Four years since VGX-XLforum was created

[Oliver]

In just three days it will be 4 years since I created this forum. During that time we have grown to: 231 members, 455 threads and 2548 posts.
This project was a lot of work in the beginning, but has always been fun and a great experience.

Sadly VGX-XLs are slowly disappearing and this forum has been very quiet for some time. I personally have sold my VGX-XL and built a new HTPC. Today I will officially become less active here; I have made a final* update to the forum. No posts have been deleted, but a few may have moved.
I have made the Downloads section open to everyone, as its not fair to expect people to write 3 posts on a quiet form just to access these useful resources.

Don't worry the forum isn't in danger of disappearing. I created this in such a way that it doesnt cost anything to run, the adverts pay all the fees. So all the knowledge we have built up over 4 years will remain, and benefit VGX-XL owners for years to come.

I would like to say a HUGE thank you all our members especially:

IT Troll our most active (and perhaps knowledgeable) member;

jwa4 for being a great admin and also extending the life of our VGX-XL machines with his work on the Bios Mod;

kepocuhka again for his work on the Bios Mod;

Buckwheat aka REnninga for his work on the Bios, but also huge help with creating VGX-XLpedia and VGX-XLforum. Without Buckwheat this forum probably wouldn't even be here, certainly not like it is today!

sinful for providing us with excellent guides, including full tear down and VGX-XL Redux Project

totitoti25 for being a great admin, and for contributing his huge collection of VIAO software and official repair guides.

angelnegron for being our first member

Woody, majmattmason, spoRv and mrtbag for being either early adopters, or making an outstanding contribution to the forum, and becoming VIP members

We have been an excellent team and its been amazing to be a part of this community. A forum is nothing without good members and you lot have been brilliant!
Good luck to everyone in whatever you're doing now and thank you.

Oliver

[jwa4]

It does not seem that long but I have been an ex-VGX-XL owner for some time now, I will continue to look in every week or so should anyone need support with the BIOS mod. The BIOS mod was a fun project to be involved in and its always great to get more out of the hardware than the manufacturer intended

Thanks Everyone!

[IT Troll]

Thanks for the mention and thanks for all the time you have put into this project. Things have been a bit quiet lately, but I like to think that is just because the project is complete. All possible enhancements have been explored/implemented and the answers to any likely questions or problems can be found in the forum. There just isn't much new to say any more.

All the best.

[wheeker]

Just wanted to add my thanks to Oliver & all the other members credited in the OP. All the work & support has been absolutely invaluable in helping me keep my VGX-XL100  running well (bought in 2006). Although it has indeed been quiet round these parts recently, this site is a fantastic resource for any VGX-XL owner

[totitoti25]

It is true that VGX-XLs have been quietly dying. I have on the other hand acquired more VGX-XLs. Howerver, I have ripped the entire motherboard with all of its contents and just replaced them with ASROCK motherboards that are embedded with a extremely efficient CPUs, from the J1900 to the J4105 with built in Intel H.265 decoders these motherboards use just 10W and run more smoothly MCE.

Just sad to see that the world is changing and MCE even with the hack to run on WIN10 its showing very serious and fierce competitors. There are easier and faster ways of getting videos on TV these days but the fun of having a windows computer replacing a VHS, TIVO, Bluray drive, with a remote control and something that you don't see now a days............the Record button! still priceless. I think I must be the only VGXXL owner with a non-VAIO motherboard and an HDMI recorder and recording 1080P.

The world has moved to smart TVs and 4K video and the record button is non-existent since on-demand services has created no need to record. One of these days I'll dedicate the time to guide step by step on what I have done to try to keep the VGX-XL relevant but I see the change is coming but I'll hold to my XL as long as I can.

[Woody]

Hi Oliver,

Sorry for a very belated reply and thanks for the mention above.

Many thanks to you for setting up such a useful website and forum.. ..your work along with the Big BIOS project really injected a lot of extra life into these beautiful but ageing machines.

I still use mine on a weekly basis and have a spare, but modern TV's are taking over.. ..still, mine will be sitting under the TV for some time to come, I hope.

Best wishes to all!

[kepocuhka]

Im glad to see that this forum and our project is still alive and stays actual for vgx-xl users. Hello from Russia guys!

[sinful]

I'm glad to see the forum still up and running, even if it is slow. I still pop in from time to time. My First VGX Redux is still kicking, although the Asrock X79 board and X4960 cpu that I used all the back in 2014 is starting to show its age. I think it's time to give it a rebuild. The VGX has always remained the front runner in all of my media consumption. I have since moved away from media center and now use Emby full time. I'll likely never move away from my vgx frankenbuild until smart TVs catch up to it.

I'm glad that I was able to contribute some knowledge to the forum and I hope that my VGX redux project continues to help future owners give the sleek Style of their VGXs modern functionality to match.

I'll continue to pop in occasionally and I'll also likely write an update to the redux project one of these days.

Thanks Oliver for the shout out and thanks for starting this great house of VGX Resources.