Raspberry Pi Archives

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Someone built a Windows 98-powered smart toaster, and you toast bread by running an EXE

A smart toaster powered by Windows 95 has been created using a Raspberry Pi inside a 3D-printed beige shell. The original toaster hardware was incompatible with Windows 95, so a Raspberry Pi Pico was used to intercept inputs, allowing the Raspberry Pi to manage the OS-toaster connection. Users can control the toaster through a custom application called Toast.exe, which allows manual adjustments to heating, cycles, and tray movements.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

The Windows 98 Toaster is Here

YouTuber Throaty Mumbo successfully ran Windows 98 on a smart toaster by disassembling the Revolution Cooking High-Speed Smart Toaster and using a Raspberry Pi 5 to emulate a late-1990s Pentium II PC. He created a custom program called “toast.exe” to facilitate communication between the Windows 98 interface and the toaster's hardware. The project resulted in a functional system that allows users to operate the toaster through a retro Windows 98 environment, complete with a 7-inch HDMI monitor and a 3D-printed shell designed to resemble a classic PC.

Winsage

January 6, 2026

HP put a mini PC inside a keyboard, and I love it — a Windows-based approach to the Raspberry Pi 500 with self-repairable parts

HP introduced the EliteBoard G1a at CES 2026, a keyboard that integrates a mini PC powered by AMD's Ryzen AI 300 PRO mobile processors, featuring a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of delivering up to 50 TOPS. It is designed to cater to hybrid workers using external monitors with laptops closed. The internal components include upgradeable DDR5 SODIMM RAM and M.2 NVMe solid-state drives. Key specifications include: - OS: Windows 11 Home, Windows 11 Pro - CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 PRO, AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 PRO - GPU: Up to AMD Radeon 860M integrated - RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5-5600 SODIMM - Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 512GB encrypted PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2, 32GB eMMC v5.0 (Ryzen AI 7 350 only) - Ports: 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (detached cable); 1x tethered USB4, 1x USB4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (attached cable) - Connectivity: MediaTek RZ616 Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3, MediaTek MT7925 Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 6.0 - Audio: Stereo speakers, Stereo microphones - Power: Configurable 32Whr battery (3.5+ hours), 65W USB-C GaN power adapter - Dimensions: 358mm x 118mm x 17mm, weight 1.49 - 1.69 lbs The design includes a spill-resistant keyboard that can be replaced in about ten minutes and a removable bottom panel for easy access to internal components. Both models support up to four 4K monitors at 60Hz and offer around 3.5 hours of usage on a full charge. The EliteBoard G1a has received a CES Innovation Award.

AppWizard

December 9, 2025

Fan community announces it will revive Unreal Tournament 2004 with Epic’s blessing: ‘We’re doing this for free because we’re fans of the game and we like a challenge’

The fan community OldUnreal has announced plans to revive Unreal Tournament 2004 by publishing an installer that will allow players to download the original disc image, install the game, and apply necessary patches. The project aims to modernize the game for compatibility with Windows Vista or later, Linux x86-64 and aarch64, and Mac OS 10.9 or later, while also fixing bugs and implementing quality-of-life changes. The initiative is driven by passion rather than profit, with the team acknowledging the costs associated with server hosting and software licenses.

Winsage

September 20, 2025

Here’s how I installed Windows 11 using a nano-sized 2.4GB ISO — final install weighed in at a mere 8.36GB, two-thirds the size of a normal Windows install, courtesy of Nano11 Builder

The author is transitioning to Windows 11 and is waiting to complete an IT request form. They are primarily a Linux and Raspberry Pi enthusiast but are interested in Windows 11 for video editing with DaVinci Resolve. The standard Microsoft Windows 11 ISO is 5,695,402KB (5.69GB), while the Tiny version is 10,865,098,752KB (10.1GB) and 59.1% smaller, and the Nano version is 8,984,236,032KB (8.36GB) and 66.2% smaller. The author used a VirtualBox virtual machine with 8GB of RAM and a Lenovo X220 for installations. The Nano and Tiny ISOs installed smoothly, while the full ISO faced issues despite meeting specifications. The Nano installation initially crashed at 75%, but after following a guide and reverting to an older setup process, it was successful. The author plans to submit the IT request form before October 14.

