DSC-II or Damn Small Capio II
Forum: DSL Tips and Tricks
Topic: DSC-II or Damn Small Capio II
started by: Michel
Posted by Michel on Mar. 14 2006,16:33
Having acquired a Neoware Capio II, I got DSL working on it pretty fast- My investments:
$30 for a Capio II (including shipping)
$8 for a TC325 Thin client as a Disk-On-Chip programmer
$8 for a 64MB USB stick.
I put a bootable DOS on the DOC, plus
loadlin.exe, linux24 and minirt24.gz (ok, logo.16 too)
Configured the Capio with 'Super' video in the Bios setup for 1024x768x16 video
( password = lambkeoghs ),
plus, for some reason, Legacy USB support.
Made a small 'options.txt' with the required boot params also on the DOC. (most important vga=791)
Put the /Knoppix directory on the usb stick.
Put in 'loadlin @options.txt' in autoexec.bat
And presto, a working DSC II , totally silent.
Michel 
Posted by Michel on Mar. 15 2006,21:06
Success with a caveat: The DSC II does not run 2.2 or over with the older kernel.Only 2.1 with the 2.4.31 sees the USB key, 2.2b and 2.3rc1 with 2.4.26 do not scan (correctly) for usb devices and hence never find the key.
Posted by AwPhuch on Mar. 15 2006,23:22
Is this what you are referring to...give us some specs man!< http://techshop.earthlink.net/p10106:S0352408 >
That is totally kick butt man! That would be great for a "guest" system at your house or something like that..totally cool!
Brian
AwPhuch
Posted by Michel on Mar. 15 2006,23:45
Yes, that is the system.They sell on Ebay for around USD 20 or so if you are lucky.
Base specs are:
(Capio II 200 , 320, 325)
Geode GX 233 Mhz (or higher)
32 mem 144pins sodimm (upgradeable to 128MB - the Geodes max)
serial, 2 USB, inbuilt power supply, so no power brick.
Small!! : Dimensions (WxDxH) 8.7 in x 9.8 in x 1.8 in
I put a full MS-DOS with a graphic system plus DOS-VNC on my DOC ( a 16MB one), plus the required DSL base kernel files and loadlin.
So I have a boot choice of an MS-DOS system, or DSL.
Totally Silent, Cheap.
Warning: The Neoware TC 200 to 325 are different and bigger machines.
These have a VESA 1.2 vga which does not run X under DSL, no sound, and a non-standard, do not confuse these !!
But they contain an ISA DOC card you can use to program the DOC's - which I used.
Cheers,
Michel
Posted by Michel on Mar. 16 2006,08:18
Addendum: Types vary from 180Mhz to 266Mhz, and with or without sound. So check before buying!Anyway: A nice system for stand-alone DSL-ing.
Cheers,
Michel
Posted by Michel on Mar. 21 2006,08:31
I found that under kernel 2.4.26 the USB stick is not seen, unless:- Capio booted under DOS with the usbaspi.sys and di1000dd.sys
USB drivers to make the stick visible under DOS
- Then boot using loadlin _from_ the USB stick
So yes, now I have 2.3RC1 running on the Capio .
Time permitting I will post a full howto plus an image of my DOC somewhere on the web.
Making the DOC visible as a file system from DSL is simple:
- sudo bash or start a terminal as root
> mknod /dev/nftla1 b 93 1
> mkdir /doc
> mount /dev/nftla1 /doc
- to be continued -
Michel
Posted by humpty on Mar. 21 2006,08:53
totally rad Michel dude!"silence is golden"
Posted by doobit on Mar. 21 2006,14:05
Any chance you could get it to boot directly into DSL by putting the boot floppy image on the DOC?
Posted by Michel on Mar. 21 2006,20:41
You'd have to rebuild the kernel or set the system up to see the DOC as a file system, e.g. /dev/nftla and /nftla1 should be mknod'd and mounted at boot time. No idea how to do this though.My idea is simply let DOS be the boot loader, and let autoexec.bat run loadlin on the usb stick.
