Arch Linux on SmartQ (V5II) -looking to start project-

Upfront I will note that I am not skilled enough to accomplish this alone at my current level.  I will learn what I can in order to achieve this task, so any and all links to tutorials and ideas on how to get this working will be taken and put through heavy consideration.  Primary concern will be getting a working "livecd" cloned image (basically, all the most standard core packages to get a working Arch Linux with USB Keyboard and mouse support, then build from there till I get X and all the nice features of the V5(II) working, and branch out from there  Will probably look into repartitioning the NAND so I can have a complete and full install (probably preserve Android for being boot from SD, which is fine since it's a complete dual-boot which requires rebooting to switch anyway)  As of now, I am referencing the development tutorial for SmartQ, tutorials for building firmware images from plugapps (nice Arch port to ARM devices) and whatever information I can gather from someone on the Arch Linux forums who has recently ported it to the newest ARM processor type (v7, if I'm not mistaken).  All links will be provided at the bottom of this post.
My guess is that I will have to approach this with a "Linux From Scratch" mindset of compiling the kernel, busybox and whatever else I need to get a working base install (which, from there, I can compile everything else natively on the actual device)to the point where I reach a working system with gui, basic tools, maybe a game or two, and whatever else would constitute being enough for "firmware" status.  I guess, my only question ahead of all that is how do I go about making the "base install" firmware to build up from?  Secondary question to that is, once I get a nice setup, how do I take that (all being on the actual V5II) and remaster THAT into a firmware that I can then post online for others to test?  I already have my homework cut out for me, so I'll be reading what i can to figure this out while anybody and everybody here throws me tutorial links and ideas on how I can accomplish this each step of the way...  We shall see where this train takes us.
SmartQ Linux Development Guild: https://docs.google.com/View?id=ddtx8wk … skpm&pli=1
PlugApps Development Portal: http://www.plugapps.com/index.php5?titl … evelopment
Arch Forum post for developer who ported Arch Linux to the v7 ARM processor: https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=59638
can't think of anything else at this point, but I will categorize links the best I can to morph them into somewhat of a workflow process and group the help aids to each relevant step along the way.  Anyone interested in helping, feel free to join in on the fun..  Will be looking that the ArchMobile stuff and incorporating what I can into my project... maybe this will help revive the ArchMobile project as well...

If you are a new programmer then Python is a good place to start.  Install WingIDE 101 from the AUR for a good beginner's IDE for that.
Think Python is a free book to get started with (PDF or HTML download on that page and you can buy the dead tree if you want)
If you want to do programming that requires fast code above all else then C++ is the standard.  Code::Blocks is a good IDE for that.  Be sure to install "base-devel" and "gdb" to go along with it.
Programming - Principles and Practice Using C++ is a dead tree book for C++, you have to buy it but that is offset by the fact that its author is also the author of the C++ language.

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    I just installed Squid in my machine running Arch Linux. When I try to start it, it gives me this message :
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    ViruSzZ wrote:
    THPubs wrote:>bash: /usr/sbin/squid: cannot execute binary file
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  • HOWTO: Repairing a headless Arch Linux system that fails to boot

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    Last edited by sas (2013-07-26 22:17:03)

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    Last edited by The Infinity (2014-08-14 21:17:41)

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    Last edited by The Infinity (2014-08-17 02:36:57)

  • Ubuntu look-alike gnome theme for arch linux

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  • Looking for addition articles for the Arch Linux Press Review wikipage

    Good day all,
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    tlaloc wrote:
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    tlaloc wrote:
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    Last edited by lseubert (2009-05-22 14:35:31)

  • [SOLVED]Arch Linux / UEFI / BTRFS using Grub2 & Windows 8 in a 2nd HDD

    PROBLEM:
    ====================================================================================
    Dear fellas
    I just purchased an new HP TouchSmart 17.3" laptop that comes with Windows 8.1 pro (1 tb HDD + small SSD for cache only ) and still have space for one more HDD or SSD.
    I Google a lot and read a lot but many questions emerged since seems that no one has the same scenario (maybe I pick the wrong choices) like me.
    The problem is.. I didn't wish to re-install Windows 8.1 since it came with from factory.. so I purchased a 750 gb hdd and put it into the free slot to install Arch Linux in a different HDD.
    As I am not familiar with UEFI what I did was to reorder the hdds. I just put the Windows HDD as second disk and the new disk (For Arch Linux) as primary and changed into Bios from UEFI to compatibility mode and installed Arch Linux into the primary one.
    I reaaaally need help to add to grub the correct "path" to Windows 8.1 disk that came with UEFI..
    Anyone could please help me?
    Thanks in advance!
    ====================================================================================
    SOLUTION:
    A huge thanks to @TheSaint and other users for their help and assistance!
    More sources:
    http://www.kossboss.com/linux---arch-in … -grub-boot
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=METZCp_JCec#t=146
    https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php … 1#p1390741
    Step by Step Summary:
    Use gdisk to create partitions on /dev/sda:
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        - 690GB - Linux partition for the BTRFS.
    - Create an EF00 (ESP) with 512mb
    - Create a Linux System partition with the rest of space
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    Something like this: ID 256 gen 5 top level 5 path root
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    # umount /dev/sda2
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    # mount -o defaults,compress=lzo,subvol=root /dev/sda2 /mnt
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    # cat /proc/self/mountinfo | egrep sda2
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    43 21 0:34 /root /mnt rw,relatime shared:30 - btrfs /dev/sda2 rw,compress=zlib,ssd,space_cache
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    /dev/sda3 on /mnt type btrfs (rw,relatime,compress=zlib,ssd,space_cache)
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    # cd /mnt
    # mkdir -p /mnt/boot/efi
    # mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/boot/efi
    Let us generate the FSTAB:
    # genfstab -p /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab
    Let us chroot into the arch installation:
    # arch-chroot /mnt /bin/bash
    Change password:
    # passwd
    Then pick the right one like this and associate it with a link to /etc/localtime
    # ln -s /usr/share/zoneinfo/US/Pacific /etc/localtime
    Let us generate the initial RAM disk
    # mkinitcpio -p linux
    Let us setup the bootloader (GRUB)
    # pacman -Syu grub efibootmgr
    Let us generate the grub configuration
    # grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
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    # grub-install /dev/sda
    # umount -R /mnt
    # umount /mnt
    # reboot
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    Last edited by erickwill (2014-11-21 20:41:06)

    TheSaint wrote:As UEFI BIOS is a boot loader itself. You should make on each HDD an ESP.
    When you want to start win8 you go to BIOS and chose its entry, so will do for Arch the same.
    For this way I suggest you write to boot the kernel directly from the BIOS. It just take some reading on this topic
    Other option you set on you second ESP the boot loader of your liking and it will try to find win8 partition.
    Thanks for your reply.
    For the second option, may I use the compatibility mode and install the booloader into the first partition along with Arch?
    Or in case the first option is still the better option, could you pleaaaase give me some directions from the scratch? Do you have Google Hangout?
    Thanks in advance.
    Last edited by erickwill (2014-11-18 19:54:26)

  • Troubles with HP OfficeJet 6500 E710n-z on Arch Linux

    Recently, I have tried to use my printer after five months break. It used to run smoothly on Arch Linux with hplip. However, now, I have not managed to make it print properly with hplip again. This is my configuration, as seen from the CUPS web interface:
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        HP_Officejet_6500_E710n-z-400     Unknown     Withheld     98k     Unknown     pending since Sat 05 Jan 2013 04:22:46 PM CET     "Filter failed"
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    ***** Unable to open the initial device, quitting.
    Looking at the number of hits on Google, this seems to be one of the favourite error messages. I looked at the output in /var/cups/error_log
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Spooler: cups
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    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Shell: /bin/bash
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    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] ATTR file:
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Printer model: HP Officejet 6500 e710n-z hpijs, 3.12.11
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Job title: Leafpad job 5
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    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] <STDIN>
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Ghostscript extra search path ('GS_LIB'): /usr/share/cups/fonts
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    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'number-up=1'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Unknown option number-up=1.
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'job-uuid=urn:uuid:ac6ebe82-17e5-3f8f-49ec-01820c35ea2e'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Unknown option job-uuid=urn:uuid:ac6ebe82-17e5-3f8f-49ec-01820c35ea2e.
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'job-originating-host-name=localhost'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Unknown option job-originating-host-name=localhost.
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'time-at-creation=1357400341'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Unknown option time-at-creation=1357400341.
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'time-at-processing=1357400341'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Unknown option time-at-processing=1357400341.
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Options from the PPD file:
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'InputSlot=Default'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'Quality=FromPrintoutMode'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'MediaType=Plain'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'PageSize=Letter'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'PrintoutMode=Normal'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'DryTime=Zero'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Pondering option 'Duplex=DuplexNoTumble'
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] ================================================
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] File: <STDIN>
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] ================================================
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Filetype: PDF
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] PID 28827 (/usr/lib/cups/filter/pdftopdf) exited with no errors.
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Storing temporary files in /var/spool/cups/tmp
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] File contains 1 pages
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Starting renderer with command: gs -dFirstPage=1 -q -dBATCH -dPARANOIDSAFER -dQUIET -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=ijs -sIjsServer=hpijs -dDEVICEWIDTHPOINTS=612 -dDEVICEHEIGHTPOINTS=792 -sDeviceManufacturer="HEWLETT-PACKARD" -sDeviceModel="HP Color LaserJet 2600n" -dDuplex=true -dTumble=false -r300 -sIjsParams=Quality:Quality=0,Quality:ColorMode=2,Quality:MediaType=0,Quality:PenSet=2,PS:MediaPosition=7 -dIjsUseOutputFD -sOutputFile=- /var/spool/cups/tmp/foomatic-3lyFKy
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Starting process "kid3" (generation 1)
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Starting process "kid4" (generation 2)
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Starting process "renderer" (generation 2)
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] JCL: %-12345X@PJL
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] <job data>
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] prnt/hpijs/hpijs.cpp 269: unable to set device=HP Color LaserJet 2600n, err=48
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] prnt/hpijs/hpijs.cpp 290: unable to set device=HP Color LaserJet 2600n, err=48
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] renderer exited with status 1
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] prnt/hpijs/hpijs.cpp 697: unable to read client data err=-2
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] Possible error on renderer command line or PostScript error. Check options.Kid3 exit status: 3
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] STATE: +connecting-to-device
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] PID 28828 (/usr/lib/cups/filter/foomatic-rip) stopped with status 9.
    Indeed, some errors show up. I find it strange that ghostscript is called with a parameter -sDeviceModel="HP Color LaserJet 2600n" -dDuplex=true even though I clearly have an inkjet printer and no laser printer – and also specified the correct printer model. Also later, I can see the two lines
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] prnt/hpijs/hpijs.cpp 269: unable to set device=HP Color LaserJet 2600n, err=48
    D [05/Jan/2013:16:39:10 +0100] [Job 407] prnt/hpijs/hpijs.cpp 290: unable to set device=HP Color LaserJet 2600n, err=48
    which to the best of my knowledge indicates some internal mess. Raising the debug level in cups.conf did not tell me anything new.
    Notably, using the hpcups driver at least makes the printer print pages properly, but the wonderful (mind the trees) duplex-mode seems to only be available when using hpijs when selecting the PPD file in the add printer wizard. That is why I want to stay with the driver mentioned above.
    The trouble for me is that the printing pipeline is so complex and so many components are involved that I have no real good starting point to where exactly post bug reports. I would appreciate if some fellows with the same printer and the same errors could confirm my description. Or even point out how to get that organism to paint ink properly on the paper. Any ideas where to start? Or references to better resources regarding the combo of HP OfficeJet 6500 E710n-z and Arch? Is it just an regression bug and will be fixed? Is my system corrupted in some way? There is lots of open questions I don't quite feel able to answer all by myself. Any hints for troubleshooting appreciated!
    Edit:
    After some more reading and troubleshooting, I have filed the following two bug reports at hplip:
    https://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip/+bug/1096418
    https://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip/+bug/1096421
    Last edited by jeadorf (2013-01-05 19:30:19)

