Xubuntu not recognising my Archos 605

Linux Support
1

I can’t get my Sony Vaio (512mb) Xubuntu to recognise my Archos 605. Any suggestions?

2

What are you trying to do ? … do you mean it doesn’t recognise it as a mass storage device ? … does any other Linux distro work with it ? … how ?

3

Cut and paste video and podcasts etc. It does not recognise it as a mass storage device.

4

Which kernel is Xubuntu using ?

uname -a

to find out.

Reason I ask, is that there seems to have been a regression in some of the 2.6.38 kernels that affects Archos’s (and other USB devices)… that causes them to be recognised, but immediately be disconnected… see here:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/763227

The answer appears to be to wait and see if it’s fixed, or change to a different kernel… there are links to the 2.6.39-rc4 kernel (for natty) which is supposed to work with the Archos etc. here:
http://ubuntuguide.net/how-to-install-linux-kernel-2-6-39-rc4-in-ubuntu-11-04-natty

or you can find the other kernels here:
http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/

Instruction on how to add the kernel:PPA and upgrade your kernel to 2.6.39 can be found below.

5

uname -a
Linux toonman-VGN-S4Z-S 2.6.38-8-generic #42-Ubuntu SMP Mon Apr 11 03:31:50 UTC 2011 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

Yep. I’m having problems with other mass storage devices too.

6

OK, I’ve just installed 2.6.39 in Natty and so far have seen no issues… although I’ve only just done it.

Instructions (for 11.04)

  1. Install the ppa-purge package (to make removal easier if necessary):
sudo apt-get install ppa-purge
  1. Add the kernel ppa:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kernel-ppa/ppa
  1. Update apt:
sudo apt-get update
  1. Check available kernels with the command:
apt-cache showpkg linux-image

linux-image-2.6.39-0-generic should be in list.

  1. Run this command to install kernel 2.6.39.0:
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-2.6.39-0 linux-headers-2.6.39-0-generic linux-image-2.6.39-0-generic --fix-missing

  1. When the above command completes… REBOOT.

  2. Check you are running 2.6.39 with:

uname -a

8.) Test your Archos.

Any problems, use the Shift key at boot time and select the earlier 2.6.38 kernel to boot… it will still be there under “Earlier Linux Versions”.

7

Sorted. Thanks very much. :slight_smile:

8

Is the Archos recognised now ?

It would also be interesting to know if 2.6.39 fixed your other USB mass storage device problems.

9

Yes it works and so do all of my mass storage devices. Thanks.

The system seems ‘snapier’ too. Windows open and close much sweeter than before the upgrade or am I just imagining it?

10

Well if it’s your imagination, it’s catching… mine seems snappier too :slight_smile: … It certainly seems to boot faster.

Oddly enough, I was wondering if it was my imagination :wink:

11

Yes. It’s better. I was considering installing Ubuntu 10.04 instead as it was ‘dragging’. Now however it’s much slicker.

Thanks again. :slight_smile: