Installing Linux Variants on Captivate

[AdamOutler]

This week I worked with the developer of Linux Installer to make it work on our phones. We had some difficulties with distance and language. He is in France and I am in USA. we used DroidVNC, ADBWireless and putting my phone into the DMZ of my router to effectively turn my development phone into a virtual platform which he was able to use from around the world. We worked aproximately 16 hours this week on it and we both learned a lot.

Just letting you know, Linux Installer is now compatible with the captivate and runs in a chroot environment. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.galoula.LinuxInstall&feature=search_result This will install debian squeeze on your phone and give you the ability to apt-get install files from the Debian repositories.

The goal of linux installer is actually to boot your phone into linux, not install it side-by-side, however we were able to make it work in this way. Linux Installer now works side-by-side with the Captivate. To exit, the "linuxboot" command line app, just type "exit" and LinuxInstaller will shut down.

Ignore the pop-up about ext2. There is a kernel module which supports ext2 in Linux Installer.

Remember this was made by a geek. It's not really user friendly. go through each step and use the "liberate loop" button at the end

Get your money out of that unlimited data plan



Also, comming soon, Ubuntu on Captivate. http://code.google.com/p/andbuntu/ This is my own project and I've managed to work most of the kinks out of it. You can get the uboot script from the SVN repository on that page. It's still in development. It requires a kernel with EXT4 and loop capabilities. It needs a front-end which I am now working on.

 

[DigitalEagle]

Nice! I've been looking forward to something like this coming to the Captivate!

 

[Dani897]

this is sweet but does it run inside android or does the phone boot into linux? also is it dual boot if that is the case? it sounds like you implied something in the wording but i guess i dont understand what you meant. so im sorry if i am asking questions that you have already answered just trying to understand.

 

[perosredo]

Installed LinuxInstaller and get the following pop-up on opening it:

Sorry but your kernel does not have the necessary features for support Linux.
Please check kernel:
-LOOP features
-EXT2 or EXT3 support

Thoughts?

 

[AdamOutler]

It runs side-by side

Ignore the pop-up.

 

[AdamOutler]

this is sweet but does it run inside android or does the phone boot into linux? also is it dual boot if that is the case? it sounds like you implied something in the wording but i guess i dont understand what you meant. so im sorry if i am asking questions that you have already answered just trying to understand.

The development to dual boot has not been done. It is likely that it never will be done, unless someone wants to make a kernel for our phones to mount the loop, then boot from that.

 

[Dani897]

It runs side-by side

ok so it is not in a virtual machine but is actually using the same kernel and running at the same time? im guessing that's the jist of it. sounds complicated. but very cool. i envy guys like you! will try it soon.

 

[Dlev7]

Please excuse my noobness, however Im always into trying new things but I dont fully understand what this will do with our phones?

Like what will this do differently than what my phone is on MIUI, and what are the benefits.

Again please excuse my noobness.

 

[mnjm9b]

Ok.

I have been watching this app for a while....

I just had to try this again.

However, when I try it
It creates loop
Then formats loop
States successful format
And then.............................
Nothing.
Is it supposed to install???

 

[ryude]

This week I worked with the developer of Linux Installer to make it work on our phones. We had some difficulties with distance and language. He is in France and I am in USA. we used DroidVNC, ADBWireless and putting my phone into the DMZ of my router to effectively turn my development phone into a virtual platform which he was able to use from around the world. We worked aproximately 16 hours this week on it and we both learned a lot.

Just letting you know, Linux Installer is now compatible with the captivate and runs in a chroot environment. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.galoula.LinuxInstall&feature=search_result This will install debian squeeze on your phone and give you the ability to apt-get install files from the Debian repositories.

The goal of linux installer is actually to boot your phone into linux, not install it side-by-side, however we were able to make it work in this way. Linux Installer now works side-by-side with the Captivate. To exit, the "linuxboot" command line app, just type "exit" and LinuxInstaller will shut down.

Ignore the pop-up about ext2. There is a kernel module which supports ext2 in Linux Installer.



Also, comming soon, Ubuntu on Captivate. http://code.google.com/p/andbuntu/ This is my own project and I've managed to work most of the kinks out of it. You can get the uboot script from the SVN repository on that page. It's still in development. It requires a kernel with EXT4 and loop capabilities. It needs a front-end which I am now working on.

Where in Louisiana? I live in Hammond.

 

[ryude]

Please excuse my noobness, however Im always into trying new things but I dont fully understand what this will do with our phones?

Like what will this do differently than what my phone is on MIUI, and what are the benefits.

Again please excuse my noobness.

You can apt-get any application that runs in Debian, which is over 30,000 applications; Most of which are very useful.

 

[AdamOutler]

You must go through all of the steps for it to work.

That's right.... Apache on a phone. Your own mobile web server.

 

[mnjm9b]

You must go through all of the steps for it to work.

I only show 1&2.....
There are no other steps....just blank space

 

[perosredo]

This probably isn't the bestest place for this but it could definitely be beneficial:

How about some clarification/explanation on the different settings/options in LinuxInstaller?

 

[AdamOutler]

Each step must be performed sequentially. Do not unmount loop until the end.

 

[mnjm9b]

Each step must be performed sequentially. Do not unmount loop until the end.

I figured that much....

Still nothing after #2

 

[flxdms]

I figured that much....

Still nothing after #2

Same thing here.
I rebooted my phone and got the third option as well as "Install Linux boot script". The only problem is that it cannot mount LOOP.

 

[mnjm9b]

"

Same thing here.
I rebooted my phone and got the third option as well as "Install Linux boot script". The only problem is that it cannot mount LOOP.

Nope....
Still stuck at 2 after reboot.

 

[shaolin95]

Pardon my ignorance but if I am getting this, this wont replace my current OS just boot to linux? For example, I can do this with my current CM7 and then just reboot the phone and be back in CM7 or am I super lost?

 

[AdamOutler]

Yes, you will boot your phone like normal. Our phones do not even have the camera button required by Linux Installer to dual boot.