Configuring and compiling a recent kernel

[jgeiss]

Hi there,

I'm currently cross-compiling a Gentoo system for the Pandora using a cross-compiler and QEmu. It works quite well, but now I want to configure and compile a recent kernel.

Until now I used the pandora-kernel from git://openpandora.org/pandora-kernel.git (track -b pandora-3.2 origin/pandora-3.2). This kernel is a little bit old. Now where can I get a more resent kernel?

Which (default) configuration can I use compiling an original kernel. Does it make sense?

Do I need patches for the Pandora? Which and where?

I also saw a kernel at git://git.goldelico.com/gta04-kernel.git which should also be for the Pandora. But what ist the corrent config for this?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ingoreis]

Oh a Gentoo for the Pandora?
Sound Interresting

I do not know anything about Configuring Kernels.
Maybe our Low Level Guru named Notaz can help here?
He is the Importantest Man behind the Pandora Super Zaxxon OS.
We have to thank him much for his Work on it.
And i met him Personally at the Gamescom.
He is realy a friendly Guy.

Just PM @notaz here in the Forum

 

[notaz]

It's been a long time since I tried newer kernels. Both mainline and gta04-kernel should boot, but gta04-kernel should have more working drivers. There are no other alternatives (or patches) that I'm aware of. For mainline, use omap2plus_defconfig (make omap2plus_defconfig), for gta04-kernel use letux_defconfig.

We have to thank him much for his Work on it.

Well if it's because of Askarus' thread, there is no need, I just wanted to set up reasonable expectations for his new choice of specialty.

 

[jgeiss]

For mainline, use omap2plus_defconfig (make omap2plus_defconfig), for gta04-kernel use letux_defconfig.

Thank you for your help. But unfortunately I am still not able to start the kernel. I tried both omap2plus_defconfig and letux_defconfig with some more drivers activated (especially in graphics for the frame buffer) but I get no hint of the kernel running. After UBoot writes "Staring kernel" nothing seems to happen.

I built the kernel using

make zImage

and

mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 0x80008000 -e 0x80008000 -n 'Linux-pherkad' -d arch/arm/boot/zImage arch/arm/boot/uImage

like i did for pandora-kernel 3.2. The pandora kernel runs well, but the gta04 does not. Does anybody have a configuration with at lease start the kernel with output printing to the Pandora display?

 

[hns]

Did you load the device tree blob by U-Boot?
Here is a boot script: http://download.goldelico.com/letux-u-boot/OpenPandora/2017-05-13/src/boot.scr

 

[jgeiss]

Did you load the device tree blob by U-Boot?
Here is a boot script: http://download.goldelico.com/letux-u-boot/OpenPandora/2017-05-13/src/boot.scr

Thanks, this works. The kernel starts. At least a could see the display went dark and some LEDs flashing. So I can now concentrate to the configuration of the kernel.

 

[jgeiss]

The kernel git://git.goldelico.com/gta04-kernel.git is running now, but I failed to get usable key codes for the Pandora and Fn key.

Does anybody know where I can get a patch to make these 2 keys work?

 

[Linux-SWAT]

This may help :
https://pyra-handheld.com/boards/threads/relsoldered-l-button-from-l1-to-l2.68002/#post-1148711

 

[jgeiss]

It took quite a long time but now I have released the first description how to make a current Gentoo by your own: https://pandorawiki.org/Cross_Install_Gentoo

 

[Linux-SWAT]

That's a nice wiki.
You should definitely do a thread of its own in the other OS forum.

 

[jgeiss]

I have done it.

 

[Swordfish II]

Would be nice if you would post your files so we could give it a whirl.

 

[levi]

It's all accessible using the instructions posted on the wiki page as far as I can tell, though the target of that article is installing gentoo under a VM so you'd need to pull out the instruction for getting the kernel and adapt them.

As is, it uses the letux kernel from hns's server, so for Pandora you way as well look into testing letux os and improving it.

 

[jgeiss]

Would be nice if you would post your files so we could give it a whirl.

Here they are.

 

[hns]

Good work, especially the patch for the keyboard driver!
I have added it to the latest letux source tree (4.16.15): http://git.goldelico.com/?p=gta04-kernel.git;a=shortlog;h=refs/heads/letux-4.16.15
So you can remove the patch instructions from https://pandorawiki.org/Cross_Install_Gentoo#Compile_kernel

 

[jgeiss]

I have added it ...

Thanks. I have tested it. It worked OK and I have removed the patching in the WiKi.