Installing Ubuntu 10.04 on Gumstix Overo - Revision history

Eric Zillinger: updated kernel/module versions, updated install procedure for newest version of rootstock, added wifi instructions

2012-07-09T17:02:50Z

updated kernel/module versions, updated install procedure for newest version of rootstock, added wifi instructions

Gumstix: remove reference to Overo Tide COM

2012-01-05T15:58:32Z

remove reference to Overo Tide COM

Sellis: build-essential without the 's'

2011-10-13T23:40:12Z

build-essential without the 's'

Willem van Doesburg at 08:42, 7 July 2011

2011-07-07T08:42:14Z

Willem van Doesburg at 08:40, 7 July 2011

2011-07-07T08:40:59Z

Willem van Doesburg at 08:40, 7 July 2011

2011-07-07T08:40:34Z

Willem van Doesburg at 08:37, 7 July 2011

2011-07-07T08:37:16Z

Willem van Doesburg at 08:35, 7 July 2011

2011-07-07T08:35:53Z

Willem van Doesburg at 08:33, 7 July 2011

2011-07-07T08:33:36Z

Searchworks: remove spam

2010-11-23T22:53:36Z

remove spam

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 Next, use a command like the one shown below to make a root file system; check out 'man rootstock' for some extra options.  Note: this will take an hour or two.
 <code>
-  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc
+  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc,wireless-tools,wpasupplicant,nano
 </code>
 * the '-d' option specifies the distribution release: in this case, Ubuntu Lucid (10.04). In the case of Ubuntu Natty (11.04) use "natty".
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 You should now have a spiffy root file system tarball so now we just need to create a bootable microSD with a standard bootloader and kernel.
-Format a microSD card as per [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Creating-a-bootable-microSD-card/109.html usual]; you should copy a [http://www.sakoman.com/feeds/omap3/glibc/images/overo/201009091145/ recent] MLO, u-boot, and uImage to the boot partition.  Extract the generated root file system to the second partition of the microSD card.
+Format a microSD card as per [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Creating-a-bootable-microSD-card/109.html usual]; you should copy a [http://cumulus.gumstix.org/images/angstrom/developer/2012-01-22-1750/ recent] MLO, u-boot, and uImage to the boot partition.  Extract the generated root file system to the second partition of the microSD card.
-Finally, the loadable modules in the file system should match the kernel.  For users that don't want to build a kernel, you can use this [http://dl.dropbox.com/u/211887/Ubuntu/uImage-2.6.34-r88-overo.bin 2.6.34 kernel] and the associated [http://dl.dropbox.com/u/211887/Ubuntu/modules-2.6.34-r88-overo.tgz modules] tarball; this is approximately the Gumstix Overo kernel from September 9th, 2010.  Extract the modules file into the second partition over top of the root file system. E.g. for a root partition mounted at /media/rootfs:
+Next we'll need to add the loadable modules and firmware. If you don't want to build the kernel: Download and extract a wifi enabled image using the same kernel as the uImage you're using (In this case we're using Kernel 3.0.0 so we want the 2012-01-22 developer image):
-<code>
- sudo tar xaf modules-2.6.34-r88-overo.tgz -C /media/rootfs
-</code>
-<b>note:</b> For Ubuntu 11.04 the compatible kernel version should be 2.6.38. However, the current version of openembedded ("bitbake virtual/kernel") at most yields a kernel version 2.6.36. The 2.6.36 was tested with the Ubuntu 11.04 rootFS image and seems to be working fine. Only some system messages about TWI2C, which should only concern you if you plan to use I2C on you Overo. Everything else seems to be working fine.
+ wget http://cumulus.gumstix.org/images/angstrom/developer/2012-01-22-1750/omap3-console-image-overo.tar.bz2
-== Configuring Ubuntu ==
+  sudo cp -rf ./lib/firmware /media/rootfs/lib/
-The ''rootstock'' utility doesn't make passwords properly.  For now, it is easiest to remove the root password, boot your system to create new users and choose a new root password.  To do this, open the ''/etc/shadow'' file on the second partition and delete the '*' for the root entry. E.g.
+  sudo cp -rf ./lib/modules /media/rootfs/lib/
-<code>
-  $ sudo gedit /path/to/second/partition/etc/shadow
-</code>
-Note: remember to put the ‘*’ back after you have created a user so someone can’t login as root and screw up your system
 For Overo expansion boards with an Ethernet interface, it is nice to have Ethernet working right off the bat without having to have Network Manager installed. Open the ''/etc/network/interfaces'' file on the second partition.
 <code>
@@ Line 53: / Line 50: @@
 You can now unmount the microSD card, place it in the Gumstix and boot to it.
-Login using serial console using these [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Getting-started/109.html instructions] or you can plug an Ethernet card in and jump in via ssh.
+Login using serial console using these [http://www.gumstix.net/Documentation/view/Overo-Setup-and-Programming/Getting-started/109.html instructions] or you can jump in via ssh.
 Once you are logged in, you might make some other tweaks:
@@ Line 60: / Line 89: @@
   $ sudo adduser youruser
   $ sudo adduser youruser sudo
 </code>
@@ Line 75: / Line 100: @@
   $ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
 </code>
-Have fun!
+====Install a window manager====
 == Related Links ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Ubuntu on Overo COM ==
-Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility.  Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM, such as the [http://www.gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=257 Overo Tide COM]. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.  These instructions were tested on an Ubuntu 10.04 desktop machine; they should work for any recent Debian-based flavour of Linux. These instructions also work for Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal with a few things to keep in mind.
+Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility.  Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo COM with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.
 == Make a MicroSD card ==