Michel
Posted by Michel on Mar. 27 2006,07:49
Good news for UK based DSL'ers:On Ebay a lot of four Capio II's is for sale for only UKP 13!!
See < http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9702221824 >
Shipping is just a bit too much for me to NL, but for 23 pounds you have 4 of the things at home. (And I 'll upgrade all your DOC's for one of them ;-) .
Cheers,
Michel
Posted by gtracyca on Mar. 28 2006,18:42
Where did you purchase your Capio II?
Posted by Michel on Mar. 28 2006,19:08
Private sale locally (Netherlands, real cost in Euro's... ;-)
Posted by Michel on Mar. 28 2006,19:19
Private sale locally (Netherlands, real cost in Euro's... ;-)The UK seller has still more of these things at 13 pounds per four, but international shipping adds 40 pounds, and that makes it not worth while for me...
Posted by themightytim on April 28 2006,22:25
Did you every make a guide for this? I'm in the UK and I just bought 4 of these, I've been trying to figure out all of this embedded linux stuff but info seems pretty scarce
Posted by TechnoFreak on June 12 2006,19:45
I'm having real difficulty in obtaining any form of DOC programmer. ISA cards or thin clients with DOC and IDE connections. Does anyone know where I can get one (preferably UK based)?I've aquired a few capio II 325s but they are all stuck booting windows CE. Even getting them to network boot would be an advantage but setting network boot in the bios makes absolutely no difference. Does anyone know how to get round this?
Posted by 300c_pilot on June 12 2006,21:38
There are a couple on ebay right now for $5.00, I have bid on one. Thought it would be a fun project.
Posted by TechnoFreak on June 13 2006,00:46
Capio IIs or ISA cards? I still can't find them
Posted by 300c_pilot on June 24 2006,05:21
Sorry Technofreak, I just saw your post. There are many want to be's for the Capio's on ebay.Well it showed up today, not quite what I thought. Turned out it is a Termtek tk-3000 w/geode 200mhz cpu, 8 meg doc.
Does anyone know how to reset this thing? Locked up with someone elses password, can not get into it.
Ended up costing 15.00 w/ shipiing.
Posted by MrCapio on June 28 2006,22:42
Well, I have the same problems as you TechnoFreak (quote: "I've aquired a few capio II 325s but they are all stuck booting windows CE. Even getting them to network boot would be an advantage but setting network boot in the bios makes absolutely no difference. Does anyone know how to get round this?"Is your problem solved? If yes, I'm very curious how you solved your problem :-)
Posted by 300c_pilot on June 29 2006,15:19
I to have been looking for a programmer, that is not at a new price. I have a standard Pentium motherboard that has the DOC socket on it but when I boot up with the DOC in it, I can't see it.The website says it should look like another harddrive. Anyone know more about this?
Posted by TechnoFreak on June 29 2006,17:34
The first problem, that of finding a programmer was solved when I realised that the < Lex Embedded Light CV860A > that I'd bought a while back to be my router has a DOC socket in it and the ability to boot from CD/floppy/HDD etc. Not a cheap solution if you dont already own one Using this I managed to install freedos and used the autoexec.bat to automatically run a dos executable etherboot .com file. You can generate these at < http://rom-o-matic.net/ >. If I remember correctly the network card is a standard eepro100 and I think the ROM required is the eepro100:82559er (although it says only the family is required for .com generation). I havent tested this though, I used a fairly universal etherboot .com file that I found < here > in the network_boot_floppy+cd+hd_540.zip file. That way I could get it all working in my Lex system and only move it across once I was finished.
There is probably a far neater way of doing this
I have been using this setup with limited success booting LTSP 4.1.
Rob
PS.300c_pilot: I had some issues with formatting my DOC, although it did appear initially as c:. You need some special tools from the < m-systems website >. DInfo(?) was able to see my DOC even after I messed it up and tell me the address to write the firmware image back to (once i'd done this it came up as c: again).
