Welcome back to the TamsPPC article on Linux for the ipaq h41xx - in case you missed the first post with installation instructions, please find it here. Anyways, this article assumes that you have installed Linux as outlined in the first part and have reset your handheld into Windows CE once again. Now, follow the following steps:
Step 1 - Back up your data
Running an already-installed 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!
Step 2 - Prepare to boot
As you did in the first step, make sure that you can allocate at least 50 MB of program memory(worst case: hard reset your ipaq). Then, use file manager to go to /linux/ on the memory card from before…and run the haret program from there(not from /linux/rescue)! The ipaq’s screen will fade to grey or to random data:
Step 3 - machine booting
After that, the ipaq will do what all Linux boxen do - display weird bootup prompts. The errors over the “Familiar” image look bad, but the ipaq gets over them in approximately one to two minutes:
Step 4 - get over the basics
Once bootup is complete, Linux will ask you to calibrate your touchscreen by tapping the crosshairs:
After that, a root user and a normal user needs to be created. Linux is a multiuser operating system…and as that, it usually has at least two users configured. The root user is present on all machines; he is the only one who can change system settings(DON’T LOOSE THE PASSWORD). The user is the account that you will use every day:
Step 5 - log in
When the setup is complete(it can “hang” for up to a minute between steps), use the screen shown below to log into your ipaq with the user data created before:
After having logged in, a screen similar to the one below will pop up:
If you see the screen above, you’ve made it - Linux is up and running. The next parts will look at everyday usability…tune in soon!
Further reading:
Linux
Superuser
Related posts:
Can you try booting it on the ipaq 4350. I tried all i could but it would always get stuck, not being able to load the keyboard module. Would really like to try this out. Also leave some comments about whether its ready for everyday use?
Hi ammar,
I am sorry, but we do not have access to such an ipaq.
There will be one more article on ipaq; as we have to return the h4150 to HP soon…
Best regards
Tam Hanna
Is it possible to use the wifi on the 4150 with linux installed? Everytime I try and set it up the tick to use wifi device doesn’t stay
Hello Tinker,
thank you for the many comments!
As far as I know, it is possible - but not with the provided snapshots(which are very old).
If you manage to compile kernel et al manually(I can’t); you should be able to have WiFi running in a jiffy!
Best regards
Tam Hanna