Develop Bugs

Linux on Pocket PC

Hi all,
I ask this question cuz I counldn't find enough information about How to install Linux on my PPC.
My ppc is: I-teq X-bond like as Gigabyte gsmart i. with 64MB ROM.
Is there any linux ROM distribution for my ppc? or general linux ROM distribution for PPCs?
Thanks in advance.
Pedram

The reason you could not find information is because there isn't much of it to be found.
Unfortunately, Linux for PPC is in its infancy. The main problem is the drivers - they all need to be reverse engineered and there is no help from the OEMs as they designed this things to only work with MS crap and seem to have no interest in releasing drivers or specifications.
Official reason: Because you can not mess with the OS the device is more stable and secure.
Real reason: If you need to by new phone to get new OS we make more $$$ and so does MS.
As far as I heard there is a half decent version for some iPaq model, and there is version for some HTC devices (check WiKi) but all it does is boot up: no drivers even for touch screen, no graphical interface, no apps.

Thnx levelnum.
I think if linux developers I mean open source world focus on handheld devices they can publish good distribution as desktop or laptop PCs. Today they are very powerful in reverse engineering, .NET Framework in Linux named MONO is one of these reverse engineering issues.
I believe that Linux is much more customizable that WM, especially for XDA-developers that make interesting works on WM. And also it doesn't have copyright restriction as WM has. So may be it makes many progress in world of handheld devices.

Oddly enough I was looking for Linux on Smartphone info yesterday as I've got an Alpine I'd like to be able to do something interesting with.
Demand for something like this is going to be a bit odd - by definition anyone who finds this site, let alone opens an account and posts, is going to be interested in pushing the boundaries of their device but the vast majority of WM device users are going to be in the "don't care how it works as long as it does" group.
Also, I reckon a lot of Linux dev types aren't even going to look at the device, it will never occur to them to buy one because it's sold as a Windows Mobile device, and hence isn't going to be near their installation of the hacker mentality. Without a critical mass of people who can develop in/with Linux it's always going to be a struggle.

problem is the program base
all current wm programs unless they are .net
would not run under linux on our pda's
new ones would be required to be written
or ported or....

The Nokia Internet Tablet runs on a version of Linux with a pretty robust set of applications, and this device uses an ARM processor which should be pretty friendly with regard to 'porting'.
But you'd still be stuck without a telephone application.

You can find some information here:
http://handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/HaRET
http://www.handhelds.org/

Oddly enough I was looking for Linux on Smartphone info yesterday as I've got an Alpine I'd like to be able to do something interesting with.
Demand for something like this is going to be a bit odd - by definition anyone who finds this site, let alone opens an account and posts, is going to be interested in pushing the boundaries of their device but the vast majority of WM device users are going to be in the "don't care how it works as long as it does" group.
Also, I reckon a lot of Linux dev types aren't even going to look at the device, it will never occur to them to buy one because it's sold as a Windows Mobile device, and hence isn't going to be near their installation of the hacker mentality. Without a critical mass of people who can develop in/with Linux it's always going to be a struggle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
May be! as you said it is Windows mobile device and linux lovers aren't going around of it. but I think they are so curious than it.
problem is the program base
all current wm programs unless they are .net
would not run under linux on our pda's
new ones would be required to be written
or ported or....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do think so. since I in previous post I mentioned that .NET framework available in linux. so many of windows program can run on it.
You can find some information here:
http://handhelds.org/moin/moin.cgi/HaRET
http://www.handhelds.org/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hart (Reverse engineering tool for wm hardware) was interesting tool.

yeah but due to limitations and slowness only the minority of applications on windows mobile are made in .net :S

i want this one
http://www.openmoko.com/press/index.html
Regards,
Jason

Rudegar said:
problem is the program base
all current wm programs unless they are .net
would not run under linux on our pda's
new ones would be required to be written
or ported or....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not a real problem. If you want to use a particular program from WM that is a problem but why you would do that? There is very large program base for desktop Linux (many of them also exist for desktop Windows) which could be very easily ported to a handheld platform with ARM processor. If you ever looked up how many qualitative programs do exist for Japanese Linux handhelds...

