[iPAQ] Unusable Ipaq after Linux installation

Hi,

I spent some time today trying to install Linux on an Ipaq H3700 series.
I started by downloading the 2.17.12 bootloader using BootBlaster 1.15,
and followed the instructions at

ftp://ftp.handhelds.org/pub/linux/compaq/ipaq/stable/install.html

from 1-12. Everything worked fine and I assumed that I was past the
risky part of the install, as the page said. I then went to

http://familiar.handhelds.org/familiar/releases/latest/install/H3600/install.html

and started on the installation of Linux itself. I skipped the bootloader
stage since it was already installed (could that be the problem?) But then
I faithfully (I think) carried out the instructions, using Hyperterminal
on my laptop PC. I set up the bootloader parameters and uploaded the
kernel and the root file system (familiar-complete, the larger option).
Everything seemed to go exactly as expected. But then when I typed "boot"
to the boot prompt, the device simply "died" --- that is, the screen went
blank and there was no sign of any activity. I got a little feedback through
the serial port saying that it was booting Wince (??) and blanking the
screen, then some gibberish and a couple of numbers:

addr: 00C30000 data: D9C6A6DB
addr: 00C40000 data: E0021985
addr: 00C50000 data: 97E02667
addr: 00C60000 data: FFFFFFFF
addr: 00C70000 data: FFFFFFFF
verifying ... formatting ... done.
boot> boot
booting wince...
Disabling LCD controller
U'"F
00089DF4
01F9A4CC

Then nothing -- the screen was blank and there was no sign of activity.
Hitting the reset in the bottom right didn't work, either on its own or
together with the middle button (which I'd done earlier to get the
bootloader prompt). I browsed the Web for a hard reset method and found
a recommendation to turn the battery off and on again. I tried that and
still nothing happens.

Have you any idea what the problem is, and how I can recover at least to
the extent of having a working bootloader when I can try again? I believe
I followed the instructions to the letter, and can only think that there
might be some incompatibility between the "later" bootloader and the
earlier one assumed in the Linux installation instructions.

Thanks!

John Harrison.
Received on Thu Jan 10 17:27:55 2002