Application:UberKernel
UberKernel - 1.4.1-87 (Current Stable Release)
Please add documentation and frequently asked questions and answers to this page.
Summary
The kernel is the central component of any Operating System. The UberKernel replaces the standard webOS kernel allowing faster speeds and greater control of the CPU. To control the UberKernel, you will need a second/support application such as the Govnah. "Über" is not a technical term but the German word for "super" and in this case a joke referring to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the "Govnah". That is why the Govnah app header says, "Much better than Arnie."
Warning:
This application is in constant development and testing. It should not be considered a finished product. Please note that usage of this package is very likely to void your warranty if things go wrong. Please, do not contact your carrier or Palm for support for damage resulting from this package.
WebOS Internals provides this program as is without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of this program is with you. Should this program prove defective, you assume the cost of all necessary servicing, repair or correction. In no event will WebOS Internals or any other party be liable to you for damages, including any general, special, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use or inability to use this program (including but not limited to loss of data or data being rendered inaccurate or losses sustained by you or third parties or a failure of this program to operate with any other programs).
Features:
All WebOS Internals kernels follow the 7 principles of kernel design: http://bit.ly/next-gen-kernels. The UberKernel incorporates the following bleeding-edge features to give you maximum control over your phone:
- 720MHz and 800MHz operating points (based on the open source OMAP3440 kernel, ported by uNiXpSyChO)
- All Linux 2.6.24 frequency governors (conservative, ondemand, powersave, userspace, performance)
- New screenstate governor, which runs at a higher speed when the screen is on and at a lower speed when the screen is off (created by uNiXpSyChO)
- OMAP3430 internal CPU temperature sensor (ported by ka6sox and rwhitby)
- CompCache is enabled
- Omitting (as much as possible) TMC errors patch is included
- Temperature measurement is available
- Temperature limiting
NOTE:
While UberKernel is available for the Pixi/Pixi+, it is very limited in what it can do. There is very little information available to the public on the design of the CPU in the Pixi/Pixi+.
There is no Over Clocking of the Pixi's kernel available at this time.
Only the following features are available to Pixi/Pixi+ Users:
- Linux 2.6.24 frequency governors are available, but you are limited to stock frequencies (600MHz max)
- CompCache is enabled
- Omitting (as much as possible) TMC errors patch is included
- Temperature measurement is available
Available in the Preware Kernel feed.
Installation
The following guide assumes a Palm Pre*/Pixi* that has the original 1.4.1.1 kernel and no over-clocking patches. (Currently unavailable for Pixi/Pixi+ or other kernels.)
- On Preware's home screen, type "uber" and hit enter.
- Select "UberKernel (Palm Pre/Pre+)" and "Install"
- After the installation, Preware will prompt to restart your phone. Always listen to Preware; it knows best!
- If you have not yet installed a "Governor", on Preware's home screen, type "Gov" and hit enter.
- Select "Govnah" and "Install"
Usage
When your phone reboots after a successful installation of UberKernel, you will now be running UberKernel. You can use Govnah to verify that you now can clock the processor over 600MHz. If you still cannot, refer to the FAQ below to see if any apply to you. The UberKernel Icon that now appears in your launch will only show you a (very!) informational page on UberKernel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I uninstall and get back to the stock kernel?
Open Preware. Uninstall UberKernel. Hit OK when Preware asks to reboot your phone.
I'm confused, my Pre goes back down to 500 after a reboot. Any reason?
Please update to the latest version of Govnah. Having setting survive a reboot has been implemented.
See the 7 principles of kernel design and packaging at http://bit.ly/next-gen-kernels for details.
When I try to launch UberKernel from the Launcher it only shows some documentation.
The Kernel is not an application that interfaces directly with the End User. To control the kernel and see what it's doing, you must install a governor app such as Govnah, or be able to control the kernel from the Linux command line.
My phone gets really hot during heavy use. At what temperatures should I start to worry?
This is a difficult question to answer. Over-clocking is generally uncharted territory, and as such, there are risks. One is over-heating your CPU. Another is shortening the life of your CPU because of excess heat.
As of version 1.4.1-87 of UberKernel, once the CPU temperature hits 55C, it will automatically clock itself down to 500MHz in order to cool itself. Once the temperature drops to 50C, it will resume running at whatever speed you've set it at.
Note that the Govnah application measures the internal CPU temperature, which may or may not be hotter or colder than battery temperature (depending on how quickly the battery is charging or discharging). The Govnah icon progresses from green to yellow to red to flames as a general indication of what we currently believe to be conservatively safe regions, but the exact boundaries of these regions are yet to be determined.
At the moment, we have green up to 39, yellow from 40 to 49, red from 50 to 59, and flames from 60.
Can I use other CPU scaler applications while Govnah is installed on my phone?
Currently, CPUScalerUltimate(v.2.1.2) and Govnah can be installed at the same time.
CPUScalerUltimate will recognize settings made in Govnah and vice-versa.
Both applications talk to the same set of kernel instructions. There may be conflicts when running both applications.
Use any scaler application to program your speeds with UberKernel.
What is the screen state scaling?
The screen state scaling sets the CPU speed to 500MHz when the LCD screen is off and up to 800MHz when the LCD screen is on. This includes screen off during phone calls or music playback, etc. The speed is also lowered to 500MHz when the phone is charging on the Touchstone and the screen displays the clock. Options for the upper limit include 800, 720, 600, and 550MHz.
I checked the frequency in Govnah while charging my phone and it's at 500MHz when I have it set at 800MHz.
The kernel is set up to run at 500 while charging.
Will I have to uninstall/disable anything in UberKernel prior to installing an OS update?
The UberKernel should be completely OTA (Over The Air) update compatible. You should not have to do anything to you Pre(+) before installing a palm update.
What should I do If Updating the UberKernel results in a 'failed to install' error?
Install the recovery Palm Kernel. (Find this in Preware --> Kernel --> Recovery), once installed you will be prompted for a reboot, just click 'Later' Then install the UberKernel. (Find this in Preware --> Kernel --> Experimental), once the UberKernel is installed then go ahead and reboot.
I can't find UberKernel in Preware, Govnah's there but not UK.
You need Upgrade to Preware 1.0 or greater. You should then see a webos-kernels feed in your Manage Feeds section; turn it on, and Update Feeds. Now you should see UberKernel within Preware.
Does UberKernel get rid of TMC (Too Many Cards) error?
It doesn't eliminate this feature of webOS but it does correct an error in the math that didn't account for all the space available before triggering TMC. In addition, compcache allows for more space to be available by reserving space in RAM (memory) for compressing data. In a nut shell think of it as having more RAM.
Further Discussion
If any of the above trouble shooting Q&A doesn't apply to your situation, or you just want to talk about how UberKernel has impacted your day-to-day life, join the discussion at the official PreCentral Discussion thread.