ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-29, 01:40:

With regards to limitation of the number of SATA ports, there is a product on Amazon (https://a.co/d/fkJLahR) that I am not sure if it actually works (especially on the Vortex86 with the SeaBIOS and all the changes @Eivind has done to it). I might grab one and give it a test to let everyone know.

For what it's worth, Fakespot gives them a C company review and F review score for that product. And the second picture does have a note "the host has to be in Port Multiplier/Selector mode Otherwise can't work" and then lists five chipsets JMS585 JMB585 and three ASM chipsets that have this mode. That doesn't sound very promising. How common are those chipsets and what would it require to replicate them? SeaBIOS wouldn't be the problem I don't think. If it's not on Mouser or Digikey, I wouldn't be very keen. Once upon a time I considered Amazon a fair source, because at least they had reviews, right? No longer trust those reviews.

Cuvtixo wrote on 2024-10-01, 00:24:

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-29, 01:40:

With regards to limitation of the number of SATA ports, there is a product on Amazon (https://a.co/d/fkJLahR) that I am not sure if it actually works (especially on the Vortex86 with the SeaBIOS and all the changes @Eivind has done to it). I might grab one and give it a test to let everyone know.

For what it's worth, Fakespot gives them a C company review and F review score for that product. And the second picture does have a note "the host has to be in Port Multiplier/Selector mode Otherwise can't work" and then lists five chipsets JMS585 JMB585 and three ASM chipsets that have this mode. That doesn't sound very promising. How common are those chipsets and what would it require to replicate them? SeaBIOS wouldn't be the problem I don't think. If it's not on Mouser or Digikey, I wouldn't be very keen. Once upon a time I considered Amazon a fair source, because at least they had reviews, right? No longer trust those reviews.

I'm curious, what are people using the extra SATA ports for? it would almost be helpful to have 1 additional slot somewhere for expansion like mini-PCIe maybe.
too bad SATA isn't like IDE where you can daisy chain devices from it. oh well, I guess that's the trade-off for the faster speeds.

Cuvtixo wrote on 2024-10-01, 00:24:

ahmadexp wrote on 2024-09-29, 01:40:

With regards to limitation of the number of SATA ports, there is a product on Amazon (https://a.co/d/fkJLahR) that I am not sure if it actually works (especially on the Vortex86 with the SeaBIOS and all the changes @Eivind has done to it). I might grab one and give it a test to let everyone know.

For what it's worth, Fakespot gives them a C company review and F review score for that product. And the second picture does have a note "the host has to be in Port Multiplier/Selector mode Otherwise can't work" and then lists five chipsets JMS585 JMB585 and three ASM chipsets that have this mode. That doesn't sound very promising. How common are those chipsets and what would it require to replicate them? SeaBIOS wouldn't be the problem I don't think. If it's not on Mouser or Digikey, I wouldn't be very keen. Once upon a time I considered Amazon a fair source, because at least they had reviews, right? No longer trust those reviews.

Wow, thank you for the info.

Hello @everyone , happy Friday! 🙂

Just a quick announcement: the "interest gathering" phase is going to end on Monday, the next phase will be consisting of placing deposits so we can order a handful of prototypes to test.

If you have not done so, and if you are still interested in joining the group-buy, you have only gotten a couple of days left to fill out the form: https://forms.gle/43Zd2mEeh94mv4Wx5

More details about the next phase will be shared next week here, in the VOGONS forum and via email, stay tuned and have a nice weekend! 🙂

Slowpoke here: does the NIC have packet driver support? I know it says “10/100 Ethernet” but who makes the chip? Thanks!

SYZYGY wrote on 2024-10-05, 17:41:

Slowpoke here: does the NIC have packet driver support? I know it says “10/100 Ethernet” but who makes the chip? Thanks!

Yes. It should be an on-chip integrated RDC R6040 10/100 Fast Ethernet NIC similar to other Vortex86 units.

smeedy wrote on 2024-09-13, 08:53:

Hi there, […]
Show full quote

Hi there,

Just stumbled upon this project the other week when going through my YouTube list doing breakfast early in the morning. The Mighty Algorithm decided to suggest James Mackenzie's an item 5 days ago. Instantly hooked as I was contemplating building myself a 90's retro machine with new-old-stock parts for a long time, but this is so much cooler. Also love to have an SMD soldering project getting myself through winter nights thus my planets are perfectly aligned. I ordered 5 blue silk shiny ENIG finished PCBs on JLCPCB and I needs to go through the partsbin to see if I have some stuff to spare. Oops, aaand I just realised I forgot to order the OPL3 board as well..