    SCAN ISSUE SOLVED!!!!
    I have an HP Photosmart 6500a Plus printer that is connected via USB to a less than 1 year old Dell XPS 8300 tower running Win 7 64bit Home Premium Edition.  The print function worked fine but scans would halt mid-way through the scan and eventually the software would indicate that it had lost connection with the scanner. 
    After EXTENSIVE testing, I determined that the problem was with the Dell tower and NOT THE PRINTER.  I hooked the printer up to a Dell Inspiron mni-tower running Vista and had NO PROBLEM scanning.  I hooked the printer up to a Gateway laptop running Win 7 Pro and had NO PROBLEM scanning.
    On a hunch, I inserted a POWERED USB hub in between the Dell XPS 8300 tower and the HP Photosmart 6500a Plus and was rewarded with a, first time ever on the XPS 8300, complete and flawless scan.
    I surmise that the HP Photosmart 6500a Plus was not getting the required voltage from the USB on the Dell XPS 8300 tower and that was causing the scan to fail.
    WOOHOO!
    Been chasing this one for several months...

  • [Bounty] Free Macbook Pro to get Arch Linux running on Amazon's EC2

    First, the details:
    I will purchase a lowest–end Macbook Pro 13″ ($US 1,200 on Apple's store, new) for the first person to deliver to me a working set of step–by–step instructions for installing the latest Arch Linux on top of Amazon's EC2 platform.
    Caveats & Rules:
    - I don't care how long it takes you—there's a good chance I'm doing something absolutely stupid in my noobishness that's causing the problems I've been experiencing; if it takes you half an hour to make a working AMI, and produce instructions to do such… you just won yourself a Macbook Pro for half an hour's work. Booyah!
    - Again, I say, I don't care how long it takes you—if you don't produce a working set of instructions, there will be no payout, even if you spend 200 hours trying (as I already have!). It's a bounty, not a work contract d-:
    - You must provide me with instructions that work for me (as I don't intend to use your AMI, but rather modify the steps that worked for you a bit at a time until I arrive at an AMI configured exactly as I want it). If you arrive at a working AMI, and can reproduce your steps successfully locally, but they can't be made to work for me, I may be able to go about procuring alternative hardware for myself on which to preform the steps, or taking other measures to reproduce your environment; but the bottom line is I will not shell out until I can, personally, produce a working AMI running Arch Linux.
    - The instructions are considered to be "working" when I can successfully SSH into the root account on an instance instantiated from an AMI created by following the instructions using the key generated by EC2.
    - Your instructions must work both for x86_32 and x86_64 instance types; however, this shouldn't be too much of a problem, as (barring any weirdness) anything that works on x86_32 should be easily made to work on x86_64.
    - Instructions that involve instantiating an intermediate bundling host (say, a CentOS or Fedora Core instance) and then installing Arch to a loopback filesystem using a statically–built pacman are much preferred to instructions that involve me having to install and package Arch locally and then ship it up to S3, because my upstream is unimaginably slow and I eventually will need to create something between eight and twenty different AMIs (see below). But anything that works will be accepted.
    - If you don't want a Macbook Pro, alternative payment methods may be arranged, though you need to contact me before you start and arrange these, as there's only so much I can do.
    - If you are in any way confused or unsure of what I'm offering here, please contact me before you start (see below for contact info)
    Backstory:
    I set up the first AMI for Arch Linux on Amazon, but unfortunately, I did some really stupid things (hey, I was completely new to Linux at the time, gimmie a break!). The root filesystem was limited to 1GB, there was a whole bunch of software that really was completely unnecessary (WiFi drivers? on a virtualized server? seriously?), there were no kernel modules provided… and so on.
    So, after running all my stuff on instances of that for a while, I finally got fed up and found the time to start setting up a newer, cleaner AMI. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of deleting my old AMI before starting work on the first. Now I find myself completely unable to create an AMI that will work whatsoever, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why.
    I've already invested 200 or so hours of my personal time since deleting my original, broken AMI; I'm very fed up and in badly need of working instances. I tried every method I could think of; running the Arch installer from a LiveCD locally and then bundling the running (and thus proved working) Arch install and shipping it off to S3; installing Arch on a loopback filesystem locally, cloning it to a local partition, booting to it to ensure it works, and shipping it off to S3; installing Arch on a loopback filesystem on a remote bundling host running CentOS or whatever and then shipping it off to S3… I've tried installing nothing but the essentials, I've tried installing everything the installer offers… I've tried to do my best to remember the exact steps I took the first time around, years ago, and reproduce them exactly… nothing has worked.
    If I take EC2 out of the equation, and install the images I've prepared locally, they work. If I take Arch out of the equation, and install, say, CentOS instead, and then ship it off to EC2, it works. The only time I have problems is when I attempt to install Arch Linux specifically on EC2 specifically; the exact use–case I need.
    I've run into a lot of problems along the way, and fixed them as I go, but I universally end up with an AMI that, once instantiated, does not successfully boot. Worse yet, I get absolutely no output from the console (provided by the ec2-get-console command–line tool) to help me debug the problem. I can't give you any more specifics beyond this to help you, because I don't want to insinuate some idea that will cause you to make some little stupid mistake that I also made, thus dooming the project.
    Contact:
    For more info of any sort, please hit me up on Google Talk or Jabber (… or any other XMPP–federated chat service, or AIM, or ICQ, or MSN, or whatever you like, they all use the same address anyway) at the following address:
    [email protected]
    Edit: I should point out that it would be good form to post here if you're going to make a stab at it, so interested parties know how many people are already making attempts.
    Last edited by elliottcable (2009-07-25 03:59:46)

    drtoki wrote:
    http://blog.mudy.info/2009/04/archlinux-ec2-public-ami/
    lolwat
    from fryguy
    Public AMIs aren't what I need, because I need to mass–produce quite a few AMIs with different custom configurations for different purposes; so I have to be able to start from scratch and arrive at a working AMI *myself*.
    As for the script, I'm sitting down to play with it now; it looks just about exactly like what I've been doing so far. Maybe there's some small thing he did differently that will make it work. Here's hoping it works for me; that'll be a real load off my chest.

