Difference between revisions of "BeagleBoardUbuntu"

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[[Category:Development Boards]]
 
[[Category:Development Boards]]
 
[[Category: BeagleBoard]]
 
[[Category: BeagleBoard]]
This page is about running a (ARM EABI) [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu] distribution at [[BeagleBoard]]. BeagleBoard will boot the (ARM EABI) Ubuntu distribution from [[BeagleBoard#MMC.2FSD_boot|SD card]].
+
''(For BeagleBoardAngstrom, click [[BeagleBoardAngstrom|here]].)''
 +
''(Should [[Beagleboard:Ubuntu On BeagleBone Black]] be merged into this page?)''
  
Note: for the best experience, make sure you have an LCD attached to the HDMI port, 2GB/4GB/8GB SD card, and a known good usb2.0 hub with mouse and keyboard.
+
This page is about running a Linux distribution (ARM [https://wiki.debian.org/ArmEabiPort EABI]) [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu] on the [[BeagleBoard]]. BeagleBoard will boot the (ARM EABI) Ubuntu distribution from the [[BeagleBoard#MMC.2FSD_boot|SD card]]. Since much of this page is generic, it has also been extended to help support devices such as the [[PandaBoard]] and [[BeagleBone]].
 +
 
 +
* For the best experience, make sure you have an LCD/HDMI monitor attached to the BeagleBoard's HDMI port, 2 GB/4 GB/8 GB SD card, and a known good USB 2.0 hub with mouse and keyboard.
  
 
= Help =
 
= Help =
Line 12: Line 15:
  
 
*Kernel related help:
 
*Kernel related help:
** [http://groups.google.com/group/beagleboard Email Beagleboard user group] *Recommended method
+
** [https://groups.google.com/group/beagleboard Email Beagleboard user group] *Recommended method
** ''#beagle'': Beagle irc on freenode, accessible also by [http://beagleboard.org/discuss web interface] ([http://www.beagleboard.org/irclogs/index.php logs])
+
** ''#beagle'': Beagle IRC on Freenode, accessible also by [http://beagleboard.org/discuss web interface] ([http://www.beagleboard.org/irclogs/index.php logs])
** [https://launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel Launchpad Project "Beagleboard Kernel"]
+
** Kernel Trees
*** [https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable Stable Kernel 2.6.35 src]
+
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel/tree/v3.7.x Stable (3.7.x) branch]
*** [https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6.36-devel Development Kernel src]
+
*** [https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev Development Kernel source code]
** [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntuKernel Kernel Testing Results]
 
  
 
*Ubuntu related help:
 
*Ubuntu related help:
** ''#ubuntu-arm'': Ubuntu's arm irc on freenode ([http://irclogs.ubuntu.com/ logs] -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
+
** ''#ubuntu-arm'': Ubuntu's ARM IRC on Freenode ([http://irclogs.ubuntu.com/ logs] -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
  
*When asking for help, please provide some debugging information:
+
*When requesting help, please provide some debugging information:
 
** U-Boot Version installed on board
 
** U-Boot Version installed on board
 
** Kernel Version: uname -a
 
** Kernel Version: uname -a
Line 30: Line 32:
 
= Required Beagle Software =  
 
= Required Beagle Software =  
  
X-loader/MLO (1.4.4ss) & U-Boot (2010.03) (Zippy1 & Zippy2 Support)
+
Mainline U-Boot:
* All Bx, C2/3/4 Boards are required to upgrade to atleast these MLO and U-Boot versions.
+
* All older BeagleBoard (classic) Ax, Bx, Cx and Dx boards are required to upgrade to at least these U-Boot versions
* XM Boards have no NAND, so u-boot.bin is always required on the first partition
+
* XM Boards have no NAND, so MLO/u-boot.img is always required on the first partition
 
* Directions: [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
 
* Directions: [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
  
= Canonical Pre-Installed Images =
+
= Omap Serial Changes =
  
Support:
+
boot.scr/boot.cmd changes:
* ''#ubuntu-arm'': Ubuntu's arm irc on freenode ([http://irclogs.ubuntu.com/ logs] -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
 
  
== Maverick 10.10 ==
+
With 2.6.35:
 +
console=ttyS2,115200n8
  
Just follow https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ARM/OMAPMaverickInstall and make sure you're using a SD card >= 4GB.
+
With 2.6.36/37+:
 +
console=ttyO2,115200n8
  
=Demo Image=
+
Serial console login: /etc/init/ttyO2.conf
 +
start on stopped rc RUNLEVEL=[2345]
 +
stop on runlevel [!2345]
 +
 +
respawn
 +
exec /sbin/getty 115200 ttyO2
  
Note, these Demo Images contain a custom kernel from rcn-ee.net.  If you'd like to use ubuntu's 'kernel' edit "/etc/flash-kernel.conf" disable the rcn-ee kernel variable then install flash-kernel which should bring ubuntu's kernel with it.  Once you do this, it's not trivial to reverse the process..  For example, what are some of the differences? Ubuntu does not support the xM with lucid, with the rcn-ee.net kernel that's possible and done with the lucid image below..
+
= Method 1: Download a Complete Pre-Configured Image =
  
== Maverick 10.10 ==
+
==Demo Image==
  
Image updated Nov 10, better xM B support
+
* These demonstration images contain a custom Mainline based kernel with experimental enhancements to the boards supported. They are usually updated about once a month, as new features/enhancements get added by the community. Currently, this image ships with two kernels "armv7" which is for mainline omap3+ devices (BeagleBoard/PandaBoard) and the "bone" which is specifically for the BeagleBone. The kernel is stress-tested by a farm of Panda/Beagles running 24/7 under a heavy load (building gcc trunk/mainline kernel).
  
Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd
+
* '''Advanced Users only''': Beagle xM: Kernel source, used in these demo images: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform
 +
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform.git
 +
cd armv7-multiplatform
 +
git checkout origin/v3.13.x -b tmp
 +
./build_kernel.sh
 +
* '''Advanced Users only''': BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:  Kernel v3.8.x source, used in these demo images: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev/tree/am33x-v3.8
 +
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev.git
 +
cd linux-dev
 +
git checkout origin/am33x-v3.8 -b tmp
 +
./build_kernel.sh
 +
* '''Advanced Users only''': Userspace, used in these demo images:
 +
https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder
  
Get prebuilt image:
+
=== Saucy 13.10 ===
 +
Image Updated:
 +
*2014-02-16
 +
** Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.3-armv7-x10 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
 +
*2014-01-24
 +
** Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.0-armv7-x9 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
 +
*2013-12-17
 +
** Beagle xM (ONLY): v3.12.5-armv7-x10 kernel (--dtb dt-beagle-xm)
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel
 +
** Beagle/Panda/Panda ES: v3.7.10-x13 kernel
  
wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/maverick/ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
Services Active:
mirrors (will take some time to update):
+
  Note: Depending on your internal network these may work out of the box
  wget http://ynezz.ibawizard.net/beagleboard/maverick/ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
  Apache, Port 80: http://arm/ (Bone: via usb) http://192.168.7.2
wget http://vivaphp.net/beagle/maverick/ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
SSH, Port 22: ssh ubuntu@arm (Bone: via usb) ubuntu@192.168.7.2
 
+
Getty, Serial Port
Verify Image with:  
 
  md5sum ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel.tar.7z
 
6987c076236257227d71b8807cb67829  ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel.tar.7z
 
 
 
Unpack Image:
 
*7za from: sudo apt-get install p7zip-full
 
 
 
7za x ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel.tar.7z
 
tar xf ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel.tar
 
cd ubuntu-10.10-r2-minimal-armel
 
 
 
Install Image:
 
 
 
Quick Install script for Beagle Bx, Cx, xM Ax, xM B
 
./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle
 
 
 
*Additional Options
 
** --rootfs <ext4 default>
 
** --swap_file <swap file size in MB's>
 
** --addon <pico>
 
 
 
You should now be able to unmount the SD card from you PC, insert into your BeagleBoard, reboot and have Ubuntu Maverick loaded.
 
 
 
Problems?
 
