1 Topic by toolbox

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Topic: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

Hello everyone,

So although I don't have my SD3 yet, I am starting to plan out my future mods.

I was recently given an unused HP iPAQ 210 with windows mobile on it, and had this crazy idea that it could be used as my controller/interface for my SD3.

Would anyone have any ideas of how I might go about that or if can even be done?  Well...I know it can be done by someone out there, I'm just not sure I can pull it off with out allot of help.

2 Reply by jon_bondy

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Re: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

I love Repetier Host, and would really miss it if I had to use any smaller device (PDA, Android, etc).  You should try RH on your computer before putting a lot of work into an alternative.  IMHO.  Goes without saying.

3 Reply by solijohn

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Re: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

toolbox wrote:

Hello everyone,

So although I don't have my SD3 yet, I am starting to plan out my future mods.

I was recently given an unused HP iPAQ 210 with windows mobile on it, and had this crazy idea that it could be used as my controller/interface for my SD3.

Would anyone have any ideas of how I might go about that or if can even be done?  Well...I know it can be done by someone out there, I'm just not sure I can pull it off with out allot of help.

We've seen people get Pronterface get on a rasberry pi. It's light.

What do you want to do with the PDA? Just cue up print jobs?

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

4 Reply by toolbox

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Re: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

I basically want to use it as a panelolu, making use of its SD card input and touch screen interface. I would build the whole thing in to a case. I'd love to take it further and use its Internet access to communicate with the printer.

5 Reply by danny

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Re: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

I doubt that this will work.

windows mobile is not windows, there is a different kernel, it's built on the windows CE kernel not the full thing.
the drivers for the printer that work on windows xp are not going to work on windows mobile 2003.
Any exe file won't work unless it's been compiled specifically for windows mobile.

whilst you may be able to take open source programs, and use a copy of visual studio 2003 (not free) to compile for windows mobile 2003, (with the windows mobile 2003 SDK (free if I recall correctly). it's not exactly an easy job.

After this you'll still have to figure out how to connect the USB printer to the PDA, (i'm not sure if your PDA has a USB port, most PDS's don't (given that they don't have the available power to be able to have a properly spec'd port available.


It's easy to make a raspberry pi the host machine because it's already got a proper USB port, it runs Linux where there are already drivers available, the software is easily ported to the Raspberry Pi system, and it can either be run headless, or just plug into a TV or whatever. the Raspberry pi IS a computer.
whilst the PDA is a computer too, it's different architecture, different operating system etc will probably cause problems.

6 Reply by jefferysanders (edited by jefferysanders 2013-02-06 00:49:34)

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Re: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

It can run python (not sure if it has compatibility updates); if it can communicate out via USB, maybe.

http://pythonce.sourceforge.net/

There is your python...you just need to figure out if you can get com access via USB now...don't slice on it, but you could possibly get it to host the gcode and run a print.

7 Reply by dextaslab

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Re: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

Although it's not quiet the same there used to be a program ( "side screen" maybe?) for windows mobile that used to make it a second screen for your PC through USB, so you could just have what ever you want displayed on that and use the touch screen as a second mouse... not quiet what your looking for I imagine... But close :-)

8 Reply by toolbox

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Re: Using an old PDA for solidoodle interface?

Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm going to start by having one of my more tech savvy friends take a look at the PDA and see if he can figure anything out.  In the mean time I got the software on my old netbook as my Solidoodle 3 arrives Monday! I have begun designing a case/cover and will ask for more advice and suggestions on another post.