Complete Linux Noob Question: Is there a way to boot Linux off of CF card?

[TheeJester]

And not affect PPC in your main memory?

[kendrick@io.com]

Ironically, the first Pocket PC implementations of Linux ran on top of Windows CE, rather than replacing the original OS in the flash ROM. Check out this link:

http://www.hacksrus.com/~mike/lince/lince-mips.htm

Unfortunately, this data hasn't been updated since October of 2001, but it briefly describes the steps taken to get a version of Linux running on a Casio E-1XX series Pocket PC. Of course, that version was compiled for MIPS and ran on top of the Windows CE GUI, since the Cassiopeia series of Pocket PC devices didn't have a flashable ROM. It wasn't until the iPaq came 'round that people started thinking about dumping CE wholesale for their own OS.

There are links off of that page to ARM and SH3 builds of Linux, if you're interested. And to answer your original question, based on a quick read of that page I don't see any reason why Linux couldn't be made to boot off of a storage card. Again, you wouldn't be replacing the Windows CE contents and you'd probably be restricted to its GUI, but if you want to have your cake and eat it to then you'll have to make that kind of compromise.

Hope that's helpful. Enjoy.

-KKC, beta testing. And no, I won't tell you on what.

[imported_Figment]

Hello theejester,

Handheld.org has the info you're looking for, from step-by-step how-to's on loading linux (both rom-flash and dual ce/linux boot methods) to mobile linux distributions.

http://www.handhelds.org

Thomas

[TheeJester]

thank you! hopefully i'll find something!