- but a self help project to overcome the shortage of an up-to-date RiscOS machine at a reasonable price.
As a result of the original mishap with the motherboard Castle generously replaced the board. We now have a desktop Iyonix (Same size as RiscPC case) with 120Mb HDD, 256Mb RAM, CD-RW (52x 32x 52x) available for immediate despatch. $AU2350 plus shipping. A USB mouse and keyboard can be supplied for an extra $55. This machine has been sold
Machines assembled already in most cases. The last one is tardily wandering its way through the post to Queensland.
Linux discs to instal on the Iyonix are available to everyone. If you haven't got the Debian disc 1 please let me know.
at 18 August 2004
Machines assembled already in most cases. Two more Iyonix OEM packs still to come.
Assembly photographs from Barrie Some images of his assembly on his own in isolation in S.A.
Still having some difficulty with Linux on the Iyonix but Damien is in communication with Peter Naulls to resolve the problem.
Once it is sorted we will supply to everyone.
at 6 August 2004
Packs arrived in NZ and most for Australia. Machines assembled already in some cases. Two more boards/machines going out today.
Assembly photographs Some images to assist with assembly. Includes PDF of Castle's schematics.
Have had some difficulty with Linux on the Iyonix but Damien is in communication with Peter Naulls to resolve the problem.
Once it is sorted we will supply to everyone.
Sorry for the delays in the past fortnight. Our daughter had a son and we've been in Perth being grandparents
to the very proud Jacinta and her "bubba Wuke"
at 4 August 2004
at 23 July 2004
at 21 July 2004
at 13 July 2004
at 7 July 2004
at 20 June 2004
Have installed and connected a Pinnacle PC/TV card. Signal for TV from a Giga-Air-20Z receiver via composite S-video connection. Clear picture but no sound. Will have to check on cables and connections required to get sound.
at 17 June 2004
Latest advice from Castle is that our order will be shipped early next week after testing " .. new supplies .. "
at 6 June 2004
at 5 June 2004
Awaiting the delivery from Castle. They have some manufacturing problem to resolve before they will ship our order.
'Assembly' weekend now postponed until delivery is received.
Peter Naulls has despatched the 80Gb HDD with 40/40 split and it has arrived.
at 29 May 2004
Invitiations to interested parties to attend an 'Assembly' weekend 11-13 June in Denmark. If interested but haven't received invite email me.
Awaiting the delivery from Castle. Account still to be finalised due to staff on leave.
Local parts collected by Damien and are ready.
Peter Naulls has confirmed the 80Gb HDD with 40/40 split is ready to be posted.
at 24 May 2004
The order has been placed with Castle. An initial payment of £4200 has been made.
Local parts ordered today and will be collected by Damien when ready.
The 80Gb HDD with 40/40 split ordered from Peter Naulls has not been confirmed nor payment made yet. Still awaiting instructions.
Latest images of Damien's case.
at 22 May 2004
Still no reply Re DVDBurn from Steffen.
The USB card supplied is USB2 so only needs the updated drivers when they are ready.
The floppy/card reader is also USB2 and it is causing timing problems. This can be addressed in the updated drivers. A more elegant solution is available in the meantime.
Ready to make payment on Monday for next Iyonix OEM Retailers Packs. Support and assistance from Castle has been outstanding.
Have also ordered a 80Gb HDD with 40/40 split. Debian Linux on one partition and ADFS on the other.
at 20 May 2004
Re DVDBurn: Have contacted Steffen but still no reply.
Question: Can your Storm32 SCSI podule be used in an Iyonix?
Answer: Our SCSI cards have not been 32-bitted as yet.
Question: If not, will a SCSI/Parallel Epson GT9000 scanner work (using David Pllings Twain) via a USB to Parallel adaptor?
Answer: This will not work at the present time.
There are two Epson USB scanners available for the IYONIX pc the
1660Photo and the 2400Photo these start from 149.00 GBP including the
software.
at 18 May 2004
The Wakefield show mentioned DVDBurn. Have contacted Steffen for info. Still no reply.