Posted by 300c_pilot on June 29 2006,20:51
Checking it all out, thanks Rob.
Posted by TechnoFreak on July 06 2006,14:51
I just found this home made DOC ISA board. Looks fairly straight forward and I would have given it a go if I hadn't found the DOC socket in my router < http://users.on.net/~merrifield/DiskOnChip.html >
Posted by Michel on July 10 2006,13:13
Note that to see a DOC you will need to program it with the right bios for the chipset. I just forn out when I had to add a /SIS5598 switch to see the DOC on a a SIS-based SBC.You _can_ program the things though even if not seen as disk with the M-system tools specifying the window where it is on the bus.
Michel( and, for the lonely waiting englishman - them DOCs finally in the mail).
Posted by Michel on July 10 2006,13:26
Ok, I am willing to supply some Dos based DOC's that can loadlin (any) linux from a usb stick. How about us$ 11 including shipping - plus sending back your doc sometime after replacement.Note that you then can edit any file on the DOC then, including deleting the USB drivers and making the DOC useless then <VBG>.
Let me know what you think about this. I know it compares expensively to the price of a secondhand capioII, but it is a lot of work on a hot attic.
Cheers,
Michel
Posted by 300c_pilot on July 11 2006,02:51
I'm game sent you a PM, let us know how to buy it.
Posted by Michel on July 11 2006,08:16
Well, overseas (rather Overoceans) I only take paypal.EU citizens can pay using IBAN/BIC code.
I can program now about six of them and send them out around end of this week. So, any others, contact me privately.
I _love_ using older good hardware for new purposes. One of the reasons I deal in HP 200LX's as well ( shameless plug - see < http://www.200lx.net > for my other hobby ). And the Capio II is just the right size for a totally silent linux box: Standard ne network port, memory to (I think) 256MB (I swapped my 32MB for a 128MB sodimm).
Michel
Posted by Michel on July 11 2006,08:23
MAINS WARNINGOh yes,
Internally the thing is open to the mains power!! So UNPLUG the mains before you work inside!! Neither fry the CII nor yourself!!
( The advantage is, of course, no Brick attached, everything into one neat package. )
Michel
Posted by Michel on July 15 2006,19:56
The following commands need to go into a file for booting DSL from DOS ( for example options.txt):linux24
initrd=minirt24.gz
root=/dev/ram
ramdisk_size=100000
init=/etc/init
apm=power-off
nomce
noapic
dsl
rw
vga=791
lang=us
quiet
dma
xmodule=fbdev
BOOT_IMAGE=knoppix
Then you need a directory with loadlin.exe, linux24 and minirt24.gz
Starting DSL (or Knoppix) is then
> loadlin @options.txt
the KNOPPIX directory has to be in the root of the USB key.
Michel
Posted by 300c_pilot on July 16 2006,04:32
Thanks Michel!!
Posted by Michel on July 16 2006,10:41
Mmm, oh, yes, The Capio II should be set in setup
( F2, password lambkeoghs, can be set to no password)
Setup > Advanced > Video Resolution High
for vga=791.
Michel
Posted by deedub on July 19 2006,20:19
Hi,Just wondered if anyone had ever thought to stack some of these up into a cluster?
You may have already read on the web of the project with 4 XBOX's runing as a Linux cluster. Xbox's sell for maybe £50 now but the Capios go for a lot less than that. This may be a cheap way to build a modest cluster. Add some USB hard disk storage and you could have an interesting project there that won't break the bank.
Deedub
Posted by 300c_pilot on July 20 2006,00:10
I do not hink they have much power, but I believe it could be done.
Posted by deedub on July 20 2006,20:46
Here's an interesting Linux BIOS project which would be useful for running cluster systems< linuxbios >
Ok the Capio is low on power but would be a very inexpensive way of experimenting with clusters, could be a fun project.
