LinuxMCE Forums

General => Installation issues => Topic started by: firefist235 on June 30, 2009, 07:19:19 pm

Title: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on June 30, 2009, 07:19:19 pm
Hi all,

i just bought a SilverStone GD01B-MXR (http://www.alternate.at/html/product/Gehaeuse_Desktop/SilverStone/GD01B-MXR/173219/?tn=HARDWARE&l1=Geh%C3%A4use&l2=Desktop%2FHTPC) with an iMON Pad an built in IR/VFD.

The Pad worked out of the box like a mouse, cursor steering works, left and right clicks are working too. But if i press any other button, the remote does not work any further, so i have to restart my hybrid to get the remote working again.

I read many other topics and searched in google for my problem but i can't get it running like it should.

The VFD doesn't work at all, except the backround light. I also searched a few topics for this, but my display won't display anything  >:(

Can someone PLEASE give me a walkthrought?
I am a totally linux newbie so a step-by-step description would be great.

*staying hopefully*
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: WhateverFits on June 30, 2009, 10:35:30 pm
Well, if it is acting like a keyboard then maybe xkbevd from xkbutils package will give you more information. If it is using lirc, then lirc.org should help debug it.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: tschak909 on July 01, 2009, 06:39:50 am
Guys, we need proper device templates for the iMON. Does somebody want to take this on?

-Thom
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 01, 2009, 05:04:37 pm
Well, if it is acting like a keyboard then maybe xkbevd from xkbutils package will give you more information. If it is using lirc, then lirc.org should help debug it.
its not acting like a keyboard, it acts like a mouse :D

ADD: i think that LIRC doesn't work.
when i type mode2 (in putty) i get this:
Code: [Select]
linuxmce@dcerouter:~$ mode2
mode2: could not get file information for /dev/lirc
mode2: default_init(): No such file or directory

if i type irw to test my remote:
Code: [Select]
linuxmce@dcerouter:~$ irw
connect: No such file or directory
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: gumis on July 01, 2009, 08:13:51 pm
What version of iMON do you have?

I own 15c2:0038 (IR/LCD) and it's a trouble maker...

TO get this one going I had to manualy build lirc and LIRC_DCE from lmce source.

Have a look on my post: http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=6724.msg55615#msg55615 (http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=6724.msg55615#msg55615)
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 01, 2009, 09:56:10 pm
i own this one too
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: gumis on July 01, 2009, 11:40:49 pm
So you'll need to do exactly the same thing...

Re-compile lirc to at least 0.8.4a version. As far as i remember that's when support for iMON pad starts.

When you do that, make sure that lirc creates two lircX instances under /dev. To check that execute this command:

ls -al /dev/ | grep lirc

you should see something like:

...
/dev/lirc0
/dev/lirc1
...

and that's the problem. iMON 0038 creates two instances of /dev/lircX.

Now you'll need to modify LIRC_DCE code and change default command that executes lircd for each remote from:

/usr/local/sbin/lircd --driver=default --device=/dev/lirc0 /etc/lirc/lircd.conf

to something like:
/usr/local/sbin/lircd --driver=default --device=/dev/lirc0 --pidfile=/var/run/lirc0.pid --listen=8765 /etc/lirc/lircd.conf
/usr/local/sbin/lircd --driver=default --device=/dev/lirc1 --pidfile=/var/run/lirc1.pid --output=/dev/lircd --connect=localhost:8765 /etc/lirc/lircd.conf

(read about multiple remote controls supported by lircd)


I hope this will help.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 02, 2009, 05:31:40 pm
i just re-compiled LIRC (0.8.6) and when i type
ls -al /dev/ | grep lirc i get this, no lirc0 or lirc1

Code: [Select]
dcerouter_108888:/lirc# ls -al /dev/ | grep lirc
crw-r--r--  1 root   root     61,   0 2009-07-02 17:24 lirc
prw-r--r--  1 root   root           0 2009-07-02 17:24 lircd
prw-r--r--  1 root   root           0 2009-07-02 17:24 lircm
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 07, 2009, 03:32:56 pm
i didn't get it working.
I have installed LinuxMCE all over so i can start from the beginning.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 07, 2009, 07:06:53 pm
i just compiled LIRC and installed it.
but i get this
Code: [Select]
dcerouter_116297:~# modprobe lirc_imon
FATAL: Error inserting lirc_imon (/lib/modules/2.6.22-14-generic/misc/lirc_imon.ko): Unknown symbol in module, or unknown parameter (see dmesg)

dmesg says this:
Code: [Select]
dcerouter_116297:~# dmesg |grep lirc
[   19.224000] lirc_dev: IR Remote Control driver registered, major 61
[   19.404000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_MASK
[   19.404000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_WORD
[   19.444000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_MASK
[   19.444000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_WORD
[  217.176000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_MASK
[  217.176000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_WORD
[  449.236000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_MASK
[  449.236000] lirc_imon: Unknown symbol BIT_WORD

Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 09, 2009, 07:50:46 pm
can someone please help.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 10, 2009, 08:35:40 pm
i give up.
i just searched in google to solve my problem, but nothing helped
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 25, 2009, 10:33:16 pm
am i really the only one with this problem?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: aponcz on July 29, 2009, 04:06:53 pm
firefist235 -

I too am having some issues with my IR/VFD (15c2:0038).  I have recompiled LIRC multiple times and when I download it from CVS I was getting the same errors as you were.  However, when I downloaded version 1.5 and modprobe lirc_imon was working fine however only /dev/lirc0 was listed and not /dev/lirc1.  After doing some reading, I hope it is related to my LIRC config file.