USB2 - Jack Lillingston has no release date or price '..if there is to be one.'
Mitsumi drives (floppy/card reader) is now working. Wrong data terminal layout on schematic provided then compounded by a clash between my mouse and the reader. Simple resolution: move the mouse to another port.
Have given Jack preliminary details of our order but not placed it yet. We still need more commitments to get the maximum discount to keep the price down!
Decided to get a HDD from GB with the Debian Linux pre-installed. We can then transfer the disc image to those who want it.
at 14 May 2004
The Wakefield show is this weekend and there has been mention of DVDBurn. We await info on upgrade or new product status for us. This will also cause reconsideration of CD-RW. Unfortunately the AU$ is still in the doldrums so increasing the price of the imported parts.
Finally received a copy of Aemulor. Software I've tried has mostly worked. Really impressive.
Jack Lillingston has agreed to the request to replace the original banner that Richard Hallas has designed for 'our' machines to make them unique.
Mitsumi drives (floppy/card reader) are all 'taken'. Received plan of USB connector and scrounged plug to connect the card reader.
Have plugged my parallel port HP LaserJet6L into the Iyonix (using a USB/parallel cable) First cable turned out to be one of two not for Iyonix. One I purchased today worked once I'd hand edited a file in Resources. If you are looking to attach a parallel port printer you can get the USB/parallel cable ($45) or a hub with parallel port, serial port and several USB ports (around $75)
at 10 May 2004
Sent out emails today to all who'd enquired. Next Monday has been given as the deadline for order. Money required up front as I can't get my wife to let me have $25,000 spending money.
Richard Hallas has sent me a great startup banner for 'our' machines to make them unique. Await Jack Lillingston's response to the request to replace the original banner.
Six Mitsumi drives (floppy/card reader) arrived today. Only one left available as other five 'taken'. Have asked Jack for advice on connection as connector on drive doesn't match connector in machine.
No trial copy of Aemulor yet - they need to clarify the duplicated MAC address with Castle.
at 8 May 2004
The second Iyonix OEM Retailers Pack turns out to have the same MAC address as another Iyonix. This came to light when I tried to register for a copy of Aemulor.
Jack says that DDR PC3200 400mhz memory from reputable sources will work also
Have had no success connecting my Sony F717 camera. The machine shows it as being present but that is all. How do I get at the images?
Here is the clear case that Damien has ready for the motherboard when it returns. It still has to have the CD-RW inserted.
at 6 May 2004
The second Iyonix OEM Retailers Pack is now installed in original case. Set up took place over a cup of tea at Barney Clarkson's.
Tried DDR 512Mb PC2700 333mhz memory and it worked brilliantly. Appears to make things even faster.
Have had another firm commitment today.
Purchased a USB Belkin Optical mouse for $27 and a Cherry USB keyboard for $28. Both worked immediately.
at 5 May 2004
Have received the second Iyonix OEM Retailers Pack. Going to Perth tomorrow to install in case and show to several people.
Received confirmation that an order of six Mitsumi FA404A floppy/card readers are en-route.
Answered over twenty emails requesting info. Have only had one firm commitment from those so far. Would like to have more to show for the effort that has gone in so far.
Perth RISC OS users involved have agreed to spend a weekend in Denmark to assemble the machines when they arrive before the end of the month. Order will be placed at the middle of the month. Should get the packs about a week after that.
Received request for articles from Foundation Risc User and Qercus. Have supplied info as requested.
at 26 Apr 2004
We still need more commitments to get the maximum discount to keep the price down!
Ordered Mitsumi FA404A 
floppy/card readers today.
We also decided to order another Iyonix OEM Pack rather than wait several weeks for the other to go to the UK and come back.
at 25 Apr 2004
We still need more commitments to get the maximum discount to keep the price down!
Software tried including Prophet, Photodesk and Netfetch all are impressive.
However our mishaps continue. While backing up to another hard drive a slip resulted in damage to the motherboard.
