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Martin H.

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Posted: 01:37pm 23 Apr 2025

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To make things easier, I am currently setting up a LinuxMint VM in Virtual Box. So reading the Linux partitions on the SD card is no problem.
The EmuElec starts even if no SD card is inserted. There is only one partition with the roms on the SD card.
If I now insert the 2nd SD with the ARK OS into the right slot, the system boots into Arc OS.All system changes must therefore be made on this card
Here, the ARC OS system SD under Mint:

Edited 2025-04-24 00:12 by Martin H.

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thwill

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Posted: 04:06pm 23 Apr 2025

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OK. It looks like you may have a knock-off/clone with EmuElec installed on its own internal NAND flash memory, such as that described in this article:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/copy-hacking-clone-r36s-from-retro-handheld-compute-node-anderson-mhv9c

I will try and scrape some excuse for an MMB4L + games distribution off my R36S for you before the weekend ... it's not enough to just drop the MMB4L executable on it because you won't be able to tell if it is working or not since MMB4L doesn't (currently) support a graphical console (only tty) and you've got no Wifi to provide you with an SSH console.

Best wishes,

Tom
Edited 2025-04-24 02:12 by thwill

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thwill

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Posted: 10:19am 24 Apr 2025

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Hi Martin,

Try:

https://github.com/thwill1000/mmb4l/releases/download/v0.7-alpha.1/r36s-root-v1.tgz

There is a README in this .tgz file with a first stab at some instructions, try it and let me know how you get on.

I don't really have any great expectations that this will work (at least not first time around) but we have to start somewhere.

Best wishes,

Tom.
Edited 2025-04-24 20:20 by thwill

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Martin H.

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Posted: 12:09pm 24 Apr 2025

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thwill said Hi Martin,

I don't really have any great expectations that this will work (at least not first time around) but we have to start somewhere.

Best wishes,

Tom.

Hi Tom,
as I see it, it is only partially useful that I can access the ROOT partition of the SD Card with MINT Linux. I can copy the tgz file into the /home/ark folder and possibly also unpack it, but as i see it, I need console access under ARK LINUX at the latest to assign the rights. For this I have to connect the running system to the network, and access via ssh, which I have not yet succeeded in doing (tested with 2 different USB WIFI devices). But I will continue testing.
Anyway,thanks for your effort

, I have not given up yet

Cheers
Martin
Edited 2025-04-24 22:22 by Martin H.

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thwill

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Posted: 12:29pm 24 Apr 2025

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I think the SD card will be mounted in mint as something like /media/<username>/<card name> ?

If so what does this show ?

ls -al /media/<username>/<card name>

Quote .. I have not yet succeeded in doing (tested with 2 different USB WIFI devices

From the EmulationStation "OPTIONS" menu you have to both "WIFI->Connect to new Wifi connection", and then "ENABLE REMOTE SERVICES".

... and you are connecting the Wifi dongle to the OTG port not the DC port aren't you ?

... and you are using an OTG cable and not just a USB-A -> USB-C adapter ? (I think that matters though exactly what is special about an OTG cable I don't know)

Best wishes,

Tom
Edited 2025-04-24 22:32 by thwill

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Martin H.

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Posted: 02:30pm 24 Apr 2025

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thwill said
... and you are using an OTG cable and not just a USB-A -> USB-C adapter ? (I think that matters though exactly what is special about an OTG cable I don't know)

I think you are right, after trying 5 different USB Wifi sticks without success, I have now ordered an OTG adapter. ... more when I have it here

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phil99

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Posted: 09:34pm 24 Apr 2025

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Wikipedia said
The USB On-The-Go logo

USB On-The-Go (USB OTG or just OTG) is a specification first used in late 2001 that allows USB devices, such as tablets or smartphones, to also act as a host, allowing other USB devices, such as USB flash drives, digital cameras, mice or keyboards, to be attached to them. Use of USB OTG allows devices to switch back and forth between the roles of host and device. For example, a smartphone may read from removable media as the host device, but present itself as a USB Mass Storage Device when connected to a host computer.

USB OTG introduces the concept of a device performing both Host and Peripheral roles – whenever two USB devices are connected and one of them is a USB OTG device, they establish a communication link. The device controlling the link is called the Host, while the other is called the Peripheral.

