Building a Caps Topanga (UK)

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

 

Been thinking about this for a while, and am going to try and build a Caps Topanga. Have read Chris's article a number of times, it sound pretty straight forward

 

All the links to the components are in dollars and for the USA market. Me being in the UK I will have to sources the components on this side off the pond. Have also got a few questions.

 

First off going to order the case, now I sure I have the right one here MC500 Compact Mini-ITX Case

 

Also want to ask has anyone else from the UK built one off these?

 

Also the motherboard has been discontinued, are there any other alternatives?

 

Also with USB, I will be using a USB hardrive, one for my Dac, and one for maybe CD Rom to transfer files to the hardrive, so would it be a problem connecting the front USB ports. Also want to load Itunes, so I can update my ipod for on the go listening, would this be a problem.

 

 

Cheers Frank.

[firedog]

Frank-

 

In the UK try Custom Built PC Specialist | Buy a PC from Quiet PC you can something very similar to a CAPS, but with slightly different and updated components.

[4est]

The motherboard is available:

 

PD11TI Intel Atom Mini-ITX Motherboard | Cedarview | Logic Supply

 

Logic Supply - Industrial PCs & Embedded Computers

[Holowlegs]

Frank-

 

In the UK try Custom Built PC Specialist | Buy a PC from Quiet PC you can something very similar to a CAPS, but with slightly different and updated components.

 

 

Thanks Firedog, I did look at the Quiet PC, but for the money I couldn't get what I really wanted. Also I like to have a go at building it myself, and learn as I go along and when it comes to upgrading it will be easier for me to do it.

 

Cheers Frank.

[Holowlegs]

The motherboard is available:

 

PD11TI Intel Atom Mini-ITX Motherboard | Cedarview | Logic Supply

 

Logic Supply - Industrial PCs & Embedded Computers

 

 

Thanks 4est, don't think I can the one you linked to over here but have found this one. Thin Mini-ITX Marshalltown Replacement with Intel Atom N2800 CPU

which will hopefully do me.

 

Cheers Frank

[Hifidelit]

If you build the exact Topanga the Mushkin ssd and memory is expensive to get in the UK - it cost me over £100 for those 2 items. The motherboard is an extended life like for like replacement. I have an ex-demo one that has all the original parts if you want to source some parts from it let me know.

[firedog]

You could also just order it built from Small Green Computers if you don't find what you want. They will ship it to the UK for a modest fee.

[4est]

That is the same Mitac board.

Thanks 4est, don't think I can the one you linked to over here but have found this one. Thin Mini-ITX Marshalltown Replacement with Intel Atom N2800 CPU

which will hopefully do me.

 

Cheers Frank

[Holowlegs]

If you build the exact Topanga the Mushkin ssd and memory is expensive to get in the UK - it cost me over £100 for those 2 items. The motherboard is an extended life like for like replacement. I have an ex-demo one that has all the original parts if you want to source some parts from it let me know.

 

Have this SSD Atlas 60GB Looks the same to me. Thanks for your kind offer and your help.

 

You could also just order it built from Small Green Computers if you don't find what you want. They will ship it to the UK for a modest fee.

 

Thanks Firedog, but I have this thing in my head now that I am going to give this a go myself.

 

That is the same Mitac board.

 

Thanks Firedog again, am going to order some of the parts today.

 

Cheers Frank

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

 

 

Well that's the motherboard ordered, case and hard dive.

 

 

Having a bit of trouble with memory, and Power Supply so need some more advice please.

 

Is this the correct memory Crucial Sodimm Laptop Memory Upgrade ?

 

Also struggling to locate a power supply, can someone please point me in the right direction.

 

Thanks all, Frank

[Hifidelit]

The Topanga uses Mushkin memory:

Amazon.com : Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4 GB Laptop Memory 991644 : Computer Internal Memory : Electronics

 

The Crucial you linked to has a different CL value but is the correct general type but runs at 1333 compared to pc8500 1066. Check with the Intel site.

 

I forgot about your front usb question - I have them connected and they come in very useful.

[Holowlegs]

The Topanga uses Mushkin memory:

Amazon.com : Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4 GB Laptop Memory 991644 : Computer Internal Memory : Electronics

 

The Crucial you linked to has a different CL value but is the correct general type but runs at 1333 compared to pc8500 1066. Check with the Intel site.

 

I forgot about your front usb question - I have them connected and they come in very useful.

