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General Category / General Discussion / D2Plug Video Chipset/Driver
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on: October 01, 2011, 08:00:37 AM
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Hello all  I've been looking around at all the various ARM based devices you can get, and I've noticed 3 which look pretty intresting; * Efika MX Smartbook ( http://www.genesi-usa.com/products/smartbook ) . There is also a desktop version * Rasberry PI ( http://www.raspberrypi.org/ ) * D2Plug (Did not know of its existance until very recently!). Only reason why I'm writing here is that I'm just wondering what chipset the d2plug uses for video, and if the drivers for the chipset are open or propietary or not? Unfortunatly the efika mx devices use propietary video drivers and I believe the rasberry pi will also too which makes getting any usable X based linux desktop without using the "blessed" linux distro proivided is very hard or almost impossible (you would have to use the *very* slow fbdev/vesa driver). Is the d2plug in the same boat at all? Thanks ljones |
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2
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General Category / General Discussion / Updating sheevaplug software
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on: January 22, 2011, 02:44:21 PM
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Hello all I just recently dug out my old sheevaplug -- I haven't used it in quite a while. I was going to use it (back in 2009) as a server but random disconnects with a wireless adapter put paid to that. What I was wondering now we're 2 years on from 2009 has the sheevaplug software (ubuntu) been updated at all? (I'm thinking updating the whole thing, not just using apt-get). Here's what I get at boot-up; __ __ _ _
| \/ | __ _ _ ____ _____| | |
| |\/| |/ _` | '__\ \ / / _ \ | |
| | | | (_| | | \ V / __/ | |
|_| |_|\__,_|_| \_/ \___|_|_|
_ _ ____ _
| | | | | __ ) ___ ___ | |_
| | | |___| _ \ / _ \ / _ \| __|
| |_| |___| |_) | (_) | (_) | |_
\___/ |____/ \___/ \___/ \__|
** MARVELL BOARD: SHEEVA PLUG LE
U-Boot 1.1.4 (May 13 2009 - 13:10:52) Marvell version: 3.4.16
U-Boot code: 00600000 -> 0067FFF0 BSS: -> 006CF100
Soc: 88F6281 A0 (DDR2)
CPU running @ 1200Mhz L2 running @ 400Mhz
SysClock = 400Mhz , TClock = 200Mhz
DRAM CAS Latency = 5 tRP = 5 tRAS = 18 tRCD=6
DRAM CS[0] base 0x00000000 size 256MB
DRAM CS[1] base 0x10000000 size 256MB
DRAM Total size 512MB 16bit width
Flash: 0 kB
Addresses 8M - 0M are saved for the U-Boot usage.
Mem malloc Initialization (8M - 7M): Done
NAND:512 MB
CPU : Marvell Feroceon (Rev 1)
Streaming disabled
Write allocate disabled
USB 0: host mode
PEX 0: interface detected no Link.
Net: egiga0 [PRIME], egiga1
Hit any key to stop autoboot: 0
NAND read: device 0 offset 0x100000, size 0x400000
Reading data from 0x4ff800 -- 100% complete.
4194304 bytes read: OK
## Booting image at 00800000 ...
Image Name: Linux-2.6.30.5
Created: 2009-08-17 0:37:18 UTC
Image Type: ARM Linux Kernel Image (uncompressed)
Data Size: 2626164 Bytes = 2.5 MB
Load Address: 00008000
Entry Point: 00008000
Verifying Checksum ... OK
OK
Starting kernel ...
root@ubuntu:~# uname -r
2.6.30.5
The distro on my sheevaplug is Ubuntu 9.04 ljones |
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3
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Hardware and U-Boot firmware / Hardware / Re: Best USB wireless stick for sheevaplug?
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on: March 14, 2010, 04:28:22 PM
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Yep, I've tried running the wireless USB device straight off the sheevaplug, but it dosen't make any difference. It still drops out and misses pings like there's no tomorrow.
The link to the 400mW USB wireless device looks intresting, though a pity (so far as I can tell right now) it isn't sold in the UK.
Is it me or are a lot of people having issues with USB wireless devices and the sheevaplug? It would point back to either a software or hardware failure on the sheevaplug.....maybe its USB controller isn't too great?
ljones
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Hardware and U-Boot firmware / Hardware / Best USB wireless stick for sheevaplug?
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on: March 14, 2010, 05:42:41 AM
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Hello all ! A long time ago I was trying to figure out how to get my sheevaplug to work via USB wireless. I managed to do this originally with a netgear WG111V2 (there's a thread about this here - http://plugcomputer.org/plugforum/index.php?topic=624.0 ) . Eventually I replaced that adapter with an Alfa networks wireless adaptor which seemed to work better. Unfortunatly though the idea to use the sheevaplug over wireless still isn't 100% . The original problem with the WG111V2 was that it would drop the connection (if it would even connect at all) plus it ran very warm. The alfa networks device (actually an alfa networks AWUS036H) works better but it is still extremely prone to random disconnects and dropout. In fact I eventually ended up (with help) writing a script like this; #!/bin/sh
#
# Tidied up script which checks if the sheevaplug is conencted, if it isn't
# then a connection is made for five attempts, and if it fails on the fifth
# go then the sheevaplug is reset.
#
# Uses a file called "count.var" to store the variable count into a file
#
# First check to see if the file count.var exists, and if not - make it!
if [ -e "count.var" ]
then
: # The file exists, so no need for any action
else
echo 0 > count.var # No file, so put 0 into the file count.var
fi
# Read count.var and put it into variable count
count=`cat count.var`
# Check to see if the connection has been lost
if=wlan0
if iwconfig $if | grep -q Not-Associated ;
then
: # Uh oh, lost connection so ....
