openAOS brings you: FroYo alpha1 for Archos 5 IT!

We had some early development snapshots already, but for an real alpha version we said we want to fix at least WiFi and SGX. For WiFi we even had an bounty and I guess this image is best proof that the bounty has been earned. Furies did the work on it. Thanks to AndAppStore for sponsoring the bounty!

Well we don’t want to make the tension unbearable here is the image:

FroYo Alpha1 for Archos5IT

This also needs this boot-menu update: zImage and initramfs.¹

Enjoy your FroYo! Here are the much easier new instructions for setting up the boot-menu if you haven’t yet.

This image needs the following line added to menu.lst (do NOT use notepad! use an editor capable of proper unix line endings!):

openAOS Froyo alpha|/dev/sda1|/rootfsfroyo.img|/init

This all comes with a bootnote, a rather extensive one:

  • This is alpha grade software intended for developers and tech-savy testers.
  • There are still many unresolved issues and problems.
  • If you ‘just want FroYo’ – this is not for you! Wait until it’s stable and usable.
  • If you don’t plan to give us feedback – this is not for you! Wait until it’s stable and usable.
  • If you expect everything to work – this is not for you! Wait until it’s stable and usable.
  • After this has been said, thank you very much you seriously want to help us with this. We appreciate this very much as we really need every help we can get!
  • If you notice anything that doesn’t feel right, please file an ticket and
    use Android 2.2 Alpha2 as the target milestone
    and Android 2.2 – alpha1 as the version
  • Please do the same if you want some feature included or something improved
  • First boot will take very long! Keep your USB cable connected.
    • First the rootfs gets unzipped (You can unzip it on your PC that’s much faster!)
    • The Android cache is compiled – this can also take a while, just watch the boot logo while this happens.
  • Please join the mailing-list to discuss this image!
  • Want to see if someone is online right now to ask a question or discuss? Join us on IRC!
  • Yes sound does not work, sorry. Next Alpha maybe.
  • Don’t want to install the alpha but still want to help? Consider donating to the openAOS project!

¹ please note that the default Ångström image needs to be modified to work with this kernel! adding the command ‘fbset -nonstd 0′ could fix at least part of the issue during boot process. Expect updates on this soon.

Tags: alpha, Android 2.2, ArchDruid, , , build, , , menu, ,

47 Responses to “openAOS brings you: FroYo alpha1 for Archos 5 IT!”

  1. James White says:

    Hi,

    I see you the team has made great progress on the development. I have not seen any updates lately and I am wondering if it’s still being worked on, since I know Archos has came out with more devices lately.

    James White

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      Work is slow, but ongoing. Help always gladly accepted (join us on IRC).

      Reply
  2. Colm says:

    Just thinking , could i install the sde . Go to the boot menu , format disk and download archos gen8 firmware and put it on ??

    Reply
    • the diksta says:

      i am so glad that someone else has asked that aswell, i dont see any reason why not but it does not seem to work, and i have tryed loads of ways of doing it, ,
      It should work coz it is an angstrom linux, which means that it should be posible to put any kind of linux on to it, (that was the idea behind it at the end of the day) i just think that no-one cares about doing anything for GEN 7 coz GEN 8 has taken all there time up and no one really cares enough about it, EXCEPT me and you and a few others, (apart from OPENAOS who have done a great job so far) but it does seam that GEN 7 owners are forgotten about now, I now own the best phone on the planet(NEXUS s) but i still want good things for my archos 5it.

      Reply
      • tbr says:

        To put it short: No.

        Reply
  3. newman says:

    proxy will be supported in this version?

    Reply
  4. mehul says:

    hey,
    i just managed to install froyo on my 5 IT gen 7, amazing job by openAOS, thank you very much.
    got some minor probs, my accelerometer, compass and GPS not showing on froyo, i wonder if theres anyone out there with the same problem or a solution to the problem.
    thank you.

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      All known problems, please always read the open issues on http://dev.openaos.org for the Android port.