Wexx said:
This is not a real problem. If you want to use a particular program from WM that is a problem but why you would do that? There is very large program base for desktop Linux (many of them also exist for desktop Windows) which could be very easily ported to a handheld platform with ARM processor. If you ever looked up how many qualitative programs do exist for Japanese Linux handhelds...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats one of the things that is grate about open source software - you don't even have to depend on the original developer to find the time / will to port it. Anyone with the programing knowledge can.

Using an XDA IIs just as a wi-fi pda?

Hi,
I have an old XDA IIs that I don't use as my phone anymore. I just want to use it in the house on the wi-fi for net, skype and pda stuff.
What I'm wondering is, if I don't have to worry about the carrier (O2) because I'm not using it as a phone, then can I hack it a bit and improve the OS or is there something that you would recommend I do with it to maximize it's potential for non-phone use?
I guess if there is, then I have a few questions!
1. Would an alternative OS "find" all the features of the hardware? ie. camera/record/contacts/calendar etc. buttons and the keyboard?
2. Would it be worthwhile to install WM6? Would it be able to handle it? Is it possible?
I guess I'd just like to get the most out of it as it's a great device that could be put to good use instead of gathering dust in a drawer.
Many thanks for any replies in advance.
Cheers,
Rob.

1. only roms custom made for a pda will work unlike pc windows which include many many many various drivers then windows mobile only! have the drivers it needs and requires to work and or boot at all
2. yes http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=386

Hi again,
I've tried installing Windows Mobile 6 but I get this:
ERROR 100: MODEL ID ERROR
The ROM image that you are trying to use is not designed to work on your device. Please check the vendor website and download the correct ROM update.
Is there a way around this? Anyone experience this?
The XDA IIs is currently running: Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Version 4.21.1088 (Build 15045.2.6.0)
Processor: Intel(r) PXA263
Memory: 125.77 MB
Should I just keep it at that, can I expect any better from an alternative/updated OS?
Thanks again,
Rob.

module id errror is typicaly if one try to install wm6 from another device then the one you own
"Should I just keep it at that, can I expect any better from an alternative/updated OS?"
there are only such a thing called alternative blue angel (the htc name of xdaIIs) os's no other will work
not sure what you mean by better i sugest you read the XDA-wiki and the blue angel wm6 forums for what people exp with these later roms
in terms of issues of incompatiblity and stablity
asking in those blue angel forums will also be a surden way of getting people who own the same device as you do to reply

Thanks for that Rudegar, I'll check it out!
Rob.

Running Windows Mobile In Nokia N770

Hi to everytody,
This is the firs time I write in this forum, but there is a long time ago that i read all your interesting and wise posts
I have recently changed my pda for a nokia n770, and I would like to know if is possible to make this device work under windows mobile, 'cos linux does not like me too much.
Is there any available rom for this device?
If so, how can I install it?
Many thanks in advance, and my congratulations for you all.
Regards.
CArlos

Absolutlely impossible
No drivers, no software - nothing.

Really?
But if I have seen in You Tube a video where this machine is running under windows xp....
And is there no way to load in any other rom from another pda?
many thanks and I apologize if I have said any nonsense... (my aknowledgements are very limited in this matter)
regards.

dunno about xp - but anyway it is much more possible than n770 running Windows Mobile

it was prob a nokia running remote desktop software

Don't believe everything you see on uTube.
As Redugar suggested it could have been remote terminal software, or a skin that made the device resemble XP or a fake video all together.
According to PC Magazine this device has an OMAP processor (official Nokia site does not provide that detail) so in theory it is similar to our phones.
But if you have truly read this site before you would know that this was asked and discussed many times: Window Mobile can not be installed on a device that was not designed for it.
There must be at least one original version of WM specifically made by the manufacturer for that device.
Only from that it might be possible to make upgrades but not create a version from scratch.

ok,
I read some time ago something regarding the prebootloader system..., that this kind of devices that runs under linux does not have (or it's different)... is this certain?
Anyway, I thought that somebody in this forum might be developed a tool to load this room, but in any case, I repeat that I'm just learning about this devices... in fact is my first one mobile pc running linux...
Many thanks.

i dont belive that any nokia phone run linux at all their use their own os called symbian

Rudegar said:
i dont belive that any nokia phone run linux at all their use their own os called symbian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe it That's their new safety line off Symbian without stepping into WM.
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS5409534614.html
While they may have the most say in Symbian, but I won't say it is 'their own OS'
Anyway, it is a pity that all these phone companies with Linux OS doesn't seems to be doing much to join forces in any other way. Motorola has some good histroy with their Linux OS.. and yet this Nokia is doing things all their own way.. which well, I'm not sure how that will divide the public developers. Anyway, I had a look at this N770.. it is not that impressive.