What you should see on first boot: http://pastebin.com/h2MFRj89
 
 
 
For a full gui install run this on your beagle (make sure network is setup):
 
setup network: "sudo ifconfig -a" and "sudo dhclient usb1 or eth0"
 
sudo aptitude update
 
sudo aptitude install xfce4 gdm xubuntu-gdm-theme xubuntu-artwork xserver-xorg-video-omap3
 
 
 
Advanced: Build Image:
 
 
 
fixup.sh: http://rcn-ee.homeip.net:81/dl/updates/omap-image-builder/tools/fixup.sh
 
 
 
Built with rootstock trunk (ARM native mode, run directly on beagleboard):
 
sudo ./rootstock --fqdn omap --imagesize 2G --dist maverick --serial ttyS2 \
 
--login ubuntu --password temppwd \
 
--seed aptitude,btrfs-tools,i2c-tools,nano,pastebinit,uboot-envtools,uboot-mkimage,usbutils,wget,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant \
 
--script fixup.sh --components "main universe multiverse" \
 
--kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/maverick/v2.6.35.8-l7/linux-image-2.6.35.8-l7_1.0maverick_armel.deb
 
 
 
== Lucid 10.04.1 ==
 
 
 
Image Updated Dec 5th, Lots of setup_sdcard.sh fixes/tweaks for ubuntu/debian/fedora...
 
  
 
Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd
 
Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd
  
 
Get prebuilt image:
 
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/saucy/ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
  
wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/lucid/ubuntu-10.04.1-r4-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
Verify Image with:
mirrors (updating):
+
  md5sum ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
wget http://ynezz.ibawizard.net/beagleboard/lucid/ubuntu-10.04.1-r4-minimal-armel.tar.7z
+
  2a1e70288dcfca3ccbd6785c4bd6c73b ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
 
 
Verify Image with:  
 
  md5sum ubuntu-10.04.1-r4-minimal-armel.tar.7z
 
  fa3e1a88852cafbd5103eb496c423973 ubuntu-10.04.1-r4-minimal-armel.tar.7z
 
  
 
Unpack Image:
 
Unpack Image:
*7za from: sudo apt-get install p7zip-full
+
  tar xf ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
 
+
  cd ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16
  7za x ubuntu-10.04.1-r4-minimal-armel.tar.7z
 
  tar xf ubuntu-10.04.1-r4-minimal-armel.tar
 
cd ubuntu-10.04.1-r4-minimal-armel
 
  
Install Image:
+
If you don't know the location of your SD card:
 +
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --probe-mmc
  
Quick Install script for Beagle Bx, C2/C3/C4, xM Ax, xM B
+
You should see something like:
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle --swap_file 50  (YOU need atleast 50Mb for oem-config to NOT Opps)
 
  
For Serial Port Users add: (to use default user/pass ubuntu/temppwd)
+
Are you sure? I don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...
  --use-default-user
+
 +
  fdisk -l:
 +
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes '''<- x86 Root Drive'''
 +
Disk /dev/sdd: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes '''<- MMC/SD card'''
 +
 +
lsblk:
 +
NAME  MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
 +
sda      8:0    0 465.8G  0 disk
 +
├─sda1  8:1    0 446.9G  0 part /  '''<- x86 Root Partition'''
 +
├─sda2  8:2    0    1K  0 part
 +
└─sda5  8:5    0  18.9G  0 part [SWAP]
 +
sdd      8:48  1  3.7G  0 disk
 +
├─sdd1  8:49  1    64M  0 part
 +
└─sdd2  8:50  1  3.6G  0 part
  
*Additional Options
+
* In this example, we can see via mount, '''/dev/sda1''' is the x86 rootfs, therefore '''/dev/sdd''' is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by ./setup_sdcard.sh...
** --rootfs <ext4 default>
 
** --swap_file <swap file size in MB's>
 
** --addon <pico>
 
  
Problems?:
+
Install Image:
What you should see on First Boot (oem-config on dvi): http://pastebin.com/5HvWgRDj
 
  
For a full gui install: (make sure network is setup)
+
Quick install script for [board]
  sudo apt-get update
+
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot board
sudo apt-get install xfce4 gdm xubuntu-gdm-theme xubuntu-artwork xserver-xorg-video-omap3
 
  
Advanced: Build Image:
+
[board] options:
 +
*BeagleBone/Black    - bone
  
fixup.sh: http://rcn-ee.homeip.net:81/dl/updates/omap-image-builder/tools/fixup.sh
+
So for the BeagleBone:
 +
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot bone
  
Built with rootstock trunk (ARM native mode, run directly on beagleboard):
+
Quick install script for [board] (using new --dtb option)
  sudo ./rootstock --fqdn omap --imagesize 2G --dist lucid --serial ttyS2 \
+
  sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb board
--login ubuntu --password temppwd \
 
--seed btrfs-tools,i2c-tools,nano,pastebinit,uboot-envtools,uboot-mkimage,usbutils,wget,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant \
 
--script fixup.sh --components "main universe multiverse" \
 
--kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/lucid/v2.6.35.9-l9/linux-image-2.6.35.9-l9_1.0lucid_armel.deb
 
  
= NetInstall Method =
+
board options:
 +
*BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx/Dx    - omap3-beagle
 +
*BeagleBoard xM            - omap3-beagle-xm
  
NOTE: Lucid's NetInstall will not work with the new XM model..
+
So for the BeagleBoard xM:
 +
sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm
  
The NetInstall Method, allows you to install Ubuntu directly onto your Beagle by pre-populating a boot image that will perform the complete install. 
+
Advanced: Build Image:
  
Note: The boot arg's are stored in boot.scr which will be copied to the first partition.
+
Built with a fork of project-rootstock (ARM native mode, runs directly on BeagleBoard), using a script from omap-image-builder:
  
Recommended:
+
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder.git
* 2GB+ SD card
+
cd omap-image-builder
* USB Ethernet/Wifi
+
git checkout v2014.02 -b tmp
 +
touch release
 +
./rcn-ee_image.sh
  
Discover SD/MMC Partition
+
=== Trusty 14.04 (experimental) ===
sudo fdisk -l
 
  
Download NetInstall Omap script
+
Image Updated:
git clone git://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall-omap.git
+
*2014-02-16
cd netinstall-omap
+
** Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.3-armv7-x10 kernel
./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --distro lucid --firmware
+
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
 +
*2014-01-24
 +
** Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.0-armv7-x9 kernel
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
 +
*2013-12-17
 +
** Beagle xM (ONLY): v3.12.5-armv7-x10 kernel (--dtb dt-beagle-xm)
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel
 +
** Beagle/Panda/Panda ES: v3.7.10-x13 kernel
  
*Options:
+
Get prebuilt image:
**--distro : lucid
+
wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/trusty/ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
**--firmware : install firmware for WiFi devices
 
**--serial-mode : force NetInstall to use Serial Port
 
  
Note: The default boot options work for most people, but if you'd like to tweak boot settings, edit these before running the script.
+
Verify Image with:
   
+
  md5sum ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
NetInstall boot Settings:
+
  45a9ef3c12ad2129087492ab00e2e103 ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
gedit ./netinstall-omap/scripts/dvi.cmd
 
gedit ./netinstall-omap/scripts/serial.cmd
 
   
 
  Normal Boot Settings:
 
gedit ./netinstall-omap/scripts/dvi-normal-lucid.cmd
 
gedit ./netinstall-omap/scripts/serial-normal-lucid.cmd
 
  
Place SD card into Beagle and Boot
+
Unpack image:
 +
tar xf ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
 +
cd ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16
  
Troubshooting: If boot fails..
+
Then follow the directions shown above with the other images...
*Hold the user button down to force booting from MMC
 
*Upgrade X-loader and U-boot [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
 
*Clear U-boot's Environment Variables in nand:
 
nand erase 260000 20000
 
  
NetInstall assumptions:
+
== Flasher ==
Continue with out Kernel Modules <yes>
 
Partition <Guided - use the largest continuous free space>
 
  
= Build an Ubuntu root file system with RootStock=
+
=== eMMC: BeagleBone Black ===
  
== Install RootStock ==
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or the win32 image program linked to on CircuitCo's wiki page.  First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power (same procedure as the official CircuitCo images). The board should boot into Ubuntu and begin flashing the eMMC, once completed all 4 LED's should be full ON.  Simply remove power, remove the microSD card and Ubuntu will now boot directly from eMMC.
  
This is based off Ubuntu's RootStock Project; [https://launchpad.net/project-rootstock RootStock] script.
+
Script for reference: (this is the script that writes to the eMMC)
 +
https://github.com/RobertCNelson/boot-scripts/blob/master/tools/beaglebone-black-eMMC-flasher.sh
  
Maverick (10.10)
+
BTW: we are only writing about 500 megabytes to the eMMC, so the script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.
sudo apt-get install rootstock
 
  
Lucid (10.04) (use rootstock trunk)
+
Notes:
sudo apt-get install rootstock (to install rootstock's dependices)
+
* If only two LED's stay lit and nothing happens, the board has crashed due to lack of power. Retry with a 5Volt DC power supply connected.
bzr branch lp:project-rootstock
+
* If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.
cd project-rootstock
+
** (error -84: which may mean you've reached the max number of erase/write cycles...)
  
== RootStock ==
+
User: ubuntu
 +
pass: temppwd
  
=== RootStock: Useful seed Packages ===
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2014-02-16
 +
** BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
 +
*2014-01-24
 +
** BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
 +
*2013-12-17
 +
** BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel
  
Useful Packages:
+
Get prebuilt image:
  linux-firmware,wireless-tools :wifi adapters..
+
  wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/flasher/saucy/BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
ntpdate :sync real time clock from network
 
  
GUI's (broken bug: FIXME)
+
Verify Image with:
  xfce4: xfce4,gdm,xubuntu-gdm-theme,xubuntu-artwork
+
  md5sum BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
 +
77fefe8d4eb942981068534f518a9fbe BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
  
=== RootStock: Running ===
+
Follow the "standard" update procedure.
 +
http://circuitco.com/support/index.php?title=Updating_The_Software
  
Rootstock Command line:
+
Linux:
  sudo ./rootstock --fqdn <hostname> --login <rootuser> --password <rootuserpasswd> --imagesize <qemu image size> \
+
  unxz BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
  --seed <packages> --dist <lucid/maverick> --serial <ttySx>  --kernel-image <http>
+
  sudo dd if=./BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
  
Basic Maverick (10.10) Beagleboard minimal image:
+
== raw microSD img ==
sudo ./rootstock --fqdn omap --login ubuntu --password temppwd --imagesize 2G \
 
--seed wget,nano,linux-firmware,wireless-tools,usbutils --dist maverick --serial ttyS2 \
 
--components "main universe multiverse" \
 
--kernel-image http://rcn-ee.net/deb/maverick/v2.6.35.9-l8/linux-image-2.6.35.9-l8_1.0maverick_armel.deb
 
  
Upon Completion, you should have:
+
=== BeagleBoard xM ===
armel-rootfs-<date>.tgz  -> Root file System, dump to ext2/3 partition of SD card
 
vmlinuz-2.6.<version>    -> Boot Image, use mkimage to create uImage and dump to the first fat16 partition of SD card
 
initrd.img-2.6.<version> -> Boot initramfs, use mkimage to create uInitrd and dump to the first fat16 partition of SD card
 
  
= Manually Setup SD Card =
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or the win32 image program linked to on CircuitCo's wiki page.  First press and hold the boot select button (next to microSD card), then apply power (same procedure as the official CircuitCo images).  The board should boot into Ubuntu.
  
For this section, you can use the files from above:
+
User: ubuntu
Demo Images: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Demo_Image
+
pass: temppwd
Rootstock: http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Build_an_Ubuntu_root_file_system_with_RootStock
 
  
== Partition SD Card ==
+
Auto partition resize:
You will need a 1GB SD card or greater.
+
cd /opt/scripts/tools
  Standard Console System : ~286MB
+
git pull
  + Desktop environment (lxde,gdm) : ~479MB
+
  ./grow_partition.sh
 +
  sudo reboot
  
Starting with an empty SD card and using gparted, create:
+
Image Updated:
50 MiB Primary Partition, fat16/fat32
+
*2014-02-16
Rest as ext2/ext3/ext4/btrfs
+
** Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.3-armv7-x10 kernel
  
Note: The boot partition can be hard to make bootable at times, here's a quick command line:
+
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/microsd/saucy/bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
  
First blank the MMC card's partition table with parted: (/dev/sdX as an example)
+
Verify Image with:
  sudo parted -s /dev/sdX mklabel msdos
+
  md5sum bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
 +
3cb914ae8fb848139ba7311b980b54c0  bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
  
Then create the new boot partition:
+
Linux:
  sudo fdisk -H 255 -S 63 /dev/sdX << MMC_END
+
unxz bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
n
+
  sudo dd if=./bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
p
 
1
 
1
 
+64M
 
a
 
1
 
t
 
e
 
p
 
w
 
MMC_END
 
  
And format it as vfat:
+
=== BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black ===
sudo mkfs.vfat -F 16 /dev/sdX1
 
  
The rootfs partition, doesn't need any special options, so just use fdisk, gparted, etc to create and format your rootfs partition..
+
This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or the win32 image program linked to on CircuitCo's wiki page.  First press and hold the boot select button (next to microSD card), then apply power (same procedure as the official CircuitCo images). The board should boot into Ubuntu.
  
Gparted Example: http://nishanthmenon.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-boot-beagle.html
+
User: ubuntu
 +
pass: temppwd
  
For Reference:
+
Auto partition resize:
  Disk /dev/sdd: 2038 MB, 2038431744 bytes
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 247 cylinders
+
  git pull
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
+
  ./grow_partition.sh
Disk identifier: 0x0008e471
+
  sudo reboot
 
    Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id System
 
  /dev/sdd1              1          6      48163+  6  FAT16
 
  /dev/sdd2              7        247    1935832+  83  Linux
 
  
== Boot Partition ==
+
Image Updated:
 +
*2014-02-16
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
 +
*2014-01-24
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
 +
*2013-12-17
 +
** BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel
  
Requirements:
+
Get prebuilt image:
 +
wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/microsd/saucy/bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
  
  sudo apt-get install uboot-mkimage
+
Verify Image with:
  Mount the fatfs partition of your SD card.
+
  md5sum bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
 +
  2402742d35478531294edd930cc79a40  bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
  
Mount such as: (/dev/sdX1 is the fat Boot Partition)
+
Linux:
  mkdir -p ./tmp
+
  unxz bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
  sudo mount /dev/sdX1 ./tmp
+
  sudo dd if=./bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX
  
=== MLO and U-Boot ===
+
= Method 2: Use the NetInstall method=
  
Download and copy MLO and U-Boot from here:
+
You will need a 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB SD card or greater.
  http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/demo/beagleboard/
+
  Standard system : ~700&nbsp;MB
  
First copy "MLO-beagleboard-1.44+rX+gitX-rX" as MLO to the Boot Partition
+
Report Bugs/Issues to: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/issues
Then copy "u-boot-beagleboard-20XX.XX+r62+gitX-rX.bin" as u-boot.bin to the Boot Partition
+
(anywhere else will be ignored..)
  
=== U-Boot uImage and uInitrd ===
+
Download the netinstall script:
 +
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall.git
 +
cd netinstall
  
U-Boot needs a compatible kernel image to bootTo do this, we are using mkimage from (uboot-mkimage) to create an image from the vmlinuz kernel file.  
+
Currently supported Ubuntu distributions:
 +
--distro oneiric (11.10)
 +
--distro precise-armhf (12.04)
 +
  --distro quantal (12.10)
 +
--distro raring (13.04)
 +
--distro saucy (13.10)
  
  mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x80008000 -e 0x80008000 -n "Linux" -d ./vmlinuz-* ./uImage
+
Device: <board> selection:
  Copy "uImage" to the Boot Partition
+
*BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx - omap3-beagle
 +
*BeagleBoard xMA/B/C  - omap3-beagle-xm
 +
*BeagleBone Ax        - am335x-bone-serial
 +
*BeagleBone (DVI cape) - am335x-bone-video
 +
*BeagleBone Black      - am335x-boneblack
 +
*PandaBoard Ax    - omap4-panda
 +
*PandaBoard A4+    - omap4-panda-a4
 +
  *PandaBoard ES    - omap4-panda-es
  
Next create a uInird (this contains a script to fix the rtc on boot, otherwise fsck/reboot/fsck/reboot/repeat happens..)
+
Installation script for new <board> selection: (slowly migrating all devices to this method)
 +
sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb <board> --distro <distro>
  
  mkimage -A arm -O linux -T ramdisk -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n initramfs -d ./initrd.img-* ./uInitrd
+
So for the xM: with quantal:
Copy "uInitrd" to the Boot Partition
+
  sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm --distro quantal
  
=== U-Boot Boot Scripts ===
+
*Other Options:
The version of U-Boot installed or recommended to install uses boot scripts by default.  This allows users to easily switch between multiple SD cards with different OS's with different parameters installed.  Ubuntu/Debian requires a slight modification to the bootargs line vs. Angstrom, 'ro' vs 'rw'.
+
**--firmware : installs firmware
 +
**--serial-mode : debian-installer uses Serial Port
  
fixrtc: (only uInitrd) Resets RTC based on last mount
+
Place SD card into BeagleBoard and boot:
buddy=${buddy}: (both) Kernel Zippy1/2 Support
 
mpurate=${mpurate}: (recommended core clock)
 
  
==== Beagle Bx/Cx ====
+
Configure the network:
 +
usb0: USB net <- (usually the OTG port)
 +
eth0: USB net <- (usually the smsc95xx adapter on the BeagleBoard and PandaBoard)
 +
wlan0: Wifi <- Your USDB-Wi-Fi device..
  
create a new file: boot.cmd
+
See my notes for my testing procedure: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/blob/master/test.Ubuntu
setenv dvimode 1280x720MR-16@60
 
setenv vram 12MB
 
setenv bootcmd 'mmc init; fatload mmc 0:1 0x80300000 uImage; fatload mmc 0:1 0x81600000 uInitrd; bootm 0x80300000 0x81600000'
 
setenv bootargs console=ttyS2,115200n8 console=tty0 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=${vram} omapfb.mode=dvi:${dvimode} fixrtc buddy=${buddy} mpurate=${mpurate}
 
boot
 
  
==== Beagle xM ====
+
Troubleshooting: If booting fails..
kernel limitation, randomly hardlocks at 1Ghz, can only run at 800Mhz till the dvs patches hit upstream..
+
*Hold the user button down to force booting from MMC
 +
*Upgrade X-loader and U-boot [http://elinux.org/BeagleBoardUbuntu#Upgrade_X-loader_and_U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot]
 +
*Clear U-boot's Environment Variables in NAND:
 +
nand erase 260000 20000
  
create a new file: boot.cmd
+
NetInstall assumptions:
  setenv mpurate 800
+
  Assume asll <default>'s... Thanks you preseed.conf!!!
setenv dvimode 1280x720MR-16@60
 
setenv vram 12MB
 
setenv bootcmd 'mmc init; fatload mmc 0:1 0x80300000 uImage; fatload mmc 0:1 0x81600000 uInitrd; bootm 0x80300000 0x81600000'
 
setenv bootargs console=ttyS2,115200n8 console=tty0 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=${vram} omapfb.mode=dvi:${dvimode} fixrtc buddy=${buddy} mpurate=${mpurate}
 
boot
 
  
Use mkimage create to actual *.scr file for U-Boot:
+
= Method 3: Manual Install (no automatic scripts)=
  
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n "Ubuntu" -d ./boot.cmd ./boot.scr
+
Note, this section used to have a lot of details, but maintenance of the two wiki's became a pain, so for now on we will just link to my other pages:
Copy "boot.scr" to the Boot Partition
 
For "igepv2" users, rename this to "boot.ini"
 
  
Umount the Boot Partition:
+
== Beagle/Beagle xM ==
 +
http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBoard
  
  sudo umount ./tmp
+
== BeagleBone ==
 +
  http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone
  
== RootFS Partition ==
+
== Panda/Panda ES ==
Root File System
+
  http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/PandaBoard
 
 
Mount your SD card's larger root file system partition (assuming /dev/sdX2) and 'untar' the rootfs into it.
 
 
 
  mkdir -p ./tmp
 
sudo mount /dev/sdX2 ./tmp
 
sudo tar xfp armel-rootfs-*.tgz -C ./tmp
 
sudo umount ./tmp
 
 
 
== Ubuntu Bugs & Tweaks ==
 
 
 
===Enable Network Access===
 
 
 
Modify /etc/network/interfaces
 
auto eth0
 
iface eth0 inet dhcp
 
 
 
Manual: From the Command line
 
sudo ifconfig -a
 
sudo dhclient ethX (or wlanX/etc..)
 
 
 
Additional Network Setup Information can be found [[BeagleBoardUbuntuNetwork|HERE]]
 
  
 
= Advanced =
 
= Advanced =
Line 394: Line 363:
 
==Install Latest Kernel Image==
 
==Install Latest Kernel Image==
  
===Script File===
+
Script:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools
 +
git pull
  
Latest Stable is : https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable
+
Stable:
 +
./update_kernel.sh
  
export DIST=maverick  (options are lucid/maverick/squeeze)
+
Testing:
wget http://rcn-ee.net/deb/${DIST}/LATEST
+
  ./update_kernel.sh --beta-kernel
  wget $(cat ./LATEST | grep STABLE | awk '{print $3}')
 
/bin/bash install-me.sh
 
  
Reboot with your new uImage
+
Custom: (has to be on rcn-ee.net)
 +
./update_kernel.sh --kernel v3.8.13-bone37
 +
 
 +
Reboot with your new Kernel Image.
  
 
== Upgrade X-loader and U-boot ==
 
== Upgrade X-loader and U-boot ==
  
Compatible with Bx,C2/3/4
+
*Note: the functionality of the "X-Loader" project has been merged as u-boot spl.
  
Requires MMC card..
+
Compatibility with older Ax, Bx, Cx, and Dx BeagleBoards
 
 
git clone git://github.com/RobertCNelson/flash-omap.git
 
cd flash-omap
 
./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX (i.e. use /dev/sdc - the entire device, not a partition)
 
 
 
1: Place MMC card in Beagle
 
2: Push/Hold User Button Down
 
3: Apply Power
 
4: After U-boot loads, Let Off User Button
 
5: Wait for Flashing to end
 
6: Power down, remove/edit boot.scr from MMC card
 
 
 
Example 4G card:
 
 
 
sudo fdisk -l
 
 
 
Disk '''/dev/sde''': 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes
 
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 481 cylinders
 
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
 
Sector size (logical/physical): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
 
I/O size (minimum/optimal): 512 bytes / 512 bytes
 
Disk identifier: 0x00080e99
 
 
    Device Boot      Start        End      Blocks  Id  System
 
'''/dev/sde'''1  *          1          9      72261    e  W95 FAT16 (LBA)
 
 
 
./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sde
 
 
 
Worst case, depending on what's actually in NAND, you might still have to stop and do this:
 
  
 +
Note: Sometimes on these older boards, you just have to clear out the stored U-Boot environment variables in NAND to make this script work:
 
  nand erase 260000 20000
 
  nand erase 260000 20000
reset
 
  
===Manual Run===
+
Or: To fully erase the entire NAND:
mmc init
+
  nand erase.chip
fatload mmc 0:1 0x80200000 MLO
 
nand unlock
 
nand ecc hw
 
nandecc hw
 
nand erase 0 80000
 
nand write 0x80200000 0 20000
 
nand write 0x80200000 20000 20000
 
nand write 0x80200000 40000 20000
 
nand write 0x80200000 60000 20000
 
 
fatload mmc 0:1 0x80300000 u-boot.bin
 
nand unlock
 
nand ecc sw
 
nandecc sw
 
  nand erase 80000 160000
 
nand write 0x80300000 80000 160000
 
nand erase 260000 20000
 
reset
 
  
== SGX Video Acceleration ==
+
Requires MMC card:
  
Requirements: 2.6-stable from launchpad or 2.6.35.3-x1+ deb's from rcn-ee.net. (the Demo Images hosted on rcn-ee.net meet this requirement)
+
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/flasher.git
  https://code.launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable
+
cd flasher
  
Note: ''An older version of these instructions was adapted for the IGEPv2 platform - if you are following this tutorial and have an IGEPv2, consider using http://wiki.jmaustin.org/wiki/IgepSGXUbuntu instead''
+
For the Beagle Ax/Bx
 +
sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_bx
  
=== SDK unPackage Script ===
+
For the Beagle Cx/Dx
 +
sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_cx
  
Download the latest version of the "create_sgx_package.sh" script
+
1: Plug-in a serial cable and start the serial terminal program
  wget http://rcn-ee.homeip.net:81/dl/updates/2.6-stable/create_sgx_package.sh
+
2: Place MMC card in Beagle
 +
3: Push and hold the user button
 +
  4: Plug-in power
 +
5: Wait for U-Boot countdown to finish, then release the user button
 +
6: Wait for flashing/script to end
 +
7: Power down, remove and reformat MMC card to final OS
  
