[HowTo] build / boot a linux kernel on M8

HowTo Booting a Linux Kernel on Meizu M8

First and important notice:
It never happend to anyone (till now) but it may be that the procedure of flashing
an unsupported OS to your phone may brick it. This means: Send to china to get it fixed or buy a new one.
Even if you follow this instructions i will take no responsibility for whatever you do. I wil take no responsibility
if this instructions are complete or right. There could be errors in this text or i could have fergotten something.
If anything unexpected happens, i would incourage you to ask in the forums.


1) Basic
I use windows and Linux in a VMWare. This guide assumes that you have this too.
This is my way. It may differ from the way banxian uses.
Lines with '>' mean you need to input something

To boot a Linux Kernel on the M8 with the existing eboot bootloader the following things are needed:

This is what u need to get
-M8 (bet you knew this one)
-Basic programming skills would be nice
-C/C++ compiler for the LinuxStarter (at this time i think only Visual Studio works)
-basic knowledge on Linux / Kernel compiling
-Working Serial Debug cable
[How-To] Serial debug connection

This is what you can download
-TerraTerm (you can use any terminal) (Tera Term Home Page)
-WinHex (WinHex: Computerforensik & Datenrettung, Hex-Editor & Disk-Editor)
-M8 Pack (Lite XIP Builder) (Browse ReJacker Files on SourceForge.net)
-Linux/Windows ARM Crosscompiler (ftp://jhkim.kr/mirror/aesop/4.3.2-eabi-arm.tar.gz)
-Kernelsources (http://rapidshare.de/files/48548408/...ource.rar.html)(these are mine. They are already patched to support the lcd display)
-Linuxstarter Sources (RapidShare Webhosting + Webspace)
-Kernel config (http://members.lycos.nl/phunbringer/.config)
-SMDK6410 (http://just4you.springnote.com/pages...hments/1176828)


Install enviroment

Windows Stuff
Download and extract Winhex (the testversion will do)
Install Visual Studio
_WITH SUPPORT FOR INTELLIGENT DEVICES_ this is to be selected in setup in the
custom installation dialog
Install SMDK6410
(be sure to deselect documentation because there is no doc)
Extract the sources of LinuxStarter to somewhere on your PC open it and try to compile (F7)

Linux Stuff

Things you should have installed on you linux system:
ncurses
gcc

--Cross compiler
The crosscompiler compiles arm binaries under an x86 enviroment.
Download the package and extract it to you linux machine.

>cd /opt
>gunzip 4.3.2-eabi-arm.tar.gz
>tar xf 4.3.2-eabi-arm.tar
Now add the bin path to you PATH
>PATH=$PATH:/opt/4.3.2-eabi-arm/bin

--kernel sources
From this sources the kernel is build

>cd /opt
>unrar aesop-kernel-source
>tar xf aesop-kernel-source
>cp .config aesop-kernel-source/



Roughly these are the steps you go:
-Configure a Linux Kernel
-Compile it
-Copy Image to LinuxStarter
-Compile it
-Create a XIP file from it
-Flash it

I will now try to explain each step.

Configure a Linux kernel
Configuring a linux kernel means to select drivers and setup values before a kernel is compiled
It then gets compiled the way you selected it. With or without the drivers you selected.

>cd /opt
>cd aesop-kernel-source
>make menuconfig
.. configure your kernel ..
(you should disable the rootfs i left it accidently)

Compile a linux kernel

after menuconfig you going to compile that beast
>cd /opt
>cd aesop-kernel-source
>make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE=arm-generic-linux-gnueabi- zImage
.. this could take a while ..
If finished withour serious errors your kernel will be in
>opt/aesop-kernel-source/arch/arm/boot and is called zImage

Copy Image to LinuxStarter and Compile it

>Open LinuxStarter Project in Visual Studio
Your kernel is here
>opt/KernelSource/arch/arm/boot and is called zImage
Get it out of your VM the way you like. (USB Stick Network Shares folder etc)
Open it in winHex
>Select Edit/Copy All/C Source
The kernel will be copied as C Array into your clipboard
>Open the file TheKernel.c in Visual Studio
>Clear it (crtl+a then del)
>Copy the new kernel into the file (ctrl+v)
>Go to the top of the file and rename the array from data to KernelData
>Save it
>Compile it (F7)
You should get a LinuxStarter.exe roughly from the size of the zImage

==EDIT
to dump the kernel in the right header file format right unter linux u can use this script
rm ./dump
touch ./dump
echo "unsigned char data[] = {" > ./dump
hexdump -v -e '1/1 "0x%02x, "' -e '"\n"' arch/arm/boot/zImage >> ./dump
echo "};" >> ./dump
==EDIT
rename dump to TheKernel.h

Build a minimal XIP File from it
Now we need to pack this exe ito a XIP file for booting the phone with it
>Start M8Pack
>Select Toold/Lite XIP Builder
_IMPORTANT_ in this dialog you can configure how the XIP file is programmed to your flash.
It is recommended to NOT experiment with this settings unsell you know what you do.
Flashing a XIP file with overriden and wrong Load oder Base Adress will most likely kill the phone
>Browse for the LinuxStarter.exe
>Set the baseAdress in the baseAdress fiel to 0x80100000
>Press the Build Now Button
>A XIP.bin file will be created which can be flashed to the phone

Flash it to the phone
>Do a backup of you data on the phone
>Power off the phone
>Press Power On + Music Button until the Phone starts to upgrade mode
>Copy the generated XIP.bin to the device anf flash it
>Connect your serial cable
>start a terminal and select your SerialPort with 112500,8n1 settings.
>Power on the phone
>Little blue and green 'I' will report the progress of the LinuxLoader
>A bright green 'I' in the first display line indicates that the control has gone to the kernel
>You should see the Kernel booting on you serial Console.

