Nokia N900

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Nokia N900
Nokia N900 - Leste pre-alpha.jpg
Manufacturer Nokia
Codename Rover, RX-51
Dimensions 110.9mm x 59.8mm x 18mm
Release Date 2009-11-11
Category Supported
Specifications
SoC TI OMAP 3430 @600MHz
DRAM 256 MB Mobile DDR
Hardware Features
LCD 800x480 3.5" Resistive TFT
Video PowerVR SGX530
Network WL1251
Storage 32GB
USB (Host/OTG) Micro USB 2.0 Slave
Battery Capacity 1320mAh
Software Features
Kernel 6.1
Serial Yes, UART under battery, 2.7V max!
Charging Yes
USB Slave Gadgets only
USB Host With hacks
Touchscreen Yes, single-touch
Keyboard Yes
Screen Yes
TV-out Yes
3D acceleration Yes, closed driver
Vibration motor Yes
Audio Yes (complex, no ucm, no speaker protection)
Phone calls WIP
SMS Yes
Wifi Yes, firmware required
IrDA Yes, actually CIR, not IrDA
2G/3G data Yes
Bluetooth No
FM transmitter Yes
FM receiver No
Accelerometer Yes
Proximity Sensor Yes
Ambient Light Sensor Yes
GPS Yes
A-GPS No
Idle Power Consumption 160mW (WIP)

Installation

The installation consists of two steps: copying the image to the microsd card, and setting up the bootloader on the phone.

Image installation

dd the image to an sd card.

If using a Windows machine, you can use Etcher

See the next section on how to boot. (using either 0xFFFF/flasher-3.5 or u-boot/bootmenu: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=81613)

Bootloader (U-Boot) setup

Quick

If you don't want to configure u-boot from Fremantle, or your Fremantle rootfs is broken), or you just want to install quickly:

1. Either download 0xFFFF (binary for x86) from https://maedevu.maemo.org/images/n900/tools/ or build from source from https://github.com/pali/0xFFFF/

2. Download u-boot from https://maedevu.maemo.org/images/n900/tools/

3. Turn off Nokia N900, issue the following command on PC and connect Nokia N900 to the PC: sudo ./0xFFFF -m test/u-boot-2013.04-2.bin -l

4. Open the keyboard slider on the N900, and then issue following command on PC to test boot: ./0xFFFF -b

This should present u-boot from which you can select external SD card and boot to Maemo Leste. If you are presented with a menu, select the option to boot from External SD card. If you just get a command prompt, type run sdboot.

To flash u-boot permanently, you can issue the following command

(Be careful though. This will replace the existing fremantle kernel. Only do this if you do not care about the existing maemo installation or you know how to recover from this condition))

sudo ./0xFFFF -m test/u-boot-2013.04-2.bin -f

Existing Fremantle

If you have a functional Fremantle installation, you can follow these steps instead:

1. Install "U-Boot with kernel 2.6.28-omap1"

2. Install "Linux kernel for power user (boot image for U-Boot)". This is optional, but recommended.

3. Add Maemo Leste menu item (run as root): 

cat > /etc/bootmenu.d/30-maemo-leste.item << "EOF" &&
ITEM_NAME="Maemo Leste"
ITEM_KERNEL="uImage"
ITEM_DEVICE="${EXT_CARD}p1"
ITEM_FSTYPE="ext2"
EOF
u-boot-update-bootmenu

4. Reboot the device with the keyboard slide open (U-boot will boot the default option if the keyboard slide is closed)


Increase filesystem size

Run the following script: /etc/expandcard.sh

Serial

http://n900.elektranox.org/serial-adapter.html

http://wiki.maemo.org/N900_Hardware_Hacking#Debug_ports

Use this command line (specifically the part after rootwait): 

root=/dev/mmcblk0p2 rootwait console=ttyS2,115200 verbose earlyprintk debug

Notes

Speakers

  • Speakers are enabled by default, but be careful of very high frequencies/levels - there are concerns regarding the possibility to blow them. There is no clear consensus about this, but it is best to err on the side of caution.

Torch

The N900 has an Analog Devices ADP1653 flash controller, mainly for use with the camera. It drives two white power LEDs connected in series, and has an additional red indicator led (referred to as a privacy indicator). The ADP1653 has a driver in mainline kernel, and it probes fine. However, some DTS changes are needed to make it work, since the driver requires it to be tied to a camera.

