[Announce] Wing Linux 0.3 Released (CAB INSTALL!) (Linux and Android Development)

[darkstar62]

Project)
The Wing Linux project is happy to announce our 0.3 release! We're geared towards the development of Linux and Android on the T-Mobile Wing, HTC Herald, and HTC Atlas series of phones. This release features a much easier CAB file based installation! Simply install to Windows Mobile and you're good to go! It's also got a bunch of other goodies, like Android 1.5, fully working touchscreen / keyboard, and a better scaled display for QVGA. Previous problems with white screens on boot have been fixed!

The project is being hosted on Sourceforge at:
http://wing-linux.sf.net

The files can be gotten at:
https://sourceforge.net/project/platformdownload.php?group_id=253356

Discussion for this and future releases can be had at:
https://sourceforge.net/forum/?group_id=253356

See these threads for more info about the development leading up to this release:
Google Android for Herald and Tmobile Wing (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=398830)
Installable Linux Image for HTC Herald / T-Mobile Wing (UPDATED: Android Install) (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=478161)

Thanks to all who have helped in debugging, testing, and developing this release!

[apreichner]

I have a question about the Virtual RAM. Does it just borrow some from the devices RAM, or does it use some of the space on the storage card as Virtual RAM?

Also does landscape work yet?

Still can't wait for Wifi and GSM! I love Android, but my contract doesn't expire for a while, so this would be awesome if it could be a viable replacement.

[darkstar62]

I have a question about the Virtual RAM. Does it just borrow some from the devices RAM, or does it use some of the space on the storage card as Virtual RAM?

Also does landscape work yet?

Still can't wait for Wifi and GSM! I love Android, but my contract doesn't expire for a while, so this would be awesome if it could be a viable replacement.

The virtual RAM uses space on the flash card, kinda like a Windows swap file. Landscape does not yet work, but it's on our list.

We'll probably have GSM working before wifi, so keep tuned for the development releases. We're hoping to get things complete enough to be a viable replacement for WM, but we've still got a ways to go.

- d

[apreichner]

The virtual RAM uses space on the flash card, kinda like a Windows swap file. Landscape does not yet work, but it's on our list.

We'll probably have GSM working before wifi, so keep tuned for the development releases. We're hoping to get things complete enough to be a viable replacement for WM, but we've still got a ways to go.

- d

That's okay, I use GSM more than WiFi. :) I assume GPRS and EDGE fall into that category? Will they all come together at once, or will we get one before the other? I'm not much of a developer but I'm still trying to learn these things.

Since it's able to do use RAM from a flash card, in theory, couldn't we push our wings to 1gb of RAM on Android? Or is there some sort of limit?

I haven't been able to test it yet because I don't have a large enough flash drive.

What about overclocking? Are there any problems with overclocking through Windows Mobile and then running Android? Or has that not been really tested yet.

[ivanmmj]

That's okay, I use GSM more than WiFi. :) I assume GPRS and EDGE fall into that category? Will they all come together at once, or will we get one before the other? I'm not much of a developer but I'm still trying to learn these things.

Since it's able to do use RAM from a flash card, in theory, couldn't we push our wings to 1gb of RAM on Android? Or is there some sort of limit?

I haven't been able to test it yet because I don't have a large enough flash drive.

What about overclocking? Are there any problems with overclocking through Windows Mobile and then running Android? Or has that not been really tested yet.
The 64mb of RAM from the phone is still the main RAM. The swap "file" being used to get more RAM isn't very fast, so it doesn't really make it faster, it just gives it the ability to RUN programs without them being closed due to lack of memory.
There would be no point in having that much memory. As it stands, my G1 has never ran out of memory and I use a lot of third part android apps.
As far as overclocking, I would imagine it wouldn't work the normal way, as WM is kicked out when android loads and along with it the CPU controlling driver that controls the CPU speed.

[apreichner]

The 64mb of RAM from the phone is still the main RAM. The swap "file" being used to get more RAM isn't very fast, so it doesn't really make it faster, it just gives it the ability to RUN programs without them being closed due to lack of memory.
There would be no point in having that much memory. As it stands, my G1 has never ran out of memory and I use a lot of third part android apps.
As far as overclocking, I would imagine it wouldn't work the normal way, as WM is kicked out when android loads and along with it the CPU controlling driver that controls the CPU speed.

