PC104 - some questions about the platform

Hi all out there,

I want to start experimenting with the PC140 platform but I need some info
first:
The disk on chip system:
        - Can I use it as a regular disk, meaning like on a "normal" PC, 
          startup with a cdrom, format it an write data to it? And this without
          extra HW (Like a FLASH-Programmer)?
        - Can I use my own (...ok the binaries/sources I get from the net) 
          Linux(When it is small enough)
In Linux:
        - Is it enough to mount the filesystem read-only w/o having problems
          when I power-off the system w/o a proper shut down?

        - Any Idea about prices?
                - Just a starters kit
                        - But needs a possibility to connect a 
                          monitor/keyboard/mouse
                          And maybe a PCI-device.

Thank you for reading this article.

Wilfried wrote:
> Hi all out there,
> 
> I want to start experimenting with the PC140 platform but I need some info
> first:
> The disk on chip system:
>         - Can I use it as a regular disk, meaning like on a "normal" PC, 
>           startup with a cdrom, format it an write data to it? And this without
>           extra HW (Like a FLASH-Programmer)?
>         - Can I use my own (...ok the binaries/sources I get from the net) 
>           Linux(When it is small enough)

Double-Yes...

M-Sys (the producer of disk-on-chip) provides tools for low-level 
formating the DOC's, i.e. before using DOC you must boot from HD, format 
DOC and put the OS on the DOC - then the HD is no longer need. Some 
distributors may sold pre-formated DOC's...

For linux you must patch the kernel with the device driver of M-Sys. 
Then you also can use the DOC like a normal HD - booting linux from DOC 
is also possible. Togehter with Busy-Box you can produce a very small 
Linux-platform...

Til 2 years ago it was not possible to low-level format the DOC direcly 
from linux cause the corresponding tool from M-Sys didn't worked. I 
din't know the current status.

regards
   Martin

You dont even need a harddrive to boot the first time to.  I used one
with a bootable CDROM and formatted the DOC from the prompt. Works just
like a harddrive.

Best look on ebay unless you want to spend a few bills.   I have an
sbc-558 and love it. tons of I/O and supports pc104 and pc104 plus. Got
it on ebay for 20$.

Thanks for the responses

I'll (probably) be back :-)