In the meantime, the LEDs can be used as a torch manually using i2cset. However, BE WARNED: setting wrong values via i2c runs the risk of over-driving the LEDs and causing permanent hardware damage. 

Install the prerequisites
$ sudo apk add i2c-tools

Unload the driver in case it is already loaded. We will use i2c manually
$ sudo modprobe -r adp1653

Enable the chip
$ echo 88 | sudo tee /sys/class/gpio/export
$ echo "out" | sudo tee /sys/class/gpio/gpio88/direction
$ echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/class/gpio/gpio88/value

Turn the torch on, using the lowest torch current - DO NOT use other values here or you risk burning the LED
Values between 1 and 7 enable the red privacy/recording led, with different intensity
0x8 is the lowest torch intensity, and we do not recommend going above it
$ sudo i2cset -y 2 0x30 0x0 0x8

Turn the torch off
$ sudo i2cset -y 2 0x30 0x0 0x0

Disable the chip
$ echo 0 | sudo tee /sys/class/gpio/gpio88/value
$ echo 88 | sudo tee /sys/class/gpio/unexport

Power Management

This ticket tracks hitting idle states for the N900: https://github.com/maemo-leste/bugtracker/issues/545

Power usage right now is reported to be about 45mA (idle, modem ON and data ON). On a good battery this will last for about 30 hours. Power management on the N900 is being worked on: https://github.com/maemo-leste/bugtracker/issues/170


Run: 

modprobe ledtrig-default-on

And: 

echo default-on > /sys/class/leds/debug::sleep/trigger

To enable the OMAP sleep debug LEDs (on the keyboard). Open keyboard, turn off the screen with the slider, and the LEDs will turn off if the phone ever reaches sleep modes.

Currently it does not yet reliably reach any sleep modes.

See this code for a work in progress power management script: https://github.com/maemo-leste/n900-pm

Battery calibration

Nokia N900 has bq27200 integrated circuit for monitoring battery state. The datasheet can be found here: http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/bq27200.pdf. If you are curious, check the section called "Gas Gauge Operation" for how the battery calibration is done in a low level.

Here are described the steps necessary to calibrate your battery. This should help if you see "Battery not calibrated" message in the status applet.

  • Fully charge Nokia N900. Don't detach the charger immediately, give it some time after you see "Fully charged" message (10 minutes should be enough).
  • Detach the charger and don't attach it again until the battery is fully depleted. Remember: if you attach the charger (or USB cable) at least once, you will need to start the calibration from the beginning (fully charge the device again).
  • You may use the device as you normally do. You may power it off, power it on, reboot. All as usual. Just don't connect the device to a charger or a PC using the USB cable.
  • When your Nokia N900 has battery depleted, it will alarm you with the "battery low" sound.
  • Wait for about 20 seconds and attach the charger. If the device was powered off because of battery depletion, it's fine. The battery should have done the calibration cycle. Just attach the charger to the device, give it a minute and press power button to start booting.
  • If you still see "Battery not calibrated" message, reboot the device.

After the first calibration cycle you will see that it has ~1700 mAh for the fully charged battery. This value is wrong. It's how the battery calibration works in low level: it can't change the fully charged value of the battery in steps that exceed 12.5%. What this means for us: it's needed to repeat the calibration cycle several times to get more accurate value. It may take about 3-7 calibration cycles to get the proper mAh value for fully charged battery. If you spend some time on this process, you will get really accurate battery gauge and you will always know how much charge is remaining.

Tip 1. If for any reason you want to reset the battery calibration value to see the message “Battery is not calibrated” again, you should remove the battery from the device for about 6 hours. Tip 2. If you replace the battery, you may want to do 1-2 calibration cycles described above to update the gauge for your new battery.

Accessing MTD

List devices: 

cat /proc/mtd

Mount: 

apt install mtd-utils
mkdir -vp /mnt/fremantle
ubiattach -p /dev/mtd5
mount -t ubifs ubi:rootfs /mnt/fremantle

Overclocking

Nokia N900 with Leste is stable using following scalable frequencies and is much, much faster:

250-500-600-720-850MHz

To be able to overclock two steps are needed:

1) From Fremantle: add new Maemo Leste menu item (run as root): 

cat > /etc/bootmenu.d/30-maemo-leste-Overclock.item << "EOF" &&
ITEM_NAME="Maemo Leste Overclock"
ITEM_KERNEL="uImageX"
ITEM_DEVICE="${EXT_CARD}p1"
ITEM_FSTYPE="ext2"
EOF
u-boot-update-bootmenu

