FZ G1 tips, tricks, mods ?

We need to revisit the Optional Kit configuration again.

CF-53 works perfectly with Sierra Wireless MC-8355 Gobi 3000 and winfast. MX-18 Linux.

Optional kit on 04 or 4. 13 does not work. (Actually code 0 shows some activity)

With gpsd NOT running I type in

Code:

sudo echo "\$GPS_START" > /dev/ttyUSB2

and then launch Winfast Navigator. (Gobi card GPS must be started once per session.)

As far as the OEM GPS found on MK1 FZ-G1 this is not necessary. Symbolic links for com ports 1, 2 and 3 are already created in /.wine/dosdevices.

Check this by :

Code:

ls -la ~/.wine/dosdevices

com1 /tty/S0 is nearly always the serial port on toughbooks. com2 shows up on the CF-53 and com3 shows up on units equipped with OEM GPS.
S0 is 1
S1 is 2
S2 is 3
ttyUSB0 is com5
ttyUSB1 is com6
ttyUSB2 is com7 these are the three devices created when a Gobi card launches. I believe the Gobi 1000 launches a GPS but it is not usable....

SAMPLE FROM CF-53AA GOBI 3000 CODE 4

Code:

$ ls -la ~/.wine/dosdevices/
total 8
drwxr-xr-x 2 jay jay 4096 Feb 27 21:20 .
drwxr-xr-x 4 jay jay 4096 Feb 27 21:20 ..
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   10 Feb 21 22:06 c: -> ../drive_c
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   10 Feb 27 21:20 com1 -> /dev/ttyS0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   10 Feb 27 21:20 com2 -> /dev/ttyS1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   12 Feb 21 22:06 com5 -> /dev/ttyUSB0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   12 Feb 21 22:09 com6 -> /dev/ttyUSB1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   12 Feb 21 22:06 com7 -> /dev/ttyUSB2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   14 Feb 21 22:06 d:: -> /dev/mmcblk0p1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   12 Feb 21 22:06 e:: -> /dev/mmcblk0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay    8 Feb 21 22:06 f:: -> /dev/sr0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay    9 Feb 26 18:49 g:: -> /dev/sdb2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay   17 Feb 26 18:49 h: -> /media/jay/MXLIVE
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay    9 Feb 26 18:49 h:: -> /dev/sdb1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay    8 Feb 26 18:49 i:: -> /dev/sdb
lrwxrwxrwx 1 jay jay    1 Feb 21 22:06 z: -> /

 

Great post Jeff.

I am sure this will help others (Rose)trying to operate the gps from a Gobi card not just a FZ G1.

Wonder why you needed code 4 and I needed code 13?
Different type of card or that you were testing on a 53 and not a G1.

 

For Sierra MC7700 to enable GPS in Elementary OS (likely other Linux versions as well):
/dev/ttyUSB0 is for diagnostics
/dev/ttyUSB1 is GPS port
/dev/ttyUSB2 is where you send AT commands

To use minicom in Linux: Type:

Code:

sudo minicom -s

This will enter minicom setup

Use down arrow key on keyboard to select "Serial port setup"
Cursor will flash at "Change which setting?" question
Just hit "A" key to select serial device
Backspace and type to change serial port to desired port. (For me, it was /dev/ttyUSB2)
Hit Enter key on keyboard, and you will return to "Change which setting?" question
Hit Enter again to exit that menu, and use arrow keys on keyboard to go to "Exit" to leave setup, and stay within minicom program.

If you see nothing when you type, hit Ctrl+a then the letter e (for echo) and start typing.
minicom is not forgiving of typos, so be careful

AT!CUSTOM? command will show which custom commands you may enter

The commands I used were:

Code:

AT!ENTERCND="A710"
AT!CUSTOM=“GPSENABLE”,0x04
AT!RESET

The first command is password to get into AT setup. Without that command, you will get nowhere! Be patient while modem is resetting.