Oh so when you run Linux it isn't like a virtual machine running in Windows? It actually takes full control of the CPU and RAM. So it wouldn't make a difference if I used a more RAM/CPU hungry ROM like JustHome rather than JustStable Micro?

What about the SD card, does Android detect the rest of the data on your SD card?

[darkstar62]

Oh so when you run Linux it isn't like a virtual machine running in Windows? It actually takes full control of the CPU and RAM. So it wouldn't make a difference if I used a more RAM/CPU hungry ROM like JustHome rather than JustStable Micro?

What about the SD card, does Android detect the rest of the data on your SD card?

That's right, Linux takes over completely. We've gotten testing from people running a wide range of ROMs, and nobody has ever had a problem. So, use what you like :)

As for the SD card, Linux detects and can use the entirety of the card. We haven't set up Android to be able to do that yet, but it shouldn't be hard.

- d

[apreichner]

That's right, Linux takes over completely. We've gotten testing from people running a wide range of ROMs, and nobody has ever had a problem. So, use what you like :)

As for the SD card, Linux detects and can use the entirety of the card. We haven't set up Android to be able to do that yet, but it shouldn't be hard.

- d

Just for curiosity sake... I realized that even if GSM worked, you couldn't really make a phone call without Sound/Microphone drivers. Does the Wizard team have anything that might help us here? I tried looking on the Sourceforge but it isn't listed under any Tasks.

[ivanmmj]

Just for curiosity sake... I realized that even if GSM worked, you couldn't really make a phone call without Sound/Microphone drivers. Does the Wizard team have anything that might help us here? I tried looking on the Sourceforge but it isn't listed under any Tasks.
There is currently a sound driver but when it was originally ported to this build, it had a problem building. I'm not sure if darkstar has had time to look at it, again, yet.

[apreichner]

Lol it seems like I'm the only one asking questions here. Has there been any testing of this using SDHC cards? Do they work properly? I'd like to get a 4 or 8gb card soon.

[unknown123456]

Lol it seems like I'm the only one asking questions here. Has there been any testing of this using SDHC cards? Do they work properly? I'd like to get a 4 or 8gb card soon.

Yes, it works fine with my 8GB SDHC. I am not feeling the idea that Android completely takes over my Windows Mobile. It is still too new at this point for me. Still, it's a really great job by the author. I been skimming through the chronicle thread for months and it has come a long way. From having to install Linux to a simple cab must be a lot of work. I hope this will lead somewhere great in the future. Best of luck.

[darkstar62]

Lol it seems like I'm the only one asking questions here. Has there been any testing of this using SDHC cards? Do they work properly? I'd like to get a 4 or 8gb card soon.

I run all this stuff on a 16gb card, so I'd say no problems at all.

- d

[apreichner]

Alright, sounds good, thanks! Can't wait to give it a try!

[Zaknafein21]

very good work. Big thx to all the people involved in the deveolpment.
I thougt android would never run on the Herald but you proof me wrong.

[Kernel Jag]

Awesome stuff darkstar and ivan! It works very well, and picks up my lcd settings properly (I used to get a ghost image with the earlier kernel). Anyhow, I did notice a bit of flickering in the screen around the top-edge. Not sure what that is.

Quick question: I remember you saying dark, that it takes you almost a day each time to compile the kernel. Would it make a difference if we used a multi-core machine? Perhaps ssh to a very powerful server and build everything there?

[darkstar62]

Awesome stuff darkstar and ivan! It works very well, and picks up my lcd settings properly (I used to get a ghost image with the earlier kernel). Anyhow, I did notice a bit of flickering in the screen around the top-edge. Not sure what that is.

Quick question: I remember you saying dark, that it takes you almost a day each time to compile the kernel. Would it make a difference if we used a multi-core machine? Perhaps ssh to a very powerful server and build everything there?

A multi-core machine I think could help...not sure how parallelizable the build is. It isn't the kernel that takes that long, it's the whole Android/Angstrom image. The kernel itself from start to finish takes about 10 minutes. 1 minute for incremental builds.

The server I'm using is a Celeron D 3.33gHz single-core originally designed to be a DVR/home entertainment system. Having a beefier processor would definitely help. Do you have something in mind?

- d

[ivanmmj]

And I haven't done any of the coding. ^_^
It's all darkstar.

[apreichner]

A multi-core machine I think could help...not sure how parallelizable the build is. It isn't the kernel that takes that long, it's the whole Android/Angstrom image. The kernel itself from start to finish takes about 10 minutes. 1 minute for incremental builds.

