Import Windows program?
 

I successfully loaded Windows Streets and Trips into my N810, but could not get it to run. Clicking on the .exe file brought forth a "do not recognize" message.

Questions:

1. Can this program (or any other Windows program) run on the N810?

2. If so, how?

Thanks,

Davott

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Maemo is a Linux OS. Linux has windows emulators like Wine, and Virtual Machines.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Can you link to a working MS Windows emulator for Maemo (on the tablets)? I must have missed it.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

To give a short and simple answer for beginners who do not understand this yet and have not encountered a linux operating system before, linux does not use the same types of programs as windows.

Long answer:
Just as your windows program will not work on a mac, a windows program will not work on linux or vice versa unless you have an emulator or virtual machine. The maemo linux-based operating system has even more restrictions, where a linux program has to be "edited" so that it works fully and looks nice on the tablet devices. Thus far, an emulator/virtual machine has not been created or "ported" (a term used to describe the editing of a linux program to make it work on the tablets) because of hardware restrictions, time restrictions, and (I'm sure) limitations in the open source nature of the maemo operating system.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

elimoon8 = gentleman and/or scholar

Re: Import Windows program?
 

elmoon8 = a gentleman and a scholar.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

way to say what I said. :p

Re: Import Windows program?
 

To the OP:
As a further point, the N810 (and many handheld devices) use an ARM-based processor, as opposed to x86-based, like most desktop/laptop computers, so unless a program has been designed for mobile devices that use ARM, it definitely won't work. (The program's binary representation would be in the wrong "language" for the processor.) The exception to this is Open Source programs, many of which can simply be recompiled to run on a different processor architecture. With proprietary programs, this is not an option unless the vendor decides to do it themselves... which they generally don't. If you find an Open Source program that is available for the Linux desktop, but not for Maemo, you can always put a polite note on the forums asking if someone will port it (if it's particularly complicated, offering a small cash incentive can make it quicker :P).

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Not quite. Wine stands for Wine Is Not an Emulator. It runs the code natively on the CPU but provides an environment for the code that resembles the Windows environment to a certain degree.
Virtual Machines virtualization usually only emulates the hardware. The code runs natively on the CPU.
So for both solutions you'd still need a compatible CPU. Windows only runs on x86-compatible CPUs, while the tablets run on ARM CPU.
There are solutions which include emulating the CPU, but this is no longer virtualization and gets really slow. If you're lucky you could get Windows 95 running on the tablet, albeit unusably sluggish.
Bochs and qemu are such emulators.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

pycage: wouldn't qemu count as a virtualization platform as well as an emulator?

Re: Import Windows program?
 

The fact that this discussion is necessary could be part of the reason Asus and Acer dropped Linux.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

The biggest part of the reason is called money.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Hi people,
I was thinking about the remote possibility to run a very simple graphical application for Windows on a upcoming N900. I know there's no x86 processor, so that should be emulated.

First, I was asking myself what's faster or reccomended, Bochs or Qemu (anything else?)? (as of running on a N900, I guess we'll have to wait till they're around..)

Second, is it possible to install a basic linux distro on it with only wine and the stricktly needed stuff for a graphical window for the emulated application, and run for example notepad/calculator (or any other very simple windows application)?
If yes, we could then experiment what the application limit is, based on performance (unusable stuff is unusable :p)..

thx for reading! :)

ps. as I read here, a qemu port should exist and work ?!? (on N900 too maybe ?!?) dunno about a eventual bochs port, but in that thread it seems like it worked for somebody too...

Re: Import Windows program?
 

I suspect running Wine on top of an x86 emulator would be excruciatingly slow and prone to crashing. You might be able to run a simple windowed program, but anything using DirectX in any way would be fail.

The best bet for using windows programs on an n900 is through a remote x server/desktop setup. You would run the program on either a windows computer or a desktop linux computer (via Wine), and then "export" the window to the n900 through a program designed to do that. On linux that would be an x server/client setup. Windows has a remote desktop feature, but i don't know if a client exists for linux.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

While this probably could be done for fun and to earn respect among geek friends, I don't believe the results to be anything that is actually usable (i.e. running some useful closed-source application that has no native equivalent with reasonable speed).

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Ok, I imagined that running a cpu emulator + basic linux + wine wasn't so slow, since the only emulated part is the cpu. And I didn't mention DirectX, I was thinking about basic exes with a graphical interface. In the remote case where those would work decently, nothing stops from experimenting heavier stuff...

I know we have mostly an equivalent for every important application, but you never know; and yes, it would be also for some geeky satisfaction. :p

Re: Import Windows program?
 

I think that the amount of hackery dackery doo required to enable x86 emulation and provide a virtualized Windows environment on top of a linux OS running on an ARM processor...just to run some Windows app...is simply too much for any sane person to bear.

If forced to do it, I would rather eat a .40 cal slug from my Sig.

I know it was an innocent request/inquiry....but no...please....just NO.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

lol, ok, sorry... :D

Re: Import Windows program?
 

No, thecursedfly, DO NOT GIVE UP!

With DOSBox many here were able to actually run Windows 95! It was slow as ****, but it WORKED! With the extra horsepower of the N900, you might actually be able to run a few apps!

Also there is a Mac emulator, Basilisk, that runs OS8 apps very well.

So don't give up!

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Yes, give up. Your only hope for any performance is integrating wine and qemu (like what was done with Darwine). However, that requires Wine to build in ARM first.

Fortunately, there have been some ARM specific patches in the Wine git lately. But don't start getting excited.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

I just wanted to calm down the predators till we have the N900s in our hands, in the mean time I spread the thought.. o.o

I just wet my pants... :B
(j/k!)

Re: Import Windows program?
 

You need some very expensive therapy, Thesandlord ;)

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Seriously folks, WTF?

YAY! I can't wait to get my N900 and then bog it down with 2 cpu-intensive layers of virtualization so that it crawls like a whore after a week of crack-fueled gangbanging...all to run some POS Windows app.

I feel like I'm on crazy pills. I need to go lie down. You folks need some counseling

;)

Re: Import Windows program?
 

lol! :D

anyway, trying this stuff we may open the path to future (on a N5000 in 10 years, I know) windows xp emulation! :p

I mean, I know it may seem useless and just geek pleasure, but everything has to begin somewhere ^^
In the mean time, somebody somewhere may have a exe he can run that he totally needs and without any existing alternative; in which case I'll be happy for him. :D

moreover, my initial purpose was just to ask if it may be possible! not to use it on regular basis or so ;)

Re: Import Windows program?
 

Here's a nice warm blanket. Let's get you comfy before those nice men take you to a wonderful place with soft walls.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

lol, I'm not sure if my last post was sarcastic or not... Lets just say I was very happy after finishing my paper and learning that my prof's son was born and class was canceled.

Yeah, but you are never going to run XP...

Better option would be to run it remotely with RDP or VNC.

Re: Import Windows program?
 

did I ever say I want to run windows xp on a N900? ppl, read again... x)