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VXL Itona: Hardware 

 

I have two examples of Itona hardware: The TC4321 (upper picture) and the TC3641 (lower picture)
TC4321 lhs TC4321 back TC4321 rhs
TC3641 front
TC3641 back

Since taking the pictures I've discovered the Itona logo on the TC3641 can be removed and rotated through 90 degrees if you wish to make things 'look right' if you mount the unit vertically.

Specifications

The basic specs are:

ModelTC4321TC3641
Processor
   Type
   Speed
Via C7 Esther
1GHz
Via C3 Nehamiah
1GHz
Memory
   Flash
   RAM
256Mb (max 4GB)
256Mb (max 1GB)
32Mb (max 512Mb?)
64Mb (max 512Mb?)
Video
   Chip
   Max resolution
Via CN700
1920 x 1440 16-bit colour
Via VT8601
1600 x 1200 16-bit colour
Ports
   Network
   USB
   Serial
   Parallel
   PS/2
10/100
2 x USB2.0
none
1
Kybd & mouse
10/100
2 x USB1.1
none
1
Kybd & mouse
Power
   Off
   Running
7W
~23W
7W(?)
~23W(?)
Dimensions
W x H x D5.5cm x 23cm x 23cm26.5cm x 5cm x 24.5cm
Manufactured
 December 2006May 2005

The itona TC4321 runs XP embedded, and the TC3641 Windows CE. The case sizes are larger than some thin clients, but on looking inside the reason for this is can seen. Each unit uses a standard mini-itx 17cm x 17cm motherboard. In the TC4321 the board has VXL screen printed on it but it also carries the identifier GA-C7V7VX-RH. Gigabyte identifies their boards with part numbers beginning GA, but their website does not own up to this part number - probably as it may be a special for VXL. However I've since found the this link to the GA-C7V7-RH motherboard manual. (Note: No VX in the part number!)

The TC3641 just has P3VB-VXL printed on it. (Some information on this board can be found here).

Some VXL manuals can be downloaded from VXL's website.

Power Supply

Both Itonas have an internal power supply. The earlier TC3641 is slighter wide and has power-out socket as well. In my particular case the TC3641 had a faulty power supply (hence no accurate power figures) but the motherboard was fine.

Expansion

As they are based on mini-ITX boards both the Flash memory and the RAM in the Itona are easily replaceable.

TC4321: click for larger image TC4321

The flash memory is a Disk-On-Module plugged into the red IDE connector. It is powered through the IDE connector. (Pin 20, normally removed as a 'key', is fitted and is used to supply the power).

There is a single 240-pin DDR2 DIMM socket for the RAM. The 256Mb DIMM supplied with the unit is labelled: 256MB PC533 HYNIX. I've removed this and replaced it by a 1GB DIMM (PC2-5300U-555-12-ZZ). However the amount of RAM fitted is only reported as 512MB so this may be the limit for this particular motherboard (or there is a problem with my cheap ebay memory module!).

TC3641: click for larger image TC3641

The flash memory is a Disk-On-Module plugged into the red IDE connector. With the earlier TC3641 the DOM is powered externally.

On the TC3641 there are two 168-pin PC100/PC133 sockets. While checking things out I added a 128Mb PC133 memory module to the second socket to provide 192Mb in total. A 256MB PC133 DIMM also worked ok, but I had problems with a double-sided 512MB DIMM. Elsewhere it is reported that "...It has 2 dimm slots for low density (32×8) PC-133 memory. Each slot can handle up to 512 MB".

 


Any comments? email me. Last update August 2010