Rockbox Technical Forums

Installation / Removal => Manual Installation => Apple - Installation/Removal => Topic started by: ground_sniper on April 03, 2008, 11:17:16 PM

Title: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 03, 2008, 11:17:16 PM
Hello, I've been working on this for about 3 hours now.  I'm running a 5gen Video iPod 30gb model, I used to run Rockbox but my hard drive failed so I've been trying to reinstall it all night. I have a bootloader up and running but rockbox keeps giving me a 'no .rockbox directory; installation incomplete' I've tried manual installations as well as the rockbox utility.  

I've also tried several different builds of rockbox and I keep getting the same error.  the .rockbox directory is in the root of my iPod's hard drive and hell, rockbox even loads (it won't load the database or anything) so I'm assuming something else is to blame here.  Can anyone help me out with this?  At the moment I am using a rockbox build from
Code: [Select]
http://home.centurytel.net/tdtooke/rockbox32.zipI followed a tutorial posted a while back for my old iPod hard drive and it worked flawlessly however, I can't follow the tutorial exactly anymore (I switched from Fedora back to Windows) here's a link to the tutorial
Code: [Select]
http://mikesubuntu.blogspot.com/2007/10/how-to-install-rockbox-and-extras-on.html
Oh, and for the flamers, I've been googling this all night, and nothing has helped me so far.    Thanks for taking time to read this long post guys!
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: saratoga on April 03, 2008, 11:19:32 PM
We don't support anything but the official rockbox build and the instructions in the manual.  If you want to use something else, you'll need to ask whoever made it for support.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 04, 2008, 04:05:52 AM
We don't support anything but the official rockbox build and the instructions in the manual.  If you want to use something else, you'll need to ask whoever made it for support.
Well, as my post said, I've tried several of the rockbox builds including the ones found on this site, both current and old builds for the iPod video.  Along with your sites rockbox utility.  I've also tried several of the bootloaders.  The rockbox bootloader doesn't even load rockbox up it just says that the file rockbox.ipod can't be found (even though it's in the right place) the ipodloader2 boots rockbox however (boots into a non-usable state as stated)
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: pixelma on April 04, 2008, 04:45:04 AM
The rockbox bootloader doesn't even load rockbox up it just says that the file rockbox.ipod can't be found (even though it's in the right place) the ipodloader2 boots rockbox however (boots into a non-usable state as stated)
If you followed the tutorial you linked to, you don't have the rockbox.ipod in the right place.

I just had a quick look (and already had the suspicion) and found that "Step 3" is wrong. The correct place for the rockbox.ipod file is in the .rockbox folder for a while now. This is how it comes in the build zip, you are not supposed to move anything. Why should it be offered in a different way?

P.S: This is how it is needed for the official rockbox bootloader. I have no idea how the ipolinux one works so if you have questions regarding this you really need to ask over there... I don't need to know something about it since I don't even have an Ipod...
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 05, 2008, 08:12:34 AM
The rockbox bootloader doesn't even load rockbox up it just says that the file rockbox.ipod can't be found (even though it's in the right place) the ipodloader2 boots rockbox however (boots into a non-usable state as stated)
If you followed the tutorial you linked to, you don't have the rockbox.ipod in the right place.

I just had a quick look (and already had the suspicion) and found that "Step 3" is wrong. The correct place for the rockbox.ipod file is in the .rockbox folder for a while now. This is how it comes in the build zip, you are not supposed to move anything. Why should it be offered in a different way?

P.S: This is how it is needed for the official rockbox bootloader. I have no idea how the ipolinux one works so if you have questions regarding this you really need to ask over there... I don't need to know something about it since I don't even have an Ipod...

