IYONIX pc: Difference between revisions

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IYONIX pc
==Background==
==Background==
In 2002, RISC OS seemed like it was disappearing forever. The only people being vocal about hardware development were [[Microdigital]], with their new [[Omega]] computer, which they claimed would be the first step towards a true [[32bit]] RISC OS, being able to use both a StrongARM processor and an XScale on a daughterboard. Many people had suspicions about the validity and feasibility of what Microdigital were trying to do, but they seemed to be the only people developing at the time.
In 2002, RISC OS seemed like it was disappearing forever. The only people being vocal about hardware development were [[Microdigital]], with their new [[Omega]] computer, which they claimed would be the first step towards a true [[32bit]] RISC OS, being able to use both a StrongARM processor and an XScale on a daughterboard. Many people had suspicions about the validity and feasibility of what Microdigital were trying to do, but they seemed to be the only people developing at the time.


Then, in November, [[Castle Technology|Castle]] made an announcement that shocked the entire community: They had a fully 32bit desktop machine, running RISC OS 5, and it would be available for sale in a matter of weeks. True to their word, the IYONIX pc was launched on 1 December 2002, in time for the RISC OS Midlands Show, and was available to buy at the show and take home.
Then, in November, [[Castle Technology]] made an announcement that shocked the entire community: They had a fully 32bit desktop machine, running RISC OS 5, and it would be available for sale in a matter of weeks. True to their word, the IYONIX pc was launched on 1 December 2002, in time for the RISC OS Midlands Show, and was available to buy at the show and take home.


The IYONIX pc was available from [[IYONIX Ltd]], an off-shoot of [[Castle Technology]], as well as through several resellers such as [http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/ CJE Micros]. Prices for base systems ranged from £799 for a small case with no bundled software to £1099 for a full unit with 512MB RAM and DVD-RW drive.
==Specifications==

==The End==
The Iyonix PC ceased production in 2008. A Mark 2 was considered but was deemed not to be viable.

==Target Audience==
The IYONIX pc is aimed at users wishing to upgrade from their older hardware to a faster RISC OS based machine. Unlike the [[A9home]] it is designed to fit in a standard PC case, and thus externally looks like a standard x86 PC.

==Specification==
===Internal===
{|
{|
|-valign="top"
|-valign="top"
|Processor
|Processor
|Intel XScale 80231 clocked at 600MHz
|Intel XScale 80321 clocked at 600MHz
|-valign="top"
|-valign="top"
|Graphics Card
|Graphics Card
Line 15: Line 23:
|-valign="top"
|-valign="top"
|Motherboard features
|Motherboard features
|PCI Sockets (2x32bit, 2x64bit)
|PCI Sockets (2x32bit, 2x64bit, 3.3v)

⚫
Gigabit Network port


UDMA100 IDE sockets (2)
UDMA100 IDE sockets (2)
Line 23: Line 29:
DDR200 RAM socket (1) - Max 1GB
DDR200 RAM socket (1) - Max 1GB


⚫
Flash ROM - Allows software updating of the OS
⚫
On Board Audio - Mic, Headphone, Audio in
⚫
|}


===Rear Connectors===
⚫
Serial ports (2)
⚫
* On Board Audio - Mic, Headphone, Audio in


⚫
* Gigabit Network port
⚫
Standard ATX power connector

|-valign="top"
⚫
* Serial ports (2)
|Other Features

|USB compatibility - Now supports USB2
⚫
* Standard ATX power connector

* 2x USB2 compatible ports (USB2 is available via a chargeable upgrade for users with early systems)

===Front Connectors===
Vary according to model, but most include:
* 2x USB ports

* Mic, Headphone ports

* Power button

* Reset button

===Other features===
* CDRW drive (or optional DVD-RW drive)

* RISC OS 5 supplied on Flash ROM

* Support for multiple graphics cards, providing dual-head display.

