.exe. So we can compile a kernel and boot it on SD memory. Well I'm going to take a look on the Android Kernel and try to compile it and run it over QEMU. Hope for the luck. :)

Hi!

From where can I obtain these informations? I did a quick search on the net, but...

[k1dugar]

CPU: Intel XScale PXA270 (ARMv5TE) :Supported
Display: 240 x 240 (1.7' x 1.7') :Unknown (Supported on other device)
Touch Screen: - :Unknown
Audio: AC97 (not sure) :Unknown
ROM: 128MB :Supported
RAM: 64MB :Supported
GSM: Ericsson EMP U250 :Supported
GPS: SiRFstarIII GSC3f/LP :Supported
Key: QWERTY (Keymap) :Supported
WiFi: Atheros AR6001 ROCm 802.11b/g :Supported
Bluetooth: Broadcom 2040 :Supported
USB: USB 1.1 :Supported

I am trying to build kernel with info i have about the hardware. Hope it will boot at least. :)

[TooKooL]

I'm looking for the infos you didn't find :)

wifi: WLAN 802.11b/g

bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.0

keyboard: QWERTZ

usb: client/host

I found these, but I don't know if this is good or not :) I'm not really into things liek this :)

[CommanderROR]

Hi,

I'm using the WM6.1 on my FCS T830 right now, but running Android on it sure sounds like an even cooler idea.
I hope somebody manages to get this working!!!

[TooKooL]

CPU: Intel XScale PXA270 (ARMv5TE) :Supported
Display: 240 x 240 (1.7' x 1.7') :Unknown (Supported on other device)
Touch Screen: - :Unknown
Audio: AC97 (not sure) :Unknown
ROM: 128MB :Supported
RAM: 64MB :Supported
GSM: Ericsson EMP U250 :Supported
GPS: SiRFstarIII GSC3f/LP :Supported
Key: QWERTY (Keymap) :Supported
WiFi: Atheros AR6001 ROCm 802.11b/g :Supported
Bluetooth: Broadcom 2040 :Supported
USB: USB 1.1 :Supported

I am trying to build kernel with info i have about the hardware. Hope it will boot at least. :)

Hey!

Any news? :)

[CommanderROR]

Well, is this project dead or what happened?

[TooKooL]

Donno, k1dugar isn't responding :(

[k1dugar]

Hello,

I am sorry for late reply but somehow i lost the interest on building this image now bcoz of lack in features availability in Android which would make this image useless. I'm waiting for google to launch the full source code for it. I'm Working on making WM6.1 final rom where all feature will be working and stable.

Please carry on the work, i normally dont work in a way that i will do something and upload my final work. I like ppl to research themself and make it themself so they can learn and improve something on there way. Sure untile i think its stable and wont harm someone's hardware in anyway then i will upload the final work, until then just step by step guide.

Let me finsh WM6.1 with help of all you ppl and then we can work on Android, I personally Love *NIX system. I would be more then happy to make my phone run Linux.

[TooKooL]

A fully working wm 6.1 would be great :) Just keep up the work with that, android can wait :) Don't forget about the blue keyboard thing ;)

[tea4two]

Before to use Android, the first step must be to have a linux kernel working on T830.

I've tried to compile 2.6.28, but I haven't succes.
It isn't impossible, but it seems hard to make, because the kernel is strictly relate to hardware platform.

There is someone that want to try thiswith me ?

Let me now.

Thanks
tea4two

[TooKooL]

Before to use Android, the first step must be to have a linux kernel working on T830.

I've tried to compile 2.6.28, but I haven't succes.
It isn't impossible, but it seems hard to make, because the kernel is strictly relate to hardware platform.

There is someone that want to try thiswith me ?

Let me now.

Thanks
tea4two

I would like to help with everything I can. The only thing is that I never made such things like building a kernel or so :o But if you can provide me with instructions and things like that it would be great!

[tea4two]

Hi TooKooL,

First steps to compile the kernel are very easy.

I'm using Fedora 10 so what I write is related.

