Linux for Amlogic S805

[balbes150]

Archive unpacking is not required. The instructions say that you need to download TWO files and record.

[yushir]

Well that's the least of the problems faced right now . The inability to get a HDMI output renders the entire image unusable, as there's no way to log in blindly as a root user and then reboot (which you wrote in another post should fix the issue). I may try to chroot into the image partially and change the password for root and create another user.

I also tried and copied over the xorg.conf and whilst I see mali-drm driver being used in the kernel logs, there's still no HDMI output (which is really tricking me, as logs appear similar between the two dists).

[balbes150]

What monitor or TV is used ? What resolution does it support ? In the /etc directory there is a script (c1_init.sh) which enables screen. You can try to manually change its settings (to clean up the receiving parameters from the kernel command-line). Default screen settings this script gets from the kernel (and the kernel gets these settings from the script s805_autoscript). The system could be operated without monitor, connecting via ssh. The SSH connection works from the first stage of system configuration (when you need to change the password of user "root" and create a new user). How long are You waiting after starting the system ? Usually s805 system startup (when there is a prompt on the screen) may take up to 5-8 minutes.
At the root of the FAT partition there is a script s805_autoscript ?
If the script is not there, add this.

https://yadi.sk/d/yz6lCfocwGxDe

[yushir]

Yes the script is present, and it does not take that long to boot up as I'm seeing failed attempts in auth.log, so I'm assuming that it already boots up.

I'll give a try to this script, didn't know that I could already check it from that stage via SSH.

For the connection I'm actually using a HDMI to VGA adapter and connecting it thru VGA, but the screen supports up to FullHD (And also 720p).

[balbes150]

Pay attention to this information. It is common to all systems at Amlogic.

https://forum.armbian.com/index.php/topic/2138-armbian-for-amlogic-s912/?p=21406

[yushir]

The s805 boots now by default from SD. It was just a matter of waiting less when using the toothpick. I tried to alter the settings in c1_init.sh to no avail, no matter what I seem to do I don't get to the prompt.

I've also deleted the password for root so that it should be able to log in without issues, but it appears that the ethernet is not booting in. For the WLAN, I added the rtl8188eu firmware and logs indicate it starts now. I may as well add there a static configuration to connect to a given network in order to be able to ssh in.

The biggest problem is, still, the lack of proper HDMI output.

[royeiror]

Hello everyone. I own a MK808B + with AP6210 Wi-Fi/BT. And from all the images rolling around I have only been able to boot with 2 of them.
* the Minipc -ubuntu-mate-15-04-s805-standard-0_95_Beta(no wireless even with external)
* The Debian Odroid debian_mate_s805_20160919.img (no internal wireless, works with external Wi-Fi, weird square artifact on the top left corner of the screen, some errors when using apt-get upgrade)

I don't need the most up to date system but I do need wireless working as I intend to use the device as a wireless DSLR camera controller.

Has anyone gotten this device working with internal wireless?

[balbes150]

The s805 boots now by default from SD. It was just a matter of waiting less when using the toothpick. I tried to alter the settings in c1_init.sh to no avail, no matter what I seem to do I don't get to the prompt.

I've also deleted the password for root so that it should be able to log in without issues, but it appears that the ethernet is not booting in. For the WLAN, I added the rtl8188eu firmware and logs indicate it starts now. I may as well add there a static configuration to connect to a given network in order to be able to ssh in.

The biggest problem is, still, the lack of proper HDMI output.

I got another model s805 , it also has no image output. I will look what the problem is. By the way, in the coming days I plan to post on the site updates images in the composition once included all the files for activation and multi-boot script start.

[royeiror]

LibreELEC 7.0.3.1 works great with my MK808B +. Is there a way to use its 3.10.99 kernel with another version of Linux that runs on my device that doesn't have working wireless?

[balbes150]

Yes, it is possible but you will need to modify the autorun script (s805_autoscript) and copy the desired files from a LE in Linux.

[yushir]

I got another model s805 , it also has no image output. I will look what the problem is. By the way, in the coming days I plan to post on the site updates images in the composition once included all the files for activation and multi-boot script start.

For sure if you do that, remember to include the tip on grabbing the dtb.img files from LibreELEC as they should solve most of the stuff. Also, you could be adding the firmware for the rtl8188eu which otherwise people need to download from the internet.

Did you have any success debugging the image output problem? I'm quite busy these days as it's end of the year.

[yushir]

@bables150 did you manage to progress on this field?

[royeiror]

@bables150 did you manage to progress on this field?

I could not. I'm still hitting a wall, first with wifi and Bluetooth and then with the upgrade of dependencies. It always finishes with an error an I have to reboot and "check" the system partition.

[balbes150]

Updated the images . Version "5.24". In the composition of the images is files to activate the multi-boot, in addition to download them is not necessary. Changed the algorithm control the resolution and color depth of the screen. Now the settings file "vegas805_init.sh" to be in /boot (the FAT partition). The principle of changing the resolution or color depth, as in the version for S905 (remove\install review in the right line). Pay attention, because the load in the desktop images are significant, we strongly recommend to use additional cooling (at least a good heatsink and thermal grease). https://yadi.sk/d/nBL7MchXvAFGL


p.s. Once again, pay attention. TV boxes very poorly with SD cards. I have more than ten pieces, only 2 were able to start on S805. Other cards work perfectly in PC, but the system start fails. Or even not detected by the TV boxes, or go error read / write and the system just does not work (can always reboot).

[yushir]

Thanks for the new images! It's been a great leap forward. Image output works now, I've been able to log in and play around it. However, I've identified the following problems (Ubuntu Xenial - Desktop image):
- Audio output is always set to SPDIF. While there's the internal Analog audio detected, Alsamixer doesn't have any configuration options for it.
- Ethernet is disabled and set as "Read-only" by default. As it's not present in the kern.log, I assume that the ethernet module is not present.
- While wifi works (RTL8188EU), transfer speeds drop frequently (thus it's unstable). I tried turning off the wifi powersaving and it seems to work better, but there are still drops.
- There's no way to get a higher output than 720@24bpp. I've tried changing all the settings in the setup script but there's no way it works.
- Kodi crashes constantly.

Audio and Video outputs are the main problems right now, the rest I assume can be worked around.

I'll give it a ride with the debian image, at least they have kodi 16.1 in the backports repository.

Does it include the linux-headers? It would be great to have DKMS installed there so that we can install xboxdrv in order to get proper Xbox Wireless controller support.

Apart from this, thanks! It's a really good image.