As a precursor to a Wiki entry, how exactly does USB host mode work on the 770? I'm aware that it has to be enabled via a command line argument under the linux/osx flasher, but then what?

If (assuming I had all the power requirements sorted out) I plugged my 40GB MP3 player into it, which is detected as an external drive by XP/Linux, would the 770 inherently know what to do with it?

Connectivity and power requirements are fine, but what about software/OS requirements.

I am WAY too lazy to write all this out again so...
http://thoughtfix.blogspot.com/2006/...st-method.html

Ok, so a KB works. Howabout storage devices?

There was a post the other day about enabling and disabling host mode via a terminal if you have root access. I tried the command but didn't have anything on me at the time to see if it really was in host mode.

I can't cut and paste the URL (bloody Firefox!) but if you search for:

echo host >

And look for the post from AaronL you'll find it. Has anyone actually tried this method yet and had it working?

Well that's just it, aside from Thoughtfix's blog posting, nothing has been incredibly clear as to that the 770 actually does. Ok, so it's in hostmode. Thoughtfix has said it will automatically detect a USB keyboard properly, no tweaking required... I've read nothing difinitive about mass storage, etc. If I plugged a USB mouse in, the 770 wouldn't have a clue what it was. (I would imagine).

Until my keyboard arrives I don't have anything to plug into it to test it out! And like you say there isn't really much we can plug into it. I can try my usb memory card thing I guess. I'll build up my powered usb box tonight and try it.

My Archos Jukebox wasn't, whereas my DigiMate II-plus was recognized as /dev/sda. So /dev/sda1 could be mounted just like with any other linux.

Actually, there are several threads that discuss USB storage, etc. Unfortunately they are all over the place so you have to dig around to find them. Time to consolidate?

As for mass storage: in my experience the 770 detects FAT formatted drives like USB thumb drives, and you can (manually via xterm) mount them. Also, it seems that you have to boot the 770 with the device attached because it doesn't do hotplugging.

I have tried a USB mouse and it doesn't work. Might be possible if someone were to compile an arm version of the usbmouse drivers.

I have tried a USB sound device, and that doesn't work either. I tried installing the GStreamer drivers according to the Maemo wiki and somehow bricked my 770, forcing a reflash. Haven't tried USB audio since, although this is an important feature for me.

All USB devices need power from somewhere to work. The 770 will _not_ supply power to the USB port. It's a hardware limitation.

In my experience, every USB device with its own power supply _also_ required power over the USB cable! I think that they use that to detect whether you've plugged them in or not.

In addition, it seems that the 770's USB chipset requires USB power to work as well!

In other words, for the 770 to be either a device _or_ a host, it _must_ get USB power over the cable. Even in host mode, it still needs 5v power.

Virtually every USB device needs power from the USB cable.

I made a magic USB cable that added a power jack in the middle. Hook up 5v to it, and both ends have power. You MUST NOT plug this cable in to anything but a 770! If you plug it into your laptop or desktop's USB port, bad things may happen.

Once you enable USB host mode, and have this magic cable, everything seems to work.

mount /dev/sda /mnt

worked to mount my flash reader.

I did notice that, when it detected USB power, my 770 automatically unmounted the RS-MMC card - even when I was in host mode. This is something that will need to be fixed to make host mode convenient.

To learn about what USB peripherals have been shown to work almost out-of-the-box with the 770, go to http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...read.php?t=751.

And, go to http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...=6622#post6622 to see my post regarding enabling USB host mode dynamically if you already have root. I haven't tested this, so I don't know if it works yet. Please note that it is relatively easy to get root now using Kreature's patch. Also, if the technique I discuss in this post doesn't work, then consider modifying /mnt/initfs/linuxrc appropriately to force USB host mode (again, as root). Again, not sure if this will work. It's hard to test this without having a working hub, etc.

Also, I said something in my post to the "Shame" thread about dyntick being disabled, according to some information from the maemo wiki. Upon further investigation, I'm not sure if this is the case.

Aaron