Successful Install on Igel 4210 LX Winestra thin client

robi

After further research I found that the motherboard type is WinNET P680, this is the same board that is used in the HP/Neoware e140 thin client (aka CA22).

Although the Via CN700 system chip according to the specs supports up to 2GB of RAM, it seems that on this mobo max 1GB can be installed. Additionally, not any DDR2 module of 1 GB is recognized by the bios, looks like this one will only support 4 memory banks on the module.

Here's a screenshot performing with the factory 256MB or RAM.

features_pfsense_1.png_thumb

WhiteSpy

Hi,

on my IGEL (got the same one since a couple of months), 512MB is max. recognized. I've testet a few different 1GB modules, but got only error-beeps after turning it on (with BIOS v5.03.x), only 512MB ones work. After the upgrade to v5.05.x, I get a short glimpse of the screen after turning it on, but a second later the screen goes black (but no beeping). So I'm still with 512MB…it works flawlessly.

Maybe you want to try the v5.05 (that's the newest version for the WinNET P680 I could find):

required flashing-tool...just flash it under good old plain DOS :):
http://www.mediafire.com/?2d2rok3c104wx5l

Here is the link for the v5.05:
http://www.mediafire.com/?4xhvt8lrfknh7cz

Maybe someone got a newer version, so I can test my 1GB modules again :)

Greetings from Germany

robi

Is this a bios for Igel 4210 LX / WinNET P680 ?

WhiteSpy

Yes, it is for the WinNET P680 Board :)

I suggest to do backup of your installed BIOS (option for that is integrated in the flash.exe) as I did.

robi

Did you try coreboot bios on this motheboard? Compatibility description here.

WhiteSpy

I read about it, but it sounds a bit too "alpha" to me.

For now, my IGEL is running on the v5.05 BIOS with a normal installation of pfsense on a 8GB CF, 512MB module and a Intel PRO 1000GT Dual port NIC. I just wanted to find a way to get the 1GB module working :)

robi

Mee too! I was hoping maybe someone has experience with that open source bios also…

Anyway, thanks for this v5.05, I'll see tomorrow how it performs. Where did you find it btw?

WhiteSpy

I can't remember exactly. The only thing I know, it wasn't easy to find information about that particular board. I got those files off a forum at the end of the internet ;)

robi

WhiteSpy, the BIOS you gave is not v5.05.

My box had originally v5.05, but I just flashed what you gave, and after reboot it displays V:5.07.1B-091208
The BIOS interface looks a bit different, there's a new item in Standard CMOS Features called Firmware Information, which shows product name, version, BIOS version, etc. Also there's a new full-screen bootlogo which shows "Neoware" at startup (can be disabled).

From the 3 pcs of 1GB SO-DIMMs I have, one is seen 'til 512MB, with the other two it doesn't even boot up. Screen goes white, beeps, etc…
Situation was similar before BIOS upgrade.

All SO-DIMMs have 8 chips on them. I think I need to look for a module with 4 chips.

WhiteSpy

Ah ok, you're right. 5.05 to 5.07…my fault ;)

I remember, this BIOS is used in the HP Neoware Thin Client. With the old version (v5.05), I got a problem using the DVI-Port (only half of the screen showed up in BIOS for example). That problem went away with v5.07.

And for the DIMMs...mine also got 8 chips and none of them is beeing recognized correctly. Maybe we have success with 4 chips modules ;D

robi

Good news!

I found two 1GB modules which work perfectly with this motherboard! They are the following:

Samsung M470T2953EZ3-CE6 (1 GB, DDR2 RAM, 667 MHz, SO DIMM 200-pin)
Unifosa GU331G0AJEPN6E2L4GG (1GB ELPIDA DDR2-667 PC2-5300 SODIMM)

They are capable of 667 MHz, but on this board they run at 533, as the spec. says. Surprisingly, the Samsung module is not checked by the bios (it doesn't count up from 0 to 1GB) but it's being recognized correctly by the os.

And guess what, they are both loaded with 16 chips (8 on each side). My colleague got them from broken laptops, gave him in exchange the other incompatible modules I had. :D :D :D

WhiteSpy

Congrats! :)

Nice to hear, that there are 1GB modules out there, which really work in the IGEL ;D

Clinxer

Hey.

I had a problem with the original card. I restored the image onto a new card with "dd if = / CF1_128mb_bak_dump_dd.img of = / dev / sdd bs = 512" and start giving the error "disk boot failure insert system disk and press enter".
Any ideas?
The Igel winestra 4210lx also recognizes the memories of 1Gb Transcend DDR2 667 CL5.

Regards

robi

I don't think it needs "bs = 512". Just try "dd if=/CF1_128mb_bak_dump_dd.img of=/dev/sdd"

Or try on a Windows machine "dd if=CF1_128mb_bak_dump_dd.img of=\.\D: –size --progress" with dd for Windows. The dump was made with this tool on Win7x64.

robi

Nice discovery: On the front panel circuit board which you can see has provision for fitting another LED.

That missing LED is actually the Ethernet-link LED of the onboard NIC, it flashes at network activity.
I also changed the original high-lux blue LED with a more classical red one, the link-led is green. Looks much more domestic. A little hole needs to be created in the front panel plastic.

Clinxer

Thanks again for your answer.
sudo dd if = / home/CF1_128mb_bak_dump_dd.img of = / dev / sdd
251937 +0 records input
251937 +0 records out
128991744 bytes (129 MB) copied, 43.733 s, 2.9 MB / s
Insert the card and constantly reboots without any message.

If I create a physical partition and mark it as bootable, with sudo dd if = / home/CF1_128mb_bak_dump_dd.img of = / dev/sdd1 gives error can not write 1 block.
sudo dd if=/home/CF1_128mb_bak_dump_dd.img of=/dev/sdd1
dd: escribiendo en «/dev/sdd1»: No queda espacio en el dispositivo
251907+0 registros de entrada
251906+0 registros de salida
128975872 bytes (129 MB) copiados, 94,3489 s, 1,4 MB/s

The same with dd for windows that you have shown me.

The card should have some special format or special bootloader. I can think of nothing else.

A greeting.

robi

Try with another card.

Also check in BIOS, set it manually to CHS, LBA or Large, maybe it's wrongly auto-detected by the motherboard.
I had similar issues with a brand Kingston CF card, while a chinese noname cheapo was perfectly detected.

Clinxer

It is possible that the backup does not contain the MBR?
If I make a backup with dd if=/dev/sdd1 occupies 128991744 bytes (129 MB)
If I make a backup with dd if=/dev/sdd occupies 129024000 bytes (129 MB)
The difference coincides with the 63 boot sectors.

I've read that can be done with the following command from linux
dd if=/dev/xxx of=mbr_63.backup bs=512 count=63

Could you make a backup of the MBR of your compactflash.

Thank you very much.

och..nee

Hi,
I achieved it with an Igel 564 LX Premium.
Same specs but

pcmcia Slot
smartcard reader

2 Transent a. 1 GB DDR 400 3-3-3
are fully recognized.

The Igel: 25,- Euro via Ebay +
29,- Euro Intel PCI-X Dual 1000 GB LAN Server Card

Clinxer

I put some pictures of how I put the LED network (I have already drilled to put another led more) for what it's idea.

Picture of the front which is also where I have placed the hard drive of a laptop.
Detail of the LEDs. I put a female sockets by the distance to the front to change without weld again.
The holes on the front are the plastic outer 2mm and 4mm on the inside to fit all the LEDs.

.

Best regards.