Working with Windows XP embeded, is it similar to Winodws XP?

**HiJackZX1** · 05-12-2009, 08:11 PM

I have a few thin clients on the way. They all come installed with Windows CE 4. Currently the stats are 800mhz, 32mb flash memory and 64mb of RAM. I found that I can upgrade the RAM to 512mb, and change the Flash Drive to a HDD. A full XP install may be to much, should I look into Windows XP embedded? Also the HDD I am back and forth on. They will not save anything on these thin clients and only certain softwares will go on the systems. They are basically for Music, Video, and Internet. I would love to get a front end on each, but to run only those features. Should I go with a Flash drive again but maybe bigger, like 10 GB? If XPe is to hard, What OS do you recommend?

**SFiorito** · 05-12-2009, 08:55 PM

Is it an x86 CPU? If not, then XPe is out of the picture. The other issue is that you need to buy XPe Tools and device licenses, which will get expensive for a couple of devices (~$1000 for the tools, ~$80/device). Without licenses, the images will expire after 60-180 days. For that low-power of a system you may want to look at a highly customized Linux.

**HiJackZX1** · 05-12-2009, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by SFiorito

Is it an x86 CPU? If not, then XPe is out of the picture. The other issue is that you need to buy XPe Tools and device licenses, which will get expensive for a couple of devices (~$1000 for the tools, ~$80/device). Without licenses, the images will expire after 60-180 days. For that low-power of a system you may want to look at a highly customized Linux.

OK, so xpe is out, lol.... Here are the specs for the systems.

System
• Processor: Transmeta Crusoe 800 MHz
• Memory: 32 MB Flash with 128 MB DDR SDRAM (Note: 16 MB of system RAM is reserved for processor usage.) or 32 MB Flash with 64 MB DDR SDRAM (Note: 8 MB of system RAM is reserved for processor usage.)
• Graphics: ATI Radeon 7000M with 16 MB discrete video RAM
• Ports: 4 USB, 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 1 optional PCI, 1 PS/2

The MoBo looks like a x86. I could be wrong though.

Its the size of a mini-itx. How do I find that out?

**SFiorito** · 05-13-2009, 08:04 AM

Transmeta chips are x86 compatible, so you can give XPe a try, but the licensing will be an issue I think.

**HiJackZX1** · 05-13-2009, 08:54 AM

Would it be safe to run a normal Windows XP install? I dont want the licensing issues. Its easier to just make a XP image with all my stuff, then clone it for the other systems. I'll have to upgrade the RAM and HDD, but should be easy. Still not sure what type of HDD to go with. I normal drive, a Compact Flash Drive?

**interceptor999** · 05-13-2009, 10:54 AM

Must it be a windows based program for compatability issues? if not I would try puppy Linux 4.20, its small, fast and has many of the features a full on OS has. AND 100% FREE!!! I do not know if there is a front end based on Linux, so thats something to look into.

I don't have experience yet with building the carpc but I have some computer experience...so i'm just tossing idea's out there....

**HiJackZX1** · 05-13-2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by interceptor999

Must it be a windows based program for compatability issues? if not I would try puppy Linux 4.20, its small, fast and has many of the features a full on OS has. AND 100% FREE!!! I do not know if there is a front end based on Linux, so thats something to look into.

I don't have experience yet with building the carpc but I have some computer experience...so i'm just tossing idea's out there....

Well my main reason is because I want to put Centrafuse on all the units. So yes its for compatibility. Also I have no clue about Linux. I know I used it once at my job and it was fairly easy. It was very common sence stuff, but when a Windows solution came out, I was all over that and dropped Linux. Im just very comfortable with a Windows OS. I found a Windows XP that has been stripped down for speed, I may try that.

**SFiorito** · 05-13-2009, 12:28 PM

Yes, you could use WinXP with nLite, but I don't think Centrafuse will run very well on that hardware. You try a small SSD drive. I wouldn't bother with CF drives any more since they're a pain to deal with when running a full OS like WinXP.

**jpinkerton** · 05-13-2009, 01:50 PM

I think you'd have to do an external USB hard drive, as I don't see anything on the motherboard where you could connect?

**HiJackZX1** · 05-13-2009, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by jpinkerton

I think you'd have to do an external USB hard drive, as I don't see anything on the motherboard where you could connect?

The Flash drive that it has pulls out and it has headers to connect a HDD. Problem is, this model cannot upgrade the RAM. I opened it up and the RAM is built into the MoBo. On another note though, The Windows CE is fairly fast. I may just leave it as is. It comes with Windows Media Player 9, Internet Explorer. Those may be enough to get me by.