Monday 23 May 2016

Ubuntu flavoured 16.04 ISOs for Atom based Intel Compute Sticks

UpdateThis work is superseded by my 'isorespin.sh' script which can respin an official ISO suitable for use on Intel Atom devices.

Example ISOs using my ‘isorespin.sh‘ script suitable for Intel Atom and Intel Apollo Lake devices are available from http://linuxminipcs.com/isos

When Intel released its Ubuntu Compute Stick it was heavily criticized as being under-spec'd. Also criticized was the choice of Ubuntu with Unity as it was deemed to be too demanding. With this in mind I've combined the latest patches and source together with Canonical's kernel source to create a range of ISOs that can work on Intel's Atom Compute Sticks from the very basic model to the latest. All include audio over HDMI, wifi and bluetooth together with patches that try to reduce the random freezes that have been known to occur.

First up is Lubuntu. I've configured it to use ZRAM both as an ISO and once installed. As a light-weight Ubuntu it is highly suitable for the minimalist STCK1A8LFC device.


Next is Ubuntu. Previously it was necessary to use the 64-bit bootloader to use my 16.04 ISO. Now I've configured it to both run and install using either the 32-bit or 64-bit bootloaders. The key benefit is the ability to easily dual-boot without needing to modify the BIOS.


Finally I've also incorporated all these features and produced Xubuntu, Ubuntu-Mate and Kubuntu ISOs. This provides a choice now of Ubuntu flavours for the Intel Compute Stick.

One potential draw-back is that each ISO includes a patched kernel to provide the missing functionality meaning it will not get any automatic kernel updates from Canonical. So I've also developed a manual patching process that allows you to download a script which will then update the kernel.

ISOs

To try an ISO download it from one of the links below (i.e. the caption below each image) and write it to a USB using either 'Rufus' in Windows or 'dd' in Linux.
Update: If you are using Rufus version 2.3 or above then select 'Write in DD Image mode' when prompted otherwise for version 2.2 and below you should first let Rufus complete and then additionally download 'bootia32.efi' and copy the file to the newly created USB's 'EFI\BOOT' directory.  

Then boot from the USB by pressing the 'F10' option immediately after powering-on your device. For installation to your device simply run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Remember also to be patient as depending on the speed of your USB it can be anything from 15 to 45 seconds before anything appears on the screen.

Lubuntu
Ubuntu
Xubuntu
Kubuntu
Ubuntu Mate

Kernel Upgrade Script

If you want to upgrade the kernel to the latest Ubuntu 16.04 (but patched) version first download the upgrade script (click the caption under the image below) , make sure it is executable (use 'chmod 755 <script>') and then run as 'root' ('./<script>'). Once the script has finished executing you'll need to reboot to use the latest kernel.

linuxium-install-xenial-kernel-4.4.0-22-linuxium-ics.sh

As before this is only for Atom based Intel Compute sticks which includes the STCK1A8LFC, STCK1A32WFC, STK1AW32SC and STK1A32SC models.

Acknowledgements: Pierre-Louis Bossart (HDMI audio), Bastien Nocera (wifi) & Larry Finger (bt).

75 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Ian,
thank you for providing us with this source of mini pc heaven. I would like to run a JavaFX app under Xubuntu on a MiniX-Z64A. Since this guide of yours officially supports the Intel Compute Stick, and yet both the MiniX-Z64A and the Intel Stick share the same Atom Z3735F processor, does it mean that I can use your build to try it on the MiniX? If not, could you tell me the best way to install Xubuntu on the MiniX? As far as I know, previously you provided the MiniX with the 14.04.3 Ubuntu with Unity DE.

Cheers,
Chris

Unknown said...

Hi there! I have a question. Why I can't install your builds with Lukscrypt?

Unknown said...

Hi there, Is it possible to use your builds to an ASUS QM1 stick? Mine is bricked, does not load the original WIN10, and when I am using the reset option it stucks at 49%. Any way it was too slow with win10 and i think with ubuntu it will be better.

