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    Looking to put a version of Linux onto a generic Android netbook?

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by Caustic Fox, Dec 25, 2012.

  1. Caustic Fox

    Caustic Fox Newbie

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    Hi all. I have a generic 7 inch Android 2.3 netbook in which I want to install a version of linux onto. Reason is, Android is as best described on my machine, 'almost useless'. This is a new tablet that has crashed 20+ times now (apps force closing, constant rebooting, kernal lockups) Once in a while, it even refuses to boot entirely (I have to resort to using the reset hole). I am quite aggravated with the Android OS to the point that I want to dump it and install a different version of linux.

    Ok, enough of my ranting. Since this is a generic netbook, I will my try best to list its specs to see if we can work something out:

    Shenzhen Kinstone D&T Develop Co. .ltd
    Model: KS-UMPC070ZD

    7 Inch 800x480 TFT LCD
    Android 2.3.3 OS
    4GB NAND Flash
    Unknown 1GHz processor (Most likely ARM based.)
    256MB RAM
    802.11 B/G Wi-Fi
    SD card slot, 3x USB ports, Ethernet port

    This is what it looks like:
    [​IMG]

    What are my options?
     

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    Caustic Fox, Dec 25, 2012
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  2. JOSEA

    JOSEA NONE

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    JOSEA, Dec 26, 2012
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  3. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    Hm, looks similar to the Sylvania SmartBook. That probably has a WonderMedia WM8505 or WM8650 VIA CPU.

    You can get linux onto it via SD card, here are some links that may help.

    Running: Debian on wm8650 - SlateDroid.com

    Porting Arch Linux to a WM8650 tablet

    http://devio.us/~nextvolume/via_arm/viewtopic.php?id=4&t_id=12&page=1

    Index of /files/abrasive_mirror/wm8505_linux

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/linux-compatibility-software/557437-netbook-question.html

    Read this thread backwards, and a lot of it is just noise (Ubuntu forums, need I say more...):
    [other] Linux on 7" mini netbook ARM-VT8500 ? - Ubuntu Forums

    There is puppy linux for arm info here: http://puppylinux.org/wikka/PARM

    I would suggest Debian instead (better ARM support).
     
    ALLurGroceries, Dec 26, 2012
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  4. Caustic Fox

    Caustic Fox Newbie

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    Thanks for the replies. I am now going to dive right in with this. I will report back if anything happens.

    Still digging around... has left me in confusion. After going through a few android specs apps, I think the CPU of my netbook is a Imapx200 ARMv6.
    The device # is: m7800h
     
    Caustic Fox, Dec 26, 2012
    #4
  5. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

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    Puppy runs good because it runs in ram. 256mb of ram really isn't enough though (imo).

    debian with some type of window manager might run good.
     
    Primes, Dec 27, 2012
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