AppWizard

September 13, 2025

ESP32 Hosts Functional Minecraft Server

Minecraft servers can be run on devices like the Raspberry Pi, and a recent innovation involves implementing an open world on an ESP32-C3 microcontroller using a C-based server implementation called bareiron. The server code has been optimized for the ESP32's hardware, enhancing performance and simplifying the game experience. Terrain generation uses x and z coordinates as seeds for a pseudorandom function, and underground features mirror the world above, creating a seamless experience. The loading time is approximately 200 milliseconds per chunk. Previous attempts to rewrite Minecraft server code have been made in languages like COBOL on actual computers.

Winsage

August 26, 2025

Jump Start Me Up

Windows 95 celebrates its 30th anniversary, remembered for its launch event featuring Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer. The Hackster community has created innovative projects inspired by the OS, including: 1. Retro Handheld PC by Changliang Li: A handheld device made from 90s components that runs Windows 95 and offers a retro gaming experience. 2. Windows Wrist Watch 2.0 by Michael Darby: A watch powered by a Raspberry Pi 3 that displays Windows 95 on a HyperPixel 4.0 screen. 3. Windows 95-Themed Vape by Jason Gin: A vape modified to feature Windows 95 graphics, referencing the OS's infamous Blue Screen of Death and hardware issues.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

I built a PiKVM to control my PC remotely, and it’s a game-changer

The PiKVM project allows users to control a desktop or server remotely using a Raspberry Pi 4B and an HDMI-CSI bridge adapter, providing comprehensive keyboard, video, and mouse control even during reboots. It offers browser-based access to the PC's screen in real-time, enabling actions like force shutdowns, BIOS access, and operating system reinstallation, independent of the host system's operating system. The setup captures HDMI output and simulates USB input, functioning in scenarios like BIOS or crash screens. Essential components for building a PiKVM include a Raspberry Pi 4B, an HDMI-to-CSI bridge adapter, a microSD card, USB cables, an official power supply, and the latest PiKVM OS image. The setup process involves writing the OS image to the SD card, connecting the hardware, and accessing the web interface for remote control. PiKVM is beneficial for tasks such as troubleshooting boot sequences, configuring BIOS settings, and monitoring system status without physical interaction.

Winsage

June 25, 2025

Before Windows 10 goes EOL, I’m testing three alternative Linux distros to save my 6-year-old laptop from the landfill

The CachyOS installer offers an aesthetically pleasing yet somewhat confusing installation experience, particularly regarding the Bootloader selection, where the default is Systemd-boot instead of the more familiar Grub. Additionally, the additional package installer lacks sufficient context, which may confuse users. The installation process has become more streamlined compared to the past, where users had to deal with multiple ISO images and CDs. Now, one can easily create a Live USB using software like Rufus, Raspberry Pi Imager, or Balena Etcher. A Live USB allows users to test the operating system before installation and serves various purposes such as troubleshooting and data recovery. The author is installing CachyOS on a Lenovo X390 laptop with 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5-8265U.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

5 Android apps I run on my Raspberry Pi to improve my home

Running Android on a Raspberry Pi allows users to enhance their smart home experience by utilizing Waydroid to execute Android applications. The Shelly Smart Control app provides a user-friendly interface for managing Shelly devices, offering local control and cloud syncing. The Home Connect app enables control of smart appliances from brands like Bosch and Siemens, allowing centralized monitoring and automation. Fully Kiosk Browser turns the Raspberry Pi into a wall-mounted dashboard for displaying smart home information. The Aqara Home app facilitates local control of Aqara sensors and hubs, integrating with Home Assistant for device management. The Home Assistant Companion app provides seamless access to Home Assistant functionalities, including notifications and custom dashboards.