• Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

I found out the issue was related to the blanking interval and an easy fix.  I am using the Chumby's both as kiosks controlling them remotely and as touchscreens. 

It's a tweak in the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file which enables or disables DPMS and the blanking interval.

Section "Monitor" 
        Identifier      "ICS-Chumby-3 Monitor"
        Option          "DPMS"
     
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
        Option          "BlankTime"     "0"
        Option          "StandbyTime"   "0"
        Option          "SuspendTime"   "0"
        Option          "OffTime"       "0"
EndSection.
  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

Kent,

I've played so much with the "ts_calibration" / "pointercal" file that it no longer works.  I get an out of range error now when I try to calibrate the screen.  I've played with the numbers some and I think I made it worse.

The forumula it uses is the following.

xscale xymix xoffset yxmix yscale yoffset scaler

Xs -> x screen value, Xt -> x touch value, Ys, Yt similar.

Xs = (Xt*xscale + Yt*xymix + xoffset)/scaler
Ys = (Xt*yxmix + Yt*yscale + yoffset)/scaler

I'm not sure of a method that'll work to get my pointercal numbers back.

Can you please post your pointercal numbers?

  • Registered: 2010-09-16
  • Posts: 28

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

pete_c wrote:

Kent,

I've played so much with the "ts_calibration" / "pointercal" file that it no longer works.  I get an out of range error now when I try to calibrate the screen.  I've played with the numbers some and I think I made it worse.

The forumula it uses is the following.

xscale xymix xoffset yxmix yscale yoffset scaler

Xs -> x screen value, Xt -> x touch value, Ys, Yt similar.

Xs = (Xt*xscale + Yt*xymix + xoffset)/scaler
Ys = (Xt*yxmix + Yt*yscale + yoffset)/scaler

I'm not sure of a method that'll work to get my pointercal numbers back.

Can you please post your pointercal numbers?

Hi, pete_c. I've been away from my desk (and am sending this from my grandkids' house). I'd be happy to help but I'll have to answer after I get home tonight.

Regards,
Kent

29 Reply by pete_c (edited by pete_c 2011-05-25 11:24:59)

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

Thanks Kent

I was able to get it to work this afternoon.

I used the QT calibration pieces and its working now.

Here's a you tube video showing the Infocast 8" on the left running TSCLient and an XP client on the right showing the touch response times.  The XP client touchscreen is running on an early gen Atom based PC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W3roc_irE0

  • Registered: 2011-06-04
  • Posts: 1

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

I use this stand-alone  flash player for linux . It worked for me. It has advanced features such as full screen mode and playlists

EDIT: 2014-08-31 by Duane - the link to "flash player for linux" goes now to underage porn site, removed.

  • Registered: 2011-07-16
  • Posts: 1

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

hi everyone!

thanks for all your work on this. i can't enjoy it however because i am stuck on a seemingly simple, simple issue!

when i try to chroot and run debootstrap, this is what i get:

cd /mnt/usb
chroot . /debootstrap/debootstrap --second-stage
chroot: can't execute '/debootstrap/debootstrap': No such file or directory

i have tried everything i can think of, any help would be greatly appreciated!


thanks,
chris

32 Reply by pete_c (edited by pete_c 2011-07-17 05:17:42)

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

The key pieces is to make sure

1 - that your initial created device (whether USB or SD) has the directory in question.

2 - you are on the device whether that be USB or SD.  You can check to see if you look under your /mnt directory.  The Chumby will created a generic link to the device plugged in.

ICS-Chumby-3:/mnt # ls
cache
sd
sd-3d7a627c-a9e2-6aee-fb34-d9add9022e44
storage
ICS-Chumby-3:/mnt #

I have an image for a 2GB SD card before stage 2 if the moderators are OK with me posting the link.  Its very generic.  It is 211 Mb compressed.

  • Registered: 2011-07-23
  • Posts: 1

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

Just a heads up to anyone who followed these instructions and had problem with ts_calibrate and ts_test not working:

I had to replace the TSLIB_CONSOLEDEVICE to TSLIB_CONSOLEDEVICE=/dev/tty
(dropping the S0 in the original description) for ts_calibrate and ts_test to work.

34 Reply by pete_c (edited by pete_c 2011-07-24 13:56:48)

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

It actually was documented in the beginning of the post as:

"*I did have to change the exported TSLIB_CONSOLEDEVICE to "/dev/tty" or "none" and to change the .xinitrc content to "matchbox-session" but these weren't showstoppers."

