[Dockstar] Webcam driver module update?

[sambul13]

I've ArchLinux ARM installed on Seagate DockStar (ARM5) with v4l-utils 0.8.8-1 and gspca_zc3xx webcam driver v2.13.0 . The driver is installed as a kernel module:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', '[root@alarm ~]# modinfo gspca_zc3xx
{{bc|filename: /usr/lib/modules/3.1.10-12-ARCH/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_zc3xx.ko.gz
license: GPL
description: GSPCA ZC03xx/VC3xx USB Camera Driver
[root@alarm ~]# pacman -Qo /usr/lib/modules/3.1.10-12-ARCH/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_zc3xx.ko.gz
/usr/lib/modules/3.1.10-12-ARCH/kernel/drivers/media/video/gspca/gspca_zc3xx.ko.gz is owned by linux 3.1.10-12}}')

This driver version is outdated, it has a major bug: doesn't support correctly Auto Gain and Exposure controls in most webcams, like mine Logitech Quickcam Communicate STX. On its developer's site in Webcam GSPCA driver V4L version 2 section there is an updated version of this driver v2.15.18, and I found the thread gspca_zc3xx possible options in Mint lxde 12? stating the above issues were fixed in it, as tested with several webcam modules.

Can someone make an installable package for it and add it to ARM depository? Webcam Setup ArchLinux Wiki lists various drivers, but come very short on explaining how to install them or update already installed driver. I'm new to ArchLinux. Is there a Wiki on how to install or update any device drivers in it?

[WarheadsSE]

Since you have a dockstar, you could look into upgrading your uboot and using linux-kirkwood with is @ 3.5.2, maybe that will solve you problems.

[sambul13]

It actually might. But I modded the Dockstar and installed Uboot just a few weeks ago from Jeff Doozan's site. Not sure why older bootloader was installed, and it probably resulted in installing older ArchLinux ARM version from this site. If I install a newer Uboot, will it allow to boot my current ArchLinux version as well?

$this->bbcode_second_pass_code('', '[root@alarm ~]# uname -r
3.1.10-12-ARCH')

Not sure why that happen, unless 3.5.2 was added within the last 2-3 weeks. What should I do now - format the Thumb and reinstall the new system from scratch, and then install and configure all added by me packages all over again, or a less traumatic and time consuming upgrade is possible? Would numerous config file locations and content change, when upgrading the system? What version of gspca_zc3xx webcam driver is included with ArchLinux 3.5.2 ? If its not v2.15.17 or v2.15.18, it would still need to be updated...

[WarheadsSE]

See our github repository: PKGBUILDs

core/linux is targeted for Kirkwood devices, but stops as 3.1.10.
core/linux-kirkwood is targeted for Kirkwood devices, but requires that you have a recent version of the u-boot, thus it is not an automatic upgrade. Also, this change brings the package into line with the per-family package naming scheme we adpoted as we moved into other devices beyond the Kirkwood family.

U-boot does not dictate the version of the kernel, other than the necessity described above. In your case, you may have said up-to-date u-boot and thus can use the linux-kirkwood package already. I would suggest trying it on a spare USB drive prior to upgrading your primary system.

[sambul13]

I used wget http://projects.doozan.com/uboot/install_uboot_mtd0.sh from Jeff's site and was wondering at that time why the path is different on this site.

Is it possible for you to check, what version of gspca_zc3xx webcam driver is included with ArchLinux 3.5.2 ? If its not v2.15.17 or v2.15.18, it would still need to be updated...

Once ArchLinux ARM is installed, how it can be updated - just like regular ArchLinux by running pacman -Syu , or a different path must be set with pacman command? Also, when specific ARM packages are installed, what pacman command would look like?

[xenoxaos]

Here's the source from kernel 3.5.2

http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/g ... f423229f92

And then here's the commit history for zc3xxx.c in kernel 3.5.2

http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git;a=history;f=drivers/media/video/gspca/zc3xx.c;h=f0bacee33ef9a4e22c7876030c026468336df1d8;hb=28a33cbc24e4256c143dce96c7d93bf423229f92

Seeing as how we just patch mainline kernels for the kirkwood...if something is in the kernel...it's most likely in ours as well.

[sambul13]

Reading Package Management ARM Guide, it looks like there is no need to add ARM specific addresses to pacman queries, when upgrading or installing the system or packages. How in this case pacman knows, from what repository to download ARM specific upgrades?

[pepedog]

Mirrorlist is different
pacman.conf is different
(to x86 arch)

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('WarheadsSE', 'S')ince you have a dockstar, you could look into upgrading your uboot and using linux-kirkwood with is @ 3.5.2, maybe that will solve you problems.

[sambul13]

Without fiddling with Uboot config, upgraded to Arch 3.5.2 on the same thumb. It seems stable and works well, no previous configs were touched, they still work. Also upgraded all modules and apps. But the newer webcam driver is now maintained by a different developer, he changed its structure, and probably broken something in the process, so Auto Gain is now switched Off, and low light pictures are bad. Is it possible to revert back to the previous driver version without downgrading the system?