  • System encryption using LUKS and GPG encrypted keys for arch linux

    Update: As of 2012-03-28, arch changed from gnupg 1.4 to 2.x which uses pinentry for the password dialog. The "etwo" hook described here doesn't work with gnupg 2. Either use the openssl hook below or use a statically compiled version of gnupg 1.4.
    Update: As of 2012-12-19, the mkinitcpio is not called during boot, unless the "install" file for the hook contains "add_runscript". This resulted in an unbootable system for me. Also, the method name was changed from install () to build ().
    Update: 2013-01-13: Updated the hook files using the corrections by Deth.
    Note: This guide is a bit dated now, in particular the arch installation might be different now. But essentially, the approach stays the same. Please also take a look at the posts further down, specifically the alternative hooks that use openssl.
    I always wanted to set up a fully encrypted arch linux server that uses gpg encrypted keyfiles on an external usb stick and luks for root filesystem encryption. I already did it once in gentoo using this guide. For arch, I had to play alot with initcpio hooks and after one day of experimentation, I finally got it working. I wrote a little guide for myself which I'm going to share here for anyone that might be interested. There might be better or easier ways, like I said this is just how I did it. I hope it might help someone else. Constructive feedback is always welcome
    Intro
    Using arch linux mkinitcpio's encrypt hook, one can easily use encrypted root partitions with LUKS. It's also possible to use key files stored on an external drive, like an usb stick. However, if someone steals your usb stick, he can just copy the key and potentially access the system. I wanted to have a little extra security by additionally encrypting the key file with gpg using a symmetric cipher and a passphrase.
    Since the encrypt hook doesn't support this scenario, I created a modifed hook called “etwo” (silly name I know, it was the first thing that came to my mind). It will simply look if the key file has the extension .gpg and, if yes, use gpg to decrypt it, then pipe the result into cryptsetup.
    Conventions
    In this short guide, I use the following disk/partition names:
    /dev/sda: is the hard disk that will contain an encrypted swap (/dev/sda1), /var (/dev/sda2) and root (/dev/sda3) partition.
    /dev/sdb is the usb stick that will contain the gpg encrypted luks keys, the kernel and grub. It will have one partition /dev/sdb1 formatted with ext2.
    /dev/mapper/root, /dev/mapper/swap and /dev/mapper/var will be the encrypted devices.
    Credits
    Thanks to the authors of SECURITY_System_Encryption_DM-Crypt_with_LUKS (gentoo wiki), System Encryption with LUKS (arch wiki), mkinitcpio (arch wiki) and Early Userspace in Arch Linux (/dev/brain0 blog)!
    Guide
    1. Boot the arch live cd
    I had to use a newer testing version, because the 2010.05 cd came with a broken gpg. You can download one here: http://releng.archlinux.org/isos/. I chose the “core“ version. Go ahead and boot the live cd, but don't start the setup yet.
    2. Set keymap
    Use km to set your keymap. This is important for non-qwerty keyboards to avoid suprises with passphrases...
    3. Wipe your discs
    ATTENTION: this will DELETE everything on /dev/sda and /dev/sdb forever! Do not blame me for any lost data!
    Before encrypting the hard disc, it has to be completely wiped and overwritten with random data. I used shred for this. Others use badblocks or dd with /dev/urandom. Either way, this will take a long time, depending on the size of your disc. I also wiped my usb stick just to be sure.
    shred -v /dev/sda
    shred -v /dev/sdb
    4. Partitioning
    Fire up fdisk and create the following partitions:
    /dev/sda1, type linux swap.
    /dev/sda2: type linux
    /dev/sda3: type linux
    /dev/sdb1, type linux
    Of course you can choose a different layout, this is just how I did it. Keep in mind that only the root filesystem will be decrypted by the initcpio. The rest will be decypted during normal init boot using /etc/crypttab, the keys being somewhere on the root filesystem.
    5. Format  and mount the usb stick
    Create an ext2 filesystem on /dev/sdb1:
    mkfs.ext2 /dev/sdb1
    mkdir /root/usb
    mount /dev/sdb1 /root/usb
    cd /root/usb # this will be our working directory for now.
    Do not mount anything to /mnt, because the arch installer will use that directory later to mount the encrypted root filesystem.
    6. Configure the network (if not already done automatically)
    ifconfig eth0 192.168.0.2 netmask 255.255.255.0
    route add default gw 192.168.0.1
    echo "nameserver 192.168.0.1" >> /etc/resolv.conf
    (this is just an example, your mileage may vary)
    7. Install gnupg
    pacman -Sy
    pacman -S gnupg
    Verify that gnupg works by launching gpg.
    8. Create the keys
    Just to be sure, make sure swap is off:
    cat /proc/swaps
    should return no entries.
    Create gpg encrypted keys (remember, we're still in our working dir /root/usb):
    dd if=/dev/urandom bs=512 count=4 | gpg -v --cipher-algo aes256 --digest-algo sha512 -c -a > root.gpg
    dd if=/dev/urandom bs=512 count=4 | gpg -v --cipher-algo aes256 --digest-algo sha512 -c -a > var.gpg
    Choose a strong password!!
    Don't do this in two steps, e.g don't do dd to a file and then gpg on that file. The key should never be stored in plain text on an unencrypted device, except if that device is wiped on system restart (ramfs)!
    Note that the default cipher for gpg is cast5, I just chose to use a different one.
    9. Create the encrypted devices with cryptsetup
    Create encrypted swap:
    cryptsetup -c aes-cbc-essiv:sha256 -s 256 -h whirlpool -d /dev/urandom create swap /dev/sda1
    You should see /dev/mapper/swap now. Don't format nor turn it on for now. This will be done by the arch installer.
    Important: From the Cryptsetup 1.1.2 Release notes:
    Cryptsetup can accept passphrase on stdin (standard input). Handling of new line (\n) character is defined by input specification:
        if keyfile is specified as "-" (using --key-file=- or by positional argument in luksFormat and luksAddKey, like cat file | cryptsetup --key-file=- <action> ), input is processed
          as normal binary file and no new line is interpreted.
        if there is no key file specification (with default input from stdin pipe like echo passphrase | cryptsetup <action> ) input is processed as input from terminal, reading will
          stop after new line is detected.
    If I understand this correctly, since the randomly generated key can contain a newline early on, piping the key into cryptsetup without specifying --key-file=- could result in a big part of the key to be ignored by cryptsetup. Example: if the random key was "foo\nandsomemorebaratheendofthekey", piping it directly into cryptsetup without --key-file=- would result in cryptsetup using only "foo" as key which would have big security implications. We should therefor ALWAYS pipe the key into cryptsetup using --key-file=- which ignores newlines.
    gpg -q -d root.gpg 2>/dev/null | cryptsetup -v -–key-file=- -c aes-cbc-essiv:sha256 -s 256 -h whirlpool luksFormat /dev/sda3
    gpg -q -d var.gpg 2>/dev/null | cryptsetup -v –-key-file=- -c aes-cbc-essiv:sha256 -s 256 -h whirlpool -v luksFormat /dev/sda2
    Check for any errors.
    10. Open the luks devices
    gpg -d root.gpg 2>/dev/null | cryptsetup -v –-key-file=- luksOpen /dev/sda3 root
    gpg -d var.gpg 2>/dev/null | cryptsetup -v –-key-file=- luksOpen /dev/sda2 var
    If you see /dev/mapper/root and /dev/mapper/var now, everything is ok.
    11. Start the installer /arch/setup
    Follow steps 1 to 3.
    At step 4 (Prepare hard drive(s), select “3 – Manually Configure block devices, filesystems and mountpoints. Choose /dev/sdb1 (the usb stick) as /boot, /dev/mapper/swap for swap, /dev/mapper/root for / and /dev/mapper/var for /var.
    Format all drives (choose “yes” when asked “do you want to have this filesystem (re)created”) EXCEPT for /dev/sdb1, choose “no”. Choose the correct filesystem for /dev/sdb1, ext2 in my case. Use swap for /dev/mapper/swap. For the rest, I chose ext4.
    Select DONE to start formatting.
    At step 5 (Select packages), select grub as boot loader. Select the base group. Add mkinitcpio.
