Computers >

http://openpandora.org/

Tiny Linux QWERTY gaming palmtop

• aka the OpenPandora
• By default, runs the Angstrom Linux distribution.
• (will be) Replaced by the Pyra.
• 2012-05-09 -- received

• ~2010-01-24 - This was replaced by my Zaurus SL-C1000.

  • 2018-01-09 -- I'm not sure what this note is.

---

• See also /tag/pandora-distributions. The Pandora comes with Angstrom.

--

• Pandora software

• Pandora review

Resources ∞

• Forum
• Old blog
• Bug tracker

• Wiki

  • IRC -- EFNet #pandora and #pandoradev
• Angstrom - http://pandorawiki.org/Ångström
• https://urja.dev/
• https://hermocom.com/openpandora [ 1 ] [ 2 ]

Specs ∞

• ARM® Cortex™-A8 600Mhz+ CPU running Linux

  • The default software/OS has an overclocking program that's trivial to use. I can overclock my Pandora to 900 Mhz.
• 430-MHz TMS320C64x+™ DSP Core
• PowerVR SGX OpenGL 2.0 ES compliant 3D hardware
• 800x480 4.3" 16.7 million colours touchscreen LCD
• Wifi - 802.11b/g, Bluetooth & High Speed USB 2.0 Host
• Dual SDHC card slots
• SVideo TV output
• Dual Analogue and Digital gaming controls
• 43 button QWERTY and numeric keypad

• 10+ Hours of battery life (depending on usage)

Intro ∞

I first heard of the Pandora palmtop when I was using my Sharp Zaurus SL-C1000. The OpenEmbedded was something I was sortof looking into. Since its efforts were meant for developers and not for consumers, I never really got into that.

I found a connection to the Angstrom (Ångström) Linux distribution and I would later learn that some or all of the OpenEmbedded, OpenZaurus and OpenSimpad developers joined that project.

From Angstrom I bumped into the Pandora. At the time nothing had even been produced, but I followed it. I missed my chance to buy a unit from the original run. Now that they're in their second run I'm saving up for one. I hope I can get one.

Getting, maintaining ∞

From what I can see, the Pandora is no longer for sale. The Pyra replaces it.

They had some serious issues with receiving poor quality parts and such, and the manufacturing costs skyrocketed. People who purchased early had to RMA their unit for repairs. At that point anyone who had not received their unit was put on a waiting list so that the parts could be further-tested.

People who purchased at the original price do not have to pay extra, but they do have to wait for their unit. People who purchase now seem to be unable to pay the old price and are paying a "premium" price and are also getting expedited shipment.

So basically.. all the new expensive purchases are helping to fund the company and to recoup costs for all of the old inexpensive purchases.

A summary of the last few weeks (2011-05-26) has some background.

• Hermocom

  • I knew of him from way back in my HP 200LX days, and into my Zaurus SL-C1000 days.
• youtube has some good old demo videos.
• Pandora stalker

• tips, tricks and tweaks

Notes ∞

• shift-backspace does not issue a delete. To press delete use control-alt-backspace.

• Menu > Accessories > Root Terminal prompts for a password, but neither a blank password nor the user password work.

  • I hear that this is because the root password is automatically created as junk. It can be manually set via a regular user-terminal with sudo passwd root.
• .pnd logs can be found as /tmp/pndrun_<appname>.out

Unsorted software notes ∞

• cli-love -- control-shift-pageup / control-shift-pagedown are backwards.
• Thunar is fucking obnoxious, loses the ability to click on things or enter folders.

• using an external mouse, if clicking the menu button, the menu will immediately close unless I click then quickly move the mouse off of the button.

  • wtf, it later healed itself..

• How do I make my external keyboard sane?

LXDE is wonderful, use it full time:

• Port settings, customize for this new setup

  • Rig a nice startup or hotkeys for term, notes etc
• Hotkey for the menu popup

• Issue with the menu not showing fully when first opened

Distributions ∞

See also /tag/pandora-distributions. The Pandora comes with Angstrom.

Pandora firmware

http://openpandora.org/firmware/

Instructions for a clean reinstall, wiping the contents of your internal flash:

1. Download the latest item in fullflash

   • As of this writing, it is SuperZaxxon176.zip
2. Unzip to the root directory of an SD card

3. Power off your Pandora.

   • If you have issues with rebooting, as a last resort you can hold the Pandora button (in the middle) and flick the power switch.
4. Remove any other SD cards.
5. Insert the SD card.
6. Power on your Pandora, holding the right shoulder button.

7. Select "boot from SD"

Distributions:

• Arch Linux

  • https://wej.k.vu/pandora/plugapps_linux_on_the_pandora_handheld/
  • https://wej.k.vu/pandora/archlinux_update/
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20130821152329/http://www.gp32x.com/board/index.php?/topic/59027-arch-linux-on-the-pandora/
• Devuan

• Slackware

  • https://pandorawiki.org/Software_projects/OS/Slackware
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20150906085906/http://boards.openpandora.org/topic/11132-tutorial-format-your-sd-card-and-install-slackware-using-only-your-pandora/

TODO ∞

\sudo opkg update

sudo opkg install xev will show info about keystrokes.

• control , . for for BREAK

2012-05-09 ∞

First boot, initial setup, I made a user but then the system

WARNING:  This is located in backups/32GB
          (You probably don't want to edit this file directly on 0)

Learn OPP level:

cat /proc/pandora/cpu_opp_max

Last updated 2023-08-10 at 07:36:10

Footnotes