DSLinux: Linux running on a Nintendo DS

I knew there was a possibility install linux in a PS3, En a Wii, even run it in a Android (which in itself already works with the Linux Kernel) and see it with a VNC server ... But, in a nintendo ds? I did not think that Linux would work on a device with such weak hardware ... and I underestimated it. I will show you how to install and configure it for your use, it is not complicated at all but it does require some experience with the command line to use it.

DSLinux is a mini-distribution Linux written in C y Assembler (ARM). It is able to run in Nintendo DS (Fat and Lite, not DSi or DSiXL) using a flashcard from Slot 1 or 2 (DS or GBA). It is impressive that it can run with an ARM processor at such a low frequency and only 4MB of RAM, which confirms the flexibility of Linux in terms of Hardware.

Includes basic kernel commands (cp, mkdir, wget, rm ...), some terminal applications (like Links, madplay, nano ...) and terminal games (advent4, adventure and some freeBSD games). Here are its advantages:

Being able to enjoy Linux wherever we go (feels like a linux geek xD).
Play music, both from SD and WiFi.
Surf the internet with Links.
Play music with madplay.
Edit texts with dwarf y vi.
Multitasking (requires RAM Slot 2 expansion).

Good, right? Now, it also has disadvantages:

Part of the applications and graphics mode (with PIXIL) require RAM expansion.
We can't load homebrew or games from him (this we supposed not?).
It is not compatible with DSi (XL) or 3DS (hardware is not supported).
It is out of development (partially).
Few packages available, it does not have repositories or the like (although it is possible to adapt packages to ARM to run with DSLinux).

Still, if we want to use it anyway just to test it, then I'll tell you how.

Well, the first thing we have to do is see if we meet the requirements:

Un Nintendo DS Fat (of the first, the thick) or Lite (the seconds, which are thin). DSLinux it is not compatible with DSi, less with DSiXL or 3DS.
Una Flashcard de Slot 1 or Slot 2, better if it is from Slot 1 (anyone who supports DLDI self-patching, most do).
Recommended: a RAM Slot 2 expansion (minimum one Opera Expansion or one EZ-V 3 in 1) for graphic mode and part of the programs.
Optional: WiFi connection, for browsing and games (yes, you heard right, you can browse). All routers are configured differently so some are not supported… like my Intellinet Wireless 150N : '(
Minimum 150MB of free space on the SD card of our Flashcard.

Now, we must download DSLinux, here in your download page. Also if you think you are adventurers, you can compile it by hand (desde Linux, of course).

In my case, I lowered the DLDI package, which works for most flashcards (dslinux-dldi.tgz). If we are going to run it from a GBA Movie Player, download the second build. The others are almost impossible for us to use, so we will ignore them 😛

The next thing is to unzip the package.

We will get two files (dslinux.nds and dslinuxm.nds) and a binder call linux. The difference between the two files is that the second one has some apps modified to take advantage of the extra RAM, like Nano-X y mad play.

In the folder linux we find some of the classic folders is all distro, like etc, var, lib, usr, and of course, home.

With the first file and the folder is enough, so we will copy them to our SD card using a micro SD card reader.

Once everything is ready, we insert the micro SD in the flashcard, the flashcard in our DS, and we turn it on.

We run the DSLinux application (It stands out more than anything because its logo is Tux).

It will start to start, then (if we choose the DLDI version) will be automatically logged as root. If not, the user is root and the password is uClinux (note the Uppercase C).

Once logged in, the root symbol (#) will appear. If they didn't choose the DLDI version, they can change the root password by typing Passwd (that's optional) and entering a password of at least 5 characters.

Creating / modifying the rc.conf

Those who already have Linux experience will know rc.conf. For those who do not, it is a file in which operating system configurations are saved. In this case, they are settings of DSLinux. This file should be located at linux / etc / rc.conf, but if we check we won't find it. Therefore you have to create it, but don't worry, the developers included the default settings in that same folder in a file called rc.defaults.

What we are going to do (preferably from our PC, with the micro SD card reader) is copy the content of rc.defaults a rc.conf.

Inside there are some settings that we can edit, but I'll focus on just a couple, the essentials.

First of all, where does it say hostname, is the name of the team and we can change it if we wish, although it is not much use ...

Then where it says «enable_network_on_boot«, Is for the Wifi to start automatically when starting DSLinux. If they are going to configure WiFi, we change it to "AND IT IS" (with everything and quotes). If not, we leave it in "NOT".

If we have WiFi connections configured in our console, we can use them by putting a number from 1 to 3 (each one corresponds to the number of the configuration in our consoles, if you do not remember, check with a game that has this configuration). This only works with Routers, not with Nintendo WiFi USB Connector. If not, we leave it empty.

If we prefer configure WiFi by hand, let's go down, where it says «essid»We place the network name, optionally, down in «channel»We place the channel through which our DS will connect (only if it gives us connection problems). In "wepkey»Goes our WEP key (If we do not use a password, it remains empty). If our router does not support DHCP, or we prefer to use a static IP, we assign the «ip" Y "Gateway»In their respective places, below we put network mask in«netmask" and the "Broadcast»(Although I don't know what it is for: /), also one or two DNS.

If we want change font from the terminal (although I «crashed » the system), below, where it says «font»We place«/usr/share/consolefonts/alt-8irán8.psf»(With everything and quotes).

That is basically the setup. If something doesn't work for you, disable it.

If you want, you can try the other options (I recommend them only if we have a RAM expansion).

Handle us in the tty (terminal) is simple:

Directional pad: move the blinking cursor.
To: Enter
B: space bar
X: Page up
Y: Page down
L:Shift
A: Control

Therefore, for up or down the "buffer" of the tty (terminal) we press L + X and L + Y respectively.

DSLinux it can be used for a huge variety of things, so many that it is impossible to describe them all in this article. Anyway, here is the section on its use, where you will find how to surf the internet, play in the terminal, run the graphical mode (somewhat unstable), set up a web server, play music (and even by streaming with wget!: O) and more.

Also, unfortunately, DSLinux it is an abandoned project, or rather based on contributions. They are free to modify the source code at will and upload the changes (or not) to their Official Site. There you will find a lot of information regarding development and use.

Greetings to all readers!

DesdeLinux

DSLinux: Linux running on a Nintendo DS

Creating / modifying the rc.conf

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