Greetings,
I have looked at information on the internet (including this forum) with regards to loading different a different OS onto the TF101. There is a lot of information on how to do it, but very little explaining how satisfactory the result is.
Here is my situation:
I have ordered a refurbished TF101 + Dock for under $400 delivered. This is covered by a 12-Month warranty.
My plan was to use this device primarily as a work-oriented device. I am studying law and am required to take excessive notes, apply for clerkships, and write fully referenced (NB: footnoted) essays.
I only have 2gb per month of mobile data which means I spend a lot of time at various educational institutions. I also work mobile pretty often (train ride into city, etc). Essentially I'll be using this primarily as a netbook with an awesome battery life
While the TF101 seems like an perfect device for someone with my lifestyle, the lack of any android app which allows for footnoting is unforgivable. The decision to dual-boot ubuntu is a logical solution.
Onto my questions:
1. Is there any issue setting up dualboot on a TF101 from a bootable USB drive on a windows based OS?
2. How does ubuntu run on the TF101 in terms of productivity? I have read about what functions are supported; but I'm wondering how it all works in practice. It doesn't seem like anyone has turned their TF101 into an ultrabook with a killer battery life and tablet functionality.
3. I have read that bricking is always reversible. Is this the case? I don't plan on deviating from instructions from xda. I understand that there is always a risk, I just want to know my chances.
4. Does it matter whether HC or ICS is loaded on this tablet when it arrives? Are there any steps I should take to update the OS before dual-booting
5. Are there any drawbacks to clocking to 1.4Ghz? Does this affect battery life and if so, to what extent?
6. Is there a lite version of ubuntu I could dual-boot on my TF101 to improve performance/work efficiency? If so, how would this change the instructions listed: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wik..._an_Asus_EEEPad_Transformer#Installing_Ubuntu. Would installing a lite version be necessary? Could the TF101 handle full office applications running a full version of ubuntu without increasing the clock speed? I'm just trying to get a sense of how sharp the TF101 feels running programs on ubuntu.
7. Are there any other things I should consider to optimise my TF101 to perform at the level I indicated?
Thanks for bearing with me. If it seems like I've bought the wrong device, I just find it amazing that I could have a low-spec ultrabook and a tablet with a battery life better than both for under $400. I figure I can boot android for tablet use (calendar, browsing, reading) and ubuntu when I need to get some serious office-type work done
Thanks again for reading.
Let me try to address these one at a time to help you out with your purchase, also glad to see you pick the TF It's a wonderful tablet.
"This is covered by a 12-Month warranty." - If you install Ubuntu, root or otherwise, it will almost Surely void this warranty, so be careful as it is refurbished, inspect carefully and make sure it isn't a lemon (bad tablet).
"the lack of any android app which allows for footnoting is unforgivable" - Quickoffice seems to support this, although it is $20 -- link.
1. A bootable USB stick setup on windows WILL NOT work on the tf, you must use the Android Debug Bridge to install it on the tf. Instructions in link below.
2. It works, but not like desktop ubuntu, as the ARM processor doesn't support 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit applications. So WINE WILL NOT work, AT ALL.
Read what will and will not work here.
3. This is heavily dependant on the version of your tablet, older (b60 or lower) devices have sbkv1 and therefore support NVFlash, which means you can always (unless you.. microwaved your tablet or something..) restore a brick. If you have a newer (most b70s and all b80s and up) sbkv2 tablet like mine, it will not work. If you follow instructions carefully when messing with your device though it's pretty hard to COMPLETELY brick it, although all user data can be at risk.
NOTE! If you have a tablet with sbkv2 you Can Not install Ubuntu on it with the installer. I won't say At All, as there is probably a way, but it would be very hard.
4. You would probably want to update to ICS first, Asus provides this update through ota updates pushed to the transformer or off of their website. It is a smoother experience. Or you could root and flash a custom ROM, (even smoother! ) Also see #5
5. If you want to overclock to 1.4 Ghz you Must Root and flash a custom rom and Kernel (important) that supports overclocking, and may not be able to use ubuntu at the same time as it seems to overwrite the recovery slot (correct me if I'm wrong someone). It does affect battery life by a noticeable amount, (roughly 20% would be my guess) and you really shouldn't need to OC if you're just word processing though. The tf is a pretty fast tablet xD I overclock mine to 1.2 for general use and gaming.