Maybe another interesting use could be to drive a digital photo frame, something I was thinking of trying with a cheap 15" LCD monitor
Deedub
Posted by deedub on July 26 2006,17:22
Hi,A friendly guy on ebay gave me the Capio Windows CE pwd
password = quality
If you hit F2 you can enter this pwd and get into the WinCE settings. Can't do much there though so changing to DSL still looks to be the better option. Unless you run Citrix Server over your network.
Bye,
Deedub
Posted by deedub on July 26 2006,17:25
| Quote (deedub @ July 26 2006,13:22) |
| Hi, A friendly guy on ebay gave me the Capio Windows CE pwd password = quality If you hit F2 you can enter this pwd and get into the WinCE settings. Can't do much there though so changing to DSL still looks to be the better option. Unless you run Citrix Server over your network. Bye, Deedub |
Just to confirm you hit F2 and enter this 'quality' password after the Capio has started WinCE. This isn't the BIOS password that was given earlier.
Deedub
Posted by deedub on July 26 2006,17:46
Hi,I've been digging into the Capio hardware and found an interesting chip FDC37C669 sitting on top of the daughter board. That's the plugin board with the printer & parallel port.
As you would expect this is an I/O device but the interesting part is that it also includes all of the interfaces for 2x floppy disk drives, an IDE bus driver and even infra-red.
The manufacturer of the FDC37C669 is SMsC.
After a quick scan through the datasheet it seems that all the I/O control/address lines are there so just a buffer/bus-transceiver is needed between this chip and the floppy or HDD plus of course power supply for the drive. The drive should then be visible to DSL after bootup.
I'm thinking adding a small 2.5" laptop HDD may make the Capio a lot more useable, but then noise/heat may become a problem. Also being able to temporarily add a floppy would make reprogramming the O/S a bit easier.
Anyone know how large a DOC this Capio can support (asuming the full system address bus is available on the board) as you can now buy much larger disk-on-chip parts, into the GB range. A 50MB or larger DOC could give room to get DSL running completely embedded, is this possible?
Deedub
Posted by deedub on July 27 2006,11:04
Hi,Start into WinCE on your Capio and try this;
In Terminal Connection manager select the configure tab
Add new connection and select Microsoft Remote Desktop Client
Edit properties for this connection and set the IP address of your server
Run Netmeeting on your server and use desktop sharing
or
In Terminal Connection manager select the configure tab
Add new connection and select Terminal Emulation Client
Edit properties for this connection and set the IP address of your server
Download and run the free telnet server KTS
< http://www.kpym.com/ >
and run this on your server
In Terminal Connection manager on the Capio connect to your new telnet connection
you now have telnet access to your server from the Capio
Cya
Deedub
Posted by Michel on July 28 2006,18:55
Re DOC size: The DOC only uses an 8K window to address it's flash memory. The builtin TFFS software on the DOC BIOS takes care of the rest. So most any size should be supported. Note that standard DSL does not contain booting from DOC ( nftla device)
Someone should rebuild the boot loader with nftla and nftla1 defined and loaded to load DSL from the DOC using fromhd=nftla1 .
see < http://lists.infradead.org/pipermail/linux-mtd/2005-March/012286.html >
for some more info.
Repeat warnings:
DON'T buy a DOC with a V3 extension: these are 3 volt versions and are fried in the Capio's 5V socket!!
DON'T put in the DOC the wrong way or it is fried...
DON'T put in the DOC with the mains plugged in or YOU are fried if you touch the wrong wire.
Michel
Posted by 300c_pilot on Aug. 01 2006,05:36
Michel,Have you sent my DOC yet?
Thanks
Posted by Michel on Aug. 01 2006,21:59
| Quote (300c_pilot @ Aug. 01 2006,01:36) |
| Michel, Have you sent my DOC yet? Thanks |
AFAIK yes, but not totally sure.
I will send another, but require one back then
if it's double...