Make script executable
+
If you don't know the location of your SD card:
  chmod a+x ./create_sgx_package.sh
+
  sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --probe-mmc
  
Run script
+
You should see something like:
./create_sgx_package.sh
 
  
After Successfully running:
+
Are you sure? I don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...
 +
 +
fdisk -l:
 +
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes '''<- x86 Root Drive'''
 +
Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes '''<- MMC/SD card'''
 +
 +
mount:
 +
/dev/sda1 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0) '''<- x86 Root Partition'''
  
:~/temp$ ls
+
* In this example, we can see via mount, '''/dev/sda1''' is the x86 rootfs, therefore '''/dev/mmcblk0''' is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by the ./mk_mmc.sh script.
create_sgx_package.sh
 
GFX_4_00_00_01_libs.tar.gz                      : -> Copy to Beagle (System Libs)
 
GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz                            : -> Copy to Beagle (DEMO's)
 
Graphics_SDK_setuplinux_4_00_00_01.bin
 
SDK
 
SDK_BIN
 
  
=== Beagle: GFX_*_libs.tar.gz ===
+
== SGX Video Acceleration ==
  
tar xf GFX_4_00_00_01_libs.tar.gz  (extracts install-SGX.sh and run-SGX.sh)
+
'''BeagleBone (BBW) & BeagleBone Black (BBB)'''
./install-SGX.sh (copies necessary SGX libs and startup script)
 
./run-SGX.sh (force run the new init script, or you can just reboot...)
 
  
On Successful install:
+
SGX support will most likely be included with Kernel 3.12 (see TI [http://software-dl.ti.com/dsps/dsps_public_sw/gfxsdk/5_01_00_01/index_FDS.html Graphics SDK release 5.01.00.01]), which is being worked on now (January 2014).
Stopping PVR
 
Starting PVR
 
Starting SGX fixup for ES2.x (or ES3.x) (or ES5.x xM)
 
  
Reboot for good measure (Maverick's Alpha-1 needs this....)
+
== Xorg Drivers ==
sudo reboot
 
  
=== Beagle: GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz ===
+
Script:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/
 +
git pull
  
tar xf GFX_Linux_SDK.tar.gz
+
BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:
  cd GFX_Linux_SDK
+
  cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
  tar xf OGLES.tar.gz
+
  ./ti-omapdrm.sh
  
=== Test SGX with a DEMO ===
+
BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:
 +
cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
 +
./ti-tilcdc.sh
  
cd OGLES/SDKPackage/Binaries/CommonX11/Demos/ChameleonMan
+
== Building the Kernel ==
./OGLESChameleonMan
 
  
=== Trouble Shooting ===
+
https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel
  
  sudo rm /etc/powervr-esrev
+
Download Source:
sudo depmod -a omaplfb
+
  git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel.git
sudo /etc/init.d/pvr restart
 
  
== DSP ==
+
Build the kernel:
 +
./build_kernel.sh
  
This is still a major work in progress...
+
Optionally building the *.deb file:
 
+
./build_deb.sh
Here is one approach: [http://www.elinux.org/BeagleBoard_Ubuntu_%26_DSP_From_Sources BeagleBoard Ubuntu & DSP From Sources]
 
  
== Xorg omapfb Drivers ==
+
= Swapfile =
  
By default Ubuntu will try to use the FBDEV video driver, however for the beagleboard we can take advantage of a more software optimized driver (still not using the sgx video hardware) using the NEON extensions of the Cortex-A8 core.
+
== Using a File for Swap Instead of a Partition ==
  
cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep FBDEV
+
On the Beagleboard you should expect to require a swap file given the limitation of how little RAM is available (between 256&nbsp;MB and 512&nbsp;MB). Some system programs like apt-get will only run properly when some swap space is present (due to 256&nbsp;MB not being enough RAM).
(II) FBDEV: driver for framebuffer: fbdev
 
(II) FBDEV(0): using default device
 
(II) FBDEV(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
 
(==) FBDEV(0): Depth 16, (==) framebuffer bpp 16
 
(==) FBDEV(0): RGB weight 565
 
  
Login into Ubuntu and open a new terminal, xorg has to be running..
+
Some images (such as those from Linaro.org) do not come with a swap partition or any swap space allocated.
  
xvinfo -display :0.0
+
Under Linux, swap space can be either a dedicated partition or a swap file. Both can be mounted as swap which the OS can access.
X-Video Extension version 2.2
 
screen #0
 
  no adaptors present
 
  
=== Drivers ===
+
=== Creating a Swapfile ===
  
Note: These are built with neon optimizations: http://git.debian.org/?p=collab-maint/xf86-video-omapfb.git;a=blob;f=debian/rules;h=c2f0d5391c96c5abb60b1e691ad86bb27e0c17d8;hb=HEAD  (line 48/49)
+
The following commands will create a 1 GB file, limit access only to root, format it as swap and then make it available to the OS:
  
Lucid:
+
sudo mkdir -p /var/cache/swap/ 
  sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-omap3
+
sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/var/cache/swap/swapfile bs=1M count=1024
 +
sudo chmod 0600 /var/cache/swap/swapfile
 +
sudo mkswap /var/cache/swap/swapfile
 +
  sudo swapon /var/cache/swap/swapfile
  
To verify it was correctly installed, reboot and:
+
To tell the OS to load this swapfile on each start up, edit the /etc/fstab file to include the following additional line:
  
cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep omapfb
+
/var/cache/swap/swapfile    none    swap    sw    0   0
(II) LoadModule: "omapfb"
 
(II) Loading /usr/lib/xorg/modules/drivers//omapfb_drv.so
 
(II) Module omapfb: vendor="X.Org Foundation"
 
(II) omapfb: Driver for OMAP framebuffer (omapfb) and external LCD controllers:
 
(WW) Error opening /sys/devices/platform/omapfb/ctrl/name: No such file or directory
 
(II) omapfb(0): VideoRAM: 1800KiB (SDRAM)
 
(II) omapfb(0): Creating default Display subsection in Screen section
 
(**) omapfb(0): Depth 16, (--) framebuffer bpp 16
 
(==) omapfb(0): RGB weight 565
 
(==) omapfb(0): Default visual is TrueColor
 
(--) omapfb(0): Virtual size is 1280x720 (pitch 1280)
 
(**) omapfb(0):  Built-in mode "current"
 
(==) omapfb(0): DPI set to (96, 96)
 
(II) omapfb(0): DPMS enabled
 
(II) omapfb(0): Video plane capabilities:
 
(II) omapfb(0): Video plane supports the following image formats:
 
(II) omapfb(0): XVideo extension initialized
 
  
Login into Ubuntu and open a new terminal, xorg has to be running..
+
To verify that the swapfile is accessilble as swap to the OS, run "top" or "htop" at a console.
 
 
xvinfo -display :0.0
 
X-Video Extension version 2.2
 
screen #0
 
  Adaptor #0: "OMAP XV adaptor"
 
    number of ports: 1
 
    port base: 56
 
    operations supported: PutImage
 
    supported visuals:
 
      depth 16, visualID 0x21
 
    number of attributes: 1
 
    etc..
 
 
 
== Changing DVI output resolution ==
 
 
 
Ubuntu 10.10 above defaults to a resolution of 1284x768@16.  This is set in the boot.cmd file in the boot partition of the SD card.  To change the resolution the DVI output, edit boot.cmd accordingly then recreate the boot.scr file by:
 
 
 
mkimage -A arm -O linux -T script -C none -a 0 -e 0 -n "Ubuntu 10.10" -d ./boot.cmd ./boot.scr
 
 
 
Then reboot the BeagleBoard
 
 
 
== S-Video ==
 
S-video is tested to be working on 2.6.35-rc5-dl9. S-video output can be enabled using bootargs at uboot as mentioned below.
 
 
 
=== NTSC ===
 
 
 
    omapfb.mode='''tv:ntsc'''
 
    omapdss.def_disp='''tv'''
 
 
 
Bootargs that has been validated.
 
 
 
    setenv bootargs 'console=tty0 console=ttyS2,115200n8 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=12M omapfb.mode=tv:ntsc omapdss.def_disp=tv
 
    fixrtc buddy=unknown'
 
 
 
Note that the NTSC resolution is 640x480. However the edge bands around the TV screen differ from TV to TV. Output of '''fbset''' shown below, which does not seem right.
 
