Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Now the first version of ubiboot N9 environment is ready for release :D

See the (low quality) video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGxnqUgm3WM

The downloads and documentation can be found from http://www.swagman.org:8008/juice/ubiboot/

WHAT IS UBIBOOT N9

- Configurable boot environment that can be used to launch different OS'ses / kernels for N9
- Integrated repair/maintanance mode

With ubiboot you need not ever flash a kernel again, you can use similar procedures to maintain your kernels an on regular desktops, just copy kernel&mudules to device and edit boot list.

With ubiboot it is easy to change OS'es on the fly, you can boot your device to Harmattan/Nemo/Nitdroid without any extra equipment, and select what kernel you want to use with the OS.

Thanks (in alphabetical order) go to at least the following people;
Hurrian, Jonni, Peterleinchen, Sledges, Stskeeps and propably others :)

---------- edit ----------

Note about Open Mode

To use Ubiboot, your device needs to be running in Open Mode. What this means, is that some of the Aegis security framework functionality is suppressed even as you cannot ever turn Aegis off completely in a Harmattan device. For this reason it matters greatly how you enter Open Mode.

This following note is relevant not for only ubiboot but also to all the cases where a device is being run in Open Mode, regardless of the kernel and boot mode to do so.

To correctly flash the device for Open Mode, you need to ensure that the Aegis keys and credentials on the device are created with Open Mode keys, not with the default Closed Mode keys.

The Aegis key generation happens the first time a device boots after a clean flash, before user is presented with the UI of the device. Hence, it is important to make sure that the device boots up in Open Mode the first time after flashing. The way to accomplish this is what I call back-to-back flashing.

Back-to-back flashing is performed by first flashing the device like in "normal closed mode flashing", both emmc and rootfs. Then, immediately flashing the device again, now with an Open Mode kernel, without letting the device to boot up between the two flashing rounds.

If you perform this correctly, the device will start up in Open Mode so that aegis keys are created correctly. This will help you avoid all odd problems caused by running device with incorrect credentials (password problems, strange hangups and boots, general slowing and lagging of device...)

---------- edit ----------

Changed the link to point to non-filtered site URL

The administrator of swagman.org has opened an unfiltered port for access.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

23.03.2018
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.9

New features:

N/A

Bug fixes:

Fix login to device in repair mode

General enhancements:

N/A

Work in progress:

N/A

Get it fresh from HERE
See the README file
See the Changelog file

Installation notes:
This version uses internal interface version 5 which was introduced in version 0.3.8. If you have 0.3.8 it is enough to just flash the kernel. If you are updating from older version you need to update the kernel, config file and cpio to be of the new version.

----------

06.03.2018
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.8

New features:

Additional parameters to kexec in ubiboot.conf
Replace Ubuntu iconn with Maemo-Leste icon

Bug fixes:

Fix error message in kernel loading failure

General enhancements:

N/A

Work in progress:

N/A

Get it fresh from HERE
See the README file

Installation notes:
This version pushes the internal interface to version 5, which means it requires that the kernel, config file and cpio need all be of the new version.

----------

24.03.2014
As some people have been unable to reach the ubiboot home page due to tight abuse filtering of our administration, I have requested opening of a non-blocked port for the site.

(For example, most of mainland China addresses are blocked by our sysadmin...)

Now, all locations on the world should be able to use http://www.swagman.org:8008/juice/ubiboot/

----------

09.01.2014
Did some re-organizing of the ubiboot repositories on Swagman and Skeiron.

• moved old stuff under "historical"
• updated the tiny-kernel version to frozen one

ADDITION: There's also a new beautiful ubiboot theme made by @FotixChiang called "Arctic"

• The icons are better drawn than in my version :D
• The menu screen has white background
• It is compatible with ubiboot 0.3.5 and 0.3.6
• Get it from swagman.org or from skeiron repositories

This is English localization but there is also a Chinese version available :)

----------

04.01.2014
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.6. minimal

New features:

Not really, just a stripped-down version to fit into 8M kernel partition

Bug fixes:

N/A

General enhancements:

N/A

Work in progress:

N/A

Get it fresh from HERE
See the README file

Installation notes:
This version is compatible with 0.3.5, but not older versions.