USB OTG defines two roles for devices: OTG A-device and OTG B-device, specifying which side supplies power to the link, and which initially is the host. The OTG A-device is a power supplier, and an OTG B-device is a power consumer. In the default link configuration, the A-device acts as a USB host with the B-device acting as a USB peripheral. The host and peripheral modes may be exchanged later by using Host Negotiation Protocol (HNP).

The wiring for the ID pin defines the initial role of each device.[1]

thwill

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Posted: 01:11pm 25 Apr 2025

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Thanks Phil,

AI regurgitated something similar at me but it also said:

Quote It's worth noting that modern USB-C connectors have built-in support for similar functionality without needing special cables, as the USB-C specification includes the ability to negotiate roles and power delivery. However, for devices with micro-USB ports, the OTG cable remains an important accessory for expanding connectivity options.

and

Quote For connecting a mobile phone with a USB-C port to a wireless dongle with a USB-A connector, you typically don't need a specific OTG cable. A standard USB-C to USB-A adapter or cable should work in most cases. Here's why:

1. USB-C Capabilities:
- USB-C is designed with built-in support for USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality.
- USB-C ports on mobile phones are generally capable of operating in both host and peripheral modes without needing special signaling from the cable.
2. Host Mode Support:
- Modern smartphones with USB-C ports are usually configured to enter host mode automatically when a peripheral is connected.
3. Power Delivery:
- USB-C ports on phones can typically provide power to connected devices without needing a special OTG cable.
4. Adapter Compatibility:
- A standard USB-C to USB-A adapter should allow the phone to recognize and interact with the wireless dongle.

However, there are a few considerations:

1. Phone Compatibility:
- Ensure your specific phone model supports USB OTG functionality. Most modern smartphones do, but it's worth checking.

2. Android Settings:
- Some Android phones might require you to enable USB OTG in the settings.

3. Power Requirements:
- If the wireless dongle requires more power than the phone can provide, you might need a powered USB hub.

4. Quality of the Adapter:
- Use a good quality USB-C to USB-A adapter to ensure proper connectivity and functionality.

5. Software Support:
- Make sure your phone's operating system supports the type of wireless dongle you're connecting (e.g., for Wi-Fi or cellular dongles).

In summary, for most USB-C equipped smartphones, a standard USB-C to USB-A adapter should be sufficient to connect a wireless dongle with a USB-A connector. The OTG functionality is typically built into the USB-C port and the phone's software, eliminating the need for a specialized OTG cable in most cases.

I guess the difference here might be whilst the R36S has a type-C port labeled OTG that doesn't mean it has all the necessary smarts of a modern Android phone.

Best wishes,

Tom

MMBasic for Linux, Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures

Plasmamac

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Posted: 03:29am 26 Apr 2025

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Hi,

Can i using network with mmb4l with this console ?
Udp/tcp

Thx

Plasma

Plasmamac

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Posted: 03:29am 26 Apr 2025

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Double post
Edited 2025-04-26 13:35 by Plasmamac

Plasma

thwill

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Posted: 06:33am 26 Apr 2025

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Plasmamac said Hi,
Can i using network with mmb4l with this console ?
Udp/tcp
Thx

The jury is still out on the clone that Martin bought, but the "official" device is a capable Linux machine which you can fit a wireless dongle to via it's OTG port (I also use an additional length of USB adapter to reduce interference with the speaker). With that dongle fitted you have the usual Linux networking capabilities. MMB4L has no native networking support so you have to use the SYSTEM command to call out to programs such as "curl" for networking.

Please note I haven't tested networking to destruction, only used SSH to connect to it and used its package manager and "git".

Best wishes,

Tom
Edited 2025-04-26 16:54 by thwill

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Plasmamac

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Posted: 08:27am 26 Apr 2025

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Ok thanks a lot,

Plasma

Gadgetguy
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Posted: 06:50am 30 May 2025

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Hello all, just discovered this thread. Do i understand correctly that mmbasic runs on the r36s retro console? How can one do this?
Edited 2025-05-30 17:19 by Gadgetguy

thwill

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Posted: 07:27am 30 May 2025

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Gadgetguy said Hello all, just discovered this thread. Do i understand correctly that mmbasic runs on the r36s retro console? How can one do this?

Yes ... well, at least I've done it, I'm not sure Martin managed.

The aarch64 build of MMBasic for Linux can be installed and configured as another "emulator" on an R36S that is running ArkOS (just to be clear MMB4L is running as software not as firmware / directly on the metal).

