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View Full Version : Can the OS of the NX be changed or upgraded?


aussie_nx70v
03-23-2003, 07:05 PM
Hello all,

Whilst looking at some of the other threads i came across a link to a site where the guy had taken his NX apart and doing a very detailed review. I thought this was very interesting reading.

I think the link is:

http://www.pspilot.de/pppnx70/pppnx70.html#T4

Its good reading for those of you wanting to know more about your NX70V.

However, this is not the reason for this thread. Well, actually sort of.

In this article he mentions (briefly), that it was possible to change the OS to (of all things), Windows CE. Anyone know if this is possible? I mean i wouldnt do it, heaven knows ive had enough of the Pocket PC but i was wondering from a 'challenge' point of view if this could be done.

Below is a quote from that article:

Finally the main board. It is carrying all the 'intelligence', but not only that. Try to count only the total number of connector pins on the top side (left image), it's ludicous! Surprisingly the NX70V uses a total different multimedia chipset. The MediaQ chip in the NR70V is no longer used, instead it you find a NeoMagic NMC1121 (left image, top chip). NeoMagic calles it an 'Enhanced SOC (System-On-Chip) companion chip with PC-Card/CF-Slot'. Meant is a companion for the ARM, which is the new CPU in the Clié for OS5. Funnywise, WinCE, SymbianOS and embedded Linux are implementation references on NeoMagic's website - no talk about PalmOS 5. And the only better known logo on the front page is the 'Windows Embedded Partner' sticker. Then again, it's probably only a very small step to load WinCE 3.0 onto an NX70V. As far as I can see that, all the hardware is there. But enough about that nightmare

Whats everyone think?

I know the NX70V has flash memory, and therefore can be upgraded but this would throw a completely spin on things.

I know apart from the obvious software installation, there would be several hardware obstacles as well. Things like memory expansion, camera, keyboard would have to be considered

n2ifp
03-23-2003, 07:09 PM
I suppose it's possible, but don't count on it happening. Sony keeps very tight reins on it's API's. The last time Sony did anything was with the N710 to N760 upgrade. The offer lasted 3 months and Sony charged for it. Many had pirated it too.

Token User
03-23-2003, 11:35 PM
I'd be less surprised if a Linux variant didn't appear first. The QT interface oer embedded Linux used on the Zaurus might work, AND it would allow access to the CF slot :) ... down side is that we might lose the use of the MS slot :(

<edit>After reading the article, one section struck me as being promising ... Before the NX70V was on the market, there were hot discussions about the compatibility of the CF slot in the NX70V. Officially Sony only supports their wireless LAN card, but rumouors said quite early, that the CF slot is compatible with all CF cards. The problem is of course the missing drivers for other cards, and there won't be much help from Sony. So if anyone out there wants to fiddle with that, start with the NeoMagic chip. It obviously takes care of the CF slot and it looks like it supports all kind of CF cards ...

Read into that what you will.</edit>

jimod
03-24-2003, 02:46 AM
Sony will not upgrade for free what they can repackage and sell new, heck, i am surprised they are even giving a patch for the mspro's. Thought they would just say Buy the NEW one, it can take bigger proprietary memory.

mjhamilton
03-24-2003, 04:35 AM
....... you have to ask the question 'why??'.... even the 'can I do it?'..... doesn't justify loading Microsoft bloatware onto this nice device...

Besides my NX is nice and light at the moment..... by simply loading PPC onto it you would probably add about 5 or 6 pounds........ also you would need another 50M of memory to make it worth while!!