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Windows CE.NET Ported to Xbox

Posted by timothy on from the oh-why-not dept.

Cutriss writes "Caught this over at Xbox Scene - Windows CE.NET 4.2 has been ported to the Xbox. Artifex, one of the developers of this project, says the following about the status of development: 'The basic kernel subsystem is in place. The IoCtl is about 90% done. ISR/IST is up and working. PCI enumeration happens properly. USB initializes and enumerates devices (but hangs if there's a gamepad connected). Mouse driver loads. Keyboard driver loads but is missing a layout, so it's not quite functional yet. A VERY simple video driver is in place (Software mouse cursor seems to be failing, so you won't see a pointer, yet).' It's a 100% legal distribution, but you'll still need a modded/exploited Xbox in order to run it. Screenshots hosted by Xbox Scene can be found here(1) and here(2)."

20 of 276 comments (clear)

  1. So, uh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    is microsoft cool now?

    1. Re:So, uh by maelstrom · · Score: 5, Funny

      No.

      --
      The more you know, the less you understand.
  2. Fight the man? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is exactly the kind of "hacking" that Bill wants to see... porting Microsoft software to Microsoft hardware.

  3. Sounds like it's done! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Keyboard driver loads but is missing a layout, so it's not quite functional yet. A VERY simple video driver is in place (Software mouse cursor seems to be failing, so you won't see a pointer, yet).

    So it runs just like winME then.

    1. Re:Sounds like it's done! by DarthWiggle · · Score: 2, Funny

      Since it's an X-Box, will it have a Green Screen of Death? Has a pretty sort of ring to it.

      Alt. funny: Man, I thought CE handhelds were bulky.. there's no way I'm fitting THIS thing in my pocket.

      Ok, it wasn't that funny.. meep...

  4. Wow, I would've never thought it possible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Windows running on Microsoft hardware. What next, MacOS running on something made by Apple?

    1. Re:Wow, I would've never thought it possible by burns210 · · Score: 4, Funny
      What next, MacOS running on something made by Apple?

      They ported Panther to the Newton?!

    2. Re:Wow, I would've never thought it possible by bwy · · Score: 3, Funny

      a generally useful release

      Yes, thank God someone finally got CE.NET ported to the X-Box. Clearly, this is the tech breakthrough of the year! The world just became twice as productive thanks to this. What a debt society owes to these individuals for giving their spare time to accomplish this. Where is the Paypal "donate now" link? I really owe my life to these guys. Well, maybe not my life but at least the life of a close family member.

      The next step is clearly to get thousands of modified X-Boxes running a halfway working version of CE.NET to stores everywhere. I have a sneaky suspicion that most of the fortune 500 companies can't wait to aquire some of these genius devices for their IT departments.

  5. Rosetta Stone by Saeed+al-Sahaf · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is refreshing. Microsoft demi-priests cracking their own Rosetta Stone. In a way, it's funny.

    --
    "Who are in control, they are not in control of anything - they don't even control themselves!" - Glen Beck
  6. Cool! So what do we call it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    CeX?

  7. I can see the comments now... by PetoskeyGuy · · Score: 4, Funny

    Replace Microsoft Software with other Microsoft Software on Microsoft Hardware -
    - Cool
    - Why Bother
    - How Dumb
    - You Tool
    - But.. That's not Linux!

    But which will be most popular?

    1. Re:I can see the comments now... by 1010011010 · · Score: 2, Funny


      Q: Can you run WinCE on my XBox?
      A: Yeah! Sorta!

      No, sorry, the correct answer is "who gives a shit?"

      --
      Napster-to-go says "Fill and refill your compatible MP3 player", which is a lie. It's not MP3. It's WMA with DRM.
  8. er... this is fantastic by Osrin · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is great, think of all the applications I can put it to...

    1) I can read email in Starbucks over 802.11b (once somebody is kind enough to port a network adaptor).
    2) I can hook it up to the GPS device and a 29" Telly and get my xbox to give me directions in the car.
    3) I can run pocket Excel on my desk at work, on a huge screen, on those days when my laptop is off for repair.
    4) I can download my contacts and diary and read them on my telly at home.
    5) blah blah blah

    Big is beautiful, why should I bother doing any of these things on a PDA that I keep on leaving around.

    So long as I'm carrying my 29" wide screen TV, my xbox and a network connector I will never again be late for a meeting, or stuck without a friends phone number.

  9. Har har by Error27 · · Score: 3, Funny

    And people said that Windows wasn't as portable as Linux or NetBSD. What do you have to say now, punks?!

  10. Simple... by Wheaty18 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Windows isn't as portable as Linux or NetBSD.

  11. New slashdot cliche? by Rob+Simpson · · Score: 4, Funny

    "But does it run WinCE?"

  12. Re:Why? by MADCOWbeserk · · Score: 5, Funny

    a specialized, crippled version of the Windows 2000 kernel.

    Sounds like a description of Windows XP

  13. Re:Why? by Kent+Recal · · Score: 2, Funny


    I'm still worried about DRM.

  14. Now if by batlike · · Score: 2, Funny

    ..we're going to use the XboX as a PDA, we're also gonna need to invest in new shirts with bigger breast pockets.

  15. Re:Why? by sharkey · · Score: 2, Funny
    Microsoft could cure cancer and people'd still be worried about DRM.

    Actually, I'd be worried about MS Licensing 6.0 for Meds. The retail cure would only work on one carcinoma, the OEM cure would only work when it came with the carcinogen in the first place. The Open Carcinoma License would allow you to purchase cures for multiple carcinomas using only one Treatment Administration Device, but if you don't sign up for Medical Assurance, and then re-up every 2 years, the treatment would reverse itself and reintroduce cancerous growths into your body.

    --

    --
    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.