got Linux?

[Damn Kraut]

First off let me clarify that i would not necessarily want to do this. This question is purely out of curiousity:
Is there a version of linux one could replace the PocketPC OS with?
I use linux quite often for programming and such and have grown quite fond of the lil penguin.

Naturally i expect something like this to be quite risky, so I wouldnt go running to try it out.

It would just be nice to know that i could ... :)

[andsoitgoes]

I say if you can load Linux on an XBox, you can load Linux on a PPC!

Okay, so it's different - but it's possible to flash a Linux install into the ROM - but I don't know exactly how it'd be done. I'm no techie... well, not to that extent :(

If I see anything, I'll post something up right off the bat - that's for sure! ;)

Nick

[jbit]

OKay, i'm looking at getting linux running on this thing.. it should be very easy... i have alot of experience with embedded linux and even linux on xscale processors :)

And as long as dell havn't put to much on the xscale (graphics controllers, etc) it should be easy... btw.. i doubt they have put a gfx controller on top.. since that would cost alot!

(The xscale has an lcd controller and other cool stuff built in... so its just the same as every other xscale based pda then!)


> I say if you can load Linux on an XBox, you can load Linux on a PPC!

Slightly different since the xbox is basicly a pc (x86 based, pci bus, etc), which already runs linux, and the axim is by absolutly no means like a pc (except it runs windows)
(not moaning, just clearing it up, for anybody :)

> Okay, so it's different - but it's possible to flash a Linux install into the ROM - but I don't know exactly how it'd be done. I'm no techie... well, not to that extent :(

It's possible but we would need some info from dell... not much though..
the main thing that I am looking for is if the jtag bus is on the port at the bottom.... if it is... i can have it booting linux in a few hours

> If I see anything, I'll post something up right off the bat - that's for sure!

If i get anything working... it will be posted on www.jbit.net (which is hardly ever updated, btw)

If anybody wants to help by tracing out where the jtag bus is then please do (i cant open mine up, because my dad paid for it and doesn't want me to void my warrenty)... Please email me (jbit at jbit dot net) if you find anything to do with jtag, or the port at the bottom.

Btw: the reason we need jtag, is so if we load a duff boatloader into the boot block of the flash, we can at least get back from it!


If you find out anything about the axim that could help me (jtag port access positions, flash types, sdram type, etc)
PLEASE email me (jbit at jbit dot net)

The Axim will be running linux by the end of the year, i can promise you that (unless i break my screen, then i'm screwed)

--jbit

[wicksell]

Hi!

Nice to hear. Was thinking of buying a zaurus but the price of the axim is so much better.

I really love linux, so it would be great to be able to run it on my axim.

/Krister

[wmm]

Could one of you folks who's interested in putting Linux on the Axim enlighten me as to why you'd want to? Is it just the coolness factor of running something other than WinCE, or are there concrete advantages?

I'm not trolling here, I'm really interested. I run Linux at work and go back a long way with *nix, and I'm seriously considering putting Linux on my next personal PC. I know that people have been putting Linux on Ipaqs for a while -- are there good apps for Linux on the PPC platform (tiny screen, touch-sensitive, typically no keyboard)?

Are there any sites/newgroups where this kind of stuff is discussed?

[jbit]

Reason A)
Stability, just like its big brother (windows 200/xp) it crashes too much for my likeing.. today i lost ALL my data becasue every time i entered my password at switch on.. it hung.. soft reset... enter password... hung... (had to hard reset)

Reason B)
Easy sync... Windows CE (Aka Pocket pc) doesn't like to sync with my computers (linux) without doing stuff (vmware, wine, etc)

Reason C)
Coolness factor (its just cool)

There is alot of software for embedded linux (for pdas and stuff) trolltechs qtopia looks quite nice :)

goto www.handhelds.org for some nice stuff about linux on the ipaq (mainly)

Hope this helps

--jbit

[wmm]

Partly answering my own question, a little Googling turned up the "Familiar" project, where some relatively active development is going on. I don't know if they've thought anything about the Axim or not.

[jbit]

Once you've got a kernel booting on the axim, you can use any ipaq (or other xscale/sa/arm) linux stuff on it, because the only thing that really depends on the hardware is the kernel (and the hardware differences between the axim and the ipaq isnt that great)

I will probably be working on tracing some jtag ports this weekend (i refuse to work on getting a kernel booting without either a jtag port or dell agreeing to replace my axim if i fry its boot sector :)

[mattf]

Originally posted by jbit


Reason B)
Easy sync... Windows CE (Aka Pocket pc) doesn't like to sync with my computers (linux) without doing stuff (vmware, wine, etc)

Have you tried synce?

http://synce.sourceforge.net/synce/

m

[jbit]

yeah, but it doesnt really sync... its just for file transfer.. i guess it wouldn't be too hard to make daemon watch file changes and suff, or make a filesystem driver so that you can mount your axim. but i'd preffer to spend that effot getting linux running on the axim, personaly

[mattf]

Originally posted by jbit
yeah, but it doesnt really sync... its just for file transfer.. i guess it wouldn't be too hard to make daemon watch file changes and suff, or make a filesystem driver so that you can mount your axim. but i'd preffer to spend that effot getting linux running on the axim, personaly

Bummer. I saw this on the site:

"SynCE now includes the possiblity to synchronize the Pocket PC address book with for example Evolution with a plugin to the MultiSync program. This requires the rra and multisync_plugin modules. People who want to write code to convert beteen vCalendar and Tasks/Calendar on Pocket PC, please send a mail to the development mailing list!"

and thought I'd be syching with Evolution.

[jbit]

oh :)

Well.. didn't see that :)

Guess i should read the site news until i bitch :)

well there are still good reasons to put linux on axim :)

(goes off to download/compile evolution)

[mattf]

Originally posted by jbit
oh :)

Well.. didn't see that :)

Guess i should read the site news until i bitch :)

well there are still good reasons to put linux on axim :)

(goes off to download/compile evolution)

hey - there is a version of red carpet that doesn;t do the whole ximian thing if you are interested.

and hell ya i'd love to see linux on the axim. i helped a friend get linux running on his ipaq and it was pretty damn sweet. twas damn nice to have a shell and a no cost ssh client in your hand.

kudos to you!

[jbit]

Dont give me kudos until i've done it, then, give me lots of kudos :)

btw: I've been reading the xscale manuals and stuff and as soon as i find the jtag port (saftey net) on the axim (I am ASSUMING it is on the bottom connecter, it damn well better be) I will have it running within a few hours, i am sure of that now :)
since i think i will be able to use the compaq "bootldr" to boot linux, or at least ecos/redboot, since these work fine on my DBPXA250 development board, which is nothing like an ipaq :)

Dunno how i'm gonna find the jtag bus without opening the axim though :(
Maybe somebody who has already opened theirs can trace it for us? to see if it actually does go to the bottom connector,or if i am just dreaming :)

I might just hold my breath and try using bootldr.. but then i could end up with a dead axim.. sigh...

--jbit

[io333]

You know if you do manage to pull it off you *WILL* get this site slashdotted. Now that IS an achievement!