Re: Linux on a flash disk.

> I was thinking about how to get a risk-less Linux install on the H2210
> and keeping the PPC applications installed too. The reasion is that
> there are still a few killer applications on PPC that are not likely to
> be replaced by Linux ones soon (think of car navigation).
Agreed. This will also lower the threshold for "new" users.

> My idea is the following:
>
> 1) Partition a CF disk in 2 pieces. I hope that PPC can handle that.
PPC can at least handle the first partition

> 2) Install a root image on one partition of the CF disk. Install all
> your PPC application on CF disk instead of the usual main memory.
> Hopefully all applications support that properly...
Most of them do, I'm installing always to my SD-card.

> 3) Add HaReT and the kernel image (maybe also the initrd) on the CF disk
> PPC partition or the iPAQ file storage.
Good idea.

> Now the device will boot PPC and you can switch to Linux by starting
> HaReT. When you need your PPC installation again, boot back to PPC by
> resetting the device. BTW. We really need a PPC image without that
> nagging welcome application :-(
If we modify the rom we can make it recover a backup image automatically too. That would be the killer-function for dual boot.

> Using a CF, we can really get mobile with the h2210 right now. It help
> in debugging and getting an installed base. Furthermore, it is a much
> more convinient methode to keep your installed software up-to-date than
> constantly flashing the NAND flash.
>
> Does this sound like a good idea?
Yes, I like it very much. When we work out a method, other projects can benefit from this to.

regards,

Koen
Received on Wed Apr 14 10:52:39 2004