HP’s ipaq handhelds have been capable to “run” Linux long before ports for other platforms(e.g. Palm OS or Siemens SX1) began to emerge. However, somewhat running and running a productive Linux are two entirely different things - let’s see how the h4150 Linux port fares!
Step 1 - back up your PocketPC’s RAM
Installing Linux onto your ipaq flushes the RAM of the machine(Linux needs it to work). So, please back up all the data on your PocketPC before attempting any of the steps below! Your data WILL BE LOST!
Also, your memory card’s partition table will be modified seriously - so better use an old memory card(I used a 128MB MiniSD card) that has at least 64MB of memory free.
Step 2 - install the files
Create a folder /linux in the root folder of your memory card(NOT in the RAM or ipaq file store). Below that, create a folder /rescue. Then, put the following files into /linux/rescue(mirrored here(single zip archive) for your convinience):
custom.txt
gpe-image-v0.8.4-h4000-1.rootfs.tar.bz2
haret.exe
ramdisk-rescue-0.6.3-r361.rootfs.ext2.gz
startup.txt
zImage-2.6.16-hh7-h4000-20060920151019
After that, hardreset your ipaq h4150 to free up the RAM. Open Settings and allocate at least 50MB of program RAM.
Step 3 - run HaRET, load RamdiskRescue
Now, use File Manager to run Haret in /linux/rescue. The program will boot up Linux and will start RamdiskRescue. There, choose Install Linux and choose the source and target mediums(just choose the SD Card twice) with the 5way.
After having chosen the target medium, the ipaq should best be left alone for an hour or so, while cryptic messages like the ones in the picture below scroll over its screen. The ipaq will repartition the memory card and will unpack Linux files to the EXT2 partition it creates - this alone took an hour on our machine.
Once the copying is finished, the ipaq will announce this with a voice message and will display an image similar to the one below:
Step 4 - hardreset the unit once again
Now, hard-reset the unit once again to get back to Windows CE. You will then launch Linux from there.
Tune in soon to find out more about the first booting process of your ipaq!
Further reading:
installation howto
HaRET info
RamdiskRescue info
Related posts:
Hi, thanks for the tutorial.
I couldn’t get linux to boot for love nor money, it would keep booting with the error that it could not do something with the filesystem.
I finally gave it some thought and it turned out to be that I was trying to boot with my 1GB SD card which was causing the problem, as soon as I replaced this with a 512MB card the problems were solved and it is installing as I type this
I might try copying it onto the 1GB card once it’s installed if I can work out how to do that
Hi Tinker,
unfortunately, I have made the same experience with many Linux ports for various mobile devices. Some memory cards simply work, others do not. No idea why…even the developers were puzzled about that…
So…if it works on your 512MB card, be happy :).
Best regards
Tam Hanna
Hello,
Nice topic, I’ve tried to do it on my iPaq but unfortunately it didn’t work. The problem is that it is impossible to create the EXT2 partition. I’ve tried on different cards… same trouble. Any idea?
Thanks
Karl
Hi karl,
I am sorry - as I no longer have access to the device, I cannot say much more…
Best regards
Tam Hanna
Worked first time, thanks for everything it made my 4150 worth using again.
Hi,
it was a pleasure!
Best regards
Tam Hanna
installing as I type, do I just load linux progz as normal once done?
Hi,
IMHO yes (as long as they are compiled for ARM).
However, we don’t have the device in house anymore…
Best regards
Tam Hanna
Just download this file on SD card and run it!
http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/unstable/images/h4000/RC1.3/Angstrom-x11-image-liveramdisk-2007.11RC1.3-h4000.exe
A slightly faster Linux can be installed if you can partition an SD card separately. Here is how:
http://www.angstrom-distribution.org/unstable/images/h4000/RC1.3/Angstrom-x11-image-liveramdisk-2007.11RC1.3-h4000.exe