Will
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Post by Will on Mar 2, 2011 7:03:29 GMT
Hi Will Perhaps I am missing something here, but how will he then be listening ? Via onboard sound, or M/B SPDIF ? Surely not USB ! Regards Alex Hi Alex, It's as Shaun mentions, he installing a separate soundcard, so we are turning off the internal soundcard, which isn't as good. I think Pagan found similar with this motherboard.
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Will
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Post by Will on Mar 2, 2011 7:16:39 GMT
I have some in my shed if you want, £10 a square inch to you, special mates rates Hi Shaun, Looking good Having it all layed out like that makes it easy to get at and bugger around with. As for your sound card, plug it in to the motherboard, power up, and go into the bios when the boot screen comes up. Navigate to peripheral devices (or whatever it's called, can't remember) and disable sound card. While you are it, you can turn off the serial ports, parallel ports and floppy drive, as you don't need them. There are more, but I need to get at the pc with a monitor to list them out. Hi Will thanks You trying to undercut me on the big L MDF. i do just hate that when someone has an idea and then it gets pinched and claimed as original. anyway on with MY hifi computer. the layout well I've been breadboarding amps for years so if i messed this up then just shoot me now. i did need to move the switch,BNC panel forward as i had it to close to the mother board but thats the point of doing things this way i guess. i connected up the whole thing in about 20 Min's (bloody ell) and yours now looks quite a bit like mine. it all only plugs in one way so no mistakes possible unless i take a hammer to the RAM and leads to drive them home. I'll post some more pictures tomorrow but so far so errr far i now have this gnawing feeling that that bit was sooooo simple there must be a headache coming soon. Will a list of things to be shut down would be most useful. i have used DOS (god i remember when thats all computers had) and have clean installed OS before but i did not have much idea of what was going on. just pressed yes and err yes. one thing i would like to discuss at this stage is boot options. the motherboard is USB boot enabled i think 1) would be Flash Drive 2) can i boot from a USB external DVD writer as i have one to hand ( my XP has drivers for basic ROM drives) . or would it need the drivers first. also operating system choice is there one OS that stands out as good for music?No MAC or Klingon please. also I'd guess that i would install the full Monty and then pair it back to just run music. i noticed a widows 7 light option which seems to be for note books. would that work as it's much cheaper £50 or so. 32 or 64 bit? sorry about all of the questions thanks again take care Hi Shaun, Yep, your layout looks spot on, much tidier and thoughtful than mine. My 'build' involved walking into the shed and finding a bit of square board, and wanging the bits on it The motherboard can boot from USB, you'll need to go into bios to change the boot priority, etc for USB. There is all-sorts said about vista being better than XP, or W7 being better than vista, but to start with, install using XP, get things working and proven, and then we can talk changing the OS. I used a stripped down version of Vista (used Vlite to create it) and I need to follow up on promises (you and Chris) on that I don't have a USB DVD rom drive, so managed to strip down vista so that it would fit on a system formatted 1GB USB drive, and used that. Straightforward enough, but a bit of a faff. I think it's F12 to get into the bios, and will look at the motherboard manual later to make the list. Looking forward to some more pictures, keep 'em coming
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 7:46:03 GMT
Hi Will Perhaps I am missing something here, but how will he then be listening ? Via onboard sound, or M/B SPDIF ? Surely not USB ! Regards Alex Hi Alex, It's as Shaun mentions, he installing a separate soundcard, so we are turning off the internal soundcard, which isn't as good. I think Pagan found similar with this motherboard. Hi Will It was the use of the word soundcard, as distinct from internal, or integrated sound that confused me.I wouldn't use mobo sound either ! Alex
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 9:41:02 GMT
Hi Will thanks You trying to undercut me on the big L MDF. i do just hate that when someone has an idea and then it gets pinched and claimed as original. anyway on with MY hifi computer. the layout well I've been breadboarding amps for years so if i messed this up then just shoot me now. i did need to move the switch,BNC panel forward as i had it to close to the mother board but thats the point of doing things this way i guess. i connected up the whole thing in about 20 Min's (bloody ell) and yours now looks quite a bit like mine. it all only plugs in one way so no mistakes possible unless i take a hammer to the RAM and leads to drive them home. I'll post some more pictures tomorrow but so far so errr far i now have this gnawing feeling that that bit was sooooo simple there must be a headache coming soon. Will a list of things to be shut down would be most useful. i have used DOS (god i remember when thats all computers had) and have clean installed OS before but i did not have much idea of what was going on. just pressed yes and err yes. one thing i would like to discuss at this stage is boot options. the motherboard is USB boot enabled i think 1) would be Flash Drive 2) can i boot from a USB external DVD writer as i have one to hand ( my XP has drivers for basic ROM drives) . or would it need the drivers first. also operating system choice is there one OS that stands out as good for music?No MAC or Klingon please. also I'd guess that i would install the full Monty and then pair it back to just run music. i noticed a widows 7 light option which seems to be for note books. would that work as it's much cheaper £50 or so. 32 or 64 bit? sorry about all of the questions thanks again take care Hi Shaun, Yep, your layout looks spot on, much tidier and thoughtful than mine. My 'build' involved walking into the shed and finding a bit of square board, and wanging the bits on it The motherboard can boot from USB, you'll need to go into bios to change the boot priority, etc for USB. There is all-sorts said about vista being better than XP, or W7 being better than vista, but to start with, install using XP, get things working and proven, and then we can talk changing the OS. I used a stripped down version of Vista (used Vlite to create it) and I need to follow up on promises (you and Chris) on that I don't have a USB DVD rom drive, so managed to strip down vista so that it would fit on a system formatted 1GB USB drive, and used that. Straightforward enough, but a bit of a faff. I think it's F12 to get into the bios, and will look at the motherboard manual later to make the list. Looking forward to some more pictures, keep 'em coming Hi Will I found your build pretty inspirational and fits my idea of DIY very well. the great thing about board builds is that nothing is set in stone in the same way as it would be building straight into a case. it's worth noting that the importance of respecting safety at all times is essential with this kind of build but it would be what ever we build. so for me the process of think it through > build> get the thing working>develop>then chassis is just the right way to work. if I'd not seen your build i would not be having a go and we would not be having this conversation. it really has started to take some of the mystery out of computers for me. which is just pretty liberating. more pictures to follow take care
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 17:27:27 GMT
Hi All Here’s an up date on the build Progress has been pretty rapid now that the metal work and stand offs for the board have been fitted. I used Wills build photo as an installation guide on the basis that if it looks OK then it most probably is. Here is an overview of the board. Ahhhh he looks just like his Dad First I fitted the RAM sticks 2x 2GB which is the max for this board. They fit into two slots located at the top of the picture. No great drama’s I just plugged them in. even better they have a slot cut into them and a matching notch in the sockets so can only be fitted one way. I just gently eased the white clips open and pushed the RAM home until the white clips popped back onto place. So RAM fitted securely and job errr jobbed. Next I fitted the Pico PSU and again it’s pretty hard to get wrong as it will only fit one way. So to the yellow slots on the center left of the board (using my photo as a guide). I fitted mine to the left hand side of the socket after checking it with will’s photo. After fitting the PSU I connected it to the front panel via the supplied power input socket. This little beauty comes all wired up and ready to go which is just great and made installation go pretty smoothly. Next up was the hard drive Again no big stress I plugged in the pink SATA (data) cable supplied with the mother board and then connected the brown PATA (power) cable that came ready to go on the Pico PSU. The only things left to do was connect the SATA cable to the mother board (top right) and push the Hard drive into the bungee cradle. These cables will only plug in if correctly orientated so no chance of getting it wrong with them either. Next up was the sound card which plugged into the white slot located on the right hand side of the mother board. Again they computer boffins seem to have made allowances for people like me. The sound card has a slot cut into it and a matching notch I the socket so will only plug in one way. Top stuff and took 20 mins max to do the whole thing. Which is about how long I’ve taken to do this write up? If anyone can see any obvious mistakes please feel free to comment. I’m here to learn. the basic instructions diagram supplied with the mother board are pretty good and identify all of the main parts on the board clearly. So all good so far some of my photo's where blured so i'll re do them and post some more tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll wire up the momentary on switch and SPDIF out and that should be it. Take care
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 21:13:21 GMT
Hi Shaun, Looking good keep up the good work. I intend to follow your example - I've built several PCs some years ago but nothing seems to have changed much, going on your experience. My plan is to wait until you've completed your project and test run it to see if you think anything could be improved by making small changes. Cheers, Dave.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 21:28:39 GMT
Brilliant, must be very satisfying to be able to build something like that from scratch Shaun, very impressive Mick.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 22:41:48 GMT
Brilliant, must be very satisfying to be able to build something like that from scratch Shaun, very impressive Mick. Hi Mick thanks for the above but it realy is all Wills work. I've enjoyed it so far take care
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 0:32:53 GMT
Hi All Just a quick update I’ve finished wiring the momentary push switch and SPDIF out on the Xonar sound card. Here are two pictures I borrowed from Will (I hope he won’t mind) The first shows the connections from the momentary switch to the Mother Board. I’ve soldered to header socket pins (I think that’s what they are called) and left the plug bodies off. I heat shrank the exposed pins to prevent shorts and did the same thing for the SPDIF header pins. ;D The second shows the SPDIF out connections on the Xonar sound card. there is a great thread on this sound card further back in computers I’ll post some more pictures tomorrow. Drum roll So I’ve booted up for the first time and no magic smoke just a boot log on my screen So the boot menu is a breeze to get into. ;D F2> use the arrow keys to navigate through the main menu>press enter and use the arrow keys again to navigate through the sub menu. I’m pretty nervous when it comes to computers but it does give a second chance to save changes before exiting the menu So I’ve disabled the following. Serial port Parallel port Internal sound card I’ve also set the boot priority to boot from USB first. I’m pretty new to all this PC malarkey and have not done this sort of thing before but I just took my time and its working. (Just not very brainy) so it’s not a beyond anyone’s abilities even those who don’t do solder. I’ve used just six solder joints and none directly to the board. it's so quiet i can hardly hear that it's on and shows that the recipe works. Take care
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 0:42:07 GMT
WOT ! No JLH ?
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Will
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Post by Will on Mar 4, 2011 6:57:11 GMT
Hi Shaun, Good Stuff! Fired up first time, in the bios and had a play! I guess the only noise would be from the HDD? That can be further sorted in the future, no problem. We just need to get you sorted with a OS now, don't we? And as for JLH's, well I can think of 4 places where I can use them in this, but that'll come later
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 14:32:37 GMT
WOT ! No JLH ? Hi Alex No not yet but my mind is working on that. when things are up and running I'd love to try one of your USB psu with a JLH. but to be honest I'm just delighted to get to first base (so to speak) with this. it's been great fun and a real learning curve. take care.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 14:42:40 GMT
Hi Shaun, Good Stuff! Fired up first time, in the bios and had a play! I guess the only noise would be from the HDD? That can be further sorted in the future, no problem. We just need to get you sorted with a OS now, don't we? And as for JLH's, well I can think of 4 places where I can use them in this, but that'll come later Hi Will once again you've helped me make magic by turning a box of bits into something thats going to be really useful thanks. the by product is that now i can tackle building a new home PC with much more confidence. I've learned new skills that are going to be very nice to have later. JLH yesssss the supply for the digital part of the sound card. Alex's USB special. HDD psu are things that spring to mind. so once the Lad has a brain maybe we could start to think of a wish list and talk about whats possible and practical but as i say thats for later. most importantly Wilbur 02 ( named after his Dad) lives. take care
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 15:19:05 GMT
That's done it, I can't watch anymore. I've just ordered my PICOpsu BTW is there any particular spec to the momentary switch? Ta
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Will
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Post by Will on Mar 4, 2011 15:46:21 GMT
Hi Chris,
The momentary switch does not need a high spec, as it switches a logic 5V, allowing the pc to fire up, so anything should do.
Which motherboard are you using the picopsu with?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 17:00:39 GMT
That's done it, I can't watch anymore. I've just ordered my PICOpsu BTW is there any particular spec to the momentary switch? Ta Hi Chris nice one and if you've done anything with PC's before (which i know you have from your PC post) then you should find it no problemo. even my technophobic brain and drum fingers managed. i just used a momentary on switch from Maplins which is in an exclusive green. so Wilbur 03 is on the way it's going to be a world of Wilbur's keep us posted that's great
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 17:34:05 GMT
Hi All So the cost so far 1x Intel Atom D510MO Processor £57.00 1x Pico PSU £24.95 + P.P 2X 2GB RAM £56.39 + P.P 1x Asus Xonar DS PCI 7.1 sound card I paid 39.00 inclusive of P.P and VAT 1x 12@5a switch mode PSU from eBay which cost £7.50 Some odds and ends of switches, a BNC Socket, Ali and the Luxury MDF say £10.00 So around £200 all up which is still a fair slice of cash but look at what I get for it. A digital transport that will play most things (with the right media player) including Hi Res files. Well put a Linn or Meridian badge on it and think how much that’s going to cost. This PC even with all of the bells and whistles is still going to undercut their products by a loooong way and of course I get the added bonus of having DIY’ed it which for me is what it’s all about. I’ll be using the creative media player along with my old friend Mr Foobar. So now just the OS to think about and I’ll be playing some music. First of I’ll be comparing Flac to Wav just to see if I can hear a difference. By the way I was in PC world buying a wireless mouse (for the Wilbur 02) and had a chat to one of the guys there about what we are doing with the music PC. It turns out that he built his own digital studio and started to bounce up and down with excitement. He said ‘’ that’s one very cool project’’ and made the point re the cost of getting anything near those specs commercially. So he has our forum address and an invite to join us. I’ve never seen someone from PCW go from dead pan to wildly excited so quickly. He seemed please to have a sensible conversation about a subject that he loved. It’s been such great fun so far and a real learning experience. Take care
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2011 23:58:54 GMT
Which motherboard are you using the picopsu with? Will, The board I'll be using is an intel D945GCLF, very generously sent to me by Christian along with some other items. Shaun, Exclusive Green eh? (rather than British Racing Green ) I popped out today and obtained a "Mystic Black" one!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 5, 2011 2:39:51 GMT
Hi Chris pushing the boat out with the black button? well some people just have to be different the Pico seems like a good item and it's ridiculously small. i hope your build goes well. take care
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Will
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Post by Will on Mar 5, 2011 17:22:35 GMT
Ah, I'd forgotten that you had that. Nice, you'll be well on the way.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 19:27:33 GMT
Hi Shaun, Have you advanced on yours yet? I've had a few bits arrive today and should be good to go when I have a moment to get cracking. (the sound card is still in the old tower)
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Mar 21, 2011 20:21:56 GMT
Chris: If you encounter problems with the board, you should try to use the 4pin 12VDC connector on the board too. Most motherboards need both power to the 24/20pin-ATX-connector and to the 4pin 12VDC connector.
Perhaps is works also without the 4pin 12VDC connector, but many mainboards need additional power here.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:43:42 GMT
Christian, thanks for the tip. I was looking at that connector thinking, hmmm bet that'll need some juice. I assume I can use an adaptor to take power from the PICOpsu spare Molex 4pin. our friends in HKAttachments:
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Mar 21, 2011 22:01:07 GMT
Yeah, that's exactly the type of adapter you'd need.
There are also Molex splitter cabels, just in case the picoPSU has not enough Molex connectors.
You could also replace the cooler of the Northbridge with one that has no fan (yes, the Northbridge draws a lot more power than the tiny Atom chip...). But take care: the Northbridge needs good cooling and it creates considerable heat.
If you need the pin assignments, then just look at the photos of the Morex case which I have posted a few months ago.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2011 16:02:30 GMT
Hi Shaun, Have you advanced on yours yet? I've had a few bits arrive today and should be good to go when I have a moment to get cracking. (the sound card is still in the old tower) Hi Chris nice build I'll be ready to rock out with the next installment in the next few days having been sidetracked by a new cheapy gigawork DAC. so it's on the way. take care
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