[Phoenix32]

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

I have read the post about the possible hardware problems with M4100s and can confirm that I have a revision 1 mobo - Assy# 70715048-001. It does not appear to have the solder mod between C182 and C26.

The box came factory configured as a 480Gb unit with 4 x Maxtor DiamondMax 9s.

Okay, I am going to have to assume you meant you got the unit as 480 GB unit, not factory configured that way. I could be wrong here, and that is very possible on this one, but to the best of my knowledge, none of the 480 GB units were -001 revisions -AND- all of the units above 240 GB had the modification. Again, I could be wrong, but... Something does not seem right here...

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

I have an M4100 which has resolutely refused to behave itself in the time I have had it.

Symptoms - box will boot but does not stay online for long. Will sometimes respond to button resets from the front panel.. sometimes not.

This could be so many things, it would be hard to tell you over a forum with just this knowledge. Bad memory, bad CPU, bad board, bad power supply, bad connection, the list goes on and on...

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

Having whipped the lid off, it appears that the CPU fan does not spin up within the first couple of minutes of booting.

The CPU fan is temp controlled, albeit at too high a temp for my tastes. There is another fan jack (on the opposite side of the memory slot) that you can plug the fan into for it to run constant if you desire.

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

1) Should the CPU fan spin from power on, or is it BIOS driven?

See above...

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

2) Having looked to remove the fan to test it, I have found that the CPU heatsink is firmly attached to the CPU. Has my thermal paste dried to the consistency of glue or are they attached with thermal epoxy?

The Heat Sink is permanently attached (well, without damaging the CPU).

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

3) Has anyone actually tried replicating the resistor mod to address the RAID stability issue? I can take a photo of my mobo later to confirm that it is unmodded, but don't have a camera at the moment.

I have not done it, but I have seen several versions of it and can tell you it is not a mod for the novice. I was a certified 2M technician (micro miniature soldering repair) and can tell you this is delicate soldering. It can be done with basic equipment and at home, but not what I would recommend. You really need proper 2M equipment and qualification to be sure of not damaging anything.

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

4) I don't want to boot and consult the debug page until I know whether I am in danger of frying the CPU (mind you if it was going to happen, probably would have done so by now!). The box came factory configured as a 480Gb unit with 4 x Maxtor DiamondMax 9s. Out of interest, where is the boot image loaded from - flash or the HDs?

See my comments above about the CPU fan and factory configuration. As for the OS, it is booted from flashram on the 4x00 units.

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

5) Has anyone tried setting the device to boot from a custom Linux image? What is the spare IDE sized connector on the Mobo for? Flashing from CD? Is it actually an IDE connector?

This has been discussed into the ground here on this forum. Overall, it has been decided it can't be done (or rather, not by the average joe around here). In my opinion, if there is a will, there is a way. All you have to do is find out how to flash the flashram on the unit, do a couple zillion test runs modifying the OS you plan to run getting it small enough and with just the right drivers (which you may have to write yourself) to fit and run from the available flashram, convert it all to intel hex code (or whatever is required for this unit's board), and poof, you got it.

Okay, now seriously. I am not one who will willingly tell you something can't be done when it can, and I would bet it could be done, but... The fact of the matter is, it would really take someone who knew what they were doing and a lot of time (read, an engineer most likely). And, in the end, just isn't worth the mass effort it would entail. Fact is, this is a software RAID unit running on a Pentium 233MHz CPU, with a maximum of 256 MB of PC100 SDRAM, on ATA66, with a single 10/100 ethernet port. I mean come on, would it really be worth it? You could build a mini PC or 1U Server and run standard OSes on it much cheaper and easier with better results. I am not trying to be insulting, but this is akin to saying, I have this old CPU laying around, can I build a hardware RAID with it? Sure you can, with some circuit board making skills, some coding of firmware, etc etc etc... But in the end, it would be much easier and cheaper to just go buy a solid hardware RAID card. See? If you or someone else wants to take this project on, more power to you, and congrats if you succeed, but still just isn't worth it, in my opinion. But don't say I said it couldn't be done.

As for the other port, it is NOT an IDE port. I suspect it was used for some other funtion at the main board factory, but it is not another IDE port. Maybe snap-tech, if you can get him to ever answer anything without sucking up or paying him, can tell you for sure.

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

6) The PSU is pretty noisy, has anyone modded it to replace the fan, if so, can anyone recommend a part no?

Define noisy? Is the fan going bad or do you just not like the noise it makes normally? If going bad, open it up if you can and replace the fan. If you just don't like the normal noise, then nothing you can (or should) do. There are lower RPM (thus quieter) 40mm fans, but they also push less air. Less air cooling = more heat build up. More heat build up = less life on hard drives, the electronics, and the power supply itself. These units already run warmer in a typical household environment than they should be, so let's not make it worse (these units were designed for climate controlled server environments). There are also some more expensive 40mm fans that are a bit quieter with decent air flow, but in the 40mm department, the small amount of noise difference would not be much unless you a had a bunch of these units all running.

Side note: If you do not like the noise of a SNAP 4100, DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT, buy a Guardian OS unit. They are much louder. As a general rule, most 1U units are just not going to be quiet by nature.

Originally Posted by jw2k_fr

7) Is there any benefit to upgrading the SD-RAM or onboard CPU (is that even replaceable - I can't see how to undo the socket)... yes, I am an overclocker at heart

There is some gain in performance with going to 128 MB RAM over 64 MB or 32 MB, but the gains are diminishing. 256 MB makes very little difference unless you are running large drives and using JVM a lot.

You're stuck with the CPU. A faster CPU would be nice , and the Sofware RAID and LAN would be better, but it's not going to happen. Why? Because the faster Socket 7 CPUs were all K6-2/K6-3 CPUs using a higher voltage and obviously different CPU microcode needed in the BIOS. Since this microcode is not in the BIOS and this voltage is not available, well... There you have it. One guy tried a powerleap adapter, but he was never able to see or verify any change or improvements. I suspect the board is hardwired to a specific speed. Not to mention the height issue for the CPU, HSF, and adapter in this 1U case.