By the way ASUS sent me an email that this product is NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY!!! SO STAY AWAY FROM ASUS.

Unknown said...

so... i will try to install this on my lil asus e200ha a small laptop that has screen size and thickness as macbook air 11 and footprint of a macbook 12 :) but it comes with that pesky z8300 atom cpu, everywhere i looked people couldn't fix the sound issue, not sound trough hdmi but have sound at all, and as i remember, it was you linuxium who proposed using a usb sound card, so my question :) have you fix this issue do we have normal sound with this kernal changes, and will a normal sudo apt-get upgrade or update command work on this ISOs?
cheers mate, and thank you again for all of your work

Eugene San said...

@Linuxium

First, thank you for your work.

It would be nice if you could post the patch/es you are applying to Kernel or/and other packages.

Luiz Luan said...

Works on Baytrail?

Anonymous said...

hey i got minix z64 and Z3735F and not working :(

Unknown said...

Hi, I've installed xubuntu on a ComputeStick, already run the kernel script, and it's getting randomly freeze, the only error I found on syslog it's:

Jun 7 12:34:36 modyotv-STCK1A32WFC kernel: [ 417.524499] mmcblk0: error -110 transferring data, sector 35123808, nr 16, cmd response 0x900, card status 0xc00
Jun 7 12:34:36 modyotv-STCK1A32WFC kernel: [ 417.744631] mmc0: tried to reset card

Some more details:

:~$ cat /proc/partitions
major minor #blocks name

1 0 65536 ram0
1 1 65536 ram1
1 2 65536 ram2
1 3 65536 ram3
1 4 65536 ram4
1 5 65536 ram5
1 6 65536 ram6
1 7 65536 ram7
1 8 65536 ram8
1 9 65536 ram9
1 10 65536 ram10
1 11 65536 ram11
1 12 65536 ram12
1 13 65536 ram13
1 14 65536 ram14
1 15 65536 ram15
179 0 29884416 mmcblk0
179 1 524288 mmcblk0p1
179 2 27352064 mmcblk0p2
179 3 2006016 mmcblk0p3
179 24 4096 mmcblk0rpmb
179 16 4096 mmcblk0boot1
179 8 4096 mmcblk0boot0

:~$ df -h
S.ficheros Tamaño Usados Disp Uso% Montado en
udev 939M 0 939M 0% /dev
tmpfs 192M 6,2M 186M 4% /run
/dev/mmcblk0p2 26G 4,5G 20G 19% /
tmpfs 957M 31M 927M 4% /dev/shm
tmpfs 5,0M 4,0K 5,0M 1% /run/lock
tmpfs 957M 0 957M 0% /sys/fs/cgroup
/dev/mmcblk0p1 511M 3,6M 508M 1% /boot/efi
tmpfs 192M 44K 192M 1% /run/user/1000


Any Ideas?

Kind Regards

Unknown said...

Hi there,


Trying to boot on a Beelink BT3 (Z8300) microbox, I finally managed to boot the livecd from lubuntu 16.04 (linuxium version burnt with rufus 2.9 then copying the bootia32.efi to the install pendrive), done the install to the main MMC (shrinking the Windows part), and installed grub to the mmc. At reboot I got to the grub menu, but selecting ubuntu instantly gets me to a black screen. I suspect wrong boot options in the grub entry but was not able to sort it out. Any clue (maybe something linked to a missing 32 bits file) ? Thx for any help,

Identidade? Galega! said...

I've the same problem here ("selecting ubuntu instantly gets me to a black screen."), booting from the xubuntu iso on a Pipo WS9 (Z8300 Cherry Trail processor), The only difference is that i had not copy the bootia32.efi file, because i burn the iso using dd in other linux machine, and the bootia32.efi is already on the EFI/boot folder.
Any solution?
Thankyou very much

Linuxium said...

