N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

I've read LOTS here about USB Host mode, which many have said is a topic beat to death, but I tried many of the things mentioned here, but no luck with anything USB related. Seems like everything needed to make the USB go into host mode either requires .deb's, Python and compiling, or red Pill mode (RD) and similar, but I've tried following some of the threads and still no luck, and I work with electronics, computers and tech all day long. Just not familiar with Linux and I've searched a lot and spent a lot of time reading before posting here.

Can somebody point me to some threads that I can follow that lead all the way through the process, rather than just "load Python, set routes and go" kind of shortcut instructions for GNU/Linux wizards, and that don't require flashing?

BTW, tried loading Python 2.5 runtime from Maemo, so I could install USBCONTROL deb, but no luck again, always said it was missing files. Still wading through cryptic threads about how to get it loaded. I apologize in advance if this is the millionth post about this. Thanks for your help.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Python used to be simple to install but they changed something about how it was packaged, thus it can be confusing now. Anyways, the easiest way to do this should be by just going into Application Manager, click "menu -> tools -> catalogs...", hilight maemo extras, hit edit, uncheck "Disabled:" and have it update it's list. Now click "installable applications" (or whatever it's called), pick "All" for the category, and scroll down to usbcontrol, tap it and click Install. If that doesn't work come back here and tell me *exactly* what error it gives you and what it says under "menu -> tool -> Log..." (I think it's under tools...).

Good luck. Tell me if you need me to clarify something.

-John

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

I have the same problem with you.Thanks for John's help:)
useful!

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

I've had no problems using USBControl on my N800 connecting to usb sticks, external HD (Mains Powered) and nokia n73 & N95 mobile phones.

When i intilially installed USBControl I had a few problems with it recognising thing, but I worked out its best to:-

1. Open USBControl
2. Click on HOST
3. Now Connect USB Device (If mains powered, ensure powered on before connecting)

If I try to connect the USB decice first and then run USBControl it only works now and then, but most of the time never.

Again, I've been lucky with Python2.5, installed from the repos and update via the xterm, 'sudo gainroot' & 'apt-get upgrade' method.

Oh, out of interest, what files does it say are missing when you try to install Runtime? Can you not just install the missing files from Xterm?

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Thanks Johnx! :)

I did just what you said and sure enough there was USBCONTROL and lo and behold, the 5.3Mb app loaded and installed just fine. I could swear USBCONTROL app was not in the catalog before I went to download it the other day.

Anyway, I rebooted, set USBcontrol to Host mode and excitedly plugged in the USB cable, then the FEM A<->Fem A adapter and plugged in the USB2 2Gb SanDisk thumbdrive.

The 810 gave a message:

" USB Device Not Supported" then a popup "Unable to connect. Device not supported"

The USB Control dialog reported:

USB CONTROLLER MODE: a_wait_vrise


Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0781:a7c1 SanDisk Corp
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000


I tried OTG mode and no error message but File Manager doesn't see it. USBCONTROl reports in it's dialog:

USB CONTROLLER MODE: b_idle

Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0781:a7c1 SanDisk Corp
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000



Just for the heck of it Periperal Mode listed:

USB CONTROLLER MODE: b_idle

Bus 001 Device 005: ID 0781:a7c1 SanDisk Corp
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000


So, it doesn't see the thumbdrive I have so far... any suggestions?

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Well this is my last day of borrowing an N810 from a friend for evaluation, he wants it back. I can't make it see my thumbdrive SD card reader, which I need for the trip I am taking to Europe in June. I may have to give up and look at a Eee PC instead, since it supports SD native and will do eveything the N810 will do, just a bit bigger. I sure liked the N810, but it seems to take too much fussing with to do even simple things. A true geek-with-plenty-of-spare-time toy. Hey I'm a geek too, but with not enough spare time for the N810 right now. Thanks again for the help.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

That's actually normal. It will say it's not supported, but it really is. Check in File manager and it should appear. Hopefully you have a chance to read this before you have to return the N810. :D

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Tried it a few one more times, even with reboots in between, verified host mode, before I returned it. No luck. :confused:

Same errors "USB device not supported" and later the popup "Unable to connect, Device not supported."

This was the USBCONTROL dialog.


USB CONTROLLER MODE: a_host

Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0781:a7c1 SanDisk Corp
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000

File Manager did not see it, did not create a new drive or folder that I could locate, tried it a bunch of times.

Refreshed USBCONTROL then tried a different micro-thumb drive and got:

USB CONTROLLER MODE: a_host

Bus 001 Device 006: ID 058f:6331 Alcor Micro Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 0000:0000

File Manager did not see it again.

