Puppy Project #3845: solid-state, no-moving-parts computer?

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nate · #1 Post by **nate** » Sat 10 Dec 2005, 00:17

http://www.mini-itx.com/news/10246161/

Hey.. just stick in a stick of RAM.. A cf card adaptor and a 512MB card.. and try to fit it into the smallest box possible.

Sweet, eh?

#2 Post by **Flash** » Sat 10 Dec 2005, 03:01

Sweetest of all would be to do it without any fans at all, in a closed box. Where I live is very dry and dusty. Fans suck in dust, which, for reasons I can't explain, coats everything inside the computer. Electronics and dust aren't a good combination so I take the covers off my computers twice a year to blow them out and I'm always amazed by the amount of dust that comes flying out.

BlackAdder · #3 Post by **BlackAdder** » Sat 10 Dec 2005, 06:26

Flash, At least some of the mini-itx based machines have no fan on the processor or power supply. They do have case openings to let the warm air out, though.

mortlocl · #4 Post by **mortlocl** » Sun 11 Dec 2005, 06:05

I've heard some have set up one of those mini itx motherboards inside an old toaster..the motherboard is 170mmx170mm

Lobster · #5 Post by **Lobster** » Sun 11 Dec 2005, 08:17

. . . they are making it the best thing since sliced bread?:oops:
I wonder if some of the (usually copper based) static coolers - that is they do not use fans would work/fit? Any modders know? HD's are noisy and get hot. So that is toast! Reverse or wire off from the usb a keydrive + one for your data - no CD no floppy. So Puppy is Inside. Usb keydrive (data and 001 is outside. Puppy on USB? Has to be Puppy Rover.

A toast - to Puppy!

Guest · #6 Post by **Guest** » Sun 11 Dec 2005, 10:49

Some of the VIA-based mini-itx boards have relatively slow processors that can be cooled just with aluminium fin-type heatsinks. Also low power consumption means that that power supply does not need a fan either, Barry commented that they are eerily quiet.

If you wanted to use just USB flash drives, most of the USB 2.0 add-on cards come with a single internal and four external connectors. Then just connect a flash drive to the internal connector and put the reuslt into Lobster's Tardis case (bigger on the inside than the outside) and you could have a really small system.

#7 Post by **Flash** » Sun 11 Dec 2005, 18:14

Lobster, I wouldn't have a hard drive, only a DVD burner and lots of RAM. Later on maybe some flash memory on IDE if it becomes cheap enough. A DVD burner generates a lot of heat but with Puppy it only runs very intermittently. RAM doesn't seem to generate much heat at all.

It should be possible to keep the components inside a sealed case cool enough by transferring their heat to the case which would have fins on the inside for that purpose. Components that generate the most heat could have copper or aluminum strips stuck to them and strung across to conduct their heat directly to the case. I wouldn't like it, but if necessary a small fan could circulate the air inside the case to aid the heat transfer process.

I still haven't figured out whether to put the power supply inside or outside the (sealed) case.

kethd · #8 Post by **kethd** » Mon 02 Jan 2006, 23:57

small quiet pup?
http://www.murga.org/%7Epuppy/viewtopic.php?t=5078

babbs · #9 Post by **babbs** » Tue 03 Jan 2006, 00:22

Mini-ITX BareBones Computer
http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/store/Min ... s_Computer ($245)

No hard drive or RAM, but its a start...

(Sorry for the cross post - I've been eyeing this thing trying to decide if I really want it.)

psy-fi · #10 Post by **psy-fi** » Mon 16 Jan 2006, 15:54

this is about the smallest computer i've seen yet:

http://www.chippc.com/products/jackpc/index.asp

it's completely solid-state, with a 64MB DoC, so you could install puppy on it, and then flush mount it in your wall or desk. i don't know who's distributing it, but it's about $350.

edoc · #11 Post by **edoc** » Mon 16 Jan 2006, 16:16

psy-fi wrote:this is about the smallest computer i've seen yet:

http://www.chippc.com/products/jackpc/index.asp

it's completely solid-state, with a 64MB DoC, so you could install puppy on it, and then flush mount it in your wall or desk. i don't know who's distributing it, but it's about $350.