I'm currently focusing on the Intel Compute Stick.

Linuxium said...

I've not tried but does an install work with the standard Canonical ISO as there shouldn't be any difference with mine?

Linuxium said...

Yes

Linuxium said...

Because it is for Intel Compute Sticks.

Linuxium said...

The cause of the freezes are not fully understood. My kernel is patched but it still seems to freeze for some. Using the kernel parameter to limit the system to only C-State 1 can only be considered as a workaround for those willing to run the device continuously.

Linuxium said...

As stated the ISOs are for Intel Compute Sticks only.

Linuxium said...

As stated the ISOs are for Intel Compute Sticks only.

Linuxium said...

Update: This page refers to earlier work and my latest ISOs can be downloaded from http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/running-ubuntu-on-intel-compute-stick.html

Unknown said...

Standard does however on other computer. Your earlier versions did also on stick. It can be problem with stick it self, I don't know realy.

Linuxium said...

Or maybe a problem with 16.04 perhaps? If I get a free moment at some point I'll give it a try.

Unknown said...

Your earlier build of 16.04 from 26.04 do work.

Linuxium said...

Does the latest build from 10th June (in latest post dated 13th June) work?

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

It doesn't work. Some problems with partitioning. You have to check it yourself.

Unknown said...

Tried Lubuntu and Xubuntu on both STCK1A8LFC, STCK1A32WFC. Both also tried with upgraded kernel 4.4.0-24.43 (kernel script). Works perfect exepect wifi. It keep asking for passwd?

Unknown said...

intel@intel321:~$ inxi -F
System: Host: intel321 Kernel: 4.4.0-24-linuxium x86_64 (64 bit) Console: tty 1 Distro: Ubuntu 16.04 xenial
Machine: System: Intel product: STCK1A32WFC v: H85498-101
Mobo: Intel model: STCK1A32WFC v: H92471-101
Bios: Intel v: FCBYT10H.86A.0031.2015.1027.1417 date: 10/27/2015
CPU: Quad core Intel Atom Z3735F (-MCP-) cache: 1024 KB
clock speeds: max: 1832 MHz 1: 568 MHz 2: 645 MHz 3: 499 MHz 4: 499 MHz
Graphics: Card: Intel Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Graphics & Display
Display Server: X.org 1.18.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
tty size: 197x52 Advanced Data: N/A out of X
Audio: Card IntelHDMI driver: IntelHDMI Sound: ALSA v: k4.4.0-24-linuxium
Network: Card: Failed to Detect Network Card!
Drives: HDD Total Size: NA (-) ID-1: /dev/mmcblk0 model: N/A size: 30.6GB
ID-2: /dev/mmcblk1 model: N/A size: 31.2GB
Partition: ID-1: / size: 26G used: 3.8G (16%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/mmcblk0p2
ID-2: swap-1 size: 2.05GB used: 0.00GB (0%) fs: swap dev: /dev/mmcblk0p3
RAID: No RAID devices: /proc/mdstat, md_mod kernel module present
Sensors: System Temperatures: cpu: 59.0C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (in rpm): cpu: N/A
Info: Processes: 218 Uptime: 2 min Memory: 315.5/1912.4MB Init: systemd runlevel: 5
Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.2.35

Roel said...

Hello,

if I install standard ubuntu server, can I then use your script to get the patched kernel so sound, bluetooth and wifi will work?

Thanks.

ópticageek said...

I must give my congratulations for your efforts, nice work Ian!

I have a question, about updating the patched kernel in the ubuntu 16.04 image you gave us to try. Due the fact that the kernel is not ubuntu dependent, we must wait to you to publish the updated kernel is it? I'm a bit confused about it...

thanks!

Linuxium said...

The script is designed to upgrade the kernel only. Also I'm not sure that a standard server ISO will install so previously I've recommended installing my desktop ISO and then removing the desktop and adding the server packages (see http://www.linuxium.com.au/how-tos/creatinganubuntuserveronaz3735fdevice). That way you can get a server with sound, wifi and bt.