else
count=0 # We're connected so set count to 0
rm count.var # Get rid of count.var
exit
fi
# Since we're not connected carry on....
# Has the counter reached 5 yet? If so, reboot.
if [ $count -eq 5 ] then
count=0 # Set counter to 0
rm count.var # Get rid of count.var
shutdown -r now # Not connected :-( so restart sheevaplug
exit
fi
# Counter hasn't gotten to 5 yet, so add 1 to count
count=$(($count +1))
# Save it to count.var
echo $count > count.var
# And try to reconnect ....
iwconfig $if ap auto
....because it drops out and disconnects so much. Pinging it also shows it is missing pings as well! So does anyone here know of a good stable usb wireless device that will work with the sheeva without all the dropout and disconnects? Also one more thing -- I use the service noip and in order for it to function a small program ( noip-2.1.9-1 , http://www.no-ip.com/downloads.php ) is needed to make it work. I can compile this to run ok on a normal PC but does anyone have a version compiled for the sheevaplug at all? BTW I have enclosed a (pretty crude!) diagram showing how I am hooking all this up together. thanks ljones |
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5
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General Category / General Discussion / Re: Setting up sheevaplug with wlan
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on: February 28, 2010, 07:54:58 AM
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Ok, I've not tired it yet but here's a stab at a script. Snag is though I am not sure how the script "runs". Let me explain -- once the script has finished do all the variables (I'm using one called $count) get cleared out or will they remain once the script ends (not sure). Anyways here's my first attempt at a better script. This one saves the variable count as well, as I'm not sure if it gets wiped once the script ends .... #!/bin/sh
#
# Tidied up script which checks if the sheevaplug is conencted, if it isn't
# then a connection is made for five attempts, and if it fails on the fifth
# go then the sheevaplug is reset.
#
# Uses a file called "count.var" to store the variable count into a file
#
# First check to see if the file count.var exists, and if not - make it!
if [ -e "count.var" ]
then
: # The file exists, so no need for any action
else
echo 0 > count.var # No file, so put 0 into the file count.var
fi
# Read count.var and put it into variable count
count=`cat count.var`
# Check to see if the connection has been lost
if=wlan0
if iwconfig $if | grep -q Not-Associated ;
then
: # Uh oh, lost connection so ....
else
count=0 # We're connected so set count to 0
rm count.var # Get rid of count.var
exit
fi
# Since we're not connected carry on....
# Has the counter reached 5 yet? If so, reboot.
if [ $count -eq 5 ] then
count=0 # Set counter to 0
rm count.var # Get rid of count.var
shutdown -r now # Not connected :-( so restart sheevaplug
exit
fi
# Counter hasn't gotten to 5 yet, so add 1 to count
count=$(($count +1))
# Save it to count.var
echo $count > count.var
# And try to reconnect ....
iwconfig $if ap auto
EDIT: Found 1 error. Missed off "-" off "-eq" (if [ $count -eq 5 ] ) . ljoens |
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7
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General Category / General Discussion / Re: Setting up sheevaplug with wlan
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on: September 19, 2009, 04:29:54 PM
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Might be related to things like this: http://patchwork.kernel.org/patch/38530/There seem to be a few post about "No probe response from AP" timeouts since 2.6.30-rc3. Apparently fixed at 2.6.31.2. But they may be driver-specific (and neither is RTL8187). My scripts to re-associate (which are at least a workaround) are these: 5-min crontab job ( /etc/cron.d/WifiCheck) # Check the Wifi status
#
PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin:/local/bin
01-58/5 * * * * root /local/bin/wireless-check The actual script ( /local/bin/wireless-check): #!/bin/sh
#
if=wlan0
if iwconfig $if | grep -q Not-Associated; then
: Not associated, so get it to retry
else
exit # All OK
fi
iwconfig $if | Mail -s 'Wifi lost association on plug' {my-mail-address}
# Force re-association
iwconfig $if ap auto (I've got mail setup...) The result, earlier today, showed this in in dmesg (as well as mailing me the Not-Associated details): wlan0: no probe response from AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx - disassociating
wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx try 1
wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx try 2
wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx try 3
wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx timed out
wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx try 1
wlan0: direct probe to AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx try 2
wlan0 direct probe responded
wlan0: authenticate with AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx
wlan0: authenticated
wlan0: associate with AP 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx
wlan0: RX ReassocResp from 00:02:cf:xx:xx:xx (capab=0x431 status=0 aid=4)
wlan0: associated I've just had a thought. I lost my internet connection for a short time tonight but the sheevaplug didn't seem to manage to connect. My idea would be as follows -- to have a simple counter which adds by one every time the sheeva fails to reconnect, and if it reaches say .... 5 the sheeva is rebooted. #!/bin/sh
#
if=wlan0
if [count==5] then
count=0
shutdown -r now
fi
if iwconfig $if | grep -q Not-Associated; then
: Not associated, so get it to retry
