N00b Q: X86 Compatibility

[SanctimoniousApe]

Okay, b4 y'all start spankin' me for posting such a fantasyland question, understand that I am new to Z-Land - I haven't even received my eBay-purchased Z yet.  I know that what I ask should be possible - if very slow (depending upon the method used), but I'm willing to put up with it for the sake of what I need to do (run some binaries that I don't have the source for).

I won't bore you with my long-winded reasoning for this need, but instead just simply ask:  has anyone bothered to create such an emulator or compatibility layer?  I can't seem to find anything on the topic, but maybe I'm not searching for the right thing - I keep coming up with info on cross-compiling and that's about it.

Past that the only thing I can think to do is try to find something that will decompile the binaries so I can recompile them, but I don't know if such a feat is possible - these are big programs and I ain't got much C experience (never mind that it is probably waayyy more hassle than it would be worth to me).

[lardman]

There are some emulators for dos, you can run up to Win98 on top of these (I've seen photos iirc).

However it will be very very slow indeed.

What kind of apps are you wanting to run?


Si

P.S.

has anyone bothered to create such an emulator or compatibility layer? I can't seem to find anything on the topic, but maybe I'm not searching for the right thing

Try a search on here for 'wine'

[SanctimoniousApe]

Errr... No.  I meant Linux apps.  "x86" ≠ "Winblows."  I just need to run some text-mode only binaries that were compiled for Red Hat on x86.  Is this possible?

[ciro]

Errr... No.  I meant Linux apps.  "x86" ≠ "Winblows."  I just need to run some text-mode only binaries that were compiled for Red Hat on x86.  Is this possible?
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Yes. qemu is good for linux apps. I'd not been able to find a binary for ARM, so I've compiled it myself. Unfortunately it is dependent on some version of gcc. I had to fix qemu code and compiler flags. If you like, I can send the binary and/or patches.

[kopsis]

There are multiple x86 emulators that have been ported to the Zaurus with varrying degrees of success. I know that folks have been able to get both Bochs and QEMU working (search the forums for either and you'll find plenty of info).

The thing to remember is that to run an x86 Linux app, you'll need an entire x86 Linux environment (kernel, glibc, etc.). Bochs and QEMU create an "empty" virtual x86 platform that is largely independent of all the other software on the Zaurus. Within Bochs or QEMU you'll have to install an x86 Linux distro (fortunately there are some minimal distros available) and it is that environment in which your x86 Linux apps will run. You're going to want to have a big SD or CF card (256MB+) to make this all work.

[ciro]

The thing to remember is that to run an x86 Linux app, you'll need an entire x86 Linux environment (kernel, glibc, etc.).
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qemu project targets both virtual PC and user-mode emulators. You don't need the kernel for user-mode. User-mode emulation is faster.

[SanctimoniousApe]

Thank you both!  Sounds like I'll be giving qEmu a try first.  I actually played with it briefly once before, but I couldn't get the dreaded SCO OS5 to work under it (something I was trying for my company which had A LOT of investment in SCO before SCO got desperate...).  I had actually forgotten all about it.  Can't wait to get my Z and play now!!!

Thanks again!  Will let you know how it turns out (probably will take some time...).

[SanctimoniousApe]

If you like, I can send the binary and/or patches.

Oh, and yes - I certainly would be interested in either/both (not really a C person, but I'll figure it out if I have to).  Thanks!

[tovarish]

i run mathematica linux binaries in my z.
many text mode apps work with qemu