Messages

1

General Discussion / Is There Anybody Out There?

« on: March 05, 2005, 02:15:38 pm »

Being new to the Zaurus world - I decided to go with a C860.  I figured the flash memory would be a bit more robust than a microdrive, but ultimately I thought it would be more forgiving of my newbie mistakes! 

If you really need the space you always get a CF drive later on.
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Truth to tell - I already have a 4GB MD!    So space shouldn't really be an issue...I think the deciding factor came down to the large number of ROMS available for the 860 and the seemingly easier process for full recovery.  I wanted to be able to play around but still go back if I happened on something I didn't like.  Especially since I'm a complete noob  

Since then I found a site detailing how to return a C3000 to it's factory settings...still I couldn't be happier with my C860!  Maybe when the next C device comes out it will have integrated wireless and I can upgrade then. (I can't believe I'm already talking about the next device - what a gadget junkie!   ) That's the big downside I can see with using a CF drive in the 860 - no room for the WiFi card.  Not a deal breaker for me 'cause I live in the stix - WiFi? - what's WiFi?  - where's WiFi?  Nowhere!

Anyway, I'm having a blast with my new Z.  The family is a bit irritated though - What!?  You're going to *ahem* work on your Zaurus again?

2

General Discussion / Who are you and where are you from?

« on: March 05, 2005, 01:57:13 pm »

Still playing around with the Sharp ROM, but I have Cacko and pdaXROM already downloaded and I *almost* have enough nerve ready to go for it...nah, maybe just a bit more research first. 

PDAXRom is another story, but Cacko is really just an improved Sharp ROM, it's really quite straight forward.
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Yeah - I went ahead and flashed it with Cacko just a couple of days later.  I like it, but I'm getting some errors now with packages that ran before.  i.e. the ir keyboard and frotz...still maybe it's something stupid I am doing -  I keep learning just how much I don't know!  

I'm having a blast though - I might try OZ next.  

3

Sharp ROMs / Cacko Rom 1.22 Is Available!

« on: March 01, 2005, 10:35:57 am »

OK - Thanks!  Looks like I did the right things by pure dumb luck - whoohoo!  

As for the listing - I was looking for one stop to show what all was installed with the ROM package - no biggie though.  More for my edification and education as I try to come up to speed...I'm sure there's a way to have linux tell you this.  I'll figure it out... eventually.  

4

Sharp ROMs / Cacko Rom 1.22 Is Available!

« on: March 01, 2005, 09:45:13 am »

Thanks for your comments, I'm sure they wil usefull for the novice users. I agree that most of the obvious things for advanced users are not that obvious for others

Yeah - I was hoping.  I thought my comments might be useful in clarifying the installations steps.  Maybe you'll add a comment about the warning screen for the next rev.

Also, still curious about the power thing.  What was the original intent?  When should you add the ac adapter, step 4 or 7?

And the inability to power off my Z at step 12 - what should I have done to get the unit powered down safely?

If you look at the downloads section of ZUG site, you'll find older version of the ROMs along with descriptions of what was new and updated from version to version up to 1.22a.

I did actually get the readme files for past versions - back to 1.20 - but I didn't find a listing of the packages included in the ROM.  I'll go back further and keep looking.  Can you point me to the revision I need to look at?

Thanks!
Jen

5

Sharp ROMs / Cacko Feeds

« on: March 01, 2005, 02:14:31 am »

FBReader has a new version out now- 0.5.2 released Feb 21, 2005.
The feed has version 0.5.1.

Can you add Frotz and ScummVM?

Thanks!
Jen

6

Sharp ROMs / Cacko Rom 1.22 Is Available!

« on: March 01, 2005, 01:34:42 am »

Hi Anton, et. al.,

I'm new to the Zaurus (had mine 'bout a week now) and also fairly new to Linux.  I did my homework in the forums while waiting for my Z to arrive (a C860 btw) and played around a little with the Sharp ROM before deciding to flash it with Cacko 1.22.

Overall the experience has been very positive - I can see why you get such rave reviews from the other users.  Good job!  However, I thought I might also be able to add some input from the perspective a complete newbie.  If nothing else it will give you a couple of laughs!  

First, the Installation Notes as seen in the Readme.  (I've added my comments in blue.)

