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What to do with a Virgin (Iopener, that is)

New MessageWhat to do with a Virgin (Iopener, that is) (modified 0 times) HackHunter
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I have a virgin Iopener. I think it is version 1. I acquired it in Feb. 2000 (paid $99 for it). It has a 200 MHz Cyrix (Centaur) c6 and epoxy goop all over the flash rom but it seems to have all the IDE pins intact. It has *never* been powered on. I wish to install a HDD and Windows XP (if possible) or Linux. I want to use it as a "laptop" for the kitchen.
Questions:
1. Since it has never been powered on, is there some "back door" to the BIOS to get it to boot from a HDD?
2. If not, I am willing to buy a ROM from BadFlash but the damn socket is ruined with the epoxy. Are there any alternatives.
3. Does any anyone still sell the scrambled IDE cables?
4. What would you do if you had this? a. toss it and get a newer one b. try to hack it?

Thanks.

Hunter

02-02-2003 18:21:56

New MessageRE:What to do with a Virgin (Iopener, that is) (modified 0 times) zmoz
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What you have is a "netpliance" I-opener...virgin made the webplayers.
02-02-2003 21:16:41

New MessageRE:What to do with a Virgin (Iopener, that is) (modified 0 times) Jeff102410
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I'm not sure about getting the cables. I've made my cables for a while. Just use 50 pin ribbon cable and a 50 pin connector.

I cut off the connectors and split the cable to make it 44 pins.

You have do modify one of the connectors. You have to take one of the connectors apart, remove the cable. Next, the small flat pins in the connector can be removed with a pair of needle nose pliers, and then flipped. The pins are offset to one side. Reversing the pins solves the IO cable problem. Replace the cable (I manually press the cable into place with a pair of duck-bill pliers).

I don't know if your cables or connectors will be the same...but this works for me.

02-02-2003 22:44:10

New MessageRE:What to do with a Virgin (Iopener, that is) (modified 0 times) Lincoln_man
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Badflash has and can make custom cables. The epoxie goop can be removed with a soldering
iron. Just slowly heat and scrape, it's like plowing through thick mud. Take your time and also use a small pick to work out between the pins. Just take your time it will come off.
02-03-2003 08:00:08

New MessageRE:What to do with a Virgin (Iopener, that is) (modified 0 times) BadFlash
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Fire it up and look at the screen before you do any scraping. If you see the "Noth'n but 'Net" login you don't need a new bios. If you see glue you do. Chances are very good that due to the glue, you have a V3, not a V1 and the "back door" hack may work. There is a bunch of stuff all over this board in the tech ref section on doing that.

Use a hair dryer if you need to soften the epoxy. A soldering iron works, but can get too hot. Work slowy and carefully with an exacto and a dental pick. Don't slip and cut a chunk in the motherboard!

02-04-2003 18:36:25

New MessageRE:What to do with a Virgin (Iopener, that is) (modified 0 times) vwbug19
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what to do with a virgin iopener? get it deflowered and be happy! (klingon laughther)
02-04-2003 20:22:33

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