asterisk users - Apr 2005 - TE405P vs TE410P

Earlier today, I sent the following question to Sales @ Digium:
> I noticed when the TE110P came out that it has both 5V and 3.3V
> cutouts in its PCI edge connector, so that it works in both types of
> PCI slot.
> 
> Does Digium have any plans to merge the TE405P and TE410P products
> into a single card with both cutouts too? Andrew Kohlsmith reported on
> the asterisk-users list a year ago that the TE405P does work in both
> types of slot if it is given the extra cutout:
> http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-dev/2004-April/003668.html
> and followups.
> 
> It would certainly make inventory easier when working with different
> types of system!
The reply I received was as follows, and seems to directly contradict
the findings reported in the thread I referred to.
> Tony,
> 
> Do NOT cut out the slot and run 3.3 volt cards in 5 volt slots or
> vice-versa. This will void your warranty and, if not right away, it
> will eventually kill the card. 
> 
> The PCI interface chip that is on those cards only supports one
> voltage.  We do not currently have access to a chip that is fast
> enough that supports both voltages, so we have no current plans to
> merge the boards.  This is something that we would like to do, and if
> it becomes possible I am sure we will do that.
> 
> I hope this answers your questions. If there is anything else we can
> do, please let us know.
That's a pity and I'm not convinced the assertion is true.

Andrew, if you read this, is your hacksawed TE405P board still in a 3.3V
slot and still working?

I have no intention of hacksawing a board myself, but the findings of a
year ago suggested that all Digium would need to do is to respin the PCB
with an extra slot and make no other changes.

Cheers
Tony
-- 
Tony Mountifield
Work: tony@softins.co.uk - http://www.softins.co.uk
Play: tony@mountifield.org - http://tony.mountifield.org

On April 7, 2005 04:02 pm, Tony Mountifield wrote:
> That's a pity and I'm not convinced the assertion is true.
>
> Andrew, if you read this, is your hacksawed TE405P board still in a 3.3V
> slot and still working?
>
> I have no intention of hacksawing a board myself, but the findings of a
> year ago suggested that all Digium would need to do is to respin the PCB
> with an extra slot and make no other changes.
My TE405P is working just fine still.  I agree with Digium *not* to do this 
unless you feel that you are able to accept the risks.  It is not Digium's 
fault that the Xilinx Spartan II cannot be OFFICIALLY used in a 3.3V slot 
when programmed for 5V I/O; it is a limitation of the chip and until Xilinx 
can do something official about it, this is all you have.

I've spoken to Mark a little with suggestions for ways to get around this 
without voiding Xilinx's comments but all of these methods have to be tested
before they can be accepted, and all of them require a new board layout.

Again -- **FOR ME** a modified TE405P works in a 3.3V PCI slot.  You *will* 
void your warranty if you do this, and it may not work for you even if you 
do.  I took an educated guess and used my own card, so even if it didn't
work
there was nobody to blame but myself.  Perhaps you feel you can do the same.

-A.

... it does, however present the opportunity where I can provide this 
service.  :-)