Best USB Keyboard?

[jptiger]

I'm looking for a good keyboard for the NST. I got a (Link disabled due to xda-dev restrictions on new users, search amazon.com for "DIAOTEC (TM) Synthetic Leather Keyboard Case with micro-USB plug for 7 inch Tablet Computers") off amazon and while I liked the form factor, the physical keys were just a smidge too small vertically and the spacebar hardly ever responded, meaningeverythingItypedlookedkindalikethis.

The reason I picked up a cheap nook used was to make an e-ink writing device. I'd love to have something integrated into a portable case the way that last product was, but everything I've seen appears to be different Chinese companies selling the same thing (if the images are anything to go by). The size wouldn't be a problem if they didn't insist on cramming F1-F12 keys into a keyboard designed for a tablet. I use an eeepc 701 with a similar size keyboard and love that.

Anyone with usb-host activated find anything they like? Thanks!

 

[Renate NST]

Not a specific recommendation, but I'm using this: http://www.microcenter.com/product/310127/Pro_Mini_USB_Multimedia_Keyboard
It has full-sized keys, which is important for touch typing.

 

[dnordquest]

Keyboard Testing

I'm testing a Sanoxy 7" keyboard/case with what was shipped to me as an OTG cable. Keyboard seems nice enough and Nook is held securely by spring clip. Keyboard likely not so good for extended touch typing as Renate's but all would be well if keyboard were recognized (no green light yet.) Are drivers needed -- or only Renate's USB application to put Nook in host mode?

 

[Renate NST]

Actually, I can get the keyboard working with the stock kernel in 1.2.1

If you don't have the correct init in your uRamdisk you won't get far, but at least you can tell that init is the problem.

With just my UsbMode:

• Hit "Off"
• Hit "Peripheral"
• Connect just the OTG adapter (no keyboard)
• Hit "Host", does the green light go on? If not, try again.
• Connect the keyboard to the OTG adapter
• Does the status read "Qwerty, Kbd:2" (or 1)?

If you just get "None, Kbd:2" (or 1), then you need to fix init in uRamdisk.

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

Many thanks, Renate. Will try later today. Meanwhile, how does one put the right init in uRamdisk? I used Nook Root Manager to root my 1.2.1 NST and browsed for init but am not sure where it would be or if I have the uRamdisk that is needed.

BTW, the 7" Saxony keyboard/case works quite well when connected to the USB drive of a netbook. Small enough to easily stick in a briefcase or bag. Should work well with Nook for occasional typing.

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

Actually, I can get the keyboard working with the stock kernel in 1.2.1

If you don't have the correct init in your uRamdisk you won't get far, but at least you can tell that init is the problem.

With just my UsbMode:

• Hit "Off"
• Hit "Peripheral"
• Connect just the OTG adapter (no keyboard)
• Hit "Host", does the green light go on? If not, try again.
• Connect the keyboard to the OTG adapter
• Does the status read "Qwerty, Kbd:2" (or 1)?

If you just get "None, Kbd:2" (or 1), then you need to fix init in uRamdisk.

I just get "None" without any ref to KBd:2 so I suppose I must fix init in uRamdisk. I found one init file that seems to be empty, but not sure it is the right one.

I do like the Saxony Keyboard, although keys are not full sized.

 

[Renate NST]

You do have superuser installed?
You don't get any <write error> from UsbMode?
You do get a steady green light with just the adapter plugged in?
Are you sure that your adapter is an OTG one?

Don't worry about init for now.

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

"You do have superuser installed?"

Yes. Confirmed when use UsbMode.

"You don't get any <write error> from UsbMode?"

No.

"You do get a steady green light with just the adapter plugged in?"

No. Not even a flicker.

"Are you sure that your adapter is an OTG one?"

Invoice says so. Looks like photo at Amazon, but no label on adapter.

"Don't worry about init for now."

OK. Thanks!

 

[Renate NST]

Well, that's screwy.
The first thing is to get that light on.

Do you have the "big" kernel installed? (2,727,540 uImage)

With nothing connected and just hitting the "Host" button you should be able to get the LED to flash for 1/10 or a second.
Start with a new power on boot, keep hitting "Host".
It might flash red, you want green.
Hit the "Off" button to keep the charging circuit offline.

Once you get a green flash, plug in just the OTG adapter.
You should be able to get a solid green when you hit host.

