[Q] A new Atrix OS with open Linux installation. - Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello XDA Developers!
tl;dr I need either a solid, light OS replacement for Android 2.3 on my Atrix, or I need a video streaming and virtualization app with no lag that works between android devices and either windows or linux desktop.
First I'd like to say how impressed I am with you folks. Massive amounts of work most be done on a regular basis, and so I tip my hat to you in thanks for looking at my potential problem/question.
I've got two devices that I'd like to make some serious software changes to, one of them my Atrix (the other is a Flytouch Tablet ARM11 with Android 2.3, but that's for a different forum). Let me start by saying that I like to think of myself as very technically literate, but when it comes to linux I just don't have nearly as much experience as I do with windows/mac, and it is about to really show.
What I want to do is load a light Linux OS on these devices. Normally, if I was going to install a new windows kernel on a machine I would copy an ISO to a USB thumb drive and make the drive bootable (using the MS program Windows 7 USB/DVD maker), then startup the PC and either through the BIOS or by hitting the proper button during the startup sequence I would ask the PC to boot into the drive and begin the installation.
Questions:
What is the image file type for mobile OS's?
How would one choose the right type of linux OS for an Atrix?
What is the difference between flashing a ROM and installing and OS?
Why is it when I updated my phone recently that it became unrooted?
(and) Is there any way to revert this process to make rooting easier?
Is there any way to capture a video output (like a stream) and broadcast it to these mobile devices so I can avoid changing their software alltogether?
(and) Could I just remotely control another PC from the mobile device, letting it do all the actual computing?
Can I use the Webtop Dock as a monitor for my desktop if I can find the proper HDMI cable to connect it to the HDMI output on my desktop video card?
(and) Can I also connect the Micro USB and use the keyboard/mouse (hooked into my desktop motherboard) on it as well?
(and finally) Can I use my Atrix as a prototype omni-tool by docking it in a docking station, attaching various tools that work with a linux operating system (wide-spectrum ultrasound imaging, temperature monitors, vital monitors, electronic laser saw (USB) (with separate power attachment of course) and extendable, movable USB cameras?) and then strapping it onto my wrist with a cool leather bracer design?
My end-goal is to have all three of these devices on the same network, with the ability to seamlessly access my data between them. For example, if I'm working on a document, I'd like to be able to access the document in a document editing program across all the platforms (imagine google docs with multiple users) however with one MAJOR stipulation: I'll be on a local network with NO INTERNET ACCESS!
Briefly (to better help you understand just what I'm trying to do) I am a freelance archaeologist/deep sea explorer/ROV tinkerer about to do a series of surveys mostly by myself in some VERY remote locations. I'll have a Wi-Fi network to link all of my devices together running out of my boat, but it's only for data sharing between each other, and since Satellite Internet is a joke, I can't think of any way to get data out there, and I've decided to live without it while I'm away.
I have a webtop dock for my Atrix, and the environment developed by Motorola is far too restrictive. I've tried countless fixes to try and get the webtop2SD to work, but I must be doing something wrong (Maybe the latest update screwed it?). I think since I'd like to use some linux applications while on the mobile devices, I would rather install a custom OS for both.
OR (preffered)
Even more simply, I'd like to stream the video feed and remotely control my desktop PC (located on the boat) on the mobile devices, but with yet another stipulation: I can't have FPS lag (I usually get 1-2 FPS with all the virtualization and remote control apps I've tried). This would in some senses be the preferred option, since I really don't want to spend oodles of hours trying to get some program to work in a difficult, restricted environment like these mobile device's current OS's. Is there a good, non-lagging version of desktop virtualization for Android OS?
About that webdock: I can't seem to find a female-to-female micro HDMI cable anywhere on the internet, thought I did find one Micro HDMI extension cable, and bought it promptly. I could buy another, but cut the male ends off and splice the female parts together (**** just got kinky). But if I could, would this work?
Phew that was a lot! Again thanks so much for thinking for me!

I've personally never found any kind of remote desktop software that works without lag, but it might be possible to find some. Someone else might know what to tell you there.
After doing some basic searching, the only collaborative document solution that I've found has been Etherpad Lite. You could set up a desktop or laptop running linux as the server, and all the other devices on your small network could (theoretically) run a browser based client similar (but far less advanced) than Google Docs. This way, everything on your LAN/WLAN could access the application, if it's stout enough to support your needs.
https://github.com/Pita/etherpad-lite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collab...Real-time_collaborative_text_editing_software
Everything you're looking for just seems to be limited for Android, I wish you the best of luck.

I have always found Teamviewer great for remote PC control from my Atrix. They have a nice app and free license for home/personal use. I get minimal lag controlling my PC at home when at work, but that's over WiFi. Not very fast and pretty laggy if I am on data with my Atrix.
BTW............I can work on documents, transfer files to and from PC's and laptops, print documents on my wireless printer, etc. across my home network from my Atrix, all routed through a Netgear WNR3500L running stock firmware (dd-wrt actually slowed my network down and reduced WiFi range considerably, so I reverted to stock).

