User:Alonbl/Configuration HTPC ASRock Core 100HT

= Alon Bar-Lev's HTPC ASRock Core 100HT =

It took a lot of time to assemble a complete HTPC setup which is Linux compatible, small, quiet.

I use this configuration as Internet Radio, DVD, movies, game console, print server.

Following I describe my setup.

ASRock Core 100HT
Vendor

Main features: A complete Intel chipset, small, quiet, many USB ports, HDMI 1080p.

The IR remote control is usable under Linux with some patches, however it is very primitive.

Koribo Irad
Vendor

USB: ID 1241:0504 Belkin

I actually have bought the two separately (llro, XGene), so I have two receivers, unless the kit comes with special receiver, one does not work correctly with keyboard and remote.

Main features: Standard HID device, most of keys are operational under Linux.

The optical mouse is *AMAZING*!!!

Sony DualShock3 SixAxis
Vendor

Main features: Supported by Linux kernel, Full HID emulation, USB and Bluetooth medium support.

Communications


Main features: Supported by Linux kernel, Bluetooth 2 spec.

USB: ID 0a12:0001 Cambridge Silicon Radio, Ltd Bluetooth Dongle (HCI mode)

Seagate Black Armor 110
Vendor

Main features: Network attached storage, CIFS, FTP, NFS. Decent security model.

System
Configure the following base of these references:
 * User:Alonbl/Gentoo_Bootstrap
 * User:Alonbl/Linux_Configuration_Common
 * User:Alonbl/Linux_Configuration_ASRock_Core_100HT
 * Firewall_Using_Firehol
 * software suspend
 * Bluetooth
 * configuration
 * USB_Power_Saving
 * Secured_Portage_Sync
 * Fbsplash I use splash to ease the acceptance of the machine with humans.

Profile: /etc/portage/make.profile -> ../../var/gentoo/portage/profiles/default/linux/amd64/10.0/no-multilib

Special USE flags:

Video
I have found that connecting TV using VGA gives a better resolution than using the HDMI device, I was quite surprised.

There is one challenge though, how to make the computer boot with TV turned off and set up correct resolution at the absent of DDC, and how to ignore the HDMI port.

Ended up with the following X11 video configuration, which forces resolution and ignores DDC override.

Bluetooth
Disable bluetooth during sleep.

Wakeup from Input
In order to allow wakeup by remote control/keyboard, you need to determine which USB bus the receiver is connected, for example:

"Belkin" is the device, and it resides at bus 002 device 004 and 005, now, let's see which PCI controller it is:

We can see that these devices are at pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0.

Now, let's see which ACPI event it is:

It is USB0!!!

So add the following to ensure wakeup:

Acceleration
Both keyboard and remote control are acting as HID devices, however, I would like to have the keypad of remote control change radio stations.

I use

Determine keys is done by executing the actkbd in foreground and in maximum verbosity. Refer to package documentation.

I use KDE, the following runs the actkbd at login:

User Interface
A user "guest" is defined, part of the following groups: audio, cdrom, users, games.

I use KDE as user interface, not much but usable.

is used as login manager, with the following altered, to enable auto login of guest user:

Games
I found the following games usable for my kids:
 * USE:
 * USE:
 * , As for 3.4.1 for proper work with DualShock must use upstream trunk.
 * Tank Plus (1977) (Sears)
 * Tape Worm (1982) (Spectravideo)
 * Breakout - Breakaway IV (1978)
 * Digger
 * Test Driver
 * gobman
 * Digger
 * Test Driver
 * gobman



Maintainer
Alon Bar-Lev