-------------------------------------------------------------
On another note, I have added an old 1GB laptop disk plus an 'el-cheapo' USB-to-harddisk plug. Works like a charm powered by the Capio, so now I have swapspace as well ( which I do _not_ put on a flash disk) albeit slow (1MB/sec max)
So, continuing another note, you can build a laptop disk in using USB. More fun...
Michel
Posted by 300c_pilot on Aug. 04 2006,02:45
Michel,Sorry, I recieved the DOC today. If you haven't sent the other one yet, don't. If you have I will send it back with mine as soon as I get it, plus costs you occured. The Athena does not boot with the doc. I did not think it would work, but it was worth a try. Would you want this Athena thin client box, can be yours for shipping.
Thanks for you help.
Posted by deedub on Aug. 06 2006,13:45
Hi,Thanks Michel for the reprogrammed DOC's, booted into DOS a treat. Having a bit of trouble running DSL though.
I have the DSL USB v0.8.0 on a USB stick, with the v0.8.0 Knoppix and using Loadlin.exe and the options.txt file you described, but no joy. The closest I got was to a linux command line, and now all I get is
"Kernel panic: VFS: Unable to mount root fs on 01:00"
Have tried re-fromatting the USB stick & reloading DSL, even reseting the Capio bios setup but still always this fault. The bootlog also states "FAT: bogus logical sector size 0"
Any ideas?
Which DSL distro version should I be using?
Cheers,
deedub
Posted by deedub on Aug. 06 2006,17:29
Hi,Fixed it at last!
This Capio so nearly got slung out of the window!
The problem was simply lack of memory, all it needed was a few changes to the options.txt file and now its happily running DSL. Thanks to all for all the help, and especially to Michel for the reprogrammed DOC's.
cheers
deedub
Posted by dSlfOo on Oct. 13 2006,03:09
Michel, Have you sent my DOC yet?
Thanks,
Scott H.
Posted by Michel on Oct. 26 2006,06:48
| Quote (dSlfOo @ Oct. 12 2006,23:09) |
| Michel, Have you sent my DOC yet? Thanks, Scott H. |
(yep, around the time of your message)
OK, since it might take some time baking DOC's: searching for my TC325, opening it up, take out the ISA board, swapping DOC's, putting back in the ISA board, connecting a hard-disk, baking the DOC, taking it out again and put it on antistatic foam, in an envelope, mailing it, etc, etc.
_ If there are any other interested, I will go through the procedure
once I have some five requests. And PLEASE, those I _did_ send a DOC and that did not send me the old one back, please send the old one to me, since that was part of the deal...
Cheers,
Michel
Posted by Michel on Nov. 11 2006,21:56
Of course, using the newest thread on this forum about packing /knoppix into initrd, see < http://damnsmalllinux.org/cgi-bin....t=15960 >
on can boot (via ms-dos) natively from the DOC, provided this is an around 64MB DOC.< this thread >
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 12 2006,00:17
what is the smallest sized DOC that u can fit DSL on ?
Posted by dSlfOo on Nov. 12 2006,03:45
Michel, I received my DOC, and I "really" appreciate your time and efforts. I know that programming these is a hassle, but it's a great service to the community. I am now running DSL 2.3 on my CapioII, and it works GREAT!
I'll probably want another DOC, since I got 2 Capio's on Ebay, so I guess I'll have to just Paypal the money and wait until you get 5 requests for DOCs. Do you get requests often?
Also, I'll be sending the original DOC back to you soon. Would it help if I pulled the other one and sent it at the same time?
Thanks again,
Scott H.
Posted by Michel on Nov. 12 2006,12:39
| Quote (dans34 @ Nov. 11 2006,19:17) |
| what is the smallest sized DOC that u can fit DSL on ? |
> what is the smallest sized DOC that u can fit DSL on ?