The files are also uploaded at Skeiron, for your convenience: http://juiceme.cloud-7.de/ubiboot/ub...2-small_060114

----------

30.10.2013
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.5.

New features:

• Support for SSHD & SFTPD in the maintanance mode
• Better chekcking for error conditions
• Strict version checks
• Better logging
• New kernel layout support larger initramfs
• New version of ubiboot.conf

Bug fixes:

• Fixed typos in template ubiboot.conf.

General enhancements:

• Rewrote the README document from scratch
• Handling of RSA certificates
• Added clearer GPLv2 licensing
• Reorganized the svn repository
• Changes in the kernel build environment

Work in progress:

• Ported wpa_supplicant for WLAN configuration
• Lot of work towards WLAN initialization, yet incomplete.

Get it fresh from HERE
See the README file
See the Changelog

Installation notes:
Again, just as last time, this version is not compatible with any files from the previous versions. Hence you need to review your current ubiboot.conf and put your kernel configuration into the new ubiboot.conf file.

The files are also uploaded at Skeiron, for your convenience:
ubiboot-02_0.3.5_301013.tar

----------

03.10.2013
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.4.

New features:

• Support for 6 different OS'es in the menu
• New tools menu
• Configurable IP addressing for DHCP & device address
• Support for EXFAT partitions
• Automatic numbering and mounting of partitions
• More versatile configuration, new options
• Automatic searching for configuration files across all filesystems
• New kernel command line options; it's possible to append/replace items on the command line
• Configurable log file locations

Bug fixes:

• Fixed the typo causing ubifs mount problem on /mnt/u5.
• Fixed typo that attempted kexec() even when kernel path was incorrect.
• Removed partitions 8 and 9 from the partition list.

General enhancements:

• Rewriting the animation toolkit.
• Removing surplus modules from config
• Strict versioning compability checks for config/cpio/kernel
• More logging for success/failure operations

Work in progress:

• Nearly complete sshd & sftpd for maintanance mode
• Started implementing WLAN support for maintanance mode

Get it fresh from HERE
See the README file
See the Changelog

Installation notes:
This version is not compatible with any files from the previous versions. Hence you need to review your current ubiboot.conf and put your kernel configuration into the new ubiboot.conf file.

The files are also uploaded at Skeiron, for your convenience:
ubiboot-02_0.3.4_081013.tar

----------

04.06.2013
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.3.

• Fixed problems booting Harmattan on HW revision 1603 devices.

Get it fresh from HERE
See the README file
See the Changelog

If you have installed/downloaded the previous release 0.3.2, you need only update the new kernel to your device as the configuration file and cpio are compatible with previous release.
You can find the correct kernel image here

The files are also uploaded at Skeiron, for your convenience:
ubiboot-02_040613.tar
zImage_2.6.32.54-ubiboot-02_040613

----------

31.05.2013
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.2.

• Configurable boot partitions by peterleinchen.
• Fixed module dependencies for extra module loaded off cpio archive.
• Serial console logging for 1st stage boot.
• New BME initialization.
• Watchdog kicker by Jonni.

Get it fresh from HERE
See the README file
See the Changelog

----------

19.04.2013
Mirrored the ubiboot repository on swagman.org to skeiron.org.
It might be that for some people access to skeiron is faster.
The mirror url is http://juiceme.cloud-7.de/ubiboot/

----------

05.04.2013
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.1.
Bug correction to race condition caused by umounting mmcblk0p2 partition during menu selection.
See the README file

----------

04.04.2013
Released ubiboot-02 (integrated) version, rev. 0.3.0.
Totally rebuilt version with easier installation and all sorts of niceties.
See changes of installation the README file

Support on IRC at #ubiboot

----------

18.03.2013
Updated ubiboot to use alternate installation FS. Now it is possible to use either mtd4 or mtd5 partition.
See changes of installation the README file

wow, you released it, nice! will try it soon :)
thank you

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Wow, it's finally done! Time to start playing with this.

EDIT: Got it to work, it was a pretty smooth installation. Cheers, juiceme!

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Juiceme! I don't know who you are or what you want, but I am here and I'll give you a thanks :D

Anyway, great job! I will start playing around with it :)

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

wow great job! :)

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Thank you very much! Now all that's missing is an image of Sailfish OS and then dual boot!! :D

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Ubuntu & FF OS are welcome as well :p lol

Thanks for the great job :D I hate Android so i wont try it now, waiting for another worthy OS

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

well, I have not decided yet what to port to it next, time will tell :D
btw, even as you say you hate android, ubuntu phone OS currently runs only on top of android...

