Modular Linux kernel for the Gemini PDA with lid close fix
Sometimes, well, quite often, maybe one out of twenty times when closing the lid, the Gemini PDA running Debian did not turn off the screen and go to sleep, because of keys being pressed by the closing screen before the keyboard gets turned off. When one recognized the Gemini getting hot in the pocket already a quarter to a half of the battery juice was lost.
Recently Adam Boardman has fixed this annoying issue within the Gemini’s Linux kernel. His fix disables the keyboard directly upon lid close, rather than waiting for screen blanking via userspace control. Within a few days after the fix I have not noticed the issue anymore. This fix is more than worth another kernel build. Again, I want to share my kernel build below:
The kernel configuration is unchanged (with respect to the previous article), but included for completeness: gemini-3.18.41+-config.gz (449 downloads )
For the build, again the updated kernel source the from https://github.com/gemian/gemini-linux-kernel-3.18 has been used.
Again the kernel modules for the iptables MIRROR target (will not be usable with the default iptables version on the Gemini) and frandom are included.
Those who do not want to go through the build themselves can download my prebuild kernel from here:
Kernel Image:
linux_boot-gemini-3.18.41+.img (381 downloads )
Modules:
modules_firmware-gemini-3.18.41+.tar.gz (476 downloads )
(the kernel modules in the previous article should still work, however, the new build is included for completeness)
Instructions for flashing the image can be found on: support.planetcom.co.uk. Make sure to use a proper scatter file, in example the one that has been used for the initial flashing. Using the Download only mode of the flash tool is sufficient. Uncheck all partitions but boot (or boot1 or boot2, depending on your boot order). For the boot partition respectively the boot1 or boot2 partition select the downloaded kernel image.
Alternatively you can flash the kernel using dd:
dd if=linux_boot-gemini-3.18.41+.img of=/dev/block/disk/by-partlabel/boot
If Linux is not your primary operating system on the Gemini use boot1 or boot2 instead, depending on your partition layout.
After flashing, copy the modules archive onto your Gemini and extract it in your root directory:
cd /
tar -xzf /path_to/modules_firmware-gemini-3.18.41+.tar.gz
After rebooting the device, it should go to sleep reliably after closing the lid.
Jürgen
February 4th, 2019 at 1:26 pm
Hi Jürgen
Thanks for your share, do you think it’s possible to compile a driver for a awus1900 (rtl8814au) with your kernel or he is too recent for the gemini pda?
I want to try to do it but I prefer to ask if it is possible
February 7th, 2019 at 5:12 am
Hi Cameul,
it looks like I got the module built. Has been somewhat harder than expected. Source used: https://github.com/aircrack-ng/rtl8812au
Temporary download location: https://www.mygnu.de/wp-content/uploads//dlm_uploads/rtl88XX.zip
Please try it out and report back. I don’t have this card so I cannot try myself. It might be necessary to download a firmware file for the card. If it works I will write a small howto.
Jürgen
February 8th, 2019 at 12:40 am
Thank for your working, it’s works, my adapter is recognized
Thanks again Jürgen
February 14th, 2019 at 11:34 pm
Cameul, thanks for the donation. Currently I am preparing the howto. For this I have a few questions. You have told that the adapter gets recognized. Does it also work properly or do you experience problems with the driver? Did you have to perform any additional steps beside the usual wifi configuration, i.e. downloading some firmware file?
Jürgen
February 16th, 2019 at 11:09 pm
I only add the files and I restarted, everything worked even the monitor mode
February 17th, 2019 at 12:33 am
Thanks, good to know that no further steps are necessary.
August 30th, 2020 at 4:31 pm
Nice work! It seems development of Gemian the Gemini has stopped?
Is there any change the:
Bus 001 Device 008: ID 148f:5572 Ralink Technology, Corp. RT5572 Wireless Adapter
Wil be supported?
Regards,
Mart
August 31st, 2020 at 12:43 pm
Hi,
thanks, the current Gemini kernel is available via apt: https://www.mygnu.de/2019/04/modular-kernel-for-the-gemini-pda-available-from-the-gemian-repository/ I don’t think there have been many changes recently.
It might be possible to build the driver for the RT5572 after installing the kernel headers as described in the article. The approach should be similar to the one for the awus1900: https://www.mygnu.de/2019/02/building-a-kernel-module-for-the-awus1900-wifi-stick-and-the-gemini-pda/ . Since I don’t have a RT5572 for testing, it might be better to try yourself.
Mith
September 6th, 2020 at 5:16 pm
Hi mithrandir,
Am I right that the rtl8814au driver is also available in kernel “linux_boot-gemini-3.18.41.img”? Because following your manual requires to unpack the driver in the 3.18.41+ directory – which I do not have with the linux_boot-gemini-3.18.41.img kernel available on git. It’s the + which is missing. The download link to your 3.18.41+ kernel image is broken.
I do not have much experience building my own kernel (newbie) so building my own RT5572 support is quite a challenge which I wil try. I this won’t work, I would be glad if I can download your 3.18.41+ kernel so I can buy an adapter with rtl8814au chipset.
Thanks and best regards!