6. Searched, and not that I could find, sorry :/
7. Yes, flash a custom Rom and Kernel, there are many to choose from! The ones I use work great and are in my signature. ARHD Rom and TastyMehIcs kernel. It's all up too you though.
In conclusion I think you would be better off using android as the Ubuntu is pretty limited, quickoffice should be fine. Go ahead and optimize it though, and if you have a sbkv1 tablet you can try it out!
ToD
Edit: You could also look into remote desktop to computer to word process, but that would lock you to your 3g wifi speed and be non-native. -shrugs- Splashtop HD is pretty fast on a home n+ wifi network.
Thanks!
Thanks for your response - it changes everything!
"the lack of any android app which allows for footnoting is unforgivable" - Quickoffice seems to support this, although it is $20 -- link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually spent quite a while looking around for android apps with full office functionality. Like quickoffice, I found that numerous apps supported viewing footnotes, but none which actually allowed for their creation.
The only solution I've found for footnote creation via android is google docs desktop view, but it's really barely functional at best on android.
I'd also like to use freeware when possible.
1. A bootable USB stick setup on windows WILL NOT work on the tf, you must use the Android Debug Bridge to install it on the tf. Instructions in link below.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I've never actually installed linux on my computer, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it
2. It works, but not like desktop ubuntu, as the ARM processor doesn't support 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit applications. So WINE WILL NOT work, AT ALL.
Read what will and will not work here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this will be a problem. For what I'll use the tablet for, it seems like I'll have plenty of office, video, and utility applications that run natively on ubuntu.
3. This is heavily dependant on the version of your tablet, older (b60 or lower) devices have sbkv1 and therefore support NVFlash, which means you can always (unless you.. microwaved your tablet or something..) restore a brick. If you have a newer (most b70s and all b80s and up) sbkv2 tablet like mine, it will not work. If you follow instructions carefully when messing with your device though it's pretty hard to COMPLETELY brick it, although all user data can be at risk.
NOTE! If you have a tablet with sbkv2 you Can Not install Ubuntu on it with the installer. I won't say At All, as there is probably a way, but it would be very hard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a problem; I've determined the item in the mail is an sbkv2.
This link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1345049 says I can still root the sbkv2. Are there any implications that would prevent me from dual-booting ubuntu?
Otherwise, you've convinced me that clocking would be unnecessary. I really would like to dual-boot ubuntu eventually however for the flexibility (and freeware-ness) of the applications.
For instance, I might download a video clip or pdf, need to unzip it and then find it needs a weird codec to play.
I'm not really a fan of "apps" on mobile devices. I find that they are generally very limiting: they use too much processing power for what they are, they often have an unreasonable price-tag/bloatware, and they are designed for small mobile devices, so the interface lacks functionality.
For example; none of the android office apps support footnote creation. Only some support viewing. Clearly the hardware of the TF101 would allow it to footnote easily, so I feel like I should have the ability to use this hardware to achieve the functionality of a netbook
That said, I'm keen to use the whole android/mobile app interface when I've separated the tablet from the dock and recline to watch youtube or check my emails
Alright, I'll look into it more as to getting Ubuntu on a sbkv2, as I'd want to do it too, but for now, assume no as I've looked into it before and no cigar.. I believe there is a chroot method but that is slow buggy non-native etc so it's probably not what you're looking for. Using desktop view in Dolphin Browser HD is actually about the same as pc browsing, just tested on google docs. Or you could always type out your docs on the tablet then get on a pc/desktop view and add footnotes later. (roundabout, I know x.x)
Rooting the sbkv2 and romming is easy, but sadly Nvflash doesn't work at all till ASUS unlocks the bootloader or someone cracks it.
"I'm not really a fan of "apps" on mobile devices. I find that they are generally very limiting: they use too much processing power for what they are, they often have an unreasonable price-tag/bloatware, and they are designed for small mobile devices, so the interface lacks functionality. "
The way android works helps to manage processing power very well, so you shouldn't be worried about a smooth experience if you root rom and optimize. As for the design most major apps have an HD version specifically for tablets, and many are free (if you can get past ads or use a blocker ) Any other questions/concerns?
