Ubuntu LiveCD for the Meegopad T01

[linuxium]

So finally I've created an updated Linux kernel with both audio and HDMI sound and baked it into a LiveCD bootable from USB on the Meegopad T01. With this you can both use and install Ubuntu 14.10 just how it should be!

There is a pre-requisite however - the BIOS. In order to dual boot Windows and Ubuntu I use the 32-bit bootloader BIOS. However there is a 'bug' in the default ACPI DSDT which was identified by Paul Kendall and results in making any working 32-bit kernel dependent upon the BIOS. So I'm using a specific BIOS and I've built a kernel from the latest Ubuntu kernel source for the Utopic (14.10) release with an updated DSDT based on that BIOS and also included the RTL8723BS wifi driver from Hadess and the HDMI audio patch from Intel. I've then customized the Utopic desktop Ubuntu installation CD to include my updated kernel and the GRand Unified Bootloader, version 2 (EFI-IA32 version).

Updating the BIOS is easily done within Windows however you must remember to first extract your Windows product key from your existing BIOS if you have a pre-installed activated Windows version otherwise you'll loose it. Better still you should also keep a copy of your original BIOS externally from your device so you can always reinstall later. Also you can always reactivate your Windows if needed once you have your product key.

The basic installation instructions then are relatively simple. In Windows on your Meegopad T01 first download and uncompress the BIOS installation software "Meegopad_T01_Linuxium_BIOS_Installer.7z" from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B99...VJENU4zSVdOUFU on your desktop. Go to this folder and execute 'Save_Windows_product_key.bat' to save the product key and check that the newly created 'Windows_Product_Key.txt' file does include a product key. Then right click on 'Save_Original_BIOS.bat' and select 'Run as administrator' to save your current BIOS. Next right click on 'Update_BIOS.bat' and select 'Run as administrator' to flash the required BIOS. Finally download "ubuntu-14.10-desktop-linuxium-meegopadt01.iso" from https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B99...XM5aHl0WXFFbUU and copy to a USB using "Rufus" in Windows (or "dd" in Linux) and then boot to the LiveCD USB. I've included more detailed instructions here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...IqPGK85E32HqCU including a beginner's tutorial on dual boot Windows and Ubuntu. There is also a short video showing the required Windows steps here http://youtu.be/tLIimhFpOqs and an brief introduction to the Ubuntu LiveCD here http://youtu.be/4jFRO65I1JI.

A lot of work went into creating this so I'd appreciate your donatation at http://goo.gl/nXWSGf

[no_spam_for_me]

btw: and when will we have it at the minix z64 (at both the A (64bit) and the W (32bit))

[linuxium]

btw: and when will we have it at the minix z64 (at both the A (64bit) and the W (32bit))

The 64-bit LiveCD I posted here https://plus.google.com/+IanMORRISON/posts/PH2npWDTN9y works fine on the Minix Z64A.

[malstc]

Thankyou Linuxium! I desperately want a low power fanless mythtv frontend and this seemed to be my answer.

However, I've bricked my T01 at the BIOS flash stage. The blue LED comes on for 20 seconds or so with no display output and the the T01 shuts off (blue LED goes out)

The Bios update seemed to go OK. The only error was some red text saying something like "No PDR area found" but the flash progressed, the blocks programmed OK and also checksummed OK.

I did make and save a backup of my original BIOS (ver 12/15/2014). I see a flash programmer in my future..

So, am I bricked? Any thoughts on why? Is there any point buying an SPI programmer and trying again??

[jpearn]

OK, I can confirm this. Just got my programmer after bricking 2 x Meegopad T01's with this firmware. Flashing them back to the original BIOS works fine. Flashing with the Ubuntu BIOS causes a blank screen and the stick to power off after 15-20 seconds.

[linuxium]

Update: This BIOS works on the Morefine M1 (Meegopad T01) but not on the APM-D01 (Meegopad T01). There is a different manufacture of eMMC between the devices which also results is a subtle different in the total size. Given the proliferation of other cloned Meegopad T01 like devices, flashing the BIOS is not risk free and therefore not recommended unless you have, or plan to acquire, a EEPROM re-programmer.

[malstc]

OK. I've just un-bricked my T01 using Deadhp1's cheap but dangerous 3.3v method (Linuxium's method is indeed safer but requires better kit). The only glitch was I had to manually search for a CH341a driver from device manager.

The lesson here is: Be sure to backup your original BIOS!