SFF S370 Motherboard + WORKING!! IR Keyboard $30 @ Package2You

[inCreek]

It is great. All the pain was worth it. Thanks to all of you who worked hard to get it working. Feel sorry for mindless1 who contributed so much to this. I would like to hear what the P2U guys will say now as it looks clear that they did not get it working the way they claimed.

Now only if we could figure out the Pin layout for the other digital I/O header to get audio out then we have a fully functioning HTPC without having to spend extra for a USB sound box. I am not good at soldering stuff and do not want to try that.

Thanks and it was worth hanging around this thread.

 

[alm99]

What are you guys running in yours? I jumped on the 700 celeron from Directron, but playback for a dvd is choppy. Where could i get a low profile sound card to hook to a reciever?

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: alm99
What are you guys running in yours? I jumped on the 700 celeron from Directron, but playback for a dvd is choppy. Where could i get a low profile sound card to hook to a reciever?

I had been wondering if I needed to get a stero headphone to RCA adapter for audio out with my soldered-on jacks, but now I'm wondering if that analog I/O header next to the digital I/O header, could use a similar dongle for audio I/O.

Part of the problem I noticed with video playback was the memory bus speed, this board has pretty bad memory throughput, video performance, especially when driving both VGA and TV-Out. If you can overclock your CPU with that
Modded BIOS I made, see if it's stable at 95 FSB / 126 Mem, or whatever it'll do. I think programs like CPUFSB support the PLLIC on this board (ICS9248BF-102), so you may have a lot of choices for overclocking. I don't know if you can choose a synchronous memory bus in the BIOS then later choose an asynchronous setting in CPUFSB or similar programs or not, you might need use the original v1.2a bios to set the 66 FSB / 100 Mem to get the board into +33 async mode THEN use CPUFSB to up the speed as far as possible. I don't think SoftFSB supports this PLLIC, at least I didn't see any data for it and don't know the settings to manually input to SoftFSB.

Another improvement is seen adjusting the memory timings in the BIOS, this BIOS seems to default to extremely slow memory timings, after playing around with the bios settings and overclocking I ended up with roughly double the memory throughput compared to non-o'c defaults.

Another possibility might be the Bandwidth setting on the "Display Modes" page in Display Properties, if it's greyed out you might have a chance to enable it by changing a "0" to a "1" for one of the entries (I forget which one) in the registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\Display]
I had previously enabled that setting, but after reinstalling the driver I don't see it anymore, though you might. There is also an entry in those registry keys for DVD, you might try changing that to "1" as well.

 

[labgeek]

Just wanted to say thanks! I've been watching this with great interest hoping that y'all get it figured out. Knew y'all could do it. I just ordered my motherboard/keyboard setup. I've got a couple of 256MB sticks and a spare P3-1GHz just sitting on the shelf.

What do you think of using this Black Samsung CDRW/DVD combo with it ($60 from Directron):
http://www.directron.com/sm308.html

Now to go find a case I like for it.

Thanks again for all of your work!

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: labgeek
Just wanted to say thanks! I've been watching this with great interest hoping that y'all get it figured out. Knew y'all could do it. I just ordered my motherboard/keyboard setup. I've got a couple of 256MB sticks and a spare P3-1GHz just sitting on the shelf.

What do you think of using this Black Samsung CDRW/DVD combo with it ($60 from Directron):
http://www.directron.com/sm308.html

Now to go find a case I like for it.

Thanks again for all of your work!

have you looked into getting a NetVista case off ebay? Its a perfect smallsize.

 

[labgeek]

I was just going back through this thread trying to find out about the netvista cases.
Can you use the PCI slot with them?

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: labgeek
I was just going back through this thread trying to find out about the netvista cases.
Can you use the PCI slot with them?

the pci device has to be low profile though

Pic of the case
Pic of the Mb in the case

 

[pcNate]

There was a thread in HD before about the IBM case and the pervious deal on an MSI nForce mobo which barely fit in the case (with a few modifications), but it looks like this mobo fits in fine from the looks of those pictures. The thread continued in the motherboard forum here, and the cases are still selling on ebay, this one seller has a boatload of them, just search for "ibm netvista cases". I just won mine last night.

 

[inCreek]

Netvista case has only one PCI slot in them. If you plan on using an audio (provided you can find a low profile card), that can be used. But then you will be left with no internal expansion possibilities, eg., for TV-in card. Alternately, you may look into USB options.

The Netvista case has two USB ports in the front, but unfortunately this MB does not have extra USB headers. If we have find out how to use the Analog I/O header to extract audio, then the USB location can be used for audio connectors.

