XP Features

[Mike]

hello,

I'm trying to evaluate Windows XP embedded, for which I
need some information, e.g. does it support/have

- Web server (ASP, ASP.NET)
- .NET framework support (full or compact framework)
- What programming languages does it support (VB, C++,
Delphi, .NET, Java, etc.)
- How about using existing Win32 applications
- file management (I/O...)
- how much does it cost (one piece, per licence)
- how can I develop my own XP OS with the features I want
(e.g. is there a similar Platform Builder for XP like for
CE.NET)
- ...

Any information would be appreciated!!!

The reason for this is that I'm using Windows CE.NET 4.2
and it has basically some restrictions that hinder/delays
my project.

I'm controlling a measurement controller via COM2 and
have a GSM/GPRS modem installed in COM1. I run a Web
server (ASP) that is also the user interface for my
application.

I also need remote control (over Internet, GSM/GPRS
modem) to this device, which is a 3.5" x86 based embedded
PC (NS Geode GX1 Micro Module, 300 MHz CPU...)

Thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[Chew Lek Wah]

wht webserver are u using ?

 

[Mike]

-----Original Message-----
wht webserver are u using ?

In Win CE.NET there is an embedded Web server that I'm
using. I have Win XP Pro in my laptop, which is running
IIS 5.1.

Would XP Embedded support e.g. Apache Web server?

 

[Mike]

-----Original Message-----
hello,

I'm trying to evaluate Windows XP embedded, for which I
need some information, e.g. does it support/have

- Web server (ASP, ASP.NET)
- .NET framework support (full or compact framework)
- What programming languages does it support (VB, C++,
Delphi, .NET, Java, etc.)
- How about using existing Win32 applications
- file management (I/O...)
- how much does it cost (one piece, per licence)
- how can I develop my own XP OS with the features I want
(e.g. is there a similar Platform Builder for XP like for
CE.NET)
- ...

Any information would be appreciated!!!

The reason for this is that I'm using Windows CE.NET 4.2
and it has basically some restrictions that hinder/delays
my project.

I'm controlling a measurement controller via COM2 and
have a GSM/GPRS modem installed in COM1. I run a Web
server (ASP) that is also the user interface for my
application.

I also need remote control (over Internet, GSM/GPRS
modem) to this device, which is a 3.5" x86 based embedded
PC (NS Geode GX1 Micro Module, 300 MHz CPU...)

Thanks in advance!

Mike
.

One more thing that I forgot to mention: I use IDE
supported Compact Flash card as hard disk in my device,
having both OS and my applications. This should also be
supported by Win XP Embedded.

Mike

 

[Mike]

-----Original Message-----
hello,

I'm trying to evaluate Windows XP embedded, for which I
need some information, e.g. does it support/have

- Web server (ASP, ASP.NET)
- .NET framework support (full or compact framework)
- What programming languages does it support (VB, C++,
Delphi, .NET, Java, etc.)
- How about using existing Win32 applications
- file management (I/O...)
- how much does it cost (one piece, per licence)
- how can I develop my own XP OS with the features I want
(e.g. is there a similar Platform Builder for XP like for
CE.NET)
- ...

Any information would be appreciated!!!

The reason for this is that I'm using Windows CE.NET 4.2
and it has basically some restrictions that hinder/delays
my project.

I'm controlling a measurement controller via COM2 and
have a GSM/GPRS modem installed in COM1. I run a Web
server (ASP) that is also the user interface for my
application.

I also need remote control (over Internet, GSM/GPRS
modem) to this device, which is a 3.5" x86 based embedded
PC (NS Geode GX1 Micro Module, 300 MHz CPU...)

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Hmmm....my memory fails me!!! How big of a Compact
Flash card would be required for XPe; how much storage it
requires.

(Win CE.NET is now running in 64MB CF card, even 32MB
would be enough for our purposes...)

Mike.

 

[Simon Wilton]

hello,

I'm trying to evaluate Windows XP embedded, for which I
need some information, e.g. does it support/have

- Web server (ASP, ASP.NET)

Yes - IIS is one of the components you can select. Apache should be
supportable, but I have no knowledge of a component for it.

- .NET framework support (full or compact framework)

Yes, full framework. Have a look through this NG - I'm not sure if the
latest framework is componentised yet. If not it will be.

- What programming languages does it support (VB, C++,
Delphi, .NET, Java, etc.)