It will now need to be sent to the UK.
at 21 Apr 2004
Motherboard repairs done. All is well with machine everything is in working order as previously, unable to test podule because Peter Dowson thinks you need a 32 podule. Will see if I can work out Linux now.
David Brown has tried out several of his toys and they all work LG Flatscreen multi button mouse and USB hub. PS mouse didnt work through USB adapter.
at 20 Apr 2004
The damage to the podule part of the board is being looked at and may be repairable. If anyone wants a desktop
box then this podule is not required anyway. Now we need to find enough people prepared to 'put their money on the table'
so that we can maximise the benefits.
at 16 Apr 2004
The short circuit only appears to have damaged the podule slot. All software tried so far works and the machine is totally reliable.
at 6 Apr 2004
at 4 Apr 2004
We met and assembled the machine late this afternoon. One mishap when a nut connecting motherboard to the case
shorted out. Too close to the boards circuitry. Eventually got it to boot as far as *supervisor.
at 31 Mar 2004
Invoice arrived in the mail today. Also a card from PO for a parcel. The Iyonix OEM Retailers Pack has arrived and been collected! Also contacted supplier and all additional parts are in Perth awaiting collection.
at 26 Mar 2004
One OEM pack ordered to assemble our 'prototype' for display so that people can see and try
what they are considering. Additional components ordered including two cases. One of each type. Awaiting delivery.
Being one of the hardy survivors of the RiscOS world in Australia I was faced with an aging machine. The only way of getting a replacement was to purchase one in England and have it shipped out here. I looked at both the Omega and the Iyonix. Initial preference was for the Omega but watched the frustration caused by delays and poor communication. I have even tried on two occasions to communicate with Microdigital but was ignored on both occasions. Perhaps it was because I asked when I could expect shipment of my order (if I placed one).
When producing a large book recently the age of my StrongArm RiscPC showed. I decided that it was time. The price of shipping put me off. At £150 ($370) it seemed extortinate. An email to Paul Beverley asked if he spoke to Jack Lillingston. If he did would he mention the cost factor as a major disincentive to those in the Antipodes - making an already costly (by comparison to other systems) computer out of reach for most.
An immediate reply asked me to contact Jack. I did and he informed me that we could purchase an Iyonix OEM Retailer Pack. This included some of the essential hardware but left the purchaser to obtain the rest. After a series of emails established that a discount was available for bulk purchases it seemed like a good idea to look for others who would like an Iyonix at a reasonable price.
A major contributor to lowering the price was that shipping 10 OEM packs cost £160 (£16 each) as opposed to £150 for an assembled machine. Another was the discount. The low cost of suitable quality hardware locally also played its part.
- but a self help project to overcome the shortage of an up-to-date RiscOS machine at a reasonable price.
| aopen cases complete with power supply | ||||
 | QF45 info:
Metal: SECC Micro ATX/ATX 3.5" *2/1(external/internal), 5.25" *3/0(external/internal) 300/250W ATX high efficiency, UL/CSA/FCC only or CE/DoC/C'tick certified Width 7.64"(194mm), Height 16.77"(426mm), Depth 17.32"(440mm) Air vents |  | H300 info: Metal: SECC FlexATX/MicroATX 3.5" *1/1(external/internal), 5.25" *1/0(external/internal) 145W proprietary , UL/CSA/CE/TUV/S/CB/ N/FCC/C'tick Certified Width 12.76"(324mm), Height 3.74"(95mm), Depth 14.69"(373mm) 4cm Optional DC fan 0.77 Cu. ft. | |
A quote was obtained from a Perth supplier and was based on SIX of each item. The prices that result are shown below. Buying a set of ten won't significantly lower the price any further I don't believe. This is for the machine components only and is subject to exchange rate fluctation (£ to $ converted at .406), GST and components purchased. Extras are keyboard, mouse ($60) and monitor (from $170). You may just use what you have.
It is possible to simply take the Iyonix OEM Retailer Pack and add your own bits. My suggestion is for groups to get together and assemble the machines - 'the blind leading the blind ..' someone told me. That way the technically able can co-ordinate the process and the others can supply the robots (to screw or plug).