Here are some other cases: Case 1 $32.99 and Case 2 $29.99.

Netvista case does not have space for a floppy also.

 

[kami333]

Summary of work so far:

Contributed by fxsts:
Short pins 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 on J7 header to get soldered on audio ports to work. The pin 5-6 controls the Line Out.

Contributed by Allegro:
To get the best tv-out quality, download full package drivers from SIS These will give you the ability to change resolution for the tv-out and stuff.

Contributed by mindless1:
Modded BIOS Overclockability and minor adjustments.

Contributed by sativen:
IR keyboard can be used by plugging the cable into J2 header right behind the video port. The wires should go to the top of the board (side away from PCI slot) and the bottom pins should go with the empty pins.

Contributed by mindless1:
If jumpers on p35 of manual are jumpered as shown in manual, you can solder on ps/2 and audio ports and they will work.

And a big thank you to everyone else who helped with ideas.

Anything I missed?

 

[inCreek]

It is funny that P2U still has the same old information that does not work. Confusing customers who are not aware of the developments that happened on this forum. Some of the wrong info they have:

- The connection they show does not work.
- You do not need to install OS first before installing IR Key Board, using a USB Keyboard (I myself bought another USB KBD from then for about $10)
- You do not need a USB Keyboard to setup

Not to mention that they were saying they made the MB work using their connection, which probably is not correct.
-

 

[labgeek]

Well I got notice my motherboard/IR keyboard's been shipped. Should be here on Monday!

Anyone looked at the SkyHawk IPC2025 2U rackmount case?
http://www.dealsonic.com/skyhawip192u.html
Don't know the vendor I just searched for who had this case. I see it a lot on ebay for a little less than these
people have it for.

Think the 3 PCI riser would line up with the 1 PCI slot this board has by any chance?

As much as I'd like to I can't use the netvista case, the video capture card I want to use (and already own) is full height.
This would give me 2 more PCI slots to use... I'd like that... I could do a 5.1 card and since the case has 3 internal HD spots, I could RAID 0 a couple of drives for video storage... Hmm, this is getting interesting.

 

[TecJunkie]

I just found this thread last night, and instead of studying for exams, i read the whole thing and i am totally stoked about trying this. I have a few questions and any help would be much appreciated. I have only built one really simple system before so i am no old pro like u guys! I want to have this as a DIVX box to run video on my tv, so my questions are:

1. Is the netvista case worth getting? It looks cool but it sounds like its really difficult to get it working right.

2. What is the fastest Celeron (not Duron DOh) that will work on this? I saw something about 1ghz coppermines being the fastest.

3. Has anyone gotten good quality DIVX / AVI output out of this? If so what is your config?

4. Has anyone gotten good quality sound out of the solderd outputs, or a low profile soundcard? If so what output are u using (tv speakers, home theatre reciever etc


******THANKS again for any help : )*******

 

[TecJunkie]

Check this out,

Book Sized barebones

Package Contents:

Amptron® PIII-3787CLM Motherboard
733MHz C3-Pro Processor
Sound, Video, LAN
2 SDRAM, 3 PCI slots, 1 AMR slot
Book Size Desktop Computer Case (Translucent Blue)
Professional Assembly

___$109 plus $20 shipping & $30 more if you want the Keyboard, mouse, speaker setup

The processor is a Via which is not as good as Duron/Celeron but on the good side if your using this as a media box it could be very quiet as the processor should run cool enough without a fan.


Considering that your paying
~30 for the original board
+ 20(or more) for case
+ ~40 for processor
+ shipping
=$100 or more

This may be better overall as your garunteed Sound, video, and Lan; you know it is all going to work and you can just plug it in. I wonder how you fit the PCI cards in the case though...

 

[mindless1]

TecJunkie, don't even bother trying to use the C3 733 for Divx playback, with applications supporting SSE the Coppermine CPUs would outperform it even if they were underclocked to 400MHz. Earlier in this thread I reported that I had my Celeron 733 running completely stable at full load with a fanless heatsink, and it's creating less than 20W heat, a manageable amount for a SFF system assuming a traditional layout where either the air intake or exhaust flows through the heatsink fins. That's a bit more difficult with the netvista case (judging by the pictures I've seen of it), but you can easily have a silent (or nearly silent) system using a heatsink fan running at 5-7V, it would typically be quieter than the PSU fan.

This is S370 motherboard, can't use a Duron CPU.

That system you linked to might be a good ready-made configuration for an MP3 player, web/email/office/etc, but lacks the horsepower for anything more. The one thing it does have going for it in an integrated motherboard is it's 133MHz FSB, which is helpful when the memory bus is synchronous, increasing integrated video performance. However, this increased performance would only be useful for MPEG, "maybe" DVD, or very very low res Divx.

