New kernel builds: call for testing

mardy

Hi all!
I've recently spent some time to rebuild the kernels for a handful of BQ devices; while my initial goal was to just enable the FM radio on them, I made an unhappy discovery along the way: just building the kernel sources that we have in github does not produce the same kernel that we are currently running in our devices — a few options are different.

So, I spent some time finding what the differences are, and tried to change the kernel configurations so that they would match what we are currently running (and yes, in the process I also enabled the FM radio on them ). Now it's time to give them a week or two of testing, and then we can decide whether to push these kernels to all users.

Call for testing

Please download the kernel for your device:

BQ E4.5: install the kernel from this release.
BQ E5: install the kernel from this release.
BQ M10 HD: install the kernel from this build.
BQ M10 FHD: I don't have this device, please attach the file /proc/config.gz to this thread and I'll make a build for it.

Then, reboot your device to the fastboot mode (POWER + VOL UP, then select "Reboot to bootloader") and run

# Adjust the path as needed
fastboot flash boot /path/to/the/downloaded/boot.img && fastboot reboot

It does not matter what channel you are running on your device.

What to pay attention to

Ideally, you should see no changes. If you observe a degradation of the power consumption, or if something stops working, please report it here.

Why test this?

Because this is the first step we need to take in order to hope to move these devices to 20.04; I'm not saying that if these kernels work we are all happy and ready to go, but this is a prerequisite. So, please, if you have one of these devices, give it a try, and report back (maybe after a week or two).

Thanks in advance

Keneda

@mardy said in New kernel builds: call for testing:

Why test this?
Because this is the first step we need to take in order to hope to move these devices to 20.04; I'm not saying that if these kernels work we are all happy and ready to go, but this is a prerequisite. So, please, if you have one of these devices, give it a try, and report back (maybe after a week or two).
Thanks in advance

Now i'm jalous of BQ device owners

sk

This post is deleted!

sk

@mardy
bq m10 FHD config.gz

josevidal

Hi, I have installed the mentioned kernel on BQE4.5 (krillin). I haven't been able to test it much yet. The fm radio application (without internet) works. I will observe the rest of the points. Thanks.

I edit with more information
Linux ubuntu-phablet 3.4.67 #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue Jan 11 22:54:05 MSK 2022 1.2.1_20140721-1138- armv7l armv7l armv7l GNU/Linux

In day to day use everything works normally. I think opening the configuration takes longer.

CiberSheep

Vegeta is behaving well... and I hear white noise when run the radio app!! (with headphones :D)

rapto

Just installed. BQ M10 HD seems to behave well, uname tells me 3.10.93 built on Jan 31. FM app detects headphones (or not) but seems frozen afterwards.

CiberSheep

bq E5:
Linux ubuntu-phablet 3.4.67 #1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Jan 13 21:59:46 MSK 2022 3e27b9d9 armv7l armv7l armv7l GNU/Linux

Autobright: ok
Cameras ok (image and video)
Bluetooth:
- audio works
Wifi ok
Gps ok
Sim1 ok
Sim 2 ok
Tethering ok (same issues as before :P)

CiberSheep

@rapto as well here, radio is dead (not white noise)
https://dpaste.com/39X36Z4VC

Cooler: m10HD
Linux ubuntu-phablet 3.10.93 #1 SMP PREEMPT Mon Jan 31 20:08:22 UTC 2022 aarch64 aarch64 aarch64 GNU/Linux

Autobright: ok
Cameras ok (image and video)
Mic ok
Bluetooh:
- audio ok
wifi ok
GPS ok (when I connected the bluetooh headphones, audio got interferences for a moment (?)

Need to test (before I forget)

hdmi out
usb pendrive
mouse and keyboard wired and bluetooth

Fuseteam

@mardy niiice, thanks for your work i'll test it out too~ sadly my battery is rather old to be a reliable battery test and my touch screen isn't in the best state either but i'll be sure to report any other issues!

arubislander

@sk @mardy Did you get a chance to compile a new kernel for the M10 FHD? If not could you maybe share what steps are needed? I have compiled my own desktop kernel in the past, so I should be OK following instructions. Point me to a more suitable discussion platform is needed.

mardy

@arubislander said in New kernel builds: call for testing:

@sk @mardy Did you get a chance to compile a new kernel for the M10 FHD? If not could you maybe share what steps are needed? I have compiled my own desktop kernel in the past, so I should be OK following instructions. Point me to a more suitable discussion platform is needed.

Not yet, sorry! I've been busy with something else

If you feel like trying, please have a look at the README I added in https://gitlab.com/ubports-legacy-devices/cooler/kernel_bq_m10, because I expect that the steps will be quite similar.

josevidal

During the time I have been using the new kernel it seems to me that when I have internet data enabled the battery consumption is higher. When I have the data connection disabled I have not detected any difference in battery consumption.

Linux ubuntu-phablet 3.4.67 #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue Jan 11 22:54:05 MSK 2022 1.2.1_20140721-1138- armv7l armv7l armv7l GNU/Linux with BQ E4.5

mardy

@josevidal said in New kernel builds: call for testing:

During the time I have been using the new kernel it seems to me that when I have internet data enabled the battery consumption is higher. When I have the data connection disabled I have not detected any difference in battery consumption.

Linux ubuntu-phablet 3.4.67 #1 SMP PREEMPT Tue Jan 11 22:54:05 MSK 2022 1.2.1_20140721-1138- armv7l armv7l armv7l GNU/Linux with BQ E4.5

Thanks Jose! It would be valuable if you could run a test where you use the data connection for about 1 hour (or at least half hour) with and without this new kernel, to see if it really makes a sensible difference. Better if both tests start from the same level of charge; in other words, it's better if initially the battery is at 100% level. Maybe you can just leave the device idle, but connected to the internet, and see how the battery is like after 1 hour.

josevidal

@mardy sorry for asking such a basic question, but how can I load the old kernel? I don't have the boot.img file of the kernel that the phone used before.

AppLee

@josevidal
If I'm not mistaken if you switch channel and go back you should trigger a complete flashing of your device.
But I can be wrong...

mardy

@applee said in New kernel builds: call for testing:

@josevidal
If I'm not mistaken if you switch channel and go back you should trigger a complete flashing of your device.
But I can be wrong...

I'm not sure if switching channels is enough (I guess it is, but I'm also not sure), but for sure reflashing the device with the installer will do it.

josevidal

@mardy hello, after putting the previous kernel I see that the consumption is the same (varies very little and may be due to other factors).

Until now I had not noticed that with the 3G network connected without any open application and the screen off, the battery consumption was much higher than with wifi (without any open application).

To revert to the previous kerner I have performed the following steps, in case it is useful to anyone else.
I download the zip file corresponding to my device from.
https://cdimage.ubports.com/stock-bq-images/krillin.zip
from
https://docs.ubports.com/en/latest/userguide/install.html#install-on-legacy-android-devices

I open the zip file with my favorite decompressor.
I extract the boot.img file to my pc
I turn off the mobile, connect the usb cable and boot in fast boot mode.
Using the volume keys select fast boot
On the pc I run the corresponding command
fastboot flash boot boot.img && fastboot reboot

marekf

Hello upload and we'll see
Bq Aquaris e5 Hd

marekf

@marekf Hi, I have installed the mentioned kernel on BQ E5HD. I haven't been able to test it much yet. The fm radio application (without internet) works