How to backport the panfrost driver on the ARM Chromebook from kernel 5.15 to kernel 5.4

 Backporting a driver from a newer kernel version to an older one can be a complex task, especially if there have been significant changes or dependencies between those kernel versions. Here's a general guideline for backporting the Panfrost driver from kernel 5.15 to 5.4 on an ARM Chromebook:


**Note:** This process can be quite challenging and may require some experience with kernel development and understanding the specifics of your ARM Chromebook's hardware. Make sure to back up your data and have a way to recover your system if something goes wrong.


1. **Download and extract the source code**:

   - Obtain the kernel source code for both kernel versions 5.15 and 5.4. You can usually get the source code from the official kernel repository.


2. **Prepare your build environment**:

   - Ensure that you have the necessary tools and dependencies installed to compile the kernel.


3. **Identify the changes in the Panfrost driver**:

   - Analyze the changes made to the Panfrost driver in the newer kernel (5.15) and determine what needs to be backported.


4. **Apply the changes**:

   - Manually apply the relevant changes from the 5.15 kernel source to the 5.4 kernel source. This can include changes in driver source files, makefiles, and kernel configuration options.


5. **Resolve dependencies**:

   - Ensure that any new dependencies introduced in the 5.15 kernel are satisfied in the 5.4 kernel. You might need to backport other kernel components if they are required by the Panfrost driver.


6. **Compile the kernel**:

   - Build the kernel with the backported Panfrost driver. Make sure to configure the kernel correctly, including enabling or disabling specific options and modules as required.


7. **Test and debug**:

   - Boot the kernel on your ARM Chromebook and test the Panfrost driver. Be prepared for potential issues and debugging. Check system logs and use debugging tools to identify and resolve any problems.


8. **Documentation**:

   - Document the steps you've taken and the changes you've made. This will be helpful for future reference and to share with the community.


Please note that the process of backporting a driver can be highly technical and challenging, and it might not always be successful, especially if there are significant changes or incompatibilities between the kernel versions. You should also consider reaching out to the community of your specific ARM Chromebook model or Linux kernel developers for assistance or guidance in this process.

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