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BIOS firmware for DT166/168

Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:44 pm
by aamilhasan
Can someone point me out to where I can possibly get an updated firmware for the mentioned device?

Re: BIOS firmware for DT166/168

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 4:03 am
by Dave7341
I have several BIOS images for the 166/168 as well as other WEBDTs. Tell me what board level you have and your current version of the BIOS. You can't load the newest BIOS version if you have an old motherboard - the BIOS versions are match to certain board versions. Your BIOS updater software will tell you the current BIOS version and board level.

Let me know what you have and what you want to accomplish.

I'm sure I can help you out. -Dave

Re: BIOS firmware for DT166/168

Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2012 11:56 pm
by aamilhasan
I don't have an updater tool available to retrieve that information, however from examining the board I see some sort of versioning printed on corner: GD166_MB_R1.0. Inside BIOS configuration, I see this firmware: XpressROM_BIOS_DT166_0.01.07.

What I'm attempting to do is to repurpose the device. I've had some difficulties booting from USB/CF/DVD drives, and I'm hopeful that a BIOS firmware update would solve these problems, as well as a possible ACPI/APM issue when using FreeBSD 8.2.

Al

Re: BIOS firmware for DT166/168

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:02 am
by Dave7341
You have the latest version BIOS for a 1.0 board from my info. It will boot off a USB device when set to do so. With only 128mb of RAM you will be a little limited on your choice of OS. Most of the V1 boards had only 64mb of storage too so you'll need to upgrade that. Originally they were either shipped with Windows CE or LINUX that would boot to a terminal server. If it was OEM customized for a point of sale system - like BOSANOVA - then you could have more storage space.

You can run MICROXP or Windows XP stripped down with a tool called NLITE - lots of messages on this forum about where and how - you'll need 512mb of more storage to do that. Another choice is Puppy Linux version 4.31 from here:
http://distro.ibiblio.org/puppylinux/pu ... up-431.iso
Puppy can run off the USB CD or USB flash drive. You'll want to install it to the IDE port for speed, the USB is v1.1 so it's slow. Upgrading the internal storage is easy with an IDE to compact flash adapter and then use a 4gb CF card available from EBAY cheap.

DT166s are great to dedicate to a single purpose that is not too demanding on the processor. I have one dedicated to streaming audio, another one runs a 'black box' receiver (ICOM 1000) that controls the frequency and mode of the receiver. I have one in the car that runs GPS tracking software for position reporting - they run off 12v in the vehicle nicely. I picked up a dozen at a flea market and I still have a bunch laying around.

Good luck!

Re: BIOS firmware for DT166/168

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 8:51 am
by cpcnw
Hi,

I have a DT166 and am having trouble getting extlinux to boot [in fact it hangs just after info line ~ v4.03 2010-10-22 etc]

This is the info off teh DT166 summary screen ;

166GX_0.01.16_128
5535 Rev A3

I intend to install [or have been trying to get a boot] TinyCore Linux [just the Core OS not gui]

Any tips appreciated!

Graham

Re: BIOS firmware for DT166/168

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 9:06 am
by Dave7341
Did you make a ghost image of the WinCE first?

I have not tried TC linux but Puppy Linux v4.31 works with the GUI and all. You can boot the live version off CD or USB thumb drive. You can get into the BIOS to select boot device by tapping F1 as you power up. Tap the F1 about once per second until you go into the BIOS settings.

Email me directly at ka2ctn at aol dot com and I can send you some info on the 166. I have BIOS info, some info from DTR, etc.

Thanks.

Re: BIOS firmware for DT166/168

Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 10:20 am
by cpcnw
Can you use the module for other OS? If so I will ghost it and try a few things out!