Getting Android on the n8xx using Ubuntu

Updated: 5/21/2008

Summary: This document is targeted towards beginners to Linux.  The authors also started out quite unfamiliar with Linux and Android, and would like to provide supplemental information for newbies who are asking newbie questions.  To keep things simple, Ubuntu is the Linux distro of choice.  It's easy to install (we put it on our laptops). 

Hardware Requirements:
1) CD Burner
2) Extra computer (USB port required), or you can install Ubuntu on one computer (the installer will automagically move things around and keep your Windows alive and well) 
*NOTE:  Do not proceed with a virtual machine.  The step of flashing the kernel DOES NOT work with a VM, I've already tried it. 
3) A Nokia n8XX, we used an n800. 

Setup:
1) Download Ubuntu . (Our version was 8.04 LTS)
2) Burn Ubuntu onto a CD
3) Install Ubuntu with default options
4) Go to Accessories, then open up a terminal
5) Type sudo apt-get install libc6-dev  .  This will install the libraries you need to compare the kernel
6) Now you are ready to proceed to doing the actual work!

Android on the n8xx:
We used the page below to get Android to work on the n800.  It has all the downloads and commands you need to run.  We would not be running Android without this page!  There are some newbie/Ubuntu stuff we discovered though, and they will be listed below.
http://code.google.com/p/android-on-n8xx/wiki/Home

Details & Other Issues:

• Running apps:  Just copy it to /data/app folder.  You need to copy the apk file, and remember, the program needs to be developed in the same userspace version as Android file system you are runnning!
  

• Flasher needs to be run as root, so you need to put "sudo" in front of the flasher command
  

• Formatting the SD card to EXT2
  
• http://anjackson.net/2005/01/02/formatting-an-sd-card-as-ext2
  

• Nokia device says SD card cannot be read after formatting

        That's ok, just go to the terminal, and mount the device.   Look for the device under the /dev folder, it is usually /dev/mmc something.  So assume it's /dev/mmcblk1p1, you would type mount /dev/mmcblk1p1 /media/mmc1

• Wireless Stops Working After Flashing Kernel

        This happens if you are running OS 2007.  To check what version you are running, go to Control Panel, then About Product.  Install OS 2008. You can use the Guide Here or just search for it. 

• You are stuck at the red loading bar

        Check the /sys folder of your Nokia device.  If it is missing android_power folder, then you need to reflash your kernel.  The missing folder is why booting android is stuck at red loading bar

• Got past the red loading bar but the screen is dark

        If you like to start android via SSH, make sure you tap on the touchscreen to make sure it's active before you load Android, otherwise the screen might be really dark