FRAMED: Assist in converting a custom machine (kiosk?) into a standard PC
FRAMED: Assist in converting a custom machine (kiosk?) into a standard PC
So, you might head of that FRAMED screen/computer that went on Kickstarter some years ago.
I was on the edge to support the project, luckily I didn't because it was a disaster. But I kept an eye on the Kickstarter comments to see if they come forward and finish the project... they didn't deliver most of the hardware, and for those that received it they didn't finish up the software anyhow... so they are pretty useless devices that you can find on Ebay from time to time and they are supposed to have decent hardware.
Last month I saw a comment of somebody wondering if they are Windows machines (for the description of the project looks like) and you could at least use the hardware (if you received it) as a regular computer.
I jumped into eBay and found a fantastic deal so I thought it was a good shot and try to figure out if I can make it run.
The things I know:
- It has a tiny motherboard, that has no branding or identification on it.
- No hard drive, SSD, or anything removable... though it has a micro SD card reader without SD.
- It connects to the screen with a HDMI cable running internally.
- It has another major PCB that handles the power and some smaller child PCB's for power button and USB. On the power button PCB there are spots for soldering three buttons named as F9. F10, F11... I soldered buttons to them (checked polarity for the connection) but they do nothing during booting or on their App once booted.
- The main processor has a huge amount of thermal paste on it (I didn't remove it to look for a chip identification) and there is a thin aluminum sheet cover for the motherboard that acts as a heat spreader.
- There is no info about the hardware or pre BIOS screen while booting, instead, you get a custom splash screen.
- On that splash screen, pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL will reboot.
- After that flash, the screen will go dark for a brief moment and start the custom App loading progress screen and then show their interface.
- ALT-F12 will show the App frame rather than running it fullscreen.
- Based on that I know their App is a Flash app.
- If I mess around a bit, ALT-TAB once showed me a couple of icons to switch apps, but still was the same app and would get nowhere else.
- Pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL at this point will get you a black screen, no task manager or anything.
- Insisting on the ALT-F4 will show an error message asking you if you want to continue or to quit and if I press "Q" to quit then I get only the black screen but no system.
- On that black screen, once just randomly pressing keys, I got what seemed to be a readout version for handicapped, letting me know system options for the narrator, zoom, etc... but I could not get anywhere.
- The mouse buttons work to navigate their interface, but there is not a mouse cursor.
- I tried rebooting while pressing SHIFT, but I get a regular booting.
- I also tried to force a "safe mode boot" by unplugging the power several times without letting it fully boot, but still will boot normally.
To me, this seems a windows machine, due to the response to some of the shortcuts, the look of the frame of the window (Windows 8.1 or 10) and the narration of system option.
My guess would be that it's in kiosk mode, running their Flash app after booting with a custom splash screen rather than Windows. Though the fact that there is no pre-booting screen to try to get into the BIOS or install a fresh copy of the system confuses me a bit.
I tried to insert a micro SD card as well as a bootable USB stick, but it would still boot into their App straight. I tried all the options, F2, F8, DEL... to try to get into BIOS or boot menu, but I couldn't.
At this point, I am out of ideas.
Does somebody have a clue on how to get rid of their App/system and have a clean Windows on it for running whatever else I want?
It could be using a version of Windows CE, a highly optimized version of Windows with a small size. I previously installed it on industrial control micro PCs with limited power components, often running it from a CF card. It might also be a tailored Linux setup. Providing images of the front and back panels would be useful.
There is minimal available data about it, but based on the description it seems to resemble a basic "iGPU" configuration with network capabilities for connecting to devices like phones. I can look for more details on whether someone has successfully loaded a full operating system on it. A simple digital image viewer?
Right, I forgot to include the link. That's the thing, is kind of a fancy picture viewer, with the addon that can run .Exe files, processing sketches, VVVV and other custom applications which makes it extremely useful on the right hands... all that should be included on the custom interface but then they never did it. Still the hardware can run it, so that's why I am interested in breaking out of the half cook interface and get straight on the system, so I can launch my own Apps.
Here a link to some pictures of the electronics.
http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/elfott...ary/Framed
I might think it's probably an ARM proc or a tablet-based deal. Even if you bought a good tablet in 2014, it wouldn't be worth spending much time fixing it now.
For fun, maybe...but given how much time you've already spent, I'd likely toss it away before investing too much effort, just like the developer did.
Honestly, the display isn't very good either, and it even has dead pixels right out of the box...
But still, it's impressive how much effort they've put into blocking it for other purposes than their app... and then they never created a proper app.
Do anyone know how to format everything from the ground up with a clean system?
There looks like an SD card socket next to the usb socket, and the small white connector above the usb connectors looks like it may be a JTAG programming connector. Without knowing what processor and flash memory is on the board it's difficult to recommend anything. If you can find a contact for the manufacturers of the product they might be able to provide you with some documentation as it's a discontinued product.
According to their specifications on the website, the display features a Full-HD 1080p IPS panel. The processor is an Intel® Quad-Core Z3736 (up to 2.4 GHz). Graphics support Intel® HD Graphics (up to 2.16 GHz). I/O includes a 720p camera, motion software, and a mono microphone. Wireless capability is Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/. Audio output provides 2W stereo speakers. Power supply is 12V / 5A DC. Despite these features, they are still promoted as a pre-order and are well-known for their lack of radio functionality.
Sorry to bring this up again, but it seems you're the only one who's ever worked with it and discussed it online. I've been using this for a while—possibly longer than five years. I got it from a guy on Ars who wanted to get rid of it right after it launched. The software looks like XP, not CE, and it's a standard x86 SOC. I've removed it and experimented with powering it through the micro-USB connector. The light comes on, but it seems to need a trigger or switch to actually activate the power.
Have you had any success with it? I'm almost giving up and considering connecting an RPI or another SBC to it. The PCB height is a challenge, as you need a flat surface for the board to fit back in. You can power it via USB or the fixed 5V cable on the unit. The unusual part is that the cable connector is a mini-HDMI with individual wires cut and plugged directly onto the secondary board that provides power. I'm hoping for a mini-HDMI female adapter to arrive soon so I can try pushing a signal in by connecting something else, otherwise it's all pointless.
Thanks.