I now know the Allwinner A13 is a stripped down version of the Allwinner A10, to be clearer the specifications of my Tablet (from UniFlash and AnTuTu Benchmark) are as follows:
Manufacturer: None
Brand: softwinners
CPU hardware: sun5i
CPU model: ARMv7 Processor (VFPv3, NEON)
CPU frequency: 60.0 ~ 1008.0 MHz
Screen resolution: 800 x 444
GPU vendor: Mali-400 MP
GPU version (OpenGL): OpenGL ES 2.0
RAM size: 512 MB DDR2 RAM
Knowing this, I used UniFlash to make a backup of the firmware bt after using UniFlash to try and load a CM9 Rom on to the Tablet, the Tablet died. After alot of googling I discovered AllWinner based chipsets use Live Suite (sometimes called LiveSuit) to flash firmwares on to the device.
To Flash firmware on to the device you need to follow the attached instructions ((http://dragondevs.com/viewtopic.php?f=159&t=390):
Download LiveSuite (http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Live-Suit-Pack.shtml)
Install Live Suite
Start Live Suite
Select the Live Suite image file (folder icon
Turn device off (to be sure hold power button for 12 - 20 seconds)
Hold "Volume Up" button down
Connect the device to your PC (while still holding "Volume Up" down)
Start pressing the power button (you may need to do this once a second for 5/6 seconds)
If you haven't installed windows will ask to install a driver for a device (Dive Id will be something like Vf73465789123465435_Id, if the device is in the right mode, A13-MID, ADB-Interface indicates the tablet has connected in anouther mode).
Once this has finished LiveSuite will detect the device and a wizard will flash the firmware for you.
I have found a working firmware which according to AnTuTU Benchmark gives my tablet a rating of 3047 (see firmware section), this is on the higher end of reported A13-MID tablets
I have found out how to install CWM on to the device via SaussageMod (http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/29916-scriptmod-for-allwinner-a1x-platforms/). This solution is untested, further more it may be unnessary futher investigation has shown this website (https://www.miniand.com/forums/forums/2/topics/73) has developed a way of create Live Suite images. This is simplier than installing clockworkmod recovery,
I tried to load the following images on to my tablet and failed completely: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=31043317 It didn't work and forced me to do a firmware refresh.
My other step for the day was to create Ubuntu 10.10 installation then I began following this guide to construct an Xperia Play CM9 Rom/Kernel. once I have created a working ROM (I own an Xperia Play). I'm hoping to be able to modify the kernel to include the relevent A13 drivers, but one step at a time.
TODO
Create Ubuntu Partition
Follow Xperia Play CM9 Rom/Kernel Guide and create working rom (test on my Xperia Play)
Download CT repository (https://github.com/christiantroy) and compare with Xperia Play CM9 rom
Find the relevent drivers from https://github.com/amery/linux-allwinner leaked source
Retrieve offical MALI 400 MP drivers (parts of it have been released) compare with leaked source
Use UniFlash backup of original Rom along with LiveSuite image creation to try and restore original firmware (see If I understand it properly)
Examine Build.prop find out why original firmware displayed ina phone layout and new one is in tablet mode (potentially reference CM supported Tablets).
Attempt to compile a A13 (Sun5i) based rom
Create a google code page to hold all of these thoughts properly.
Manufacturer: None
Brand: softwinners
CPU hardware: sun5i
CPU model: ARMv7 Processor (VFPv3, NEON)
CPU frequency: 60.0 ~ 1008.0 MHz
Screen resolution: 800 x 444
GPU vendor: Mali-400 MP
GPU version (OpenGL): OpenGL ES 2.0
RAM size: 512 MB DDR2 RAM
Knowing this, I used UniFlash to make a backup of the firmware bt after using UniFlash to try and load a CM9 Rom on to the Tablet, the Tablet died. After alot of googling I discovered AllWinner based chipsets use Live Suite (sometimes called LiveSuit) to flash firmwares on to the device.
To Flash firmware on to the device you need to follow the attached instructions ((http://dragondevs.com/viewtopic.php?f=159&t=390):
Download LiveSuite (http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Live-Suit-Pack.shtml)
Install Live Suite
Start Live Suite
Select the Live Suite image file (folder icon
Turn device off (to be sure hold power button for 12 - 20 seconds)
Hold "Volume Up" button down
Connect the device to your PC (while still holding "Volume Up" down)
Start pressing the power button (you may need to do this once a second for 5/6 seconds)
If you haven't installed windows will ask to install a driver for a device (Dive Id will be something like Vf73465789123465435_Id, if the device is in the right mode, A13-MID, ADB-Interface indicates the tablet has connected in anouther mode).
Once this has finished LiveSuite will detect the device and a wizard will flash the firmware for you.
I have found a working firmware which according to AnTuTU Benchmark gives my tablet a rating of 3047 (see firmware section), this is on the higher end of reported A13-MID tablets
I have found out how to install CWM on to the device via SaussageMod (http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/29916-scriptmod-for-allwinner-a1x-platforms/). This solution is untested, further more it may be unnessary futher investigation has shown this website (https://www.miniand.com/forums/forums/2/topics/73) has developed a way of create Live Suite images. This is simplier than installing clockworkmod recovery,
I tried to load the following images on to my tablet and failed completely: http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=31043317 It didn't work and forced me to do a firmware refresh.
My other step for the day was to create Ubuntu 10.10 installation then I began following this guide to construct an Xperia Play CM9 Rom/Kernel. once I have created a working ROM (I own an Xperia Play). I'm hoping to be able to modify the kernel to include the relevent A13 drivers, but one step at a time.
TODO
Create Ubuntu Partition
Follow Xperia Play CM9 Rom/Kernel Guide and create working rom (test on my Xperia Play)
Download CT repository (https://github.com/christiantroy) and compare with Xperia Play CM9 rom
Find the relevent drivers from https://github.com/amery/linux-allwinner leaked source
Retrieve offical MALI 400 MP drivers (parts of it have been released) compare with leaked source
Use UniFlash backup of original Rom along with LiveSuite image creation to try and restore original firmware (see If I understand it properly)
Examine Build.prop find out why original firmware displayed ina phone layout and new one is in tablet mode (potentially reference CM supported Tablets).
Attempt to compile a A13 (Sun5i) based rom
Create a google code page to hold all of these thoughts properly.
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