2) From Maemo Leste (run as root):

cp /usr/lib/linux-image-omap/omap3-n900.dtb /home/user

dtc -I dtb -O dts /home/user/omap3-n900.dtb -o /home/user/omap3-n900.dts

(wait for a few seconds...)

chmod +w /home/user/omap3-n900.dts

(then the funny part...)

nano /home/user/omap3-n900.dts

(Now it's time to modify frequencies and voltage: be careful to do exactly the same)

Find "opp-table" with ctl+w and Replace all content in "opp-table { opp1 opp2 opp3 opp4 opp5 opp6 };"

New opp-table: 

opp-table {
		compatible = "operating-points-v2-ti-cpu";
		syscon = < 0x05 >;
		phandle = < 0x03 >;

		opp1-250000000 {
			opp-hz = < 0x00 0xee6b280 >;
			opp-microvolt = < 0xee098 0xee098 0xee098 >;
			opp-supported-hw = < 0xffffffff 0x03 >;
		};

		opp2-500000000 {
			opp-hz = < 0x00 0x1dcd6500 >;
			opp-microvolt = < 0x106738 0x106738 0x106738 >;
			opp-supported-hw = < 0xffffffff 0x03 >;
			opp-suspend;
		};

		opp3-600000000 {
			opp-hz = < 0x00 0x23c34600 >;
			opp-microvolt = < 0x124f80 0x124f80 0x124f80 >;
			opp-supported-hw = < 0xffffffff 0x03 >;
		};

		opp4-720000000 {
			opp-hz = < 0x00 0x2aea5400 >;
			opp-microvolt = < 0x124f80 0x124f80 0x124f80 >;
			opp-supported-hw = < 0xffffffff 0x03 >;
		};

		opp5-850000000 {
			opp-hz = < 0x00 0x32a9f880 >;
			opp-microvolt = < 0x149970 0x149970 0x149970 >;
			opp-supported-hw = < 0xffffffff 0x03 >;
		};

		opp6-720000000 {
			opp-hz = < 0x00 0x2aea5400 >;
			opp-microvolt = < 0x149970 0x149970 0x149970 >;
			opp-supported-hw = < 0xffffffff 0x02 >;
			turbo-mode;
		};
	};

Then ctl+x to save and close.

And still as root:

rm /home/user/omap3-n900.dtb

dtc -I dts -O dtb /home/user/omap3-n900.dts -o /home/user/omap3-n900.dtb


Check your kernel version:

uname -r

For example if the result is 5-18.9, your vmlinuz version is vmlinuz-5.18.9

In the next command, replace "vmlinuz-<version>" by yours (ie vmlinuz-5.18.9)

As root:

cat /boot/vmlinuz-<version> /home/user/omap3-n900.dtb > /tmp/zImage_dtb

mkimage -A arm -O linux -T kernel -C none -a 80008000 -e 80008000 -d /tmp/zImage_dtb /boot/uImageX

That's it !

Now reboot and select "Maemo Leste Overclock in bootmenu".


(WARNING: always use stock "Maemo Leste" in bootmenu before dist-upgrade / kernel update. (New UimageX must be created again and old UimageX must be removed))


Installing cpufrequtils is useful to change frequency governors.

Prefer "conservative" instead of "ondemand" governor.

"Performance" governor locks N900 at 850MHz.

As root cpufreq-set -c 0 -g conservative

Tips / Tweaks

SD Card

To avoid overall slowness, please only use SDHC Class 10 or better.

Social messaging

Conversations app is compatible with libpurple and irc/bitlbee server.

Twitter, Signal, Telegram, FB Messenger and others are working.

(most audio and video links are playable)

Video playing

Video playing is working fine using SMPLAYER:

- In Options / Preferences / General:

Media engine: Other: /user/bin/mplayer

- In Options / Preferences / Video:

Output driver: xv

Only unable Double buffering and Disable screensaver


- In Options / Preferences / Audio:

Output driver: pulse

Disable everything else

Channel by default: 2 (Stereo)

High speed playback: No

- In Options / Preferences / Performance:

Unable Allow frame drop

Hardware decoding: None

Prefer 360p - 480p max video format

(With overclocking, Video is working well using KODI 17.6 with equivalent A/V settings)

Tweaking Transitions

Many options are missing in CSSU Features package but it is possible to edit them in transitions.ini.