Linuxium said...

The simplest explanation is that for everything to work (e.g. sound as an example) you require specific hardware drivers that are not in the standard kernel. So each time you were to upgrade to the latest Canonical Ubuntu kernel you would loose some hardware functionality (e.g. audio) which can then be restored by upgrading to my kernel of the same version.

Unknown said...

I am trying to install on a STCK1A8LFC but it tells me I need at least 8.5 gb and I only have 7.7gb available, what can I do?

Linuxium said...

Which ISO did you download and from where so I can take a look at it?

Also moving forward, everything on this page has been superseded by http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com.au/2016/10/running-ubuntu-on-intel-bay-trail-and.html so it is best to try one of those ISOs as well.

Unknown said...

ubuntu-16.04.1-desktop-linuxium.iso It's one of yours. I think it may have been the latest one

Linuxium said...

I've not been able to replicate the error nor see where it could have occurred. Can you provide more details about where it happened and on what screen etc?

coze said...

I had freezes when I had a bus powered 3 port USB adapter connected. If you are using a usb port adapter, either change your performance setting to 'low-profile' in the BIOS, or use a self powered USB adapter.

coze said...

Hello Linuxium, thanks for the great work !

I have a STCK1A8LFC and I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 16.04.1 LTS from your latest blog.

http://www.linuxium.com.au/how-tos/runningubuntuontheintelcomputestick

(I am leaving a comment here because that page doesn't allow comments.)
I just couldn't get the wifi working so I thought I would ask. AFAIU I need to install firmware-iwlwifi . Where can I find this ? Is there a repo somewhere ?
many thanks in advance !

Linuxium said...

The STCK1A8LFC uses a Realtek wifi chip and the driver is included in the ISOs you referenced. As it works on my device and on others who have tried I am not sure what the problem is with your device. Could you try my latest ISO from http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com.au/2017/01/bleeding-edge-ubuntu-4100-57-kernel.html and if it doesn't work send me a link to your 'dmesg' (see http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/a-new-look-for-2017.html for a how-to)?

vi2cio said...

Hi Ian, great work!
I installed it on STCK1A8LFC that I am using lubuntu 16.04 as HTPC with Kodi.
It works wells so far (way better than the original Ubuntu 14.04), less resources consuming and easy to install.
It froze few times but does its job for such a small machine.
I have an issue with pulseaudio (PulseAudio 8.0), I get this error when trying to adjust volume
amixer: Mixer attach pulse error: Connection refused.

Any idea or suggestion on how to fix?

Linuxium said...

I always use 'pavucontrol' as in 'sudo apt install pavucontrol' to control the volume on Lubuntu. If you used an ISO downloaded from here then I recommend you open a terminal session and enter the following command (on a single line):
sudo sed -i 's/\(GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=\)""/\1"intel_idle.max_cstate=1"/' /etc/default/grub
Then implement the change by entering:
sudo update-grub
and finally reboot the system by entering:
sudo reboot
My latest ISO (see latest post) included a better fix for the sporadic freezing if you are interested.

vi2cio said...

Uhm... still not working. Let me be more specific: sound works fine, I cannot control the volume using the keyboard because amixer can't connect to pulseaudio.
(Error message: PULSE_SERVER in the Environment/X11 Root Window Properties or default-server in client.conf is misconfigured)
I just need a command line mixer command.
Is the latest ISO that you mention the 17.04 one?

coze said...

Hmm interesting, I tried with your latest nightly build, and still no luck.

Another thing, when I plug an external USB wifi stick, it shows up as

wlx000f60046cb7 IEEE 802.11bgn ESSID:off/any

I would like this to show as "wlan0". I guess some udev configuration missing ?

coze said...

