15" ELO Refurbs - Great deal

[JohnWPB]

John, I have had a 1547L installed for 2 years now and it has always worked that way. I don't do much with dragging so it never really bothered me.

Thanks for the info... I have never used a touch screen with the emitters like these have, and just honestly did not know how well the resolution / tracking and such was. I'm suprised in a way, as just a tap of the tip of the finger is recognized, but it is just unable to track the movement of your finger on the screen. I guess I will just make the sliders so that when they are tapped on the slider, it jumps to that point.

(Not to hijack this thread, but being it was brought up already, and the monitors are sold out, so figured not much more discussion on buying them would be posted in here anyhow )


So...... as for thin clients, This is new to me, but sounds much better than having to hook up a full blown PC for my touchscreen.

I did a little searching, and read some articles, but it is all still unclear. I just saw THIS ONE on ebay, and a lot like it. (Looking for an XP based one, for reasons mentioned above... thanks for the info) Can anyone give me a quick rundown on configuring something like this? It is essentially a remote desktop type connection? Will the main computer be able to run normally? Will it work with the main computer running XP Pro (MCE 2005 rollup 2), or does it have to be server edition? What kind of software would need to be running on the server machine?

My intention, if it will work, is to piggy back something off of the Media Center computer in the living room. I really am trying to avoid the dual monitor scenario, as that can be a royal pain to keep things to "their side" of the screen and all. The MCE machine is just a few feet away tucked in behind the entertainment center.

Home Seer is already running on the Media Center machine. It's not a problem, as the computer just runs those 2 programs.... Home Seer, and the media Center and it's hooked up the the 65" TV. The System is running MCE 2005 Rollup 2, has a 2.8 Ghz processo, 3 Gigs of RAM and a 512 meg Gfx card with dual DVI out.

Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[keepersg]

John, I haven't played with a 941 GXL buts its a very capable machine by its specs. Here's a link to the Wyse comparison chart for current machines: http://wyse.com/products/hardware/thinclie...arisonChart.pdf

Generally, you can use these as web browsers, RDP clients or run small applications locally. The 941 GXL has at least double the memory of the the discontinued 9235LE. You can certainly use it to run an RDP session off of your XP pro machine. There is a relatively simple modification of XP pro which will allow you to run multiple RDP sessions concurently. I've got mine set up that way and it works great. I'm in bed with my laptop messing with Powerhome which is installed on our XP pro computer while one of my kids is in the kitchen using that computer to do their homework. No noticeable delay though there might be if both of us were playing graphics intensive games.

Since I haven't had the chance to play with a 941 GXL, I can't say for certain how easy this would be to do. The older Wyse machines are set up so that you can configure them locally as well as manage them from the server. You can even reflash their operating systems from the Wyse website. Don't know about the newer ones.

 

[JohnWPB]

Ok, I finally got the Touch screen installed! It looks great, if I do say so myself

When I started, there was an old intercom system built into the wall from the previous owner. Removing it, left me with speaker wire going to each room, as well as power inside the wall

I have to yet get the hardware to send music to each room, but that is another project. At least the Touchscreen is mounted and ready to go!

When I first begain installing it, I was going to surface mount the mounting bracket on the top and the bottom of the monitor. It stuck out of the wall to far for my taste doing that. I cut the hole 3/8 of an inch larger on the top and the bottom, and installed a brace to mount the bezel to. This gave me a install that is totally flush with the wall.

You can view photo's of the install HERE

 

[electron]

That looks awesome, that's exactly how I want to do the install. How are you powering the screen? Laptop? Long VGA cable? I would definitely like some more detailso on that, as I still need to figure out that part.

 

[JohnWPB]

That looks awesome, that's exactly how I want to do the install. How are you powering the screen? Laptop? Long VGA cable? I would definitely like some more detailso on that, as I still need to figure out that part.

I got REALLY lucky on that one At the last CarPC meet, someone was there that is the head if the IT department for a fortune 500 company. The executives and such, get new laptops every year. He has a lot of decent laptops there just collecting dust, and was nice enough to furnish me with one

It a Dell 1.4Ghz P4 M processor. I have it on the back side of that wall, which is a kitchen pantry. Its on a shelf right now, taking up far too much space I plan in the next day or so to mount the laptop, flat against the wall, with with a bracket. From there I just ran a network cable down, to the bottom, and punched through the wall. The Media Center PC is on the back of that wall (The right side of the picture). Thats where all the music, video and Home Seer is located.

I plan on putting some sort of narrow beam motion sensor, possibly in the ceiling facing down, so when you walk up to the screen, the aquarium screen saver goes away, and shows the touchscreen interface for all the controls ect. Sure, just touching the screen woks, but is definitely not as cool

 

[electron]

I was planning on doing the same thing, using pressure sensors or motion sensors. I have a laptop I could use for this, but laptops aren't made to run 24/7, so parts will wear out fast. It's a last resort option for me, am hoping I can run audio/video/USB relatively cheap, without violating code.

 

[Ranger Digital]

john, it looks GREAT! superb job. Great idea on the sensor. how will that work? it will trigger a batch file or a windows command? thru what? i forget but i think you h ave homeseer, mainlobby or both?

your right, DEFINITELY not as cool without the sensor, although still great. but a super WOW factor with the sensor. gives me ideas!! what a great way to have your touchscreens display "art" instead of an HA page.

 

[Steve]

Looks good John. You even have the same fish!

