Install Linux onto a TomTom GPS

[Bladedone]

Before I begin, I know that the TomTom Navigational GPS already has Linux installed into it, but I was wondering if there was a way to install an actual distro of Linux into the GPS, to make it more of a computer device, and if as an added bonus, keep the GPS function of it.

My knowledge of Linux (In General) is limited, I've Installed, messed around with it for a few days (Fedora and Ubuntu), but since the majority of my applications are limited to Windows Only (Tried using WINE, didn't work, only other option would be to use a Virtual PC), and half the time my Atheros card doesn't function when installed with NDIS or... ...Can't remember the name of it, madwifi-ng? It works a few times but keeps dropping off on me though installed correctly. ._.; Sticking with windows for the time being until some things are ironed out.

[-humanaut-]

I doubt it. Honestly; see if you can find out the processor architect system memory hdd space etc..

[Bladedone]

Ah yes, sorry about that. xD

Specifications :

TomTom ONE -

Internal Memory - 1gb (With expandable SD Memory)
RAM - 32 MB
CPU - 266 MHz
320x240 Resolution (64k colour)
USB Mini B (F) connector

Hopefully its possible to put Linux (Other than the pre-built in) onto the GPS.

[-humanaut-]

I can't imagine anything but an embedded system running on that.

[sgosnell]

I agree. No modern operating system designed for PCs will run on it, even if you could find a way to load it. It loads the OS into ROM, and you have to find a way to flash the ROM with an OS, and Linux just won't fit into that small a space. How would you control it, even if it did fit? It requires a touchscreen input. If you want a small handheld computer running Linux, get a Nokia N800 or N810. They have enough horsepower to do actual general-purpose computing, the TomTom doesn't. It's designed to do one thing only, and has just enough computing power to do that, and nothing else.

[earthpigg]

maybe look into maemo or WebOS? whichever of the smartphone operating systems runs on the most meager hardware.

[steveneddy]

Have a look at OpenTom

http://www.opentom.org/Main_Page