Hello friends, I am new to this forum, but certainly not new to the tablet world. I purchased the iconia a100 a few weeks ago and I must say it is a superb tablet in almost everyway. That being said, I am trying to come up with a solution for the lacking usb host on this tablet. I am certainly not a dev, but I am wondering if there is anything in the works for a working usb host? Does anyone know if acer has any plans to offer an adapter or even a different docking station with the usb host working from the 40 pin? If anyone has any ideas or would like to start a project i will be glad to help in anyway I can. While i was researching this usb host problem i see that there was a very sinilar situation with the galaxy which has since been resolved. Any suggestions? Thanks
Not yet possible, but you can pretty much count on it to be baked into a custom ROM when we get the ability to fully unlock and root this device. Root is already possible, and done. Unfortunately, we cant really do much development on it right now due to the encrypted bootloader. Most devs are waiting for the ics update in January to get the ball rolling on tweaks and hacks to the a100.
Sit tight, they'll have you up and running in no time
ummmmm............ could you repeat that?
This is also #1 on my wishlist. However, I don't know if that is even possible with a custom ROM; it requires the hardware to support it and I don't recall seeing any teardown that states that it would be possible.
I've seen it done in various phones, but don't know if its been posted on any here, but I'm sure a search on the forum would help find them. Its a matter of reconfiguring the port in the programming and getting an adapter from micro USB to standard USB.
But don't quote me on any of this, I could be mistaken with other devices. There has been talk about USB hosting on the a100 before.
ummmmm............ could you repeat that?
Yes, you would need something called an OTG (on the go) adapter. The hardware in the device has to support host, so it is not JUST software.
I can confirm that i have tried the otg adapter as well as other adapters...and it only works as slave. I would just like someone to confirm that usb host is possible [that the harware supports host capabilities]. I am just glad to see there are more people interested in fixing this problem as this tablet is superfast and top quality in every other way in my opinion. Thanks again
Maybe something comes out of
http://www.circuitsathome.com/mcu/programming/android_adk_compatible_usb_host_library_release
I ordered an OTG cable and once it comes I will take a look at enabling USB host mode.
I am guessing that the hardware supports USB host, but will need a kernel module and some scripts to enable it.
I also suspect that the USB port will not supply power to an attached device. If this is the case, the workaround is to attach a powered USB hub to the OTG cable.
Crossing my fingers, and waiting for that OTG cable to come in the mail...
flar2 said:
I ordered an OTG cable and once it comes I will take a look at enabling USB host mode.
I am guessing that the hardware supports USB host, but will need a kernel module and some scripts to enable it.
I also suspect that the USB port will not supply power to an attached device. If this is the case, the workaround is to attach a powered USB hub to the OTG cable.
Crossing my fingers, and waiting for that OTG cable to come in the mail...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
USB host is enabled in the kernel. Hardware does support USB host.
Acer left it off the board entirely, so I doubt much can be done without hardware modding, which I'm all for lol.
Tapatalked from my Galaxy S II.
Sounds grim if the hardware connection is not there, are we sure that the port is just not supplying power?
do the kernel modules load? (e.g. usb-hid, usb-storage)
Has anyone actually tried to:
a) insmod the correct modules
b) force change to host mode (the device probably has to be either slave or host, not both at once)
c) connect something (e.g. a mouse or a thumbdrive) through the otg cable and a powered usb hub?
At least I won't have to build a kernel to test this out.
flar2 said:
Sounds grim if the hardware connection is not there, are we sure that the port is just not supplying power?
do the kernel modules load? (e.g. usb-hid, usb-storage)
Has anyone actually tried to:
a) insmod the correct modules
b) force change to host mode (the device probably has to be either slave or host, not both at once)
c) connect something (e.g. a mouse or a thumbdrive) through the otg cable and a powered usb hub?
At least I won't have to build a kernel to test this out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this comes up every now and then, I really dont know how far anyone gets before giving up. Feel free to try out whatever you want, while I don't care about USB host I know a lot of people do and would love an update on any progress anyone can make. Even if its just things that don't work.