Well, DSL does not fit on < 51 MB or so. But an 8MB DOC will fit DOS plus loadlin.exe + minirt24.gz + linux24. Any old el-cheapo USB stick of 64MB containing /knoppix/KNOPPIX will then do to boot DSL on the Capio or other DOCbased Intel/AMD/Cyrix systems.
Including many broken MP3 players as long as the filesystem is intact, usb-to-cf/mmc/sd/pcmcia adapters, usb to HD adapters plus an old laptop harddisk ( this also allows swapspace!), etc, etc.
Or, DSL salvages old hardware! ( and salvage is my primary drivers.)
Re : flashing DOCs: I will flash some DOC's again around christmas - not much time before that.
Michel
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 12 2006,12:45
Michel are you still reprogramming the docs for people ?
Posted by dSlfOo on Nov. 12 2006,15:26
Michel,Thanks again!
> Re : flashing DOCs: I will flash some DOC's again around christmas - not much time before that.
This is great. I'll send you my old DOCs and PayPal the money, and look for another updated DOC sometime after the holidays.
Happy Holidays!
Scott H.
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 15 2006,12:54
i have a capio II and it has a bios password i have tryed "quality" and "lambkeoghz" and thewy dont work is there a way to clear the bios passowrd ?
Posted by Michel on Nov. 15 2006,20:52
| Quote (dans34 @ Nov. 15 2006,07:54) |
| i have a capio II and it has a bios password i have tryed "quality" and "lambkeoghz" and thewy dont work is there a way to clear the bios passowrd ? |
How about 'lambkeoghs' with an 'es' and not with a 'zed' ?
Posted by Michel on Nov. 15 2006,20:55
Slightly off-topic, but I couldn't resist to point you to what I did with the old TC-325's I use as the DOC reprogrammer: see < http://www.belxs.com/michel/soundbox/ >
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 15 2006,23:22
| Quote (Michel @ Nov. 15 2006,20:52) |
| [quote=michel] How about 'lambkeoghs' with an 'es' and not with a 'zed' ?[/quote] |
thanks , i think this should work ...
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 17 2006,12:34
just out of interest if the capio II main funtion was to be a thin client why has it got a serail & paralell port and USB ?since it is effectively running its OS from the server only things pugged in to the server will be visible, no ? or does it somehow pass local hardware to the server ?
Posted by dSlfOo on Nov. 17 2006,18:47
Thanks for the link Michel! I wish I could find a Viewpoint TC325 somewhere.dSlfOo
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 17 2006,18:59
just set up wiki page about the capio II , i would be gratfull if others could contribute < http://dans34.freepgs.com/index.php/Main_Page >thanks 4 the password it works ...
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 21 2006,17:00
| Quote (Michel @ Nov. 15 2006,20:55) |
| Slightly off-topic, but I couldn't resist to point you to what I did with the old TC-325's I use as the DOC reprogrammer: see < http://www.belxs.com/michel/soundbox/ > |
just out of interest ... there seam to be a lot of space at the front of the tc-325 was there someting there or is it designed like that
Posted by Michel on Nov. 28 2006,10:32
| Quote (dans34 @ Nov. 21 2006,12:00) |
| just out of interest ... there seam to be a lot of space at the front of the tc-325 was there someting there or is it designed like that |
- room for a (AFAIK never implemented) smartcard reader-
Anyway, the TC325 will run linux, but not DSL with the inbuilt VESA 1.1 card. With a riser card and a pci vesa 2.0 card it _will_ run DSL though ( just to get back to topic <VBG>). But as I have an offer to buy Capio's at 17 euro's each, I'll forego the effort.
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 28 2006,17:33
ive bid on 4 capios , so far costing me £20 ... not bad ...:cool:
Posted by Michel on Nov. 30 2006,09:24
| Quote (dans34 @ Nov. 28 2006,12:33) |
| ive bid on 4 capios , so far costing me £20 ... not bad ... |
And now that I know, you expect me not to outbid you?
How about 3 DOC's for one DSC if you win them?
