Please follow the instruction step by step to build emdebian rootfs on Debian/Ubuntu. :)
1. Using Bootstrap
(Use apt-get install debootstrap to install it if you don't have yet.)
Use the command to retrieve the packages for ARM:
sudo debootstrap \ --arch=armel \ --include=vim,openssh-server \ --foreign \ squeeze grip/ http://www.emdebian.org/grip/
After this step, the installation rootfs is ready at "./grip", but it is like an installation disc rather than a working rootfs.
"--inculde" is to install any additional packages. In this example, vim and ssh server are added manually.
2. Write Rootfs to disk/SD card.
Copy the installation rootfs (at ./grip) to ext3 partition of a SD card or other media.
Save the following content to target's rootfs "/first.sh" :
#!/bin/sh mkdir -p ./usr/share/man/man1 echo "proc /proc proc rw 0 0" >> /etc/fstab echo 'deb http://www.emdebian.org/grip/ squeeze main' >> etc/apt/sources.list echo 'deb http://ftp.tw.debian.org/debian squeeze main' >> etc/apt/sources.list mount /proc /proc -t proc export PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin /debootstrap/debootstrap --second-stage
3. First Boot
Before entering Linux Kernel, add "init=/bin/sh" to bootargs at uboot or other bootloader.[2]
"#" prompt should be appeared. (If you can't see that, press enter to make sure your system isn't crash.). Just execute "/first.sh" at "/" and wait for couple minutes to install the base system.
if anything works normally, use "passwd" to modify root's password then reboot the system.
4. Second Boot
Modify bootargs from "init=/bin/sh" to "init=/sbin/init" at uboot or other bootloader before entering Linux Kernel. [3]
So far, login with root should be successfully. :)
P.S.
Attach some files for my WM8850 netbook.
[1] Linux Kernel :
[2] boot script for First Boot:
[3] boot script for Second Boot: