Thin Client Modifications

Rouxenator

Rouxenator

Dank meme lord
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Recently bought two HP thin clients (1ghz/512mb RAM/512mb SSD) that I am going to max out (1GB RAM + 160GB HDD) and load Windows 7 on. I have done this kind of thing before and I have come across people making the most insane modifications to these computers. So I was wondering if there is any other Thin Client modders here on myBB?
 
Would like to mod one, alas I lack a thin client to play with.
 
This is the ones I am currently playing with, biggest thin client I have ever had.
http://www.parkytowers.me.uk/thin/hp/t5720/
inside.jpg

Got them for R400 each on BoB, so keep an eye on 2nd hand PC sites.
 
Last edited:
Is that standard notebook RAM? The 160GB HDD - where, how?
 
That is how it look in an unmolested state. It takes 1 DDR400 module, so that means the max RAM you can have is 1GB. The blue chip is a 512MB SSD, or DOM (Disk on Module) as they call it. It connects to the motherboard via a standard 44pin IDE connector. I plan to use normal 44pin IDE cables and an IDE<-> SATA bridge in order to run my 160GB 2.5" HDD on it.
 
Ahh. Will the 160GB fit inside the case?

Damn! A company I used to work for got rid of lots of thin clients. Always used to think they could make a useful desktop for someone just doing the basics. I just never looked into it.
 
Yes, it is a 512MB SSD, the plug directly onto the mother board. Here are some examples of them
kingwolf-44PIN-PATA-font-b-DOM-b-font-font-b-512MB-b-font-one-channel.jpg


With the HDD I plan to route the IDE cable to the other side of the board (past the CPU+NB) and mirror tape it to the mobo.

I had a 64mb one in the previous ThinClient I had. It only ran Windows CE. I used a 8gb Compact Flash <-> 44pin IDE adaptor back them to run Windows XP on it.

What I did notice was that the board seems to be very close to an ITX form factor so I might build it into a regular PC case, if the mounting holes match.
 
Rickster said:
512MB SSD?

Are you sure?
Click to expand...

Thin clients/Zero clients or Lean clients are dependent on another computer, thus the small memory drive. Fat clients however is individual dependent. Everything depend on their housed infrastructure and role.
 
Technically there is space for the HDD but taping it to the motherboard? Heat issues not a concern? But I'm guessing you've done that before :D
 
The entire system is passively cooled, the CPU is a 9watt AMD Geode, don't think it will get too hot but I will keep an eye on it. As soon as the SATA<->IDE bridge comes I will load Windows 7 and see how well it performs on 1GB and 512MB of RAM.
 
Ahh ok.

I used to test stuff on VMs and XP used to run fine on 512MB but iirc Win 7 needs 1GB minimum. Win 7 32bit on 1GB will be fairly smooth though.

Let us know how it works out?
 
I did some searching around, at 512mb Windows 7 is not too bad. They even have a few videos of it running in 96MB RAM with a 166Mhz CPU. I did trim down the instance I am going to load to get rid of bloat I don't need. The whole exercise will be pointless if I go XP. Might give Lubuntu or XBMCubuntu a try however the onboard SiS GPU is very bad.
 
Microsoft claim 1GB minimum :wtf: Never trusted them...

What do you intend doing with it after it's set up?
 
First want to see how usable they are. I want to see how well Q3A runs on it, which should not be a problem since the SiS Mirage does support OpenGL in some way or another. I'd also like to see how well XBMC runs on it and what content it can play. Once I am bored I'll load Lubuntu and LibreOffice on it and sell it on BidOrBuy as a silent and ultra small office PC.

Edit : Windows 7 on 512MB RAM : http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/how-well-does-windows-7-handle-512mb/672
 
I'm thinking as a very basic office pc they could work - which is what I'm keen on finding out. Once all the bloatware (antivirus, ms office, better browser etc) is loaded then the user pain and suffering might start I guess.

Thanks - I'm gonna give this Windows 7 on 512MB RAM another look see.
 
So it has been running fine for the last three months as a NAS, and that means it is time to do what I do best with things that run just fine. No, I do not mean leave it well a lone, I mean tinker with it. Bought one of these so now I can load Windows 7 on it and mess things up some more. Pretty pricey for a 32GB SSD...
 
Pity that these things don't have more modern hardware or UEFI BIOS systems.
 
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