Booting from a flash card

(→Partitioning your MMC)
(clarify that article is for N8x0 users)
 
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= Why would we want to boot from MMC? =
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This article covers the steps you need to follow to boot from a flash card with an [[Nokia N800|N800]] on [[Nokia N810|N810]]. The process is somewhat involved, so some familiarity with the command line is recommended.
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* Because we'll have enough space to INSTALL as MANY applications as may fit in our (GB-size) MMC card.
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* Because we'll have an INTACT COPY of the original system. So that if something goes wrong, we'll be able to BACKUP the system without reflashing the device.  
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* Because we'll still be able to mount our MMC on a Windows-based PC via USB.
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* Because the whole system won't be based on a compressed and journalized filesystem (jffs2) so the result may be faster due to lower CPU usage (no (de)compression with each read/write operation) and faster SD/MMC speed (depends on card and may require custom kernel - 770, N800)
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= Known working devices =
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This procedure has been tested on the following configurations:
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Advanced users may wish to read [[advanced booting]] as well, for more advanced booting-related configuration and setup information.
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{|
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| '''Hardware''' || '''Software'''
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|-
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| Nokia N770 ITOS 2006 || 3.2006.49-2
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|-
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| Nokia N800 ITOS 2007 || 2.2006.51-6 1
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|-
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| Nokia N800 ITOS 2007 || 4.2007.26-8
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|}
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The first time I tried this on my N800 it led to continuous reboots 30-90 seconds after booting. Trying it a second time on a clean install (directly after flashing and erasing everything already on the device) worked fine.
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== Why would we want to boot from a flash card? ==
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This procedure should work with any device listed at http://fanoush.wz.cz/maemo/#initfs
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* For more space to install applications.
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* An easy-to-use bootable backup.
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* To improve performance (note, this is dependent on the quality of your flash card).
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It is supposed that without any previous knowledge you should be able to accomplish the whole procedure. Ask for help in case something goes wrong. I'll be happy to help you at the following e-mail address: sebastian.maemo{AT}gmail.com
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== Gain root access ==
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== Getting root access ==
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First of all you need to be able to gain [[root access]].
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First of all you need to be able to get [[root access]] from an Xterm on your Tablet.
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== Partition your card ==
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== Partitioning your MMC ==
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Follow the instructions to [[partitioning a flash card|partition your card]].
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Follow the instructions to [[partitioning an MMC card|partition your MMC card]]
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== Install the necessary tools ==
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Once you've partitioned your MMC, come back to this page and go on with the process...
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First, we need to install wget, so open [[terminal|Xterm]] and, '''as root''', run:
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== Installing a dual boot menu ==
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apt-get install wget
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Connect your device via the AC/DC power adaptor to the main power supply, or verify the battery is fully charged. It's important not to run out of battery in the middle of this operation.
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Then run:
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From your own Tablet use the browser to download this file from Fanoush's webpage: http://fanoush.wz.cz/maemo/initfs_flasher.tgz
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mkdir -p /home/user/bin
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cd /home/user/bin
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wget <nowiki>http://www.nmacleod.com/nokia/bin/nupgrade.sh</nowiki>
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wget <nowiki>http://www.nmacleod.com/nokia/bin/tar</nowiki>
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chmod +x nupgrade.sh tar
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Supposing it's been downloaded to the fold named Documents, open an Xterm and type '''as root''':
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Then, to install the proper filesystem tools, temporarily add [[Extras-devel]] and run:
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  # cd /home/user/MyDocs/.documents/
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  apt-get install e2fsprogs
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# tar zxvf initfs_flasher.tgz
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# cd initfs_flasher/
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# ./initfs_flash
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Just follow instructions.
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'''NOTE: Do not upgrade existing packages with Extras-devel enabled as this may break things in new and interesting ways.'''
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Now it's time to clone the whole original system.
 
