Ultimate Zaurus: Sl-c13000 :-)

[daniel3000]

Hello,

I have an SL-C3000 and would like to optimize it hardware-wise.

I'd like to know if the following is possible (please let me know if one of the points is not possible):

* Trade it with someone against an SL-C1000 (who would be willing to trade?) and use the 1000 as the basis for the following:
* implant an USB bluetooth dongle (which one is best?)
* implant an USB WLAN dongle (which one is best?)
* Use a 4GB CF card or microdrive externally via slot as storage
* Use SD card >1GB as storage (does the new driver work flawlessly?)
* Run Cacko 1.23 ROM on it using the built-in BT and WLAN
* Run pdaXrom on it using the built-in BT and WLAN
* Still using the external USB client and host ports normally for peripheral devices such as mouse, keyboard, USB storage...


This would allow me to use the most recent ROM developments, which are not available for the SL-C3000, allow for easier file transfer and backups, since the large storage is not built-in but removable, and it would allow to use the wireless technologies without swapping any cards.

Thanks for any hints
daniel

[Hrw]

You forgot bigger battery to provide power for wifi dongle (they are often so power hungry that refuse to work with palmtops).

Also memory upgrade to atleast 128M

[koen]

You forgot bigger battery to provide power for wifi dongle (they are often so power hungry that refuse to work with palmtops).
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The usbhost chip is generally limited at 100mA, so you'd need to find a better +5V source to power those wifi dongles

[albertr]

As was posted on the other thread and also explained here:

http://www.iral.com/~albertr/linux/zaurus/wireless/

 the power regulator that provides +5V  to OTG connector is limited artificially to ~200mA. That could be changed by simply replacing the resistor. I'm currently using it to provide ~600mA (1K resistor) to my internal wifi usb module and internal serial bt module, and it has no problem to power up them both at the same time. So, it's sure doable.
-albertr

[daniel3000]

You forgot bigger battery to provide power for wifi dongle (they are often so power hungry that refuse to work with palmtops).

Also memory upgrade to atleast 128M
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Memory upgrade qould be nice, but not worthwhile for me. Too much potential trouble for too little profit. A swap file could be used on a card.

Battery: If the wireless modules can be switched off when not in use, it would not be worse than it is now with external hardware.

daniel

[daniel3000]

As was posted on the other thread and also explained here:

http://www.iral.com/~albertr/linux/zaurus/wireless/

 the power regulator that provides +5V  to OTG connector is limited artificially to ~200mA. That could be changed by simply replacing the resistor. I'm currently using it to provide ~600mA (1K resistor) to my internal wifi usb module and internal serial bt module, and it has no problem to power up them both at the same time. So, it's sure doable.
-albertr
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Yes, I visited that great page but at the moment it is a bit beyond my skills.
Well, I'd have non problems with soldering that small stuff, but there are still too many variables which, when varies, could lead to unwanted results.
Do you plan to provide step-by-step installation instructions with a part lists once you're finished? And an IPK for the new USB driver?

If so, I'll gladly pay / donate a good amount for your efforts!

I woud also consider to only inbuild BT OR WiFi, maybe not both, if that makes things much easier (no second internal port needed...)


daniel

[albertr]

Daniel,

I saw your modifications done for HP 200LX, so don't tell me that Zaurus would be too difficult for you

But of course you're right about compilation part, having a working build environment is a must, since many hardware changes require the appropriate changes in the software. Speaking of which, I'd suggest to go with either pdaXrom or OZ/OE, since both of them have open source build environments. Sure it's possible to re-compile the kernel and write applications for Sharp Qtopia-based distributions too, but you may find yourself handicapped at some point due to lack of open source code.

 Also, the Zaurus is quite a survivor device, IMHO. During my experiments, I used to connect wrong signal lines, wrong GPIO pins and it's still not damaged. I doubt that it's my luck, so probably it's not that easy to be killed.
-albertr

[Fushnchupsh]

Also, the Zaurus is quite a survivor device, IMHO. During my experiments, I used to connect wrong signal lines, wrong GPIO pins and it's still not damaged. I doubt that it's my luck, so probably it's not that easy to be killed.

except when trying to change your rom....  Some very small mistakes can lead to having to ship back to japan!
 

--Fish

[daniel3000]

I saw your modifications done for HP 200LX, so don't tell me that Zaurus would be too difficult for you

Well, the 200LX is about 12 years old. Electronics which were really small back then are HUGE now :-]
But as I said, the soldering stuff is not what I'm afraid of.
I rather fear that it gets too complicated to find the appropriate driver, take too much time to compile a fitting kernel, will drive me crazy to find the solution for problem xy.... you know.
That's why I'd prefer a step-by-step guide and a list of parts which work definitely and a driver which fits definitely.

daniel

[jam13]

the power regulator that provides +5V  to OTG connector is limited artificially to ~200mA. That could be changed by simply replacing the resistor. I'm currently using it to provide ~600mA (1K resistor) to my internal wifi usb module and internal serial bt module, and it has no problem to power up them both at the same time. So, it's sure doable.
-albertr
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That sounds interesting!

So piggybacking a 2k2 resistor should up the current limit to around 500mA? If so then that should be enough to spin up a 1.8" USB drive without external power. I'm pretty sure the running current requirement is pretty low (around 200mA), but it needs a bit of a bump to get it going.

Wonder why they limited it to 200mA though?

[albertr]

I dunno what reasoning Sharp had behind this limitation... At first I was afraid that upping the current limit may have adverse effect, but now running it for a couple of weeks, I can't tell the difference. Interesting that 1K resistor is just enought for powering up both internal wifi and internal bt. If I add external usb ethernet dongle then the overcurrent protection kicks in and the regulator starts to oscillate.
-albertr

[albertr]

That's why I'd prefer a step-by-step guide and a list of parts which work definitely and a driver which fits definitely.

I posted the make/model numbers for dongles I was using, Let me know if it was not clear or you have any questions, As far as serial and ohci glue drivers go, I posted all the source code I wrote. I think of it as of a moving target, that means it's more like DYI kind of job than consumer-grade product. If you are interested in this, I'd suggest to start with setting up your build environment first, then grabbing the source code and reading/modifying it. It could be fun and ineresting learning experience along the way, at least it was for me.
-albertr

[bam]

hmmmmz, 1gig of rom, sounds good!

[Da_Blitz]

"the most recent ROM developments" (being pdaXrom and OZ) play very nice with the c3000, if you want wifi in the c3x00 series then head over to the c3x00 hardware fourumns where they are engineering carbon fiber cases

as for internal wifi you could go 802.11G with OZ and compile drivers for the cards, you wont get full speed but when did you ever achive that anyway at least you can connect to 802.11g only AP's and you dont hold up the airwaves with 802.11b speeds

there is a hack with a hot knife to make the internal slot externally acsessible, get creative

[amrein]

For me, the best Linux PDA/Smartphone would be a mix between the incoming QTEK 9600 and the already released SL-C3200 hardware. A new dream machine.