Beta 5 is released!

More than a year after the last release, I'm happy to announce the release of Punix beta 5!

All files: http://sourceforge.net/projects/punix/files/betas/

TI-89: punix-89-beta5.89u
TI-92+: punix-9x-beta5.9xu
Source: punix-beta5.tgz

New section in the README file:

What is new in Beta 5?

This is the first beta to run on real hardware! I am currently running Punix on my TI-92+. It's still highly incomplete, but the hardware drivers have been proven to work correctly on the Real Thing. As a real calculator has limited power (batteries), this release now supports power-off with the key combinations 2nd-ON or Diamond-ON.

This beta also includes a short clip from The Blue Danube Waltz (to demonstrate the audio capabilities) as well as preliminary grayscale support. The console font has been anti-aliased to take advantage of this new grayscale support.

For those who are interested in running this release on their own calculator, here are some quick installation instructions. First make sure that you have a GraphLink cable (or a homemade variant) and TiLP installed on your computer. TI-Connect might work as an alternative to TiLP, but I've never used it so I can't say whether it works.

1. Start TiLP and navigate to the directory that contains the .9xu/.89u file.
2. Pull out one of the calculator's batteries.
3. Reinsert the battery while holding the APPS key until the bootloader screen appears (It will say "Press I to install product code...").
4. Press "I". The bootloader should say "Waiting to receive..."
5. In TiLP, drag the appropriate .xxu file from the computer side to the calculator side. If you have a TI-92+, drag the .9xu file. If you have a TI-89, drag the .89u file. (Sorry, only these calculators are supported currently.)
6. Wait for the transfer to complete. This should take a couple minutes.
7. Punix will automatically boot after installation.

If the transfer fails, you may have to repeat step 5, or possibly steps 2 through 5.

Please be aware that Punix does not have an "Auto Power Down" (APD) feature yet, so you will have to power down the calculator with 2nd-ON when it is not in use.

How to install Punix on a calculator

I've gotten some interest and questions lately about installing Punix on a real calculator. Note that I have not yet uploaded a new version of Punix that will run properly on a real calculator. I will try to get the latest fixes and a new build uploaded sometime this week. Also note that Punix is experimental and incomplete. I cannot be held responsible for any damge it might cause to your calculator, no matter how unlikely that is. It hasn't damaged my calculator, and I haven't gotten any reports that it's damaged anyone else's calculator, but you have been warned.

Here's a short FAQ for those who want to try Punix on their calculator:

Q. Does Punix wipe the factory default OS?
A. Yes, Punix replaces the existing OS and all user files. However, you can download a new version of the TI-OS from http://education.ti.com if you decide to go back to the original OS.

Q. Which calculators does Punix run on?
A. Punix currently has the best support for the TI-92+, since that is the only TI-68k calculator that I own, but I will upload versions of Punix for the TI-92+, TI-89, TI-89 Titanium, and Voyage 200.

Q. Will Punix run on the TI-Nspire?
A. Nope. The TI-Nspire has completely different hardware than the TI-68k series. I don't have much interest in developing for the TI-Nspire anyway, so somebody else will have to port Punix, or maybe even a port of Linux, as the hardware seems to be capable of running Linux.

Q. How do I install Punix on a calculator?
A. You will first need to have a GraphLink cable (or a homemade variant) and TiLP installed on your computer. TI-Connect might work as an alternative to TiLP, but I've never used it so I can't say whether it works. Pull out one of the calculator's batteries and, while holding the APPS key, reinsert the battery. Keep pressing the APPS button until the bootloader screen appears so that it says Press I to install code... (it shouldn't take more than a couple seconds for the bootloader to appear). Press "I", and then in TiLP drag the appropriate .xxu file to the calculator. For example, drag the .89u if you have a TI-89 or the .9xu if you have a TI-92+. It will take about a minute or two to transfer and install Punix. Once it is installed, it will automatically boot into Punix. Be aware that Punix does not have "Auto Power Down" (APD) yet, so you will have to power down the calculator manually with 2nd-ON.