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Connnect to Internet for apt-get to work below.
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Remove Extras-devel when finished.
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If you are working on an N770, SKIP THIS STEP. If you are working on an N800 running OS2007, you'll have to type '''as root''':
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== Install bootmenu ==
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# insmod /mnt/initfs/lib/modules/2.6.18-omap1/mbcache.ko
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Now we need to download and install fanoush's [http://fanoush.wz.cz/maemo/#initfs initfs flasher], so, '''as root''', run:<br />
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# insmod /mnt/initfs/lib/modules/2.6.18-omap1/ext2.ko
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<small>''Note, although putting initfs_flasher in the directory given is not required, it ''cannot'' be placed on a FAT partition (i.e., one of the cards).''</small>
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For Nokia 770 with IT2006 or hacker edition type this instead:
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cd /home/user/bin
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wget <nowiki>http://fanoush.wz.cz/maemo/initfs_flasher.tgz</nowiki>
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tar zxvf initfs_flasher.tgz
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cd /home/user/bin/initfs_flasher/
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# insmod /mnt/initfs/lib/modules/current/ext2.ko
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=== Configuration ===
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'''For all devices''', continue by typing '''as root''':
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This is an optional step, but if you want to customize the bootmenu to properly reflect your partitioning setup, change the partition labels, and a number of other options, then you'll need to rename the appropriate <code>bootmenu.conf.''device''.example</code> file to <code>bootmenu.conf</code> and edit it to your liking. The README included with flasher and the comments in the configuration file should be enough to tell you what everything is.
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# mkdir /opt/
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The [[flasher]] will ask you if you want to include your <code>bootmenu.conf</code> file if you renamed it properly.
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# mount /dev/mmcblk0p2 /opt
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# mkdir /floppy/
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# mount -t jffs2 -o ro /dev/mtdblock4 /floppy
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The following command will generate dire warnings and prompts, requiring you to type YES. However, -d tells apt-get to only download the package and not install it, so it's safe to ignore those warnings and type YES... You need to be connected to internet for apt-get to work.
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=== Flash the initfs ===
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  # apt-get -d install tar
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  cd /home/user/bin/initfs_flasher/
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# cd /var/cache/apt/archives/
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  ./initfs_flash
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  # mkdir /tar-temp/
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# dpkg -x tar*.deb /tar-temp/
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Before continuing it is better to close internet connection...
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Follow the onscreen instructions. You can answer yes to all of these questions if you don't understand what they mean.
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# cd /tar-temp/bin/
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=== Set the default boot device ===
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# cp tar targnu
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# ./targnu cf - -C /floppy . | ./targnu xvf - -C /opt
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I have repeated this process many times in my little Nokia 770 without experiencing any problem... Nevertheless, here follow some warnings from other users: For Nokia 770 make sure you have installed bugfix for memory corruption bug, details also here. Also in newer ITOS releases, apt-get will simply say "selecting busybox instead of tar" and refuse to do anything. The tar program in the bora SDK is actually an x86 binary, so it will not work. You will have to download the tar package directly from http://repository.maemo.org/pool/maemo3.2/free/binary/tar_1.14-2.1osso_armel.deb, after which you can basically follow the instructions above, replacing /var/cache/apt/archives with wherever you put the .deb file.
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Once the initfs is flashed, you may wish to change to default boot device so the tablet will boot into your preferred partition without intervention. To do this, '''as root''', run:
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It will take a while to finish last command, but do not worry about it. In the end you may see tar warning about implausible time stamp which is OK. Then you will be ready to go on with the procedure:
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chroot /mnt/initfs cal-tool --set-root-device ask:mmc2
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# umount /opt
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To set the default to partition 2 on the internal card. If you would like to set the default to something else, the device is <code>mmc''#''</code> (where # is the partition number) for the internal card, and <code>mmc1''#''</code> for the external card. To set it back the default behavior of booting from the built-in flash, use <code>flash</code>.