Thing O Doom said:
Any other questions/concerns?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point I'm only really trying to figure out whether there is a way to dual-boot ubuntu. I have more reading to do, but my current reading suggests that it's possible - just not sure how accessible the process is to someone like me.
Law here allows us to return an unopened product within 7 days of purchase, so I will have to weigh up whether I can reasonably expect a way to run ubuntu in the future, and whether I should just have fun with android in the meantime.
I'll be happy to keep it if I thought there'd be a way to run ubuntu (or asus releases the key) sometime in the next couple of months. Otherwise I've just spent $400 on something that my current (old, heavy, 1hr battery) laptop does better.
EDIT: Remote desktop isn't a possibility due to my lack of internet.
2ND EDIT: I've made a bit of a mistake: the model no is TF101-1B180A, but as far as I know it is skbv1 (fingers crossed) which means I can use the PRIME installer. I guess I shall find out tomorrow morning!
Thanks again for the help!
What you really need to find out is the serial number - If it's B60 or lower it is sbkv1, if it's B70 it could be either (mine is a b70 but is sbkv2, my friends is a sbkv1, we both got it in best buy on the same day ) The ubuntu help and installer thread in the dev forum can help you if you have sbkv1, I can help walk you through everything if you'd like too. Asus is 'planning' to release the bootloader, which will happen eventually as people continue to pester them, and there is a way I'm sure.
Just an F.Y.I it is possible to install Ubuntu on an SBK2 device followinf the instructions in this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1537566
As for the speed of it, it is not great(I did the mount-loop install on the internal storage which is at least faster than installing on an sdcard). I havn't tried overclocking yet to see if that helpls. Also a number of things do not work at all/ need some tweaking to work.
how about tethering from wifi from your phone and using something like splashtop?
I have a TF101G so the internet issue is a bit less troublesome.
That guide you linked seems a bit roundabout, but I'll try it out and if it works TYSM xD Thanks. ^^
It is layed out pretty well in the third post. I used the Dual-boot with loopmounted image option and just followed the instructions in that post. Just make sure you have rooted and installed cwm recovery.
Also I am not sure if the android kernels linked in the post are ics or hc ones, but if you upgrade to ics there are a couple kernels available in the dev section.
Theres an app called ubuntu installer, it isn't native but may work about the same, also testing now.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA
Thing O Doom said:
Theres an app called ubuntu installer, it isn't native but may work about the same, also testing now.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't bother with that, it is far too slow to be useful in my experience.
EDIT: deleted because it sounds negative. Basically I'll need to try to return/sell this if I can't get ubuntu working because android cannot do what I need it to.
As I pointed out previously it doesn't matter if you have an sbkv2 device as far as installing Ubuntu is concerned.
Just follow the instructions here after rooting the device.
It is not perfect though, there are a few bugs and as far as I know no one has got hardware graphical acceleration working yet so you can't watch videos. I think sound isn't working yet either.
Also don't expect the same programs you would find in windows or even linux normally as many programs have yet to be ported to arm based linux.
Nairbly said:
As I pointed out previously it doesn't matter if you have an sbkv2 device as far as installing Ubuntu is concerned.
Just follow the instructions here after rooting the device.
It is not perfect though, there are a few bugs and as far as I know no one has got hardware graphical acceleration working yet so you can't watch videos. I think sound isn't working yet either.
Also don't expect the same programs you would find in windows or even linux normally as many programs have yet to be ported to arm based linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the instructions.
I NEED this device to be able to perform full word procesing as a minimum. I also want to be able to have multiple windows open so I can actually see what I'm writing, and I would like to be able to see what I'm typing as I type it instead of a second later. I need to be able to use keyboard shortcuts and select text easily. Lastly, I need to be able to streamline the OS so it can run quickly.
If a TF101 with ubuntu dual-booted is unable to accomplih this, somebody please tell me now.
umfortunately I have:
Chip UIP: 0x42890884140b097
SBkv2
Now looking up instuctions to root SBKv2
Nairbly said:
As I pointed out previously it doesn't matter if you have an sbkv2 device as far as installing Ubuntu is concerned.
Just follow the instructions here after rooting the device.
It is not perfect though, there are a few bugs and as far as I know no one has got hardware graphical acceleration working yet so you can't watch videos. I think sound isn't working yet either.