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Props for Hurrian on being the first to install ubiboot and report back to me :D
It's good to know I did not leave out anything important from the install instructions.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

yes thats right :D

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Awesome. I wish I had the skills to get my phone set up like the one in your video.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Instead of using cp and tar you can only use tar:
Nice work! I Just bricked my device. It shows Nokia logo and then i blackouts. I don't want to reflash my device.
I just need normal zImage for kernel and then it will go to normal mode.

EDIT1 : used http://downloads.nitdroid.com/e-yes/n9/zImage.pr13 and reflashed kernel. Atleast, phone is now booting.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Bricking the phone for good is not easy, but getting into reboot loop or unbootable state is. Fortunately it is almost always really easy to fix it. Just use rescue mode boot, and mount your ubifs into some directory, and check/correct what went wrong.

During development, I have not even counted how many times it has happened to me, kernel development is like that :D:D:D

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

This is awsome, I'm going to try right now and will report back later.
Thanks JuiceMe !

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

juiceme, I noticed that on boot, the device is initially sluggish. (fixed by locking and unlocking the phone)

I'm using the Patched Openmode PR1.3 kernel - by any chance, does it need to be patched to explicitly enable L2 cache?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Yes, you are correct!

The boot to the Harmattan takes longer than necessary as the stock harmattan kernel (or openmode kernel) do not enable L2 cache in the kexec boot phase. I myself am using a patched "arch/arm/mm/proc-v7.S" which turns the cache back on after kexec().

I guess I should provide the patch for making it boot quicker.
This is the patch from Nemo: https://github.com/nemomobile/kernel...b38e5fe2639e73

BTW, the same also goes with Nitdroid boot, the kernel should also be patched similarily for quicker boot.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

I am running this with the open mode Harmatten and Nitdroid. I experience that I have to reboot two of three times before the open mode kernel is loaded and started. When I select the OS from the ubiboot menu, it returns to the ubiboot without starting the selected OS. That happens two or three times and then the OS is loaded.

So if I boot to Nitdroid, and want to switch OS, it takes me two or three reboots. And everytime Harmatten is started, it looks like it initializes again like it is started the first time. I see a very long loading icon before I can use the phone.

I installed ubiboot on a clear nokia N9 with open mode enabled. So I did not had other OS-es installed. Now I am installing the separate OS-es afterwards. I am trying to get the MER os also running, but takes a bit more time....

Are the reboots known issues? Is there some debug options to figure this out?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Anyone uses it on n950 as well

would an installer app be useful ?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

I have not encountered that kind of behaviour myself. Either the 2nd level kernel boots correctly or fails, and if it fails then it fails every time until the problem that causes it is corrected.

When the OS&kernel slection has been done, and the icons in the top menu fade away, if there is some problem loading the 2nd level kernel then the device will show an error message in green letters. If that does not happen, then the kernel selection has succeeded and device will boot the 2nd level kernel.

Now, it sounds to me there is some initialization problem in the 2nd level kernel.
Do you have the correct modules in "/lib/modules/<kernel_name>" of your harmattan root partition? Have you checked the module dependencies?
Did you try starting Harmattan with some other kernel, Nitdroid for example?
When you finally get to boot up Harmattan, can you check that the command line parameters for the kernel are correct, do "cat /proc/cmdline". Check also from dmesg if there are some strange errors.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Well, I do not have access to a N950 so I cannot say for sure, but Faenil promised to try it and report back to me.

I thought about that, and it is possible. Preparing the partition for ubiboot FS and copying the files there is trivial and even flashing the boot kernel can be done from the commandline, hence it's not difficult to make it into a deb.