    Start step 6 (Install packages).
    Go to step 7 (Configure System).
    By sure to set the correct KEYMAP, LOCALE and TIMEZONE in /etc/rc.conf.
    Edit /etc/fstab:
    /dev/mapper/root / ext4 defaults 0 1
    /dev/mapper/swap swap swap defaults 0 0
    /dev/mapper/var /var ext4 defaults 0 1
    # /dev/sdb1 /boot ext2 defaults 0 1
    Configure the rest normally. When you're done, setup will launch mkinitcpio. We'll manually launch this again later.
    Go to step 8 (install boot loader).
    Be sure to change the kernel line in menu.lst:
    kernel /vmlinuz26 root=/dev/mapper/root cryptdevice=/dev/sda3:root cryptkey=/dev/sdb1:ext2:/root.gpg
    Don't forget the :root suffix in cryptdevice!
    Also, my root line was set to (hd1,0). Had to change that to
    root (hd0,0)
    Install grub to /dev/sdb (the usb stick).
    Now, we can exit the installer.
    12. Install mkinitcpio with the etwo hook.
    Create /mnt/lib/initcpio/hooks/etwo:
    #!/usr/bin/ash
    run_hook() {
    /sbin/modprobe -a -q dm-crypt >/dev/null 2>&1
    if [ -e "/sys/class/misc/device-mapper" ]; then
    if [ ! -e "/dev/mapper/control" ]; then
    /bin/mknod "/dev/mapper/control" c $(cat /sys/class/misc/device-mapper/dev | sed 's|:| |')
    fi
    [ "${quiet}" = "y" ] && CSQUIET=">/dev/null"
    # Get keyfile if specified
    ckeyfile="/crypto_keyfile"
    usegpg="n"
    if [ "x${cryptkey}" != "x" ]; then
    ckdev="$(echo "${cryptkey}" | cut -d: -f1)"
    ckarg1="$(echo "${cryptkey}" | cut -d: -f2)"
    ckarg2="$(echo "${cryptkey}" | cut -d: -f3)"
    if poll_device "${ckdev}" ${rootdelay}; then
    case ${ckarg1} in
    *[!0-9]*)
    # Use a file on the device
    # ckarg1 is not numeric: ckarg1=filesystem, ckarg2=path
    if [ "${ckarg2#*.}" = "gpg" ]; then
    ckeyfile="${ckeyfile}.gpg"
    usegpg="y"
    fi
    mkdir /ckey
    mount -r -t ${ckarg1} ${ckdev} /ckey
    dd if=/ckey/${ckarg2} of=${ckeyfile} >/dev/null 2>&1
    umount /ckey
    # Read raw data from the block device
    # ckarg1 is numeric: ckarg1=offset, ckarg2=length
    dd if=${ckdev} of=${ckeyfile} bs=1 skip=${ckarg1} count=${ckarg2} >/dev/null 2>&1
    esac
    fi
    [ ! -f ${ckeyfile} ] && echo "Keyfile could not be opened. Reverting to passphrase."
    fi
    if [ -n "${cryptdevice}" ]; then
    DEPRECATED_CRYPT=0
    cryptdev="$(echo "${cryptdevice}" | cut -d: -f1)"
    cryptname="$(echo "${cryptdevice}" | cut -d: -f2)"
    else
    DEPRECATED_CRYPT=1
    cryptdev="${root}"
    cryptname="root"
    fi
    warn_deprecated() {
    echo "The syntax 'root=${root}' where '${root}' is an encrypted volume is deprecated"
    echo "Use 'cryptdevice=${root}:root root=/dev/mapper/root' instead."
    if poll_device "${cryptdev}" ${rootdelay}; then
    if /sbin/cryptsetup isLuks ${cryptdev} >/dev/null 2>&1; then
    [ ${DEPRECATED_CRYPT} -eq 1 ] && warn_deprecated
    dopassphrase=1
    # If keyfile exists, try to use that
    if [ -f ${ckeyfile} ]; then
    if [ "${usegpg}" = "y" ]; then
    # gpg tty fixup
    if [ -e /dev/tty ]; then mv /dev/tty /dev/tty.backup; fi
    cp -a /dev/console /dev/tty
    while [ ! -e /dev/mapper/${cryptname} ];
    do
    sleep 2
    /usr/bin/gpg -d "${ckeyfile}" 2>/dev/null | cryptsetup --key-file=- luksOpen ${cryptdev} ${cryptname} ${CSQUIET}
    dopassphrase=0
    done
    rm /dev/tty
    if [ -e /dev/tty.backup ]; then mv /dev/tty.backup /dev/tty; fi
    else
    if eval /sbin/cryptsetup --key-file ${ckeyfile} luksOpen ${cryptdev} ${cryptname} ${CSQUIET}; then
    dopassphrase=0
    else
    echo "Invalid keyfile. Reverting to passphrase."
    fi
    fi
    fi
    # Ask for a passphrase
    if [ ${dopassphrase} -gt 0 ]; then
    echo ""
    echo "A password is required to access the ${cryptname} volume:"
    #loop until we get a real password
    while ! eval /sbin/cryptsetup luksOpen ${cryptdev} ${cryptname} ${CSQUIET}; do
    sleep 2;
    done
    fi
    if [ -e "/dev/mapper/${cryptname}" ]; then
    if [ ${DEPRECATED_CRYPT} -eq 1 ]; then
    export root="/dev/mapper/root"
    fi
    else
    err "Password succeeded, but ${cryptname} creation failed, aborting..."
    exit 1
    fi
    elif [ -n "${crypto}" ]; then
    [ ${DEPRECATED_CRYPT} -eq 1 ] && warn_deprecated
    msg "Non-LUKS encrypted device found..."
    if [ $# -ne 5 ]; then
    err "Verify parameter format: crypto=hash:cipher:keysize:offset:skip"
    err "Non-LUKS decryption not attempted..."
    return 1
    fi
    exe="/sbin/cryptsetup create ${cryptname} ${cryptdev}"
    tmp=$(echo "${crypto}" | cut -d: -f1)
    [ -n "${tmp}" ] && exe="${exe} --hash \"${tmp}\""
    tmp=$(echo "${crypto}" | cut -d: -f2)
    [ -n "${tmp}" ] && exe="${exe} --cipher \"${tmp}\""
    tmp=$(echo "${crypto}" | cut -d: -f3)
    [ -n "${tmp}" ] && exe="${exe} --key-size \"${tmp}\""
    tmp=$(echo "${crypto}" | cut -d: -f4)
    [ -n "${tmp}" ] && exe="${exe} --offset \"${tmp}\""
    tmp=$(echo "${crypto}" | cut -d: -f5)
    [ -n "${tmp}" ] && exe="${exe} --skip \"${tmp}\""
    if [ -f ${ckeyfile} ]; then
    exe="${exe} --key-file ${ckeyfile}"
    else
    exe="${exe} --verify-passphrase"
    echo ""
    echo "A password is required to access the ${cryptname} volume:"
    fi
    eval "${exe} ${CSQUIET}"
    if [ $? -ne 0 ]; then
    err "Non-LUKS device decryption failed. verify format: "
    err " crypto=hash:cipher:keysize:offset:skip"
    exit 1
    fi
    if [ -e "/dev/mapper/${cryptname}" ]; then
    if [ ${DEPRECATED_CRYPT} -eq 1 ]; then
    export root="/dev/mapper/root"
    fi
    else
    err "Password succeeded, but ${cryptname} creation failed, aborting..."
    exit 1
    fi
    else
    err "Failed to open encryption mapping: The device ${cryptdev} is not a LUKS volume and the crypto= paramater was not specified."
    fi
    fi
    rm -f ${ckeyfile}
    fi
    Create /mnt/lib/initcpio/install/etwo:
    #!/bin/bash
    build() {
    local mod
    add_module dm-crypt
    if [[ $CRYPTO_MODULES ]]; then
    for mod in $CRYPTO_MODULES; do
    add_module "$mod"
    done
    else
    add_all_modules '/crypto/'
    fi
    add_dir "/dev/mapper"
    add_binary "cryptsetup"
    add_binary "dmsetup"
    add_binary "/usr/bin/gpg"
    add_file "/usr/lib/udev/rules.d/10-dm.rules"
    add_file "/usr/lib/udev/rules.d/13-dm-disk.rules"
    add_file "/usr/lib/udev/rules.d/95-dm-notify.rules"
    add_file "/usr/lib/initcpio/udev/11-dm-initramfs.rules" "/usr/lib/udev/rules.d/11-dm-initramfs.rules"
    add_runscript
    help ()
    cat<<HELPEOF
    This hook allows for an encrypted root device with support for gpg encrypted key files.
    To use gpg, the key file must have the extension .gpg and you have to install gpg and add /usr/bin/gpg
    to your BINARIES var in /etc/mkinitcpio.conf.
    HELPEOF
    Edit /mnt/etc/mkinitcpio.conf (only relevant sections displayed):
    MODULES=”ext2 ext4” # not sure if this is really nessecary.
    BINARIES=”/usr/bin/gpg” # this could probably be done in install/etwo...
    HOOKS=”base udev usbinput keymap autodetect pata scsi sata usb etwo filesystems” # (usbinput is only needed if you have an usb keyboard)
    Copy the initcpio stuff over to the live cd:
    cp /mnt/lib/initcpio/hooks/etwo /lib/initcpio/hooks/
    cp /mnt/lib/initcpio/install/etwo /lib/initcpio/install/
    cp /mnt/etc/mkinitcpio.conf /etc/
    Verify your LOCALE, KEYMAP and TIMEZONE in /etc/rc.conf!
    Now reinstall the initcpio:
    mkinitcpio -g /mnt/boot/kernel26.img
    Make sure there were no errors and that all hooks were included.
    13. Decrypt the "var" key to the encrypted root
    mkdir /mnt/keys
    chmod 500 /mnt/keys
    gpg –output /mnt/keys/var -d /mnt/boot/var.gpg
    chmod 400 /mnt/keys/var
    14. Setup crypttab
    Edit /mnt/etc/crypttab:
    swap /dev/sda1 SWAP -c aes-cbc-essiv:sha256 -s 256 -h whirlpool
    var /dev/sda2 /keys/var
    15. Reboot
    We're done, you may reboot. Make sure you select the usb stick as the boot device in your bios and hope for the best. . If it didn't work, play with grub's settings or boot from the live cd, mount your encrypted devices and check all settings. You might also have less trouble by using uuid's instead of device names.  I chose device names to keep things as simple as possible, even though it's not the optimal way to do it.
    Make backups of your data and your usb stick and do not forget your password(s)! Or you can say goodbye to your data forever...
    Last edited by fabriceb (2013-01-15 22:36:23)

