Installing Ubuntu 12.04 on Pandaboard with TI ppa

Abstract
In this guide, I will describe how to install Ubuntu 12.04 LTS with the TI ppa update step by step. This guide targets beginners who are just getting started on the Pandaboard.

Note:- This guide will work with the Pandaboard ES as well.

Prerequisites

 * 8Gb SD card


 * USB keyboard and mouse, 5V/4A power supply, HDMI cable

Steps
1. Download Ubuntu 12.04 Image

Please visit the link below:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/12.04/release/

Now download the Texas Instruments OMAP4 (Hard-Float) preinstalled desktop image.

2. Preparing the SD card

Now insert your SD card into the computer but make sure that it is not mounted. Now, identify the correct raw device name (like /dev/sde - not /dev/sde1). You can do this by opening disk utility in Ubuntu and clicking on the sd card. Now navigate to the folder where you have downloaded the image using the terminal. Type the following code into the terminal to write the image to the sd card:

zcat ./ubuntu-12.04-preinstalled-desktop-armhf+omap4.img.gz |sudo dd bs=4M of=/dev/sdb sudo sync

This will take some time. If the process is successful, you will see the cursor jump to the next line and text input will be available. Now remove the sd card.

3. Bootup the Pandaboard

Connect the HDMI/DVI cable to the monitor and the Pandboard. Also connect your mouse, keyboard to the pandaboard. Now, power up the Pandaboard. If all went well, you should see a familiar Ubuntu installation screen.

4. Installing Ubuntu 12.04 on Pandaboard

The installation procedure is quite simple. You just have to follow the on screen instructions. Mind you,this process will take a very long time and hence be patient.

5. Installing the TI ppa update

$ sudo su - # export http_proxy= # export https_proxy= # add-apt-repository ppa:tiomap-dev/release $ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade $ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-omap4-extras
 * Add TI OMAP release PPA
 * Perform the upgrade:


 * You can now re-run a dist-upgrade for safety at the end, then reboot

# On Panda 4430: $ /usr/bin/alsaucm -c Panda set _verb HiFi # On PandaES 4460: $ /usr/bin/alsaucm -c PandaES set _verb HiFi
 * After the installation/update, it is advised to log as default user and to execute:


 * Change the bootargs:

Open /boot/boot.script file and make the change mentioned below: Please replace "vram=40M mem=456M@0x80000000 mem=512M@0xA0000000" or any vram or split mem settings with: "mem=1G@0x80000000"

Example of the bootargs I am using:

fatload mmc 0:1 0x80000000 uImage fatload mmc 0:1 0x81600000 uInitrd setenv bootargs ro elevator=noop console=ttyO2,115200n8 mem=1G@0x80000000 root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 fixrtc splash bootm 0x80000000 0x81600000

$ sudo /usr/sbin/flash-kernel --update-bootloader
 * You need to force installation of new bootloaders through command: