I have the n100 model and did a reload of w11 pro. Not all of the drivers exist on the w11 iso, including the network I believe. I used a usb nic for the load if i remember correctly. You can download the drivers from the vendor or directly from the manufacturer of the hardware.
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I did and license was activated without a problem. Neither did I run the factory install at all to "initialize" it--I just wiped the factory install, did a new install of Win 11 24H2, and when it went online for the first time, Win 11 Pro became activated.
There are a few drivers missing from a generic Win 11 install that you have to seek out and load manually to have all the hardware fully detected (like Intel 2.5GB NIC, Realtek RTL8522BE wireless NIC, and a couple of ACPI things). I have this documented--I'll try to post the details later. |
Ok, so if you do a fresh install of Win 11 2024H2 (like using an ISO sourced from Microsoft), you will have four unknown items in the Device Manager at the end because the drivers are not included in the ISO. The wired and wireless NICs are two of those devices so, unfortunately, you are left unconnected. But you can download the four necessary drivers from the Microsoft Update Catalog easily. Then just unzip the CABs onto a USB and bring them over to the G3 Plus for updating. Here are the four drivers with their Hardware IDs, and the links for downloading the CABs at the Microsoft Update Catalog website:
Intel I226-V Ethernet NIC PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_125C&SUBSYS_00008086&REV_04 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2024/07/1df2b7e8-c6fc-4b8f-b46e-25cf4d3e4a35_fdc6278f1523a260cc580daec812fb176300c877.cab PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_B852&SUBSYS_B85210EC&REV_00 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2025/02/e223d514-d1f0-48f1-9b69-94bcb1738291_b5c8edb4bf731851eb47a58674893093f6cef7b3.cab ACPI\VEN_INTC&DEV_1070 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2024/11/6d8f0c59-d577-45ec-a0e0-115901aeef77_23bf78a5b1869d923349d395451a3358539441cd.cab ACPI\VEN_INTC&DEV_1057 Code:
https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/driver/drvs/2024/09/f830e3d7-f3ae-48c9-8e90-f60d2a02d98e_c3b3dc96668204ea78d9b8c98635dcfec2f20e7d.cab |
I opted for 16GB MEM+512GB SSD for $30 more, and received mine last night. Reading all the horror stories about spyware/malware on minipcs from China, I determined to re-install Windows 11 Pro on my machine. Here's some key points that you need to be aware of if you decide to take this route:
Next up: Make a new partition in the SSD to dual-boot Linux. BTW, I did set up the pre-installed Windows 11 Pro without connecting to the network, seeing if I could see the spyware/malware in action. I have to say it looked very clean; I didn't see any suspicious processes or services, or bloatware. I also did the virus scan a couple of times and nothing turned up. If I wasn't killing time while watching Grammys on the side, I probably would have left the pre-installed Windows 11 Pro alone. |
Thanks for the good info. As an alternative for the NIC drivers can also be downloaded from Intel here:
Intel I226-V Ethernet NIC - https://www.intel.com/content/www...-pack.html Intel Graphics Drivers - https://www.intel.com/content/www...ndows.htm For other Intel Drivers - https://www.intel.com/content/www.../home.html Intel Automatic Drivers Assistant - https://www.intel.com/content/www...etect.htm |
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Anyway, if your goal is retro gaming, a Raspberry Pi is smaller and more energy-efficient for these types of tasks, but honestly, once you add in a case, a good power supply (RPi's are picky with respect to power...), and storage, it is probably at the same price or even more than this $130 machine. But if you are interested in more modern gaming or more powerful emulation, this system would be better and give you more flexibility for future upgrades.
Just saying buyers might want to read up.
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Did they finally bring back the vertical taskbar in Windows 11 or is it still missing?
And I won't mention all the bloatware, spying, and update issues Windows 11 has...
And I won't mention all the bloatware, spying, and update issues Windows 11 has...
Isn't Win10 ending support in October of this year?
It seems this thing has an Intel i226v 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port which is nice... but then you'd need a more expensive smart switch with 2.5 gigabit capability to take advantage of 2.5 gigabit when using this as a router... but it all depends on your Internet speed... 1 gigabit might be fine (it is for me with my 500/500 Internet connection).
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https://www.amazon.com/GMKtec-Mini-Intel-N100-256GB/product-reviews/B0CCDL6VS3/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewo... [amazon.com]
The product listing is suspiciously vague about the NIC hardware though, just referring to "2 x RJ45 Giga LAN Port", which likely means they are the cheaper Realtek NICs rather than Intel NICs which are more preferable for a router.
There is only one Amazon review mentioning the dual NIC box, and the reviewer does mention that the NICs are Realtek, but also that they are working fine in an OPNsense build.
https://www.amazon.com/GMKtec-Min...tBy=recen
1. Kingston KF432S20IB/32 module apparently works. Source could be https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097QJ74WQ. This info came from https://www.reddit.com/r/MiniPCs/...gmktec_g3/. By the way, this is a good thread to read as it provides some info about why (or why not) a module may work.
2. Crucial CT32G4SFD832A module apparently works. Source could be https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZLC7VNH. This info came from same thread as above, i.e., https://www.reddit.com/r/MiniPCs/...gmktec_g3/
3. Team TED432G3200C22-S01 *may* work. Source could be https://www.newegg.com/team-32gb-...6820331502. This info came from https://hagensieker.com/2024/02/0...g3-review/. Caution, this is sort of indirect... The fellow says it works with a 32GB module, but then does not identify it--even after multiple requests in the comments section. But he does provide a low-res pic with massive jpeg artefacting of the inside of the case with the 32GB module installed.
https://www.newegg.com/silicon-po...6820301503
And I won't mention all the bloatware, spying, and update issues Windows 11 has...
I installed this program
https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm
which prevents windows 11 from updating to version 24H2.
I then installed both classic shell 4.3.1
http://www.classicshel
and then explorer patcher
https://github.com/valinet/explor...r/releases
I did run the powershell script
explorer patcher allows you to make the taskbar icons smaller and also drag the taskbar from the bottom of the screen to the side (if you want to)
I installed this program
https://www.grc.com/incontrol.htm
which prevents windows 11 from updating to version 24H2.
I then installed both classic shell 4.3.1
http://www.classicshel
and then explorer patcher
https://github.com/valinet/explor...r/releases [github.com]
I did run the powershell script
explorer patcher allows you to make the taskbar icons smaller and also drag the taskbar from the bottom of the screen to the side (if you want to)
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