StreetDeck and Windows XP Embedded

**N6BER** · 02-27-2007, 12:46 PM

Has StreetDeck ever been setup with Windows XP Embedded? It seems to me that it would be a much more stable platform that running under full Windows XP Desktop and it would also boot much faser than Windows XP Desktop.

Windows XP Embedded would also be better platform if one was building a product.

Thanks

**StaggRLee** · 02-27-2007, 08:40 PM

I was going to post something regarding this. Thanks for raising the topic.

I played with XPE with another frontend. It can be trimmed down enough to fit on a CF card and with the Enhanced Write Filter and Hibernate Once Resume Many feature it is stable, quick to resume and fast overall.

The problem is you then have an essentially static boot image and still need a second drive for media/programs/paging/hiberfile etc. Upgrading SD, creating all the componentized drivers for the driver DB, adding programs etc. for a one-off would be a PITA.

Plus the cost. The developer toolkit/SDK is $995/seat and runtime licenses run $90/image.

BTW Maybe check out Nlite. It is a free tool that lets you strip a lot out of XP and still retain a usable OS. I got images down into the 250MB range using less than 64MB of RAM with little effort. Takes a lot of tweaking to get this kind of thing working but it will work with some patience and skill.

**N6BER** · 03-01-2007, 04:33 PM

I agree for a one time it's not the way to go. I was thinking of it more for a system that can be sold with a car and not one for the DIY. The downside of StreetDeck is XP. Linux would be a much more stable platform. XPE is also quite stable. The $90 per copoy is not a problem when you look at the price for full XP desktop.

Looks like one needs to get the trial copy of XPE and StreetDeck and just try it out.

**Black98Cobra** · 03-18-2007, 09:55 PM

Im currently running SD on an embedded XP system. I was lucky enough to get a development edition through where I work. Its slim and trim, but had to go through re-designing the image a few times to put all the things SD needs to run (Windows Media Player and so on). The complete image so far is around 200KB. The digital library runs off a USB 2.0 drive so the media and program are seperate. I would not recommend using a CF disk with XP however, due to the number of repeated writes to the disk, a CF card will last about a year or less. Even with the EWF filter, life span is limited. I get return from hibernation and complete cold boots on par with the CF disk anyway.

All in all, Id have to agree with StagRLee, the cost for the average joe is way to high for a one shot deal. Personally, Id love it if SD were Linux capable, then I could avoid making my payment to the Bill Gates society all together!

**geeky_hawkes** · 03-21-2007, 05:52 PM

ANyone ever tried running SD under WINE or similar on Linux? Might be worth giving it a try if you really dont want to use windows..

**PatrickJW150** · 03-22-2007, 09:40 AM

I think someone somewhere on these boards tried it, and ran into a ton of problems with that whole Direct X/MapPoint/Media Player thing.

**StaggRLee** · 03-22-2007, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by PatrickJW150

I think someone somewhere on these boards tried it, and ran into a ton of problems with that whole Direct X/MapPoint/Media Player thing.

Yep. Too many Windows dependencies. Even if .Net for Linux ever gets completed you still have the WMP, DirectX and MapPoint requirements.

I've downloaded the XPE Sp2 SDK and I'm going to play with some test images after the next major update to SD is available. If I can get something I like running well, I'll see about getting a non-time-bombed runtime license.

I'm also waiting for the SanDisk 36GB SSD 2.5" drives to become available. At a $350 target street price I can see finally being able to afford a true solid state boot drive that doesn't require EWF or the risk of burning through CF cards.

I think I paid close to $350 for my 40GB Hitachi Endurastar ruggedized HDD.

**PatrickJW150** · 03-22-2007, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by StaggRLee

I'm also waiting for the SanDisk 36GB SSD 2.5" drives to become available. At a $350 target street price I can see finally being able to afford a true solid state boot drive that doesn't require EWF or the risk of burning through CF cards.

Yeah, those things look sweet. If it wasn't for the thing costing more than a Wii I might get one, but...the Wii is more fun. I'd be curious to see how those I-Ram things held up, just as a boot drive of course.

**jAyRoCkS24r** · 03-22-2007, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by StaggRLee

Yep. Too many Windows dependencies. Even if .Net for Linux ever gets completed you still have the WMP, DirectX and MapPoint requirements.

I've downloaded the XPE Sp2 SDK and I'm going to play with some test images after the next major update to SD is available. If I can get something I like running well, I'll see about getting a non-time-bombed runtime license.

I'm also waiting for the SanDisk 36GB SSD 2.5" drives to become available. At a $350 target street price I can see finally being able to afford a true solid state boot drive that doesn't require EWF or the risk of burning through CF cards.

I think I paid close to $350 for my 40GB Hitachi Endurastar ruggedized HDD.

Wow you got ripped off big time.

**StaggRLee** · 03-22-2007, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by jAyRoCkS24r

Wow you got ripped off big time.

Actually its a 30GB drive.

Priced them lately?

Know what one is? Any idea why it matters? Didn't think so.

You're an idiot, but thanks for playing. Please collect your parting-gift on the way out. And don't let the door hit you in the ***.

When you buy a couple HDDs and have them fail, it's cheap by comparison when you consider replacing them on top of a complete rebuild.

Rookie.

Logic Supply - Hitachi Endurastar 2.5" 30GB Hard Drive for Extrem