Any updates on your end?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on July 29, 2009, 05:47:59 pm
sorry no
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: aponcz on August 01, 2009, 07:30:16 pm
I finally got irw working with my box.  I installed lirc-0.8.4a using this tutorial:  http://brakemeier.de/electronics/vdr/lirc-imon.html

Now I need to figure out how to get LIRC working with linuxmce.

Anyone have a good tutorial on how to do this?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on August 28, 2009, 11:35:06 pm
i installed LMCE with the DVD. should i better install it with the 2 CDs?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on August 31, 2009, 07:46:22 pm
my htpc is connected to my TV so a cannot work on the console there because i can't read it. I have to do such things with putty from my PC, does this make a difference?

do i have to start KDE Desktop to install LIRC and get it to work or can i do this just after LinuxMCE has started?

this cannot be that difficult..... please help
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 01, 2009, 07:26:32 pm
i am also ready to reinstall linux mce to start over from the beginning.

but i really need a step-by-step instruction what i have to do. i think i am to stupid to catch this stuff.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: nite_man on September 02, 2009, 03:14:59 pm
Just follow by this wiki article (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/IMON_PAD) to setup iMON PAD remote control. Also have a look that article (http://smart-home-blog.com/writes/configure-imon-padvfd-in-plutohome). It should help you setup VFD display.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 03, 2009, 01:02:00 am
ok i'll give it a try, i hope it works

do i have to make this directly on the Hybrid or is it enough to make this with putty from another pc?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: nite_man on September 03, 2009, 08:33:32 am
ok i'll give it a try, i hope it works

do i have to make this directly on the Hybrid or is it enough to make this with putty from another pc?

It's doesn't matter :) Actually SSH session from the remote PC gives you the same possibilities like direct login to the core/hybrid.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 03, 2009, 12:45:29 pm
Ok thank you, one last question.

is it enough to start the core and do that, or do i have to load the KDE Desktop?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: nite_man on September 03, 2009, 03:27:35 pm
Just start the core. KDE desktop is needed if you'd like to do some modifications directly on the core using some GUI utility.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 03, 2009, 09:48:33 pm
the link to the lirc configuration file in the wiki doesn't work
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: nite_man on September 03, 2009, 10:18:50 pm
the link to the lirc configuration file in the wiki doesn't work

Fixed. The new link to the patch will add a bit later.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: nite_man on September 04, 2009, 09:46:28 am
You can use that script

https://www.assembla.com/spaces/linuxmce/documents/bQ0nA4Bgyr3QKceJe5aVNr/download/imon-pad-devicetemplate

to add template with LIRCd.conf automatically. Just assign it to the desire core or MD.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 04, 2009, 02:18:05 pm
should i execute this file via putty?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: nite_man on September 04, 2009, 02:52:24 pm
should i execute this file via putty?

Look. The remote session via SSH gives you exactly (more or less) the same options as direct login to the Linux machine. I never login to my core/hybrid directly except I don't have network connection by some reason. All the rest operation such installing new packages, updating configuration, watching logs etc can be done via SSH.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 04, 2009, 02:56:16 pm
k thx.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 04, 2009, 05:22:22 pm
can you please fix the link to the patch?
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 04, 2009, 06:23:33 pm
ok i found the patch otherwhere in the forum.
after ./configure i type make and i get this: 
No targets specified and no makefile found.  Stop

now, i don't know whats wrong....again
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: nite_man on September 04, 2009, 07:42:54 pm
First of all, I'd like suggest you to learn a bit Linux. Without base knowledges you won't be able hack LinuxMCE. Because apply patch procedure is operation for at least advanced users. Regarding iMON PAD, have a look that page - http://brakemeier.de/electronics/vdr/lirc-imon.html
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 04, 2009, 08:36:30 pm
i downloaded a newer version of LIRC and the installation worked.
but now i have the same problem than before: i can steer the cursor with the Pad an make left and right clicks. but if i press any other button the remote doesn't work any further until i restart my hybrid.

when i start the core there is written something like: "Waiting for other devices to finish starting up" this device is "#31 default"  the remote receiver.

after this screen an other black screen appears which says: "There are some devices on this media director that did not...."  I can't read the whole line because my TV can't view it at all.
Title: Re: Newbie -> iMON Pad and VFD
Post by: firefist235 on September 08, 2009, 07:12:59 pm
i dont get it to work. i think linux is not the right thing for me
I am really greatfull for your help.
I just installed Windows with XBMC and i am making progress.

I really like LinuxMCE but i really don't understand it because i am a totally linux noob :D

keep on rocking, guys :D