Baslinux mailing list

[baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org]

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008, baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:

> On 16 Mar 08 at 19:58, baslinux AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:
>
> > So far as I understand, USB functionality is only partly implemented in BL3.
>
> USB functionality depends on the kernel: it requires Linux 2.4.

2.2.26 works fine with USB EXCEPT for USB storage devices - flash drives, 
cameras, external hard drives, USB zip drives

> The USB modules for 2.4.31 kernel allow to exchange and mount
> USB devices. It is, however, not yet very user-friendly.
> Since the introduction of 2.4 kernels to Slackware, the USB support
> has been further improved, e.g. after plugging in a new device,
> will be mounted automatically.

I have no trouble with mounting /dev/sda1 or /dev/sda4.
Remember to umount before you unplug.

> That means the basic USB support can be added to any BL installation
> by using one of Sindi's or David's 2.4.31 kernels at startup.
>
> A newer kernel, however, requires more hardware resources.
> BL3 is designed for minimal hardware. If your computer has no
> problems with a bigger kernel, probably it would work also
> with BL2 or a newer Slackware version. Those could be a better
> option for the given PC. If not, Sindi's quite special compiles
> could minimalize the size of the 2.4 kernel.

My USB kernels are not particularly small (700K or so) because I also 
included support for many other things such as framebuffer.  I am willing 
to try compiling a custom kernel for anyone.  bzimagla.431 is the smallest
(about 600K) - no framebuffer, no scsi, no sound

They are smaller than 2.2.26 'big' kernel but a lot larger than the 420K 
or so regular BL3 kernels.

> It is not very clear to me what will be lost in a current BL
> installation, if you permanently use the 2.4 kernel instead
> of 2.2.26. I remember only that svgalib and the programs which
> make use of it, eg. zgv stop to work, and pppd needs to be

I compiled a newer svgalib which works fine with 2.4.31, in fact it works 
better (uses a module, is more secure, no need for +s).

David Moberg provided a newer ppp_generic and ppp_async to replace ppp.

> replaced. Another issue is the fact that USB memory devices
> and a CD-ROM RW drive both use scsi.

They do with 2.2 kernels as well.  scsi_mod, sd_mod (USB storage devices), 
sr_mod, sg (for CD-RW) and ide-scsi.

> Due to these problems you may want to preserve the 2.2.26
> as the general boot option and use the 2.4.31 only occasionally,
> e.g. when you want to copy data from USB storage to the hard disk
> or review pictures from a camera.

> As long as only console applications make use of the USB devices
> (zgv, links, mc, CD burning) it could be an alternative to
> collect them on a RAM disk installation of BL2. Sindi contributed
> a 2.4.31 kernel that works with an 8MB RAM disk. I created
bzimagl8.431 (I think).

> a RAM disk package called usbtools.gz that contains everything
> necessary to:
>
> - mount all hard disks, CD drives, USB storage devices available
> on the system by very simple to use scripts
> - copy, move, delete etc. files on these devices with Midnight
> manager
> - browse the web and local devices with links
> - review photographs and graphic files with zgv (this actually does
> not work due to the problems mentioned above)

Use the later svgalib (needs glibc 2.2.5) and later zgv from my site.
insmod svgalib_helper

> - burn CDs from any of the mounted directories with a couple of
> shell scripts
>
> I am not aware if I have made this packet available online.
> If anybody is interested I will be able to do so.
>
> > If I recall correctly, Steven has compiled necessary modules for some USB
> > devices to go along with the custom 2.2.26 kernel he compiled for BL3: is
> > that correct, Steven? If one has such a device, one must download and insmod
> > the correct modules to get it working under BL3.
>
> Although these modules exist I cannot remember any confirmation
> that they really work with anybody's USB storage devices.

USB storage does not work with 2.2.26 for me or anyone else in BL list who 
tested it, but usb-storage.o module is at the BL3.50 site anyway.  Maybe 
it works with something I don't have.
Sindi

> Christof