Showing entries tagged as: diy

Computer recycling: LEX Light CV860A.

By isendev.

 Posted on 2012/01/30 00:21.

 Tagged as: hardware, diy.

Some months ago, I found a very small (and dirty) computer case lying around my company’s e-waste recycling point. The box presented standard PC connectors, three LAN ports and no inscriptions on the case. Given my known penchant for disassembling electronic devices, I took it to my house to gather more information from its contents. After a deep cleaning session (involving the vacuum cleaner and the dishwasher) I was able to read the identification strings on the motherboard PCB.

The unknown device turns to be an old Lex Light embedded computer, built around a Lex CV860A-3R10N VIA motherboard, and normally used as thin-client or network device.

LEX CV860A-3R10N motherboard specifications:

  • CPU: VIA C3 EBGA.
  • Chipset: VIA PLE133 (North: VT8601A / South: VT82C686B).
  • Memory: 1 x DIMM socket up to 512MB. SDRAM PC100 / PC133.
  • LAN: 3 x Realtek 8100B 10/100B-T (Wake-On-LAN).
  • VGA: VT8601A integrated graphic controller (64-bit 2D/3D display up to 1600 x 1200 / memory sharable up to 8MB.).
  • Storage: 1 x 50-pin Compact Flash socket / One 32-pin Disk-On-Chip DOC2000 socket / One 40-pin IDE socket / One 40-pin IDE socket (2.5” HDD).
  • Sound: AC97 2.1 Sound.
  • Form Factor: LIGHT Board, 200mm. x 150mm.
  • Power: DC +12V. (11.4V. to 12.6V.) power adapter input.
After removing the stock cooler (aluminium heatsink + 40mm. diameter fan) and cleaning the last traces of thermal grease, the onboard processor was revealed: a VIA C3 LP1.0A.

VIA C3 LP1.0A specifications:

  • Core: VIA C3 Nehemiah core (130nm.).
  • Clock: 1Ghz. (133Mhz. bus x 7.5 multiplier).
  • Instructions: MMX, SSE.
  • VIA PadLock (AES, RNG) security features.
  • LongHaul/PowerSaver speed throttling and power saving technology.
It came with one 128MB. PC133 SDRAM module and one 512MB. Compact Flash card installed. Power is supplied to the board by a laptop adapter. The systems boots the FreeBSD OS installed in the Compact Flash card without any problems ;)

Tags
Archives