ASUS S-presso SFF System Review Posted!

[akwasin]

thanks 4 the help earlier

otherwize,, does anyone got a program that u can use the tv-tuner with when in windows.?

winfast PVR doesnt work, says it cant find a video capture device (?)

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by tseah

Yeah, I thought it was strange. Does it sound like a defective graphics card (i.e. fan works, but no signal?). Are there any other BIOS settings that could affect the AGP card? Not sure what else it could be.

Try another AGP card... And try your AGP card in another system. See if it's even working.

[dt34]

Hello, first post here. Read through all the pages already, and got myself a good deal on the S-Presso.

I noticed that my BIOS is ver. 1004 and that a newer version is out 1007. Does anyone know what the added changes or benefits are to the new BIOS?

I tried flashing to the new BIOS with no success with the Asusupdate software, am I doing something wrong or is there another technique to doing so?

Also, I like the features of Instant-On, but occasionally I like to play a few games and the integrated graphics isn't going to work. I know that by adding a AGP card, the Instant-On will stop working, would it be ok if I bought a reasonable AGP card and install it each time I decide to play a game and take it back out when I'm done? Is it possible to keep both in and switch the video in the BIOS and switch the monitor cable rather than to take the AGP card out each time?

I appreciate any help.

Intel P4 2.8 Prescott
Kingston PC3200 512MB RAM
WD 160GB Hard Drive

[Adrian Wong]

Originally Posted by dt34

Hello, first post here. Read through all the pages already, and got myself a good deal on the S-Presso.

I noticed that my BIOS is ver. 1004 and that a newer version is out 1007. Does anyone know what the added changes or benefits are to the new BIOS?

I tried flashing to the new BIOS with no success with the Asusupdate software, am I doing something wrong or is there another technique to doing so?

Also, I like the features of Instant-On, but occasionally I like to play a few games and the integrated graphics isn't going to work. I know that by adding a AGP card, the Instant-On will stop working, would it be ok if I bought a reasonable AGP card and install it each time I decide to play a game and take it back out when I'm done? Is it possible to keep both in and switch the video in the BIOS and switch the monitor cable rather than to take the AGP card out each time?

I appreciate any help.

Intel P4 2.8 Prescott
Kingston PC3200 512MB RAM
WD 160GB Hard Drive

Hello dt34,

It's listed on the BIOS download page at ASUS. Ver. 1007 apparently has only one update :
- Fix codec AD1888 recognition problem

But it's possible they fixed some other things in the new BIOS. You can always try it out. If you do so, you might want to keep a copy of the 1004 BIOS just in case you want to flash back to 1004.

If you can't flash using the ASUSUpdate software, try the tried and true old-fashion BIOS flash method - http://www.rojakpot.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=93.

Hmm.. I think that's going be quite a lot of hassle...

[ChrisM]

I have had good success installing the Instant-On software and then my OD (win2K). But when starting Instant-On from the front panel, Instant-On does not boot up in 5-10 sec. It takes about 30 sec. to boot up and goes through all the post/bios steps that take place when booting up the OS. A 10 sec. bootup would really be great if I could make that happen. Anyone have any ideas what I did wrong ?

Originally Posted by ZuePhok

I can see the Instant-On CD comes bundled with this SFF unit, so I think Asus follows Aopen's (FYI, Aopen is the first one to implement instant-on) way in implementing the instant-on feature to use instant-on, you will have to first install a linux based operating system (instant-on CD). unlike the usual linux OS installation, the installation for instant-on is pretty straight forward and easy. the linux operating system for Aopen Xcube is about 110+MB, but Im not sure what changes asus has made to their vresion of instant-on but it should be more or less the same. 110mb is nothing so it shouldn't be a concern if you have a..eerermm...say..120gb HD once it's installed, the system boots up in less than 10seconds (i think is around 5seconds..sorry too lazy to reboot my xcube now) and you will be greeted with a beautiful and simple interface that allows you to play whatever media you want you can boot up the system by pressing the control buttons in the front panel. Do take note that this linux OS is self-independent so you will not have to boot into windows prior to booting up the linux os. This is why you only need 5-10seconds to get the sff unit up and sing you song, make some noise and show some porn.., hence the name instand-on

this linux operating system comes together with all the drivers for the integrated graphics, chipset and sound card to work. you can't make any changes into it, which explains why external graphics card is not supported because this customized linux operating system doesn't allow you can't install the driver for your agp card manually.

[tseah]

The AGP card is finally working! Ok, but now I have another pressing question.



Should I even install the INSTANT ON software, now that I have installed an AGP card? I know INSTANT ON doesn't work once you install an AGP card, but does it provide additional functionality once you are booted into the OS. Specifically, does installing INSTANT ON allow you to use the touch panel and remote control while in the OS? Or is the touch panel and remote control features totally gone when you add an AGP Card? Any suggestions?

[akwasin]

NO to everything u've just asked

i really hope they come up with a updated verison or something like dat of instant on cause its a really crap-pgrm

[dt34]

Originally Posted by akwasin

NO to everything u've just asked

i really hope they come up with a updated verison or something like dat of instant on cause its a really crap-pgrm

Your "NO" isn't very clear in regards to his question.

I believe from what I've read, installing an AGP will render the Instant-On useless, but I believe that you can still use the front panel buttons and the remote when using the Asus Media software once booted into the OS.

[akwasin]

my fault then, i'll ad

instant on didnt work for me until i'ved intall OS

but removed the partion containing instant on

remoteC functions still works

[rolfeilert]

I am struggeling with high case temp, ususually around 35-40'C. So I am thinking og adding a bigger case fan .

Typically for these small boxes, and the circulation in this box is bad.

The two small exhaust fans are hardly moving any air at all.

Im going to remove CPU fan , replace it with a 90-120mm powerful case fan that will move more air, and still be silent.

What do u think , I only have a celeron CPU.


rolf