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# umount /floppy
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# chroot /mnt/initfs cal-tool --set-root-device ask:mmc2
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On the [[Nokia N810|N810]] with latest [[Open development/Maemo roadmap/Diablo|Diablo]] version (5.2008.43-7), the device name is slightly different: <code>immc''#''</code> for the internal card and <code>mmc''#''</code> for the external one. For details see inside bootmenu.conf (or bootmenu.sh). The name is customizable and corresponds to the MENU_x_ID="name" line of the item x you want to select.
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  # shutdown -r now
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== Clone to the card ==
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<small>''Many thanks to milhouse for writing and maintaining this script.''</small>
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Now it's time to clone your install over to partition 2 of the internal card. The script works in stages to allow better control and error detection, and should take about 10 minutes to complete:
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* 0 - Create ext2 filesystem on partition 2 of the Internal memory card
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* 1 - Mount partition 2 as /opt
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* 2 - Mount rootfs as /floppy
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* 3 - Perform cloning process
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* 4 - Commit filesystem updates and unmount /floppy and /opt
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So, '''as root''', run:
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cd /home/user/bin
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./nupgrade.sh 0
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If the following error occurs: "''Unable to locate mbcache.ko - aborting''"
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follow the instructions per this link: [http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=174911&postcount=336]
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./nupgrade.sh 1
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If the following error occurs:
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<br>"Installing ext2.ko module and mounting Internal Flash card, second partition...
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insmod: can't open '/mnt/initfs/lib/modules/current/ext2.ko': No such file or directory
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mount: mounting /dev/mmcblk0p2 on /opt failed''"<br>
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do the following (similar to the above remedy during error of "./nupgrade.sh 0") <br>cp /mnt/initfs/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ext2.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ <br>and repeat "./nupgrade.sh 1"
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And the process is complete. After rebooting the Tablet, you should be able to boot from the MMC card. You'll then be able to install as many applications as fit into the card. And if there's any problem in the future, you can always boot from the flash and recover the original system and start again ;)
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./nupgrade.sh 2
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./nupgrade.sh 3
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./nupgrade.sh 4
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reboot
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== Removing the menu ==
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Your device will reboot when done, and you can select the partition you want to boot from from the bootmenu.
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If you decide you do not wish to see the menu on each boot or you do not wish to boot from mmc anymore and go back to using internal flash only, type this (as root):
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== Remove the menu ==
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# chroot /mnt/initfs cal-tool --set-root-device flash
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If you decide you do not wish to see the bootmenu any longer, you can uninstall it by either [[updating the firmware|reflashing the whole OS image]], or just flashing the initfs (in Linux and OS X) by running:
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To remove the (harmless) 'Press menu key ..." message early on boot you need to restore your initfs backup (if you decided to create one)
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sudo ./flasher-3.0 -F <FIASCO image> --flash-only=initfs -R
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# cd /home/user/MyDocs/.documents/initfs_flasher/
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== Advanced booting ==
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# ./initfs_flash initfs.orig.jffs2
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or you can reflash whole firmware (Windows) or restore just initfs part (Linux). Both initfs restoration steps are a bit risky and can cause data loss if something goes wrong so it may be good idea to simply live with the message until you decide to upgrade to next firmware or want to reflash whole device anyway. It does not slow down device booting or do any other harm.
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For more advanced configuration and setup information for booting-related stuff, please see [[advanced booting]].
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[[Category:Users]]
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[[Category:Power users]]
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[[Category:Midgard wiki]]
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[[Category:N8x0]]

