Running linux on pocket pc
 

I thought it would be cool to start a thread on how to run any linux distro on a pocket pc. I recently bought an HP-rx3715 and I searched the webpage handhelds.org but I couldnt boot linux with the steps they offered there :P

BTW Im currently running an ELKS image on my pocket pc :D

I'm independently working on the Intimate Linux distro for older iPAQ 3600s and 3800s...it's freakin' awesome--Debian GNU/Linux for ARM booting from a microdrive! So far, I've installed the Familiar Linux bootloader that will allow me to boot into a small VFAT partition on a microdrive (or, in my case, a huge CF card). I can use the distro's latest kernel (2.4.19 series for ARM) and initrd to create a cramfs root image to work in. The second partition on the card is a single large EXT3 partition. I'm working on creating a root image there. I was able to use a modified debootstrap to get a working, but more modern image, and I was able to borrow some software from the Familiar distribution. So far, I've managed to modify the initrd to pivot-root into the ~1GB root image, and all the userland software works with the PPC, but X.org is extremely bulky :P. I'm still looking for a way to trim the fat off of it and to use the Compaq TS driver. Briefly, I got IceWM, Matchbox, and GPE software up and running :D. I can, however, ssh into the iPAQ via Ethernet-over-USB and connect my iPAQ to the internet via routing it through my laptop, so it can download packages.

that is so cool men I saw that the majority of users at handhelds did manage to boot the Familiar distro over NFS and others using the bootloader haret, whoever I saw various users that turned their pda into a brick so I was afraid that could happen to me so I got a microkernel and Im currently booting it and already manage to save information...

TODO..write some libs :P

You don't need to worry about bricking your iPAQ if you make sure it has a continuous power supply (i.e. plug it in when a power outage is unlikely). It only takes about 30 seconds to reprogram the bootloader...the risk is very, very small that you will brick it. Even then, it is usually possible to recover (there are detailed procedures on the Wiki on how to do this).