 

[TonyNo]

I used to send a keystroke to my foyer touchscreen to wake it when a motion detector sensed someone in front of it, but that spoiled the photo screen saver that I grew to like so much. Now, the only time I send one is when the front door opens, and that pulls up my home screen at that time.

 

[Ranger Digital]

I am still having major issues. Only ONE of the touchscreens will work at a time. I keep getting an error in my device manager telling me that it cannot load an ELO USB touchscreen driver:

"Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because there is a duplicate device already running in the system (Code 42)"

I have a matrox g200 MMS quad card. One serial elo, which ALWAYS works, and two USB elo's whereby only one works. I know the screens are fine as I can get either one to work just not both at same time.

The bad part is if I unplug one of the usb plugs one either of the monitors, i get the usuall DINGding, indicating a usb has been unplugged. OK, fine. BUT when I plug it back it is gives me the infamous drumroll of beeps and reboots my computer in about 1 second.

Anyone have any ideas how to fix this? I have one of the usb touchscreen plugs plugged into one of the ports on my primary display (it has two usb ports on the side of the monitor). if i turn off my monitor then turn it back on, it reboots my system as its the same as turning off and on the usb port.

I got this reply from Matrox tech support but not sure its related as my video card works fine EXCEPT I get an error in my device manager about PCI to PCI bridge. It finds new hardware on every start up and cant find drivers. I think matrox's answer is related to that. Any ideas?:

It seems that you may require a hot fix from Microsoft. unfortunately, the
only way to obtain this hot fix is to actually call Microsoft. Here is the
number for the hot fix, KB 890463.

 

[politics123]

I am still having major issues. Only ONE of the touchscreens will work at a time. I keep getting an error in my device manager telling me that it cannot load an ELO USB touchscreen driver:

"Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware because there is a duplicate device already running in the system (Code 42)"

I have a matrox g200 MMS quad card. One serial elo, which ALWAYS works, and two USB elo's whereby only one works. I know the screens are fine as I can get either one to work just not both at same time.

The bad part is if I unplug one of the usb plugs one either of the monitors, i get the usuall DINGding, indicating a usb has been unplugged. OK, fine. BUT when I plug it back it is gives me the infamous drumroll of beeps and reboots my computer in about 1 second.

Anyone have any ideas how to fix this? I have one of the usb touchscreen plugs plugged into one of the ports on my primary display (it has two usb ports on the side of the monitor). if i turn off my monitor then turn it back on, it reboots my system as its the same as turning off and on the usb port.

I got this reply from Matrox tech support but not sure its related as my video card works fine EXCEPT I get an error in my device manager about PCI to PCI bridge. It finds new hardware on every start up and cant find drivers. I think matrox's answer is related to that. Any ideas?:

It seems that you may require a hot fix from Microsoft. unfortunately, the
only way to obtain this hot fix is to actually call Microsoft. Here is the
number for the hot fix, KB 890463.

Here's one interesting piece of troubleshooting you can try. The USB touchscreen works even if the monitor itself is turned off. Why not try whether you can control the screen from both monitors at the same time, regardless of whether they're actually plugged into VGA. That should help you isolate whether its the USB that's the issue, or the VGA

 

[Ranger Digital]

pol, I'm sorry I dont understand?

Yes, if the monitor is off, the touch still works on one of the screens. not sure what you are suggesting.

interesting, i downloaded the fix matrox suggested, not is has a device manager issue with a vga?:

"Video Controller (VGA Compatible)"

and i cant get any drivers to work to fix it. never seen that error.

ps. under OTHER devices is where the above vga issue is. also there are 3 unknown devices which i assume are three of the four monitors as it has my Dell 19" listed as another OTHER DEVICE. funny, shouldnt by dell be under monitors?

edit. ok i clicked on the dell and updated that driver, now its under MONITORS in device manager. cant figure out how to get the other 3 monitors (unknown devices) to list under monitors.

 

[Ranger Digital]

no one? any issues with a quad card and usb touchscreens? I am really stuck. thanks!

 

[santistuff]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't checked in a while because I have had a project that has taken all my energy and more for the last week and a half.

I did want to mention something that concerns me: So far 5 of the touchscreens I shipped arrived with one or more stuck pixels, always green. The last 3 I am 100% certain that they did not have stuck pixels when they shipped, so I am really scratching my head.

I do have plenty of LCDs with no touchscreens left and even though swapping them is a pain in the butt, I am willing to do so or to give detailed instructions for those daring enough to try it yourselves.

Regarding tracking/dragging issues- Is anyone other than John having problems dragging? I personally have never had problems: I can slect each of the 244 icons on my desktop with a single sweep of the finger every time, so I'm wondering if this may be a driver issue. Any thoughts?

Regarding problems with multiple USB touchscreen controllers: I don't have much experience with multiple USBs but I do have some with multiple serials. The serial drivers are pure ELO and are ROCK SOLID. The USB drivers rely on HID working properly and Microsoft, to be frank, does not quite have their act together with respect to HID.

Ranger Digital: If you'd like to try multiple serials, I can send you a controller. The replacement is a snap.

TTFN. If anyone has a burning issue, feel free to call or email: 610-544-3414 [email protected]

 

[Ranger Digital]

Santi, youre service is superb!

If there is no way around getting the usb to work, then I surely will consider all serial. I need to look up the options of extending serial vs usb ie, how far each will go on its on, cost of balun to extend either, etc.

I will hollar at you shortly.

not sure what HID is, but i noticed that ONE installs and gets ONE touchscreen to work properly so maybe one hid is missing thus the remaining one touchscreen doesnt work? just thinking out loud.

i am eager to see what else you will be selling.