Igel-W: Hardware 

• Hardware
• Firmware
• Linux

The Igel-W (also labelled WinNET III) uses the same motherboard as the Neoware Eon. The motherboard is marked MB-5BLMP Ver 1.1. The basic hardware/metal work is also identical, the only differences being in the colour scheme and the plastic clip-on front panel.

According to Igel's website the Igel-W reached end-of-life status on 31st December 2003.

Specifications

The basic specs are:

Processor
Type    Speed	Geode GX1 233MHz
Memory
Flash    RAM	8MB 32MB (max 256MB)
Video
Chip    Max resolution	CS5330 1280 x 1024 16-bit colour
Ports
Network    USB    Serial    Parallel    PS/2	10/100 2 x USB1.1 2 1 Kybd & mouse
Power
Off    Running	0W ~16W
Dimensions
W x H x D	29cm x 5cm x 23cm

Processor

With Tiny Core 4.5.2 cpuinfo reports:

CPU family	:	5
model	:	7
model name	:	Cyrix MediaGXtm MMXtm Enhanced
Stepping	:	4

Power Supply

The Igel W has an integral mains supply and the connector is a standard IEC "kettle" style connector.

Expansion

Both the Flash memory and the RAM in the Igel W are easily replaceable. (Click on the photo for a larger version).

Flash: The flash is a "DiskOnChip" plugged into a DIL socket. There is also a 40-pin IDE connector (bottom left in photo) that can be used. I have run Tiny Core from a Compact Flash card connected to this interface.

RAM: The board has two sockets for RAM: one that takes 168-pin PC100 DIMM RAM and one that takes a standard 144-pin SODIMM. The PC100 RAM needs to be low profile if you intend to use it along with a PCI card. This unit came with a 32MB module in the SODIMM socket. As far as I can determine the maximum amount of RAM that can fitted in each socket is 128MB, so the total amount of RAM that can be fitted is 256MB. Note that the RAM also has to be low density. Fit a high density module and you'll find you've only half the RAM available. (See my comments here).

Expansion Boards: A small riser card is plugged into the edge of the board. This carries an old style ISA connector and a PCI connector. Any board plugged in here covers the 168-pin RAM slot so it may not be possible to use both at the same time.

CPU Speed: I haven't prised the heat sink off the CPU to see exactly what its speed rating is, but I've had mine running quite happily at 300MHz. There is a header on the motherboard close to the CPU to set the CPU clock speed. The setting for this are:

1-2	3-4	5-6	Speed
S	O	S	333MHz
O	S	S	300MHz
O	O	O	266MHz
O	S	O	233MHz
S	O	O	200MHz

Power: There is a socket on the board close to the parallel port that can provide power for things like Compact Flash card adaptors. I have no idea of how much power you're able to draw from this connector.