Install linux on droidbox

[dazboa]

Hello
I've recently recieved this droidbox x7 from a family member who was not intrested in it.
I'm not particularly intrested in it either and would just like to install some distro of linux on it - to use
as a torrent,irc news downloader..

Could someone here maybe give me an idea of a distro that would be fairly easy to get going on
this hardware

Best Regards
Dazboa

 

[ChrisM]

Forum members Horvak and motherboard were both interested in Linux distros on an X7, but they haven't yet re-registered at this new incarnation of the forum. If they do, hopefully one or the other will be able to get you advice based on their experience.

One thing to remember is that you'll need to know a few details about your X7 before flashing firmwares to it. If the X7 was a recent purchase, it is most likely an AC8350, but it could also be EKB311 , EK311 or a B351BT variation. A good place to start looking for a Linux distro for the X7 would be http://www.freaktab.com
I'm not sure if search URLs at their forum are permanent, check http://www.freaktab.com/search.php?searchid=1038692
If that doesn't work, the following threads have info you'll find useful:
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?9231-EKB311-Linux-Kernel-Thread
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?12107-can-i-install-linux-on-a-CS918-quas-core-Andorid
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?11043-quot-Dual-Multiboot-quot-Android-amp-Linux
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?6803-Linux-for-RK3188-based-TV-boxes
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?10676-INSTALL-LINUX-UBUNTU-TRUSTY-THAR-(DEVELOPMENT)-ON-K-R42
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?10465-HOW-TO-INSTALL-UBUNTU-13-10-SAUCY-SALAMANDER-ON-K-R42
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?10460-K-R42-UPGRADED-TO-OFFICIAL-UBUNTU-13-10-SAUCY-LINUX

HOWEVER:....
You WILL need to know exactly what type of model you have. People there may ask you to open the case up on your X7 to identify WiFi, Ethernet and HDMI chipd. This would invalidate any warranty you have left.
If the flashing procedure goes wrong, and you X7 can't be flashed back to anything else at all, again your warranty won't cover a replacement.

Not trying to scare you off, just make sure you're aware of the situation.

Final thought, does it have to be a Linux distro? In terms of torrents and irc/usenet downloads, are the Android apps that are available not suitable?

 

[dazboa]

Thanks for the reply, "ss."

The info you have posted is fantastic and very helpful the unit I have is the AC8350 so I'm glad its a more update version and
too answer some other points...

I'm not bothered about the warranty or actually bricking the device as I was giving this was an unwanted item that i'm going to pay with.

There are several reasons for a Linux distro-
firstof as android is basically a nice GUI sitting on top Linux i'm expecting that all the components will be supported.
second with a linux distro as opposed to riscos or bsd, there will be more stuff available and, more importantly, ready compiled.
third, again with the gui thing once i get the bootloader in place i'll compile my own kernel and have a nice fast system with no gui/android overhead and low power consumption
lastly, yes android does have some tools avaiable, but i like too have stuff running all the time and i like easy access i.e. weechat, samba, freetalk.

I wont be installing any gui on it, it will simply be a server but more powerful than my raspberry pi!

Regards dazboa

 

[ChrisM]

Ah, I see the benefits of a simple Linux install on your X7. If you ever have spare time enough to do it, would you mind posting how the process went? If you're successful with the procedure, and don't mind, I'd love to create a new sticky thread with a guide on the topic (with all credit to you obviously ).

 

[admin]

Hi dazboa,
there is something you need to know about Linux distro on RK3188 SoC. Because Mali has not released the source codes for the GPU, Ubuntu and other distro's on RK does not support full HW acceleration. So you won't be able to get decent HW encoding on 1080p movies & etc, however there are still some ongoing works for it and recently OpenGL support were implemented on RK3188.
http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/03...working-in-linux-for-rockchip-rk3188-devices/

 

[ChrisM]

From his previous posts, I'm not sure @dazboa will be using the device for anything that uses hardware acceleration, but a useful note for others wanting to take this route.

 

[admin]

Today I found out that it's possible to have dual boot on these devices - Android and Linux.

here's the thread for it - https://plus.google.com/+IanMORRISON/posts/9DvTKTy99Yy