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ToddI got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") today
I had $20 to spend so I decided to get a thin client. I don't mind its size even though it's kind of bulky (about the size of a TiVo box). My real problem is getting Windows off and putting Linux on. So far I've tried almost every approach possible to getting Linux on but with no success. The storage medium is a DiskOnModule chip which fits the same form factor as a CD-ROM or hard drive cable. I tried hooking it up to my tower but it won't even recognize it. USB boot doesn't work since the hardware's too old. I don't have an external CD-ROM nor external floppy drive for it either. There's virtually no way to get data onto it or to boot past Windows. I can't get into Windows since it immediately proceeds to this stupid kiosk loading software which always ends up wasting 5 minutes to show me a message saying, "The browser could not be started. Press OK to continue." and doing that shows another error saying, "Access denied: You must be logged in as an administrator." and then brings me back to the first message and a never ending loop. There's no way to get past the software since I tried every hotkey or key sequence with no luck. Ctrl+Alt+Del just shows a stupid window saying I'm logged in and has all buttons disabled except for "Cancel." Any ideas on how to get Linux on or get into Windows?		2009-11-149:02 AM
BrandonRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") today
Does it have an IDE channel?		2009-11-1410:59 AM
ToddRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
Yeah. That's what the DiskOnModule chip runs on. The only problem is that that's the only one and if I hook up a hard drive or CD-ROM, there's no way to power it since the mobo doesn't have any places for power other than a fan.		2009-11-1411:48 AM
BrandonRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
Maybe you can rig a IDE to CF adapter to work? Thats what I use for storage in my thin client.		2009-11-158:04 AM
ToddRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
Yeah I think that's what I'll end up doing. I was reading over this guy's thin client tutorial: http://andkorn.org/wiki/doku.php?id=howtos:computers:linux:neoware_eon He's using the same one I have and that's what he said he did. Kinda sucks that I can't use that DiskOnModule. I mean I'm not missing out much - it's only 128 MB.		2009-11-159:19 AM
BrandonRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
Not bad, If I had like $25 to get the client and a cf adapter I would for sure.		2009-11-151:42 PM
BrandonRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
Actually, with christmas coming up I am looking for something to get, I was thinking of a new video card+psu which would be like $150 for a good set, but I might get this thin client instead, assuming it works out for you, so please keep us updated. These are CF Adapters: http://cgi.ebay.com/40-Pin-IDE-To-CF-Compact-Flash-Card-Adapter-Bootable-k_W0QQitemZ230393426881QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a484b3c1#ht_2619wt_987 http://cgi.ebay.com/40-Pin-IDE-To-CF-Compact-Flash-Card-Adapter-Bootable_W0QQitemZ230393298289QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item35a482bd71#ht_3183wt_987 The second one is nice because you could put it in the PCI slot and easily remove the CF card. I would probably order 2 or 3, in case one is bad and just because they are so cheap. I found something that might help you: [quote]After setting up Puppy on a thumb drive, enter the BIOS and under Advanced Settings change the first boot device to USB-HDD. save the changes, insert the stick into one of the front USB ports. This also works very well for DSL Linux, although you have to use "dsl toram" at the prompt.[/quote] From: http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/questionanswer.do?threadId=1199847		2009-11-151:58 PM
ToddRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
Will do. The USB boot doesn't work for this model. It's a Neoware Eon 5000T and it's boot devices are only a hard drive (IDE), floppy, or a CD-ROM. I did order that exact same CF adapter. I also bought a 256 MB CF card for $5. I'll need to run home sometime this week to get my PCMCIA CF adapter and an extra hard drive cable. I'm hoping the cable will work since the IDE port on the thin client has one more pin than the standard IDE cable for my hard drive. Oh well, I hope it works.		2009-11-154:58 PM
BrandonRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
I wouldn't waste money on a cheap CF, they are made at various speeds and trust me, it's noticable. don't forget the optical drive cable in case you need it for power. I'd probably bust that extra pin off or bend it, assuming my cable didn't work :P Not the best thing to do, but the cheapest :P What OS do you plan to run? My recommendations: 1.Tiny Core (small and expandable) 2.DSL 3.Puppy		2009-11-155:37 PM
ToddRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
lol You read my mind with Tiny Core and Puppy. I tried DSL but it was very strange on one of my laptops. It would work on some days and then other times when I'd start it up it would just tell me the operating system couldn't be found. :( What I ultimately want to do is load some lightweight Linux based on Debian and compile LessTif or some tiny WM on it. The reason being because I want to learn how to make my own by playing with the code and learning how those guys did it and then take a stab at it.		2009-11-157:12 PM
BrandonRe:I got my \"Thin\" Client (a.k.a. \"Fat Client\") to
Yeah Debian is pretty good, but with such a small CF, its tough. I tried Tinycore on a few of my machines last ngiht and it appears to have trouble running on older CPUs, I couldn't get it to run on my IBM Pentium 200MMX or my K6-2 400MHz. (And intel video doesn't work well, of course all my desktops have intel or old cpus :P)		2009-11-1611:17 AM

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