this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2025
30 points (100.0% liked)

Linux

58899 readers
460 users here now

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

Rules

Related Communities

Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0

founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Hey all,

I have a tablet that I’ve been working on and in order to setup OS I need to plugin a usb hub to the usb port, using an adapter to microUSB, ok, and then plugin either a keyboard and mouse or a combo unit (in my case, the wireless receiver device of a mini keyboard/touchpad device), and finally, the flash drive with the OS install on it.

To put it simply, it’s really a pain in the ass anytime I want to do some testing. It works, but it is a clutter and nuisance.

Is there any software that will allow me to plug in a USB cord from my laptop (Linux) and the other end into the USB port of the tablet, and use the laptop to control the tablet?

Thanks.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] koala@programming.dev 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Hah, no worries. I think it's just an unusual use case and... well, I recognized it because I'm obsessed with PiKVM lately and those things!

I'm not superknowledgeable on USB, but Linux has features to do this; they are called "gadgets" in this list:

https://docs.kernel.org/usb/index.html

I have used this to turn a RPI Zero into a virtual USB drive with these scripts: https://github.com/alexpdp7/rpi-zero-usb-iso/

Likely by searching the Internet for USB gadgets you might find good explanations about requirements. I know there are unexpected difficulties- I'm using a Pi Zero instead of a nicer Pi because... nicer Pis can draw too much power over USB and bork what they're connected to. So be careful.

[–] AndrewZabar@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

Thank you, again, for the info. I’ll check out those links. I appreciate it.