New Build etc

[xbon]

Hi guys brand new here..

Just about to build a pc which will only be used for a mp3/music video jukebox which will basically consist of athlon amd 64 x 2, 1gb memory and 1tb hd, inside a opera media case attached to a ebay brought 17" Elo Touchscreen, I was going to build a cab out of mdf but i couldnt find anywhere to park it.

So this pc will sit under my 50inch tv next to the ps3 and x360 and the monitor will be fastened to the wall.

This will then be hopefully attached via optic to a 5.1 speaker system9yet to be [purchased)

I have a couple of questions....hopefully some of you clever experienced people may be able to answer..


1/ What OS did you install for the quickest start up time - was it stripped down?, i am thinking of installing Uncle T`s because it supports video etc

2/ The monitor purchased Elo 1747L is attached via rs232 and vga - i dont have a rs232 connection on this pc so can i use a rs232 to usb converter>?



Thanks

[hattrick10]

I dont see any reason why you couldnt use a usb to serial adapter.  BUT, in my experience, I would much rather pick up a pci serial expansion card.  My dealing with the usb to serial adapters have left me somewhat disappointed.  They were always a little flaky for me.  If you already have the usb adapter, give it a shot.  Otherwise I would recommend the pci card.

[xbon]

Yeah i have a rs232 to usb cable, i will try that first and if not i`ll invest pci serial card...

[unclet]

I leave my jukebox computer on all the time so I do not worry about boot time.  Just something to think about.   I installed basic WinXP and rolled with it.

Good luck ....

[xbon]

Thanks for the reply much appreciate it , I was thinking about leaving this on, but i leave enough stuff on all the time ie media centres, and my 2 pcs`s , satellite system etc etc and i must start thinking about saving some electricity as in the uk it is so costly etc.

 Im sure i will be installing xp but using a program called xplite to reduce the content/startup time of xp etc.

[richms]

Hibernation is the solution

If you have not much ram it will do it in a few seconds, same for resuming from it.

If you can get the deeper sleep modes to work thats almost as good as off on the PC's I have tried it on - like 12w vs 5-8w when "off".

[xbon]

Thanks richms, i havent even looked at the hibernation mode on the motherboard, i will have a play with it over the weekend, im just wondering though if i could awake the pc via touchscreen as i dont want a mouse or keyboard connected at all, i guess i will find out once i play with it(the pc i mean)...

[xbon]

I asked a question

2/ The monitor purchased Elo 1747L is attached via rs232 and vga - i dont have a rs232 connection on this pc so can i use a rs232 to usb converter>?


in my post, i will reply to this for any other members who want to try this..

I tried to install using a rs232 to converter installed the usb drivers, didnt work, installed the serial drivers still no go, so i had to install a cheap pci serial card and all works fine.

[Kevin Mullins]

I tried to install using a rs232 to converter installed the usb drivers, didnt work, installed the serial drivers still no go, so i had to install a cheap pci serial card and all works fine.

Just to clarify .... were those the drivers that came with the adapter?
And did it matter which USB port you tried?

I've used a cheap USB to RS232 adapter on a laptop before and it worked fine with a touchscreen monitor.
But I would still have to recommend using the pci card idea anyways if at all possible.

[richms]

Thanks richms, i havent even looked at the hibernation mode on the motherboard, i will have a play with it over the weekend, im just wondering though if i could awake the pc via touchscreen as i dont want a mouse or keyboard connected at all, i guess i will find out once i play with it(the pc i mean)...

I dont think you will get that since the power on on left click is dependent on the chipset having a mouse connected. The touchscreen simulates a mouse in the driver so will not be seen as such by the chip set.

There may be other ways by hacking the controller, but that would be hard work and effort. You could always put a shock sensor on the back of the touch screen and wire it so its only able to press the power button when the computer is off, and as soon as its on a relay/transistor prevents it from any subsequent activations. I dont know how sensitive they can be made so it might need a bit much of a whack to get it to turn on.