To exit minicom, Ctrl+a then hit X key on keyboard, and use arrow keys on keyboard to select "YES" (to Exit Minicom) and hit enter key

Next, restart computer for WWAN card to finish resetting

 

Many thanks to Shawn and SHEEPMAN!
This is for Sierra MC7700 WWAN GPS on Elementary OS.
My procedure, so far is:
Edit /lib/udev/gpsd.hotplug
to contain:

Code:

/dev/ttyUSB1

Also edited /lib/udev/rules.d/60-gpsd.rules to contain lines:

Code:

# Sierra Wireless, Inc (tested with MC7700) [linux module: GobiSerial]
ATTRS{idVendor}=="1199", ATTRS{idProduct}=="68a2", SYMLINK+="gps%n", TAG+="systemd", ENV{SYSTEMD_WANTS}="gpsdctl@%k.service"

sytemd control of gpsd was not working for me, so I disabled it with:

Code:

sudo systemctl stop gpsd.socket
sudo systemctl disable gpsd.socket

If that causes you problems, it can be re-enabled with:

Code:

sudo systemctl enable gpsd.socket
sudo systemctl start gpsd.socket

Then my process (at this point):

Code:

sudo service gpsd stop
echo "\$GPS_START" > /dev/ttyUSB1
gpscat /dev/ttyUSB1

(Take note of backslash and quote marks. These matter.) This gives NMEA strings.
Allow gpscat to get a fix, then stop gpscat with Ctrl+z
After stopping gpscat,

Code:

sudo gpsd -ND3 /dev/ttyUSB1

Navit even showed my location. I would just like to figure how to have it automatically work without console startup now. Need to make a script.

BIG GIANT EDIT: I forgot to mention earlier, I used Sierra's own drivers, NOT what is used by default in Elementary OS
Downloaded Linux Sierra MC7700 driver from
https://source.sierrawireless.com/resources/airprime/software/linux-qmi-sdk-software-latest/
(Get latest QMI drivers)

To install the old fashioned way, you need linux-headers that match your kernel, gcc, cpp, libc-dev, binutils, make, (and maybe g++, and libstdc++)

These are easier to install with Synaptic, so you may want to:

Code:

sudo apt-get install synaptic

Then use synaptic (a gui package installer) to install the above-mentions ( purple) packages. Just use search function in synaptic to find them, one at a time.

After installing the above-mentioned packages, untar it (Sierra downloaded drivers), (easy way is to right-click on file and "open with archive manager") and (in console) cd to extracted folder, and do usual

Code:

make

(in console) followed by

Code:

make install

This creates GobiSerial driver (and GobiNet, which I don't care about)
Then:

Code:

sudo modprobe GobiSerial

 

Updated Wine to 4.7.
Had to make sure I used i386 version to match my OS.
Interesting that 4.7 installed wine mono 4.7 something and right after that
MX updater said I can upgrade Firefox and that wine mono 4.7 was no longer needed. Said run autoremove. I am NOT doing that yet.

Garmin has occasional issues seeing the gps and the maps.
Fiddle with it a bit and all is well. Stop-start-click disable/enable etc.
I am testing eliminating some of the lines in system reg.
Might end up with just ttyACM0=COM5. I think the more choices, the more chance for Garmin to get confused.

Might be better to upgrade Wine before installing Garmin.

 

Garmin has been having more issues finding the WWAN slot based Ublox gps.
Not sure what to do.

 

Virtualbox installed.
Installed Win7 to Virtualbox on MX18 host. A bit of a learning curve.
Short story is to use an iso file and NOT try a usb stick.
W7 runs fine in the box. It even connected to the net.
WWAN slot based Ublox gps --> Garmin MPC still has consistency issues.


Need to figure how to get touchscreen / touchpad to work in GRUB menu.

 

Installed Deepin OS on the mk1. 64 bit
I like it so far.
Even has display scaling.
No live usb mode.
Install was a tad clunky.

 

In your opinion, how does Deepin compare with Elementary? As far as what works hardware-wise without fooling around? Sound? Touchscreen? WWAN? Screen rotation? GPS? (shudder)

 

I need to test more.
I installed it and had to leave for therapy appointment right away.