Effectively its XP. What do you want to use. I know there is built in
support for everything you mention except Delphi (and that is an I don't
know, not a there isn't)

- How about using existing Win32 applications

Yes - as long as you add any necessary run-time support.

- file management (I/O...)

Yep - just like XP.

- how much does it cost (one piece, per licence)

Find a distributor on www.microsoft.com/embedded and ask. The indication
that I have is min. 10 licences at a time for about $100 each.

- how can I develop my own XP OS with the features I want
(e.g. is there a similar Platform Builder for XP like for
CE.NET)

Yes - its called Target Builder

- ...

Any information would be appreciated!!!

The reason for this is that I'm using Windows CE.NET 4.2
and it has basically some restrictions that hinder/delays
my project.

I'm controlling a measurement controller via COM2 and
have a GSM/GPRS modem installed in COM1. I run a Web
server (ASP) that is also the user interface for my
application.

I also need remote control (over Internet, GSM/GPRS
modem) to this device, which is a 3.5" x86 based embedded
PC (NS Geode GX1 Micro Module, 300 MHz CPU...)

There are no intrinsic problems with this set-up. I think a number of people
are using Geode boards - although they fall below the minimum spec. I've
successfully used one - apart from audio.

You can use CF. There is a component called EWF to protect the CF from
excessive writes. See this NG for issues associated with this. I've found
that all useful builds of XPe are bigger than 64Mb, but I may be demanding.

The bear trap with CF and the Geode boards I've seen is the size of RAM. EWF
can take the same ammount of RAM as you have space on your CF. This is
deducted from what you have available for OS and applications. A build that
runs network client and VB6 applications wants around 200Mb. If you have a
128Mb CF you then need over 300Mb of RAM. Most of the Geode board support
only 128Mb. I tried a stripped down build with no EWF, pointing device,
network or DirectX support. This boots fine, and runs some test code written
in C++. The equivalent function in VB6 fails with a memory allocation error!

My protptype setup uses a Geode board with a 2.5" HDD, 64Mb of RAM and
paging enabled. This might be an option instead of the CF. Alternatively you
could try a VIA Eden based board with the same footprint. That's what I'm
going to. It supports 512Mb RAM and is usefully faster (400/677MHz). The
400MHz board is about the same price as the Geode.

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Simon

 

[patrick]

XPe is the same as XP Pro except it has been slimmed down
to fit on flash media. It will perform just like XP
except you are limited to your flash size. Microsoft's
Target Designer will allow you build your custom image by
adding or subtracting individual OS components. Hope
this helps

 

[ISH]

Hi Mike:
I don't have answers for you but I would like to pick your brain.

Can you please describe the limitations you're encountering with CE?
I've been using NTE for a few years now and have an image that is
under 40M and includes my apps and enough of IE to run HTML help. It
works fine. It's not "real time" but I'm using Venturcom's RTX for
that purpose. I have no complaints of NTE other that building a KDF
can be quite tedious if building one of a 3rd party component (i.e.
Internet Explorer).

I wanted to add MDAC so I could use ADO but couldn't find an easy way
to do this. Some of the posts I've read say to add the DOS kdf so I
can run an install of MDAC. I couldn't find it so I decided to
evaluate XPE since it has a component for MDAC as well as IE. I
figured that some of the time I use in building the ADO KDF could be
devoted to exploring the option of switching from NTE to CE, XPE
or......

What I found is that the smallest footprint I've been able to get with
XPE is about 91M. This is following the directions on MS's site. This
site was very useful in getting the thing going quickly. The most
useful tip was the fact that TAP.exe is on the 1st install disk and
that disk is bootable. Therefore you don't need an XP PC to do
developement on (I happen to use W2K). Here's the link.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;821235

This larger image translates to more flash disk and more RAM which
tranlates to more money/unit. Not a great deal but it adds up
especially when you consider that you also have to buy a brand new IDE
(Target Designer).

This 91M includes my application and networking. I don't particularly
need networking at present but will in the future. I found the
trimming to be a pain in the butt. I played with this thing for a
couple of days and the 91M was the smallest I could make the thing
with no errors. I think MS could do themselves a great service by
making it easier to trim these images down.

I also purchased an evaluation of Windows CE.net but haven't installed
it yet. It expires in 120 days and I don't have large blocks of time
to devote to something like this. SO....you can help me by telling me
what problems you've encountered with CE and why it is that you're now
considering NTE or XPE. Your response may be enough to save me the
trouble of installing and learning the CE IDE before I can evaluate
it. Thanks in advance