Acer is generally lazy and cheap, we use the same kernel source as the a500 which has host, which is why we also have it. It could be modules, though I doubt its so simple. Also a powered hub would be needed, there is no power supplied to the port that anyone has found. This could be remedied with some hardware work I'm sure. The hub would also need to be one way, meaning not dumping power to host as I doubt the a100 will take it and without protection would likely suffer damage if the power pins are even hooked up.
The system itself runs at 12v though I'm sure there's a 5v rail someplace but if it can support powering anything past maybe a flash drive is unknown.
Take a visit to iconia-dev on free node, they'll know more of this then probably anyone here does lol
Tapatalked from my Galaxy S II.
The A500 does not implement USB otg, but rather a standard USB port. In other words, USB otg is not necessary for the A500 since it has a standard port. The USB otg standard allows a the port to act as both master and slave depending on the connection. In the A100 service manual, the schematic shows only one connection to the chipset (client), host is unconnected, which could be a problem. However, it is known that the Tegra 2 can support otg connections. I'm not certain, but it may be possible that by shorting pins 4 and 5 in the micro usb connector (ie, using an otg cable) and with the proper kernel level support, the A100 could still act as a USB host, albeit with no power supply to the micro USB port.
I'll continue to investigate this once I have a chance to build otg support into the kernel and recieve the otg cable.
flar2 said:
The A500 does not implement USB otg, but rather a standard USB port. In other words, USB otg is not necessary for the A500 since it has a standard port. The USB otg standard allows a the port to act as both master and slave depending on the connection. In the A100 service manual, the schematic shows only one connection to the chipset (client), host is unconnected, which could be a problem. However, it is known that the Tegra 2 can support otg connections. I'm not certain, but it may be possible that by shorting pins 4 and 5 in the micro usb connector (ie, using an otg cable) and with the proper kernel level support, the A100 could still act as a USB host, albeit with no power supply to the micro USB port.
I'll continue to investigate this once I have a chance to build otg support into the kernel and recieve the otg cable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, but one thing, its already in the kernel. However Linux society and/or waydownsouth would know more about what's in there, I just know it isn't blocked there. Modules etc I don't know. I look forward to seeing some progress on this topic.
Tapatalked from my Galaxy S II.
Pulled the kernel config from my tablet, you are correct, otg support is built into the kernel.
I'm using ezterry's kernel, almost everything is built in, there are only a few modules that have nothing to do with this.
I tested with an OTG cable, which shorts pins 4 and 5 in the micro usb connector. As expected, this did not enable USB host mode.
I tested wtih 5V going into the micro usb connection, as some of the non-powered devices need that voltage applied to activate the port, still nothing. (and no damage!)
I added a few other things to the kernel, the dmesg output changed slightly compared ezterry kernel
When connecting otg cable with 5V, dmesg shows:
tegra-otg tegra-otg: SUSPEND --> PERHIPHERAL
vbus connected, lock wakelock
tegra-otg tegra-otg: PERHIPHERAL --> SUSPEND
tegra_usb_phy_power_off(inst:0), phy->regulator_on: 1, line : 2754
tegra_usb_phy_power_off(inst:0), tegra_get_revision(): 0
vbus disconnected, unlock wakelock
android_work: did not send uevent (0 0 (null))
In the possibility that USB host is not possible on the micro usb port, a hardware mod could be done. There are points for a mini PCI-E connector on the motherboard (this is where the 3G module would be for A101). Solder wires to pins 36 and 38 for USB data, 4 for ground and connect them to a usb port. The PCI-E only gives 3.3V, but power could be supplied by a powered hub instead. There is even space inside the unit to mount a micro usb connector on the end with the power button.
The main roadblock is that the solder points are on the back side of the pcboard so you have to fully disassemble the unit to remove the motherboard. It would actually be fairly easy to do if the points were showing when you remove the back cover.
I don't think I have the nerve to actually try this.
flar2 said:
In the possibility that USB host is not possible on the micro usb port, a hardware mod could be done. There are points for a mini PCI-E connector on the motherboard (this is where the 3G module would be for A101). Solder wires to pins 36 and 38 for USB data, 4 for ground and connect them to a usb port. The PCI-E only gives 3.3V, but power could be supplied by a powered hub instead. There is even space inside the unit to mount a micro usb connector on the end with the power button.