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 30 2006,11:14
yea , i dont see why not not sure how much postage will be , but yea i`ll send you one if i win ...
Posted by dans34 on Dec. 03 2006,19:41
well i didnt win ..
Posted by icepick on Jan. 03 2007,10:26
I have a couple of capio's here... anyone know a good way to get the DSL for it? The guy that used to flash doesnt respond anymore
Posted by Michel on Jan. 08 2007,08:44
| Quote (icepick @ Jan. 03 2007,05:26) |
| I have a couple of capio's here... anyone know a good way to get the DSL for it? The guy that used to flash doesnt respond anymore |
Uhm, 'doesn't respond anymore' -> responds veerry slowly (holiday etc delay) . I can still flash some DOC's - but my spare time was severely limited. Just burned some (and sent one out recently). I will respond to your PM as well. Any other interested parties?
I finally set up a SBC board allowing more and easier programming.
Michel
Posted by icepick on Jan. 09 2007,15:41
| Quote (Michel @ Jan. 08 2007,03:44) | ||
Uhm, 'doesn't respond anymore' -> responds veerry slowly (holiday etc delay) . I can still flash some DOC's - but my spare time was severely limited. Just burned some (and sent one out recently). I will respond to your PM as well. Any other interested parties? I finally set up a SBC board allowing more and easier programming. Michel |
Okay, I will await your reply and instructions.
Posted by dans34 on Jan. 10 2007,10:59
thanks . i got the reprogrammed doc (well it came last week but life has been a little hectic)
Posted by icepick on Jan. 17 2007,13:03
Dan,Shed some light on what you were planning to do with the capio.. curious about what people do with it..
Alex
Posted by dans34 on Jan. 18 2007,10:36
well im trying to run dsl on it so i can use it as a small and quiet web browseredit : you can see the progress of my capio < on my website >
Posted by davens on Jan. 30 2007,20:56
I have a thinstar 400 that I would like to do the same thing to. It has a 16M DOC and similar specs. Pentium 166 based with windows CE 2.12 preinstalled for RDP. Is my best bet to desolder the DOC, make an ISA board and rebuild it? Or has anyone found an easier way of going from CE to dos or linux? The bios on this is just as useless as the capio's.edit: make that had a thinstar... desoldering the DOC seems more difficult than a lot of other things ive done.
Posted by KingPablo on Jan. 31 2007,02:47
Hey all. I am fighting an eon 5000s. Same sort of < Specs > as the Capio, but a little larger footprint, and 96MB ram. I bought it with the intent of an EZ DSL install. Got it off Ebay for $18 bucks and its been an interesting battle, as I'm a linux noob. I started by doing a network install of NTe, (yes, I used linux to help up a windows box) and NTe is as horrible as I remember, AND it has NO USB support. It was terribly clunky. After watching it function and realizing that this is how it was sold originally, I flashed the memory again.
I was able to PXE (pxelinux) flash the rom and can get a basic dos image installed to a command prompt. Every time I use the same logic to install DSL knoppix, it starts loading then fails due to a memory allocation error. Kernel Panic is the error. I'll try it again and get the exact code. I'm not sure if I'm partitioning the memory correctly.
I simply want the thing to boot and make the USB functional so I can use the box as the intelligent guts of a virtual picture frame using an old 17" flatscreen. I figure with a custom frame the whole project should finish under $150.
If anyone has been down this road, or wants to help, i'd sure appreciate it.
Posted by dans34 on Jan. 31 2007,17:52
| Quote (davens @ Jan. 30 2007,20:56) |
| I have a thinstar 400 that I would like to do the same thing to. It has a 16M DOC and similar specs. Pentium 166 based with windows CE 2.12 preinstalled for RDP. Is my best bet to desolder the DOC, make an ISA board and rebuild it? Or has anyone found an easier way of going from CE to dos or linux? The bios on this is just as useless as the capio's. edit: make that had a thinstar... desoldering the DOC seems more difficult than a lot of other things ive done. |
what happend ?
did it not boot ?