"but I won't say it is 'their own OS' "
yeah it started up as a group of mobil companys but dident
everybody else leave the group ?

Rudegar said:
"but I won't say it is 'their own OS' "
yeah it started up as a group of mobil companys but dident
everybody else leave the group ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm.. now you mentioned.. it seems quite true.. now, as far I can think of, for non Nokia phones, only SonyE's P9xx series is using it, huh?

İt says;
Software:
Operating system -- Internet Tablet 2005 software edition
İt s not talkin about linux, symbian possible by the way Rom upgrade impossible on this device because it cant be connect on active syn, and I dont think so that it has bootloader menu to flash WM6..

Nokia n770 (and n800) runs Maemo. For more info check out: http://maemo.org/.
The nokia n770/800 isnt a pda but an internet tablet.

it is based on wince (ce 6.0)

check out this fancy chart
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/15/windows-phone-7-series-faces-off-against-its-windows-mobile-past/

They also said that 6.5 doesn't support capacitive screens (what kind of screen does the HD2 ship with and what OS does it ship with?)

They have no clue. You should be careful what you believe.

RustyGrom said:
They also said that 6.5 doesn't support capacitive screens (what kind of screen does the HD2 ship with and what OS does it ship with?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I've said numerous times, WM doesn't care what technology the screen is using, it just requires some data about a mouse event on the screen somewhere. Multitouch is what WM6.5.X can't natively handle, and that's what HTC have hacked in.

Okay, I think the information that WP7 is based on a WinCE 6.0 kernel might be correct.
I don't see an alternative. But in many ways this is good for us. Yes, they have changed some things for sure. But tell me, in which areas has the old kernel proven to be bad/old/not usable? It will be more like an upgrade like from Win XP Kernel to Vista and I think, with some kind of compatibility mode and drawbacks in terms of visual style, many old applications should be working.
Greetings from Germany,
Sebastian

Crash1983 said:
Okay, I think the information that WP7 is based on a WinCE 6.0 kernel might be correct.
I don't see an alternative. But in many ways this is good for us. Yes, they have changed some things for sure. But tell me, in which areas has the old kernel proven to be bad/old/not usable? It will be more like an upgrade like from Win XP Kernel to Vista and I think, with some kind of compatibility mode and drawbacks in terms of visual style, many old applications should be working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The difference between WinCE 5 and 6 is more like the difference between Windows 95 and XP. All applications digging too deep into the system (like all this hooking/interprocess stuff) will not be possible anymore and needs to be adapted to CE 6. All the application (GUI) level stuff didn't change from CE 5 to CE 6. If WP7 is based on CE 6 and WM 6.7 (if it really happens?) is also based on CE 6 this would be AWESOME. Same kernel base, so it's probably gonna be easier to port things between them. I also still don't believe that all WM 5/6/6.5 apps aren't completely working anymore on WP7. Some of them probably need some "fine tuning" to adapt to the new OS but that's also been the case when they switched from PPC 2003 to WM 5.

[Q] Windows Mobile 6 Apps on Windows Phone 7?

Hi !
As far as I know, beneath Windows Phone 7 there is basically still Windows CE running. So I'm wondering, is/may/will it be possible to run Windows Mobile 6 Apps on Windows Phone 7? Or do we already know that this can't happen because the underlying architecture is too different? Is anyone working on this?
For example, has anyone tried to copy a Windows Mobile 6 Filemanager to WP7 and run it somehow?
Best regards
intripoon

I'm going to go with no here.... not only from all of the months and months and months of people saying no but from the simple fact that WP7 is based on silverlight which wm 6.1 and 6.5 aren't.... at all....
This is why aps aren't backwards OR forwards compatible which people put up a pretty big stink about when WP7 was announced but seems to have died down now that we're able to see what can actually be done with silverlight
So... no.. not compatible

Also, just think about the work to emulate the wm6 crappiness. Thousand of empty bucles, glitchy graphic rendering, millions of delays, agggg..
No, seriously. Windows Mobile was powerful, but it's just too old. It should be possible to emulate the applications (in theory everything is possible), but I think is just too much effort, and there is no such big reason to put resources on something like that.