Here is the dmesg. Any heads-up will be appreciated.
Thanks !

http://pastebin.com/a0FhC19g

coze said...

pffft actually it seems my card is being renamed from wlan0. it's right in my dmesg

[ 7.966890] rt2800usb 1-1.1.3:1.0 wlx000f60046cb7: renamed from wlan0

how can I prevent this ?

coze said...

Ok I could prevent my interface being renamed by following

https://ubuntu-mate.community/t/something-is-renaming-my-eth0-and-wlan0-interfaces/2884/7

which suggests :

ln -s /dev/null /etc/udev/rules.d/80-net-setup-link.rules

now my usb wifi dongle is recognised as wlan1.
I would appreciate if you have any ideas for onboard wifi chip. The fact that the external wifi dongle gets wlan1 tells me maybe it's being recognised somewhere.

Unknown said...

Hi Ian,

Funny, I can get your distro to work great but have issues figuring out how to use Gootle + :-)

The install works wonderfully, no freezes, running 24/7 - its a dream both on wifi and ethernet.

I do have speed issues on ethernet however. I can't get ethernet speeds beyond 42 Mbs a second. Any ideas on how to unlock Gigabit speed? Is it software related to the Kernal?

Thanks again.

Linuxium said...

Yes or try my 16.04.2 (when it is uploaded).

Linuxium said...

I recommend you try either my latest 17.04 build or 16.04.2 (after it is uploaded).

Unknown said...

Hello.

Finally found what I need for my ideapad 100s. Thanks for your work.

Yet, I cant find the download link and I cant see anyone else with the same issue. I've seen the "caption under each picture" text, but it is not working for me. The caption under the picture does not do anything for me. Please assist I want to fix my laptop as now I am running 16.04 Linux and I have no sound and no battery %. ^^

Thanks

Linuxium said...

This page refers to earlier work and my latest ISOs and kernel upgrade scripts can be downloaded from my latest posts.

Unknown said...

Hello, I have a STCK1A8LFC, and I downloaded and try to install Lubuntu 16.04.2 from your latest blog.

http://www.linuxium.com.au/how-tos/runningubuntuontheintelcomputestick

The install begin but stop with this message "ERROR: This recovery media only functions on Ubuntu systems." And only can select quit.

Please can you help me.

sorry for my english

Unknown said...

Hello, i take option "check disk for defects" and found 2 errors. The ISO is Lubuntu 10.04.2 downloaded from http://www.linuxium.com.au/how-tos/runningubuntuontheintelcomputestick

Please help. :(

Linuxium said...

I've never seen this message before. I'd recommend first reformatting the eMMC and deleting the entries from NVRAM. I'd also use an official ISO respun with the latest mainline kernel as per my latest post http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com.au/2017/04/creating-personalized-ubuntu-mint-and.html

Shannen Canzanella said...

Hi,
I have the STCK1A8LFC. I want to uninstall ubuntu and install windows. 1. Is it possible? 2. If so, which version of windows? Thanks

Linuxium said...

It really isn't worth trying as you only have 1GB RAM and only 8GB storage.

Arkadiusz Stolarczuk said...

Where is boot image for pendrive
?

Linuxium said...

As per the 'Update' at top of page you can now respin your own ISO.

David said...

Dear Mr. Morrison,
I was searching for an ISO for computesticks with an Atomprocessor for a very long time. Now I found yours, but is there any possibility to download the Ubuntu 16.04 version again?
I read your HowTo for isorespin.sh but my english is not that good that I am able to do it on my own.
I would be very glad if there is any possibility to get the 16.04 Version again.

Sincerely yours
D. Glaeser

Linuxium said...

If you can't follow the documentation then download one of my prebuild ISOs from the latest posts. Also try running the command with the GUI as it should be easier to understand along with the documentation.

Anonymous said...

Please, can give me the iso of any ubuntu or lubuntu 16.04? i cant use your script because my pc has only 300mb of free disk.

Linuxium said...

