These instructions are to install PocketWorkstation with X-Qt on the Sharp ROM.


Before you can begin, a method of transfering files from the internet to your PDA must be established.

The most convienent and straightforward method is to just have Internet available on the PDA itself. That will allow you to use the ipkg package manager. There are many ways this can be done, for example using the built-in wireless, or masquerading through the USB TCP/IP connection.

You will also need access to a shell to run the configuration scripts. You can use these terminals if you plan on using the Zaurus:

or install !["OpenSSH"] and work remotely.

Installing X/Qt

The first step is to have a working copy of X/Qt installed. X/Qt must be installed onto an ext2 formatted filesystem, the internal memory will work fine.

If the PDA has access to the internet, the easiest way to install is to use the testing feed available from the X/Qt sourceforge site.

  1. Open a terminal
  2. Add http://xqt.sourceforge.jp/feed-testing/ to the end of the file /etc/ipkg.conf by typing

  3. Type ipkg update
  4. Type ipkg install xqt-server xqt-fonts-misc xbase-etc

If internet access is still unavailable, download/copy to the PDA all the following packages from http://xqt.sourceforge.jp/feed-testing/.

Open up a terminal and install each of these packages.

  ipkg install xqt-server_0.0.10 xqt-fonts-misc_X.X.X... etc

Now don't close the terminal yet, the scripts package needs to be installed.

Download a modified X/Qt startup scripts package here http://www.matt.kincaid.name/6000/xqt-pocketworkstation-scripts_0.0.3_all.ipk.gz

This package will install the original X/Qt startup scripts modified for PocketWorkstation, and a setup script to configure PocketWorkstation. The depencies for blackbox and rxvt have also been removed.

(Until I can find a different host to hold the package it's on Yahoo. Because Yahoo only allows certain extensions I had to gzip it for them to accept it. Make sure you gunzip the file before you try and install it.)

xqt-pocketworkstation-scripts_0.0.3_all.ipk wasn't created by Klaus Weidner, so don't bother him if it doesn't work. He probably won't know what your talking about :) This package works for me on my SL-6000 and I expect it should work on other models. If you have any problems though feel free to email me at linux@matt.kincaid.name.

Installing Debian GNU/Linux

PocketWorkstation will need to be installed onto a ext2 filesystem with at least ["195MB"] of free space for the big package. When you start to install more software and libraries, another ["200MB"]-["300MB"] will quickly be needed.

Because more space is needed then is available on the internal memory, a memory chip will need to be formatted and used. Refer to the following table when needed.

Type

Filesytem

Mount Point

SD Card

/dev/mmcda1

/usr/mnt.rom/card

CF Card

/dev/hda1

/usr/mnt.rom/cf

Formatting a memory card

1. Open a terminal.

2. Unmount the filesystem being used.

  umount /usr/mnt.rom/[cf or card]

3. Format the filesystem as ext2.

  mkfs.ext ''dev''[mmcda1 or hda1]

4. Remount the filesystem.

  mount /usr/mnt.rom/[cf or card]

Extracting Debian

Plug your Zaurus into AC Power while extracting! You don't want the unit to suspend in the middle of all your hard work.

Copy the following files onto the ext2 filesystem you just formated.

Change to the directory with the above files and type:

  1. gunzip gnu-tar.gz
  2. chmod 755 gnu-tar
  3. mkdir debroot
  4. ./gnu-tar -C debroot -xvzpf zaurus-debian-big-v0.17.tgz

Final setup procedures

See [PocketWorkstation-Keymaps] for information on how to create an xmodmap file if your keyboard will not work correctly in X/Qt.

Download a new keymap file if needed into your home folder in the chroot environment. ie: /usr/mnt.rom/cf/debroot/root

  1. Change to your debroot directory
  2. Type pocketworkstation-postinst.sh

The postinst script will create a startup script in the debroot directory, a swap file, and link root's home to /home/root.

The PocketWorkstation installation that uses fbvnc sets up a rootcmd daemon that lets you run root commands outside the chroot environment from inside it. If your interested in that check out the postinst.sh script that comes with the zaurus-debian archive because this script won't set it up.

Your done!

Eveything should be setup now. Click on the PocketWorkstation icon under your Applications tab.

NOTE: You won't see the taskbar at first because it is hidden beneath your Qtopia taskbar. Press your menu key to change to fullscreen mode.

Model Specifics

Make sure that you read the PocketWorkstation page for model specific information. (ie. wireless internet on the 6000)

Other Resources: