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Linux On Your Dreamcast
A reader writes: "Looking for a low-cost way to get started with embedded Linux? Or a fun weekend project? In this detailed how-to article at LinuxDevices.com, Bill Gatliff explains everything you need to do to install Linux on a Sega Dreamscast gaming console. Even the necessary Linux kernel, bootloader, and utility kernel patches are included and available for download. Nuffa those mindless video games ... it's time to become an embedded Linux hacker ;)" First time I saw this was in Japan with VA Japan folks -- very cool watching it boot.
It's nice to see the portability of Linux demonstrated. And you can use it to really freak out some non-Linux people.
But has this any practical use? A TV screen isn't any good to display text. It isn't useful for developing games either. The Dreamcast community has created tools that are far better suited for that.
Really, it's a nice hack. But it's been on slashdot before (Dreamcast runs Linux, X-Windows on Dreamcast).
If you want to develop software for the Dreamcast, use KOS, which is a free development system, much better suited to the task than Linux. Similar systems exist for almost every proprietary platform (I know of a C compiler for the gameboy...)
Porting from the PC to console will never be easy anyway. Consider input methods. Most PC games use the mouse, with a lot of keyboard shortcuts. That won't work on a console.
Many PC games also assume a specific display resulotion. If the Dreamcast has less, you've got problems. (And the resolution of a TV ain't great.)
Actually...
Many emulators already exist in a self booting stand alone form for the Dreamcast.
One could say that the Dreamcast does not need Linux at all, but that somewhat defeats the whole "Doing it for the sake of doing it" spirit.
Still, This Site is dedicated to Dreamcast specific emulators.
"Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"
Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
Porting from the PC to console will never be easy anyway. Consider input methods. Most PC games use the mouse, with a lot of keyboard shortcuts. That won't work on a console.
This is very true but lucky for all us; the nice men at sega made a nice mouse and keyboard
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You - ONLY HARDER!
No need to run DC-Linux + MAME, though, when there's a dreamcast port of mame by the guy who ported it to digital cameras a while back
What the ...? Parent is an almost direct copy of an old comment made by "Kagato" to an old article! (The title of the comment is "Re:And the benefit of this would be?")
If you're as lazy as me, you can get a DC Linux CD image from dcemulation on their DC Linux page. They also link to an image for Padus DiscJuggler on the news page, but I won't link that here.
:)
Note that I am also so lazy that I haven't downloaded said image, or even gotten around to fixing my broken dreamcast.
-Puk
When Karl Kalleberg and myself started the port at LinuxDC (yes, not the same as the originial .jp port, for reasons I won't go into, but we're all friends now :P), the idea was to provide an embedded Linux system as an alternative for the hobbyist Dreamcast developers instead of the plucky toolkits (libdream, KOS, etc.) that were available. LinuxDC is *designed* to go as close to the metal as possible.
I'm still doing DC kernel hacking, check out the Task Manager on the SF project page for info on what's currently being worked on.
I wouldn't expect you to understand, as you obviously are inhibited from reading in some sort of way, but anyway, the port of Linux to the SuperH processor (to which the LinuxDC port belongs) is very real. Just browse your latest mainline kernel tree in the arch/sh/ directory for code relating the the DC and other SuperH boards.If there are true kernel hackers, people interested in porting apps, testers, or people who are serious about tinkering with embedded Linux development feel free to stop by linuxdc.org. The developers are usually on #linuxdc on irc.openprojects.net.
Have fun, and thanks goes to Bill for the well-written article :P.
M. R.
Dreamcasts manufactured after October, 2000 can't boot from CDRs [boob.co.uk - Dreamcast Research], which would put a serious dent on any plans for a farm of these DC+Linux boxes :(
Ive seen a lot of questions asked about the Dreamcast, plus a few inaccuracies posted, so here is my sad little attempt to inform :)
;p) with room to spare.
Some people are too lazy to follow the link to see the Dreamcasts tech specs, so here is the condensed version:
Hitachi SH4 @ 200MHz
8MB NEC PowerVR2 Gfx
2MB Yamaha Audio
12x GD/CD Drive
16MB System RAM
56k Modem Included (US Model)
Also there is some confusion as to pricing. In the US the Dreamcast's MSRP is $79.95 and many stores are selling for less than that to clear out remaining stock.
As for Input, the Dreamcast has 4 controller ports and a Keyboard and Mouse are available through standard game outlets. So you couild have Keyboard, mouse, and even a gamepad plugged in (xmame
As for burning (and people having trouble doing so). Burning a bootable DC CDR can be tricky, any mistake WILL result in a coaster. There are several good dreamcast burning guides around at sites like http://www.boob.co.uk and http://mc.pp.se/dc/
Also despite rumors to the contrary, there are NO US or European Dreamcast's that won't boot CDR's. Sega only released 2 units in Japan ( The Sakura Tisen LE DC and the Hello Kitty DC) that won't boot CDR's. They had originaly wanted to do the same for the US, but Sega stopped production of the Dreamcast before this could be implemented.
Other than linux, there is also a Dremcast port of NetBSD (and indeed, this port seems to be more active than the linux port). Details @ http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/dreamcast/ .
Dan Potter has also made a homebrew Dreamcast/GBA Operating System / development library called KallistiOs (KOS) which is completly open source and well documented, which can be found at http://dcdev.allusion.net.
Hope this is usefull to someone !
- "Scientia non habet inimicum nisp ignorantem"