Touch works.
Wifi works.
Keyboard works in GRUB.
So far Deepin appears to be better and work better. Everything is very easy to find.
I am impressed with scaling being right there and it even has the 1280x800 resolution option.
Elementary LOOKS better as in more polished.
Deepin is based on Debian stable where Elementary is based on Ubuntu.
I prefer the direct based on Debian approach. Ubuntu and directives tend to frustrate me.

If you download Deepin, choose your server wisely. Or search for a US location. Otherwise the download will be slow, very slow.

Deepin 15.3 (2016 release) was the last 32bit(i386) version
https://osdn.net/projects/sfnet_deepin/releases/

Found a live version. Search for this file
deepin-live-system-2.0-amd64.iso

Here is a comparison link
https://www.slant.co/versus/2701/2702/~elementary-os_vs_deepin-os

 

Deepin review on FZ G1

Sound worked mk3
No sound mk1---sound came back with Win7 drive.
Ublox gps module showed in hardinfo on mk3.
I did not have all the linux gps stuff installed to test further.
Deepin app store did not have any gps stuff.
Synaptic had a repository issue.
Deepin's app store does have a lfair selection of nice apps and it is visually nice.
My mk1 has intermittent issues with stock gps module (I had forgot that)
mk1 gps did not show in bios so Deepin did not see it either.

Touchscreen works fine. Even recognized the Wacom digitizer.
No WWAN installed on my G1's.
Manual screen rotation worked. Easy to access the controls for that.

I installed PlayonLinux as a Wine frontend. (learning curve for me)
Deepin did not have open with Wine on the right click menu. (That is an issue for clueless me)
Manual install with Wine is challenging for me.
MX18 and Elementary has a bunch on Wine/Windows extras already installed. Deepin does not. Such as .net.
PlayonLinux will get them for you (if you know what you need)

Deepin is very nice to use as Linux only box. The Wine stuff gets tricky for inexperienced users.
It comes with Chrome (I am not a fan)But it all works for a standard laptop/tablet.
I think WWAN and gps will still require hoop jumping. But if I don't use those, Deepin works and works well. I would probably want a better file manager with root access.

I was getting frustrated and had to stop.

 

I don't think any distro will give root access in file manager unless (from console) doing:

Code:

sudo nautilus

(Provided nautilus is your file manager)

Over all, I have been pretty impressed with Elementary, and have only had to fiddle with sound, screen scaling, replace default file manager (Files) with nautilus, and GPS for Linux usage.

I've fooled some with wine and VisualGPSView, but had not very encouraging results. VisualGPSView works great on CF-31 with Linux Mint, but that has a serial GPS device installed. I've had no need to try WWAN GPS.

 

From what I have read, touchscreen won't work because drivers aren't loaded until actual bootup. However, on my new-to-me FZ-G1 Mk 1 with MX-18.1, the volume up/down buttons allow selecting GRUB options, with the Windows button acting as "Enter". Moving the menu choice apparently stops the timer so pressing the Windows button is necessary to continue booting; it won't automatically boot on timeout.

 

Just to make it part of the record in this thread, I noticed a couple of things in using the Onboard onscreen keyboard in MX-18.1 on the Mark 1. Although the Onboard keyboard appears on the Login screen, it is not automatically started in the XFCE session, but it can be started from the Whiskers start menu. Also if the G1 is shut down with Onboard running, on the next startup if an iKey keyboard is plugged in it won't be recognized. Shutting down Onboard before shutting down the system avoids the problem.

 

There is a file manager that has an option to "open root file manager here" in the pull down menu.
Not sure the name of it though.

I assume you mean volume buttons on the tablet and not on the ikey keyboard?

Elementary is very nice, I had a couple issues. One was not mounting all USB sticks. I can't recall what the second was.

Deepin solves those issues, but is challenging (for me)to install anything not in their app store. That was an issue with Wine / gps stuff for "a less than expert" like me.

MX18 has all the bits preinstalled and works. It took a good bit of customizing to get it to look like I wanted it to. It is all set up to install odd stuff through the app store.

We did a lot of attempts to get gps/Garmin working on MX18. It works randomly for no real apparent reason. Sheepman told me that his WWAN based gps did a random vanishing act on MX18 also. I conclude there is a bug in the OS dealing with serial ports. It shows up with WWAN usb to serial conversion.