Posted by Michel on May 19 2007,20:41
Ok, fans, I have a handful of DOC's ready for swap if anyone is still interested in
changing a locked-in thin client with a DiskOnChip and a USB port into a fullblown DSL system. PM me if interested.
Michel
Posted by candrist on Aug. 06 2007,04:34
Michel,Just curious if you have an image that you are flashing to the DOC's. If so, is it possible to get a copy of that so I don't have to send my DOC?
Regards,
Chris
Posted by vinyl on Aug. 10 2007,18:48
I have a same sort of setup. A Neoware 2000E and a Neoware 2000X type.Both without the DOC/DOM and a just a CF card in them..
Works like a charm...
Posted by Michel on Aug. 30 2007,20:59
| Quote (candrist @ Aug. 06 2007,00:34) |
| Michel, Just curious if you have an image that you are flashing to the DOC's. If so, is it possible to get a copy of that so I don't have to send my DOC? Regards, Chris |
Uhm, yes. I'll create images of both 8MB and 16MB DOC's.
If you just want the DOS files required see
< here >
You will need to format /s the DOC from DOS, and then copy the files from the zip to the doc.
Posted by Michel on Aug. 30 2007,21:24
Some more good news for sidegraders: I landed about 40 pieces of 64MB so-dimms that work in the Capio. So I can make a mixed deal of a reflashed DOC plus a 64MB mem upgrade.Say $20 per kit, € 15 , £ 10 paypalled. Including shipping anywhere in a bubble envelope.
Max of two kits per person - otherwise it gets to be work
. PM me if interested. One problem: For some sodimms you need to bend up the metal where the sodimm goes, as they are just .5 mm too high. However, that works fine and is invisible from the outside. Now the Capio's can run DSL without 'lowram' options
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 10 2007,13:32
what version of dsl did you use ?mine dsont seam to indenify the network port on my capio
Posted by Michel on Nov. 24 2007,23:43
| Quote (dans34 @ Nov. 10 2007,08:32) |
| what version of dsl did you use ? mine dsont seam to indenify the network port on my capio |
Umm, now using 4.0 ( really - answering from the DSC at the very moment )
But i had no problem getting the card recognized. Although maybe it helps that I load a packet driver in DOS - it initializes the port.
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 25 2007,14:01
how do i load a packet driver in DOS and also my sound device is not working
Posted by Michel on Nov. 27 2007,12:28
Check the autoexec in the boot distro: < http://www.belxs.com/ebookstemp/DOSDSL.zip >
Posted by dans34 on Nov. 28 2007,13:10
hmm strange i have the exact same autoexec yet network conectivity is a no go nor is the sound working im using dsl 4.1 rc3
ps. The url posted for my wiki is now < http://dans34.freepgs.com/wiki >
Posted by Michel on Oct. 27 2008,08:17
UPGRADE KITS for DOC systems.Still available ( and due to falling euro somehat cheaper)
- Capio upgrade kits - max 2 per address
DOC upgrade (sidegrade) to bootable DOS/Loadlin for linux system + added some more nice DOS software
(SPECTRA MS-dos GUI, Arachne etc) .
+ 64MB SODIMM
cost including worldwide shipping: 15 euro's, 19 USD, 13 UKP paypalled. PM me if interested.
conditions: Send in your DOC, pay(pal) after confirmation of receipt of DOC, wait a week for bubble envelope letter.
actions: take off powercord, double check NO power cord
,Put in newly received DOC and SO-DIMM
(if not fitting, slightly bend metal at sodimm side 1mm upwards, and put in sodimm) , presto, a DSC-II.
Close cover, Plug in USB stick with latest DSL
(does not need to be a bootable USB stick, just KNOPPIX/knoppix on it).
Plug in power cord, network cable. Boot up. run loadlin @options.txt. DSL on-line.