First, there is no "magic" within the lapdock device. It is a nice HDMI screen, a couple crappy input devices on the USB side, and a battery. The standard Moto software does recognise the usb device and do some software magic, but certainly you could use the dock on it's own w/o the phone.
As to completely replacing the /osh webtop OS that Motorola provides, that is challanging.
There are 2 basic ways to open it up though. Go to the developers subforum and look for webtop2sd and "full Debian".
Somebody did post recently with an attempt to fully replace the webtop OS. he was using gentoo, so look for that and you should find it. But I suspect it is early, and likely to be a significant WP.
As to learning all this ****. If you do some Linux developement or heavy hacking (which it kind of sounds like) you should set up a full full blown 'droid dev platform and start playing. It is big and bulky, but you will learn faster that way than just searbhing around.
EDIT: just reread your post that you are light on Linux. if you want to do anything more than just follow along, it might be a good idea to setup something like an Ubuntu and get familiar there. 'Droid is way different looking (it really basterdises things around) but yoiu need to know both if you want to play with webtop hacks.

Thanks all. I'll look around again to see if I can find the threads you mentioned. I've tried Webtop2SD but to no success so far.
Thanks again.

Related

Curious if this has been done (Phone as touch screen for pc)

I was wondering if anyone had thought about the idea to change your phone into essentially a second touch screen monitor for your computer. You could do it wirelessly, but I think a usb connection to charge the phone while you do it would be just as good, in some ways better.
One you could extend your desktop to essentially, and make it work like any other monitor, just with the touch input.
Its called Logmein or VNC .
Unless I am mistaken you need to carefully reread my post. I do *NOT* want to control my monitor through my phone. I want my phone to *BE* a monitor for my pc with touch input. Last I checked either of those programs only allowed me to control my pc through my phone, not act as a secondary display. If I am wrong feel free to inform me.
Logmein Ignition is close,but its still not what I want. The goal is to have the phone be nothing more then a monitor and HID for the computer its hooked up to.
i doubt its possible because if you haven't noticed on the back of your monitor are some wires, ( if your using laptop its inside ) those are what your CPU shows to the monitor, and those cannot be connected to a phone, its just not possible.
Resolution wouldn't work its wayyyyyyy to small.
it might be possible, but i highly doubt it.
Totally possible through USB, the point is not to have a huge display but a minidisplay.
USB Monitor example.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/usb-gadgets/bfa3/
No offence, but typical of this forum apparently. Instead of throwing out FUD please answer if you have the knowledge of have read the actual post thoroughly. Thank you .
It could theoretically be done through Linux. The problem would be the resolution conversion. And that, would have to be done from the computer side~~~ convert size/resolution/format~then send. The problem would getting it to stream without delay or lag. Normal text would be probably ok but video, I think it would get delayed so looking at the CRT and the phone you would experience delay and speed differential.
I do not know an app that does that, but I my brother wrote an executable for Sun that did this. So, it can be done.... Sorry I am not much help.....
Perhaps I am not being clear, or people are just not used to the way multiple monitor systems work under windows. Not sure which so I will try to clarify what I am talking about and provide a couple examples.
I want to know if anyone has developed or is interested in developing a way to have an android device be used as a secondary monitor, with touch input, for your PC(preferably windows PC).
What do I mean by secondary monitor?
An independent display that is able to use its native resolution, and not be a duplicate of your monitor.
Examples currently available:
Here is a website that has many different kind of usb monitors.
http://www.mimomonitors.com/
Final note:
The goal is to have a small display that can be taken advantage of when you want to use it, while charging your phone. Given androids ability to multi-task you would not lose access to the phone while doing this.
Application purposes:
Display chat output, music, ventrillo, and web pages while in a game or other landscape intensive task on your computer.
Why?
Our phones sit beside us while we are on the computer and for the most part we don't utilize them while they are there. Why not make them usefull while they charge? People have been purchasing multiple displays or mini-displays for many years now, and I think it would be awesome if we could use our phones for that purpose without having to go out and buy a new device.
Yeah I would love a feature like this.
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[Q] Upgrading from HTC TP2- Remote Desktop/PIM Backup/HD Station/AntiVirus ?'s