I know a few years ago we had gps/Garmin working perfectly in Zorin. Not sure what that means.

I have spent more energy and time fighting the Garmin serial gps issue lately than I should have. It got me very frustrated and I can't do that to myself.
Linux has always lacked true gps navigation support. Throw Wine into that and it is a circus I don't want to attend anymore..

Any one of these three distros will work very good on a FZ G1.
However if you have WWAN or gps, you are on your own. That seems true for almost all Linux distros though.

 

Right - and I assume this is a GRUB feature, not something unique to MX-18.

Thunar in MX18 has this option in the "File" menu.

Wally

 

Just be careful using file manager as root. Don't delete things in home directory as root. Seems to send them to limbo.

 

Me using terminal is not always that safe either.

 

Houston, I have a problem.

Opened up the FZ G1 mk3 and found this.

 

In related news
I pulled the factory gps from the mk1 and put it into the mk3.
Adjusted the settings in the system.reg file and Garmin found the gps on Serial2.
Don't know if it will consistently find it or not yet.

 

In Linux?

 

Correct--In Linux on the FZ G1 mk3
Garmin Mobile PC

 

I installed Wine through the MX Package Installer on my FZ-G1 Mk 1 running MX-18.1 as recommended in the MX-18 user manual and it seems to work well. So then I installed WinFast Navigator through Wine just to try out the OEM GPS unit installed in the optional accessory slot. I had previously tested the GPS in Windows 7 so I changed the Linux configuration to the same settings of Com 3 and 4800 baud. Navigator connected immediately when I clicked the "Connect" button. It has been running for a couple of hours inside the house and seems to be stable; every time I walk over and look at it everything seems normal. Now that it has downloaded current almanac data it sees from 3 to 6 satellites, which I thought was pretty good for sitting on the kitchen table.

I did not install any software or GPS drivers other than Wine and WinFast Navigator. This is a dedicated factory GPS installed in the optional accessory position, not a GPS receiver integrated on a WWAN card. I don't have any GPS-aware Linux software to test the unit outside of WinFast Navigator in Wine.

 

foxtrot gps or Navit

 

I don't know, it's what came in it. How would I tell without opening it up?

 

THOSE ARE lINUX GPS PROGRAMS..

sorry Caps lock was on

 

Debian option? I use thunar all the time.

I noticed the Windows key doing enter. Good find on the up/down keys.

 

EDIT
SO if you are running Linux then

Code:

sudo apt-get install foxtrotgps #or check in synaptics

This from OEM GPS in CF-31 MK1 i3 running on LiveUSB.

Since it's a USB I used persist/all (F5 in grub) which writes changes to the stick as they are saved. This will ultimately fill up the USB stick but works well from computer to computer.

foxtrotgps is available from Debian. The latest stable version. Either download direct from Debian to your machine of choice or click a box in Synaptics Package Manager to add Debian packages. Update!

This is normal before the GPS has a lock. (see thumbnail of gpsd -nND5 /dev/ttyS2 and foxtrotgps) (S2 = COM3)


This post is all over the place for a simple edit. Too many phone calls.

 

Wrong thread.

 

Old Gator,
Nice to know wine and GPS software worked with factory GPS device in MX18. I may try MX again one day. On my CF-31 good old serial GPS worked pretty much “out of the box”, (other than installing Navit and gpsd and pointing it to serial port). It’s a bit more complicated to get WWAN GPS or other non-standard GPS to work.

 

theoak2,

First of all, it's a cheap card but interesting to play with.

A few things work with a Ublox 8 card installed in the WWAN slot...with a CF-31 antenna btw. (gpscat -s 4800 /dev/ttyACM0 scrolls the binary UBX numbers and gpsctl -n flips it to nmea.

Gpsd works but not correctly....(usb-serial issue)

Device shows up as /dev/ttyACM0 (and/or) /dev/gps0 (no tty).

.wine/dosdevices switches back and forth between numbers...adding and subtracting at will.