As root

nano /usr/share/hildon-desktop/transitions.ini

See Fremantle documentation for perfect setup.

More SWAP

First method:

To create a simple swap file if swap is missing: 

sudo dd if=/dev/zero of=/swapfile bs=1024 count=1048576

(It takes some time...) 

sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
sudo mkswap /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile

To make the change permanent open: 

sudo nano /etc/fstab

And add this line: 

/swapfile swap swap defaults 0 0

To check if the swap is active: 

sudo swapon --show

Second method:

To extand existing zswap you can install zram-tools from the repo, and edit 

/etc/default/zramswap

as necessary. It's probably convenient to set allocation to 768 or 1024.

See Get Started Wiki.

Web browsing

Opera Mini 8 is a temporary solution.

To get it working, install openjdk from repo and microemulator-2.0.4 from the web (.jar)

Then from microemulator directory run: 

java -jar microemulator-2.0.4.jar

On the main screen: / File / Open Midlet File and choose your Opera Mini jar file

Click Start (the first loading is quite long and an old Nokia smartphone will appear on the screen)

Once loaded and installed, click on resize button to fit to N900 screen.

(Be patient, first loading and settings are slow)

Retroarch

First thing to do:

Edit 

/home/user/.config/retroarch/retroarch.cfg

menu_driver = "glui"

menu_show_core_updater = "true"

video_driver = "gl"

video_vsync = "true"

menu_unified_control = "true"

menu_core_enable = "true"

quick_menu_show_options = "true"


Some emulators are working well:

- QuickNES (NES/Famicom)

- Snes9x 2005 (SNES/Super Famicom)

Others at 70-80% speed:

- Genesis Plus GX (SEGA MS/GG/MD/CD)

Go to Online Updater / Core Updater to download emulators

Retroarch recommended settings:

To avoid crashes, use only "glui" Menu Driver

Driver

Input driver "X", joypad driver "linuxraw", video driver "gl", audio driver "null", location driver "null"

Video

Aspect ratio "core provided", Integer scaler "no", Threaded Video "yes", Vertical Sync "yes", Hard gpu Sync "no",

Audio

Audio Enable "no"

Input (very important)

Unified Menu Controls "yes"

Input User 1 Binds (keyboard settings)

Directory (very important)

Core "/home/user"

Default keyboard keys

X validate/ok

C cancel/back

F fullscreen (never close Retroarch in fullscreen mode)

Status table

Feature Leste supported Notes
Kernel version 6.2 Mainline + PowerVR Patches: https://github.com/maemo-leste/droid4-linux
Serial Yes Requires special hardware
Charging Yes
Wireless Yes Firmware is non-free
Ethernet N/A
Micro USB Yes USB Network, Mass Storage. OTG not working, although it might be possible
Keyboard Yes
Screen Yes
3D Acceleration Yes closed PowerVR driver
Touchscreen Yes Resistive
Audio Yes Works (minus speaker protection), but requires complex alsa configuration and currently no ucm support
2G/3G data Yes Works with ofono - UI is working, see https://github.com/maemo-leste/connui-cellular/
4G data N/A no hardware
SMS Yes Works with ofono and Conversations UI
Phone calls WIP Works with sphone, might require pulseaudio audio filters and UCM files
Bluetooth No Driver needs some work
FM Transmitter Yes Install v4l-utils, then enable chip and set frequency using: v4l2-ctl -d /dev/radio0 -c mute=0,tune_power_level=120 -f <freq>
FM Receiver No
Accelerometer Yes Not really used in Leste at the moment, since UI rotation does not work
Compass N/A No hardware
Gyro N/A No hardware
Proximity sensor Yes evdev interface not supported in mce since it depends on iio-sensor-proxy support. https://gitlab.freedesktop.org/hadess/iio-sensor-proxy/-/issues/363 for possible 'fix'
Ambient Light Sensor Yes
Vibration Motor Yes
HDMI-out N/A No hardware
TV-out Yes Enable in alsamixer (Jack Function in alsamixer to TV OUT), enable with xrandr --output TV --mode 800x480 --same-as LCD. Set PAL/NTSC with xrandr --output TV --set SignalProperties PAL, and scale with xrandr --output TV --set TVScale 90.
GPS Yes
Infrared Broken TX only (hardware limitation). Sending pulses causes a kernel oops
Camera No Needs complex v4l work, no leste integration
Idle power consumption ~160mW / up to 30 hours Device does not enter RET or OFF mode
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