    I'm trying to run my install script that is based on https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=129885
    Decrypting the gpg key after grub works, but then "Devce root already exists." appears every second.
    any idea ?
    #!/bin/bash
    # This script is designed to be run in conjunction with a UEFI boot using Archboot intall media.
    # prereqs:
    # EFI "BIOS" set to boot *only* from EFI
    # successful EFI boot of Archboot USB
    # mount /dev/sdb1 /src
    set -o nounset
    #set -o errexit
    # Host specific configuration
    # this whole script needs to be customized, particularly disk partitions
    # and configuration, but this section contains global variables that
    # are used during the system configuration phase for convenience
    HOSTNAME=daniel
    USERNAME=user
    # Globals
    # We don't need to set these here but they are used repeatedly throughout
    # so it makes sense to reuse them and allow an easy, one-time change if we
    # need to alter values such as the install target mount point.
    INSTALL_TARGET="/install"
    HR="--------------------------------------------------------------------------------"
    PACMAN="pacman --noconfirm --config /tmp/pacman.conf"
    TARGET_PACMAN="pacman --noconfirm --config /tmp/pacman.conf -r ${INSTALL_TARGET}"
    CHROOT_PACMAN="pacman --noconfirm --cachedir /var/cache/pacman/pkg --config /tmp/pacman.conf -r ${INSTALL_TARGET}"
    FILE_URL="file:///packages/core-$(uname -m)/pkg"
    FTP_URL='ftp://mirrors.kernel.org/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch'
    HTTP_URL='http://mirrors.kernel.org/archlinux/$repo/os/$arch'
    # Functions
    # I've avoided using functions in this script as they aren't required and
    # I think it's more of a learning tool if you see the step-by-step
    # procedures even with minor duplciations along the way, but I feel that
    # these functions clarify the particular steps of setting values in config
    # files.
    SetValue () {
    # EXAMPLE: SetValue VARIABLENAME '\"Quoted Value\"' /file/path
    VALUENAME="$1" NEWVALUE="$2" FILEPATH="$3"
    sed -i "s+^#\?\(${VALUENAME}\)=.*$+\1=${NEWVALUE}+" "${FILEPATH}"
    CommentOutValue () {
    VALUENAME="$1" FILEPATH="$2"
    sed -i "s/^\(${VALUENAME}.*\)$/#\1/" "${FILEPATH}"
    UncommentValue () {
    VALUENAME="$1" FILEPATH="$2"
    sed -i "s/^#\(${VALUENAME}.*\)$/\1/" "${FILEPATH}"
    # Initialize
    # Warn the user about impending doom, set up the network on eth0, mount
    # the squashfs images (Archboot does this normally, we're just filling in
    # the gaps resulting from the fact that we're doing a simple scripted
    # install). We also create a temporary pacman.conf that looks for packages
    # locally first before sourcing them from the network. It would be better
    # to do either *all* local or *all* network but we can't for two reasons.
    # 1. The Archboot installation image might have an out of date kernel
    # (currently the case) which results in problems when chrooting
    # into the install mount point to modprobe efivars. So we use the
    # package snapshot on the Archboot media to ensure our kernel is
    # the same as the one we booted with.
    # 2. Ideally we'd source all local then, but some critical items,
    # notably grub2-efi variants, aren't yet on the Archboot media.
    # Warn
    timer=9
    echo -e "\n\nMAC WARNING: This script is not designed for APPLE MAC installs and will potentially misconfigure boot to your existing OS X installation. STOP NOW IF YOU ARE ON A MAC.\n\n"
    echo -n "GENERAL WARNING: This procedure will completely format /dev/sda. Please cancel with ctrl-c to cancel within $timer seconds..."
    while [[ $timer -gt 0 ]]
    do
    sleep 1
    let timer-=1
    echo -en "$timer seconds..."
    done
    echo "STARTING"
    # Get Network
    echo -n "Waiting for network address.."
    #dhclient eth0
    dhcpcd -p eth0
    echo -n "Network address acquired."
    # Mount packages squashfs images
    umount "/packages/core-$(uname -m)"
    umount "/packages/core-any"
    rm -rf "/packages/core-$(uname -m)"
    rm -rf "/packages/core-any"
    mkdir -p "/packages/core-$(uname -m)"
    mkdir -p "/packages/core-any"
    modprobe -q loop
    modprobe -q squashfs
    mount -o ro,loop -t squashfs "/src/packages/archboot_packages_$(uname -m).squashfs" "/packages/core-$(uname -m)"
    mount -o ro,loop -t squashfs "/src/packages/archboot_packages_any.squashfs" "/packages/core-any"
    # Create temporary pacman.conf file
    cat << PACMANEOF > /tmp/pacman.conf
    [options]
    Architecture = auto
    CacheDir = ${INSTALL_TARGET}/var/cache/pacman/pkg
    CacheDir = /packages/core-$(uname -m)/pkg
    CacheDir = /packages/core-any/pkg
    [core]
    Server = ${FILE_URL}
    Server = ${FTP_URL}
    Server = ${HTTP_URL}
    [extra]
    Server = ${FILE_URL}
    Server = ${FTP_URL}
    Server = ${HTTP_URL}
    #Uncomment to enable pacman -Sy yaourt
    [archlinuxfr]
    Server = http://repo.archlinux.fr/\$arch
    PACMANEOF
    # Prepare pacman
    [[ ! -d "${INSTALL_TARGET}/var/cache/pacman/pkg" ]] && mkdir -m 755 -p "${INSTALL_TARGET}/var/cache/pacman/pkg"
    [[ ! -d "${INSTALL_TARGET}/var/lib/pacman" ]] && mkdir -m 755 -p "${INSTALL_TARGET}/var/lib/pacman"
    ${PACMAN} -Sy
    ${TARGET_PACMAN} -Sy
    # Install prereqs from network (not on archboot media)
    echo -e "\nInstalling prereqs...\n$HR"
    #sed -i "s/^#S/S/" /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist # Uncomment all Server lines
    UncommentValue S /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist # Uncomment all Server lines
    ${PACMAN} --noconfirm -Sy gptfdisk btrfs-progs-unstable libusb-compat gnupg
    # Configure Host
    # Here we create three partitions:
    # 1. efi and /boot (one partition does double duty)
    # 2. swap
    # 3. our encrypted root
    # Note that all of these are on a GUID partition table scheme. This proves
    # to be quite clean and simple since we're not doing anything with MBR
    # boot partitions and the like.
    echo -e "format\n"
    # shred -v /dev/sda
    # disk prep
    sgdisk -Z /dev/sda # zap all on disk
    #sgdisk -Z /dev/mmcb1k0 # zap all on sdcard
    sgdisk -a 2048 -o /dev/sda # new gpt disk 2048 alignment
    #sgdisk -a 2048 -o /dev/mmcb1k0
    # create partitions
    sgdisk -n 1:0:+200M /dev/sda # partition 1 (UEFI BOOT), default start block, 200MB
    sgdisk -n 2:0:+4G /dev/sda # partition 2 (SWAP), default start block, 200MB
    sgdisk -n 3:0:0 /dev/sda # partition 3, (LUKS), default start, remaining space
    #sgdisk -n 1:0:1800M /dev/mmcb1k0 # root.gpg
    # set partition types
    sgdisk -t 1:ef00 /dev/sda
    sgdisk -t 2:8200 /dev/sda
    sgdisk -t 3:8300 /dev/sda
    #sgdisk -t 1:0700 /dev/mmcb1k0
    # label partitions
    sgdisk -c 1:"UEFI Boot" /dev/sda
    sgdisk -c 2:"Swap" /dev/sda
    sgdisk -c 3:"LUKS" /dev/sda
    #sgdisk -c 1:"Key" /dev/mmcb1k0
    echo -e "create gpg file\n"
    # create gpg file
    dd if=/dev/urandom bs=512 count=4 | gpg -v --cipher-algo aes256 --digest-algo sha512 -c -a > /root/root.gpg
    echo -e "format LUKS on root\n"
    # format LUKS on root
    gpg -q -d /root/root.gpg 2>/dev/null | cryptsetup -v --key-file=- -c aes-xts-plain -s 512 --hash sha512 luksFormat /dev/sda3
    echo -e "open LUKS on root\n"
    gpg -d /root/root.gpg 2>/dev/null | cryptsetup -v --key-file=- luksOpen /dev/sda3 root
    # NOTE: make sure to add dm_crypt and aes_i586 to MODULES in rc.conf
    # NOTE2: actually this isn't required since we're mounting an encrypted root and grub2/initramfs handles this before we even get to rc.conf
    # make filesystems
    # following swap related commands not used now that we're encrypting our swap partition
    #mkswap /dev/sda2
    #swapon /dev/sda2
    #mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda3 # this is where we'd create an unencrypted root partition, but we're using luks instead
    echo -e "\nCreating Filesystems...\n$HR"
    # make filesystems
    mkfs.ext4 /dev/mapper/root
    mkfs.vfat -F32 /dev/sda1
    #mkfs.vfat -F32 /dev/mmcb1k0p1
    echo -e "mount targets\n"
    # mount target
    #mount /dev/sda3 ${INSTALL_TARGET} # this is where we'd mount the unencrypted root partition
    mount /dev/mapper/root ${INSTALL_TARGET}
    # mount target
    mkdir ${INSTALL_TARGET}
    # mkdir ${INSTALL_TARGET}/key
    # mount -t vfat /dev/mmcb1k0p1 ${INSTALL_TARGET}/key
    mkdir ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot
    mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot
    # Install base, necessary utilities
    mkdir -p ${INSTALL_TARGET}/var/lib/pacman
    ${TARGET_PACMAN} -Sy
    ${TARGET_PACMAN} -Su base
    # curl could be installed later but we want it ready for rankmirrors
    ${TARGET_PACMAN} -S curl
    ${TARGET_PACMAN} -S libusb-compat gnupg
    ${TARGET_PACMAN} -R grub
    rm -rf ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/grub
    ${TARGET_PACMAN} -S grub2-efi-x86_64
    # Configure new system
    SetValue HOSTNAME ${HOSTNAME} ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/rc.conf
    sed -i "s/^\(127\.0\.0\.1.*\)$/\1 ${HOSTNAME}/" ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/hosts
    SetValue CONSOLEFONT Lat2-Terminus16 ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/rc.conf
    #following replaced due to netcfg
    #SetValue interface eth0 ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/rc.conf
    # write fstab
    # You can use UUID's or whatever you want here, of course. This is just
    # the simplest approach and as long as your drives aren't changing values
    # randomly it should work fine.
    cat > ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/fstab <<FSTAB_EOF
    # /etc/fstab: static file system information
    # <file system> <dir> <type> <options> <dump> <pass>
    tmpfs /tmp tmpfs nodev,nosuid 0 0
    /dev/sda1 /boot vfat defaults 0 0
    /dev/mapper/cryptswap none swap defaults 0 0
    /dev/mapper/root / ext4 defaults,noatime 0 1
    FSTAB_EOF
    # write etwo
    mkdir -p /lib/initcpio/hooks/
    mkdir -p /lib/initcpio/install/
    cp /src/etwo_hooks /lib/initcpio/hooks/etwo
    cp /src/etwo_install /lib/initcpio/install/etwo
    mkdir -p ${INSTALL_TARGET}/lib/initcpio/hooks/
    mkdir -p ${INSTALL_TARGET}/lib/initcpio/install/
    cp /src/etwo_hooks ${INSTALL_TARGET}/lib/initcpio/hooks/etwo