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 To create a rootFS image for a headless server you can use the following:
 <code>
-  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed build-essentials,openssh-server
+  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed build-essential,openssh-server
 </code>

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
   $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc
 </code>
-* the '-d' option specifies the distribution release: in this case, Ubuntu Lucid (10.04).
+* the '-d' option specifies the distribution release: in this case, Ubuntu Lucid (10.04). In the case of Ubuntu Natty (11.04) use "natty".
 * the '--seed' option specifies the list of packages to install: in this case, we install a lightweight desktop and a standard login manager as well as ssh & VNC servers so we can connect remotely.
 * the user name ('-l') and password ('-p') options don't seem to work at the moment; see [Configuring Ubuntu] for more information.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Ubuntu on Overo COM ==
-Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility.  Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM, such as the [http://www.gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=257 Overo Tide COM]. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.  These instructions were tested on an Ubuntu 10.04 desktop machine; they should work for any recent Debian-based flavour of Linux. These instruction also work for Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal with a few things to keep in mind.
+Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility.  Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM, such as the [http://www.gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=257 Overo Tide COM]. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.  These instructions were tested on an Ubuntu 10.04 desktop machine; they should work for any recent Debian-based flavour of Linux. These instructions also work for Ubuntu 11.04 Natty Narwhal with a few things to keep in mind.
 == Make a MicroSD card ==

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
   $ sudo apt-get install rootstock qemu
 </code>
 Next, use a command like the one shown below to make a root file system; check out 'man rootstock' for some extra options.  Note: this will take an hour or two.
 <code>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Ubuntu on Overo COM ==
 Constructing an Ubuntu root file system for the Gumstix Overo COM is surprisingly easy with the rootstock utility.  Since Ubuntu (particularly a version including a graphical desktop) likes lots of RAM, Gumstix recommends using an Overo COM with at least 512MB RAM, such as the [http://www.gumstix.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=257 Overo Tide COM]. You can install Ubuntu on an Overo with 256MB RAM and the familiarity of Ubuntu for some users may outweigh occasional sluggishness.  These instructions were tested on an Ubuntu 10.04 desktop machine; they should work for any recent Debian-based flavour of Linux.
@@ Line 12: / Line 4: @@
 == Make a MicroSD card ==
 The rootstock utility builds a root file system inside a virtual arm machine supplied by qemu.  First, install the required packages.
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   $ sudo apt-get install rootstock qemu
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 Next, use a command like the one shown below to make a root file system; check out 'man rootstock' for some extra options.  Note: this will take an hour or two.
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
-  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f &quot;gumstix&quot; --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc
+  $ sudo rootstock --serial ttyS2 -d lucid -f "gumstix" --seed lxde,gdm,openssh-server,x11vnc
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 * the '-d' option specifies the distribution release: in this case, Ubuntu Lucid (10.04).
-* the '--seed' option specifies the list of packages to install: in this case, we install a lightweight desktop and a standard login manager as well as ssh &amp; VNC servers so we can connect remotely.
+* the '--seed' option specifies the list of packages to install: in this case, we install a lightweight desktop and a standard login manager as well as ssh & VNC servers so we can connect remotely.
 * the user name ('-l') and password ('-p') options don't seem to work at the moment; see [Configuring Ubuntu] for more information.
@@ Line 28: / Line 20: @@
 Finally, the loadable modules in the file system should match the kernel.  For users that don't want to build a kernel, you can use this [http://dl.dropbox.com/u/211887/Ubuntu/uImage-2.6.34-r88-overo.bin 2.6.34 kernel] and the associated [http://dl.dropbox.com/u/211887/Ubuntu/modules-2.6.34-r88-overo.tgz modules] tarball; this is approximately the Gumstix Overo kernel from September 9th, 2010.  Extract the modules file into the second partition over top of the root file system. E.g. for a root partition mounted at /media/rootfs:
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   sudo tar xaf modules-2.6.34-r88-overo.tgz -C /media/rootfs
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 == Configuring Ubuntu ==
 The ''rootstock'' utility doesn't make passwords properly.  For now, it is easiest to remove the root password, boot your system to create new users and choose a new root password.  To do this, open the ''/etc/shadow'' file on the second partition and delete the '*' for the root entry. E.g.
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   $ sudo gedit /path/to/second/partition/etc/shadow
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 Note: remember to put the ‘*’ back after you have created a user so someone can’t login as root and screw up your system
 For Overo expansion boards with an Ethernet interface, it is nice to have Ethernet working right off the bat without having to have Network Manager installed. Open the ''/etc/network/interfaces'' file on the second partition.
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   $ sudo gedit /path/to/second/partition/etc/network/interfaces
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 Add the following code to the bottom:
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   auto eth0
   iface eth0 inet dhcp
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 You can now unmount the microSD card, place it in the Gumstix and boot to it.
@@ Line 54: / Line 46: @@
 Once you are logged in, you might make some other tweaks:
 * login as root and then create a user for yourself and give yourself sudo
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   $ sudo adduser youruser
   $ sudo adduser youruser sudo
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 * edit /etc/shadow and add the ‘*’ back in that we removed earlier. E.g.
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   $ nano /etc/shadow
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 * add some useful package repositories if they're not already present. Edit /etc/apt/sources.list and add these lines:
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
   $ deb http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports lucid-updates main
   $ deb http://ports.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-ports lucid-security main
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 * get up-to-date:
-&lt;code&gt;
+<code>
-  $ sudo apt-get update &amp;&amp; sudo apt-get upgrade
+  $ sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
-&lt;/code&gt;
+</code>
 Have fun!