PC In An XP Box

wolrahnaes writes "There is an article up on mini-itx.com explaining how to fit a fully functional PC based on a VIA M10000 EPIA board in to a Windows XP box. The author even explains how he then fit it in to a Red Hat box and used a sensor to tell the bootloader which OS to run based on which box it is in."

Comments

And the point of this is?

[nurb432]

Ok, so we all know that you can get small motherboards and shove them into odd things..

This *might* have been interesting 2 years ago, but at this point.. so what?

Anyone can do this if you want to waste the cash and time.

Re:And the point of this is?

[deadgoon42]

The most interesting part of this article was the part where he customized the bootloader to read his sensor and tell which box the system was in. That was pretty innovative if you ask me.

Way too much time on their hands...

[zoloto]

The final step was to take an assembly language MBR boot loader program and modify it to read the state of the tilt switch and make it boot the partition containing Windows XP or the partition containing Linux. To those that don't know the secret of how it works it looks like magic. It boots the right O/S for the box it is in.

Is it just me, or do these guys have way too much time on their hands? I mean... what in the world do they hope to accomplish besides a (+5, HOLYSHIT) moderation?

Re:Way too much time on their hands...

[brucmack]

Do people who play games have too much time on their hands? Those who like shooting pool? Those who contribute to open source projects?

It's a hobby. But for some reason when something is seen as too nerdy, people start wondering if they have "too much time on their hands." Implying that it's somehow a lesser thing to do.

People do this because it's fun, and post it online because people like to look at it. I think it would be wicked to have a computer that booted a different OS if it was turned upside down.

The accomplishment is enjoyment for the person making it and those who can read about it and share in that process. You aren't one of those people, fine. But don't try to come off as superior to the guy because his hobby is case modding.

when Peter can't read

[frovingslosh]

I too at first read it as in an Xbox, but I looked at the article rather than rushing to post something that showed my ignorance.

The irony is that an XBox actually costs less than an XP box!!!!!

Get the legal unboxed OEM version

[frovingslosh]

Too bad most Slashdotters who use XP won't actually HAVE an XP box...

Well, it's not really too bad, since having a box is a sign you gave Microsoft lots of extra money. While I expect you intended to imply that some slashdot readers pirate Microsoft software, many know that they can legally buy OEM copies of WInXP with some hardware for a lot less than they would pay for a boxed retail copy of XP. In some cases that hardware can cost as low as a buck. And whatever it costs you get the same software, a legal unique ID for it, extra hardware and a lower total cost. So unless you want to display that box as a sign of shame for paying too much for the software, (or get great rebate deals on other products that effectively make the retail box free, as happened when XP first came out) why would anyone buy the retail box?

Re:Hmmm

[gregmac]

Too bad the guys with Jolt, anime, and useless PC mods are the ones powering the next generation. The old way of life is dying slowly and thankfully.

If the 'old way of life' - in this case eating and procreating - is dying off, then it seems to me there won't be a next generation to power..

Without the innovative ideas coming from people such as basement dwelling computer geeks, you wouldn't be typing your moronic post on Slashdot right now.

The hardcore geeks - you sound like you'd fit in that camp - aren't the only ones 'innovating' (the merits of putting a PC in a cardboard box are probably discussed in other comments, so I won't comment on that). There are lots of people that build cool and innovative software and hardware, and still lead an active social life, with lots of beer drinking and sex.

I normally wouldn't reply to such an OT post but you make some stupid comment like that, and I just can't resist.

Re:It's ironic...

[JPriest]

It is also a repost, do the editors not read slashdot?

Re:in other news...

[Lxy]

wouldn't time be better spent on other, more worthwhile projects than building a computer in a box?

I don't know how to cure cancer. Not a clue. I'm not even sure how to help raise money. Cancer is bad, I don't have a clue how to help. I don't know how to cure AIDS either, so don't ask. Hell, I don't know how to cure ham.

I DO know how to shove little boards into little boxes and install linux on them. If you'll excuse me, I'll do that instead.