    cp /src/etwo_install ${INSTALL_TARGET}/lib/initcpio/install/etwo
    # write crypttab
    # encrypted swap (random passphrase on boot)
    echo cryptswap /dev/sda2 SWAP "-c aes-xts-plain -h whirlpool -s 512" >> ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/crypttab
    # copy configs we want to carry over to target from install environment
    mv ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/resolv.conf ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/resolv.conf.orig
    cp /etc/resolv.conf ${INSTALL_TARGET}/etc/resolv.conf
    mkdir -p ${INSTALL_TARGET}/tmp
    cp /tmp/pacman.conf ${INSTALL_TARGET}/tmp/pacman.conf
    # mount proc, sys, dev in install root
    mount -t proc proc ${INSTALL_TARGET}/proc
    mount -t sysfs sys ${INSTALL_TARGET}/sys
    mount -o bind /dev ${INSTALL_TARGET}/dev
    echo -e "umount boot\n"
    # we have to remount /boot from inside the chroot
    umount ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot
    # Create install_efi script (to be run *after* chroot /install)
    touch ${INSTALL_TARGET}/install_efi
    chmod a+x ${INSTALL_TARGET}/install_efi
    cat > ${INSTALL_TARGET}/install_efi <<EFI_EOF
    # functions (these could be a library, but why overcomplicate things
    SetValue () { VALUENAME="\$1" NEWVALUE="\$2" FILEPATH="\$3"; sed -i "s+^#\?\(\${VALUENAME}\)=.*\$+\1=\${NEWVALUE}+" "\${FILEPATH}"; }
    CommentOutValue () { VALUENAME="\$1" FILEPATH="\$2"; sed -i "s/^\(\${VALUENAME}.*\)\$/#\1/" "\${FILEPATH}"; }
    UncommentValue () { VALUENAME="\$1" FILEPATH="\$2"; sed -i "s/^#\(\${VALUENAME}.*\)\$/\1/" "\${FILEPATH}"; }
    echo -e "mount boot\n"
    # remount here or grub et al gets confused
    mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /boot
    # mkinitcpio
    # NOTE: intel_agp drm and i915 for intel graphics
    SetValue MODULES '\\"dm_mod dm_crypt aes_x86_64 ext2 ext4 vfat intel_agp drm i915\\"' /etc/mkinitcpio.conf
    SetValue HOOKS '\\"base udev pata scsi sata usb usbinput keymap consolefont etwo encrypt filesystems\\"' /etc/mkinitcpio.conf
    SetValue BINARIES '\\"/usr/bin/gpg\\"' /etc/mkinitcpio.conf
    mkinitcpio -p linux
    # kernel modules for EFI install
    modprobe efivars
    modprobe dm-mod
    # locale-gen
    UncommentValue de_AT /etc/locale.gen
    locale-gen
    # install and configure grub2
    # did this above
    #${CHROOT_PACMAN} -Sy
    #${CHROOT_PACMAN} -R grub
    #rm -rf /boot/grub
    #${CHROOT_PACMAN} -S grub2-efi-x86_64
    # you can be surprisingly sloppy with the root value you give grub2 as a kernel option and
    # even omit the cryptdevice altogether, though it will wag a finger at you for using
    # a deprecated syntax, so we're using the correct form here
    # NOTE: take out i915.modeset=1 unless you are on intel graphics
    SetValue GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX '\\"cryptdevice=/dev/sda3:root cryptkey=/dev/sda1:vfat:/root.gpg add_efi_memmap i915.i915_enable_rc6=1 i915.i915_enable_fbc=1 i915.lvds_downclock=1 pcie_aspm=force quiet\\"' /etc/default/grub
    # set output to graphical
    SetValue GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT gfxterm /etc/default/grub
    SetValue GRUB_GFXMODE 960x600x32,auto /etc/default/grub
    SetValue GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX keep /etc/default/grub # comment out this value if text only mode
    # install the actual grub2. Note that despite our --boot-directory option we will still need to move
    # the grub directory to /boot/grub during grub-mkconfig operations until grub2 gets patched (see below)
    grub_efi_x86_64-install --bootloader-id=grub --no-floppy --recheck
    # create our EFI boot entry
    # bug in the HP bios firmware (F.08)
    efibootmgr --create --gpt --disk /dev/sda --part 1 --write-signature --label "ARCH LINUX" --loader "\\\\grub\\\\grub.efi"
    # copy font for grub2
    cp /usr/share/grub/unicode.pf2 /boot/grub
    # generate config file
    grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg
    exit
    EFI_EOF
    # Install EFI using script inside chroot
    chroot ${INSTALL_TARGET} /install_efi
    rm ${INSTALL_TARGET}/install_efi
    # Post install steps
    # anything you want to do post install. run the script automatically or
    # manually
    touch ${INSTALL_TARGET}/post_install
    chmod a+x ${INSTALL_TARGET}/post_install
    cat > ${INSTALL_TARGET}/post_install <<POST_EOF
    set -o errexit
    set -o nounset
    # functions (these could be a library, but why overcomplicate things
    SetValue () { VALUENAME="\$1" NEWVALUE="\$2" FILEPATH="\$3"; sed -i "s+^#\?\(\${VALUENAME}\)=.*\$+\1=\${NEWVALUE}+" "\${FILEPATH}"; }
    CommentOutValue () { VALUENAME="\$1" FILEPATH="\$2"; sed -i "s/^\(\${VALUENAME}.*\)\$/#\1/" "\${FILEPATH}"; }
    UncommentValue () { VALUENAME="\$1" FILEPATH="\$2"; sed -i "s/^#\(\${VALUENAME}.*\)\$/\1/" "\${FILEPATH}"; }
    # root password
    echo -e "${HR}\\nNew root user password\\n${HR}"
    passwd
    # add user
    echo -e "${HR}\\nNew non-root user password (username:${USERNAME})\\n${HR}"
    groupadd sudo
    useradd -m -g users -G audio,lp,optical,storage,video,games,power,scanner,network,sudo,wheel -s /bin/bash ${USERNAME}
    passwd ${USERNAME}
    # mirror ranking
    echo -e "${HR}\\nRanking Mirrors (this will take a while)\\n${HR}"
    cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.orig
    mv /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.all
    sed -i "s/#S/S/" /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.all
    rankmirrors -n 5 /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist.all > /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
    # temporary fix for locale.sh update conflict
    mv /etc/profile.d/locale.sh /etc/profile.d/locale.sh.preupdate || true
    # yaourt repo (add to target pacman, not tmp pacman.conf, for ongoing use)
    echo -e "\\n[archlinuxfr]\\nServer = http://repo.archlinux.fr/\\\$arch" >> /etc/pacman.conf
    echo -e "\\n[haskell]\\nServer = http://www.kiwilight.com/\\\$repo/\\\$arch" >> /etc/pacman.conf
    # additional groups and utilities
    pacman --noconfirm -Syu
    pacman --noconfirm -S base-devel
    pacman --noconfirm -S yaourt
    # sudo
    pacman --noconfirm -S sudo
    cp /etc/sudoers /tmp/sudoers.edit
    sed -i "s/#\s*\(%wheel\s*ALL=(ALL)\s*ALL.*$\)/\1/" /tmp/sudoers.edit
    sed -i "s/#\s*\(%sudo\s*ALL=(ALL)\s*ALL.*$\)/\1/" /tmp/sudoers.edit
    visudo -qcsf /tmp/sudoers.edit && cat /tmp/sudoers.edit > /etc/sudoers
    # power
    pacman --noconfirm -S acpi acpid acpitool cpufrequtils
    yaourt --noconfirm -S powertop2
    sed -i "/^DAEMONS/ s/)/ @acpid)/" /etc/rc.conf
    sed -i "/^MODULES/ s/)/ acpi-cpufreq cpufreq_ondemand cpufreq_powersave coretemp)/" /etc/rc.conf
    # following requires my acpi handler script
    echo "/etc/acpi/handler.sh boot" > /etc/rc.local
    # time
    pacman --noconfirm -S ntp
    sed -i "/^DAEMONS/ s/hwclock /!hwclock @ntpd /" /etc/rc.conf
    # wireless (wpa supplicant should already be installed)
    pacman --noconfirm -S iw wpa_supplicant rfkill
    pacman --noconfirm -S netcfg wpa_actiond ifplugd
    mv /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf.orig
    echo -e "ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=network\nupdate_config=1" > /etc/wpa_supplicant.conf
    # make sure to copy /etc/network.d/examples/wireless-wpa-config to /etc/network.d/home and edit
    sed -i "/^DAEMONS/ s/)/ @net-auto-wireless @net-auto-wired)/" /etc/rc.conf
    sed -i "/^DAEMONS/ s/ network / /" /etc/rc.conf
    echo -e "\nWIRELESS_INTERFACE=wlan0" >> /etc/rc.conf
    echo -e "WIRED_INTERFACE=eth0" >> /etc/rc.conf
    echo "options iwlagn led_mode=2" > /etc/modprobe.d/iwlagn.conf
    # sound
    pacman --noconfirm -S alsa-utils alsa-plugins
    sed -i "/^DAEMONS/ s/)/ @alsa)/" /etc/rc.conf
    mv /etc/asound.conf /etc/asound.conf.orig || true
    #if alsamixer isn't working, try alsamixer -Dhw and speaker-test -Dhw -c 2
    # video
    pacman --noconfirm -S base-devel mesa mesa-demos
    # x
    #pacman --noconfirm -S xorg xorg-xinit xorg-utils xorg-server-utils xdotool xorg-xlsfonts
    #yaourt --noconfirm -S xf86-input-wacom-git # NOT NEEDED? input-wacom-git
    #TODO: cut down the install size
    #pacman --noconfirm -S xorg-server xorg-xinit xorg-utils xorg-server-utils
    # TODO: wacom
    # environment/wm/etc.
    #pacman --noconfirm -S xfce4 compiz ccsm
    #pacman --noconfirm -S xcompmgr
    #yaourt --noconfirm -S physlock unclutter
    #pacman --noconfirm -S rxvt-unicode urxvt-url-select hsetroot
    #pacman --noconfirm -S gtk2 #gtk3 # for taffybar?
    #pacman --noconfirm -S ghc
    # note: try installing alex and happy from cabal instead
    #pacman --noconfirm -S haskell-platform haskell-hscolour
    #yaourt --noconfirm -S xmonad-darcs xmonad-contrib-darcs xcompmgr
    #yaourt --noconfirm -S xmobar-git
    # TODO: edit xfce to use compiz
    # TODO: xmonad, but deal with video tearing
    # TODO: xmonad-darcs fails to install from AUR. haskell dependency hell.
    # switching to cabal
    # fonts
    pacman --noconfirm -S terminus-font
    yaourt --noconfirm -S webcore-fonts
    yaourt --noconfirm -S fontforge libspiro
    yaourt --noconfirm -S freetype2-git-infinality
    # TODO: sed infinality and change to OSX or OSX2 mode
    # and create the sym link from /etc/fonts/conf.avail to conf.d
    # misc apps
    #pacman --noconfirm -S htop openssh keychain bash-completion git vim
    #pacman --noconfirm -S chromium flashplugin
    #pacman --noconfirm -S scrot mypaint bc
    #yaourt --noconfirm -S task-git stellarium googlecl
    # TODO: argyll
    POST_EOF
    # Post install in chroot
    #echo "chroot and run /post_install"
    chroot /install /post_install
    rm /install/post_install
    # copy grub.efi file to the default HP EFI boot manager path
    mkdir -p ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/EFI/Microsoft/BOOT/
    mkdir -p ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/EFI/BOOT/
    cp ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/grub/grub.efi ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/EFI/Microsoft/BOOT/bootmgfw.efi
    cp ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/grub/grub.efi ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/EFI/BOOT/BOOTX64.EFI
    cp /root/root.gpg ${INSTALL_TARGET}/boot/
    # NOTES/TODO