You'll need a compatible wireless dongle, an OTG cable and some Linux skills so you can SSH into the R36S and install/configure it.

There are no written instructions yet, but I'm happy to talk you through it (and document it as I go along) if you want to.

Best wishes,

Tom

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Gadgetguy
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Posted: 02:15pm 30 May 2025

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thwill said

Gadgetguy said Hello all, just discovered this thread. Do i understand correctly that mmbasic runs on the r36s retro console? How can one do this?

Thank you. I am just ordering the r36s, will reach out as soon as I have it. On a related note, can i use (after all is set up) a usb keyboard connected to the r36s via the usb otg port?

Martin H.

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Posted: 12:49pm 02 Jun 2025

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Tom,
I have now found a supported WIFI adapter that is supported by ArK Os.
tp-Link TL-WN725N
SSH access tested and working. I will try again later this week to work through your instructions.

Edited 2025-06-02 23:04 by Martin H.

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thwill

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Posted: 09:20am 04 Jun 2025

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Gadgetguy said On a related note, can i use (after all is set up) a usb keyboard connected to the r36s via the usb otg port?

I believe so.

What I have explicitly tested is attaching the wireless dongle from my Logitech K270 keyboard to the R36S via OTG and the keyboard then works inside an MMB4L game.

What I have not tried to do is work out how to get the R36S to display an actual Linux terminal on its display (I always SSH), perhaps this is an exercise for the reader ?

Martin H. said I have now found a supported WIFI adapter that is supported by ArK Os.
tp-Link TL-WN725N
SSH access tested and working. I will try again later this week to work through your instructions.

Dare I ask how many WiFi adapters you went through before finding one that worked ? - the only one I had just worked so I have no idea of the extent of the issue.

Is the "adapter" between the WiFi USB-A and the R36S USB-C a specifically OTG adapter or just a "generic" A <-> C adapter ? ... some sources assert that OTG is meaningless wrt USB-C ... but that assertion may only be valid for USB-C <-> USB-C connections.

Best wishes,

Tom
Edited 2025-06-04 19:50 by thwill

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Martin H.

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Posted: 04:02pm 05 Jun 2025

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thwill said

Dare I ask how many WiFi adapters you went through before finding one that worked ? - the only one I had just worked so I have no idea of the extent of the issue.

Is the "adapter" between the WiFi USB-A and the R36S USB-C a specifically OTG adapter or just a "generic" A <-> C adapter ? ... some sources assert that OTG is meaningless wrt USB-C ... but that assertion may only be valid for USB-C <-> USB-C connections.

Best wishes,

Tom

I Used this USB A <-> C adapter, that was offered as OTG adapter

I tested 6-8 USB Wifi-adapter, everything I had lying around here from Raspberrys to 3D printers and similar.
Edited 2025-06-06 02:05 by Martin H.

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thwill

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Posted: 04:36pm 05 Jun 2025

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Martin H. said I tested 6-8 USB Wifi-adapter, everything I had lying around here from Raspberrys to 3D printers and similar.

That is a lot!

Did you try them all with the OTG adapter, or did you try, and dismiss as non-functional, some of them before you got the OTG adapter ?

Best wishes,

Tom

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Bleep
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Posted: 10:02am 12 Jun 2025

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Hi all,
I have just bought the same version as Martin, from a few posts back the R36 Pro, I was interested mainly in seeing what you get for only $/€/£26. (price seems to vary by the second!!)
It took me a while to get ArkOS working on it, so I thought I'd post details for anyone else.
This is the main link for ArkOS GitHub
This is the link if you get a clone like this one, a Pro, there is also a Max and others. for the Pro you want the first install, for a 'K36 and R36S Clones'.
You need to flash this onto a micro SD card, I use Etcher and plug it into the SD card socket on the right of the console.
Turn the console on, and let it go through its initialisation, eventually you will get to a working box. Power it off, put a second micro SD with game roms into the left hand SD card socket and power on again, the system should now find the roms and allow you to play them, you may need to play around with emulator settings for some games. Should you so require I think you can also put games roms onto the original sd card in the right hand socket, in which case you don't need the second SD card.
Using the menus it should now be possible to attach a USB WiFi adapter to the OTG socket and eventually SSH into the operating system, which is Linux. (I haven't yet done this)
Edited 2025-06-12 20:29 by Bleep

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