10 replies to this topic

[Zylle]

I havent used my spv for ages, and now i was thinking i wanted to do something funny with it
I came up with this question because i just got my other old device (nokia 9110) up and running with linux, and i would be awesome to see the spv running it.

1. Is there any ports of linux to the spv?
2. Is it possible to install and run linux on the spv ?
3. Have it been tried before ?
4. Does anybody now if someone is working on this ?


And by the way, have a happy new year

[mcwarre]

A forim memeber (who shall remain nameless) has tried Linux on the SPV. Don't know the results tho'!

[squall]

there is certianly no public release of a rom installer which puts linux on the smartphone.

[xueyanzhe]

never heard of it ,i'm not good at computer ,so i don't know wheather it can be ,but i support u!maybe one day i can c somebody run linux on a spv

Edited by xueyanzhe, 08 January 2005 - 01:35 PM.

[TriMesh]

xueyanzhe, on Jan 8 2005, 14:37, said:

never heard of it ,i'm not good at computer ,so i don't know wheather it can be ,but i support u!maybe one day i can c somebody run linux on a spv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It should be possible - the CPU architecture is known, and it should be possible to work out the memory map of the device by examining the startup code in the Canary  / Tanager bootloader.  The two most obvious problems are the lack of RAM and the fact that the bootloader is presumably designed to boot up Windows CE, which expects a significantly different memory setup from Linux.  The best way around this is to write a new bootloader - but this is a very hazardous process unless you have some external way of flashing the device (possibly JTAG?).

Even if you get the Linux kernel running on it, you still need some kind of UI - X (at least any reasonably recent version) is probably out of the question with 16MB, which leaves environments like QPE.  You might get this to boot, but it's really designed for QVGA PDA type screens, not the tiny one on the smartphone.

There is also an issue with the radio stack - the type approval of phone devices is normally tied into the software, so even if you managed to get the radio stack working under Linux, it would probably be (theoretically) illegal to operate.  

Overall, I think it would be a neat hack, but not very useful - if you want a Linux PDA, you're probably better of getting something like the Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000 - which has 4 times the RAM, a VGA resolution screen and a 4GB internal HD.  Of course, if you just want to play, it might be an iteresting way to spend the time...

[Mantafreak]

i've got an old e200 if anyone wants to try....

[Tech]

imho - you would be mad to do this - wasnt designed for anything else other than WM
just shows once again - jelousy

sorry to be harsh but i feel strongly

[chucky.egg]

Tech, on May 22 2006, 19:17, said:

imho - you would be mad to do this - wasnt designed for anything else other than WM
just shows once again - jelousy

sorry to be harsh but i feel strongly

EH?
Jealous of what?
And who dredged up this old thread?!??

[pisygirl]

wau...linux on my spv????
sounds good, but......is it possible?I try linux on m500 but I have some problem with phone capabilities!

[awarner]

pisygirl, on Jan 26 2007, 13:18, said:

wau...linux on my spv????
sounds good, but......is it possible?I try linux on m500 but I have some problem with phone capabilities!

There is not Linuk port for the SPV (HTC Canary) the only attempt I am aware of is the experiment made by Florin back in the very early days.

[The Doctor]

awarner (MVP), on Feb 7 2007, 02:22, said:

There is not Linuk port for the SPV (HTC Canary) the only attempt I am aware of is the experiment made by Florin back in the very early days.

VERY early days There is however an effort to port Linux to the HTC Typhoon/Hurricane/Tornado

More info HERE

Phil