Hey XDA -
So this will be my first upgrade from using Sprint's HTC TP2 for the past year - it was a great phone and will continue to use it as a wifi router thanks to the nice ROM makers over at PPCgeeks. I am going to miss the stylus
Now my questions :
1. I've never used an android OS - is there a recommended "finger-friendly" Remote Desktop Application that will allow me to access my home pc laptop (windows xp pro)? - I am trying to launch a review course software from my mobile phone that requires Java Runtime Environment for Windows (which is installed on my laptop).
I'm a medical student trying to use my paid subscription to usmleworld.com board review questions. It's such a hassle to be always tied down to a laptop. So I am hoping I will be able to have better results on a faster phone and larger display as compared to my HTC-TP2 which was really choppy when trying to remote-desktop.
2. My contacts on my TP2 is via Windows Mobile 6.5OS and saved through "PIM Backup" - Is there a way I can transfer my contacts from this application to the Android OS?
3. I don't have an HDMI TV or HDMI ready Monitor. I have an external LCD VGA monitor. Was there anything I could connect to that with that so that I can get the HD Station to work?
* At this point, I am not sure if I am going to unlock/root anything as this is my first time using the OS. It took me many months to actually flash my TP2 and try a few ROMs but I love the features - mainly the wifi router options.
4. I've heard stories of android malware being pumped out - How can I prevent any malicious software from being installed on this phone? Is there an official market website apart from accessing the phone itself? Do you use antivirus/malware software for this device?

Chrome OS and webtop functionality?

I was wondering about the possibilities of a chrome os replacing webtop on our photons. Since it is Linux based like webtop, could it be possible to relayed ubuntop with chrome os?(see ubuntop forum for elaboration) Either way I was just thinking it would be perfect since there's Eucharistic simple GUI for the os.
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I can't believe I didn't see this post til now, sorry. Your question is very valid and deserves an answer.
ChromeOS and Moto's Webtop are, at their core, a web based OS (think cloud computing) in functionality. Granted, ChromeOS would be much smaller and faster than Moto's Webtop but still has all the failings of cloud computing. Cloud (ChromeOS, Webtop and so on) are based on the premise that you will ALWAYS have a working internet connection. We (the world) all know that this is rarely ever that case. So the premise is flawed from the start. Let's look at a real world scenario.
You need to write a report for school or work and are using Cloud (ChromeOS, Webtop and so on). While working on the report your internet connection goes down. It's a cellular outage/ internet provider outage and you do not have an alternative connection. The webpages you have open are still there but with cloud you can no longer continue to write that report. Your document creation/editing is somewhere on that, now inaccessible, internet. I, on the other hand, am running a stand alone OS (webtop+/ubuntop). Like you, my webpages are still open but I can also continue to work on that report due to me not being tied to the internet for document creation/editing.
The argument could be made that you could always use an Android office suite to continue working which is true. Try doing any real document work in android, it's a real pain in the ass. I know, as almost all things related to the Evo Desktop PC project was done in android.
Lokifish Marz said:
I can't believe I didn't see this post til now, sorry. Your question is very valid and deserves an answer.
ChromeOS and Moto's Webtop are, at their core, a web based OS (think cloud computing) in functionality. Granted, ChromeOS would be much smaller and faster than Moto's Webtop but still has all the failings of cloud computing. Cloud (ChromeOS, Webtop and so on) are based on the premise that you will ALWAYS have a working internet connection. We (the world) all know that this is rarely ever that case. So the premise is flawed from the start. Let's look at a real world scenario.
You need to write a report for school or work and are using Cloud (ChromeOS, Webtop and so on). While working on the report your internet connection goes down. It's a cellular outage/ internet provider outage and you do not have an alternative connection. The webpages you have open are still there but with cloud you can no longer continue to write that report. Your document creation/editing is somewhere on that, now inaccessible, internet. I, on the other hand, am running a stand alone OS (webtop+/ubuntop). Like you, my webpages are still open but I can also continue to work on that report due to me not being tied to the internet for document creation/editing.
The argument could be made that you could always use an Android office suite to continue working which is true. Try doing any real document work in android, it's a real pain in the ass. I know, as almost all things related to the Evo Desktop PC project was done in android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to resurrect this. All of the above being said, would it be difficult to use the most current version of chromium OS for web top?
elessarelfstar said:
Sorry to resurrect this. All of the above being said, would it be difficult to use the most current version of chromium OS for web top?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even the latest Chrome OS is still mainly a cloud based system. For what programs that do have standalone functions they still fall short of what UbunTop offers. For example, GIMP and OpenOffice are long term "standards compliant" programs and supported on multiple platforms. ChromeOS also offers far less in the way of software choices when compared to UbunTop which can run most ARM compiled programs based on Debian.
The other factor that now has to be considered is the removal of Webtop support by Motorola. Support for Webtop and webtop replacements will disappear with the ICS update on all webtop enabled phones leaving the users with Android based tablet mirroring mode. Even if you were to replace Webtop with the latest ChromeOS, it will no longer function as soon as you move to ICS. In short Webtop OR ICS, can't have both. The same applies to ChromeOS as well.
Projects, like Ubuntu Installer, that use disk images and VNC will still function on ICS. The draw back to this is that you loose audio support and external device support like flashdrives. Another issue is how VNC interacts with the disk image. There is also the issue that using disk images on the Atrix and Photon have very limited support. A specific Kernel/ROM combination has to be used to even get it to function.