I've used the official bootloader as well, but when I use it (with rockbox.ipod in the right place) it won't even boot rockbox at all, just displays that rockbox.ipod cannot start and that it cannot be found even though it is in the correct spot.  Thanks for your help though.  Hopefully I can get this resolved!
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: AlexP on April 05, 2008, 08:34:19 AM
What is the partition structure of your iPod?
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: soap on April 05, 2008, 10:18:25 AM
... rockbox even loads (it won't load the database or anything) so I'm assuming something else is to blame here.
Regarding this point, and only this specific aspect of your problems.  Rockbox loading but "things" not working right suggests a mismatched .rockbox directory and rockbox.ipod file.
This would be as the result of having extracted two builds, one which placed an old .ipod file in root, and a newer one which placed an .ipod file in the .rockbox directory.

Let us start by removing all traces of rockbox, removing the IpodLinux loader, restoring back to stock Apple bootloader, and following the manual install instructions from the manual - no RBUtil for now.
In that order, no skipping step.
 ;)
ASSuming your partition layout is stock, FAT32.

Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 06, 2008, 12:49:55 AM
Regarding this point, and only this specific aspect of your problems.  Rockbox loading but "things" not working right suggests a mismatched .rockbox directory and rockbox.ipod file.
This would be as the result of having extracted two builds, one which placed an old .ipod file in root, and a newer one which placed an .ipod file in the .rockbox directory.

Let us start by removing all traces of rockbox, removing the IpodLinux loader, restoring back to stock Apple bootloader, and following the manual install instructions from the manual - no RBUtil for now.
In that order, no skipping step.
 ;)
ASSuming your partition layout is stock, FAT32.

Alright, I did all that, still no dice.  (I also have a freshly formatted FAT32)
Here's the bootloaders output
Code: [Select]
Rockbox boot loader
Version:2.0
IPOD version: 0xFFFFFFFF
TOSHIBA MK3008GAL
Partition 1: 0x0B 7130 MB
Loading Rockbox...
Error!
Can't load rockbox.ipod:
File not found
Hold Menu+Select to reboot
than Select+Play for disk mode

the .rockbox directory is in the root of the drive so I know it's in the right place.  I also made sure I used the video iPod 30 gb rockbox build
Code: [Select]
http://build.rockbox.org/dist/build-ipodvideo/rockbox.zip
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: bluebrother on April 06, 2008, 05:11:37 AM
something is really strange with your partitioning -- the bootloader shows the data partition with 7130MB size, but on a 30GB Ipod this should be somewhat bigger ... also, I'm wondering why the Ipod version is reported as 0xffffffff.

How did you install the bootloader? Using ipodpatcher as the manual installation instructions in the manual tell? Was there anything strange in the output when running ipodpatcher?
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: AlexP on April 06, 2008, 07:38:20 AM
I repeat:

What is the partition structure of your iPod?
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 06, 2008, 09:24:58 AM
What is the partition structure of your iPod?

As I Stated in my last post it's a FAT32 freshly formatted.

something is really strange with your partitioning -- the bootloader shows the data partition with 7130MB size, but on a 30GB Ipod this should be somewhat bigger ... also, I'm wondering why the Ipod version is reported as 0xffffffff.

How did you install the bootloader? Using ipodpatcher as the manual installation instructions in the manual tell? Was there anything strange in the output when running ipodpatcher?
I Was thinking something was way off on the data partition output as well.  I installed the bootloader with the ipodpatcher and there was no strange output. What firmware do you guys recommend for using on the iPod video?  I'm using one about a year and a half old...
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: AlexP on April 06, 2008, 09:34:50 AM
What is the partition structure of your iPod?

As I Stated in my last post it's a FAT32 freshly formatted.

No, I don't mean the file system type, I mean the partition structure - the layout of the partition table.  Could you post that for us?

What OS are you on?
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 06, 2008, 09:36:44 AM
No, I don't mean the file system type, I mean the partition structure - the layout of the partition table.  Could you post that for us?

What OS are you on?

Ah, I don't exactly know how to do that on Windows.  I just switched from Fedora linux to Windows XP last month so I could run CS3 without lagging it down under Wine.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: bluebrother on April 06, 2008, 09:44:47 AM
Ah, I don't exactly know how to do that on Windows.  I just switched from Fedora linux to Windows XP last month
use a live CD.