The main roadblock is that the solder points are on the back side of the pcboard so you have to fully disassemble the unit to remove the motherboard. It would actually be fairly easy to do if the points were showing when you remove the back cover.
I don't think I have the nerve to actually try this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if you want to play it like that, you can use a mini pci-e > usb adapter, which is also available with and without sata too lol. It would, maybe, depending on the board used, even line up with the sim slot, so minimal case cutting would be needed to make it accessible for usb. Straight drop in for an A101, though we lack the actual slot for it. Might be something I'll try later on.
Edit: I forget, does the sim slot line up with the pci-e slot? Been awhile since I saw the inside of one, so I may be wrong on that point.
There isn't an actual mini pci-e connector in my tab, it's just the solder points, so you would have to solder on a connector to use the adapter. The sim slot doesn't line up. But it looks like the empty sim slot is not high enough for a micro usb port to fit anyway.
I tried the hardware mod. Unfortunately the mini pci-e is not hooked up to the system. In other news, the motherboard is very easy to remove and reinstall.
there is a ROM in which they have implemented the usb otg?
Inviato dal mio Galaxy Nexus con Tapatalk 2
I recently got my hands on a Pi0 after already having a Pi1 and soon a Pi2 as well. Now I was wondering if anyone has experience with powered usb hubs to power the Pi's as well? I want to minimize the use of power sockets since they are pretty full all ready. I am looking for something with at least 7 ports (3 for the pi, 1 for the Pi0 for host, 1 wifi-dongle, 1 usb to ethernet, 1 mouse/keyboard).
Does anyone have some recommendations? And knows that it can do the job?
You can find a list of hubs that are verified to work with the raspberry pi if you search "RPi Powered USB Hubs" in google, it includes ones that back power (what you want) as well as ones that do not (what you do not want). I personally do not like to back power my raspberry pi's but I hope this helps!
edit: this is the wrong part of the forums for questions by the way you should ask in the "Raspberry Pi Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting" section of the forums.
Monoprice hub
I've had great success with a monoprice usb hub.
http://www.monoprice.com/mobile/pro...categoryid=10307&subcategoryid=1030702&cpncd=
If the link dosent work the product ID is 5328 (just search for that)
I've used it with both raspberry pi b and raspberry pi 2 (not at the same time)
If your using it near a always on psu you can hook it up to the PSU via a Pata connector.
FYI this is a proper hub and wont back power the device connected to it.
Another option
I did this with a corsair rm1000 and a pi b plus some bitcoin miners.
Just buy a Pata to sata adapter and cut the sata off.
Buy a usb micro cable and lob off the usb-a end
Strip, solder and seal the calls in the proper order (its been a few years sence i wired the PSU supply Method because I got out of moning)
I actually power numerous pi4 2, 4, and 8gb models with a powered Insignia (best buy's company brand) powered usb 3 hub just attatch a usb 3 (for extra thruput) from the pis to the hub. it will show a lightning bolt symbol on the screen when using the pi under load but thats because its 0.1 amps short which isnt that big of a deal unless youre running a crap ton of peripherals
i actually picked up quite a few of them for powering pi's in different places without any form of power brick or computer stuck in places like behind the tv, in the corners of the room (4 corner surround sound, 2 pis, a splitter running a cable to each sound bar screwed into each of the 2 walls in each corne mounted on each side of the room), throughout the house for spotify connect, and one in the front room with a 5% touch display as a viewing panel for my door's security camera. Next project im going to hook up a 50,000mAh solar battery, get a pi zero w, install a light sensor into the gpio, and write a script that pings my android devices (nvidia sheild, watch, phone, raspberry pi running android, and laptop running android) as well as my PC, so when the mail box opens up it senses light and sends a ping to my devices
this hub is actually powering a 2gb im using as a pi hole, a 4gb im using to run servers (check out servers ultimate on android), and another 4gb im using for retro gaming and media at the moment but when classes start back up ill reflash my backup with ubuntu and an arm port of vs code called OSS-CODE i use as a coding workstation in class. it truly is a desktop replacement now
oh holy crap i just realized this thread is years old
I shouldn't worry about it.
I still read it
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