Code Evangelism

Vaio P Instant On fun

Posted by admin - 24/11/09 at 10:11:01 pm

For those that did not know, InstantOn can be modified..

c:/InstantON is were this all resides.. The files inside are nothing more then ext2 file systems, kernel, initrd, etc.. Each Program you see when you boot into instanton mode is stored in its own filesystem.
These are all mounted when its booted.. Im sure they did this for modularity..

I snooped around the filesystem and found that an xterm binary was there. I modified the config file for the xmb-style menu program and booted up. There was my xterm.

http://aliosa27.net/projects/vaio-p/instanton/

I captured some of the info and uploaded it there..

I hate how you can only run one app at a time. I compiled fluxbox and placed it in the filesystem, changed a few things to get it to autostart and finally..Multitasking..

I will get the modified files posted soon..

For those that want to use the xmb key to boot a different distro..

Modify C:/kernel.pam

the kernel you want to boot must be on the C:/ File system. I created a directory called linux.

place the kernel and initrd from your distro of choice in this directory.
Im using crunchbang(ubuntu variant)

in the kernel.pam file change the line to look like:
/linux/(kernel file name here) as well as your boot args.

My kernel.pam looks as such

/linux/zimage root=/dev/sda3 rw

In your initrd.pam

add the name of your initrd file..

/linux/initrd

save, shutdown and press the xmb key.. with any luck, you should of booted linux without needing to install grub, simply with the built-in bootloader…

Enjoy…

Ps…backup your kernel.pam/initrd.pam ….just in case you want to use the default instant on os again..

Enjoy..

20 Comments »

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

1. What program did you use to manipulate the ext2 fs files under Windows? There are several solutions to mount partitions, but they can’t mount files. Can you send me a tip?

   Comment by Thomas — December 20, 2009 #

2. Hello,

   Great news you’ve just provided. As I really would like to do it on my little P and as I am not so good on Linux (not at all honnestly , would you be able to provide the modded file with linux system (or link).
   Many thanks for all of your work.
   Alex

   Comment by Alex — December 30, 2009 #

3. I booted up in linux and mounted them as loop file systems.

   Comment by admin — January 24, 2010 #

4. i will get the modified vaio p files uploaded

   Comment by admin — January 24, 2010 #

5. What version of the instant on do you have?

   I have 3.01 and there are no files like kernel.pam…

   I would like to use the instant on mode to boot an ubuntu remix but I am not shure how to do it.

   Comment by lab — January 31, 2010 #

6. Forget my last post – I found it. Should read better…

   Comment by lab — February 2, 2010 #

7. Is it possible to use CrunchBang Linux instead of another Linux distribution, namely jolicloud? Could you describe step by step process of replacing istantOn 3.0.1 to another Linux distribution?

   p.s. sorry for my english.

   Comment by km — March 11, 2010 #

8. Maybe android-x86 can replace default Corel distro?

   Comment by km — March 11, 2010 #

9. Yep, give me a bit and I will write it all up..

   Comment by admin — March 11, 2010 #

10. It is great news, but unfortunately, I have done a few tests on battery life with InstantOn Vs. Windows 7 Ultimate with all the services and Vs WIndows 7 Ult with the most basic services than can’t be disabled because windows won’t work. Plus sound service and Wireless service.

    -Per average W7 No services, lasted 53 minutes more than Instant On.
    -Per average W7 All services, lasted 26 minutes more than Instant On.

    -Average was made of 3 separate tasks:
    1. Continuous playing of flac music, max volume.
    1. Continuous playing of a Mp4 movie
    1. Continuous wi-fi modzilla checking email, FB, you tube videos.

    -Note that with the music test I closed the lid.
    -Instant ON had the power saver setting and the screen light was set to minimum in all of the tests and OS.
    I used VLC player 1.0

    I am hopeful this can be bettered modifying the kernel and using Android

    Comment by dccb — March 12, 2010 #

11. It would be interesting to have the ChromeOS installed as instant on… I’m trying this build (Flow): http://chromeos.hexxeh.net but so far I was not able to make it use the entire screen nor boot through the xbar button

    Comment by Michel — March 13, 2010 #

12. Hi!
    Sorry, I’m coming a bit after everyone else, and for a question that’s not directly related to changing the XMB to another OS. Since you seem pretty used to working with the XMB files, I was wondering if you knew where to find the keyboard files (I only have the choice between French and… French. No choice, actually). I’d like to add additional keyboards that I could use with the XMB.
    If it’s not possible, I’ll switch the XMB to another OS. Thanks for your post, it might come in handy

    Comment by Vanessa — May 2, 2010 #

13. Sorry I moderated your post so late, I will see if a french keymap is included. If not it is easy to add one.

    Comment by admin — May 26, 2010 #

14. Hi! congratulations for your blog.
    I followed your explanation, but i am not able to start Crunchbang. I receveived a Kernel Panic. Would you explain something about the init arguments on the kernel, for a vaio p P11z (all linux fs loaded on sda4)?
    Thank in advance,

    Comment by katubun — July 5, 2010 #

15. /linux/zimage root=/dev/sda4 rw

    You should double check, my first attempts failed.

    Comment by admin — July 16, 2010 #

16. I have the same kernel.parm you wrote, but no succes.
    Boot finish with:
    c:/linux/(zimage+intrd)
    d:/ (all crunchbang files at root level, ext partitioned=sda4)
    “Warning: unable to open an initial console.
    kernel panic – not syncing: no init found. Try passing init= option to kernel.

    Comment by katubun — July 19, 2010 #

17. Fully solved. XMB and Crunchbang working together!

    Thank you!

    Comment by katubun — July 21, 2010 #

18. Sweet what was the problem?

    Comment by admin — July 21, 2010 #

19. Hi, I want to use WWAN in InstantOn mode but the APN was locked to FOMA (Japan ISP). Do you know how to change the APN? Tnanks in advance.

    Comment by Squall — August 12, 2010 #

20. Any news on the keyboard ? French keyboard is included, but that’s not the one I need. I think there might be a way to add new keyboards, but I can’t find anything Basically, the one I need is the swiss french keyboard, that’s like a QWERTY keyboard, but with a few changes, like for the accentuated letters. French keyboard has a totally different layout called AZERTY (yeah, French people like to do everything different… lol. I’m French but still, this stupid keyboard is annoying).
    If you could tell me where the keyboard maps are, I can make one myself (I guess it’s not that complicated once you know where to look).
    Thanks !

    Comment by Vanessa — August 23, 2010 #

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

XHTML: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>