"It is the biggest pain out of the ones I have set up since it can't boot from the network or USB. Once set up though it runs Windows 95 well and the Sound Blaster emulation (built into the processor) works great. It doesn't sound great - 90s emulation never does - but it's by far the least bad of any I've ever heard. These would likely work very well as DOS or Windows 95 'gaming' boxes for those that are into that." - April, November 2020.
For the Neoware thin clients there is a handy document from HP which you can use to identify exactly what you have. I think the Capio must slightly predate this as the part number is not presented in the XX-XX-XX style format (but it is close). In my case I have a 620 and an 800. The circuit boards are identical, the difference being in the operating systems and supplied memory. The labels on the back of each read: Capio 620 CP4K-HD and Capio 800 CP4K-CB. These break down as:
CP Product Line Capio 4 Software (?) - Standard software H Platform (?) - actually CE.NET C Flash Capacity C = 32Mb B RAM Capacity B = 64Mb
CP Product Line Capio 4 Software (?) - actually 'standard' K Platform (?) - Actually XPE H Flash Capacity H = 192Mb D RAM Capacity D = 256Mb The ones in my possession were manufactured in 2003.
The basic specs for the 620 are:
Processor Type
SpeedGX1
300MHzMemory Flash
RAM32MB
64MB (max 512MB)Video Chip
Max resolutionCS5530A
1600 x 1200 32-bit colourPorts Network
USB
Serial
Parallel
PS/210/100
2 x USB1.1
1
1
Kybd & mousePower Off
Running0 W
14-18WDimensions H x W x D (mm) 240 x 35 x 210 (Excluding Stand)
For those to whom it matters here is some detail from Linux's /proc/cpuinfo
vendor_id : CyrixInstead cpu family : 5 model : 9 model name : Geode(TM) Integrated Processor by National Semi stepping : 2
Unlike a lot of other thin clients the Neoware Capio has an internal power supply. The mains lead has a "clover leaf" style connector rather than the more usual kettle style. If your Capio came without a lead these are easy to source. The power supply is fanless.
Both the Flash memory and the RAM in the Capio are easily replaceable.
Flash: The flash can either be a Disk-On-Chip (DOC) or a DiskOnModule (DOM). The latter interfaces via a 44-pin IDE connector. The 620 (pictured) is fitted with a 32Mb DOC. The 800 is fitted with a 192Mb DOM.
I have connected a CDROM drive to the IDE connector (using a 44-pin to 40-pin adaptor) and successfully booted both Tiny Core Linux and DSL. I've also run Tiny Core Linux 4.6.2 using a Compact Flash-to-IDE adaptor. Space is limited, but it should be possible to fit a Compact Flash to IDE adaptor under the metal cover close to the IDE connector. I don't know if it would be possible to shoe horn in a 2.5" disk drive.
RAM: As far as the RAM is concerned I haven't been able to locate an actual specification for what the Capio supports, but the 64MB module fitted is a 144-pin PC133 SODIMM (133MHz-CL3). I have successfully replaced this by various 128MB and 256MB SODIMMs. Also a 512MB SODIMM (Kingston KTM-TP133/512) worked well.
The board has a couple of soldered links - JP1 and JP2 - associated with the memory. The nearby
silk-screened table reads:
JP1 JP2 X X 1.8V 266MHz O X 2.0V 300MHz O O 2.2V 333MHz
I haven't tried anything here.
CPU: Adjacent to the CPU is a 6-pin header whose jumpers are used to set the CPU clock rate.
The nearby silk-screened table reads:
1-2 3-4 5-6 O X O 333MHz X O O 300MHz X X X 266MHz
Once again I haven't tried anything here.
Click here for a larger picture of the Capio circuit board.