Adress to kernel sources will come later im still uploading....


-- added link to the kernel source

Any questions/remarks about this topic please in here.
Thx

Thanks!

I would use this BSP for windows CE 6.
Cause the one from springnotes does not always seems to work/install correctly ;-)

This is insane. ;-)

Wow, I actually will not "play" with the m8, but, guys you really are doing a great work!!

@r3wDy

in your topic:[HowTo] build / boot a linux kernel on M8

I want to download -Linuxstarter Sources (RapidShare Webhosting + Webspace), but it has been deleted now.

Where I can download it now?

i will upload it again.
but you could use banxians tinyloader which should do the same (but better)

r3wdy,
maybe you could edit your first post with information how to do it with banxian´s tinyloader and Mpack tool?

i would but i never did it and so i dont know how to do it :P just used my linuxloader everytime ^^

lol , maybe you could try to add it to the wiki as singlebootloader? :D
some people might be interested i think :D

ro.product.model=GT-I5700
ro.product.brand=sec
ro.product.name=GT-I5700
ro.product.device=spica
ro.product.board=
ro.product.manufacturer=Samsung
ro.product.locale.language=en
ro.product.locale.region=GB
ro.board.platform=s3c6410

http://opensource.samsungmobile.com/...OpenSource.zip

cool!

i did not know that the samsung Galaxi lite/Spica had the same soc?!

S3C6410 Supported Now !

Supported CPU

• S3C6410


JTAG Operation Features :

• Read Boot
• Write Boot
• Erase Boot

• Above Features Helps you to repair phones as well as read and write options

S3C6410 Devices :

• Acer DX650
• Acer M900 / Tempo M900
• Acer Tempo F900
• Acer Tempo X960
• Samsung GT-B7300 OmniaLITE (Samsung Buckingham)
• Samsung GT-B7610 OmniaPRO (Samsung Louvre)
• Samsung GT-B7620 Giorgio Armani
• Samsung GT-i8000 Omnia II 16GB
• Samsung GT-i8000 Omnia II 2GB
• Samsung GT-i8000 Omnia II 8GB
• Samsung GT-i8000L Omnia II
• Samsung Moment
• Samsung SCH-i920 Omnia II 8GB

Usage :

• Connect to JTAG Connection
• Power on phone ( even though it does not power on )
• Start Software
• Select the Flash type of Phone
• Select good dump
( if it does not exist in support area – you should read from a good phone )
• Write to Damaged Phone

After all the procedures completed S3C6410 part should be repaired
And just make sure to flash with original firmware after all to complete repair procedures.


Announcement:

As soon as we get JTAG Pinouts will be uploaded to support section (Support)
Support Update:
OMAP 2430 Section

• G810 JTAG Pinouts corrected
• I450 JTAG Pinouts added
• G810 Dump is added


Note :

• if you have difficulties of using or problem please contact to support through webpage or via e-mail !


THAT’S not Enough ? Do not worry !
WE HAVE MORE AND MORE NEWS !



Best Regards
www.omnia-repair.com


New Model is supported
NEW Model with S3C6410 CPU

• Samsung GT-i5700 Galaxy Lite / Spica


Best Regards
Omnia Repair ? Tool for Professionals

http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part01.rar
http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part02.rar
http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part03.rar
http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part04.rar
http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part05.rar
http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part06.rar
http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part07.rar
http://www.mt-system.ru/documents/li..._28.part08.rar
Linux_S3C6410_v2.6.28+eabi+OpenGLES+u-boot

hi hobbit19,

thanks for sharing, but could you explain what the links do contain?
is this an original or modified 2.6.28 kernel or..?

btw here is a git 2.6.32 from 14/12/09 with s3c6410 support

Looks like the information in the 1st post is out-dated. I'd like to be try compiling my own kernel and see if it works. So what's the latest kernel source that's working? Also where can I find a working toolchain?

this runs linux on the m8? so you can run apps? er wht?

Yes the post is a little outdated.
The sourcen for the working kernel can now be found in the android wiki (there should be links)
my linuxloader is sure deleted on rapidshare but i still work nearly everyday with it (even if the m8 dosnt work with me grml) so i can upload them somehwhere.
be sure to use the kernel from bill (2.6.27) as its the only one which works right now

PS

this runs linux on the m8? so you can run apps? er wht?

Yes, it does a complete linux kernel and android. Just the hardware is not completly supported with drivers. See android thread

Originally Posted by r3wDy

be sure to use the kernel from bill (2.6.27) as its the only one which works right now

PS

OK on your wiki there are two links for source code (M8 Software - MDROID WIKI). One is from Aesop which is 29. banxian's git does have linux-27-bill-m8 but I wasn't able to compile it with the following error:

linux-27-bill-m8/scripts/gen_initramfs_list.sh: Cannot open '/opt/work/initramfs.cpio'

I'm using arm-non-linux-gnueabi but I don't think that's the problem.

you must disable the use of initial ramdisk. or provide one.
For me, i use Ubuntu as a host and have my rootfs mounted via nfs so i can easyly modify it.
Thats somewhere in menuconfig unter booting or kernel options or sth.

OK. Managed to compile the kernel after turning off initramfs. However, some changes were still needed: the number of samsung serial port wasn't configured. Either I'm dumb or something wrong with the tree.