[goal37]

I am using a Gigabyte Z77N-WIFI mITX LGA1155. I need to force the HDMI output and I can't figure out how. The reason is I am running through an amp and it won't pick up my HDMI signal and push through to my TV. Of course hooking directly to
the TV it works fine, but I need it to go through the amp. I figured out how to do it on my raspbmc, but I want something a bit faster hence the i3-3225 in this system. I just am not familiar with Linux.

I am using XBMCbuntu installed directly to a HD.

[fritsch]

It is not that easy. Especially when your intel gpu and your AVR don't handshake, you can forget to do bitstream audio :-(

I would first suggest you try to upgrade your kernel and rule out possible issues, that are long fixed in linux.
Parts of a howto, you can find here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=165707

Cherry pick yourself the parts with the kernel upgrade.

[goal37]

Ok thanks, that might be biting off more than I am looking to chew right now. I will probably install Win7 and run out of there.

[fritsch]

Try OpenELEC 3.1.7 on a spare USB stick.

[goal37]

Thanks for this lead. I will definiately try this on this rig and also on the RPi. Some quick reading and it looks like if i move the data storage to a usb stick the RPi might run better.