Ubuntu Touch on JingPad

[writersglen]

Installing Ubuntu Touch on the JingPad with UBPorts sounds simple enough. But the very first step stumps me.

Just exactly how do I unlock the bootloader and do whatever else I need to do to connect the UBPorts loader?

The only help I found assumes Windows. But I run Ubuntu 22.04.

Many thanks,

Writersglen

[DenMoore]

@writersglen Instructions here https://forums.ubports.com/topic/7567/how-to-install-ubuntu-touch-on-the-jingpad-a1-c1/31 You need windows to unlock bootloader, installer on linux is fine. Cheers

[writersglen]

@DenMoore

Thanks for the response. But I still don’t understand.

“I unlocked the bootloader in Windows”

I don’t have access to a Windows system. Does this mean that I can’t unlock the bootloader on my JingPad? Is there truly no other way?

I much appreciate all the work folks have invested toward installing Ubuntu Touch. But I do find this first step confusing. I’d be happy to try my hand at clarifying the documentation, but I’d need mentoring so I can understand it myself.

WG

[arubislander]

@writersglen As far as I know, there have not been any successful attempts to unlock the bootloader on Linux. I myself had to borrow a Windows laptop from my sister to get it done. I had tried on a VM running windows initially, but that was cumbersome to the point of being unworkable because of having to pass through the USB port to the VM every time.

[writersglen]

@arubislander

As far as I know, there have not been any successful attempts to unlock the bootloader on Linux.

It’s curious that we seem to need a proprietary OS to unlock the bootloader when, as I understand, Android, the foundations of the JingPad OS, is open source. And more, when we’re striving to install an open source OS.

Is JingPad bootloader source code publicly available?

I’d be delighted to pay a bounty to anyone who can program and clearly document a totally Linux-based recipe for installing Ubuntu Source on the JingPad.

WG

[DenMoore]

@writersglen As i understand it, you need Unisoc USB drivers to unlock. Unisoc only makes the drivers for windows. Unisoc is not open source. I had to visit a friend with a windows laptop to unlock, then used the installer via Ubuntu. Just a note, you also need Jing OS installed on the pad. Cheers

[writersglen]

@DenMoore

Many thanks to all.

As is true for many now, as stands my very expensive JingPad is a brick. Profound thanks to all seeking to bring the JingPad back to full potential.

In my case the biggest issue with JingOS is that it refuses to accept Control D in command line mode. Linux-based command line programming was the major reason invested in Jing. I pray that Ubuntu Touch, presuming successful install, will resolve this issue.

I’ll report back if Ubuntu Touch install is successful. If not, maybe I’ll buy a Levovo tablet and give that a try.

All the best,

WG

[Mario.CH]

Hi @writersglen ,

@writersglen said in Ubuntu Touch on JingPad:

It’s curious that we seem to need a proprietary OS to unlock the bootloader when, as I understand, Android, the foundations of the JingPad OS, is open source. And more, when we’re striving to install an open source OS.
Is JingPad bootloader source code publicly available?
I’d be delighted to pay a bounty to anyone who can program and clearly document a totally Linux-based recipe for installing Ubuntu Source on the JingPad.

For all those who believe that we are in a digital age, I'm sorry to disappoint you. At most, we can speak of a semi-digital one, similar to the semi-automatic machines in automation. Because any interface between the digital and the human is unfortunately (or fortunately) still analog.
There would be as an example:
Screen, loudspeaker, the inner electronic, yes even the CPU works analog (many many electronic circuits in miniature size). It is only the hardware working together that allows us to have a digital world.

In order for them to work with each other, we need miniature software called drivers. Which are not "open source", and which hinder or prevent the "open source" operating system to get full access to the hardware. Unless the programmer has access to all the required "source code", both drivers and operating systems.

So hopefully it's not so strange now.

Greetings Mario :winking_face:

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