  • [HOWTO] Installing Arch Linux stable release on Acer Aspire One 522

    [This is a work on progress and my first howto ever]
    These steps will teach you how to install ArchLinux x64 stable release (currently 2010.05) on Acer Aspire One 522 from an existing ArchLinux (your desktop computer)
    As you need a 2.6.37+ kernel to make networking work on the AO522, installing stable release as is won't work.
    This Howto borns with the intention to address this problem.
    You need to be familiarized with Linux internals to follow this howto.
    (Expect this howto to become useless with new stable releases of ArchLinux.)
    Remember to make a backup of your Windows 7 Starter system before installing ArchLinux.
    I did a full raw copy of the harddisk by using systemrescuecd, an external harddisk and dd utility:
    Just boot with systemrescuecd
    Mount your external harddisk on /mnt/floppy for example
    Clone harddisk with: dd if=/dev/sda |gzip -c > /mnt/floppy/ao522.img
    This process took me a lot of time since my external harddisk is USB-1 (almost an entire evening)
    Result image was about 22GB size
    This image will restore partition table, boot sector and all data if things go wrong.
    I followed some of the steps from this guide: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/In … ting_Linux
    If you have some Gentoo Linux experience you will find those steps really familiar.
    You will need 2 USB pendrives or similar storage options.
    One is needed to boot into your netbook, and the other to store our custom archlinux build.
    Making an updated ArchLinux system
    1) Make a local dir on your existing linux system
    # mkdir ./newarch
    2) Install pacman database on it
    # pacman -Sy -r ./newarch
    3) Install base system
    # pacman -S base -r ./newarch
    4) Let's chroot inside
    # cp /etc/resolv.conf ./newarch/etc/
    # cp /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist ./newarch/etc/pacman.d
    # mount -t proc proc ./newarch/proc
    # mount -t sysfs sys ./newarch/sys
    # mount -o bind /dev ./newarch/dev
    # chroot ./newarch /bin/bash
    5) Edit configuration files
    # nano -w /etc/rc.conf
    # nano -w /etc/hosts
    # nano -w /etc/mkinitcpio.conf
    Forget /etc/fstab for now since you don't know what partitions to use yet
    6) Generate kernel image
    # mkinitcpio -p kernel26
    7) Generate locales
    # nano -w /etc/locale.gen
    # locale-gen
    8) Make a tarball with our custom ArchLinux
    # exit
    # umount ./newarch/proc
    # umount ./newarch/dev
    # umount ./newarch/sys
    # tar -cvpf newarch.tar ./newarch
    9) Copy this tarball to an USB pendrive or external harddisk
    10) Boot your netbook with a Linux bootable USB stick (I used systemrescuecd, and remember to pick the x64 bit kernel at grub screen)
    You can use any linux distribution with usb bootable options. I suppose ArchLinux works too
    To install SystemRescueCD on an USB stick follow this tutorial -> SystemRescueCD on usb stick
    Insert the usb stick on your netbook, switch on, hit F2 to enter BIOS menu, and choose to boot from USB as first option. Save and Exit.
    You should be booting into SystemRescueCD without any problem.
    After initialization you will end in a root prompt.
    11) Let's partition the disk
    You will find 3 partitions if this is your first time:
    /dev/sda1 2048 29362175 14680064 27 Hidden NTFS WinRE
    /dev/sda2 * 29362176 29566975 102400 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
    /dev/sda3 29566976 488397167 229312696 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
    My recomendation is to leave sda1 and sda2 intact, as they have the recovery information to restore Windows 7 Starter
    You have plenty of space with sda3, about 230G.
    So run fdisk/cfdisk and delete /dev/sda3
    Now create a 100M partition for boot
    Now create a Extended partition with all the space left
    Now create a 1GB logical partition for swap
    Now create a 10-15 GB  logical partition for root system
    And finally a logical partition for our home partition with all space left
    Your partition table should look like this:
    /dev/sda1 2048 29362175 14680064 27 Hidden NTFS WinRE
    /dev/sda2 * 29362176 29566975 102400 7 HPFS/NTFS/exFAT
    /dev/sda3 29566976 29771775 102400 83 Linux
    /dev/sda4 29771776 488397167 229312696 5 Extended
    /dev/sda5 29773824 31821823 1024000 83 Linux
    /dev/sda6 31823872 63281151 15728640 83 Linux
    /dev/sda7 63283200 488397167 212556984 83 Linux
    12) Create filesystems
    I choosed ext2 for boot, and reiserfs for root and home partitions.
    # mke2fs /dev/sda3
    # mkreiserfs /dev/sda6
    # mkreiserfs /dev/sda7
    # mkswap /dev/sda5
    13) Mount partitions
    # mkdir arch
    # mount /dev/sda6 arch
    # mkdir arch/boot
    # mount /dev/sda3 arch/boot
    # mkdir arch/home
    # mount /dev/sda7 arch/home
    14) Copy our custom ArchLinux build on it
    # mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/floppy (for example)
    # cd arch
    # tar -xvpf /mnt/flopy/newarch.tar
    15) Configure /etc/fstab
    Mine is as follows:
    devpts /dev/pts devpts defaults 0 0
    shm /dev/shm tmpfs nodev,nosuid 0 0
    /dev/sda3 /boot ext2 defaults 0 1
    /dev/sda6 / reiserfs defaults 0 1
    /dev/sda7 /home reiserfs defaults 0 1
    /dev/sda5 swap swap defaults 0 0
    16) Chroot in your new system
    # mount -t proc proc ./proc
    # mount -t sysfs sys ./sys
    # mount -o bind /dev ./dev
    # chroot ./ /bin/bash
    17) Install grub
    # grub-install
    Edit /boot/grub/menu.lst to suit your needs
    Mine looks like this:
    timeout 5
    default 0
    color light-blue/black light-cyan/blue
    title Arch Linux
    root (hd0,2)
    kernel /vmlinuz26 root=/dev/sda6 ro
    initrd /kernel26.img
    title Arch Linux Fallback
    root (hd0,2)
    kernel /vmlinuz26 root=/dev/sda6 ro
    initrd /kernel26-fallback.img
    title Windows 7 Recovery
    rootnoverify (hd0,0)
    makeactive
    chainloader +1
    As you see, you can restore Windows 7 Starter from Grub.
    18) Change root password
    # passwd
    19) Add a regular  user account
    # useradd -G video,audio,users -m username
    # passwd username
    20) You're done!
    # exit
    # cd ..
    # umount ./arch/proc
    # umount ./arch/dev
    # umount ./arch/sys
    # umount ./arch/boot
    # umount ./arch/
    # reboot
    Remove the usb stick from your netbook.
    If all went ok, you will be inside your new stable and updated ArchLinux system
    Next post is reserved for software configurations specific to the Acer Aspire One 522
    Last edited by tigrezno (2011-04-20 12:22:38)

    Using acpid to achieve the following:
    - Change screen brightness when operating in battery mode
    - Power off when the power button is pressed
    - Suspend when the lid is down
    - Reduce CPU frequency speed to maximize battery usage
    Remember that system suspend is only supported by ati free driver xf86-video-ati
    1) Install acpid daemon and cpufrequtils
    # pacman -S apcid cpufrequtils
    2) edit acpid handler script
    # nano -w /etc/acpi/handler.sh
    Change the following section:
    ac_adapter)
    case "$2" in
    AC)
    case "$4" in
    00000000)
    echo -n $minspeed >$setspeed
    #/etc/laptop-mode/laptop-mode start
    00000001)
    echo -n $maxspeed >$setspeed
    #/etc/laptop-mode/laptop-mode stop
    esac
    *) logger "ACPI action undefined: $2" ;;
    esac
    for:
    ac_adapter)
    case "$2" in
    ACAD)
    case "$4" in
    00000000)
    echo 3 > /sys/devices/virtual/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness
    cpufreq-set -c 0 -f 800Mhz
    cpufreq-set -c 1 -f 800Mhz
    00000001)
    echo 9 > /sys/devices/virtual/backlight/acpi_video0/brightness
    cpufreq-set -c 0 -f 1000Mhz
    cpufreq-set -c 1 -f 1000Mhz
    esac
    *) logger "ACPI action undefined: $2" ;;
    esac
    Make sure you changed AC) for ACAD)
    Now change this other section:
    button/power)
    #echo "PowerButton pressed!">/dev/tty5
    case "$2" in
    PWRF) logger "PowerButton pressed: $2" ;;
    *) logger "ACPI action undefined: $2" ;;
    esac
    with:
    button/power)
    #echo "PowerButton pressed!">/dev/tty5
    case "$2" in
    PWRF) poweroff ;;
    *) logger "ACPI action undefined: $2" ;;
    esac
    Change:
    button/lid)
    #echo "LID switched!">/dev/tty5
    logger "ACPI group/action undefined: $1 / $2"
    for:
    button/lid)
    pm-suspend && /etc/rc.d/network restart
    logger "ACPI group/action undefined: $1 / $2"
    Network restart is used because wlan0 will disconnect from AP after some time. You can try using iwconfig wlan0 essid <ap> key <key> instead of the network script, but haven't tested it myself.
    3) Start acpid and load modules
    # modprobe powernow-k8
    # /etc/rc.d/acpid start
    Add "acpid" to DAEMONS in /etc/rc.conf to start on boot
    Add "powernow-k8" to the modules sections on /etc/rc.conf to load at boot
    Stopping system freezes due to ethernet driver
    The only way people have found to avoid freezes is by blacklisting atheros kernel drivers.
    To do it at boot just edit /etc/rc.conf and change the MODULES line as this:
    MODULES=(!ath9k !atl1c)
    Reboot and you're done, but remember to not press the Wifi key, because it can freeze your system.
    Correctly starting wireless at boot
    I've found that standard scripts wont load properly my wireless lan. It gave an error telling you to use the WIRELESS_TIMEOUT variable and such.
    To solve this, edit /etc/rc.d/network script and change the wi_up function by adding a second iwconfig command like this:
    wi_up()
    eval iwcfg="\$wlan_${1}"
    [[ ! $iwcfg ]] && return 0
    /usr/sbin/iwconfig $iwcfg
    [[ $WIRELESS_TIMEOUT ]] || WIRELESS_TIMEOUT=2
    sleep $WIRELESS_TIMEOUT
    /usr/sbin/iwconfig $iwcfg
    bssid=$(iwgetid $1 -ra)
    It will do the trick and will start at boot correctly. This is not a solution but a fix.
    Adjust Touchpad to disable false taps
    What I did here is defining an area to be ignored. This area are 3 rectangles on top, left and right of the touchpad.
    This means you can write and press space without having the cursor click out of the window and such.
    # synclient AreaLeftEdge=150
    # synclient AreaRightEdge=1300
    # synclient AreaTopEdge=300
    Also, add it to your /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-evdev.conf:
    Section "InputClass"
    Identifier "evdev touchpad catchall"
    MatchIsTouchpad "on"
    MatchDevicePath "/dev/input/event*"
    Driver "evdev"
    Option "AreaTopEdge" "300"
    Option "AreaLeftEdge" "150"
    Option "AreaRightEdge" "1300"
    EndSection
    You can play with those values. They just work for me.
    Last edited by tigrezno (2011-04-23 13:49:48)

  • Dual booting Windows 8 and Arch Linux with UEFI

    Hi all!
    I'm trying to install Arch Linux on my computer where I already have Windows 8, and I'm getting a little stuck when it comes to the partitioning.
    Following the beginner's guide and the method here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Un … n_in_Linux for setting up the partitions properly, regarding UEFI. My problem is that when using cgdisk to set up a new EFI system partition (ef00), I get an error message when trying to write the partition table (just saying that something went wrong). I figure the problem is that I already have a partition like this (correct me if I'm wrong), but it really looks like it succeded (see info below). So my question is: How do I preceed to keep my Windows 8 installation happy, but installing Arch? Do I remove the old EFI system partition and create a new one, or is there some method that allows me to edit the already existing one, to allow me to dual boot Windows 8 and Arch?
    My partition table now looks like this:
    Part. # Size Partition Type Partition Name
    1007KB free space
    1 500MB Windows RE Basic data partition
    2 300MB EFI System EFI system partition (this one was already present on my system)
    3 128MB Microsoft reserved Microsoft reserved partition
    4 63.5GB Microsoft basic data Basic data partition
    8 512MB EFI System EFI System partition (this is the one I tried to create when I got the error message)
    5 29.5GB Linux filesystem Arch (this is where I was going to put my Arch installation)
    6 22GB Windows RE Basic data partition
    7 1024MB Windows RE Basic data partition
    615KB free space
    Just for the record; I only created partition #8 and #5.
    Any help is appreciated! And sorry for beeing a total noob, but I really suck at this.

    sudo make sandwich wrote:If it is possible to share ESP between OSes, how do I do this (would it be sufficent to follow this section: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Beginners'_Guide#For_UEFI_motherboards)?
    There's really very little to do to share an ESP between OSes. Most OS installers will auto-detect the ESP and use it. Problem solved. For Arch it may be a bit more effort just because Arch uses a more hands-on installation process, but I've only done a couple of Arch installations, and the last one was several months ago, so I don't recall the details clearly enough to comment.
    And how big will the partition need to be? The beginner's guide says 512MB or higher.
    I don't know what was in the mind of the author, but my guess is that's because that's roughly the cutoff point where mkdosfs starts creating FAT32 by default rather than FAT16. The ESP is officially supposed to be FAT32, not FAT16, although FAT16 usually works OK. It's also possible to create FAT32 on smaller partitions by using an explicit option to mkdosfs ("-F 32").
    The optimal size of the ESP depends on the files stored on it. If you don't store your Linux kernels, something as small as 100MiB is usually adequate; but a few Linux kernels and their initrd files can consume twice that amount. My own recommendation is for the ESP to be 200-500MiB.
    The only error message I got from cgdisk is "Problem saving data! Your partition table may be damaged!", however booting Windows again works fine. Parted did not complain about antything.
    Use the "verify" function in cgdisk. That will reveal any problems with the data structures. If a verify turns up OK, then that means that cgdisk ran into some sort of disk problem. Running gdisk rather than cgdisk and using the gdisk "w" option (without making any changes) may produce a more helpful error message.