    1. Extract the 3 files - initrd.bin tools.tar updater.sh - to the root of your CF or SD/MMC card.  (An explanation or link to the defn of "root" would be helpful for the truly novice user - luckily I wasn't that new - but I did question myself and worry if it had to be the top hierarchical structure or a directory called "root")
    2. Make sure that Zaurus isn't plugged into AC power.
    3. Remove battery for at least 5 seconds.
    4. Replace battery (replace battery cover, lock cover), plug in AC power.  (I didn't plug in the AC adapter until step 7 - it was a bit confusing since you had specified plugging in in steps 4 and 7!  This worked for me, but I haven't played around with other possibile routines.  I did wonder if you meant that the barrel end was to be plugged into the Zaurus here in step 4, while the plug would remain out of the wall socket until step 7...)
    5. Press and hold the "OK" button on the keyboard.
    6. Turn the power on, you should see the Japanese service menu.
    7. Now Plug in the Power Cord. (You will get an error if it isn't plugged in!)
    8. Select option 4 (flash/update).
    9. You then have four options (1. USB, 2. CF, 3. SD, 4. Back)
    10. Choose either option 2 or 3, depending on which media you put the files on.  (A warning screen entirely in Japanese comes up at this point.  You need to select Y to continue.  Major panic ensued at this point - oh my god, what did I just tell it to do?!)
   
    11. Select "5 Flash repartition", enter 27 when prompted for root partition size.  (I used a larger partition based on the errors users were reporting in the forum...went with 28 - oh my!)
    12. Flash will be repartioned and Zaurus will reboot.  (I couldn't get my Z to turn off after this reboot.  The prompt said 'Enter Runlevel'  and the On/Off switch of the Z was unresponsive.  I ended up pulling the battery to kill it.  )    
    13. Repeat steps 2-10 again and wait for the menu start menu.
    14. Now select "1 Install new ROM" and wait - Zaurus will reboot.  (Prior to the Z rebooting, you are told that it is recommneded to format the user flash.  Since you recommended it, I did it!  Then the Z reboots.)

Second, I decided to go with the full Cacko 1.22, not the lite version, but it would be very nice to know what packages are included in this.  I gathered from the 1.22 Lite readme file that the packages that had been excluded in the Lite version would be in the full version.  But still it would be helpful to have a fully inclusive list of what's in the ROM.  This may be too cumbersome though and my ignorance is showing...

That's about it for now.  I hope that my comments are helpful.  I've noticed an immediate improvement in using my Z with the new ROM and continue to play and learn with it.  Thanks for all your hard work.

Jen

P.S.  As an aside - do you know of a Frotz package (or other Z-code emulator) for the Cacko 1.22 ROM?  I tried the  2.42_arm.ipk and 2.32_arm.ipk from the Zaurus Software Index, but they give me an error when I try to install...thanks.

7

General Discussion / Who are you and where are you from?

« on: February 25, 2005, 11:16:03 pm »

Well, I'm the proud new owner of a Zaurus SL-C860 as of Wednesday.    Been reading the forums and whatnot in preparation for its arrival.  It's sooo cool!

I'm in my 30's, from New Mexico, USA.  Yes, we ARE a state.    I'm a Materials Engineer - though currently on an extended leave raising 3 boys that my partner and I recently adopted.  0-3 in nothing flat...Now, that'll keep you on your toes!  Learning Linux should be a piece of cake in comparison  

Still playing around with the Sharp ROM, but I have Cacko and pdaXROM already downloaded and I *almost* have enough nerve ready to go for it...nah, maybe just a bit more research first.  

Anyway, thanks to all that have contributed in the past and continue to do so.

Jen

8

General Discussion / Is There Anybody Out There?

« on: February 25, 2005, 07:49:23 pm »

I too had problems with vendors getting back to me.  I still haven't heard back from Conics.net...and I sent my original requests to him before he posted that he would be away 'til the 21st.  Sigh - oh well.

Ultimately, I went with Dynamism.  They were willing to work with me on the price and were the most responsive in gettng back to me.

Being new to the Zaurus world - I decided to go with a C860.  I figured the flash memory would be a bit more robust than a microdrive, but ultimately I thought it would be more forgiving of my newbie mistakes!  

Dynamism delivered as quickly as promised and I've been "playing" ever since!  WhooHoo!  Man is this cool...  

Jen

9

C1000/3x00 General discussions / Bricked..........damn!

« on: February 15, 2005, 05:33:24 pm »

Cybernetseraph-

Be sure to let us know if this works!  

I'm trying to decide between an 860 and a 3000 - should be a no brainer right?  But as a linux newbie on of the things that was scaring me off from the 3000 was the inability to fully restore the original ROM.  Also - since the 860 has been out longer I figured people will have worked out solutions for most of the problems I'll encounter.

Still if this works then maybe the 3000 is the best way to go after all!  I can't wait to hear from you...