 
 
    mode "720x482-30"
 
        # D: 13.500 MHz, H: 15.734 kHz, V: 29.970 Hz
 
        geometry 720 482 720 482 32
 
        timings 74074 16 58 6 31 64 6
 
        rgba 8/16,8/8,8/0,0/0
 
    endmode
 
 
 
=== PAL ===
 
 
 
Bootargs that has been validated for PAL tv.
 
 
 
    setenv bootargs 'console=tty0 console=ttyS2,115200n8 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait ro vram=12M omapfb.mode=tv:pal omapdss.def_disp=tv fixrtc buddy=unknown'
 
 
 
Using these settings video output will display on the tv, however 5-10% of the left and right edges of display are off the screen (using Ubuntu 10.10 with xfce).
 
 
 
xrandr shows the display is set to the minimum of 720x574. Please update wiki if you can fix this.
 
 
 
== Building Kernel ==
 
 
 
https://launchpad.net/~beagleboard-kernel
 
 
 
Register on launchpad.net, install bzr
 
sudo apt-get install bzr
 
 
 
Download SRC
 
bzr branch lp:~beagleboard-kernel/+junk/2.6-stable
 
 
 
Build Kernel
 
./build_kernel.sh
 
 
 
Optional Building Deb File
 
./build_deb.sh
 
  
 
= Ubuntu Software =
 
= Ubuntu Software =
  
== Wifi Networking (command line) ==
+
== Wi-Fi Networking (command line) ==
  
 
=== /etc/network/interfaces ===
 
=== /etc/network/interfaces ===
  
It is possible and relatively easy to configure a wifi card from the command line.
+
It is relatively easy to configure a Wi-Fi card from the command line.
  
You will need to edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. There are several guides available via Google.
+
You will need to edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. There are several guides available via Google.
  
This is a particularly useful guide http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202834  
+
This is a particularly useful guide https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202834  
  
 
A sample /etc/network/interfaces file for a WPA2 encrypted access point is:
 
A sample /etc/network/interfaces file for a WPA2 encrypted access point is:
Line 670: Line 509:
 
  wpa-group CCMP
 
  wpa-group CCMP
 
  wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
 
  wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
  wpa-psk < INSERT KEY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX>
+
  wpa-psk <INSERT KEY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX>
  
Your wifi card will automatically load these settings on start up and give network access.
+
Your Wi-Fi card will automatically load these settings upon startup and initialize wireless network access.
  
 
== Lightweight window managers ==
 
== Lightweight window managers ==
Line 678: Line 517:
 
If you intend to use Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard you can install JWM or IceWM to improve performance.
 
If you intend to use Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard you can install JWM or IceWM to improve performance.
  
JWM in particular uses little RAM. On a BeagleBoard with 256MB, using JWM will leave about 60MB free to run apps in.
+
JWM in particular uses little RAM. On a BeagleBoard with 256&nbsp;MB, using JWM will leave about 60&nbsp;MB free in which to run applications.
  
 
== Web Apps ==
 
== Web Apps ==
  
 
=== Midori ===
 
=== Midori ===
Given that the BeagleBoard has fewer resources than a desktop a light weight browser is more responsive. Midori is a light weight browser that still supports flash etc
+
Given that the BeagleBoard has fewer resources than a desktop a lightweight browser is more responsive. Midori is a lightweight browser that still supports flash, etc. It is available from the standard repositories:
It is available from the standard repositories.
 
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori_%28web_browser%29
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori_%28web_browser%29
  
Line 690: Line 528:
  
 
=== Motion ===
 
=== Motion ===
If you have a video source (webcam, IP cam etc) which appears as /dev/video0 etc then you can use the Linux Surveillance software "motion" to monitor the video stream and record periods of activity.
+
If you have a video source (webcam, IP cam, etc.) which appears as /dev/video0, etc. then you can use the Linux surveillance software "motion" to monitor the video stream and record periods of activity.
  
Motion is also available from the standard repositories.
+
Motion is also available from the standard repositories:
 
http://www.debian-administration.org/article/An_Introduction_to_Video_Surveillance_with_%27Motion%27
 
http://www.debian-administration.org/article/An_Introduction_to_Video_Surveillance_with_%27Motion%27
Using a 960x720 resolution webcam with 15 fps rate under the UVC driver the Rev C BeagleBoard under Xubuntu reports ~60% CPU utilisation.
+
Using a 960x720 resolution webcam with a 15&nbsp;fps rate under the UVC driver the Rev C BeagleBoard under Xubuntu reports ~60% CPU utilisation.
  
To make the BeagleBoard automatically start recording on boot do the following:
+
To make the BeagleBoard automatically start recording on boot, do the following:
  
 
* Auto Login - run "gdmsetup" from a terminal and select a user to automatically login  
 
* Auto Login - run "gdmsetup" from a terminal and select a user to automatically login  
* Sessions - make sure you don't save any previous xwindows sessions so that it doesn't prompt you for which one you want
+
* Sessions - make sure you don't save any previous X Windows sessions so that it doesn't prompt you for which one you want
* motion.conf - amend /etc/motion/motion.conf to the settings you want (ie video output directory, record only video, record in mpeg4, set frame rate etc). Do this with "sudo medit /etc/motion/motion.conf" at a prompt.
+
* motion.conf - edit /etc/motion/motion.conf to use the settings you want (that is, video output directory, record only video, record in MPEG-4, set frame rate, etc). Do this with "sudo medit /etc/motion/motion.conf" at a prompt.
* Boot script - create a new script in /etc/rc2.d called "S65motion_client" and set permissions appropriately ("sudo chmod 777 /etc/rc2.d/S65motion_client"). Then edit the file so it has the following text in it:
+
* Boot script - create a new script in /etc/rc2.d called "S65motion_client" and set permissions appropriately ("sudo chmod 777 /etc/rc2.d/S65motion_client"). Then edit the file so it contains the following lines:
  
 
  #! /bin/sh
 
  #! /bin/sh
Line 708: Line 546:
 
This will now launch the motion client as root when you boot up.
 
This will now launch the motion client as root when you boot up.
  
Also note that unless your BeagleBoard can remember the time (battery backed up clock installed) the timestamps will not be correct until you update the time. If your BeagleBoard has an Internet Connection this can be achieved with the ntpdate app.
+
Also note that unless your BeagleBoard can remember the time (battery backed up clock installed), the timestamps will not be correct until you update the time. If your BeagleBoard has an Internet connection this can be achieved using the ntpdate application.
 
 
  
 
== Robotics ==
 
== Robotics ==
  
 
=== ROS ===
 
=== ROS ===
Willow Garage hosts the open source Robotic Operating System (ROS). Whilst it is natively supported in Ubuntu, the official packages are only for the x86 platform. ROS can be installed from source and is generally easy to do so (although slow).
+
Willow Garage hosts the open source Robotic Operating System (ROS). While it is natively supported in Ubuntu, the official packages are only for the x86 platform. ROS can be installed from source and is generally easy to do so (although slow).
  
Following the instructions from here will build and install ROS on your beagleboard:
+
Following the instructions from here will build and install ROS on your BeagleBoard:
  
 
http://www.ros.org/wiki/cturtle/Installation/Ubuntu/SVN
 
http://www.ros.org/wiki/cturtle/Installation/Ubuntu/SVN
  
You will need an Internet connection for your Beagleboard for these scripts to work.
+
You will need an Internet connection for your BeagleBoard for these scripts to work.
  
For more information about ROS see www.ros.org
+
For more information about ROS, see www.ros.org.

Revision as of 07:53, 12 April 2014

(For BeagleBoardAngstrom, click here.) (Should Beagleboard:Ubuntu On BeagleBone Black be merged into this page?)

This page is about running a Linux distribution (ARM EABI) Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard. BeagleBoard will boot the (ARM EABI) Ubuntu distribution from the SD card. Since much of this page is generic, it has also been extended to help support devices such as the PandaBoard and BeagleBone.

  • For the best experience, make sure you have an LCD/HDMI monitor attached to the BeagleBoard's HDMI port, 2 GB/4 GB/8 GB SD card, and a known good USB 2.0 hub with mouse and keyboard.

