Mini debian on kobo mini / hostmode OK

snowbody · 09-02-2016, 04:29 AM

I have a working Linux environment on my kobo mini, with(!) external keyboard and mouse and ...... all other usb stuff you could wish for!

You'll need an OTG cable and a powered(5V) usb hub, since the kobo mini cannot provide any power to usb devices.

I used the image created by user guang6321 for the aura HD
(post : Debian/Android DualBoot for Aura HD )

http://pan.baidu.com/s/1jG44Mxw

(on the partition 5 is the debian environment)

You'll need uImage1, which can be found in the source-codes : Linux-2.6.35...gz on the same website.

I took a default kobo-mini reader image.
Partition 1 of this image starts at block 16732 (or something)
I removed the partitions with fdisk.
I created a bigger partition 1 (> 5G), because this has to contain the Linux partition, starting at block 16xxx (same as before)
I created a small swap partition 2.

Next, I put the uImage1 (from the source code directory) and put it into place with the usual command.
And I copied the Original Linux partition number 5 to partion1.

This allows you to boot the kobo mini with a Linux system.
You have to adapt this using settings (I used a mouse, because the touch screen settings are for the aura) -- I changed the language from chinese to something I could understand.
I modified xorg.conf (touchscreen for kobo 800 and 600 calibration), so this is usable as well.

And that's it, the rest is debian stuff.

Lucas Malor · 09-03-2016, 12:24 PM

How is it compared to Android on Kobo, in your opinion?

snowbody · 09-03-2016, 03:02 PM

In my opinion the android version is very user friendly, and allows you continue to use the device as an ereader.

The linux version is tailored to the kobo, very touchscreen and e-ink friendly.
I managed to attach a normal external keyboard and mouse, so other devices should work as well. For me it's just easier to use linux to tinker.

tinkerwinker · 02-06-2017, 08:51 AM

damn, the site is all in chinese (I think), and I think the link is dead. Anyone has got a mirror for it?

wuren · 11-20-2019, 03:26 PM

I am also interested in that image... Can anyone upload it to a non-chinese cloud?

davidfor · 11-20-2019, 05:44 PM

PM sent. I'm pretty sure that were it is is not a "Chinese cloud".

09-02-2016, 04:29 AM	#1
snowbody Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kobo mini	debian on kobo mini / hostmode OK I have a working Linux environment on my kobo mini, with(!) external keyboard and mouse and ...... all other usb stuff you could wish for! You'll need an OTG cable and a powered(5V) usb hub, since the kobo mini cannot provide any power to usb devices. I used the image created by user guang6321 for the aura HD (post : Debian/Android DualBoot for Aura HD ) http://pan.baidu.com/s/1jG44Mxw (on the partition 5 is the debian environment) You'll need uImage1, which can be found in the source-codes : Linux-2.6.35...gz on the same website. I took a default kobo-mini reader image. Partition 1 of this image starts at block 16732 (or something) I removed the partitions with fdisk. I created a bigger partition 1 (> 5G), because this has to contain the Linux partition, starting at block 16xxx (same as before) I created a small swap partition 2. Next, I put the uImage1 (from the source code directory) and put it into place with the usual command. And I copied the Original Linux partition number 5 to partion1. This allows you to boot the kobo mini with a Linux system. You have to adapt this using settings (I used a mouse, because the touch screen settings are for the aura) -- I changed the language from chinese to something I could understand. I modified xorg.conf (touchscreen for kobo 800 and 600 calibration), so this is usable as well. And that's it, the rest is debian stuff.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Turn your Kobo into a Debian Linux tablet	MarekGibek	Kobo Developer's Corner	125	12-11-2022 01:06 PM
Debian chroot for Kobo	ah-	Kobo Developer's Corner	17	04-29-2018 05:41 PM
Does anyone know how to remove a Kobo Mini from the Kobo sleep cover with clips?	tracyeo	Kobo Reader	2	06-20-2016 09:57 PM
Mini I'm having trouble getting Debian working on Kobo Mini	saizo	Kobo Reader	1	11-25-2015 07:17 PM
Kobo Mini dropped to $40 in Kobo Webstore	MR. Pockets	Kobo Reader	48	07-06-2013 11:34 PM

09-03-2016, 12:24 PM	#2
Lucas Malor Pain in the arse Posts: 758 Karma: 77856 Join Date: Apr 2013 Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle 4	How is it compared to Android on Kobo, in your opinion?

09-03-2016, 03:02 PM	#3
snowbody Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kobo mini	In my opinion the android version is very user friendly, and allows you continue to use the device as an ereader. The linux version is tailored to the kobo, very touchscreen and e-ink friendly. I managed to attach a normal external keyboard and mouse, so other devices should work as well. For me it's just easier to use linux to tinker.

02-06-2017, 08:51 AM	#4
tinkerwinker Member Posts: 11 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jul 2016 Device: kobo touch	damn, the site is all in chinese (I think), and I think the link is dead. Anyone has got a mirror for it?

11-20-2019, 03:26 PM	#5
wuren Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2019 Device: Kobo Mini	I am also interested in that image... Can anyone upload it to a non-chinese cloud?

11-20-2019, 05:44 PM	#6
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	PM sent. I'm pretty sure that were it is is not a "Chinese cloud".

Advert

Advert