[X-Post] Converting a x86 ThinClient with WinCE to a linux box

Hello

This is an X-post, because im not really sure to which forum my question belongs.

The originalpost is under

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The original text:

----------------------------------------- Hello!

I have a NCD - ThinStar 450 Box and i wanted to kick the WinCE stuff from the flash and set up a small Linuxsetup.

The hardware is a x86 266Mhz processor, a SiS 5595 chip for graphic (and lan, usb, sound i think) and a 16MB DOC (DiskOnChip) from M-Systems (MD2200 D16).

I wanted to know if anyone ever tried this befor or if not, what would be the best way to experiment with the box.

For now, i just can imagine to desolder the Flash-DOC, build a programmer (i am more a electronic engeneer than a software/os specialist ;) and setup a testenviroment via a normal linux desktop. But thedesoldering of the chip is very risky. Has anyone a better idea?

If i flash the DOC via the network, i guess, that i only have one try. If i fail to setup a working linux with the first try, i guess i want be able to reflash the DOC anymore (because WinCE is kicked and linux stucked...)

Any recomends? Thank you in advance Daniel (pls excuse my bad english)

Reply to
Dany0016
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I hate those DOC's. That is why I switched to DOM. M-SYS's only tools for flashing are dos based tools. You can get na ISA board from them that will allow you to put the DOC in your PC and then flash from DOS.

I dislike the DOCs because they are single source and I've not had much luck with their support staff.

Reply to
Chris Fowler

You can try any of live CDs from different distributions. Or you can try butting it from USB or IDE-CF or DOC.

If your BIOS support USB boot try following

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Rushi

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Reply to
Rushi

Reply to
Andrew Williams

Hello! thx for your response...

DOM? whats this? Cant google this - Document Object Model ;-)

Ok, only DOS apps? you mean for flashing? I have seen on their website, that they now provide a Filesystem based on GPL.

PXE or USB (or even Live-CD Boot) isnt possible: No IDE channel, and no Biosoption for booting something else than the DOC.

For now, ill desolder the DOC, build a programmer and maybe write a Devicedriver for easy use... Then install a Kernel with initrd from the flash. To start some experiments... But i guess ill blow up the NCD sooner or later :-)

But its (more or less) only for the fun of it...

What experiences did you made with the DOc's??

Thx in andvance Daniel

Reply to
Dany0016

If your DOC is a removable 32 pin DIP device, look at this thread for info on programming DOC's using Network cards.

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cheers, Vincent

Reply to
Vincent Crabtree

Hi!

Sounds interessting... So, i just have two problems:

*) The DOC isnt socked - but i guess ill manage to desolder it. I hope without destroying board and/or DOC. *) I dont know if i have a ISA-Nic somewhere at home... have to search. But ebay will also do...

But i think, building a programmer woulnd be the hardest thing... next week i have enough time to start some investigations.

Thx, Daniel

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Reply to
Dany0016

I used old token ring NIC, and rip off everithing but bus buffering IC-s (74LS244, 74LS245), address decoder (74LS688), and DIP SWITCH. NOTE: it MUST be TTL IC, not CMOS like 74HC, or 74HCT. Then, I add LM317 voltage stabilizer to stabilize +12VDC to +3.5VDC for DOC, cut few traces, add some wires and TSOP48 socket...And it works. With DIP switch I can map it on any 16KB block from 0xc0000 to 0xf0000.

Mario

Reply to
Mario Ivancic

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