Navigator sees com1/3 (set on 3 4800) works with one satellite indoors. GPSInfoPC only sees com1. Ima going to re-install .wine later so see if that will sort it out. I liked GPSInfoPC in the XP days as it scans for devices. It's getting a little long in tooth now. (old)

The problem is this card needs usb-serial support. (Since the computer sees it as a modem device (ACM#).

modprobe pl2303 loads both usb_serial support and PL2303.

modprobe -r pl2303 makes both modules go away.

Annnd of course there is the conflict with modem manager.....Now does this make any sense....

"Modem-manager conflicts with ublox 7 and 8 so we need to blacklist the ublox chips/cards" (paraphrase from several sources)
Oh yeah, FZ-Q1 running latest MX-Linux 18.1

 

I just install the Ericcson F5521gw from my toughpad FZ-G1 Mk1 to CF-31 MK3, whats the WWAN ID to put in optional kit on the bios please? for it to be recognised by my Toughbook cf31 MK3

 

the Ericcson F5521gw is from FZ-G1 MK1 that I bought from ebay that's not working. It has a 256GB ssd and this wwan. Unfortunately its not being recognised by my Toughbook cf 31 mk3? any ideas
?? I don't know what to put in optional key in wwan ID? I found that it "d"? please help?​

 

4 0r 13 possibly.

 

thanks for the reply. its number 7 in Australia.. its working now and installed the drivers for fz-g1 mk1.. its awesome it has GPS toooooo im a happy man

My issue now is how can I insert the sim card? where is the sim slot for CF-31 mk3?

 

HDMI door

 

yeah thanks

 

What cover is that? for what oem option?

 

That is for a smartcard ID reader.

 

Does anyone here mess with 3d printing parts?

I feel like I could whip up a custom cover in acad fairly quickly (if I ever find time) and shapeways can print them in "professional plastic". I feel like it would be $20-$30 per cover, but it could easily be setup similar to the smart card reader cover.

 

Sounds like a possibility.

I got mine when the were $17 on Ebay.

 

user Altab posted these on a remote server. I resized them and loaded the on here so they don't get lost or deleted.

 

I've been looking at the G1 and found that if the unit is originally shipped with the barcode reader it's not possible to exchange that for the LAN-port module, something to do with the BIOS... does this sounds familiair to you ?

Also the FPC-12P converterboard in the pictures, does this expose the USB port that's been hiding in the expansion port, e.g. pin 1-2 for power, pin 7-8 for data and 9-10 shorted ?

edit; found the answer in post #32... Thanks !!

 

Could it be that this unit was expecting an "active GPS" antenna and that you were using it with an "passive GPS" antenna.... ?!

 

I have not experienced that myself. But it does not surprise me either.

 

I've experienced that myself )
There are 2 different firmwares - one for LAN and one for non-LAN models. You can install LAN module to any non-LAN tablet, but it will not be visible in BIOS setup. Cloned BIOS works, but I've got ~20 seconds delay every cold start.

 

That's what conclusion I came to also..

 

Just resolved a wifi (wlan) issue with my G1 mk3.
The wifi got disabled somehow. Like if it had a hardware switch.

Drove me nuts trying to figure it out. Tried 4 different wifi cards. Intel 8260, which was working in it. Then I tried a Intel 7260, which like the 8260 does not show in bios. It failed to be enabled also.
I tried a usb wifi card which would not work either.
So I bought a Intel 7265. That is the original card model and it shows in bios. Bios says enabled and BIOS diags say wifi is working fine.
It was disabled according to the OS also. Argh..WTF??

I had been running MX 18 on it and thought MAYBE it was an OS issue. I actually doubted that since the wifi was still disabled when I booted a usb stick. I tried several Linux, win7 and win10.

I thought maybe the motherboard went south....

My friend Sheepman! had a couple ideas to try.
Checked concealed mode--no joy--
Reset bios to defaults--no joy--
Try power pull reset--no joy--

Last idea was disconnect cmos battery for an hour or so.
BINGO that solved the problem.
All I can figure is about a month back MX18 had gone into hibernation on me while I was backing the system up. I did not know MX 18 has hibernation on by default.
Hibernation must have turned off the wifi card and nothing would turn it back on until I unplugged the cmos battery.

 

Wireless switch utility could help also.