Distributor page here:
http://www.chippc.com/distribution/results.asp?LETTER=U

They sure do not provide much technical data on their web page.

Sounds interesting though depending on what is actually inside, if it is Linux friendly and not absurdly proprietary like many wireless nics.

doc

kethd · #12 Post by **kethd** » Mon 16 Jan 2006, 20:21

http://www.chippc.com/products/jackpc/flex-jack.asp

This is the weirdest hardware I've heard of for some time -- too bad there is so little information available about it -- Wonder if it actually exists... Get the pdf marketing brochure!

This could be the micro-pup of our dreams -- but may not be x86 -- sold as WinCE only.

Jack-PC EFI 6700/6800
First PoE computer in a Jack, Latest technology including AMD RISC & DDR memory, 4 USB, Audio support, Analog video out, 5W power consumption, fully-managed.

Jack-PC 6700:

psy-fi · #13 Post by **psy-fi** » Tue 17 Jan 2006, 00:24

Well, according to the AMD website, the Alchemy processor does indeed support Linux:

see here

however, the processor is MIPS-based, so one would have to compile a custom kernel around that architecture. i've never actually used that particular processor, so i'm not sure about any compatibility issues with software originally programmed for x86 processors.

those with more linux knowledge than me (ie: everybody) can check this out:

http://www.linux.sgi.com/mips/mips-howto.html

stiil, if we could get this working, a completely silent and seriously fast system that takes up no desk space and uses only 5W of power soundslike a grand idea.

edoc · #14 Post by **edoc** » Sat 21 Jan 2006, 16:14

Here are some more small ones!

http://www.littlepc.com/

http://www.stealthcomputer.com/home.htm

doc

brianez21 · #15 Post by **brianez21** » Thu 09 Feb 2006, 02:25

Dougal · #16 Post by **Dougal** » Sat 25 Feb 2006, 11:21

Flash wrote:It should be possible to keep the components inside a sealed case cool enough by transferring their heat to the case which would have fins on the inside for that purpose. Components that generate the most heat could have copper or aluminum strips stuck to them and strung across to conduct their heat directly to the case. I wouldn't like it, but if necessary a small fan could circulate the air inside the case to aid the heat transfer process.

I still haven't figured out whether to put the power supply inside or outside the (sealed) case.

Couldn't the casing be made of a good heat-conducting metal and have the CPU cooling fins (for example) attached to it, or even the processor itself?

I was thinking of 'ready-made' objects adn came up with a used cannon shell (then you can go around asying "my computer is Da Bomb!")- but it's not shaped well for a computer. Maybe an old tin lunch-box (a Lunchbox Computer)...

brianez21 wrote:I am using an EPIA 5000 (533Mhz fanless CPU) with a 200W fanless powersupply.

Does such a CPU have anything special in it's construction? Is it not possible to convert a normal CPU for a fanless system?

Sage · #17 Post by **Sage** » Sat 25 Feb 2006, 12:32

Too few PC enthusiast have made the connection between fluid dynamics/aeronautics and system management. It's all there in the books!
It is possible to create a roaring draught by correct finning and baffling using convective flow alone.

brianez21 · #18 Post by **brianez21** » Sat 25 Feb 2006, 16:35

Dougal · #19 Post by **Dougal** » Sun 26 Feb 2006, 11:37

brianez21 wrote:One person almost melted their computer doing it - so beware!

I wasn't thinking of experimenting with mine... I've got a pentium I that I found in the rubbish (had fried onion and used teabags all over it!), so I thought I might as well try.

Is there a program to control the CPU fan? My CPU never goes above 35 centigrade and it's limit is 70, so I figured the fan could be turned on only when it reaches 65 or so. (should be good for times when computer is idle)

brianez21 · #20 Post by **brianez21** » Sun 26 Feb 2006, 16:27

(old)Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

(old)Puppy Linux Discussion Forum

Puppy Project #3845: solid-state, no-moving-parts computer?

Puppy Project #3845: solid-state, no-moving-parts computer?

use an old toaster

best thing since sliced bread