How Hackable Is The iPaq IA-1 Internet Appliance? 12
BenTheDewpendent writes: "I am considering buying a Compaq iPaq IA-1 Internet Appliance if it is hackable. The IA-1 is relatively cheap and doesn't seem to be too bad in spec. I was wondering if anyone knows if they are hackable or usable beyond their intended semi-lame designed purpose?" There's a short (and lukewarm) review at TechTV about this machine which lists decent specs but objects to a highish price for what it contains. If you have a bargain, though, it sounds fun. Anyone have a succesful experiment with one of these cute boxes?
The are very hackable... (Score:3)
Inferno on the iPAQ (Score:2)
The latest Inferno/Plan 9 newsletter mentions a port of the Inferno operating system to the iPAQ [vitanuova.com]. If you pay for an Inferno subscription, then you can get the port `for free'. I believe that the source would be available to you.
Vita Nuova was able to hack the iPAQ thoroughly; if you can't get the information that you want, you could use Inferno source code as documentation or the basis of your own hacks. If I wanted to set up a wireless mobile network with custom software on it, this would be the easiest prepackaged solution of which I know. (I would rather use Erlang than Limbo for a distributed system, but it would take effort to get it on an iPAQ.)
Re:The are very hackable... (Score:2)
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"Jailbait" (Score:5)
Jailbait assumes that it's booting from
To get into the bios, which you'll need to do to set the thing to boot from the external flash slot, press the "compaq" key on the wireless keyboard during boot-up. Things are easier if you connect a real keyboard to the IA-1 using the USB ports on the back. However, having USB peripherals attached during boto seems to sometimes prevent Linux form booting properly -- lilo hangs. It's strange.
The jailbait image uses cramfs for its filesystems, so to modify what's installed on the IA-1, you'll have to rebuild the flash image. Once you get Linux booting from the internal flash, you can mount an NFS fileserver over ethernet, using a USb-to-ethernet adapter, and just 'dd' the new filesystem images to their proper locations, then reboot. Don't use the Netgear adapter. It's crap. Get a DLink or other "pegasus" adapter. Set aside your hdc-bootable flash card. You'll need it when you do something stupid like disable all the ttys (voice of experience).
I'll put up my images at http://nc.flyingbuttmonkeys.com/mirrors/IA1
Please don't ask for support with these, though. These images are rather hacked up versions of jailbait. I compiled my own kernel, whacked Netscape, added Skinux [skinux.com] demo files, a modified boot logo, etc. They will be a place for you to start, though. You can get Linux onto the IA-1 using them, then replace my garbage with your garbage.
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Mod this up! (Score:1)
Re:Why would you want to put Linux on this? (Score:1)
ya whatever (Score:1)
Check out... (Score:5)
Re:"Jailbait" (Score:1)
anyway, i'm still fighting with getting jailbait onto the damned machine... admittedly, i've been "at work" and watching movies during the 3 or 4 hours i've been playing with it.
[TROLLFOOD] linuxgruven? serious? hah! (Score:1)
haha, quoting linuxgruven stats as being key to linux is like saying that the little VAR down the way is key to Microsoft's success.
Linuxgruven is/was/will always be a bunch of idiots, in what is common ly believed to be a training scam:
(slashdot-only links, since they're pretty comprehensive of all previous allegations)
- Linuxgruven, Sair, and Employment Practices [slashdot.org]
- the relavent slashdot search [slashdot.org]
I could continue, but i'll let you look it up. so strike the linuxgruven story off your FUD list, it's bad form.i suppose this is what i get for reading at threshold 0, eh?
Re:The are very hackable... (Score:2)
doo doo... waits for the 2 minute limit... which apparently includes attempted posts that fell within the 2 minute limitation.
Re:Here's the real problem (Score:1)