Yet another Vortex86mx build issue \ VOGONS

Yet another Vortex86mx build issue

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First post, by k-Tracker

Posted on 2025-09-30, 06:14

k-Tracker Offline

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Rank: Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: 2020-03-16, 21:38

Hi Folks,
I'm trying to install Win98SE on iCOP PMX-090T (Vortex86MX). I previously got it running with PDX-057T (Vortex86DX), so I'm familiar with BIOS configuration tricks which are needed for CF card to work.
This time it doesn't go as easy.
Win98 hangs on the first boot after installation. No safe boot. Existing win98 install from PDX doesn't boot either. And the bootlog doesn't say anything - it just stops after IFSHLP.SYS (loadsuccess).
It feels like I tried everything in terms of the storage configuration - with CF Card or SD Card, with Native or Legacy mode, with IDE Compatible and without. But this is unclear if it's storage related or not.
I see some of you got success with other EBOX products based on Vortex86MX. I appreciate if you could share any tricks and hints where to look at.
Thanks a lot!

Reply 1 of 4, by Duffman

Posted on 2025-09-30, 08:59

Duffman Offline

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Posts: 597
Joined: 2002-12-05, 05:20

@k-Tracker

If it's anything like the SOM on the ITXllama you'll need rloew's patches for it to work properly and boot win98.

I use win98-quickinstall nowadays - it's fast and includes rloew's patches by default.

https://github.com/oerg866/win98-quickinstall

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OSs: Win 11 Pro (NVMe) + WinXP Pro SP3 (SATA)
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Reply 2 of 4, by k-Tracker

Posted on 2025-09-30, 18:20

k-Tracker Offline

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Thank you for sharing this. I was not aware of this project. I retested all previous configuration with CF and SD cards under various BIOS settings with Win98SE and WinME. All of them hang on the first boot after the install. Including safe boot or step-by-step with no any windows drivers loaded. I'm under the impression that this is not related to the storage device drivers and might be related to the BIOS on those iCOP devices.

Reply 3 of 4, by Duffman

Posted on 2025-10-01, 10:23

Duffman Offline

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Posts: 597
Joined: 2002-12-05, 05:20

Does the storage show up if you try to install XP?

Reply 4 of 4, by k-Tracker

Posted on Today, 18:15

k-Tracker Offline

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Rank: Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: 2020-03-16, 21:38

Yes, WinXP is running fine on this machine. This is very unclear where the problem happens exactly. I don't see anything else in BIOS that I could try.
I also hope to get ebox-3310mx at some point to triage this. It has the same Vortex86mx, and should have a similar overall design (no screen obviously).

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