Today with the TS running TSClient doing an RDP to a Wintel box I do get some stickyness somethings on the touch screen but its not really that much of an issue.

35 Reply by pete_c (edited by pete_c 2011-07-26 07:08:05)

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

I am getting intermittent wireless disconnects.  I thought it was a bit better with the new FW/CP stuff.  Not sure how noticible it is with the CP running.  The touchscreen application I have running is doing constant updates of variables.  It seemed to be doing constant disconnects; short enough to reset the application.  For a while I was doing a check and restart; but the resets became too numerous to be practical.  Yesterday moved the only wireless Chumby to a wired connection and the problem has gone away (none of the wired Chumby's did this).  I didn't see the issue with other wireless devices and there was none sitting adjacent to the Chumby devices.  I also have been testing some AP's with some five on line (using DD-WRT) but only one wirelessly enabled.  Blasting a bit now though with an Ubiquiti AP; coverage literally houses away.  I'm just wondering now if its just Linux drivers just dinging the USB bus as it also happens with the Joggler running Ubuntu 11.04.

36 Reply by chrispk (edited by chrispk 2011-10-06 15:20:34)

  • Registered: 2011-05-04
  • Posts: 5

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

I've installed Debian onto a thumb drive and everything seems to be working through ssh. Does anyone have a debugchumby script to automatically boot Debian off of the thumb drive?

Thanks,
Chris

37 Reply by pete_c (edited by pete_c 2011-11-23 17:36:27)

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

Here is my debugchumby script.  I am not sure if the syntax is correct; but it works for me.  I also created a /psp/rfs1/userhook0 and userhook1 file to load up some other stuff (python script, xplhub).  You can uncomment the calibration stuff and save the calibration file for use in x windows.

#!/bin/sh

stop_control_panel
rmmod silvermoon_tsb
insmod /mnt/sd/silvermoon-tsb.ko scaled_touchscreen=1
switch_fb.sh 0

export TSLIB_CONFFILE=/mnt/sd/etc/ts.conf
export TSLIB_CALIBFILE=/mnt/sd/etc/pointercal

# export TSLIB_TSDEVICE=/dev/input/by-id/soc-noserial-event-ts
# export QWS_MOUSE_PROTO=Tslib

# if [ ! -e /etc/pointercal ]; then
#    /mnt/storage/bin/ts_calibrate
#    sync
# fi


mount -o bind /proc /mnt/sd/proc
mount -o bind /sys /mnt/sd/sys
mount -o bind /dev/pts /mnt/sd/dev/pts


chroot /mnt/sd /bin/hostname ICS-Chumby-2
# chroot /mnt/sd /bin/bash

# mount /sys -o bind

export TSLIB_TSDEVICE=/dev/input/event0
export TSLIB_FBDEVICE=/dev/fb0
export TSLIB_PLUGINDIR=/usr/lib/ts
export TSLIB_CONSOLEDEVICE=/dev/tty
export TSLIB_CONFFILE=/etc/ts.conf
export TSLIB_CALIBFILE=/etc/pointercal
#export DISPLAY=:0

chroot /mnt/sd /bin/bash startx

done

  • Registered: 2010-08-13
  • Posts: 89

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

all my files say this when unpacking onto my usb "Cannot change ownership to uid 0, gid 0: Operation not permitted"
is this normal?

39 Reply by phoenixflames (edited by phoenixflames 2011-11-25 15:11:03)

  • Registered: 2010-08-13
  • Posts: 89

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

pete_c wrote:

The key pieces is to make sure

1 - that your initial created device (whether USB or SD) has the directory in question.

2 - you are on the device whether that be USB or SD.  You can check to see if you look under your /mnt directory.  The Chumby will created a generic link to the device plugged in.

ICS-Chumby-3:/mnt # ls
cache
sd
sd-3d7a627c-a9e2-6aee-fb34-d9add9022e44
storage
ICS-Chumby-3:/mnt #

I have an image for a 2GB SD card before stage 2 if the moderators are OK with me posting the link.  Its very generic.  It is 211 Mb compressed.

cd /mnt/usb
chroot . /debootstrap/debootstrap --second-stage
chroot: can't execute '/debootstrap/debootstrap': No such file or directory

I've tried that too and it doesnt work for me either

40 Reply by pete_c (edited by pete_c 2011-11-26 23:38:53)

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

all my files say this when unpacking onto my usb "Cannot change ownership to uid 0, gid 0: Operation not permitted"
is this normal?

