[Linux] install HOW TO XBMC for Zotac ION
#1
First, this is information intended for the linux-challenged (like me). It's information culled from reading XBMC forums. It really helped me get my Zotac ION up-and-running and hopefully it will help others. If this guide is deemed unnecessary or I make a mistake, I apologize in advance.

You DO need at least 2 GB of ram (you'll see why below) for XBMC in linux on this and a SATA HD.

Before you get started, I'd suggest having putty and winscp installed on a different (windows) machine -- it doesn't have to be windows, but I don't know what apps to use for Mac OS and if you're already a linux user, you probably already have your favorite ssh tools). They're free.

1. In the bios, change the ram dedicated to the video card from 256 MB to 512 MB. You need to have 2 GB ram installed in order to do this.
2. Download XBMC Live. burn it to CD.
3. boot from XBMC live CD. When the options menu come up, select "install XBMC to disk". You're going to install it to a fixed disk (so when it asks if you should not treat the disk as a fixed disk, tell it not to do that). WARNING: this will wipe the target hard drive, so make sure that's what you want to do. When it asks you to choose a unix password, choose: xbmc
4. Once XBMC is installed to the hard drive, eject the CD and let the system reboot.
5. Once XBMC comes up on the screen highlight the "Settings" option (use keyboard arrows to move the selections), and get the IP assigned to your Zotac. Go to the computer that has putty and winspc installed.
6. Run putty using the IP address you found in step 5. User UserID and Password: xbmc
7. run the following command: sudo passwd root
choose a password for root. confirm password.
8. stay in Putty and do the commands below. You'll have to reconnect Putty to the Zotac after every reboot you do as part of the process (right-click on the title bar and choose "Restart Connection" and log in again)

I did the following to update XBMC to the latest SVN:
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xbmc.org.list

Copy-paste the following to the end of the list (little tip: in putty, you can right click to paste)

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-svn/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-svn/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

--
Ctrl + X, Y, Enter to save changes

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 64234534

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get install xbmc
sudo reboot

I did the following to update the latest NVIDIA drivers:
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list #copy-paste the following to the end of the list

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/nvidia-vdpau/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/nvidia-vdpau/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

---
Ctrl + X, Y, Enter to save changes

sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 71609D4D2F1518FA9C5DC0FB1DABDBB4CEC06767

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-generic nvidia-glx-185
sudo reboot

sudo apt-get install build-essential cdbs fakeroot dh-make debhelper debconf libstdc++5 dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)

sudo reboot

9. Open winscp and connect to the Zotac as the ROOT user you created in step 7.
10. Find the folder .xbmc under home/xbmc and right-click on it and choose "Properties". In the "octal" box there are 4 numbers. Change them to 0777 and save. This will allow all users to access this folder (which is important if you want to install plugins and such later on).
11. Open boot/grub/menu.list and append the following to your kernel loading line in grub (/boot/grub/menu.lst). Then save it.

usbcore.autosuspend=-1

for example ..

kernel /boot/vmlinuz-<version> root=UUID=<some-uuid> ro quiet splash usbcore.autosuspend=-1

You might as well change "timeout" from 5 to 0 and save.

12. Still in winscp and still logged in as root go to etc/x11/xorg.conf
Add the following line under "Section Device"

Option "HWCursor" "Off"

Save and reboot your Zotac

----

Again, I hope this helps others with the Zotac board. It took me a month of trial-and-error (and XBMC forums, of course) to get my setup running smooth. I documented the process for my own good. Maybe it'll benefit others.
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#2
Hey there, great guide - however your first two links don't work. An update would be very much appreciated!
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#3
Hello and thanks for your How.-To!

I got some problems with the graphic driver. There were conflicts with the xserver. I installed the latest ion driver from the nvidia homepage on

http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux_displ...18.36.html

After that the nvidia graphic works.
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#4
New to HTPC.
Does your setup support 1080p playback ?
how about blu-ray support ?
thansk !
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#5
Please use the search button before posting, both questions are common and readily answered.
hospitalityusa Wrote:New to HTPC.
Does your setup support 1080p playback ?
Of course.
Quote:how about blu-ray support ?
Not on linux, currently.
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#6
kbrookes Wrote:Hey there, great guide - however your first two links don't work. An update would be very much appreciated!

Links updated. I forgot to uncheck "parse links" when I originally posted.

Thanks for pointing it out!
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#7
Thank's for the guide.
Everything went smooth until I try to install the NVIDIA drivers.

"
Hit http://it.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-backports/multiverse Packages
Hit http://it.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-backports/restricted Packages
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
"
I run the 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' but as a Linux newbe I'm now stuck.

What went wrong?
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#8
Thanks so much for this guide, I just setup a Zotac ION A-U and you saved me a ton of time!
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#9
Worked for me too. Thanks!
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#10
I did the walk-through and everything seems to be work except HDMI audio. I wonder if I am missing something.

Things I have tried:
1) Went into AlsaMixer to try to unmute HDMI audio, but I did not see anything for HDMI. Just IEC958, IEC958 D, IEC958 1 which all had a little green infinity sign above them.

2) Went into XBMC and fiddled with Settings>System>Audio Hardware.
- Audio output: digital
- Dolby Digital: off
- DTS: off
- Audio output device: tried everything. (hdmi, plug:hdmi, plughw:0,3, IEC958, IEC958 D, IEC958 1)
- Passthrough output device: tried everthing (hdmi, IEC958, IEC958 D, IEC958 1)
- Downmix: on
Do the changes occur on the fly or do you have to restart after changing them? I tried both with no luck.

I'm stumped. Any suggestions? Thanks!
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#11
Settings>System>Audio Hardware.
- Audio output: digital
- Dolby Digital: off
- DTS: off
- Audio output device: hdmi
- Passthrough output device: hdmi
- Downmix: on

I guess you have to play a media file in order for xbmc to apply new audio settings.

System clicks are not working though.
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#12
Quote:Just IEC958, IEC958 D, IEC958 1
Are you sure there is not a 4th one if you scroll to the right?
(On asrock ION 330 there is 4....)
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#13
utsmostdumbest Wrote:Settings>System>Audio Hardware.

System clicks are not working though.

FYI system clicks don't work for me either. Not that I miss them...
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#14
JoBi Wrote:Thank's for the guide.
Everything went smooth until I try to install the NVIDIA drivers.

"
Hit http://it.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-backports/multiverse Packages
Hit http://it.archive.ubuntu.com jaunty-backports/restricted Packages
E: dpkg was interrupted, you must manually run 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' to correct the problem.
"
I run the 'sudo dpkg --configure -a' but as a Linux newbe I'm now stuck.

What went wrong?

Sorry, I didn't run into this issue at all, and all I know about linux (VERY little) was learned from this board. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can chime in.
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#15
Hi

What about the wireless card?

I can't use it... How can I configure the wireless of the zotac ion?

Thanks
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[Linux] install HOW TO XBMC for Zotac ION0