The server I'm using is a Celeron D 3.33gHz single-core originally designed to be a DVR/home entertainment system. Having a beefier processor would definitely help. Do you have something in mind?

- d

I'm not sure if I could be of any help... I have some experience with Linux, unfortunately none with rebuilding kernels. My computers a Intel Core2Quad 2.5ghz 4gb RAM.

PM me if you want, I might need a crash course in it first though :)

[darkstar62]

I'm not sure if I could be of any help... I have some experience with Linux, unfortunately none with rebuilding kernels. My computers a Intel Core2Quad 2.5ghz 4gb RAM.

PM me if you want, I might need a crash course in it first though :)

It's not too hard to get into it. The wiki has instructions for downloading and building from source. Haven't tested them though, so you'd be a good guinee pig for that, if you're interested.

- d

[apreichner]

It's not too hard to get into it. The wiki has instructions for downloading and building from source. Haven't tested them though, so you'd be a good guinee pig for that, if you're interested.

- d

Why not? I'll give it a try. Unfortunately I still have no phone to test it on, so someone else would have to do that. I assume I'll need to install Linux on my PC of course?

Also where on the wiki can I find this? I can't seem to locate the instructions.

[darkstar62]

Why not? I'll give it a try. Unfortunately I still have no phone to test it on, so someone else would have to do that. I assume I'll need to install Linux on my PC of course?

Also where on the wiki can I find this? I can't seem to locate the instructions.

yeah, you'll need Linux. I use Intrepid for my development, bujt you'll probably want the latest (Jaunty).

There's a "Development" link in the box on the right of the front page. Look over that, it should explain how to check out the latest from subversion and build.

Lemme know if you run into problems. I'm sure there's build dependencies I overlooked.

- d

[apreichner]

Alright, I'll have to install Linux then. I'll let you know if I experience any problems.

[Kernel Jag]

Awesome stuff darkstar and ivan! It works very well, and picks up my lcd settings properly (I used to get a ghost image with the earlier kernel). Anyhow, I did notice a bit of flickering in the screen around the top-edge. Not sure what that is.

Quick question: I remember you saying dark, that it takes you almost a day each time to compile the kernel. Would it make a difference if we used a multi-core machine? Perhaps ssh to a very powerful server and build everything there?

I just resigned from my JOB! Will have more time for this now..woo hoo! :D

Well, a friend of mine has ssh access to a few high-end server machines belonging to an open-source organization. Their only condition is that we'll need to volunteer for them a bit. Can get the details...

[darkstar62]

I just resigned from my JOB! Will have more time for this now..woo hoo! :D

Well, a friend of mine has ssh access to a few high-end server machines belonging to an open-source organization. Their only condition is that we'll need to volunteer for them a bit. Can get the details...

That'd be great. I have nothing against volunteering to help them out -- it's the least we can do if we use their resources.

- d

[retepger]

I am by no means a pro, but I have successfully flashed my phone several times using instructions here on the forum.

I would like to try this ROM as well, but I am confused on how to do it? I have tried all the "usual" ways without any luck.

Could anybody explain how to flash this one?

[Speedyp]

I am by no means a pro, but I have successfully flashed my phone several times using instructions here on the forum.

I would like to try this ROM as well, but I am confused on how to do it? I have tried all the "usual" ways without any luck.

Could anybody explain how to flash this one?

It's not a ROM. Just install CAB file onto your flash card. Run Program and go :)

[Sincidius]

I installed this today. First load was slow. Afterwards it took about 1-2 minutes. Menu ran quick enough. Items like setup came up a little slow, but not too bad. Cameras came up very slow. Touch on screen was slightly off, more noticeable on keyboard, not too bad on dialpad. Overall, great cab.

[retepger]

It's not a ROM. Just install CAB file onto your flash card. Run Program and go :)

After placing it on the the SD card do you install it on to the SD card or on to the device?

[apreichner]

After placing it on the the SD card do you install it on to the SD card or on to the device?

On the SD card.

[adelco93]

first load was sloww then after i loaded it again i kept on ketting the "no sd card is inserted message. also freezes on occasion.

[darkstar62]

first load was sloww then after i loaded it again i kept on ketting the "no sd card is inserted message. also freezes on occasion.

You mean in Android, right? Yeah, that's a known issue. Not sure how to work around it yet.

