Using r121 (Part 2)

This post is related to setting up wifi network (WPA-PSK) using my PLANEX CF11X Wireless card. The main issue with this card is it fails to load by default, a new firmware has to be loaded into the card's RAM upon use.

The firmware files required are:
* pm010102.hex
* rf010804.hex

These files can be downloaded here:
1.8.4.tar.bz2,
1.8.4.tar.bz2

There exists /etc/pcmcia/hostap_fw.conf which contains script for loading the firmware, however it doesn't seem to work. Not sure how it is supposed to work here. Hence this is another workaround that works for me.

NOTE: You need to have the hostap-utils, hostap-driver and wpa_supplicant package installed.

Create a script file called loadwifi.sh, we assume the .hex files are copied to /etc/pcmcia/firmware directory.

#!/bin/sh
echo 'loading PLANEX CF11X firmware'
prism2_srec -gs wlan0 /etc/pcmcia/firmware/pm010102.hex
prism2_srec -gp wlan0 /etc/pcmcia/firmware/pm010102.hex
iwpriv wlan reset 1
prism2_srec -rp wlan0 /etc/pcmcia/firmware/rf010804.hex
iwconfig wlan0 mode 2

Next, modify /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf for your wifi settings.

Here's my example

    ctrl_interface=/var/run/wpa_supplicant
    ctrl_interface_group=0
    eapol_version=1
    ap_scan=1
    fast_reauth=1
    network={
        ssid="(Your SSID)"
        proto=WPA
        key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
        pairwise=TKIP
        group=TKIP
        psk="(Network_Password)"
        priority=2
    }

Once you have all these setup, the following is the step by step call to put the network up. Put these commands into one script for easy access.

Load the new firmware into Wifi Card's RAM
> loadwifi.sh

Enable wlan0
> ifconfig wlan0 up

Load WPA setup to authenticate with server
> wpa_supplicant -c /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf -D hostap -i wlan0 -B

enable DHCP client to get IP (assuem server using DHCP)
> dhcpcd wlan0

The connection should be on and should be able to browse the net now.

Using r121 (Part 1)

After doing a lot of research and try out, there are some fixes that should be applied to start off:

1) [Fn] + [1,2,3,4] hot keys not working

To fix, modifiy /usr/X11R6/bin/startx

change the line from
defaultserverargs=" -nolisten tcp"
to
defaultserverargs=" -nolisten tcp -kb"

2) Xmms failed to play mp3

When try to play mp3 file in xmms, it complains with "failed to open audio output: eSound Output Plugin 1.2.10"



To fix:

Option 1:

It is found that you can solve this problem by issuing the command
> esdctl unlock

Xmms will be happy to play music now. So basically we need to add this command to the startup script to prevent this happening.

Option 2:

This is actually an easier solution, what you need to do is to change the XMMS plug-in settings (Option->Preferences, Audio I/O Plugins Tab).

Change the Output Plugin selection from eSound Output Plugin to either OSS Driver or ASLA output plugin.

Installing pdaXrom r121

Happy New Year! This is my first post in 2007.

After playing pdaXrom beta3 for a few weeks, I decided to start testing r121 out in the new year, and explore the power of 2.6 in my Z. :-D

My expression of this release it good. I personally would rather working with this release more than the old beta3. (Maybe I should try pdaXii13 though, since I got stuck with some annoying bugs and don't know how to fix). I will keep using this release and learn more till the next one comes up.

Installing r121 is not the same as installing the old releases, it requires you to first update the bootloader, which is called U-Boot.

It is recommanded you do a NAND backup beforehand in case you want to roll back. (I didn't really do it, as we can download it from the TriSoft website anyway)

The following are the installation procedures (based on C3200)

Part A) Installing U-Boot
1. Prepare a SD or CF card, format it in FAT16.
2. Extract bootloader files (pdaXrom-1.1.0r121-Kathrin-u-boot-akita-current.zip) to the card.
3. Turn off Zaurus, remove power adapter (and battery).
4. Press and hold the (D+M) keys, plug the power adapter
5. In the diagnostic menu -> Extra Menu -> NAND Flash Erase
6. Turn Off Zaurus, remove power adapter (and battery).
7. Insert SD or CF card with the extracted bootloader files.
8. Press and hold (C+D) keys and plug in power adapter.
9. You should see both the green/yellow leds are on for around 10sec
10. When the leds are off, unplug power adapter.

Part B) Installing pdaXrom r121
1. Prepare a SD or CF card, format it in FAT16.
2. Extract images (pdaXrom-1.1.0r121-Kathrin-akita-current.zip) to the card.
3. Turn off Zaurus, remove power adpater (and battery)
4. Press and hold OK button, plug in power adapter.
5. Wait for ~10sec and leave OK button
6. Screen will turn on and boot into emergency system
7. It will detect the SD/CF card and run autoboot.sh
8. Answer Y to the question
9. After flashing, it will reboot and pdaXrom will run.