Several pre-purchase q's on usage of MX401 or simular
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 5:45 pm
Hi, I have been thinking of making an external LCD display unit for a server I have in a cupboard. I want a display + keypad which I can use to control the server from another room.
Whilst I'm at it, I would like to be able to put several temperature sensors around the place, and be able to read the temps on the PC (and display on the LCD) It seems that I can use the I2C bus inputs to put lots of temperature sensors on this thing?
Also, I would like to be able to control other devices from the keypad on the LCD (for example I want to be able to send an on/off pulse to another device (5v high for on, 0 for off - actually to feed into a relay driver circuit I have built).
Can I use say a MX401 for this? I would also really like to be able to reset my PC using the keybad - is this possible with or without software support on the PC (ie if the PC locks up, can I reset it?)
I see the MX401 has GPO's I presume this means general purpose outputs... Can these be controlled directly from the attached keypad or do they require software on the PC to intercept the keypress, then controll the GPO?
Is there any real difference between the serial and usb models other than the interface - I guess I would prefer USB - but I use Windows XP x64 - are there drivers to support this - if not I can use the serial i/f with USB-Serial converts that I already make use of (I've run out of onboard COM ports already!!)
The other question, I see the mountings are generally for PC drive bays. I would want to mount this in an external box - is this possible (to mod the montings provided - or to use the template thing to create my own faceplate for the box?)
Finally, do you ship to the UK - I see there is a uk distributor but they dont seem to stock any MX4xx's which I think is what i want (4x20 line display at least).
Sorry for the masses of questions.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Phil[/b]
Whilst I'm at it, I would like to be able to put several temperature sensors around the place, and be able to read the temps on the PC (and display on the LCD) It seems that I can use the I2C bus inputs to put lots of temperature sensors on this thing?
Also, I would like to be able to control other devices from the keypad on the LCD (for example I want to be able to send an on/off pulse to another device (5v high for on, 0 for off - actually to feed into a relay driver circuit I have built).
Can I use say a MX401 for this? I would also really like to be able to reset my PC using the keybad - is this possible with or without software support on the PC (ie if the PC locks up, can I reset it?)
I see the MX401 has GPO's I presume this means general purpose outputs... Can these be controlled directly from the attached keypad or do they require software on the PC to intercept the keypress, then controll the GPO?
Is there any real difference between the serial and usb models other than the interface - I guess I would prefer USB - but I use Windows XP x64 - are there drivers to support this - if not I can use the serial i/f with USB-Serial converts that I already make use of (I've run out of onboard COM ports already!!)
The other question, I see the mountings are generally for PC drive bays. I would want to mount this in an external box - is this possible (to mod the montings provided - or to use the template thing to create my own faceplate for the box?)
Finally, do you ship to the UK - I see there is a uk distributor but they dont seem to stock any MX4xx's which I think is what i want (4x20 line display at least).
Sorry for the masses of questions.
Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Phil[/b]