[md_27514]

I have full asterisk and freepbx running on the msntv. But I used Debian as the basic linux install it runs on. Astlinux should be doable, but I haven't tried. In principle any linux package should run in it, but some might be more pain to do.

[VANDERBOG]

This question might sound silly but: -did you use the RJ11 port as your FXO ? I know that the msntv box has that port.

[md_27514]

Your question is actually not silly. There is a winmodem that can be used as a cheap version of X100P FX0 card. However in this case the winmodem is Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Modem Controller....
I've tried on the internet but I didn't find whether anybody managed to turn this into Zapata card.
So the short answer is no. If somebody later comes up with any idea it would be great. In my case this wasn't important so I haven't tried too hard.
There is still another avenue to pursue - some are talking on the msntv forum about soldering PCI to the board (the board has unsoldered PCI present). Then you can plug-in any card you wish. This way people already managed to connect IDE hard drives (again by soldering IDE connector to the board).

[gremln007]

Originally Posted by md_27514

Your question is actually not silly. There is a winmodem that can be used as a cheap version of X100P FX0 card. However in this case the winmodem is Intel Corporation 82801DB/DBL/DBM (ICH4/ICH4-L/ICH4-M) AC'97 Modem Controller....
I've tried on the internet but I didn't find whether anybody managed to turn this into Zapata card.
So the short answer is no. If somebody later comes up with any idea it would be great. In my case this wasn't important so I haven't tried too hard.
There is still another avenue to pursue - some are talking on the msntv forum about soldering PCI to the board (the board has unsoldered PCI present). Then you can plug-in any card you wish. This way people already managed to connect IDE hard drives (again by soldering IDE connector to the board).

Thanks for the tip on the msntv box. Found a ton of them on ebay. Do you use the keyboard that comes with it or can you use a standard keyboard under Linux? There is no need for the remote when formatted for Linux, right?

[VANDERBOG]

Excelent. So you can solder a PCI connector on the board, but how about some software changes when doing this ? I mean the box doesn't know about having a PCI on it, will it just see it, simply, just like that ?

[md_27514]

Ok, for people seriously interested, let me point them out to the msntv linux forum at http://www.toc2rta.com/index.php/Main_Page To give short answers to your questions: The keyboard is not 100% required but is very useful for initial install if you get stuck somewhere. It is definitely not required once you are past the installation stage, as you can do all maintenance via ssh. Remote is pretty useless.
What you'll read at the forum is that for hacking the box the bios needs to be reflashed for which you'll need the serial port working. There is a scheme at the page using max3232cpe chip which will give you the serial access. Fortunately, I have a cousin that enjoys such things who did it for me, other people will less soldering skills used stuff they bought on ebay.
Regarding the PCI - I don't know the answer. People on the forum said they are going to do it, but I don't know whether and how it worked. This is something to try and see... I have one more msntv available, if somebody is succesfull with PCI, I'll ask my cousin to try it.

[LoneShadow]

Anyone else bought the MSN TV box ?

- LS