else
count=0
exit # All OK
fi
iwconfig $if | Mail -s 'Wifi lost association on plug' {my-mail-address}
# Force re-association
count=count+1
iwconfig $if ap auto
Not sure if I have it right there or not. ljones |
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General Category / General Discussion / Re: Setting up sheevaplug with wlan
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on: September 09, 2009, 10:08:57 AM
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Ok, giving those scripts a try. Do I have to do anything extra to activate them? No - just drop the control file into /etc/cron.d. cron will see that the directory has changed at its next minute-wakeup. I got the new wlan, btw. New wlan? You mean the Alpha USB dongle? Sorry for the delay - ! BTW the scripts so far seem to be working, though I still have yet to find a proper place to put the sheevaplug (and ext. hard drive). Yep the new wlan is an alfa one, so far so good -- much better than the netgear! I can get into the sheevaplug/hard drive with both "ftp" or "gftp" on another linux machine. *Snag is.....* Now I need how to figure out how to do port forwarding on the sheevaplug (as I'm using no-ip.com as well). No idea on that one -- ! ljones |
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General Category / General Discussion / Re: Setting up sheevaplug with wlan
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on: August 26, 2009, 01:40:39 PM
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Ok, giving those scripts a try. Do I have to do anything extra to activate them?
I got the new wlan, btw. So far I've had mixed results. On the first attempt it lost the connection very quickly - within the first 10 or so seconds. A Second try lasted for several hours.
ljones
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10
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General Category / General Discussion / Re: Setting up sheevaplug with wlan
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on: August 23, 2009, 06:16:01 AM
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 Spoke to soon. More problems! I have everything up and running with lighttp and an ftp server now. I'm using a powered USB hub to connect the WLAN to the sheevaplug (and also an external hard drive). Snag is the connection from the USB WG111V2 is really flaky. I mean seriously flaky. I can ping the WG111V2/Sheeva and it often misses pings or completely fails! I've also noticed that the WG111V2 although it connects - its blue light never switches on (it should come on and flash or do something). It is also getting very hot - in fact after a time, the metal USB connector of the WG111V2 gets so hot it is not that far away from being the right tempeature to burn your skin. I'm just glad it is not in the sheeva directly. I've seen this before with another USB wireless device though and yes another WG111V2 (not my one though!). The light failed to come on and it got very hot though that one also refused to connect to anything (which was from memory a driver problem). Once it connected, the blue light turned on and it didn't get anywhere near as hot. What I am not sure about is if I am looking at some sort of driver problem or weather or not my WG111V2 is dying. Only thing I can do (and I don't want to get another WG111V2) is to try a different devicel I just bought one off ebay, an Alfa Network AWUS036H . It uses an RTL8187L chipset (which I think is the same as the WG111V2, not an RTL8187B chipset, that one won't work). So I hope to try that one out and see how far I get with it. Does anyone know if my WG111V2 is on its way out, or maybe it is a software problem? ljones
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General Category / General Discussion / Re: Setting up sheevaplug with wlan
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on: August 21, 2009, 12:20:55 PM
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Good news! After reading the wiki (the 2.6.30.5 kernel definately needs installing too!) on installing alpha6 & the kernel (everything worked something seems to be working. I set the IP address for the stick as 192.168.0.50, and I can successfully ping that address from another system. Pinging google.com also works on the sheeva, so far so good all seems to be working! Now .... how to setup a simple FTP server.....? Notes (or things I found out on the way while doing all of this.....) 1 As I had a newer sheevaplug I had to change the pid's as laid out here ( http://www.plugcomputer.org/plugwiki/index.php/SheevaPlug_Installer ) . The page didn't seem to specify which file to change exactly, though I managed to find which one. I found it in ~/sheeva/sheevaplug-installer-alpha-6/scripts-linux/openocd/config/interface/sheevaplug.cfg . (Decompressed on my main linux system, not the sheeva!). 2. Installing a new kernel ( http://www.plugcomputer.org/plugwiki/index.php/Install_Prebuilt_Kernels_From_sheeva.with-linux.com ) I installed a new kernel following those instructions but used 2.6.30.5, rather than 2.6.30.3. I followed all the instructions including the setenv's and everything after. The printenv bootargs didn't work, but everything else did. 3. I used the command cu -s 115200 -l /dev/ttyUSB1 to connect the sheevaplug from the command line, works with no problems. 4. After all this I could add in the auto/iface commands above . ljones |
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Unfortunatly it didn't seem to work. I could connect and update using apt-get, and I didn't have any problems re-logging in. However, /lib/modules still remains empty x.x . Kernel version is 2.6.22.18 .