[Q] Lapdock - Remote Desktop Connection

Hi guys,
I use Xtralogic Remote Desktop Client for remote desktop connection which works great directly in phone. But if I put Atrix into a lapdock and maximize phone display window, phone display is stretched to lapdock's 1366x768, but real image resolution stays at 960x540 and it doesn't look good.
Is there a way how to increase phone display resolution to lapdock's native 1366x768 and use applications in this resolution? Or is there some other application for remote desktop connection for lapdock which is able to use full 1366x768 resolution?
Thanks.
Edit:
I have Android 2.3.4, Webtop WT-1.2.0-133_22
Hi t-fuse,
If and only if you willing to root your Atrix then you will discover how helpful your gadget can perform if you use it together with the Lapdock.
I assume, the main reason why you need to have a RDP could probably because you need to access to your Windows base PC and perform some regular task which the "original" Atrix + Lapdock combination couldn't perform. If this is the case, you may make the decision if it is worth to "root" your Atrix? Search this forum for "Webtop2SD" and some others topic/comments which related to this hack.
Once again, I suggest you to spend as many time as possible to browse this forum (while experiencing your new gadgets) before you perform the hack and ask for help(s). Here you will find some nasty member and some very nice members too.
Hi OngPangTau, thanks for your reply.
I decided to root my Atrix several days ago (primary reason for rooting was LBE Privacy Guard application).
Then, I managed to successfuly install webtop2sd and other necessary stuff and now I'm running webtop from microSD card with XFCE4 GUI. To use remote desktop access I installed rdesktop which works good. The only limitation for rdesktop was that I had to switch my Windows 7 computer to less secure remote connection. However the most important thing for now is that remote desktop connection works

Android Device as Second Display

I'm looking to be able to use my Galaxy Tab as a second PC display. I've been searching for hours for a way to set this up and I've found a few solutions, but so far they've all been lacking. I'm hoping others might have some experience or thoughts on the subject. Here's what I tried or looked into so far:
iDisplay - Available on the Market. So far about the only solution that works, but it's god awful slow. If you try to use a browser with a couple tabs open, it practically stands still. It also disables Aero on Windows 7.
Screenslider - Available on the Market. Disables Aero. Doesn't like web browsing, FF and IE won't redraw when clicking anything (links, Java objects, tabs, etc).
Air Display - Available on the Market. Disables Aero and DirectX. This one was extremely responsive, but you just can't do anything on it. Not compatible with FF9 or later and can't handle dynamic web content.
Remote View - Available on the Market. Disables Aero and Background. Honestly, I don't even remember why this one didn't work. Pretty sure browsers just froze. Have to jump through hoops on their website to even get the server.
Splashtop XDisplay - iOS only. Looks like it would be perfect, but it's not on Android yet. They said they were working on it 6 months go, so I'm not holding my breath.
Virtual display + a VNC connection - This is the most promising, so far. The idea is to use software to create a virtual display that's normally hidden, then use a VNC server (that can deal with individual displays) to send that extra display to a VNC viewer on the Android device. It seems like this would be the most responsive, plus you shouldn't lose Aero or specific applications since you're essentially just sending out a video stream (I think). Some apps even combine the virtual display and VNC server into one. In reality, actually setting this up has been a royal PITA (due in no small part to my complete lack of experience with this sort of thing).
Other Android RDP or VNC apps that have this sort of functionality built in - ?
So, has anyone actually accomplished this, or have any interest in figuring it out?
I'm looking for a similar application for my Galaxy Note's display. I want to use it as a live display tablet for Photoshop. I tried iDisplay and Remote View. Both were too slow to update phone display. iDisplay also BSODs my Samsung laptop (primary work machine), so it's not a viable solution. I could always use my phone as a regular tablet (one that just moves a cursor on screen), but hey, it'd be cool to have!
Virtual display+VNC? Sounds too contrived, but I'll try to read up and figure out how to get it running. If that's as responsive as a regular display, I'll post the method here.
bloodyhippo said:
I'm looking for a similar application for my Galaxy Note's display. I want to use it as a live display tablet for Photoshop. I tried iDisplay and Remote View. Both were too slow to update phone display. iDisplay also BSODs my Samsung laptop (primary work machine), so it's not a viable solution. I could always use my phone as a regular tablet (one that just moves a cursor on screen), but hey, it'd be cool to have!
Virtual display+VNC? Sounds too contrived, but I'll try to read up and figure out how to get it running. If that's as responsive as a regular display, I'll post the method here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i guess it didnt work..
Personally, I never went back and gave it another shot. Still think the VNC thing will work well with some effort.

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