Lubuntu 12.04 on the Padfone (chroot)

[tance87]

Just to share that I've gotten Lubuntu 12.04 working on my Asus Padfone. The GUI is accessed through a VNC client on the same phone, and I've gotten the whole thing to run the GUI in user mode (ie. not as root).

The main steps after getting the chroot installed is to run the VNC server (in my case tightvnc) and also to symlink the .Xauthority file into the non-root user's home directory. So, while the VNC server runs as root (and can therefore open a network port), all the GUI applications run as the usual unprivilaged user and can connect to the X server (the VNC server).

If there's interest I could put together a step by step tutorial.

I'm pretty psyched about having a full blown GNU/Linux OS running on my "phone".

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[azavgz]

If there's interest I could put together a step by step tutorial.

I definitely would be interested as I am quite keen to run Lubuntu 12 on my Padfone as well :-), but I read on different forums there are difficulties to root with 4.0.4...

[tance87]

I've written a sort of tutorial here: Chroot Ubuntu (Lubuntu 12.04) on Android (Asus Padfone) | e6p3f2.

If you're still running 4.0.3, you can root the Padfone, then install and use OTARootkeeper then upgrade to 4.0.4 using an OTA update. I'm currently running 4.0.4 and I still have root.

[azavgz]

Thanks tance 87 the issue is that I am now 4.0.4. I understand I will have to downgrade in that case if I want to root...

Sent from my PadFone using Android.net

[tance87]

I understand I will have to downgrade in that case if I want to root...

Yeah, I know it's possible to flash an older version (complete reflash) if you can get your hands on the older firmware update file. Asus seems to have removed them from their website. There's an archive of their firmware here: Content / How To / Padfone Firmwares (Files and How to install) - Padfone Club
although it mainly archives OTA updates. As for old versions, they seem to only have the WW version.

I've also heard there might be an updated debugfs method to root 4.0.4, but it might be a dud for you, especially since it appears to use CHT firmware. If you want to check it out anyway, the original thread is here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...6#post30551656

[azavgz]

If you want to check it out anyway, the original thread is here: Asus new Padfone - Page 256 - xda-developers

I spotted that thread on xda when googling to find solutions and I am now checking if anyone else has successfully applied this method... I guess that first I would like to check if anyone has been successful, and if not I will downgrade and root.