UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

hi all,

this might be a silly question, but...

a few years ago, i bought a Nortech Navigation E-GPS010. this is a car/hand-held GPS unit that, for a while, worked pretty well. in fact, it still works well. the map version on my GPS is dated 2006, so i thought i'd upgrade; however, the crappy company who makes it (see: www.ferro-works.com/) offers absolutely appalling support. through hours of searching google, i've found out that, in fact, there are no updates for this device whatsoever.

that pissed me off...

i sent an e-mail to Ferro Works kindly inviting them to solve my problem, or invite me to try out a competitor's product (on their dime, of course). after waiting for 6 days, they explained in their poorly spelled reply that the latest map data for this (no-longer sold OR supported) device is for, you guessed it, 2006. also, they have denied my request to pay for a useful product (and i can't think of a way to MAKE them do anything...).

basically, i'm wondering if there is a feasible way to install some sort of linux-based software on this thing so that it stays useful. while the software may be crappy, the device itself has proved sound to me, and i paid around $300 for it originally so it would be a waste to just buy another. i realize that software is generally tailored to specific hardware, but my experience Linux proves that this isn't always a huge factor.

i know this is long-winded (and a long-shot by far), but i'm at my wits end with this damn thing and am willing to try anything. please, if anyone knows how to help (or even just knows of a better place to ask), let me know.

always appreciative,

jmd9qs

Not likely, given the first google hit for linux E-GPS010 is you crossposting this same question elsewhere.

ya, i figured i might as well try posting to all the forums i'm registered to... i had already searched for something like this and wouldn't have posted if i found something similar to what i'm trying to do. i'm just hoping that someone will have an idea of if this is possible and (if so) what i research in order to make it work.

What is necessary to make this work is in-depth knowledge of the system's architecture at a very low level, from memory control and memory layout, probably hacking in some form of serial console, figuring out how to make the graphics go, and working with lots of very very basic hardware devices, handling hardware quirks as well as needing access to some brute-force method of reprogramming it(probably JTAG). Specialty tools and soldering irons are likely to be involved.

Is it possible? Yep. But it's more of a career than a weekend project.

cool, that's what i figured.... i have tons of time on my hands so none of that is an issue for me. i have e-mailed the company i bought it from for detailed hardware specs, but they suck so i don't know if they will follow through... is there a command i can issue from my linux box to "scan" the gps device and tell me its hardware? i'm working on finding the right usb cable right now and will see if linux recocnizes it as is. will update soon.

thanks for the reply

jmd9qs

also, this will help me "polish-up" my programming and tinkering skills! (if it's possible/not expensive); i'm all for it!

You do realize I meant 'career' literally, right? They won't help you. count on it. No such thing. Taking it apart would be more helpful. some high-res photos might help people figure out just what's running on the inside. Linux recognizing it over USB won't help you install linux on it since it would be linux recognizing the thing's USB chip, not linux recognizing the device entire.

What'd be more useful is knowing what OS this thing runs. Does it have Windows CE? There's only a few kinds of architectures for that, some of which do have linux ports.