Hardware Talk :: Epia M10000 issue

Hey all. Recently, I bought an M10000 from the DSL store, with the idea that, since it supports USB booting, I'd be able to boot DSL off of a key, and I had planned on making it my main computer. However, this didn't turn out as planned.

DSL is installed to the key in USB-ZIP format. Works great on my other computer, running the same type of bios, so there is certainly nothing wrong with the image file. However, on the M10000, it starts the boot up process, and then gives a Kernel Panic error. After that, until I reset the CMOS by unplugging everything and removing the battery, USB devices are not recognized by the computer, inside or outside of the OS.

So basically, I've tried everything under the sun. Is it a faulty board? If so, I'm willing (though grudgingly) to buy another mini ITX so long as it will definitely boot DSL from a usb key and has a 1 gig processor. Can someone point me in the right direction, or at least give some suggestions on getting this old one to work?

Have you tried a usb-hdd mode install?

This sounds very similar to what my Dell does when I forget and try to use a usb-zip pendrive on it. Even though the bios supposedly supports it, it goes haywire and I have to revert to the default settings before anyting will work again.

Try a usb-hdd pendrive, and see what happens.

-J.P.

Actually, that's what I was trying the whole time at first, with the same problem. The reason I then tried USB-ZIP was that the USB compatibility list included the Epia 10000 c3, which is the processor on the M10000, with USB-ZIP. But I get the same problem from both.

I have never had an issue with the M10000 booting via USB-ZIP, maybe there is something odd happening with your board. I've left you a PM with contact info at Via, hopefully they can help you.

Thanks man, I appreciate it. I haven't been able to get in touch with them yet, but when I do, hopefully I can at least figure out of the board is wierding out on me. I really don't have the money to buy another one though if it is a hardware thing, so I bought a CF adapter from the store too, so at the worst, I won't have to have a hard drive. In any case, things should turn out fine.

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