When you are that far, try a powered hub too.

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

"Do you have the "big" kernel installed? (2,727,540 uImage)"

My NST was updated to fw 1.2.1 and then rooted with Nook Root Manager. No changes to kernel after that. Not sure of kernel location.

"With nothing connected and just hitting the "Host" button you should be able to get the LED to flash for 1/10 of a second.
Start with a new power on boot, keep hitting "Host".
It might flash red, you want green.
Hit the "Off" button to keep the charging circuit offline."

No flash of any color!

Thanks for the help.

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

Here's what I get from doing cat /proc/version in the terminal emulator on my Nook:

Linux version is 2.6.29-omap1 ([email protected]) (gcc version 4.3.2 (Sorcery G++ Lite 2008q3-72)) #1 PREEMPT Fri Dec 7 14:35:04 PST 2012

Here's the link for the keyboard, which I like and am trying to get going:

http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-Leather-Keyboard-Tabletpc-Notebook/dp/B004TJJPG8

Thanks!

 

[Renate NST]

Oops, sorry, you need the right uImage to get USB working without a back-powering hub.
I always forget that I'm using one.

You need a better uImage in the boot directory.
You can use noogie to replace it or else ADB under Nook or CWR if you mount boot.

mount -o rw,remount rootfs /
mkdir /boot
mount -t vfat /dev/block/mmcblk0p1 /boot

I'm not even sure where this kernel that I'm using comes from, but here is a good one:
http://nst-recovery.googlecode.com/files/NST-kernel_0.1_uImage.zip

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

"I'm not even sure where this kernel that I'm using comes from, but here is a good one:
http://nst-recovery.googlecode.com/files/NST-kernel_0.1_uImage.zip"

Renate, is this kernel compatible with fw 1.2.1? Also, with what the Nook Root Manager has changed?
Wonder if anyone has a keyboard working with 1.2.1 and Nook Root Manager.

Maybe I should make a back-powered hub for keyboard, audio etc.

Many thanks!

 

[Renate NST]

Try that kernel, it should work fine.

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

"You need a better uImage in the boot directory.
You can use noogie to replace it or else ADB under Nook or CWR if you mount boot."

I had no boot directory but made one as per instructions a couple of messages above. There's no ulmage to replace that I could find. Do I just put the new one in boot? If so, zipped or unzipped? (B&N says zipped for their manual updates.)

 

[Renate NST]

I had no boot directory ...

You most certainly did!.

The "/boot" directory that you created was just a place to put a mount.
The mount command should have worked fine.
If you do an ls - l /boot command you should see all your boot files.
If you are not seeing uImage, uRamdisk, u-boot.bin, MLO, then you are looking in the wrong place.

Once you get your bearings sorted out (and you're sure), you can copy over uImage.

The zip and all that is part of the automatic update, not what you want.

 

[dnordquest]

testing keyboard

OK! New ulmage did the trick. Green light goes on when cable attached. Many thanks!

 

[dnordquest]

"If you just get "None, Kbd:2" (or 1), then you need to fix init in uRamdisk."


This is what I'm getting now (with 2). How does one fix init in uRamdisk?

Thanks!

 

[Renate NST]

The best way is to keep most of your uRamdisk and replace init in it.
You get init from here, in binaries.zip: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=21669750&postcount=1

C:\>bootutil /v /r uRamdisk init
Read image, 13 files
Replaced init
Wrote image

You get bootutil from the signature.

 

[FreyaBlack]

I'm basically having the same problem, only a bit worse.
I've looked into adb but it seems to be windows only from what I can tell.
I seem to remember Nook Manager saying something about ssh?
Perhaps I can secure shell into the Nook somehow?

I have nook simple touch and I've rooted it with Nook Manager.
I tried to replace the kernel image by copying over the one on the Nook Manager card but I now have a feeling that might only get used when the memory card is booted.

I really want to get the keyboard working on my nook.
The trouble is I'm not sure how I can go about adding the kernel or modifying files without a keyboard
...and unless I can get the kernel on there etc then I won't have a working keyboard...

I seem to be trapped in the egg... or the chicken...I'm not sure which.

I'm running Linux here too, I hope that isn't a problem. I notice that everyone here seems to be talking about windows based tools a lot ironically.

Can anyone help me?
I'm going to keep reading and maybe I will stumble on the basic stuff I need to know somewhere!

Freya