Techlines Today

Linux on iPod mini

By Adam Myers ⋅ July 29, 2005 ⋅ Tags: Apple iPod, Linux

I’d just like to say that I realize this is nothing new but I finally got around to checking out the Linux on iPod project. If you have to ask WHY? then don’t bother reading further. Otherwise, here was my installation experience.

First off, I have to admit how amazed I was over the simple installation. That being said, realize what you are doing and what could happen if things go wrong. I merely claim that this “Worked for Me.”

• Connect your mini to your computer, ensuring that it is enabled for disk use.
• Download the iPod Linux Installer, the latest kernel.bin.gz, and the latest podzilla.gz.
• Unzip the three packages you’ve just downloaded.
• Rename file date-podzilla to podzilla and copy to the root of the mini.
• Rename file date-kernel.bin to linux.bin and replace the linux.bin inside the iPod Linux Installer folder.
• Run and install ipodlinux-installer. Choose to update the firmware, making sure to keep Apples firmware as the default boot order.
• Basically what you’ve just done is create a multi-boot option for your iPod, much the way you would dual boot Linux and Windows.
• Lastly, copy the file \4gipl\start to the root of the mini, replacing the existing file.

That’s it! Reboot your iPod mini (hold select and play buttons for 5-10sec). After reboot, hold the Rewind button; you should see the familiar linux text boot scroll.

Caio