== Hardware fixes and modifications ==

=== Forcing PCI to 32 bit mode ===
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140606020555/www.iyonix.com/updates/MB-Mods.shtml Instructions from iyonix.com (via archive.org)]. To check if needed:

<blockquote>
Also, if your machine needs a reset after start up check:<br>

<tt>*memory p b a320009c +1</tt><br>

Any machine that can use this update will show a number 31 (in hex) or
less.<br>

If up to date it will report the value 33 there.
(Iyonix list 23/04/2008)
</blockquote>

=== Other fixes ===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140606020555/www.iyonix.com/updates/MB-Mods.shtml UDMA reset wire noise] (from Iyonix.com via archive.org)
* [https://www.riscos.info/downloads/documents/IYONIX/IyonixJumpers.pdf Internal header connections]
* [http://www.sparse.net/faq-iyonix.html USB 2 card header pinout] (for front USB sockets)


⚫
Flash ROM - Allows software updating of the OS
⚫
|}
==Links==
==Links==
* [http://www.iyonix.com/ IYONIX pc website]
* [https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.iyonix.com/ IYONIX pc website] (via archive.org)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120718164209/http://www.iyonix.com/32bit/ 32 bit RISC OS website and misc Iyonix information] (via archive.org)
* [http://www.freelists.org/archives/iyonix-support/ IYONIX pc support mailing list]
* [http://www.freelists.org/archives/iyonix-support/ IYONIX pc support mailing list]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071120140453/http://www.iyonix.com/updates/faq.shtml Iyonix FAQ]
[[Category:Hardware]]

Latest revision as of 21:17, 11 March 2019

Background

In 2002, RISC OS seemed like it was disappearing forever. The only people being vocal about hardware development were Microdigital, with their new Omega computer, which they claimed would be the first step towards a true 32bit RISC OS, being able to use both a StrongARM processor and an XScale on a daughterboard. Many people had suspicions about the validity and feasibility of what Microdigital were trying to do, but they seemed to be the only people developing at the time.

Then, in November, Castle Technology made an announcement that shocked the entire community: They had a fully 32bit desktop machine, running RISC OS 5, and it would be available for sale in a matter of weeks. True to their word, the IYONIX pc was launched on 1 December 2002, in time for the RISC OS Midlands Show, and was available to buy at the show and take home.

The IYONIX pc was available from IYONIX Ltd, an off-shoot of Castle Technology, as well as through several resellers such as CJE Micros. Prices for base systems ranged from £799 for a small case with no bundled software to £1099 for a full unit with 512MB RAM and DVD-RW drive.

The End

The Iyonix PC ceased production in 2008. A Mark 2 was considered but was deemed not to be viable.

Target Audience

The IYONIX pc is aimed at users wishing to upgrade from their older hardware to a faster RISC OS based machine. Unlike the A9home it is designed to fit in a standard PC case, and thus externally looks like a standard x86 PC.

Specification

Internal

Processor Intel XScale 80321 clocked at 600MHz
Graphics Card NVIDIA GeForce 2MX PCI card until June 2006. Now supports newer 5200 and 6200 cards
Motherboard features PCI Sockets (2x32bit, 2x64bit, 3.3v)

UDMA100 IDE sockets (2)

DDR200 RAM socket (1) - Max 1GB

Flash ROM - Allows software updating of the OS

Rear Connectors

  • On Board Audio - Mic, Headphone, Audio in
  • Gigabit Network port
  • Serial ports (2)
  • Standard ATX power connector
  • 2x USB2 compatible ports (USB2 is available via a chargeable upgrade for users with early systems)

Front Connectors

Vary according to model, but most include:

  • 2x USB ports
  • Mic, Headphone ports
  • Power button
  • Reset button

Other features

  • CDRW drive (or optional DVD-RW drive)
  • RISC OS 5 supplied on Flash ROM
  • Support for multiple graphics cards, providing dual-head display.

Hardware fixes and modifications

Forcing PCI to 32 bit mode

Instructions from iyonix.com (via archive.org). To check if needed:

Also, if your machine needs a reset after start up check:

*memory p b a320009c +1

Any machine that can use this update will show a number 31 (in hex) or less.

If up to date it will report the value 33 there. (Iyonix list 23/04/2008)

Other fixes

Links

Retrieved from "http://www.riscos.info/index.php?title=IYONIX_pc&oldid=6155"