5 ms·

I wonder how much work it would take to put together a replacement ROM card with FreeBSD on it.

• rjsw 4y ago
  A lot of work, FreeBSD doesn't have support for the CPU. Running NetBSD on it but not loaded from Windows CE would be easier. It isn't obvious from the article whether the machine uses mask ROM or Flash. Some Compaq and HP Windows CE machines used Flash ROM that could be overwritten with a Linux bootloader and flash filesystem.
  • classichasclass 4y ago
    Pretty sure it's mask ROM. IBM indicated the only upgrade means was to replace the ROM card.
  • rbanffy 4y ago
    I had mine running NetBSD with X and twm from a CF card. No web browser with 16 megs of RAM, but still somewhat usable for very simple things.
    • anthk 4y ago
      Dillo, Links and Lynx would run on that.
  • amiga-workbench 4y ago
    NetBSD was what I was thinking of, I remembered that years ago you could sort of kexec into it from many different Windows Mobile devices.
    • rjsw 4y ago
      I have done the equivalent for StrongARM machines, run NetBSD directly from the flash chips on the board without having Windows CE. This was to help with board bringup of Windows CE systems that we were manufacturing. For the same experience now, just buy a Pinebook Pro.
      • happycube 4y ago
        Or a used ARM Chromebook. An Asus C100P in good nick is still quite nice IMO, aside from the lack of updates.
        • rjsw 4y ago
          Official updates wouldn't matter if you were running NetBSD on it.
• trasz 4y ago
  FreeBSD has just dropped MIPS support in 14-CURRENT.