When was it freezing?

- d

[adelco93]

wen it said insert sd card i took mine out to re-insert it wen i did that it froze, also something i didnt mention before is that it doesnt recognize my sim card either.

[darkstar62]

wen it said insert sd card i took mine out to re-insert it wen i did that it froze, also something i didnt mention before is that it doesnt recognize my sim card either.

Ah, that makes sense. Yeah, don't remove the SD card -- Linux and Android run from that, so if you remove it, the system crashes. In reality, you have the whole SD card open to put stuff on, but Android just doesn't think it's there. It definitely is, otherwise you wouldn't see Android in the first place. :)

As for your sim card, that's in work. The GSM driver is very primitive (it actually does recognize it, but Android isn't set up yet to work with it).

- d

[adelco93]

ohh, thx dark. been without internet 4 a while and im struggling to get backup to date with all the releases ive missed

[pigpen85]

hey darkstar, thanks for the great work. i tried installing this on the htc touch viva, unfortunately i don't have a qwerty keypad, and i get stuck on the screen where you have to input the size of the swapfile.

i think it may work, because the touch viva also has omap850. what workaround can i apply to get past this problem?

[darkstar62]

hey darkstar, thanks for the great work. i tried installing this on the htc touch viva, unfortunately i don't have a qwerty keypad, and i get stuck on the screen where you have to input the size of the swapfile.

i think it may work, because the touch viva also has omap850. what workaround can i apply to get past this problem?

There's a chance you can use your direction pad. The center button is a second Enter key, and if you input nothing and just hit enter at the two prompts, it accepts the defaults of 300mb for the filesystem and 64 for swap.

Good luck
- d

[pigpen85]

hey darkstar,

i tried the middle button but it didn't work, so i manually edited the initramfs to put in 300MB and 64MB.. and it worked! got to boot it into android.

it does display the screen properly.. but after the desktop displays, a pop-up appears which says that the "activity contacts" process (or something to that effect) isn't working.. when i try using the touch screen to end the process/wait, it doesn't respond... when i press the volume controls, i can see the ringer volume adjust screen in the background, which indicates that it still hasn't crashed; it's just that the touch screen doesn't work. maybe the viva needs a different driver for that.

i know this is supposed to be for the HTC herald, but i just wanted to feed back my experience with the distro. i might try tinkering with the distro to see which driver will work (if that really is the problem). thanks a lot!

[darkstar62]

hey darkstar,

i tried the middle button but it didn't work, so i manually edited the initramfs to put in 300MB and 64MB.. and it worked! got to boot it into android.

it does display the screen properly.. but after the desktop displays, a pop-up appears which says that the "activity contacts" process (or something to that effect) isn't working.. when i try using the touch screen to end the process/wait, it doesn't respond... when i press the volume controls, i can see the ringer volume adjust screen in the background, which indicates that it still hasn't crashed; it's just that the touch screen doesn't work. maybe the viva needs a different driver for that.

i know this is supposed to be for the HTC herald, but i just wanted to feed back my experience with the distro. i might try tinkering with the distro to see which driver will work (if that really is the problem). thanks a lot!

Aways great to hear of it working on other devices! More than likely you're right -- probably slightly different drivers are in use. If that's the case, you'll need to delve into building a custom kernel for your device very much like we're doing with the herald.

- d

[apreichner]

I know it's really too soon to ask this, but are there any plans to use the Hero version of Android on here? Maybe it could fix more problems, idk. There's a Hero ROM already in the dream thread.

[darkstar62]

I know it's really too soon to ask this, but are there any plans to use the Hero version of Android on here? Maybe it could fix more problems, idk. There's a Hero ROM already in the dream thread.

Not necessarily too early -- we switched to 1.5 recently. If you can dig up some info about what the hero is running, that can greatly help. We'll want to build it from source if at all possible.

- d

[ivanmmj]

Hero is a graft of apps on top of 1.5. Even on the G1, it has a LOT of bugs. It's better on to use it at the moments.

[joker_sad1984]

i got problems with my Dopod C800 ... i dont have and sound even speaker or phone , and my phone didnt vibrate when call incoming or sms .

[mosaddegh]

Hi,
I have installed Wing-Linux on HTC-Viva [Opal]
The only problem is not having Audio, Wireless, Bluetooth,
But the main problem is , installing applications which install under android system not working
it forcing to close application
any body tried to installing application ?