On parts. My goto place for components is usually Mouser. I read that I need to get the Crystal chips from some recommended ebay seller, but do you guys have more cotchas and placed I need to go?

Great project and I hope to contribute in the future,
cheers,
Martijn

Glad I was able to help in the discovery of this fantastic product. Good luck with the build!

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-10-04, 17:18:

Hello @everyone , happy Friday! 🙂 […]
Show full quote

Hello @everyone , happy Friday! 🙂

Just a quick announcement: the "interest gathering" phase is going to end on Monday, the next phase will be consisting of placing deposits so we can order a handful of prototypes to test.

If you have not done so, and if you are still interested in joining the group-buy, you have only gotten a couple of days left to fill out the form: https://forms.gle/43Zd2mEeh94mv4Wx5

More details about the next phase will be shared next week here, in the VOGONS forum and via email, stay tuned and have a nice weekend! 🙂

Good luck with the group buy! 😎

Hello @everyone,

is it possible to fill out the survey for the group buy?
Or am I too late?

Thanks.

greetings

VohChoo6 wrote on 2024-10-12, 08:57:

is it possible to fill out the survey for the group buy?
Or am I too late?

You still have time, fill it out and keep an eye on the Discord; https://discord.gg/YN3XkycAXG

OK great thanks.

Do you know what the approximate cost of the board will be?

VohChoo6 wrote on 2024-10-12, 10:29:

OK great thanks.

Do you know what the approximate cost of the board will be?

Hello!

The cost will be like the following:
- mainboard: $300
- SOM: $70
- OPL3 module: $30

:gulp: Is that with the group discount? 😃

sardaukar wrote on 2024-10-12, 17:17:

:gulp: Is that with the group discount? 😃

I'll be giving the group buyers a 10% discount providing that they'll put their deposits within a week so we can place a sample order for testing asap.

The store is almost ready for that btw 😉

Hello everyone, the store is now finally open to the public and ready to accept deposits! 🙂

A few things to keep in mind:

- To keep production costs manageable, we sadly decided to stick with only one colour for the boards, and that colour is black.
- While you can buy the SOM on your own, we strongly recommend that you order it through us if you would like to save a bit of money on shipping. It will also make testing the boards much easier and faster for us!
- You can now place deposits through the store. Or pay in full, if you want to!
- For those who will opt for paying the 33% deposit, please keep in mind that the deposits are not refundable, and full payment will be processed automatically by Nov. 15, 2024 (unless we run into delays)
- We are offering a 10% for those who will make their purchase now, the discount will be available for one week.
- Make sure to include all the extras you would like to order before checking out.
- The MT32-Pi option might include an additional feature that would bring it closer to SC-55, still pending negotiation with the soundfont creator.
- More options might be offered later.

Please read our FAQ here: https://retrodreams.ca/pages/itx-llama-faqs and let us know if you have any other questions!

So tempting. Very cool.

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-10-13, 23:25:

- We are offering a 10% for those who will make their purchase now, the discount will be available for one week.

Thank you so much for this!

Is the discount applied automatically? Even if we go with the 33% deposit option?

I appreciate you folks putting this sale together.

holaplaneta wrote on 2024-10-16, 20:01:

Thank you so much for this! […]
Show full quote

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-10-13, 23:25:

- We are offering a 10% for those who will make their purchase now, the discount will be available for one week.

Thank you so much for this!

Is the discount applied automatically? Even if we go with the 33% deposit option?

I appreciate you folks putting this sale together.

Yes, and yes. 😀

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-10-13, 23:25:

Hello everyone, the store is now finally open to the public and ready to accept deposits! 🙂

Thank you for this, I've just made a purchase and created this account to thank you and Eivind personally for all the work.

DesertPanther wrote on 2024-10-16, 20:03:

Yes, and yes. 😀

Excellent! Thanks. Do you happen to know if the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W preloaded comes with the pins already soldered? The picture on the site and the description do not mention this.