Help

If you need any help:

  • Ubuntu related help:
    • #ubuntu-arm: Ubuntu's ARM IRC on Freenode (logs -> year -> month -> day -> #ubuntu-arm.html)
  • When requesting help, please provide some debugging information:
    • U-Boot Version installed on board
    • Kernel Version: uname -a
    • pastebin dmesg
      • Copy from serial port or use "dmesg | pastebinit" (sudo apt-get install pastebinit)

Required Beagle Software

Mainline U-Boot:

  • All older BeagleBoard (classic) Ax, Bx, Cx and Dx boards are required to upgrade to at least these U-Boot versions
  • XM Boards have no NAND, so MLO/u-boot.img is always required on the first partition
  • Directions: Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot

Omap Serial Changes

boot.scr/boot.cmd changes:

With 2.6.35:

console=ttyS2,115200n8

With 2.6.36/37+:

console=ttyO2,115200n8

Serial console login: /etc/init/ttyO2.conf

start on stopped rc RUNLEVEL=[2345]
stop on runlevel [!2345]

respawn
exec /sbin/getty 115200 ttyO2

Method 1: Download a Complete Pre-Configured Image

Demo Image

  • These demonstration images contain a custom Mainline based kernel with experimental enhancements to the boards supported. They are usually updated about once a month, as new features/enhancements get added by the community. Currently, this image ships with two kernels "armv7" which is for mainline omap3+ devices (BeagleBoard/PandaBoard) and the "bone" which is specifically for the BeagleBone. The kernel is stress-tested by a farm of Panda/Beagles running 24/7 under a heavy load (building gcc trunk/mainline kernel).
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/armv7-multiplatform.git
cd armv7-multiplatform
git checkout origin/v3.13.x -b tmp
./build_kernel.sh
git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/linux-dev.git
cd linux-dev
git checkout origin/am33x-v3.8 -b tmp
./build_kernel.sh
  • Advanced Users only: Userspace, used in these demo images:
https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder

Saucy 13.10

Image Updated:

  • 2014-02-16
    • Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.3-armv7-x10 kernel
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
  • 2014-01-24
    • Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.0-armv7-x9 kernel
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
  • 2013-12-17
    • Beagle xM (ONLY): v3.12.5-armv7-x10 kernel (--dtb dt-beagle-xm)
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel
    • Beagle/Panda/Panda ES: v3.7.10-x13 kernel

Services Active:

Note: Depending on your internal network these may work out of the box
Apache, Port 80: http://arm/ (Bone: via usb) http://192.168.7.2
SSH, Port 22: ssh ubuntu@arm (Bone: via usb) ubuntu@192.168.7.2
Getty, Serial Port

Default user: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/saucy/ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz

Verify Image with:

md5sum ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
2a1e70288dcfca3ccbd6785c4bd6c73b  ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz

Unpack Image:

tar xf ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
cd ubuntu-13.10-console-armhf-2014-02-16

If you don't know the location of your SD card:

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --probe-mmc

You should see something like:

Are you sure? I don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...

fdisk -l:
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes <- x86 Root Drive
Disk /dev/sdd: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes <- MMC/SD card

lsblk:
NAME   MAJ:MIN RM   SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sda      8:0    0 465.8G  0 disk 
├─sda1   8:1    0 446.9G  0 part /  <- x86 Root Partition
├─sda2   8:2    0     1K  0 part 
└─sda5   8:5    0  18.9G  0 part [SWAP]
sdd      8:48   1   3.7G  0 disk 
├─sdd1   8:49   1    64M  0 part 
└─sdd2   8:50   1   3.6G  0 part 
  • In this example, we can see via mount, /dev/sda1 is the x86 rootfs, therefore /dev/sdd is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by ./setup_sdcard.sh...

Install Image:

Quick install script for [board]

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot board

[board] options:

  • BeagleBone/Black - bone

So for the BeagleBone:

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot bone

Quick install script for [board] (using new --dtb option)

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb board

board options:

  • BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx/Dx - omap3-beagle
  • BeagleBoard xM - omap3-beagle-xm

So for the BeagleBoard xM:

sudo ./setup_sdcard.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm

Advanced: Build Image:

Built with a fork of project-rootstock (ARM native mode, runs directly on BeagleBoard), using a script from omap-image-builder:

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/omap-image-builder.git
cd omap-image-builder
git checkout v2014.02 -b tmp
touch release
./rcn-ee_image.sh

Trusty 14.04 (experimental)

Image Updated:

  • 2014-02-16
    • Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.3-armv7-x10 kernel
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
  • 2014-01-24
    • Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.0-armv7-x9 kernel
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
  • 2013-12-17
    • Beagle xM (ONLY): v3.12.5-armv7-x10 kernel (--dtb dt-beagle-xm)
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel
    • Beagle/Panda/Panda ES: v3.7.10-x13 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/rootfs/trusty/ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz

Verify Image with:

md5sum ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
45a9ef3c12ad2129087492ab00e2e103  ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz

Unpack image:

tar xf ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16.tar.xz
cd ubuntu-trusty-console-armhf-2014-02-16

Then follow the directions shown above with the other images...

Flasher

eMMC: BeagleBone Black

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or the win32 image program linked to on CircuitCo's wiki page. First press and hold the boot select button (next to the microSD card), then apply power (same procedure as the official CircuitCo images). The board should boot into Ubuntu and begin flashing the eMMC, once completed all 4 LED's should be full ON. Simply remove power, remove the microSD card and Ubuntu will now boot directly from eMMC.

Script for reference: (this is the script that writes to the eMMC)

https://github.com/RobertCNelson/boot-scripts/blob/master/tools/beaglebone-black-eMMC-flasher.sh

BTW: we are only writing about 500 megabytes to the eMMC, so the script will only take about 5-6 Minutes after power on.

Notes:

  • If only two LED's stay lit and nothing happens, the board has crashed due to lack of power. Retry with a 5Volt DC power supply connected.
  • If the 4 LED's blink a constant pattern, the eMMC write has failed. First REMOVE ALL capes, then retry again.
    • (error -84: which may mean you've reached the max number of erase/write cycles...)

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Image Updated:

  • 2014-02-16
    • BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
  • 2014-01-24
    • BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
  • 2013-12-17
    • BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/flasher/saucy/BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

md5sum BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
77fefe8d4eb942981068534f518a9fbe  BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz

Follow the "standard" update procedure.

http://circuitco.com/support/index.php?title=Updating_The_Software

Linux:

unxz BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./BBB-eMMC-flasher-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

raw microSD img

BeagleBoard xM

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or the win32 image program linked to on CircuitCo's wiki page. First press and hold the boot select button (next to microSD card), then apply power (same procedure as the official CircuitCo images). The board should boot into Ubuntu.

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

cd /opt/scripts/tools
git pull
./grow_partition.sh
sudo reboot

Image Updated:

  • 2014-02-16
    • Beagle/Beagle xM: v3.13.3-armv7-x10 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/microsd/saucy/bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

md5sum bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
3cb914ae8fb848139ba7311b980b54c0  bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz

Linux:

unxz bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./bbxm-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black

This image can be written to a 2GB (or larger) microSD card, via 'dd' on linux or the win32 image program linked to on CircuitCo's wiki page. First press and hold the boot select button (next to microSD card), then apply power (same procedure as the official CircuitCo images). The board should boot into Ubuntu.

User: ubuntu pass: temppwd

Auto partition resize:

cd /opt/scripts/tools
git pull
./grow_partition.sh
sudo reboot

Image Updated:

  • 2014-02-16
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone40 kernel
  • 2014-01-24
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone37 kernel
  • 2013-12-17
    • BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black: v3.8.13-bone32 kernel

Get prebuilt image:

wget https://rcn-ee.net/deb/microsd/saucy/bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz

Verify Image with:

md5sum bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
2402742d35478531294edd930cc79a40  bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz

Linux:

unxz bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img.xz
sudo dd if=./bone-ubuntu-13.10-2014-02-16-2gb.img of=/dev/sdX

Method 2: Use the NetInstall method

You will need a 1GB/2GB/4GB/8GB SD card or greater.

Standard system : ~700 MB

Report Bugs/Issues to: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/issues (anywhere else will be ignored..)