      Reply
  5. mehul says:

    just got an archos 5 gen 7, want to upgrade to froyo, problem is, i dont have access to linux and i need the extracted files out of .aos. i tried extracting using liveCD but still no luck. files on googlecode, aos-tools also isnt of much help.
    i would like to ask for a favour if someone can just extract for me the cramfs and system files out of the latest archos 5 IT, gen 7 from archos site, or provide me with a solution on how to extract the files using live CD(ubuntu ver.10).
    your help will be highly appreciated.
    thanks!

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      Yes following the steps from the gen7 guide on http://dev.openaos.org will get you there.
      We can’t provide unpacked binaries.
      This is not something intended for the general audience. it’s an alpha version. Once there is something intended for regular users it will be easy to install. If you want to install now you have to figure it out. Life’s tough.

      Reply
  6. Thomas61 says:

    No possibility to find menu.lst file in order to start Froyo on my Archos 5 IT (I selected the Alpha 4). Can tell me where to find it or to send me this one ? Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      If you have followed the complete howto then the menu.lst should have been created automatically.

      Reply
      • Emmett says:

        I found menu.lst but its read only so there is no way to add the extra line.. any advice?

        Reply
        • tbr says:

          If you are on Linux you might need root privileges to edit it. (sudo gedit /path/to/menu.lst)

          Reply
  7. I found a third party community working on flashing the Archos 5 Internet tablet.
    They are somewhat successful but need help to solve a few minor bugs. If the community was bigger, I am sure it would be done faster and easier. [...]

    Reply
  8. Diabolic says:

    Hi

    Just an idea, is it easier to get the new Archos 70 Internet Tablet (Froyo based) and install it on Archos 5 IT? Than trying to install Froyo from scratch on the Archos 5 IT.
    Do you think it will be easier to upgrade Archos 70 from 2.2 to Android 3.0 in the future?

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      Currently gen8 is still at 2.1 Eclair AFAIK. So we kind of beat them to FroYo. ;)
      We are constantly evaluating options, though we dislike to take non-open-source binary-only files.
      Still once Archos comes out with FroYo for gen8 it will be interesting to have a look at how they did certain things etc.

      As to Gingerbread, I think that’s equally likely for gen7 and gen8. The hardware is reasonably simmilar so if the hardware requirements don’t turn out to be insane in general bringing 3.0 to Archos devices should be possible. If you were thinking of official upgrades… Don’t ask us, ask Archos.

      Reply
      • Diabolic says:

        I am takling unofficial upgrades of course.

        I am sure Archos wont update the firmwares because their bread and butter is selling new players instead of upgrading older ones. I am sure if they rethink their marketing campaign, they would offer new firmwares for older hardware and it will increase their reputation thus their sales knowing the company is serious about customer service.

        Gen8 should be out now. Some websites are listing the devices for sale.
        1Ghz processor and 256 Ram and still the usual 800×460 resolution but capacitive screen now :)
        Gingerbread is “recommending” 1ghz processor, 512 Ram and 1200×600 res for the best user experience

        Reply
        • tbr says:

          To my knowledge there are no official gingerbread specs. If you have an official link I’d be interested. No rumor sites please.

          Yes, gen8 is out, FroYo on gen8 isn’t. The units still run an interim Eclair firmware to my knowledge.

          Reply
  9. Bob says:

    OK thanks for your help

    Reply
  10. Bob says:

    Thanks for your response.
    So Ubuntu is needed to extract the firmware or is there a program for windows to extract?

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      Sorry at this stage we can’t help you if you use only windows. You can use an LiveCD to execute the few steps necessary to unpack an aos file. No need to install Ubuntu on your PC.
      We already went to great lengths to make the setup process of the device itself as easy as possible, by eliminating the need for Linux during the device preparation. Further simplification probably won’t happen until somewhen in the beta stage.

