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HpIpaqHx4700FrequentlyAskedQuestions

Frequently Asked Questions About the hx4700

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the hx4700. If you have a general question about the hx4700 that you think others also might have, then add it to this page. Similarly, if you know the answer to on of these questions, please share! If you see an answer to a question and you know it's wrong, then make it right. If you see an answer to a question and you think it's wrong, but your not sure, then append you answer right below the existing answer and let someone else sort it out.

Note: this page is being contributed by many users, and thus may contain inconsistent/outdated/duplicate info. It may be useful to get initial impression, but please use entire wiki to check up-to-date state of areas not directly related to hx4700 hardware, like software, Familiar, GPE, etc.

  1. Frequently Asked Questions About the hx4700
    1. Installation
      1. Is there anyway to install Familiar on the hx4700 without a compact flash card?
      2. Why am I having difficulty installing Linux using a large CF or SD card?
      3. How hard is it to install and use Linux and how long does it take?
      4. If I install Linux and decide I don't like it, can I go back to windows?
      5. I love Linux on my hx4700 so much. How can I help make it better?
    2. Hardware
      1. Does the integrated WiFi work?
      2. What type of wireless encryption is currently supported?
      3. What types of keyboard are supported?
    3. Software
      1. What software is available for Familiar?
      2. Is there a video/mp3 player for the GPE environment?
      3. Is it possible for me to port / compile more software to Familiar?

Installation

Is there anyway to install Familiar on the hx4700 without a compact flash card?

There doesn't appear to be a way to do a fledged installed for the hx4700 without a compact flash card, but you can use Ramdisk Rescue as a sort of live CD Familiar equivalent.

Why am I having difficulty installing Linux using a large CF or SD card?

The bootloader cannot read 2Gb SD cards, but is fine with 512Mb or smaller. Large CF cards must be formatted with a small (63Mb) initial partition (FAT16) in order to work.

How hard is it to install and use Linux and how long does it take?

This is one of those tricky questions that's hard to answer because install times vary widely depending on how familiar the user is with Linux, Familiar, and several other things. But for most users that are familiar with Linux, it's probably a weekend project to get it installed and setup just the way he/she likes it.

If using RamdiskRescue, the installation will take ~2hr, without any risks of having issues with flash ROM, or restoring WindowsCE. Once you'll be satisfied with Linux, you can install it to flash.

If I install Linux and decide I don't like it, can I go back to windows?

Yes, assuming that you followed the instruction on how to back up the hx4700's windows' image simply copy the backed up image back to the sd card like so. Warning: this will wipe the SD card clean 

dd if=mybackup.img of=/dev/sda
then put the card back into the ipaq and push the buttons: Contacts + iTask + Reset

I love Linux on my hx4700 so much. How can I help make it better?

Hardware

Does the integrated WiFi work?

Sort of. It works reasonable well; however it doesn't seem to support WPA encryption and it also doesn't work after a suspend / resume.

What type of wireless encryption is currently supported?

WEP definitely works, but then again WEP isn't the most secure encryption around. I've read several places that WPA doesn't work, but it looks like Familiar does have some WPA things installed by default so it's hard to say.

What types of keyboard are supported?

Currently the following keyboards are supported in kbdd:

Keyboard keyb-type min. kbdd version
HP/Compaq Foldable Keyboard foldable 0.8
Targus Stowaway Keyboard stowaway 0.8
Stowaway XT stowawayxt 0.8
Belkin/RipTide SnapNType snapntype 0.8
SnapNType Bluetooth snapntypebt 0.11
HP Slim sleeve keyboard hpslim 0.8
[WWW]Smart Bluetooth Keyboard smartbt 0.8
Belkin IR (not IrDA) belkinir 0.8
Flexis FX-100 keyboard flexis 0.8
Benq G250 gamepad g250 0.8
GrandTec PocketVIK pocketvik 0.8
Micro Innovations Foldaway keyboard microfold 0.8
Micro Innovations Datapad micropad 0.8
LIRC consumer IR lirc 0.8
Compaq Microkeyboard microkbd 0.9
Targus Universal Wireless Keyboard (SIR) targusir 0.10
ipaq bluetooth foldable, qwerty layout btfoldable 0.12
Freedom freedom 0.12
Please note: while there are adapters available to convert the port on the bottom of the hx4700 to a usb connector, you can not hook up a usb keyboard to the hx4700.

Software

What software is available for Familiar?

See HandheldSoftware.

Is there a video/mp3 player for the GPE environment?

There sure doesn't appear to be. There are a few, it just that none of them seem to work. The closest thing is a program called madplay which is a command line mp3 player. Opie on the other hand, does come with one.

Is it possible for me to port / compile more software to Familiar?

Yes, it's possible. Check out the OpenEmbedded page for more info!