Running Linux on an iPAQ

By Martyn Honeyford
2005-04-13

Reinstalling PocketPC

If for some reason you decide that Linux on iPAQ is not for you, it is a simple matter to reinstall PocketPC. The procedure is exactly the same as used earlier to install Linux via serial, except this time, instead of transferring the Linux jffs2 file, transfer and install the PocketPC image that was saved earlier. The documentation doesn't specify whether the CF method can be used to restore; I suspect it can, but I don't have a CF jacket available to test this theory.

For the bootloader, you can either leave the new bootloader you installed earlier on the device (it will quite happily boot PocketPC) or, if you prefer, you can reinstall the original bootloader. As flashing the bootloader is the most potentially dangerous step (for your iPAQ), I would recommend leaving the new bootloader on there unless you have specific reasons not to.

Tutorial Pages:
» Put a Penguin in Your Pocket
» Why Run Linux Instead of Pocket PC?
» Choose Your Hardware
» Download the Distribution
» Install Linux
» Get Connected
» Develop for it
» Reinstalling PocketPC
» Conclusion
» Resources

First published by IBM DeveloperWorks

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