Also don't expect the same programs you would find in windows or even linux normally as many programs have yet to be ported to arm based linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nairby,
You didn't mention how to root an SKBv2. Would you use the Universal root toolkit 7.1 found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1185104 ?
If its on ICS: Vipermod option 1.
If it's on HC, root with the razorclaw tool by downgrading the firmware then flash an ics rom. Very easy and no computer required.
Thing O Doom said:
If it's on HC, root with the razorclaw tool by downgrading the firmware then flash an ics rom. Very easy and no computer required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I receive the message "this device lacks the needed file (bad luck)" after insalling
The guys over at Ubuntu are developing something REALLY nice for the Android that are able to support both HDMI and USB, which I think the PLAY is capable of. This is some legit stuff guys! Time to revolutionize!
http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android
It says that it's for multi-core phones, but maybe this could be ported to work on the PLAY in the long run? Discuss here!
EDIT: Something already popped into my head, since other Ubuntu distros can already be merged with the original Ubuntu itself, do you think removing the Android Ubuntu elements and adding them to a desktop Ubuntu system, then connecting the phone via USB with Debugging enabled would do the trick?
I'd love it if someone ported it to the Play, but I doubt it will happen... I guess they say it's for dual core phones for a reason (performance!)
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Selim873 said:
The guys over at Ubuntu are developing something REALLY nice for the Android that are able to support both HDMI and USB, which I think the PLAY is capable of. This is some legit stuff guys! Time to revolutionize!
http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android
It says that it's for multi-core phones, but maybe this could be ported to work on the PLAY in the long run? Discuss here!
EDIT: Something already popped into my head, since other Ubuntu distros can already be merged with the original Ubuntu itself, do you think removing the Android Ubuntu elements and adding them to a desktop Ubuntu system, then connecting the phone via USB with Debugging enabled would do the trick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From what info i have got about the system it really is much like my project but tailer made to the tes device (atrix 2) with extra goodness that a team working hard have come up with...and not just me lol.
But if they release source it should let us come up with a installer that does everything they show for a much larger range of devices...we are already working on some of the features just a big 'watch this space'
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
It's already possible to run a full linux distro under Android. Bit hacky though. It runs in the background and you have to VNC into it to use the GUI. Works pretty nicely however. There are a few apps which automate the process, including this free one which works pretty well now:
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.galoula.LinuxInstall&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5nYWxvdWxhLkxpbnV4SW5zdGFsbCJd
Nextil said:
It's already possible to run a full linux distro under Android. Bit hacky though. It runs in the background and you have to VNC into it to use the GUI. Works pretty nicely however. There are a few apps which automate the process, including this free one which works pretty well now:
play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.galoula.LinuxInstall&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5nYWxvdWxhLkxpbnV4SW5zdGFsbCJd
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He knows this hence the (Note Ubuntu Installer) referring to one of my apps
Still no news here looks like its not running inside android like a vmware. Needs a dual core so that each core runs a different os. Ubuntu is utilizing one of the cores so would be worth while overclocking where possible. The host core still runs android so that they run together on the oppisite clocks
So I've been playing around with my SL101, and finally got a version of ubuntu working (kindof) enough to do some playing and whatnot.
Currently using the TF101 image from lilstevie (unzipped to /sdcard/ubuntu.img ) and ubuntu-mountloop.zip from here (which I flash from recovery because i can't apx mode because of SBK's not found for my device).
I'm just running into a few issues:
Onboard keyboard not recognized (any release) (on boot it looks for a dock and doesn't find one, but the SL101 technically doesn't have one)
Intermittent stalling inside ubuntu
Touch isn't what I wish it would be like (no swipe, no longpress for menu, etc)
WiFi only works in one version I've tested: lilstevie's
We need development on the SL101, or at least some kind of guide helping semi-advanced users inject the needed modules/drivers to load things specific to the SL101! (onboard keyboad, remove secondary battery indicator, etc)
I'd really love to get all the kinks out and have a stable ubuntu dualboot (be it, pseudo dualboot, still none the less)
Now, I was asking around a couple of days ago in #android and #android-root on freenode, and found out, for "ubuntu for phones" (which we should see a version hit for the galaxy nexus near the end of this month) they're actually using android drivers, so I'm wondering if anyone's played with this at all, i.e. loading ubuntu with android's drivers and having everything work out of the box...