Alternatively, you could restore the Ipod from Itunes. That will give you a correct layout.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 06, 2008, 10:19:39 AM
Ah, I don't exactly know how to do that on Windows.  I just switched from Fedora linux to Windows XP last month
use a live CD.

Alternatively, you could restore the Ipod from Itunes. That will give you a correct layout.

Ok, I did a restore from iTunes.  I'm still getting the same output from the bootloader as before.  Also, iTunes updated my iPod... could that be a bad thing?  :-[
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: saratoga on April 06, 2008, 02:53:22 PM
Ah, I don't exactly know how to do that on Windows.  I just switched from Fedora linux to Windows XP last month
use a live CD.

Alternatively, you could restore the Ipod from Itunes. That will give you a correct layout.

Ok, I did a restore from iTunes.  I'm still getting the same output from the bootloader as before.

Just to be clear, you're using the tools linked from the rockbox manual and a zip from build.rockbox.org?

Quote
Also, iTunes updated my iPod... could that be a bad thing?

No thats ok.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 06, 2008, 03:39:36 PM
yeah.  I've followed every thing from this sites manual for the 30gb video iPod.

Code: [Select]
http://download.rockbox.org/manual/rockbox-ipodvideo/rockbox-buildch2.html#x4-60002
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: soap on April 06, 2008, 07:46:30 PM
Will you confirm there is a rockbox.ipod file inside the .rockbox directory?
Sorry if I missed where you had.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 06, 2008, 11:25:28 PM
Yes..there is a rockbox.ipod file inside .rockbox on the root of my iPod lol.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: Chronon on April 07, 2008, 01:17:31 AM
Looks like a tough nut to crack. . .

Does the bootloader still print the same information when you boot it (now that you have restored it)?  What about the partition table?
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 07, 2008, 05:00:40 AM
Looks like a tough nut to crack. . .

Does the bootloader still print the same information when you boot it (now that you have restored it)?  What about the partition table?
It prints the same information.   I replaced the hard drive in the iPod, could that be causing the problem?  I highly doubt it, but seeing that nothing seems to be working, it could be a variable.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: Chronon on April 07, 2008, 05:48:01 AM
It's worth mentioning.  I believe it was different block (or superblock) size that caused the 80GB iPod videos to take longer to get going.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: ground_sniper on April 07, 2008, 07:42:29 AM
It's worth mentioning.  I believe it was different block (or superblock) size that caused the 80GB iPod videos to take longer to get going.

I made sure it was the same hard drive model as the one I was replacing.  I'll probably download a live cd later tonight and try the orignal method I had posted in my first post.  See if I can at least get some results other than the same things again and again.  Thank you all for your help so much so far.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: Llorean on April 07, 2008, 10:16:38 AM
One option might be to compile the bootloader from SVN rather than using the latest release ones. On the iPods at least, this should be quite safe.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: soap on April 07, 2008, 08:09:08 PM
Are we 100% sure this is an iPod Video (flat plastic face) and not an iPod Color (rounded plastic face)?
Straw grasping has begun.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: zajacattack on April 07, 2008, 10:34:42 PM
The sure way to tell: can you play videos in the OF normally? Without any sort of patching?
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: plainkeyman on April 15, 2008, 11:59:15 PM
greetings, i was attempting to install this and resulted in the EXACT same situation as ground_sniper.  although, my ipod is the 80gig model (5.5).

i'm using version: r17138

i'm trying to install from mac osx.  i happen to have a linux machine avail.  here is my partition table information:


# fdisk -l /dev/sdd
Note: sector size is 2048 (not 512)

Disk /dev/sdd: 80.0 GB, 80026359808 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 2432 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 2048 = 32901120 bytes

   Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks   Id  System
/dev/sdd1               1           4      128394    0  Empty
/dev/sdd2               5        2432    78011640    b  W95 FAT32


i did NOT use windows to partition this, i used the boot record from this url:
http://download.rockbox.org/bootloader/ipod/mbr-video80gb-2048.bin

# md5sum  mbr-video80gb-2048.bin
80ac20fd058625961a22303fd306fb07  mbr-video80gb-2048.bin



after this, i proceeded to use the disk utility to format the partition.  i copied the .rockbox directory, and used ipodpatcher successfully.  same results.


