First post, by Hezus
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I recently came into possession of three HP/Compaq T5000 thin clients. I've seen these types featured before on various YT channels as pretty capable DOS machines so I was curious to see what it was all about. Another curiosity: some models use the Transmeta Crusoe, which was a shortlived x86-compatible cpu that used emulation. Quite interesting!
I got my hands on 3 different models:
HP T5300 - A Transmeta Crusoe TM5600 @ 533 mHz
HP T5515 - A Transmeta Crusoe TM5700 @ 800 mHz
HP T5700 - A Transmeta Crusoe TM5800 @ 1000 mHz
There are various models of the t5000 with different configurations in RAM and internal storage. It uses a 44 pin IDE Disk on Module by default. There are also models with different CPU's from Via C3 to Intel Atoms. Even within the same CPU type, there are different motherboards with different BIOS versions. So if you're interested in one of these, do some proper research! There's a good summary over at ParkyTowers.
Since they all use the same chassis, I made some stickers to be able to tell them apart.
And then I tried to get them to boot MS-DOS. I've seen various guides and YT videos but as mentioned above: there are so many different motherboard variants and BIOS versions. So after HOURS and HOURS of troubleshooting and trying I finally figured out a way to boot MSDOS 7 (Win98 SE) on all models with the internal flash storage. The biggest problem is getting a bootloader onto the flash storage, because the BIOS can't read the old MSDOS boot sector. It would be easier if you had a 44pin-IDE or a SD to 44pin-IDE converter, so you can use modern software to do this. Sadly, I had to try it on the machine itself. I've tried a lot of older software but they all assume you're using a floppy disk to set it up and the HP T5000 doesn't have one. In the end I managed to get it working and here's how it's done in case you're struggling too:
1. Grab the
and unpack it.
2. Download 'RMPrepUSB'. I used v. 2.2.4
3. Insert a USB drive and load RMPrepUSB.
4. Set MSDOS BOOTABLE (option #3)
5. Set FAT32 (or FAT16 if you have a <2gb USB) and Boot as HDD (option #4)
6. In Option #5 tick the box and select the folder where you unpacked boot98.zip.
7. Click #6 Prepare MBR Drive. Say YES to the prompt and wait for it to be finished.
9. Insert your USB drive into the T5000 and press F10 for BIOS
10. In the BIOS, make sure USB is boot device #1.
11. Restart and boot into MSDOS.
12. Launch PART.EXE. Press F5 to change to the internal storage.
13. Select any existing partitions and press DELETE. Press F2 to save changes.
14. Press INS and create a new Fat16 DOS (or Fat32 Windows) partition in slot #1. Set Active to YES.
15. Press I to install a Boot Manager onto partition #1. Set number of running dots to 1. Press ENTER until the window is gone.
16. Press F2 to save. Then ESC to exit.
17. Keep the USB drive inserted and restart the system.
18. Run FORMAT.COM D: (if this gives you errors add the /U parameter).
19. Run SYS.COM C:\ D:\ .
20. Your internal flash is now MSDOS bootable!
All drivers for USB, LAN and Soundblaster emulation can be found in the
.
Soundblaster emulation is really good (compared to many other TSRs) and IPX works without any issues. So now that I have them up and running, what to do with them? Let's create a luggable retro battle station!
I picked up two ACER V173 monitors for next to nothing. They have 100mm VESA mounts that can hold these L-brackets I got at the hardware store. The T5000 comes on a stand with mounting holes. They are 105mm apart but the holes in the L-brackets are just wide enough to bolt them to the back of the monitor.
I want the entire system to work with just one power cable, so I designed and 3D printed this Y-splitter. You can of course buy Y-split cables but I had plenty of C13 cables laying around to cut up and I needed a good excuse to use the 3D printer again, 🤣. Organised it all neatly with ferrules and wire connectors and a snugly fitting cap for safety.
There is some space between the T5000 and the monitor to store the keyboard. I attached the PSU with some velcro and organised the cables. All done!
Now it's just pick up, deploy and play! The T5000 has an internal stereo speaker, so you'll need no speaker or headphones for this setup.
Since I had plenty of hardware laying around, I made three of these setups! The middle one uses a Benq FP731 monitor.
It's really cool to see them all up and running after all this effort. I've still got a few ideas for improvements:
- Design and 3d print a mouse holder and mount it to the back.
- Find a usb powered (0.5 amp) mini network switch that I can mount to one of the setups.
- Swap internal storage with a larger SD card
More ideas and comments are appreciated! 😁
Visit my YT Channel!
