The default bootloader (code name Parrot) is quite sophisticated. It can be accessed by pushing the central "arrow pad" on the iPAQ and resetting by putting the stylus into the narrow hole at the bottom of the case (don't do it!). Then, using a terminal emulator as set up in the previous chapter, you can obtain a command line that allow you to do various things.
Unfortunately, this bootloader is only able to boot the pre-installed operating system, so we have to replace it in order to boot another OS, like GNU/Linux.
Compaq's (now HP's) Cambridge Research Laboratories developed such a bootloader. You can download it from:
ftp://handhelds.org/feeds/bootldr/bootldr-2.18.01.bin
You must download the corresponding md5sum file from:
ftp://handhelds.org/feeds/bootldr/bootldr-2.18.01.bin.md5sum
You must check the file integrity by running the following command:
bash$ md5sum -c bootldr-2.18.01.bin.md5sum bootldr-2.18.01.bin: OK |
| Warning |
Not checking the bootldr's integrity may be catastrophic, as if the file is damaged, you will not be able to boot your iPAQ anymore, transforming it into a brick. |
Transfer the bootldr-2.18.01.bin file onto the iPAQ, by following the steps in Section 1.3 and Section 1.4.2.
Note: A good way to check bootldr's integrity on the iPAQ is to transfer it back onto the GNU/Linux host and check it again with md5sum.