Unofficial Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 FAQ

System

How do I get a Shell prompt on this thing?
- Install the Terminal program
  By default, the Zaurus (and most Sharp-released software updates) do not come with a terminal program you can use to get a shell prompt to run the familiar Linux commands (like 'ls', 'cp', 'ping', etc.).
  The standard program (an embedded version of the KDE project's "Konsole") is available from the MyZaurus.com 'Downloads' page.
  A useful alternative to Sharp's Terminal is a version which contains 'tabs', allowing you to run multiple terminals in one window. Embedded-Konsole-Tabs is available at the Zaurus SourceForge project site.
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.30
- Go into console mode
  When the Zaurus first boots up, before the 'Zaurus' logo appears, there is a text screen containing boot-up messages. At one point, it says "Wait...". If you push the key, and then select the "a" option, you'll be given a log-in prompt.
  If you'd rather not reboot the Zaurus, you can simply drop to text mode and get to the "Wait..." prompt by running the 'Shutdown' app., and select the "Terminate Qtopia" option.
  When you're done in the console, you can simply issue an "exit" command and you'll return to the "Wait..." prompt. Wait about 5 seconds, or push or and the graphical Qtopia environment will start back up.
  Last updated: 2002.May.30
What does 'Flashing the Zaurus' mean?
- Installing a new/upgraded set of base software
  When Sharp releases updates to the core software for the Zaurus (the Linux kernel, drivers, and standard applications) on their download site, or when third parties (like the Open Source project OpenZaurus release alternative updates, you install them by copying them to the 16MB FlashROM inside the Zaurus.
  When you reboot, the new system will 'unpack' itself into RAM and you'll have an upgraded Zaurus! (Note: Flashing typically, but not always, causes all of your current data and installed programs to be wiped, so you'll want to sync or back-up first!)
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.29
How do I tell what ROM I have right now?
- System Info. will tell you.
  The application will usually show you, under the 'Version' tab. (If it doesn't show you, you're running 1.02, and really SHOULD update.)
  Applies to: ROM(s) 1.10 and later
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.10
How do you flash the Zaurus?
- Copy a ROM-image to a CF card and do a special reboot
  The 'README' text file that typically comes along with a ROM-image explains all of this, but to summarize:
  1. Back up your data, if you don't want it lost forever!
  2. Switch to 'Replace Battery' and remove the battery cover.
  3. Connect the Zaurus to A/C power
  4. Press and hold the + keys, and push on the back of the Zaurus.
  5. Wait for the and lights to turn off (it should take about 3 minutes)
  6. Push again
  7. Replace battery cover and switch back to 'Normal Operation'
  8. Push and hold to turn the Zaurus back on.
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.30
What ROMimages work with what Zauruses?
- 1.x for SL-5000D and 2.x for SL-5500
  The SL-5500 models currently have ROMs in the 2.x range. The SL-5000D developer models have ROMs in corresponding 1.x range. It's not possible to install the wrong ROM on the wrong model of Zaurus
  Source: Jason Perlow
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
Do I NEED a CF card to flash the Zaurus?
- Yes - They can only be flashed using CF cards
  You must have a recognized, Windows format (FAT16) CF memory card to flash the Zaurus. SD cards won't work, and you currently can not do it via the USB cradle or a serial cable. (Note: People have also used CF microdrives.)
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
What kernel is it running?
- A 2.4 Linux Kernel
  ROM 1.12/1.13 uses 2.4.6
  Applies to: SL-5500 running ROM(s) 1.12/1.13
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.30
- Check under System Info.
  Launch the application, and go to the "Version" tab.
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.30
- Check using the 'uname' command
  Open the , and then run the command 'uname -a' to get the exact version of the Linux Kernel running on your Zaurus.
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.30
Why does the system info. show 100% CPU usage?
- This is to save power
  100% System CPU usage (the green line) in the display is normal. This is the Linux kernel process, "kapm-idled." When it is 'running,' the CPU is actually halted and not drawing power. It's perfectly normal. As other actual applications require CPU, the red line will go up, and the green line typically goes down the same amount.
  Source: Roy Murphy
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.10
Does memory work like on PalmOS?
- No - Memory and storage are split, like regular computers
  Unlike PalmOS, where memory (for running programs) and storage space (for installing programs and storing databases (the Palm's application-centric method for storing data, instead of using files)) are shared, the Zaurus splits the 64MB of RAM between memory (for running programs), and storage (for a Linux "ext2" filesystem).
