Devon IT: TC5 Series 

• Hardware
• Disassembly
• Firmware
• Linux
• Mods

The TC5 thin client was launched in March 2009. At the time it was described (by Devon IT) as being "...is the world's first and only thin client with the ability to support dual independent high definition digital displays and render videos on the web or remotely." My model does not carry any manufacturing date but the serial number is TC5DW000026 which implies that it is probably of 2009 vintage.

At the time of writing (November 2016) the TC5DW does not appear anywhere on their website. Confusingly the legacy section does however include the TC5c, TC5v and TC5Xc all of which look to be Dell FX170 (Clientron U800) style hardware. So potentially the TC5 label may cover two types of hardware.

Using the same hardware base we apparently have:

• TC5D - running DeTos.
• TC5DW - running DeTos and includes a wireless interface.
• TC5X - running Windows XP.

Specifications

The basic specifications are:

Processor
Type    Speed	Intel Atom N270 Dual Thread 1.6GHz
Memory
Flash    RAM	1GB 1GB (max 2GB?)
Video
Chip    Max resolution    Connector	Intel 945GSE with integrated GMA 950 1920 x 1200 32-bit colour DVI-D & DVI-I
Ports
Network    USB    Serial    Parallel    PS/2	10/100/1000 4 x USB2.0 none none none
Power
Plug    Supply    Off    Idle    Running	Coax 5.5mm/2.5mm 12V 3A 9W 18W 18W
Dimensions
H x W x D (mm)	232 x 94 x 174

The TC5D and TC5DW run Devon IT's Detos operating system. (Linux).

CPU

/proc/cpuinfo shows:

vendor_id	:	GenuineIntel
cpu family	:	6
model	:	28
model name	:	Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU N270 @ 1.60GHz
stepping	:	2
cpu cores	:	1
flags	:	fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic mtrr pge mca cmov pat clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 xtpr pdcm movbe lahf_lm

PCI

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GME Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GME Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
01:00.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5754 Gigabit Ethernet PCI Express (rev 02)
02:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation Wireless WiFi Link 5100

Power Supply

The unit comes with a standard external 12V 3A supply. The plug is a standard 5.5mm/2.5mm coax plug.

Expansion

There's not much space available for squeezing additional hardware into the case.

Flash: The Flash memory is easily replaceable. It's a DOM plugged into a standard 44-pin IDE connector.

RAM: The RAM is a standard 200-pin SODIMM. The unit came fitted with a 1GB hynix part: 1GB 2Rx16 PC2-5300S-555-12 (HYMP112S64CP6-Y5 AB-C). I haven't tried other parts as the only 2GB memory I have are DDR3 parts, however I received an email from Koen who has successfully upgraded his TC5D to 2GB. The data sheet for the Intel 82945GM does say 'Max Memory 4GB' which usually means 2GB per SODIMM socket.

PCI: There is a half size mini PCI-e socket occupied by an Intel WiFi card (part # 512AN_HMW) - possibly the W in the thin client part number and missing if you have a TC5D.

There is a jumper J3 between the battery and the wireless card. I haven't checked but I assume this is for resetting the CMOS memory.

There is a 10-pin header J23 on the edge of the board by the IDE connector. I haven't yet checked to see exactly what this is. I'd normally suggest another two USB ports but I note that in the BIOS, under 'chipset' and 'South Bridge', you can set 'USB functions' to disabled/2 USB Ports/4 USB Ports. (No mention of '6 Ports').

Click on the photo for a larger version.