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eMachines MSN Companion
Anyone make any progress?

New MessageeMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) Chicago773
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Maybe this board should be divided into and 'eMachines MSN Companion' and 'Compaq MSN Companion'.

Has anyone had luck getting additional functionality on the eMachines unit? I picked one up for $6 but I can't seem to get past the MSN junk. I've been using an ePods and been very happy with it. Can the ePods image be transferred to the eMachine unit?

I cracked the case open and I don't see too much hardware that can be tweaked - do I need to sign up for a month of MSN just to download the image to disable the MSN login?

Any information would be appreciated - thanks in advance.

-A

10-09-2001 08:29:52

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) Randy
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I doubt the ePods files could be used with the MSN unit, but perhaps wiser minds than I should comment on that.

QUESTION -- where did you get your eMachines unit for $6 ? I'd sure like to find one.

Randy

10-09-2001 08:50:40

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) Chicago773
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Got mine on eBay. $10 with shipping. I have seen a few on eBay, but they usually go for more than $30. I'd like to get this one networked, hooked up to a TV with a cheap scan converter and used as a small web browser or terminal services client. I like the 800x600 native resolution.
10-09-2001 10:31:26

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) skip
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Agreed, the forum should be split. AFAIK the internal h/w of the Compaq & eMachines boxes are different, so any hacks are likely to be specific to each.

I'm most interested the the eMachines, assuming Tiger are about to start selling them. Would it be possible for you to post a photo or scan of the board, so we can start work on identifying the components it uses.

The main h/w to be 'tweaked' is the flash chip. Key to this is finding alternative ways of booting. Someone in another thread seemed to suggest it will boot from a USB-zip, which sounds promising.

The other option would be from a plug-in flash card, if it has an exapnsion slot (like the Audrey). Again a photo would help determine this.

Thanks, S.

10-09-2001 17:58:18

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) Chicago773
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I have put the metal shielding back on but it wouldn't be too much trouble to take it apart again and take some photos. The device does not have a flash slot, so it would require a CE compatible USB device. Look for more info this time tommorrow. If someone else can host the photos, send me an e-mail at aps@ureach.com and I'll e-mail you the scans late tonight. Also, this is the strangest keyboard I have ever seen - it seems to have a built-in post-it notepad holder.
10-10-2001 07:41:08

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) poisonfistclan
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hello i have noticed 2 different models for sale on ebay do they both have the same specs or is one preferred over the other???????
10-10-2001 11:13:27

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) Chicago773
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Well, I took apart the eMachines MSN Companion and removed the heat sink. I didn't have time to take any photos, but I plan on doing so soon. The OS is on a small SanDisk chip under the heat sink. Once I post photos I'd like to get some opinions on a small 8 or 10 pin connector and a few other things. Regardless, it appears some sort of USB storage solution is going to be the answer. Has anyone had any success with the eMachines device?
10-11-2001 06:35:05

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 1 times) skip
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> I didn't have time to take any photos, but I plan on doing so soon.

Great, thanks C773. Let me know if you need somewhere to host them. Also, it looks like machines should be available from tigerdirect soon

> Has anyone had any success with the eMachines device?

[url]http://www.linux-hacker.net/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/UltraBoard.pl?Action=ShowPost&Board=bnews&Post=299&Idle=0&Sort=0&Order=Descend&Page=0&Session=
Apparently so

Skip.

10-11-2001 19:52:10

New MessageRE:eMachines MSN Companion (modified 0 times) skip
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Whoops, that should have been a link to the main message board, but I screwed-up the UBB syntax.
10-11-2001 20:11:34

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