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
Where's all the memory the Zaurus is supposed to have? (Shouldn't it total to 64MB?)
- Half of it is being used for storage
  Of the 64MB on the Zaurus SL-5500 (32MB on the SL-5000D), typically half of it is used for storage. If you add the total memory with the total internal storage (listed in the app.), it should add up to just under 64MB.
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
- The 16MB ROM is read-only
  The 16MB ROM in the Zaurus is not what is listed as "Internal Storage" in the app. It contains the base system, including the built-in applications (look in "/usr/QtPalmtop.rom/", for example), and is not writable. (It is only ever written to when you flash the Zaurus. See above.)
  Source: David Hedbor
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
- Available memory includes "Cached" as well as "Free"
  When looking in the app. under the "Memory" tab, only the red, "Used" part of the memory is actually not available. To get an idea of how much RAM is available for new programs to use, total up all of the other values, not just the dark blue "Free" part.
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
Why do I keep running out of memory?
- The SL-5000D (developer model) Zaurus has only 32MB of RAM.
  Some of the Sharp ROMs (1.10, 1.12) split this RAM up more evenly, providing less RAM for programs to run in (memory), and more space for programs and files to be installed in (filesystem).
  Try using a different ROM which provides more RAM, or use a 'hacked' ROM (like those made by Paul Flinders) which use an SD card for the entire filesystem, leaving almost all 32MB of RAM available for programs to run in.
  Applies to: SL-5000D running ROM(s) 1.10/1.12
  Last updated: 2002.May.20
- Run fewer programs in "Fast load" mode.
  Click-and-hold the icon for an application in the 'Applications' tab and un-check the "Fast load (consumes memory)" option.
  By default, most ROMs have the , and 'Todo List' applications set to "Fast load".
  Last updated: 2002.Mar.28
Can I adjust the ratio of memory to storage?
- SL-5000D users can use a different ROM
  See above: "The SL-5000D (developer model) Zaurus has only 32MB of RAM".
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.07
- Create a swapfile in Internal storage
  Creating a swapfile in internal storage will provide more space for programs to run (virtual memory), while using some of the storage space. While a swapfile on the ramdisk is less efficient than actually changing the ratio of memory-to-storage, it is more flexible (no need to install a new ROM, and it can be done without rebooting).
  See "Set up a 'swap' file on the card" under the Expansion Slots and Cards section.
  Source: Howard R. Abbey
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.07
What's the root password?
- By default, it is blank
  Unfortunately, the default password for the user "root" on the Zaurus is blank. Presumably, it can be changed by running the "passwd" command from within the program. Whether or not this breaks anything is currently unknown. (It seems to work ok with QtopiaDesktop under Linux)
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
How do I tell how long my Zaurus has been running?
- Run 'uptime'
  If you launch the and run the Unix command "uptime", it will show you how long the Zaurus has been running - that is, unsuspended (like you'd see on a Linux laptop). Unfortunately, this is not the same as the uptime on a desktop - the amount of since the system was last rebooted.
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
- Run 'last'
  If you launch the and run the Unix command "last", it will show you a log of what users have recently logged into your Zaurus (e.g., over a network connection) as well as when the system was rebooted. Unfortunately, since the time and date is not set the very first time the Zaurus is booted (or booted after flashing the ROM), the first reboot date will be inaccurate.
  Source: Brian J. Fox
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.01
Are any Linux-style logs stored on the Zaurus?
- You can activate /var/log/messages
  From the , issue the command "/etc/rc.d/init.d/syslog start", and system messages will go into the file /var/log/messages.
  Be sure to turn this off when you're done, because logs can consume lots of storage space! Just issue: "/etc/rc.d/init.d/syslog stop".
  Source: Doug Davis
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.24
What shell does/can the Zaurus use?
- BASH
  ...
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.06
- ...
  ...
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.06
Can I use AT or CRON to wake the Zaurus up?
- ...
  ...
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.07
- Use uschedule
  ...
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.07
How can I enable/disable servers and daemons?
- Use Server Manager
  This application lets you turn on and off telnet, the SSH server, and the Boa web server, if you want to.
  Source: Benjamin Meyer
  Last updated: 2002.Apr.22

Compiled by Bill Kendrick, bill@newbreedsoftware.com

(Note: If you have a Zaurus question that's not answered here, please post it to the Zaurus-General or Zaurus-Chatter mailing list.)