The Archos 5 IT (Generation 7) Internet Tablet represented a significant step in the evolution of portable media players and early tablets. For developers and enthusiasts eager to explore the device’s potential beyond its stock capabilities, Archos provided a Special Developer Edition (SDE) firmware. This article provides an informative overview of the Archos 5 IT (Generation 7) Internet Tablet SDE firmware, its purpose, limitations, and installation process, drawing from the original Archos documentation.
Understanding the SDE Firmware
The Special Developer Edition (SDE) firmware for the Archos 5 IT (Generation 7) Internet Tablet was explicitly designed as a proof-of-concept software for experienced software developers. It was not intended as a commercial-grade release for general users. The primary objective of this SDE firmware was to open up the device’s underlying system, providing developers with a platform to build native applications on a standard Linux base.
Key Characteristics of the SDE Firmware:
- Developer-Focused: The SDE firmware targeted individuals with a strong understanding of software development and embedded systems.
- Proof-of-Concept: It served as a demonstration of the device’s capabilities for custom software development.
- Linux-Based: It provided a standard Linux environment, allowing developers to leverage familiar tools and libraries.
- No Multimedia Software: A critical distinction was the absence of Archos’s proprietary multimedia software suite, which was a core component of the standard commercial firmware. This meant that the SDE firmware was not suitable for everyday media playback without significant additional development effort.
The Foundation: Ångström Distribution
The SDE firmwares for Archos Generations 6, 7, and 8 were built upon the Ångström distribution (https://www.angstrom-distribution.org/). Ångström was a lightweight Linux distribution specifically designed for embedded devices. The Archos SDE firmware utilized a customized Open Embedded build system (https://wiki.openembedded.net/index.php/Main_Page) to tailor the Ångström distribution for the Archos 5 IT (Generation 7) Internet Tablet hardware. This approach provided developers with a solid and well-documented base for their projects.
Generation 9 SDE Firmware: A Different Approach
It’s important to note that the Generation 9 SDE firmware took a different approach. Instead of providing a full system image, it served as an enabler, allowing developers to flash a custom kernel or install a new system image through the Archos recovery mode. The SDE firmware itself consisted of a minimal Linux kernel that displayed a logo and then rebooted the device. Further details on this can be found at: https://gitorious.org/archos/archos-gpl-gen9/blobs/master/Readme_SDE.txt. However, this information is not relevant to the Archos 5 IT (Generation 7) Internet Tablet since it is a Generation 7 device.
Important Considerations for ARCHOS 5/7 IMT (Generation 6) Users
The original Archos documentation included specific notices for users of the ARCHOS 5/7 IMT (Generation 6) devices. While these notices are specific to those devices, they highlight the general risks and considerations associated with installing SDE firmware:
- Warranty: Installing SDE firmware could void the device’s warranty.
- Data Loss: The installation process typically involved wiping the device’s internal storage, resulting in the loss of all user data.
- Potential Instability: SDE firmware was not as thoroughly tested as commercial releases and might contain bugs or compatibility issues.
- Technical Expertise Required: Successful installation and use of the SDE firmware required a certain level of technical skill and familiarity with Linux systems.
Restoring the Legacy ARCHOS Firmware
One of the most crucial aspects of working with SDE firmware was the ability to revert to the original Archos firmware. The process for restoring the legacy firmware involved accessing the device’s recovery menu.
Recovery Mode Procedure:
- Power Off: Ensure the device is completely powered off.
- Enter Recovery: Power on the device while simultaneously pressing the ‘volume down’ button. This should boot the device into the recovery menu.
- Navigate Menu: Use the ‘volume up’ and ‘volume down’ buttons to navigate through the menu options.
- Select "Repair Disk": Locate and select the "repair disk" option. Confirm the selection with a short press on the power button.
- Connect to PC: Connect the device to a PC using a USB cable. The device should be recognized as a mass storage device.
- Upload Firmware: Copy the legacy .aos firmware file to the device’s internal storage.
- Initiate Installation: Once the firmware file has been uploaded, press the power button again to launch the installation process.
This process would overwrite the SDE firmware and restore the device to its original factory state. It is essential to have a backup of the original .aos firmware file before attempting to install any SDE firmware.
Conclusion
The Archos 5 IT (Generation 7) Internet Tablet SDE firmware provided a valuable resource for developers looking to explore the device’s potential beyond its standard functionality. While it required a certain level of technical expertise and came with inherent risks, it offered a platform for creating custom applications and extending the device’s capabilities. Understanding the purpose, limitations, and installation process of the SDE firmware was crucial for anyone considering venturing into custom development on the Archos 5 IT (Generation 7) Internet Tablet. Always remember to proceed with caution, back up your data, and ensure you have the necessary technical skills before attempting to install any custom firmware.
Remember that these SDE firmwares do not contain any of the legacy ARCHOS multimedia software.
Finally, while I cannot provide the original Archos driver download link, you can find the device drivers and support files on other websites, such as Softpedia. https://drivers.softpedia.com/get/Other-Drivers/Others/Archos-5-Internet-Tablet-Driver-2-1-for-Windows-XP-Vista-7.shtml Please note that these Special Developer Edition (SDE) firmwares provided in
this section consists of a proof-of-concept software intended for experienced
software developers only.
It is not to be considered a commercial grade release.
The goal of these releases is to open up :
and provide a starting point for people interested in building native
applications on a standard Linux base.
Remarks:
These SDE firmwares do not contain any of the legacy ARCHOS multimedia
software.
Generations 6, 7, 8 SDE firmwares are based on the Ångström distribution
(https://www.angstrom-distribution.org/) generated from a customized open
embedded build (https://wiki.openembedded.net/index.php/Main_Page).
Generation 9 SDE firmware consists only in an enabler for being able to flash
a kernel or install a new system image through Archos recovery. Note that no
real system image (e.g. Ångström distribution) is provided in this SDE firmware,
there is only a small Linux kernel that display a logo on the screen and then
reboots. (see
https://gitorious.org/archos/archos-gpl-gen9/blobs/master/Readme_SDE.txt)
ARCHOS 5/7 IMT (Generation 6) only:
Important notices to be acknowledged before downloading and installing the
SDE firmware:
The process for restoring the legacy ARCHOS firmware is done by accessing the
recovery menu. The recovery is triggered by powering on the device while
pressing the ‘volume down’ button. In order to install the new firmware, the
"repair disk" option needs to be selected by navigating up and down the items
with the ‘volume up’ and ‘volume down’ buttons and then executing the selection
with a short press on the power button. Once in this mode, the device can be
connected to a PC and will act as a mass storage device where the legacy .aos
firmware file can be uploaded. Once this step is done, press on the power button
again to launch the installation process.