So rather than go to bed like I should have done, I went and mounted my SD card as /home on my #Pinephone. I followed the instructions from the #Mobian wiki to the letter.
It works... Except I don't have read/write permissions on any file. I get asked my password for any action, including opening a music file from the Files manager. 🤦♀️
Managing permissions from the terminal is my Achilles' heel. Any advice anybody? 😢
Thanks. Will go to bed now...
Out of interest tried it and couldn't replicate your problem. Well, didn't follow the wiki to the letter, because my card had already been formated using ext2, but that shouldn't make a difference...
If you look at the screenshot and at your phone, do you find any differences?
@chrichri
Thanks, I have the same permissions on standard folders. Where the problem persists now is in the files I copied from my desktop PC, they're set as root...
Do you want to correct that problem ones only or are you looking for a solution to avoid it in the future?
@chrichri
I had only copied two albums as a test. I actually want to copy all my music library, and quite possibly a lot of pictures. So yeah, I would like to avoid this problem in the future. Thanks!
From what I know now I cannot really grab your problem. Keeping speculating wouldn't help to improve the situation, especially not the overall situation.
I looked at the mobian-wiki troubleshooting page and didn't find anything that would help you. There should be some basic things written down. I registered and I'm willing to write them for you and for anybody else running into problems.
I'm slow (working, father, engaged with some projects). If you don't care, we'll get there.
Your part would be to try and test what I write from your perspective to improve it and make it usable for non-developers and non-sysadmins.
I'd try to explain and - if my options are not sufficient - get some help elsewhere.
Protocol could be:
- Matrix: Discussing, which steps might help you.
- Wiki: Writing something to explain how to get it done.
- Matrix or Wiki: Suggestions, improvements, questions.
- If problem persists: start over.
Deal?
@chrichri
Thanks for the offer. I'm willing to test things, but FYI I am now really leaning toward getting the 3GB/32GB mainboard for BH and UBports CE owners. I'll probably pull the trigger over the weekend.
Do you think there's a way to troubleshoot/analyze the SD card slot to confirm it's defective?
Since @PINE64 only have a 30-day warranty and I've had my #Pinephone for 5 months, I know I couldn't ask for a replacement. And I really need a reliable SD card reader in my phone.
@chrichri
Uh, just noticed the @mobian wiki is powered by Dokuwiki. Surprised it's not based on git as it is all the rage among devs now!
I was a Ubuntu-fr.org wiki contributor and admin (not the one actually maintaining it though) for a short time about 10 years ago, and it ran (and still runs) on Dokuwiki.
Diagnosing your sdcard slot is tricky I'd say. I wouldn't know a way to exclude the possibility of a software error leading to what you see.
I would try, but I'm not the right person to help someone doing that.
I had problems with my UBPorts mainboard also and exchanged it for the newer version with more ram and with a working usb-c connector.
I'm happy I can play with convergence now and I can share that I didn't regret getting the upgrade offer.
@chrichri @PINE64
I too was thinking the mainboard upgrade would get me working convergence. While I'm at it, I might as well add the serial console cable from PINE64. Just wish that the batteries were back in stock.
The reason I still haven't made the purchase is I'm worried I'll get gouged again by DHL shipping with customs fees. I was charged $80CAD for my Pinephone (50€ / $60USD). 🤬
Would you know of a USB-C docking bar you can recommend?
A friend of mine mentioned Lycander (because they can provide up to 60W for charging through USB-C) and I bought this one: https://www.lycander.jp/store/products/305710
I tested it on the #pinephone and it works, but I don't know, yet, whether it is stable. There appear to be issues sometimes that generate a lot of dmesg (didn't look into it).
Ethernet, HDMI, USB-ports work as expected. Charging also.
Well, removed my sdcard (containing /home) also and got the same result: #mobian not booting on my #pinephone.
Would be nice to make a mount fail during boot more graceful in #mobian.
But anyway, not all hope is lost. You need a serial connection if you're sure your phone does not boot from another sdcard anymore.
@chrichri
> You need a serial connection if you're sure your phone does not boot from another sdcard anymore.
Do you mean something like this?
https://pine64.com/product/pinebook-pinephone-pinetab-serial-console/?v=0446c16e2e66
Yep, I mean that one and using the one dip switch to activate serial instead of headphones.
The wiki explains that you need not to buy the item from @PINE64 , but you can easily use an appropriate usb-serial with an adaptor cable.
I made mine from an usb-serial I already had to program esp8266.
https://wiki.pine64.org/index.php?title=PinePhone#Serial_console
@chrichri
I didn't remove the card because I feared it wouldn't be detected again. Which is what ultimately happened even while leaving it in the phone.
I think my #Pinephone is bricked now. My home partition is on an undetected SD card which seems to prevent #Mobian from booting; I can't boot a different OS from another SD card; I have no way to access the system to revert the change to /etc/fstab...
☹️