Akita/Install

From OpenZaurus

I'd like to try to get all of the installation pages reasonably similar in style, I've copied this across from the c7x0 which I've just re-written. See what you think. I'm not fond of making people click on links for descriptions/naming details of the updater.sh, initrd.bin and zImage.bin - this should be in line IMHO (not least because this way we can give more description to the names, plus they differ for the sl-5500/5000D) -lardman

This page describes how to install OpenZaurus on the Akita.

This process is almost the same as for the C7x0 machines.

Contents

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Introduction

Three files are required to flash an Akita. These are :

  • a root filesystem image (initrd.bin),
  • a kernel (zImage.bin)
  • and the updater script (updater.sh).
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Download the files

The files should be downloaded from one of the mirrors. See http://openzaurus.org/wordpress/downloads/

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Download the root filesystem image that you want to install

The initrd.bin contains the root filesystem (including default programs) for OpenZaurus.

There are a number of available flavours of initrds:

  • opie-image contains an Opie based system. This is a QT/Embedded based graphical system (which is most like the original Sharp ROM) (see http://opie.handhelds.org/)
  • gpe-image contains the a GPE Palmtop Environment based system (see http://gpe.handhelds.org/)
  • bootstrap-image contains no graphical system
  • e-image(-core) contains the Enlightenment GUI

If you don’t know which you want then you probably want the opie-image

Download your choice of initrd image (which will be named *-image-*-akita.rootfs.img or *-image-initrd.bin) and rename it to initrd.bin.

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Download the kernel

The zImage.bin file contains the Linux kernel used in OpenZaurus.

Download the kernel (named zImage.bin) and rename to zImage.bin if necessary.

  1. The filenames are case sensitive. Note the capital I in zImage.bin.
  2. Put files in the root directory of your CF card /mnt/cf (The flasher program asks you if you want to use CF or SD, so it is possible to use an SD instead of a CF card).
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Preparations for flashing

Backup your data.

Note that the flashing process does not erase your /home directory, therefore settings from other systems may remain there and possibly cause problems. If you are flashing an opie-image, make sure you remove the /home/root/Settings/ directory before you flash to ensure that this does not happen.

Check the md5sums of the initrd.bin, zImage.bin and updater.sh files and compare them with the list (or filenames + .md5) in the download directory to ensure that they have not been corrupted during the download.

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Flash

The steps to flash the are:

  1. Ensure that your Akita has a standard flash partitioning (e.g. as it was originally), flashing may fail if this is not the case
  2. Turn the zaurus over and flip the battery case switch to "Unlocked". Remove the battery cover, and find the small reset microswitch on the left. The battery cover or the stylus can be used to press it.
  3. Replace the battery cover and switch to "Locked".
  4. Insert the CF card with the image in the root, as described above.
  5. Plug in the AC power jack. The yellow charge lamp must be on indicating external power, or you will get an error message in japanese later.
  6. Press the "OK" key inside the round white arrow keys button, and keep it pressed while pressing the "On/Off" button on the front side.
  7. The Maintenance Screen will display (in Japanese). Choose 4 ("Update")
  8. The next screen will ask the source (in English). Choose 1 for CF and 2 for SD.
  9. The next screen asks for confirmation, choose "Yes" this is the left button

The Zaurus will now erase the root filesystem and write the new image.

When you see that message: "Rebooting"… then remove all your CF and SD cards, just before booting for the first time with an opie-image, otherwise you get stuck in the new-medium-found dialog (as the touch screen will not yet have been calibrated).

The Zaurus will now reboot to your new Operating System

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Troubleshooting

More work needed on this section

If the flash goes wrong for some reason, your Zaurus should not be bricked.

First of all check you followed the instructions - filenames correct, md5sums correct.

Any other options?


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ln respawning too fast

An otherwise successful installation of 3.5.3 or 3.5.4.1-rc4 reboots and halts with this message: 

INIT: ld "ln" respawning too fast: disabled for 5 minutes

Many other error messages could be seen flying by before halting with that one.

Solution
You have not named your files correctly. Ensure that you have an initrd.bin
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Kernel panic - not syncing: No init found. 

Kernel panic - not syncing: No init found.  Try passing init= option to kernel.
Solution
not determined. This appears to happen when the kernel is built for the Spitz, and thinks it's going to boot from the hdd. -lardman

Solution, which worked for me: NAND flashing with http://www.trisoft.de/download/C1000NAND240305.zip from http://www.trisoft.de/en_c1000howto.htm

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When nothing else works

Perform a NAND restore. This places the Zaurus in near-factory condition, depending on the NAND image you use. The NAND image is over 150 MB and you must use a 256MB CF or SD card. (It looks like the card must be formatted FAT - not FAT32. Can someone confirm this?) You should have a single file in the root of your card: SYSTC100.DBK (Does anyone have information about the naming convention here?)

If you have previously done a NAND Backup of your Zaurus, fine. If not you can download the TRIsoft version of the Sharp ROM here: http://www.trisoft.de/en_c1000howto.htm This is an anglicized version of the Sharp ROM with a few changes added by TRIsoft.

You access NAND backup/restore from page 3 of the Service menu.


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Backup/Restore Service Menu

To access the Service Menu, slide the battery switch to the left (away from the battery) and remove the battery cover. Hold down the D and M keys on the keyboard and tap the Reset button next to the battery. Release the D and M keys. The Service menu will appear:

Moved the original info from here to the plain Akita page as it wasn't related to installation -lardman

  • Page 3
  1. -
  2. BACKUP RESTORE MENU
  3. -
  4. -
  5. ON/OFF CHECK
  6. VBus Check
  7. EXTRA MENU
  8. ROM (SUM)
  9. RAM (Full)
  10. -
  11. USB MOUSE

Be sure you have both the battery installed and the mains power connected before proceeding!

This has only two items, Backup and Restore. When you choose Restore, it will ask for confirmation, and then begin the Restore operation. There is a green progress bar at the bottom of the screen. The process takes about 5 minutes, and when it is finished, you will see a message saying so. At this point, tap the Reset button again, put back the battery cover and slide the switch to the right. When you turn the power on, the Zaurus will perform a first-time boot and run you through the calibration and time-setting routines.


3.5.4.1-rc4 Release Information (edit)
Akita 3.5.4.1-rc4 Release Information (edit)
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