All I can do for now. I'll have to decide which gadget to buy. Thanks again for your efforts.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

As a guess I would suggest that you have nothing wrong, it's simply that the USB device is not low enough power to be driven by the N810. In host mode and with a valid USB storage device, the file manager will start automatically and you will see the device reported at the bottom of the list.

I know these card readers work that I posted some time back (see second post), They are multi readers and work with at least 16gb SDHC cards.

http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ht=dealextreme

I am still looking for a single SDHC card reader that will work (I've tried 5 different types so far with no sucess)

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Like dfinch mentioned, it is entirely likely you have a USB stick that requires just a *little* too much power. You can try pluging in a powered USB hub and using that to supply power to the stick and plug the tablet into the host side. Not exactly portable but would verify that is the problem.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

I may have a chance to borrow it again and try it, but if it can't support even the super-small microSD thumb drive, about as low power as it gets, directly, it may not be a good solution for me. I don't want to have to pack around a powered USB hub -- but I will try your test again if I get a chance.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Some USB devices just take more power for no good reason. I have a 2GB flash drive and a 4GB flash drive. Guess which one wants too much power to work right with my N800? the 2GB drive. I also have an extensions cable that appears to have a high enough resistance that it causes devices that normally work with my N800 to fail. The N8x0s are pretty picky about what they work with, but when things work they seem pretty reliable.

-John

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

One thing to consider is that an n810 plus small powered hub may still be smaller than an EEE.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Thanks Johnx and rbrewer123, yes I had considered that too. I took a good hard look at the EeePC's and frankly they are too big for what I consider really lightweight communications.

I am going to take the plunge and buy a N810, since they are ~$400 online right now, with the WiMAX version coming out who knows when -- I can't wait, since my Euro motorcycle trip starts in June. I'll pony up for a 8Gb MicroSD in MiniSD carrier and forget my existing Extreme III 8Gb SD cards/reader unless I get a very small powered hub. Any suggestions there?

Be nice if Nokia would use a new Atom processor, way more speed and maybe they would have enough power left over to run a USB thumbdrive http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/lol8.gif

Like Arnold said "Ah'll be back!"

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

forget atom, one will get just as much omph oouth of cortex variant ARM's...
and with a lesser power drain ;)

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

if you need to read SD card.. why not get the N800,
it's cheaper than the N810, and it's native to SD and SDHC?

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Thanks for the suggestion. I wanted the mini keyboard so I just bought the N810. I also bought a 8Gb Micro SDHC to MiniSD carrier setup and that will handle my needs for now. I'll still mess around with trying to get the USB part working when I get my new one.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

well igo bluetooth keyboard work with N800 and provide the keyboard when you needed for a mere $59 bucks or less from amazon.
just another thought.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

I came close tonight... the SanDisk MicroMate SDHC reader. It *almost* works. I can set the N810 to host mode (my USB key won't do that) and it gives me the standard unsupported device message. I used the microSDHC card I had in the device inside the reader so I knew it was good. However, the nokia complained about the card not having a file system. (it's VFAT).

My *guess* is that the LED indicator light on the device is a reasonable indicator that it draws too much power. My USB key has a big blue light.

I'm going to try a few cheaper USB key types and see if I can find one that lacks that feature. All I need is a 4GB key that can hold a few hours of transcoded movies and music.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

I have one of these blue egg-shaped readers that work fine with my N800...
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-2-0-MINI-MIC...QQcmdZViewItem

Note: This is NOT the same seller or exact type I have, but looks identical to the one I have. My card reader also can read SDHC cards. YMMV.

EDIT: I just found link to another one that looks EXACTLY the same as the one I have. I edited the link above.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

This one look just like one I have (different colour) which will not work on my N810. I wonder if the N800 supplies more power than the N810? Anyway, my reader has a largish LED and I suspect this tips the balance of power.

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

I have two of these (came with the 16Gb cards) but they did not work. I have come to the same conclusion about the LED power draw.

The only reader I have that works (multi card reader) has a tiny green LED (surface mount) that only lights when reading the card.

I wonder if the LED can be removed and the reading circuit still function correctly? Perhaps it could be replaced with a standard diode? Anyone know?

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Any way to make this work in os2007?

Re: N810 for travel - need USB for thumbdrive
 

Looks just like... You're right there are many of these that looks very similar. In my case the few points that distinguish mine from most are:
- The text and USB logo orientation
- Keychain hole at the end
- Crystal oscillator chip location
- Card holder and especially the small press down clip/spring
- LED size/type

Most I see on ebay do not have the keychain hole...

Another note about the LED power consumption. If it is a typical LED it does not take more than ~10mA, likely less, of current, thus removing it will make only very minor difference.

Third, I also have Sandisk MobileMate reader (fits only MicroSD), and it does not work with my N800. The MobileMate reader does not seem to contain any electronics, so the power consumption can not be the reason for it not to work.