There is the need to have the right Chaintool to compile.
I've found this information: http://loox-linux.sourceforge.net/chaintool.html
, but I work different:


1 - yum install arm* (is not the rigth command to use, but you need to install all arm-* packages)
2 - Download linux Kernel (i've used latest 2.6.28)
3 - Unpack tha kernel: tax xvzf linux-2.6.28.tgz
4 - make a symbolic link ln -s linux-2.6.28 linux
5 - modify top level Makefile in this way:
ARCH ?= arm
CROSS_COMPILE ?= /usr/bin/arm-gp2x-linux-
6 - run: make menuconfig
7 - Setup the right value in the lernel (drivers, cpu, ecc..) THIS IS THE TRUE PROBLEM!!!!
8 - run: make zImage

To load linux kernel use HaRET.
Copy on root of SD-CARD:
HaRET.exe
zImage
startup.txt

the startup.txt contain olny one row with the word "boot" (without quote)

Run HaRET and linux start to load..... if kernel is compiled rigth..... (i'm not lucky)

Other useful link are:
http://sites.google.com/site/siteofhx/Home/android/android-porting-steps/english

http://loox-linux.sourceforge.net/

Let us know if you have some results...

Regards

[TooKooL]

Hi TooKooL,

First steps to compile the kernel are very easy.

I'm using Fedora 10 so what I write is related.

There is the need to have the right Chaintool to compile.
I've found this information: http://loox-linux.sourceforge.net/chaintool.html
, but I work different:


1 - yum install arm* (is not the rigth command to use, but you need to install all arm-* packages)
2 - Download linux Kernel (i've used latest 2.6.28)
3 - Unpack tha kernel: tax xvzf linux-2.6.28.tgz
4 - make a symbolic link ln -s linux-2.6.28 linux
5 - modify top level Makefile in this way:
ARCH ?= arm
CROSS_COMPILE ?= /usr/bin/arm-gp2x-linux-
6 - run: make menuconfig
7 - Setup the right value in the lernel (drivers, cpu, ecc..) THIS IS THE TRUE PROBLEM!!!!
8 - run: make zImage

To load linux kernel use HaRET.
Copy on root of SD-CARD:
HaRET.exe
zImage
startup.txt

the startup.txt contain olny one row with the word "boot" (without quote)

Run HaRET and linux start to load..... if kernel is compiled rigth..... (i'm not lucky)

Other useful link are:
http://sites.google.com/site/siteofhx/Home/android/android-porting-steps/english

http://loox-linux.sourceforge.net/

Let us know if you have some results...

Regards

Hi!

So, if I understand I need that chaintool (can't find download link on the page), a kernel (simple desktop linux version???). First of all make these things clear please :) After that I think I have to work with that chaintool as you mentioned in point 1, 4 ... Right? Sorry, but I'm new to this, I never even used linux before. Edit: ok, I found the kernels you mentioned, what files do I need to download?
linux-2.6.28.tar.bz2
linux-2.6.28.tar.bz2.sign
linux-2.6.28.tar.gz
linux-2.6.28.tar.gz.sign
linux-2.6.28.tar.sign
These?
And what about that arm package installation? It's a shame I'm a novice and I want to make this, but I have to start learning somehow :)

[tea4two]

I've found other informations about to use HaRet to boot linux.

http://www.handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/HowtoLinuxHaret

There is the need to partitioning the SD Card in two partitions, FAT16 and ETX3.
The FAT16 is used to boot linux (copy files: Haret.exe, zImage and startup.txt)

The Etx3 is usedt to save all Linux files (/boot, /usr, /bin, /var, and so on)

I've tried to start several kernel images without success.

Haret hang when on the screen appears "Jump to kernel...."
The device hang too, the only way to unlock it's a Factory Default server.
It seems only a Kenrel issue. I don't understand where I must start to compile a new kernel.
There are PDA similar T830 ? This maybe a good starting point.


I don't understand how to use sartup.txt
This file contains information for the boot sequence, I have only "boot" write in It, but other parameter are required (I think).

Surfing the nternet I've found the need to know GPIO, how must I use it ?

Tea4two.

[tea4two]

WOW!!!
Little success.....

I've found this project about n560
http://www.elcom.pub.ro/~adrian.popa/n560-linux/

and Linux boot on T830 :) .... but hang suddenly....

I'm very happy, because this is a good starting point :D to port Android to T830

Attention!!! You MUST repartitioning SD-CARD before copy files on it to boot Linux.

Then Linux start, but hangs suddenly and the device vibrate endless.
The only way to stop is to remove the battery.....
then before to try: MAKE BACKUP OF YOUR DATA!!!!!

For Developers:
The good starting point is to download HandHeld kernel, running follow command:

cvs -d :pserver:anoncvs@anoncvs.handhelds.org:/cvs checkout -d linux-2.6.x-hh linux/kernel26

Then use looxn560_defconfig: make looxn560_defconfig

And after..... we need to understand how change kernel config to match T830 hardware.
We need to use in the rigth way GPIO's.
GPIO's are connected to various devices (led, keyboard, touchscreen, vibrate....), so wrong configuration hang the linux boot.

Good work...
Tea4two

[TooKooL]

WOW!!!
Little success.....

I've found this project about n560
http://www.elcom.pub.ro/~adrian.popa/n560-linux/

and Linux boot on T830 :) .... but hang suddenly....

I'm very happy, because this is a good starting point :D to port Android to T830

Attention!!! You MUST repartitioning SD-CARD before copy files on it to boot Linux.

Then Linux start, but hangs suddenly and the device vibrate endless.
The only way to stop is to remove the battery.....
then before to try: MAKE BACKUP OF YOUR DATA!!!!!

For Developers:
The good starting point is to download HandHeld kernel, running follow command:

cvs -d :pserver:anoncvs@anoncvs.handhelds.org:/cvs checkout -d linux-2.6.x-hh linux/kernel26

Then use looxn560_defconfig: make looxn560_defconfig

And after..... we need to understand how change kernel config to match T830 hardware.
We need to use in the rigth way GPIO's.
GPIO's are connected to various devices (led, keyboard, touchscreen, vibrate....), so wrong configuration hang the linux boot.

Good work...
Tea4two

I'll definiately try this later today, and I'm looking for that boot info for haret too.

[TooKooL]

I'll definiately try this later today, and I'm looking for that boot info for haret too.

The same thing here, hanging and vibrating. Where should we look for files to modificate?

[tea4two]

Hi tooKooL,
I'm starting from HandHeld kernel that support N560.

http://www.handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/GettingHandheldKernels

You can download using csv command:

cvs -d :_pserver:anoncvs@anoncvs.handhelds.org:/cvs checkout -d linux-2.6.x-hh linux/kernel26

remove the "_" between ":" and "p" in the ":_pserver". If I write without it you see like an emoticons ":p"

After this You must modify top level Makefile to add the path of you arm-linux commands.
Verify the follow lines in the Makefile
ARCH ?= arm
CROSS_COMPILE ?= /usr/bin/arm-gp2x-linux-

change CROSS_COMPILE according the path of your arm-linux.

Then run: make looxn560_defconfig
this command setup the kernel with the rigth parameter for the N560.

Then try to compile: make zImage

After this I've tried to replace zImage-N560 with my image, but T830 don't boot.

The starting point is this....
we must find the rigth kernel parameters to compile a "not working" zImage like zImage-N560.

zImage must be start and we can accept that hang and vibrate.

After this, we MUST find how T830 use the GPIOs and change the kernel code according.

I'm working to isolate wich kernel files must be patched.

If you have some suggestion, please post.

Useful link to start is: http://sites.google.com/site/siteofhx/Home/android/android-porting-steps/english

[traat]

:) is this project dead ???

[stillka]

Hello folks, so any news?

[gerdich]

I'm very interested!

How is the project

[sturmer]

Is this Dead?Any news? ...I would really like to try android... :)

[yogal]

Hi,

I am also a proud user of great Loox 830t :)

Please let us know, if this project is still actual...I'm interested.

Regards,
yogal

[lpt2007]

Hallo everyone is this project dead?

[ashirviskas]

My friend has t830, and he wants android on that device, so im going to compile kernel for that, any help will be accepted. BTW it wil be my first kernel compiling, so i think i will need very much of help :rolleyes:

[Simonas0]

I'm ashirviskas's friend and we are making kernel, we left only make zImage. I never haven't make something like kernel, so we learned all from beginner. Maybe anybody can help with making zImage:confused:??? I can send you .config and you just make zImage (if you know how:)). I used lastest Linux 3.0.4 kernel. Thank you for help!!!;) And sorry for english

[ashirviskas]

I'm ashirviskas's friend and we are making kernel, we left only make zImage. I never haven't make something like kernel, so we learned all from beginner. Maybe anybody can help with making zImage:confused:??? I can send you .config and you just make zImage (if you know how:)). I used lastest Linux 3.0.4 kernel. Thank you for help!!!;) And sorry for english

Kernel 3.0 is bad idea, i suggest you to try 2.6.32 :):D

[Simonas0]

I failed, 3.0.4 is very bad idea, but I don't know, what is better: 2.4.19 (lastest working with FSC 600) or 2.6.34 (lastest working with FSC 720)?
I'll try with 2.6.34

[Simonas0]

I can not make zImage. If somebody wants to work on Android, I can send you .config file. Write me to email simonas.pilkauskas@hotmail.com
Good luck!