      Reply
  11. Bob says:

    Great work !!!
    Can someone please upload the files extracted from the original firmware.
    Or tell me how to extract it.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      We will not offer Archos binaries for download without their permission, sorry.
      The extraction process has been well explained in our updated boot menu instructions

      Reply
  12. PAYET says:

    Je suis entrain de le tester, mais j’ai des souccis, au bout de quelques minutes l’archos 5it en firmware Froyo alpha 1, s’éteint. je dois l’alumé mais aucun sauvegarde n’est fais des paramétres avant le plantage. autre probléme j’ai constaté, au niveau du clavier virtuel, la touche qu’on tape se trouve defois décalé surtout la parti droit du clavier. J’ai essayer de trouver la calibration de l’ecran tactile dans les paramétres, mais j’ai pas trouver. J’ai essayer de calibrer par le menu recovery, mais la calibration au démarrage ne se lance pas. Ausssi quand je fais paramétre et je vais sur carte “SD et mémoire”, il ne trouve pas la carte mémoire ni aucun app d’explorartion ne le trouve .Sinon le wifi fonctione trés bien j’ais pas u de soucis. Il est rapide.Vous avez fai un bon boulot. Vivement les prochaine version a tester. Dommage que je sois nul en programmation car j’auré bien voulu vous aidez.

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      Please check the Issue tracker: http://dev.openaos.org/report/11
      If you have issues that are not listed there, please consider opening an new ticket: http://dev.openaos.org/wiki/IssueTracking

      Reply
    • manu says:

      bonjour,

      je m’adresse à toi car tu est le seul à parler français.
      pourrais tu me dire si froyo permet de gérer les vidéos en flash?
      merci

      Reply
  13. arno says:

    Thank you to all devs for this great job!

    Reply
  14. Dima Pro says:

    Good work!
    Works for me…I’m waiting for the new version.

    P.S: SD Card does’nt work only for me?

    Reply
    • Gaap says:

      not working, check the ticket

      Reply
  15. Sharky151 says:

    Outstanding, job!!! really nice.

    It still shuts off after a few minutes thought. this is a ticket on milestone1 but not milestone2 should it be added?

    Reply
    • Al Sutton says:

      The Power Management issue open and will be until we resolve the issue

      Reply
  16. Arthur says:

    FLASH * SGX * WIFI All works awesome for me ! :) Waiting for Alpha 2 Starts! Cheers ! Go OpenAOS :)

    Reply
  17. Theguru says:

    will all the archos music apps, codecs work as well like in 1.6??

    Reply
  18. [...] . Toutes les info sur la procédure d’installation de froyo sur votre Archos 5IT ici. [...]

    Reply
  19. [...] . Toutes les info sur la procédure d’installation de froyo sur votre Archos 5IT ici. [...]

    Reply
  20. foxtrotter says:

    Will you guys, bosses of dev on our Archos Devices, work on Froyo on A7HT ? cause these amazing exploit you made will surely fill the lack of reactivity of Archos Team and i hope it will not be your ending touch !

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      As we mention in the devices link on the top of the blog pages none of the active core people have an A7HT. If people with an A7HT want to join and make it happen then we will very much welcome them.

      Reply
  21. BRAVO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  22. Johnivy says:

    Finally, wi-fi somehow fails to start on this build :[

    Reply
    • tbr says:

      Did you do a full format before you installed the SDE and FroYo?
      Froyo needs to copy some files on first boot from the ubi1:data partition which is created by original firmware. It gets its wifi calibration data and a few other things from there.

      Reply
      • Johnivy says:

        I’ve formatted everything, then installed Archos firmware, then SDE, and after all set multiboot.

        Reply
        • Johnivy says:

          And yes, it’s finally working after i’ve adjusted WiFi on original firmware and rebooted

          Reply
    • Murphy says:

      For me wifi works on the Froyo build but now fail using the stock Android 1.6 :(
      Any idea?

      Reply
      • tbr says:

        We don’t change anything in the original firmware. So how would we break it?

        Reply
        • Murphy says:

          Oh, I was trying to connect to an adhoc wifi but 1.6 needs some special config…
          But Froyo has no problem with adhoc!

          Reply
          • Murphy says:

            Finally the wifi I use seems to be in infrastructure mode (MacBook’s Internet Sharing) but I cannot connect to it using 1.6.
            Didn’t tested before installing openaos.