Old Nettop conversion to something useful. Android gamer?

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Asmodeus

1015 posts

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#300739 1-Oct-2022 12:02

I have an old Nettop (Viewsonic vot132) which isnt doing much and has the following specs:

Intel® Atom™ 330 processor with 2GB RAM
nVIDIA MPC7A-10N ION for 1080p playback
320GB SATA Hard Drive
802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity
High speed USB 2.0 (x6) & 5-in-1 Media Card Reader

It used to have Win 7 on it which worked fairly well but now has Win 10 which runs but at a frustrating speed. It's not really usable but I'd like to put it to some use.

I was thinking of turning it into an android gaming machine for the kids (and Netflix, Disney, etc) which it should do fine.

I guess main question is which OS? I saw Prime OS which looks good but if I format the machine can it be installed as a standalone OS?

Would anyone recommend something else instead? Also happy for any other ideas to use the thing for. I already have an HTPC, a few laptops, smart TV, etc so don't need it for those. Cheers!

Sorry if wrong forum (please move if so).

robjg63

4090 posts

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#2975763 1-Oct-2022 12:18

Well it's a bit skimpy on memory, but popping an SSD into it would turbo charge it.

Even if you were to try something other than windows, upgrading that would be the first thing to do.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#2975812 1-Oct-2022 13:54

Yeah agree. I have a 250GB SSD around so will get that in there. Not sure if the RAM can be upgraded from where it is but will look into it. Suspect the BIOS, firmware, etc is all out of date too.

2GB RAM should be enough to run an Android OS like Prime OS though right? I could put a lightweight Linux OS in but kids are still young so would prefer to put in something they know with their games, etc and add on a gamepad

robjg63

4090 posts

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#2975976 1-Oct-2022 15:40

If the SSD upgrade will be 'free' just do it - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Dont try updating the BIOS unless you have specific problems - It isnt that hard to brick something with a BIOS update.

It appears to be a 64 bit processor.

I found this manual online https://www.manual.nz/viewsonic/vot132/manual?p=31

I was looking through it (Its a rainy afternoon!) and I found this on page 24:

Q2: Can I add additional RAM?

A2: No you cannot.

Though that doesnt mean you can't replace it I suppose - You might have trouble finding old memory for it though.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek

#2976096 1-Oct-2022 20:51

Thanks! Being x64 limits the android OS options but there still are some. I agree prob best to not tinker with the BIOS if not needed.

robjg63

4090 posts

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Subscriber

#2976180 2-Oct-2022 09:47

I think you can still run a 32bit OS on a 64 bit processor.

That was certainly the case for Windows. You could run 32bit win 7 or 64 bit win 7 on a 64 bit processor.

I presume other OSes would be the same.

The main difference was that windows 32bit couldn't use more than 4GB of RAM - in fact it would show something like 3.2GB maximum.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

lNomNoml

1804 posts

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ID Verified

#2976191 2-Oct-2022 10:43

Could try Ubuntu also