I've never seen that with the chumby stuff.

cd /mnt/usb
chroot . /debootstrap/debootstrap --second-stage
chroot: can't execute '/debootstrap/debootstrap': No such file or directory

Is /debootstrap there?  You have to get past this section before using the debugchumby file.

  • Registered: 2010-08-13
  • Posts: 89

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

pete_c wrote:

all my files say this when unpacking onto my usb "Cannot change ownership to uid 0, gid 0: Operation not permitted"
is this normal?

I've never seen that with the chumby stuff.

That is happening on ubuntu when unpacking onto usb flash drive

pete_c wrote:

cd /mnt/usb
chroot . /debootstrap/debootstrap --second-stage
chroot: can't execute '/debootstrap/debootstrap': No such file or directory

Is /debootstrap there?  You have to get past this section before using the debugchumby file.

Its there, it is even showing on the ls command into the folder

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

It appears to be some rights issue thing; but that's a guess. 

The first error above comes from installing and not using root access. 

"Cannot change ownership to uid 0, gid 0:"

Maybe give it another try on another stick?

  • Registered: 2010-08-13
  • Posts: 89

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

I'm using a sandisk u3 stick with the the u3 cd drive deleted, formatted with fat32 filesystem. Is there a command where I can change read only to read and right?

  • Registered: 2010-08-13
  • Posts: 89

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

[SOLVED] Wow I feel stupid right now, I formatted the partition to fat32, when it should of been ext2. I thought the stock chumby kernel did not support ext2 filesytems so I used fat32 instead.

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

Good news there phoenixflames!

What are your plans for the Chumby?

  • Registered: 2010-08-13
  • Posts: 89

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

pete_c wrote:

Good news there phoenixflames!

What are your plans for the Chumby?

Trying to turn it into a tablet/phone.

One more question lxde desktop manager is having problems, is there a way to run a simple terminal screen to install packages instead of ssh into my device?

47 Reply by pete_c (edited by pete_c 2011-12-05 16:10:13)

  • Registered: 2010-12-25
  • Posts: 86

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

Sounds like a plan ....great idea!

You just want console access via your ssh.  I personally used a combination and would literally have multiple windows open doing x console stuff and moving files / editing files etc.... more when I wasn't sitting in front of the Chumby....including the framebuffer views (for kicks) etc....

You could though just plug in a keyboard and mouse; works fine; just kind "primitive" I guess...

Let us know when you get to where you want to be with the Chumby eh?

  • Registered: 2010-08-13
  • Posts: 89

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

I'm looking at the debugchumby script and there is  a # next to  "mount /sys -o bind" is that correct because I recall that # is equal to a line of comment not a command

  • Registered: 2010-11-28
  • Posts: 1

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

Hi all, I wish there was a step-by-step idiots guide available on how to install Linux on the Insignia Infocast 8". Has anyone made such a thing? I am a rookie in Linux but wanting to learn it very much. I have already purchased many books on Beginning Linux. But this will take me a year to learn and figure it all out.

What I'm really wanting to do is something similar that pete_c did. An installation of HomeSeer so that I can have home automation through a touch screen interface. As well as install main lobby for jukebox like music and movies that is connected through a stereo and projector. I am so hungry for this but don't know where to begin..arggh.

It would be so much easier to install windows....can this be done on an ARM based unit?

Also, one other question, Is there a way to completey copy/backup the factory micro SD card so that when I screw things up and have the option of reverting back??

I appreciate all the help you may offer, and am very fond of those with this knowledge. I am begining to study Computer Science in college. Can't wait til I have knowledge like you all!

Thanks in advance

  • Duane
  • Duane
  • Blue Octy
  • Offline
  • From: San Diego, CA
  • Registered: 2006-08-24
  • Posts: 8,209

Re: Install Debian onto a USB stick and run in a chroot on the Infocast 8"

In Linux, you can use the "dd" command to back up the card.

The Infocast is already running an embedded form of Linux.  If you use SSH to log in, you can type "gcc" and it will offer to download a fairly complete toolchain.

Duane's Website