 

Thanks Hifidelit

 

I look at the board specification and it quotes Memory Type DDR3 800/1066/1333 SO-DIMM so will go for maybe this memory. As I can't get the Mushkin ones. Transcend SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 Memory 4GB

 

Also found the power supply, so nearly there.

 

I have a couple off silly questions if anyone is willing to help.

 

How would I install Windows 8, can someone point me in the right direction here.

 

Also should I install virus protection, as it will be connected to the internet, though I will not be surfing the net with it?

 

Cheers Frank

[Hifidelit]

If you are buying w8 on dvd one way is to create an iso image file and then use windows 7 usb-dvd tool and put it on a flash drive and boot from that.

 

W8 comes with Defender which should be fine for your requirements so no need for any other anti-virus software.

[Holowlegs]

If you are buying w8 on dvd one way is to create an iso image file and then use windows 7 usb-dvd tool and put it on a flash drive and boot from that.

 

W8 comes with Defender which should be fine for your requirements so no need for any other anti-virus software.

 

Thanks Hifidelit

 

Just looked it up, funny the sort off things you think off while stuck on the M25.

 

 

Cheers Frank

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

 

Well the case, memory and Hard Drive have turned up. Although I have seen the video and pictures that Chris has posted, I couldn't believe the small size off it, very small and neat looking.

 

The case has turned up with a fan in it, I am supposing I take this out.

 

Cheers Frank

[Hifidelit]

Yes you remove the fan as it is small and won't do much. My Topanga did run quite hot in the summer when I tested ws2012 and audiophil's optimiser on it for several hours so you might want to put a good quality fan in there. If you look at the Logic Supply builds using that case they do say to use a fan in the case. I didn't get any issues when I ran it all day though without a fan and I use it daily as an office/email checking machine without problems so see how you go.

[Holowlegs]

Yes you remove the fan as it is small and won't do much. My Topanga did run quite hot in the summer when I tested ws2012 and audiophil's optimiser on it for several hours so you might want to put a good quality fan in there. If you look at the Logic Supply builds using that case they do say to use a fan in the case. I didn't get any issues when I ran it all day though without a fan and I use it daily as an office/email checking machine without problems so see how you go.

 

Thanks yet again Hifidelit, well the rest off the components turned up today, so I have put it all together now. Just waiting for the Win 8 DVD to turn up and then all the fun will start..

 

Cheers Frank

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

 

Well my Win 8 DVD has finally arrived, had issue with one seller so cancelled in the end and paid a little bit more but the a least the disc is here, waiting now for PC to make ISO file onto a USB stick, and fingers crossed may have this up and running today. Will keep you all updated.

 

Cheers Frank

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

 

 

I knew this was going to be the part that I struggle with.

 

Having trouble installing windows, I followed these instructions to create an ISO file, which seem to work. But when I get to the windows 7 usb-dvd tool, I get a message invalid ISO file.

 

I also tried this method but this failed to boot. The CAPS PC can see the usb stick but just will not boot from it.

 

Any help will be much appreciated.

 

Cheers Frank

[Hifidelit]

I've fixed it before with image burn, see here:

Fix: The Selected File Is Not A Valid ISO File" Error In Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

 

It is probably easier for you just to use another iso to usb creation tool though.

[Holowlegs]

I've fixed it before with image burn, see here:

Fix: The Selected File Is Not A Valid ISO File" Error In Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool

 

It is probably easier for you just to use another iso to usb creation tool though.

 

 

Thanks again Hifidelit.

 

I gave on on the USB method, and had a short trip to PC World and brought an USB DVD Drive and installed it that way. Drive will not go to waste as I can rip CD'S from it, so worth the £30.

 

Way hay have it all up and running and JRiver installed and listening while I am typing now. Sounds good. Not done anything yet to windows or JRiver, will mess with them another day. Just enjoying the music at the moment.

 

Cheers Frank

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

 

Well Itunes, and db power amp are installed. Have started setting up JRiver following Chris's guide: JRiver Media Center 17 In Detail, I am running version 19 but not that much has changed so far. Also have not follow the guide word for word as it seems that I have set the appearance of JRiver a bit different but its still a good guide.

 

Next on the list will be to set up Windows, am thinking about trying Fidelizer.

 

Also I need to get a back up hard drive, can anyone recommenced a 2TB drive. Also can I connect an external drive via SATA, if yes what should I be looking for?

 

Cheers Frank