Latest revision as of 13:40, 10 February 2011

This article covers the steps you need to follow to boot from a flash card with an N800 on N810. The process is somewhat involved, so some familiarity with the command line is recommended.

Advanced users may wish to read advanced booting as well, for more advanced booting-related configuration and setup information.

Contents

[edit] Why would we want to boot from a flash card?

  • For more space to install applications.
  • An easy-to-use bootable backup.
  • To improve performance (note, this is dependent on the quality of your flash card).

[edit] Gain root access

First of all you need to be able to gain root access.

[edit] Partition your card

Follow the instructions to partition your card.

[edit] Install the necessary tools

First, we need to install wget, so open Xterm and, as root, run: 

apt-get install wget

Then run: 

mkdir -p /home/user/bin
cd /home/user/bin
wget http://www.nmacleod.com/nokia/bin/nupgrade.sh
wget http://www.nmacleod.com/nokia/bin/tar
chmod +x nupgrade.sh tar

Then, to install the proper filesystem tools, temporarily add Extras-devel and run: 

apt-get install e2fsprogs

NOTE: Do not upgrade existing packages with Extras-devel enabled as this may break things in new and interesting ways.


Remove Extras-devel when finished.

[edit] Install bootmenu

Now we need to download and install fanoush's initfs flasher, so, as root, run:
Note, although putting initfs_flasher in the directory given is not required, it cannot be placed on a FAT partition (i.e., one of the cards). 

cd /home/user/bin
wget http://fanoush.wz.cz/maemo/initfs_flasher.tgz
tar zxvf initfs_flasher.tgz
cd /home/user/bin/initfs_flasher/

[edit] Configuration

This is an optional step, but if you want to customize the bootmenu to properly reflect your partitioning setup, change the partition labels, and a number of other options, then you'll need to rename the appropriate bootmenu.conf.device.example file to bootmenu.conf and edit it to your liking. The README included with flasher and the comments in the configuration file should be enough to tell you what everything is.

The flasher will ask you if you want to include your bootmenu.conf file if you renamed it properly.

[edit] Flash the initfs 

cd /home/user/bin/initfs_flasher/
./initfs_flash

Follow the onscreen instructions. You can answer yes to all of these questions if you don't understand what they mean.

[edit] Set the default boot device

Once the initfs is flashed, you may wish to change to default boot device so the tablet will boot into your preferred partition without intervention. To do this, as root, run: 

chroot /mnt/initfs cal-tool --set-root-device ask:mmc2

To set the default to partition 2 on the internal card. If you would like to set the default to something else, the device is mmc# (where # is the partition number) for the internal card, and mmc1# for the external card. To set it back the default behavior of booting from the built-in flash, use flash.

On the N810 with latest Diablo version (5.2008.43-7), the device name is slightly different: immc# for the internal card and mmc# for the external one. For details see inside bootmenu.conf (or bootmenu.sh). The name is customizable and corresponds to the MENU_x_ID="name" line of the item x you want to select.

[edit] Clone to the card

Many thanks to milhouse for writing and maintaining this script.

Now it's time to clone your install over to partition 2 of the internal card. The script works in stages to allow better control and error detection, and should take about 10 minutes to complete:

  • 0 - Create ext2 filesystem on partition 2 of the Internal memory card
  • 1 - Mount partition 2 as /opt
  • 2 - Mount rootfs as /floppy
  • 3 - Perform cloning process
  • 4 - Commit filesystem updates and unmount /floppy and /opt

So, as root, run: 

cd /home/user/bin
./nupgrade.sh 0

If the following error occurs: "Unable to locate mbcache.ko - aborting" follow the instructions per this link: [1] 

./nupgrade.sh 1

If the following error occurs:
"Installing ext2.ko module and mounting Internal Flash card, second partition... insmod: can't open '/mnt/initfs/lib/modules/current/ext2.ko': No such file or directory mount: mounting /dev/mmcblk0p2 on /opt failed"
 do the following (similar to the above remedy during error of "./nupgrade.sh 0")
cp /mnt/initfs/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/ext2.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/
and repeat "./nupgrade.sh 1" 

./nupgrade.sh 2
./nupgrade.sh 3
./nupgrade.sh 4
reboot

Your device will reboot when done, and you can select the partition you want to boot from from the bootmenu.

[edit] Remove the menu

If you decide you do not wish to see the bootmenu any longer, you can uninstall it by either reflashing the whole OS image, or just flashing the initfs (in Linux and OS X) by running: 

sudo ./flasher-3.0 -F <FIASCO image> --flash-only=initfs -R

[edit] Advanced booting

For more advanced configuration and setup information for booting-related stuff, please see advanced booting.

Retrieved from "http://wiki.maemo.org/Booting_from_a_flash_card"