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/01/02/canonical_announces_ubuntu_for_phones/ said:
Because it uses the same device drivers as Android, Ubuntu for phones will be able to run on a wide variety of hardware, ranging from entry-level devices with single-core processors to advanced "superphones" based on multi-core ARM and Intel chips.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Topic in #ubuntu-phone on freenode said:
Source code and image should arrive end of Feb '13
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi.
This problem has been posted many times with no answer provided by anybody.
I'm not allowed to reply to the relevant threads as my post count is too low.
Here are the details of my tablet:
ainol Novo7 Venus running Android 4.2.2, Kernel 3.4.0
Latest version of Complete Linux Installer.
Currently writing this message using Ubuntu 10.10 on the tablet with USB keyboard & mouse using a 3.6 version of Firefox.
Works great, but Firefox is old, and I can't upgrade it on Ubuntu 10.10, so I thought I'd try a newer version of the OS.
I had reservations about how this would go as I've had major problems running anything newer on my desktop machine. I've run Ubuntu 10.10 on that for many years and was very happy with it. That's now running 12.10, using gnome-session-fallback. Unity sucks, and it simply won't work on my desktop.
Back to the Anal; sorry, ainol.
I've tried Archlinux, Debian, Fedora, and they all work to some extent, but the sotware is old. I've tried Ubuntu 12.04, and it appears to work on the surface, but Firefox crashes (Reported by others, but no cure).
I've also tried Ubuntu 13.04, 13.10 and 14.04 and al of them result in the blank gray screen as reported by many others.
I've managed to get around that and solve the gray screen problem on all of them.
The trick is to change the window manager. KDE is the default on all these, as obviously theyv'e discovered that unity doesn't work on tablets. However, KDE doesn't seem to work on a lot of them also judging by the number of people reporting this error.
The best window manager I have found to work is xfce4. It's not installed by default, and neither is my favourite terminal, or text editor.
Amazingly, none of these distributions even have a web browser installed.
If anyone needs help getting xfce4 installed, I'll be happy to provide instructions
In the meantime, good luck
Geoff
Grey screen issue on Ubuntu 13.10
Hi there !
I have Grey screen issue during ubuntu boot up
I'm using android vnc and complet linux installer on my karbonn a9
small and core image works great but in case of large image I have Grey screen issue
need your help how to resolve this issue !!
please reply asap....
thnx and regards,
coopergl said:
Hi.
This problem has been posted many times with no answer provided by anybody.
I'm not allowed to reply to the relevant threads as my post count is too low.
Here are the details of my tablet:
ainol Novo7 Venus running Android 4.2.2, Kernel 3.4.0
Latest version of Complete Linux Installer.
Currently writing this message using Ubuntu 10.10 on the tablet with USB keyboard & mouse using a 3.6 version of Firefox.
Works great, but Firefox is old, and I can't upgrade it on Ubuntu 10.10, so I thought I'd try a newer version of the OS.
I had reservations about how this would go as I've had major problems running anything newer on my desktop machine. I've run Ubuntu 10.10 on that for many years and was very happy with it. That's now running 12.10, using gnome-session-fallback. Unity sucks, and it simply won't work on my desktop.
Back to the Anal; sorry, ainol.
I've tried Archlinux, Debian, Fedora, and they all work to some extent, but the sotware is old. I've tried Ubuntu 12.04, and it appears to work on the surface, but Firefox crashes (Reported by others, but no cure).
I've also tried Ubuntu 13.04, 13.10 and 14.04 and al of them result in the blank gray screen as reported by many others.
I've managed to get around that and solve the gray screen problem on all of them.
The trick is to change the window manager. KDE is the default on all these, as obviously theyv'e discovered that unity doesn't work on tablets. However, KDE doesn't seem to work on a lot of them also judging by the number of people reporting this error.
The best window manager I have found to work is xfce4. It's not installed by default, and neither is my favourite terminal, or text editor.
Amazingly, none of these distributions even have a web browser installed.
If anyone needs help getting xfce4 installed, I'll be happy to provide instructions
In the meantime, good luck
Geoff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi @coopergl, i've got that grey screen issue, with the debian Image, and i don't know how to change the window manager, could you help me with it?
Thanks a lot !