Projects

From AleutiaWiki

This section is intended for sharing ideas and experiences of different uses for our computers and for suggesting new interesting ways to use them.

Remote User PC with Reduced Support

A customer is deploying 12 E2 systems around the world to remote offices. Data resides on an internal 80GB hard drive, but the OS is provided on a 4GB Compact Flash card. If the OS fails, or needs to be replaced, they can mail the user a new CF card at minimal cost.

This was successfully done with a Western Digital 80GB hard drive (WD800BEVE) before with Ubuntu but replicating has been harder than expected.

TESTING ON E2 WITH 512MB RAM

On an E2 without option to install hard drive i.e. with a blue bracket around IDE controller (Serial Number: 43008100572), and paired with a new, unformatted Maxtor 80GB 2.5" IDE hard drive (STM980215A, 2MB cache) the following tests were performed

TEST 1:

CF card switch set to Master. Hard drive set to Slave (using jumper pin):

Inserted CF card, booted fine into Ubuntu 8.04.1 but could not mount drive. Checked BIOS settings and showed no drive (slave or master) on Primary IDE controller, though it saw 4GB Master Drive on Secondary IDE controller.

TEST 2:

CF card switch set to Master. Hard drive set to Master (no jumper pin required):

Took a few minutes (rather than seconds) to load to message saying no bootable disc. Checked BIOS and it saw neither drive on Primary and Secondary IDE controller.

TEST 3:

Just Hard Drive set in master.

Nothing detected in BIOS. Attempted Ubuntu install via DVD drive. Did see any drives.

CONCLUSIONS

• 4300 (non H) models do NOT accept drives. However, Stuart managed to successfully do this.
• Hitachi drives do not work with E2.

TESTING ON E2 WITH 1GB RAM AND OPTION TO INSTALL HARD DRIVE (4310H)

TEST 1:

CF card switch set to Master. Hard drive set to Cable Select (using jumper pin):

BIOS freezes. Initializes RAM and then nothing happens (waited 10 minutes).

TEST 2:

CF card switch set to Master. Hard drive set to Slave (using jumper pin):

BIOS freezes. Initializes RAM and then nothing happens (waited 10 minutes).

TEST 3:

CF card switch set to Master. Hard drive set to Master:

BIOS freezes. Initializes RAM and then nothing happens (waited 10 minutes).

Test 4:

No CF card, hard drive set to master.

As before, BIOS freezes.

Test with WD800BEVE Drive

Set Western Digital drive to slave and inserted CF card in (with switch set to master). Recognized both but would not boot...just hung.

MP3 Server

• This idea has been suggested by a number of customers. Whilst the E1 was 8 bit mono, the E2 features a VIA Vinyl VT 1708 (handles AC97 2.2 codec - HD audio) chip. Equip it with a 160 GB 2.5" hard drive and you'd have a tiny box that can even be mounted in the back of your home's flat screen TV (using the 100mm x 100mm VESA mount). Alternately, it could be used to run Linux MCE, though we've heard mixed things about this.

MP3 Player

• A Norwegian customer who bought the fully portable office pack decided to test out the capabilities of the Aleutia E2 and the Powerpack as a Mp3 Player, this resulted in a very cool looking setup with 7.5 hours of playback. this was done with a 160GB WD portable drive for storage of music.