However, I think this is pretty advanced stuff, making it into a clickable install packet might encourage people to try it without understanding WHAT they are doing. Especially as you need to tune the "/etc/boot.conf" according to your available kernels. This way at least you need just a bit of command line knowledge to install it. :D

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Tested on N950. i had to modify

its cool i haven't tested other os as yet thou.

the symlink on the folders so

then copy kernel into /mnt/boot/Harmattan/boot

note:my kernel was named openkernel i renamed it to 2.6.32.54-dfl61-20121301 if that matter..

then which echoed then edit /mnt/etc/boot.conf
to reflect what uname echoed

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

The symlinks in /boot/ of the ubifs partition point to "nothing" when you are running Harmattan and have mounted the ubifs partition under /mnt/ directory

Only when you boot up the device from the mnt4 partition and the init script mounts your "/dev/mmcblk0p2/" into "/mnt/2", then will the symlink "/boot/Harmattan->/mnt/2/" point to the real place, which is "/boot/" of your Harmattan root partition :)

Why I did it like this, I wanted to enable people to just create a /boot/ directory on the Harmattan rootfs, and copy kernel there instead of copying it on the ubiboot FS.

For functionality of course, it does not matter where you keep the kernels as long as they are somewhere where ubiboot kan see them :D

The important thing is to have the modules in the correct place for the booting 2nd level kernel to find them, which means "/lib/modules/" of the Harmattan root FS.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

After power-cycling a few times, I believe the issue is due to the watchdog not properly starting (or not starting fast enough) after kexec(); likely due to the disabled L2 cache.

The Nokia logo does show, but it never gets to the pulsing animation when it'll decide to go rebooting.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

I have noticed that, for example when I boot up Harmattan using the Nitdroid kernel (zImage.pr13) it is really laggy for the first minute or so. The booting takes a long time, the spinner just keeps on spinning. Nitdroid, however starts up quite quickly. (and if the L2 cache control was patched in, would propably start up even faster)

However, for me there has never been any failures to boot, on non-patched kernels it just takes a bit longer.

I wonder if there is some installed application that theyosh has that might complain about longer boot time, which would then cause the failure.

It seems I need to put up a patched kernel to ubiboot page for people who do not want to compile it for themselves.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

That is exactly what I experience. When I reboot my phone, the ubiboot is loaded. I choose the Harmatten system with the normal openmode kernel. The phone tries to start and shows the nokia logo. But after a while it reboots and I get back in the ubiboot menu.

Again I choose the same OS, it starts. So it takes now two times to start. And the first time it stops at the point where the nokia logo should pulse / show the water drops.

dmesg output attached.

More tests tomorrow I think. Rebooting does take some time....

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

I have updated the README file to deal with the issue of L2 cache initialization in Harmattan boot.

The fix is to use the provided zImage_2.6.32.54-openmode_l2fix as the harmattan boot kernel. It is a module-compatible drop-in replacement for the vanilla aegis-neutered openmode kernel that has the L2 cache issue fixed. The patch is included as openmode_l2fix.patch

theyosh, please test your harmattan boot using the patched kernel.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Thanks for useful app, anyone try with backupmenu N9?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

farfary is going to update the BackupMenu N9 to a new version, he was just waiting for me to release this version of ubiboot so that the SW's are compatible.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Since it is necessary to flash the device with another kernel than the vanilla, also with these ones, ubiboot or l2fix patched, there are the usual OpenMode kernel bugs, like crashing when you install apps, etc..?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

i got this error
how to proceed?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

I don't understand what bugs you mean, I have been running my device always in open mode, (both PR1.2 and with PR1.3 since it came out) and I have never gotten my device crashed, not when installing anything nor ever else...

Can you point me to the cases when open mode has caused such problems?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Hi!

Did the previous step (/usr/sbin/flash_erase /dev/mtd4 0 0) succeed?
Are you doing this as root?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

after a reboot it worked without error

EDIT: now i get this
this is the previous

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

And you are trying that as root (devel-su) ?
Do you have something else already mounted at /mnt ?

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

yes i'm root
i don't think to have something mounted on /mnt. how i can check?

EDIT: Checked i have nothing mounted

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Just do a command "mount" and see if there is some line that says something like "xxxx on /mnt/"

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Nothing

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

Fairly strange, that.

I tried several combinations, mounting with/without the ubi device attached etc, and only time that error happens is when you try to do it as user.
As root, it never gives that error.

Re: Introducing ubiboot N9 (multiboot OS loader)
 

One thing came to my mind... Yo said you booted the device at some point?

After you boot the device, you must attach the ubi device before mounting, sou you need to do this:

You never need to give the commands for flash_erase or ubimkvol again, but every time you want to mount it, you need to attach it before that.