Download the netinstall script:

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall.git
cd netinstall

Currently supported Ubuntu distributions:

--distro oneiric (11.10)
--distro precise-armhf (12.04)
--distro quantal (12.10)
--distro raring (13.04)
--distro saucy (13.10)

Device: <board> selection:

*BeagleBoard Ax/Bx/Cx  - omap3-beagle
*BeagleBoard xMA/B/C   - omap3-beagle-xm
*BeagleBone Ax         - am335x-bone-serial
*BeagleBone (DVI cape) - am335x-bone-video
*BeagleBone Black      - am335x-boneblack
*PandaBoard Ax     - omap4-panda
*PandaBoard A4+    - omap4-panda-a4
*PandaBoard ES     - omap4-panda-es

Installation script for new <board> selection: (slowly migrating all devices to this method)

sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb <board> --distro <distro>

So for the xM: with quantal:

sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --dtb omap3-beagle-xm --distro quantal
  • Other Options:
    • --firmware : installs firmware
    • --serial-mode : debian-installer uses Serial Port

Place SD card into BeagleBoard and boot:

Configure the network:

usb0: USB net <- (usually the OTG port)
eth0: USB net <- (usually the smsc95xx adapter on the BeagleBoard and PandaBoard)
wlan0: Wifi <- Your USDB-Wi-Fi device.. 

See my notes for my testing procedure: https://github.com/RobertCNelson/netinstall/blob/master/test.Ubuntu

Troubleshooting: If booting fails..

  • Hold the user button down to force booting from MMC
  • Upgrade X-loader and U-boot Upgrade X-loader and U-Boot
  • Clear U-boot's Environment Variables in NAND:
nand erase 260000 20000

NetInstall assumptions:

Assume asll <default>'s... Thanks you preseed.conf!!!

Method 3: Manual Install (no automatic scripts)

Note, this section used to have a lot of details, but maintenance of the two wiki's became a pain, so for now on we will just link to my other pages:

Beagle/Beagle xM

http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBoard

BeagleBone

http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/BeagleBone

Panda/Panda ES

http://eewiki.net/display/linuxonarm/PandaBoard

Advanced

Install Latest Kernel Image

Script:

cd /opt/scripts/tools
git pull

Stable:

./update_kernel.sh

Testing:

./update_kernel.sh --beta-kernel

Custom: (has to be on rcn-ee.net)

./update_kernel.sh --kernel v3.8.13-bone37

Reboot with your new Kernel Image.

Upgrade X-loader and U-boot

  • Note: the functionality of the "X-Loader" project has been merged as u-boot spl.

Compatibility with older Ax, Bx, Cx, and Dx BeagleBoards

Note: Sometimes on these older boards, you just have to clear out the stored U-Boot environment variables in NAND to make this script work:

nand erase 260000 20000

Or: To fully erase the entire NAND:

nand erase.chip

Requires MMC card:

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/flasher.git
cd flasher

For the Beagle Ax/Bx

sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_bx

For the Beagle Cx/Dx

sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --mmc /dev/sdX --uboot beagle_cx
1: Plug-in a serial cable and start the serial terminal program
2: Place MMC card in Beagle
3: Push and hold the user button
4: Plug-in power
5: Wait for U-Boot countdown to finish, then release the user button
6: Wait for flashing/script to end
7: Power down, remove and reformat MMC card to final OS

If you don't know the location of your SD card:

sudo ./mk_mmc.sh --probe-mmc

You should see something like:

Are you sure? I don't see [/dev/idontknow], here is what I do see...

fdisk -l:
Disk /dev/sda: 500.1 GB, 500107862016 bytes <- x86 Root Drive
Disk /dev/mmcblk0: 3957 MB, 3957325824 bytes <- MMC/SD card

mount:
/dev/sda1 on / type ext4 (rw,errors=remount-ro,commit=0) <- x86 Root Partition
  • In this example, we can see via mount, /dev/sda1 is the x86 rootfs, therefore /dev/mmcblk0 is the other drive in the system, which is the MMC/SD card that was inserted and should be used by the ./mk_mmc.sh script.

SGX Video Acceleration

BeagleBone (BBW) & BeagleBone Black (BBB)

SGX support will most likely be included with Kernel 3.12 (see TI Graphics SDK release 5.01.00.01), which is being worked on now (January 2014).

Xorg Drivers

Script:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/
git pull

BeagleBoard/PandaBoard:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
./ti-omapdrm.sh

BeagleBone/BeagleBone Black:

cd /opt/scripts/tools/graphics/
./ti-tilcdc.sh

Building the Kernel

https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel

Download Source:

git clone https://github.com/RobertCNelson/stable-kernel.git

Build the kernel:

./build_kernel.sh

Optionally building the *.deb file:

./build_deb.sh

Swapfile

Using a File for Swap Instead of a Partition

On the Beagleboard you should expect to require a swap file given the limitation of how little RAM is available (between 256 MB and 512 MB). Some system programs like apt-get will only run properly when some swap space is present (due to 256 MB not being enough RAM).

Some images (such as those from Linaro.org) do not come with a swap partition or any swap space allocated.

Under Linux, swap space can be either a dedicated partition or a swap file. Both can be mounted as swap which the OS can access.

Creating a Swapfile

The following commands will create a 1 GB file, limit access only to root, format it as swap and then make it available to the OS:

sudo mkdir -p /var/cache/swap/   
sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/var/cache/swap/swapfile bs=1M count=1024
sudo chmod 0600 /var/cache/swap/swapfile 
sudo mkswap /var/cache/swap/swapfile 
sudo swapon /var/cache/swap/swapfile 

To tell the OS to load this swapfile on each start up, edit the /etc/fstab file to include the following additional line:

/var/cache/swap/swapfile    none    swap    sw    0   0

To verify that the swapfile is accessilble as swap to the OS, run "top" or "htop" at a console.

Ubuntu Software

Wi-Fi Networking (command line)

/etc/network/interfaces

It is relatively easy to configure a Wi-Fi card from the command line.

You will need to edit the /etc/network/interfaces file. There are several guides available via Google.

This is a particularly useful guide https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=202834

A sample /etc/network/interfaces file for a WPA2 encrypted access point is:

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback
auto wlan0
iface wlan0 inet dhcp
wpa-driver wext
wpa-ssid <NAME OF AP>
wpa-ap-scan 1
wpa-proto RSN
wpa-pairwise CCMP
wpa-group CCMP
wpa-key-mgmt WPA-PSK
wpa-psk <INSERT KEY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX>

Your Wi-Fi card will automatically load these settings upon startup and initialize wireless network access.

Lightweight window managers

If you intend to use Ubuntu on the BeagleBoard you can install JWM or IceWM to improve performance.

JWM in particular uses little RAM. On a BeagleBoard with 256 MB, using JWM will leave about 60 MB free in which to run applications.

Web Apps

Midori

Given that the BeagleBoard has fewer resources than a desktop a lightweight browser is more responsive. Midori is a lightweight browser that still supports flash, etc. It is available from the standard repositories: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori_%28web_browser%29

Surveillance

Motion

If you have a video source (webcam, IP cam, etc.) which appears as /dev/video0, etc. then you can use the Linux surveillance software "motion" to monitor the video stream and record periods of activity.

Motion is also available from the standard repositories: http://www.debian-administration.org/article/An_Introduction_to_Video_Surveillance_with_%27Motion%27 Using a 960x720 resolution webcam with a 15 fps rate under the UVC driver the Rev C BeagleBoard under Xubuntu reports ~60% CPU utilisation.

To make the BeagleBoard automatically start recording on boot, do the following:

  • Auto Login - run "gdmsetup" from a terminal and select a user to automatically login
  • Sessions - make sure you don't save any previous X Windows sessions so that it doesn't prompt you for which one you want
  • motion.conf - edit /etc/motion/motion.conf to use the settings you want (that is, video output directory, record only video, record in MPEG-4, set frame rate, etc). Do this with "sudo medit /etc/motion/motion.conf" at a prompt.
  • Boot script - create a new script in /etc/rc2.d called "S65motion_client" and set permissions appropriately ("sudo chmod 777 /etc/rc2.d/S65motion_client"). Then edit the file so it contains the following lines:
#! /bin/sh
/usr/bin/motion -c /etc/motion/motion.conf

This will now launch the motion client as root when you boot up.

Also note that unless your BeagleBoard can remember the time (battery backed up clock installed), the timestamps will not be correct until you update the time. If your BeagleBoard has an Internet connection this can be achieved using the ntpdate application.

Robotics

ROS

Willow Garage hosts the open source Robotic Operating System (ROS). While it is natively supported in Ubuntu, the official packages are only for the x86 platform. ROS can be installed from source and is generally easy to do so (although slow).

Following the instructions from here will build and install ROS on your BeagleBoard:

http://www.ros.org/wiki/cturtle/Installation/Ubuntu/SVN

You will need an Internet connection for your BeagleBoard for these scripts to work.

For more information about ROS, see www.ros.org.