  • How to setup grub2 with arch linux and xen, lvm on luks

    OK, so I tried downloading this package from AUR:  https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/xen-git/ , but that has patching problems as noted in the comments.  It looks like the packagebuild sets up all the xen stuff for you, but I can't seem to get the package to install because of the error's while patching.  If anyone can point me in the right direction on what all the extra files in the PKGBUILD are for or how to debug problems with PKGBUILDs not working because of patches.
    So next I just tried to compile the latest xen from git://xenbits.xen.org/xen.git (with ./configure, make, make install) and that seemed to go fine, but I'm a bit confused:
    1.  Do I have to do any additional configuration for xen when working with arch linux?  On ubuntu I could just compile the source, update grub, and make sure to start the x services at runtime.
    2.  How do I set up grub to load xen with this setup?  Right now this is my /boot/grub/grub.cfg:
    GRUB_DEFAULT=0
    GRUB_TIMEOUT=5
    GRUB_DISTRIBUTOR="Arch"
    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet"
    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="cryptdevice=/dev/sda3:vgStorage"
    # Preload both GPT and MBR modules so that they are not missed
    GRUB_PRELOAD_MODULES="part_gpt part_msdos"
    # Uncomment to enable Hidden Menu, and optionally hide the timeout count
    #GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT=5
    #GRUB_HIDDEN_TIMEOUT_QUIET=true
    # Uncomment to use basic console
    GRUB_TERMINAL_INPUT=console
    # Uncomment to disable graphical terminal
    #GRUB_TERMINAL_OUTPUT=console
    # The resolution used on graphical terminal
    # note that you can use only modes which your graphic card supports via VBE
    # you can see them in real GRUB with the command `vbeinfo'
    GRUB_GFXMODE=auto
    # Uncomment to allow the kernel use the same resolution used by grub
    GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep
    # Uncomment if you want GRUB to pass to the Linux kernel the old parameter
    # format "root=/dev/xxx" instead of "root=/dev/disk/by-uuid/xxx"
    #GRUB_DISABLE_LINUX_UUID=true
    # Uncomment to disable generation of recovery mode menu entries
    GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY=true
    # Uncomment and set to the desired menu colors. Used by normal and wallpaper
    # modes only. Entries specified as foreground/background.
    #GRUB_COLOR_NORMAL="light-blue/black"
    #GRUB_COLOR_HIGHLIGHT="light-cyan/blue"
    # Uncomment one of them for the gfx desired, a image background or a gfxtheme
    #GRUB_BACKGROUND="/path/to/wallpaper"
    #GRUB_THEME="/path/to/gfxtheme"
    # Uncomment to get a beep at GRUB start
    #GRUB_INIT_TUNE="480 440 1"
    #GRUB_SAVEDEFAULT="true"
    ~
    I've tried throwing in a line like: XEN_HYPERVISOR_CMDLINE="cryptdevice=/dev/sda3:vgStorage", but nothing new shows up on the grub boot menu.
    First time trying to set up a non-ubuntu system, please help!

    As for XEN.... well you could always try QEMU/KVM or LXC.
    As for the LVM2-on-LUKS/dm-crypt
    My /etc/mkinitcpio.conf looks like this...
    MODULES="aesni_intel ata_generic ata_piix nls_cp437 ext4 intel_agp i915 dm-snapshot"
    BINARIES=""
    FILES=""
    HOOKS="base udev autodetect block keymap encrypt lvm2 filesystems keyboard fsck shutdown"
    /etc/defaults/grub
    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="cryptdevice=/dev/sda2:root:allow-discards"
    GRUB_PRELOAD_MODULES="part_gpt part_msdos"
    GRUB_TERMINAL_INPUT=console
    GRUB_GFXMODE=auto
    GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep
    GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY=true
    The running grub config looks like this
    /boot/grub/grub.cfg
    9 insmod part_gpt
    10 insmod part_msdos
    53 if loadfont unicode ; then
    54 set gfxmode=auto
    55 load_video
    56 insmod gfxterm
    57 set locale_dir=$prefix/locale
    58 set lang=en_US
    59 insmod gettext
    60 fi
    61 terminal_input console
    62 terminal_output gfxterm
    63 set timeout=3
    84 menuentry 'Backup, Arch Linux grsec kernel' --class arch --class gnu-linux --class gnu --class os $menuentry_id_option 'gnulinux-grsec kernel-true-12341234-8080-8080-8080-332200882255' {
    85 load_video
    86 set gfxpayload=keep
    87 insmod gzio
    88 insmod part_msdos
    89 insmod ext2
    90 set root='hd1,msdos2'
    91 if [ x$feature_platform_search_hint = xy ]; then
    92 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root --hint-bios=hd1,msdos2 --hint-efi=hd1,msdos2 --hint-baremetal=ahci1,msdos2 BBAAEEAA-FFCC-CCFF-FFCC-AABBCCEEBBAA
    93 else
    94 search --no-floppy --fs-uuid --set=root BBAAEEAA-FFCC-CCFF-FFCC-AABBCCEEBBAA
    95 fi
    96 echo 'Loading Linux grsec kernel ...'
    97 linux /vmlinuz-linux-grsec root=/dev/mapper/VolGroup00-lvroot rw cryptdevice=/dev/sda2:root:allow-discards quiet
    98 echo 'Loading initial ramdisk ...'
    99 initrd /initramfs-linux-grsec.img
    100 }
    Things to note:
    Numerical UUID is the UUID of the ROOT partition.
    Alphabetical UUIS is the BOOT partition
    hd1,msdos2 AND ahci1,msdos2 are how the Grub Bootloader numbers the drives not Linux.
    I have my BOOT partition on a USB stick, and it is the Second partition.
    So, that would make it, Device 2 and Partition 2
    Device numbering starts at 0
    Partition numbering starts at 1
    Oh, and note that you don't need ":allow-discards" ... at all but certainly if you don't have an SSD. Also note that I included the line numbers so it is very clear that I didn't post the whole thing, but instead what I thought was relevant. Finally, I am loading modules that I don't even need, but what the hell... if it ain't broke, don't fix it
    Last edited by hunterthomson (2013-12-04 08:31:45)

  • Is there an Arch Linux equivalent of debconf?

    I have a debian based configuration that I roll out to clients using a scripted installation.  Essentially, the base system is imaged onto the box (currently RaspberryPi) then my script and an archive containing extra files I want to push is copied to the card.  The script runs and performs some automated tasks like downloading firmware, updating/upgrading packages and then installing the packages I need.  For some packages (e.g. mysql and phpmyadmin), I use debconf in order to set the answers to the installation questions  - this allows a completely unattended installation.  This script also works on a regular Debian system - I can pass parameters to switch off functionality that isn't required on a desktop (e.g. the RPi firmware update or HostAPD installation) and the same script can commission a dev environment for me to work on.
    I'm now looking to support other SBCs like the HummingBoard or perhaps the BananaPi which means I need to consider a platform that would work universally across any platform.  So, I am looking at the feasibility of Arch Linux.  From what I have read, it would probably suit my needs a lot better as it starts off as a very minimal installation.  However I'm struggling to find a definitive alternative to debconf for performing my unattended installation.
    My less preferred option would be to build an image by hand and then script the package updates, but this would put me in the realms of having to maintain images for each platform I end up supporting rather than having a script that would build the config on any supported system with latest packages.

    There is interaction:
    * you may be be prompted to OK removing package A and installing package B - happens when renaming packages via package conflicts e.g.
    :: lzo2 and lzo are in conflict. Remove lzo? [y/N]
    * you are asked to pick packages from a group or which one of the packages providing the thing you want to install, e.g. when installing libgl or phonon
    $ sudo pacman -S phonon
    resolving dependencies...
    :: There are 2 providers available for phonon-qt4-backend:
    :: Repository extra
    1) phonon-qt4-gstreamer 2) phonon-qt4-vlc
    Enter a number (default=1):

  • Trouble with a wired connection on my fresh Arch Linux Install

    I am a new Arch Linux user. I used to use Ubuntu exclusively, but I'm to the point where I can no longer stand a lot of the issues with the new development and Canonical. Anyways....
    I have a Dell Inspiron 1440 laptop with an RTL8110SC (Module R8169) Ethernet port. (Pardon me if my terminology is wrong; please correct me if it is so I can learn? ) During the install process with the CD that I made, I had no issues connecting to the Internet. However, whenever I boot into my install, there is no connection. I've tried pinging various web pages and nothing will happen. I know that my hardware is compatible, but I do not know what to do next. I've tried everything under the Wiki's Beginner's Guide and the Network Configuration Guide.
    I just realised after I wrote this top portion that it no longer is connecting via CD, either. Pinging is giving me errors about no packets being received.
    Please help me with this matter? I would love to start using Arch Linux!

    Ping is a very basic command that is fundamental to debugging networks at the lowest levels.
    ewaller@odin:~ 1002 %ping 8.8.8.8
    PING 8.8.8.8 (8.8.8.8) 56(84) bytes of data.
    64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=1 ttl=50 time=42.7 ms
    64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=2 ttl=50 time=36.7 ms
    64 bytes from 8.8.8.8: icmp_seq=3 ttl=50 time=36.8 ms
    ^C
    --- 8.8.8.8 ping statistics ---
    3 packets transmitted, 3 received, 0% packet loss, time 2003ms
    rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 36.721/38.782/42.768/2.819 ms
    ewaller@odin:~ 1003 %
    What we can tell so far..
    You have an Ethernet Interface.
    You have an Ethernet Address.
    You cannot look up domain names (bad)
    We are trying to see if you can see other computers if you know their address.  This will tell us if it is a DNS or a routing problem
    Last edited by ewaller (2012-10-26 22:58:32)

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