N800 USB Host Mode Experiment - Page 30 - maemo.org

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	Cptnodegard	2008-01-10 , 22:47
	Posts: 170 \| Thanked: 40 times \| Joined on Dec 2007 @ Norway	#291

Originally Posted by nobody

I have read the threads on the N800 and N810 but it does get a little confusing since a lot of time as passed since the start of these threads and I'm not 100% sure where each device is at as far as support goes.

Since this is the N800 thread I'll ask about the N800 (which would be my option to purchase since it's cheaper and from what it looks like does everything the N810 does due to the new OS).

So if I got an N800 and upgraded the OS would I be able to plug a USB device like a keyboard and have it work without the use of "custom" wiring? By custom wiring I mean getting some cables/connectors and actually taking them apart to fit the N800s needs. I don't mind buying extra cables or converters, it seems this is obviously necessary if you want to get a USB device to work on the N800, but I'm just not clear whether you still have to hack the wiring anymore to get a USB device to work on the N800 (or whether store-bought converters/cables will do the job now).

Oh, I'm just asking about the hardware requirements btw. I understand you have to do other things in the software to get host mode to work (even with the new OS).

Thanks, sorry for the lengthy question.

there is some hack or whatnot to allow to put it to host mode manually, then you dont need hacked cables. hacked cables are only for auto-switch to host mode

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bluehash	2008-01-11 , 00:16
Posts: 90 \| Thanked: 10 times \| Joined on Aug 2007	#292

No. You dont need any special wiring, that is if you don't mind manually switching the port to OTG and back to normal mode.

Heres the wiki link
http://internettablettalk.com/wiki/i..._using_OS_2008

If you do wish autoswitching, that is without using scripts, you can make you own cable as here(post 127 of this thread)
http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...&postcount=127

__________________
machinegrid.com

Last edited by bluehash; 2008-01-11 at 14:03.

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nobody	2008-01-11 , 06:03
Posts: 2 \| Thanked: 0 times \| Joined on Jan 2008	#293

Ah....thanks for clearing that up. That's just the clarification I was looking for.

I had read the wiki on switching between host and normal mode but then it seemed like people were still discussing how to hack cables to use with the N800 (after that wiki was posted). I understand now though.

Thanks!!

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	tz1	2008-01-11 , 14:47
	Posts: 716 \| Thanked: 236 times \| Joined on Dec 2007	#294

I don't think the n800 has an OTG "A" connector. The A and B are nearly the same but the A style has the ID pin grounded and the wider section (bottom) is 2/3 high instead of 1/3 high like the mini-B.

A very good web page I've not seen mentioned yet is:

http://www.familie-harbaum.de/till/n800_usb/index.shtml

Which has pictures of a modified cable

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	xandor	2008-01-12 , 04:22
	Posts: 33 \| Thanked: 1 time \| Joined on May 2007 @ San Miguel de Allende, MX	#295

Can't figure out why I can see files and directories on my 3G 30 gig Photo Ipod, but can't access (read or write) them! I"m using the Nokia cable via a female->female USB adapter to another USB -> mini cable to a powered hub, then to the ipod. The mount command shows it mounted similarly to the internal SD card. Is there some other switch i need to use to manually mount it, perhaps? THe permissions all look okay. Naturally, it is indeed a FAT formatted Ipod.

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	tz1	2008-01-12 , 14:22
	Posts: 716 \| Thanked: 236 times \| Joined on Dec 2007	#296

First, what do you mean by access? Can you go into subdirectories?

Second, can you access (copy?) them as root in an xterm?

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	xandor	2008-01-12 , 16:11
	Posts: 33 \| Thanked: 1 time \| Joined on May 2007 @ San Miguel de Allende, MX	#297

Right, sorry to be too vague. I can see files listed, but if I try to copy them, or write to a directory, or read them I get read or write errors. This occurs even as root in XTerm. The files and subdirs generally list okay, though sometimes the subdirs are shown as not containing any files (which they do). So basically I can "see" them but can't "access" them.
Kinda weird, huh?
I've a Creative Zen Nano MP3 player that works just fine, though, with or without the powered hub!

Last edited by xandor; 2008-01-13 at 04:46.

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	tz1	2008-01-13 , 05:06
	Posts: 716 \| Thanked: 236 times \| Joined on Dec 2007	#298

Sometimes weird things like this are cabling problems (or power problems). So small packets retried succeed (like directories) but reading or writing files won't. Or if the disk has to spin up for several sectors. Does dmesg reveal anything interesting? Does a usb keydrive work in the same hub?

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	dormant	2008-01-13 , 19:17
	Posts: 332 \| Thanked: 76 times \| Joined on Oct 2007 @ St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago	#299

Originally Posted by t3h

I got myself an A to Mini-A cable (couldn't find a mini-B). The difference is that the bottom part is slightly thicker. When I get home, I'll file down the edges the little it needs and see if I can make it fit. The pinout should be the same.

So, did it work, the filing part?

I foolishly bought a mini-A to mini-B cable before I fully understood what was needed. I guess I'm going to have to try to solder a mini-B in place of the mini-A. I'd prefer to file.

__________________

N900
N800
LD-3W
two magic OTG USB adapters
crossed fingers

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	kudos1uk	2008-01-16 , 20:35
	Posts: 166 \| Thanked: 26 times \| Joined on Jun 2007 @ Hampshire, UK	#300

Warning the WIKI and this thread are wrong, the Amazon cable is not the correct cable:

AMAZON CABLE

This question was asked but not answered:

Originally Posted by szucsati

Originally Posted by convulted
I bought the Amazon csble and removed most of the metal shielding (top and sides). Works like a charm!

Why did you remove them?

I can answer this as I have bought this cable. The USB mini A does not fit the N800 (needs mini B), its a different shape and does indeed need most the metal shielding removing before it will fit the N800.

I have taken pictures to show the work involved. It is actually quite easy and works very well. Despite most of the metal being removed it is also very stable and a solid fit when plugged into the N800.

Tools needed are a vice and file.