i suspect the partition table or how the firmware reads the partition is the culprit.  can anyone verify that this mbr files does work and this version (r17138) works ok?

also.. i tried using mtools instead of disk utility... but got this:


$ sudo mformat -t 2428 -h 255 -s 63 -S 2048 -M 2048 -F a:
argssize must be less than 6
Mtools version 3.9.11, dated May 31st, 2007
Usage: mformat [-V] [-t tracks] [-h heads] [-n sectors] [-v label] [-1] [-4] [-8] [-f size] [-N serialnumber] [-k] [-B bootsector] [-r root_dir_len] [-L fat_len] [-F] [-I fsVersion] [-C] [-c cluster_size] [-H hidden_sectors] [-S hardsectorsize] [-M softsectorsize] [-3] [-2 track0sectors] [-0 rate0] [-A rateany] [-a]device
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: stevenkelby on April 18, 2008, 06:21:40 AM
Did you ever figure this out?

I used rockbox successfully for nearly a year, then I replaced my 5.5G 80GB video ipods battery ass about face and fried the mobo. I had a new mobo installed by Vinnie at RWA and it worked perfectly until I tried rockbox again.

First rockbox would play 10 - 20 seconds of a track then freeze and give an error message. It was a different message each time and I can't remember it now but it would be in the WPS and would appear in the top left corner saying something about Data Abort or missing files or something and a long error code (different number each time). Had to hard reboot, then it would work fine until I start playing a track, any track, mp3, flac etc, and it would have the same error with in maybe 5 to 30 seconds (different each time)

After trying to reinstall a few times here's where I'm at now.

Reformatted disk in FAT32

Reinstalled stock firmware from itunes. Itunes has always, and is now, working perfectly.

Installed bootloader and Current build from rockbox utility and have tried doing it manually too.

The rockbox finishes it's thing successfully, gives teh RB installed successfully message and I eject the ipod.

Now when it reboots I get this screen:

Rockbox boot loader
Version: 2.0
IPOD version: 0xFFFFFFFF
TOSHIBA MK8010GAH
Partition 1: 0x0B 76224 MB
Loading Rockbox...
Error!
Can't load rockbox.ipod:
File not found
Hold MENU+SELECT to reboot
then SELECT+PLAY for disk mode

I have reformatted and reinstalled with different versions of itunes and rockbox and from different PCs but get this same basic message.

Any ideas?

Many thanks.

Edit:


OK I just reformatted again and installed everything manually using the current build. Rockbox works again now, until I try to play a tune. Got about 10 seconds. Now the WPS is blank apart from the yellow "NOW PLAYING" bar at the top, a blank grey bar near the bottom and the RB, squiggle (random?) and repeat logos.

The top left says (looks like, it's over the yellow and hard to read):

Data abort at
C000007A  (0)

Edit:

Rebooted and changed theme to ipod catcher so I can read errors..

12 seconds playing before:

Prefetch abort
at CDCB5B2C  (0)


12 seconds:

Prefetch abort
at 722629D2  (0)

12 seconds:

Prefetch abort
at CDCB5B2C  (0)


12 seconds:

Prefetch abort
at CDCB5B2C  (0)


Changed theme to Rockboxed:

12 seconds:

Prefetch abort
at BDD2E89A  (0)




12 seconds:

Prefetch abort
at FB910088   (0)


And so forth.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Steve.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: Llorean on April 18, 2008, 02:31:58 PM
Try using a 32mb build. It's possible your replaced motherboard isn't actually from an 80gb iPod.
Title: Re: no .rockbox directory error (rockbox loads however)
Post by: stevenkelby on April 19, 2008, 09:28:50 AM
Try using a 32mb build. It's possible your replaced motherboard isn't actually from an 80gb iPod.

It worked perfect, thank you!

I installed the current build for the 30GB ipod video and now it al works perfectly.

I never would have thought to try that, if you need any top end cables made cheap, let me know ;)