 

[MamBo]

What is the fastest Duron that will work on this

dude, you can't use duron on this Celeron or PIII is way to go

P.S. you deal with this book barebone is nice, but I prefer IR keyboard and s-video out

 

[kami333]

I have a divx/media box based off a Epia 800 (C3 800) and it's barely enough for divx, after playing around with various playback and encoding settings I've found that 640x300 with b-frames and vbr mp3 is the maximum I could playback without suffering from async between the sound and video. With a 733 you're taking a small step down so you'll probably have to reduce it further.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Epias, I own one and my family runs 3 in various functions (router/server, security webcam, kitchen pc) and will probably get the M9000 once they figure out what they are doing with the LVDS. But this deal is killer, especially with the IR keyboard.

 

[Tiger1]

Originally posted by: sativen
I called them about two weeks ago when I first got my board and talked to Jeff. He was very nice, but just ended up sending me the same stupid sketch.

Upon my normal ebay outings, I came across this auction, so I emailed the guy to inquire about the IR receiver. Here is my email to him (I sorta played dumb for the information):

Hi,
I just had a few questions.
What kind of connection is this directly to the motherboard? I've read about people having some serious trouble with some of these types of connections. Does it connect via the IrDA header, serial headers??

If possible, I'd like to get a picture of the receiver so I know exactly what would be hanging out of my system.

Thanks,
Steve

And his response:

Hi,
I do not have a picture of it to show you, so I will
try to describe it as best as possible.
There is a header on the motherboard labeled J2. In
the manual on page 36 it shows it as a 'digital I/O
port'. The receiver plugs in to it just like you'd
plug anything else onto a motherboard header. The
wires are about 10 inches long and at the other end is
a small (roughly 2"x3") infrared receiver circuit
board. Depending on the case you install it in, you'd
probably want to tape it to the inside front, and make
a small hole.
The keyboard works right from the get go. You can use
it in the BIOS menu... and Windows just fine. It has
a small eraserhead mouse in the right top corner. It
is not as long as a regular keyboard so it is
comfortable to hold with one hand on each side and
easily move the mouse with your thumb. I never once
had any trouble with this wireless keyboard.
You can check out more info on their website

http://www.parex.com.tw/wk_9703_4_content.htm

See the section 'The Models of ODM receiver IC' for
info on the receiver that I have described above.

During my use of it, I had it working great from about
10-15 feet away. I really like the whole setup, but
am selling it because I planned on using it to make an
MP3 computer for use with my home stereo system, and I
really wanted digital audio output.

Attatched is the manual with all the specs, but this
particular board does not have:
-the 2 ps/2 ports, which it does not need with the
IR9703 keyboard
-the audio & game ports
-the LPT port, but does have 2 USB

So basically if you just add a sound card and use a
USB printer, you can build a good, complete, compact
system. It is a flexATX form so it will fit in a
micro ATX or flex ATX case. Also, I did use the TV
out which worked great.

Thanks,
Josiah

p.s. see the manual I have attached if you want all
the details...

This interested me..... I might try it, but my board is already packed up and ready to go back to P2You. Luckily I had all the parts laying around, so I didn't take a hit on this. I thought about bidding on this, the guy seems like he had it working, and seems like an honest seller.

p.s. If you try that, try at your own risk, I'm take no responsibility for you frying your board.

First I want to thank sativen for finding the correct hookup of the IR Keyboard. I know many others have worked hard, trying to get a positive solution to this. I apologize for the information given being incorrect. I am not here to defend or make excuses for this reason, however I do think you all deserve a response.

1. In the last 18 months I have had a large turnover on Tech staff due to their inability to take care of customers to proper satisfaction. It has taken this long to get a good stable tech support staff to begin to make this happen. All 4 of my Techs have been with Package2you less than 4 months. They are experienced in the tech field but young in the Help Desk field. They work very hard for a positive outcome of any issues regarding customers that have problems. If you are a *customer*, you should never have a time when you do not get a response from P2U support, if this has happened, please clarify, as that person would no longer be with my company. We are human and do make mistakes, but no response is inappropriate. Again, I apologize for the error regarding support in this matter.

2. I have followed this thread since it was 5 pages thick, I have contacted Jeff to get a resolution on this from Day 1 (since he personally setup this combo prior to listing). After his update I wanted to do what any honest company would do, offer compensation for those that ordered prior to the update. This was done and the update was added. It was my understanding this was the proper solution, however, I keep seeing posts (here) about the problem persisting. I contact Jeff again to verify his information was in fact the correct info. He assured me it was and the simplicity of it. Once again, I find myself here this evening and read about the true "CORRECT" install that was actually given by an ebay member.

