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fwilhelm - 2021-03-13 12:07 PM
Thanks for this response. Very helpful.
One more question: can the Raspberry Pi be used as the Linux PC in Stefan’s instructions to install Debian/Debian on the J720?
Thanks again!
Yes, ntware is right on once again!
Which RasPi you ask? I posted several threads in this section entitled something like "Success: Devuan boots from microSDCard," another is "OMG: youtube plays on J720" and others ...you can get started by reviewing those. It's a history of what I found works for me.
I have used RasPi 3B plus which works well and runs off a a cell phone charger 4000ma pack for 6 or 8 hours, I also have a RasPi 4 which is a bit faster and uses a little more power...I have pictures of both on those other threads. Both are quad core cpu's... I did try an an original RasPi 1 which is single core and it was way too slow! The Zero W is single core too and probably sub-optimal although I don't own one to validate that.
Both the RP 3 and 4 are running on Raspian, a debian derivative, easily downloadable from their web site. I originally prepared my J720 devuan Os on an SD card using an SD Card to cf adapter placed in a cf to usb adapter... using the RasPi to create partitions, and format them as per Stefan's wiki. Later I found I could use the free"mini-partition tool "on my windows laptop to quickly create all three partitons, and greatly enlarged partition 1 as Fat32 to store the WinCE backup file for a pseudo-dual boot option... using superfast microSD card. I found the rootdelay=5 was not needed in the param.txt boot file if fast SDCard is used. I also tried Munchausen's recommendation of using ext2 instead of ext4 on the second/linux partition... seems a bit faster
(using ext2 today as I post this
).
I've created the JJ720 Devuan OS on both fast CF cards and SD cards/ microSD cards with no noticeable difference IMO. Also I have tried it on J720 with 32Mb memory and with J720 upgraded to 64Mb and essentially works well with both
(takes a little longer to boot up with 32Mb IMO
)
I've used a wired NE2000 type ethernet card and thin ribbon-like tether cable to connect J720 to RasPi which works without much additional configuring. There is a script that sets the RasPi ethernet port to a stable static address. Works very well and uses less power.
I also used an Netgears MA401 wifi card for wireless connections. This requires configuring the /etc/network/interfaces file using the "nano" text editor in terminal command line. Only used wep and haven't mastered the WPA wifi setup yet, although ntware has done so with great success.
It takes about 5 minutes to boot up into fluxbox window manager, then into bash terminal to use SSH to log onto the RasPi, then you can start vncviewer
(either with or without X-forwarding
). With the RasPi you do get Sound!!!! thru the headphone jack or hdmi or any bluetooth speaker... easy to set.
(we still need the mouse right click key which we lack so
far
).
Currently , right now, I'm posting this using a RasPi 4 and wired ethernet tether, with ntware's Tigervncviewer fast
(no X-forwarding
) fix... while enjoying listening to light jazz music on youtube via RasPi headphone/auio out jack.
If you plug both the J720 and RasPi into wall/AC power you can have it instantly available at anytime... continously playing music, podcast, etc. Yet, it's easy enough to take it anywhere and run off batteries for many hours... say Starbucks, etc'
Drooling yet ?
Joval
Edited by joval 2021-03-14 4:02 PM
!! 
