I just picked up an HP thin client on eBay -- it's a 1GHz AMD machine with XP2 installed. I probably should have asked this question before I bought it, but I'm hoping I'll be able to replace a less-than-completely-reliable older laptop I have on my home network. The always-on laptop runs my FTP server and VNC server and, eventually, will have a MagicJack connected to it to give me always-on VOIP on a super-cheap budget. I'm assuming I'll be able to do the same with the HP thin client, with the programs I'll need installed on my NAS. The HP thin client draws about 20 watts in a typical configuration, whereas the laptop consume about 90 watts.

Have I gotten this right, or did I just blow $150 on something I really don't need?

If you got one that runs XP then it runs XP and you can load anything on it that can run on XP. There are a number of those devices that run proprietary OSen that would've left you in a position of being $150 poorer with nothing to show for it.

It basically runs a low power processor and a small flash drive instead of a traditional HDD. They usually don't even have a fan, making them quiet, in addition to low power.

It's been ages since I did anything with these machines. But most of them don't have a harddisk (or a way to add them), just a boot rom with either a Citrix client or something else.

If it's Citrix, then you'll need to do some work to get it running. (unless you feel like investing even more).

If it's something like a T5720 then you won't be happy; it's XP Embedded (so not the "full" thing), an AMD Geode chip (great for really really light things) and Citrix.

The good news is that machines like this will usually also do RDP (which is what you need for terminal services under Windows (Vista, XP, 2000 etc...) OR you could even install a VNC client on it.

IF you plan to do Terminal Services, then you'll need to google a way to hack RDP on your machine to allow multiple sessions at the same time (or the server PC will log you out, unless the server is a true server OS like 2003).

Scott, you know this stuff a lot better than I. It is an HP t5720, but this is what it says on the HP website: "HP Compaq t5720 Thin Client with Genuine Windows XP Embedded. The t5720 delivers desktop-like features and support for local applications. . . The processing power your workers need for a great server-based computing experience, whether running general office applications or your specific line of business software on a terminal server. . . Advanced connectivity features include a wide range of ports and support for options including smart card readers, modems, and other common options." It does indicate support for Citrix and RDP but also says it is "compatible with XP Professional." Has HP misled me?

Ahhh... XP Embedded is rather different than XP.

I've seen at least one model that comes with full XP running on a CF card that is mounted on the motherboard; sounds like the HP one is much different.

Sorry for giving you false hope.

Compatible with XP Professional means it can connect over RDP to XP Professional as that was the only XP version that included Terminal Services.

You could also connect it to a Vista box or any other box that does RDP.

You'll actually LOVE this thing.

First, do these steps:

http://krystalware.com/blog/archive/...-on-Vista.aspx

Then you'll be able to login to your Vista box with a completely separate session. In essence, your Vista box will be serving 2 people at the same time.

Thanks for the link. I'll try that.

I've been poking around the internet and found a couple of hacks for this thing that may let me run other apps in local mode including the MagicJack, which is what I really wanted it for. It looks like it's going to be more of a project than I anticipated by, hey, everyone needs a hobby, right?

It probably isn't too hard to add some minor programs to the startup group of the machine. The Magicjack software isn't that big, so it probably will work.

Okay, this appears to be my day for asking stupid questions -- thanks in advance for putting up with me.

From what I gather from my googling the t5720 is capable of booting an OS from USB. It also appears to be capable of support other USB appliances, e.g. external hard drives. Is there any reason why I can't setup a thumb drive to boot full XP and store apps on an external USB drive? I read an article about someone who did something similar with a Linux distro, though he installed it to the internal flashdrive by booting from a USB CD-ROM drive. Am I missing something?

Again, I have a feeling this is a stupid question, but I had to ask.

Makes sense to me, though I've spent the last few days in Linux hell, so my mind may not be all there.

I've had the HP t5720 for some days now, and I've got it running everything that I need. Some notes:

1. If you get this, make sure you install the latest OS and BIOS (available from HP).

2. You have to edit group policies using GPEDIT.MSC in order to unlock a number of features.

3. By changing the environment variables to point TEMP and TMP to a network drive, and installing programs to the network drive, you can install huge numbers of programs without running up against the internal flash drive limitation (512 meg on mine). I'm posting from the thin client now using FireFox 3.0.

4. I've tried installing full XP using flash drives and USB drives. Unfortunately, I haven't succeeded (the install will work, but the thin client bluescreens). I know it is possible because other people have done it but, since it's doing everything I need with XPe SP2, I probably won't bother trying.

5. The only software/hardware that was problematic was MagicJack. After much experimentation and research, it appears the problem is due to the latest firmware in the MagicJack. By downgrading it to an earlier version and blocking automatic upgrades by editing the HOSTS file, it is now working reliably.

6. I previously reported (I think) that the thin client has a gigabit NIC. It does not. However, there is an inexpensive option that adds a single PCI slot. I've ordered it and will use it to install a gigabit NIC.

7. It has the Sygate firewall installed as part of the OS. This is both good and bad, as ANY program that accesses the LAN or WAN must be expressly entered into the Advanced Rules. Moreover, it was necessary to open the firewall to every address on the LAN. However, because writes to the internal drives must be manually committed by the flash management software, the odds of anyone getting past my hardware firewalls and doing any damage are negligible -- even if they do, a re-boot will fix everything.

8. I wouldn't recommend getting one of these unless you are reasonably comfortable with how computer hardware and software works. This is not an "out of the box" project. It does take a fair bit of tinkering if you want to have it running a lot of software and hardware.

Conclusion: This has been a fun and interesting project. I've now got a $150 thin client running my FTP server, MagicJack, my VNC server and a variety of other software. It's power consumption is a fraction of a real computer, it re-boots virtually instantly and, of course, is on all the time. This makes it very practical for use as an always-on home computer -- it makes a great internet appliance, LAN monitor, etc.

If you get one and want any details, drop me a PM.

Of course, $150 also buys a full regular PC, but without the fun of tweaking away

Sure, but not one that consumes only 20 watts.

Wirelessly posted (bb: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8310/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Since I like doing this stuff, that 70 watts saved means about 1 kw saved every 14 hours, or about 12 kwh per week, IF this is used as a 24/7 app. If you assume a very cheap 8.33 cents per kwh, you're saving a buck a week or about $50 a year. So, probably worth while if you don't mind the tinkering.

I would like to find out how you were able to get magicjack working on your thin client. I have a wyse 9455XL with XP E and having a problem getting magicjack to install.


Thank you in advance,

Wayne Johnson