3. This whole scenario should not have happened and I take full responsibility for the discrepancies. The outcome was not Jeff's fault, It was mine and I appreciate Jeff's effort on attempting a solution. If I had worked this differently maybe it could have been avoided. We will grow from this experience, Im confident in the future avoiding situations like this.

Solution:
If you received a non working transceiver, we will gladly replace it, please contact Support,
you will be required to return your defective one.

If you feel something I have posted is unfair or not appropriate. Feel free to post it here.
I will update the product page once "sativen" gives me permission to use the content of his post.
Again, I want to apologize for any inconvenience this has caused our customers,

Kind Regards,
Tony
Owner
Package2you

 

[TecJunkie]

wow that was nice, i think i will order!

 

[sativen]

Tony,
You have all the right to use my post as info to help anyone and everyone who has ordered to get this working correctly. Get that info up there and make the world happy.
Thank you for coming to the forum and sharing your thoughts with us. I realize I have been a little harsh in some of my posts, and I apologize for that, it was due to frustration on my part. I hope I too that I will be able to get this working. My board should be here shortly, maybe tommorrow, we'll see how ambitious Fed-Ex is.

- sativen -

 

[jm0ris0n]

Wow, this sounds like a great project for over the upcoming holiday break. Now comes a question or 2:
The IBM case looks pretty snazzy, BUT it only has a 95W powersupply (correct?). Now how does this low wattage play into the cpu selection game?

Next: I am thinking of either a celeron or a 866mhz C3. I have never worked with a C3 so it would be fun + async 133mhz mem/cpu fsb w/o overclocking. The celeron would be limited to a 100mhz bus, as I am not overclocking.

So would a 866mhz C3 (133mhz fsb) be much worse than a 766~800mhz celeron in daily tasks...(cd burning, watching dvd, mp3 encoding, watching divx, email, web) ?

Thanks a bunch. I am planning on a 40GB seagate baracuda, 24x/16x cdrw/dvd combo, 866c3 or 800celeron, everything else on board. Would 95watts handle this?

 

[inCreek]

I think Tiger1 (Tony, Package2You) has done the right thing so far given the problems with this board. Earlier, he offered to credit all the buyers who bought the MB earlier, full refund including shipping charges. Something that most small Internet retailers will not do easily. Now, one the problem has resolved, he has accepted responsibilities for his mistake and provided the background of his issues. I believe he has done the right thing and am very happy he did so. Few times I had to contact P2U, I have received response promptly also.

Hope you maintain the customer support level.

Now only if they could provide a cheap shipping option for some of the components. I don't want $7 USPS shipping for a $4 part.

Regards.

 

[inCreek]

For anyone planning to use the regular video (RCA?), I found the quality pretty bad in my setup. I am getting only monochrome out also. May be I am doing something wrong. I have not checked S-Video yet, hope atleast that will be good quality.

For audio, I found a USB 5.1 external sound box here (eDio AS-100 5.1. Audio Theatre). Don't know anything about the quality or could not find any reviews. I ordered one and will check it out in next few days.

 

[MamBo]

Hi, Just got my package yesterday and now I have few question, I really appreciate if someone with more experience could help.

The situation
I was planning to use my old PIII 933 CPU that I got from friend, who doesn?t know even if it works. So I put ram & CPU in this MB and was trying to see boot screen. Nothing happened. Just CPU cooling wan is running, and no signal on VGA output.

1. Do this motherboard support 133 FSB out of the box (w/o flashing bios)?
2. Do we need to connect anything else to boot this MB ? (I just want to see boot screen, nothing more at this stage)
3. How to check if IR keyboard working? I put batteries in? and there are no led?s anything showing it?s status.

Thanks

 

[alm99]

Originally posted by: MamBo
Hi, Just got my package yesterday and now I have few question, I really appreciate if someone with more experience could help.

The situation
I was planning to use my old PIII 933 CPU that I got from friend, who doesn?t know even if it works. So I put ram & CPU in this MB and was trying to see boot screen. Nothing happened. Just CPU cooling wan is running, and no signal on VGA output.

1. Do this motherboard support 133 FSB out of the box (w/o flashing bios)?
2. Do we need to connect anything else to boot this MB ? (I just want to see boot screen, nothing more at this stage)
3. How to check if IR keyboard working? I put batteries in? and there are no led?s anything showing it?s status.

Thanks

Have you tried to clear the CMOS? The MB should support a 133mhz PIII out of the box.