I won't explain everything in detail, but give you some links and hints. Please notice that I don't have much experience with Linux and this was actually my first time using it.
Whenever you have do edit a text or config file, open it by typing "sudo gedit filename" in the terminal. So you have the permission to edit it.
Step 1: Download and install Ubuntu 9.04
Shouldn't be a problem. Download and burn it on CD/DVD and install on the Revo with an external drive. If you don't have one, try to boot the image from a bootable USB-Stick or SD-Card. When asked, activate auto-login.
After installation, do all the updates it asks you about, but do NOT install the madwifi drivers, ubuntu won't boot after that anymore, even not in recovery mode. I tried that on two different Revos.
Official page: http://www.ubuntu.com/
Step 2: Getting NVidia drivers
Envy is a tool which downloads and installs the NVidia drivers for you. It will say that there are no compatible drivers, but just install the latest (180.xx). They worked for me.
Start the Ubuntu Terminal and type:
- Code: Select all
sudo apt-get install envyng-core
sudo envyng -t
Official FAQ: http://www.albertomilone.com/envyngfaq.html#A
After installing the drivers, switch off visual effects in Ubuntu (Appereance settings), otherwise XBMC won't start.
Step 3: Install XBMC
Use the official Instructions: http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=33327
Ubuntu 9.04 is "Jaunty", so use the Jaunty PPA
Now start XBMC an go to videoplayer settings. Use VDPAU for rendering. This is important, otherwise you won't be able to watch HD content.
Step 4: Setting up HDMI-Sound
Create a File named "asound.conf" in "/etc" with the following content:
- Code: Select all
pcm.!default
{
type hw
card 0
device 3
}
This will enable sound over HDMI in GNOME and the XBMC Skin-Sounds
Step 5: Configure WLAN
First just configure your WLAN in Ubuntu and activate auto-connect to it.
WLAN worked very bad for me with the internal Atheros device, new drivers helped out. But now I am using a WLAN-USB-Dongle, which has much better link quality in my case.
Type in the terminal:
- Code: Select all
sudo apt-get install linux-backports-modules-jaunty
To make sure you are using the new drivers type:
- Code: Select all
sudo modprobe ath5k
Official page: http://linuxwireless.org/en/users/Downl ... ssonUbuntu
If you want to use another WLAN device you have to blacklist the ath5k driver. Do this by adding "blacklist ath5k" in "/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist".
If you want WLAN in the XBMC session too (not just GNOME), remove the Network-Manager applet from Ubuntus autostart and just add "nm-applet" to "/etc/rc.local"
This is probably no good solution, because you have no more GUI for nm-appplet in GNOME and its startet under root. But it works for now. If you know a better solution please let me know.
Step 6: Using Transmission (a torrent client) in background (daemon)
Type in terminal:
- Code: Select all
apt-get install transmission-daemon
Now you can start transmission-daemon via terminal and control it in the WebUI. Open your Webbrowser and go to http://ipOfOcer:9091 (e.g. http://192.168.0.5:9091)
Please let me know if you have ideas how to make he Revo a better MediaCenter
Problems:
- After boot, WLAN needs some time to connect and get IP. But XBMC needs an internet-connection at startup, otherwise RSS-Reader and weather won't refresh automatically.
- When transmission-daemon is startet from rc.local, I am not able to login the WebUI