You can download my respun ISO of the current daily Ubuntu 18.04 build from my latest post (http://linuxiumcomau.blogspot.com.au/2018/02/second-look-at-ubuntu-1804-or-bionic.html).

Roger Mialkowski said...

Hello Ian, I too am having the "ERROR: This recovery media only functions on Ubuntu systems." when trying to install from the media. I tried both USB and DVD media. When I select Try OS, it ends up booting to the Ubuntu 14.04 factory image on the stick (I have the same one). I'm on BIOS 038 (latest). Any tips sir?

Linuxium said...

@Roger Mialkowski: Which ISO are you trying to boot from?

Roger Mialkowski said...

I've tried the 2 updated ones you offer, 16.04 and 18.04 for Atom since it's an Intel Compute Stick. I've also ran your script to respin Peppermint 9 64-bit and used dd to write it to a USB drive. It was able to boot off the USB to the initial screen to choose Try or Install or OEM and I knew something was up when I chose Try and it booted to an Ubuntu live session instead of the Peppermint live session. I've tried different 4-port USB hubs with the same result. Could it be the latest BIOS version that's messing with things?

Linuxium said...

Try just using the official 18.04.2 ISO now as it should include everything needed to work on the ICS.

Roger Mialkowski said...

Tried Lubuntu 18.04.2 and it appears to work! It installed just fine and the things I checked such as sound and SD card are functioning. That's a great tip, thanks!

Unknown said...

Can't find any download link from the site?

Linuxium said...

Go to http://linuxminipcs.com/isos and highlight 'ISOS' in the menu on the top to choose between 18.04 and 16.04 ISOs.

Rei said...

A Thomson NEO15 "notebook" (using an ATOM, x64 processor) fell into my hands but soon revealed to not be able to run properly most burautics programs thanks to an heavy Win10 32bits limiting its 1Go RAM.
After a quick research, I thought I woul install Lubuntu but it was faster said than done and I ended up being stucked after rEFInd installation through Win10. While doing some more researches, I stumbled upon your work and decided to take a try.
Since I have no idea how to use scripts (especially linux commands on Windows), I went with your pre-made Ubuntu18 (putting it on an USB memory through rufus3.6 as a GPT partition with no persistence part, for UEFI) but under Trial Mode, the tactil pad doesn't work beyond the first few seconds.
Now, I hesitate installing it (I have no wireless/USB mouse).

Is there something I possibly missed?

Rei said...

After a few more trials, it looks like it's a full freeze rather than a touchpad problem.

Linuxium said...

If it only has 1GB RAM I would try respining Lubuntu and using that rather than Ubuntu.

Rei said...

Indeed, it didn't work well and Lubuntu was a better choice (but I first had to find another computer to install some LINUX on it in order to modify the Lubuntu ISO).

Now, Lubuntu is on, but I can only navigate through keyboard (as I imagined, the sound doesn't seem active but neither is the touch-pad).

Is there any LINUX version that would allow for better/full keyboard handling?

Linuxium said...

When you respun the Lubuntu ISO did you use the latest ISO (19.04) with the latest fully released kernel (5.2.8)? Other than trying that I have no other ideas as I am not familiar with that particular device.

WillyDilly1994 said...

I found an additional way to install Lubuntu 18.04 on the STCK1A8LFC!
Wifi Also works great!
I used Easy2Boot with Ventoy. Make sure to install in Normal Performance Mode first, then you can run in High Performance mode when installed.
I am saving this page and will update with additional distros!
Cheers!
P.S. Fantastic job Linuxium!

Tim said...

What iso?

Steve Sybesma said...

Hello Linuxium, given the STCK1A8LFC is the most resource-poor of the bunch, what ISO is recommended that uses the least storage and memory? I need to cut to bare bones as much as possible while still having all the hardware drivers. Many of the apps are not needed. Can 3GB installed be achieved? Given this has 1GB RAM I need to reserve at least 1GB for a swap file. If you can assist I can donate $25 to support you.

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