Re: Turbo switch in my 486 computer stopped working
Posted on 2025-03-13, 20:24
I wonder if it's BIOS related or Via chipset related in general. I have switched to SiS chipsets for 486 boards and never looked back.
Re: Sound Blaster AWE32 CT2760 no/crackling sound
Posted on 2025-03-13, 17:24
Finally got to this card again after having it in a storage for a long time. Turned out the main culprit was bad voltage regulator generating 5V. After replacing it almost everything started to work. Almost. For some reason there are no sound effects, even though FM and AWE32 synth works fine (tried …
Re: Disappointing experience with Octek Hippo 10 motherboard (Socket 3)
Posted on 2025-03-09, 11:36
Too bad, I really hoped it would work. I guess the only thing that can be done is finding an ECS board in which this BIOS work, finding out which bit are changed when selecting L2 cache mode and make a TSR out of it, or perhaps modify some Award BIOS.
Re: COAST module no longer detect by bios after CPU upgrade.
Posted on 2025-03-09, 07:52
Can you reproduce the issue with the COAST module by swapping the old and the new CPU around? It would be nice to verify that it really works with the old one but not with the new one.
Re: Quest for repairing Winco W-P55VT2 motherboards
Posted on 2025-03-07, 21:37
Yeah, you're probably right. The ISO sticker on one of the cache chips is a giveaway, it's often present on Winco, Lucky Star and Epox motherboards.
Re: ASUS SP97-V BIOS chip replacement
Posted on 2025-03-07, 10:53
Of course, just pick some 128k EEPROM. There could be a compatibility issue with built in RAM for holding ESCD settings but most chips should be ok.
Re: Slot 1 Pentium II/III compatibility
Posted on 2025-03-07, 10:49
I think there are SECC Pentium III CPUs but only engineering samples. You can find pictures of them on CPU World for example.
Re: Quest for repairing Winco W-P55VT2 motherboards
Posted on 2025-03-06, 21:22
So I have ordered some additional equipment to help me work with the big QFP chips - vacuum picker and hot air nozzle specialized for these types of QFP chips. I'll see how it goes and maybe I'll order some preheating plate if necessary. For the time being I'll try to preheat the board with hot air …
Re: Disappointing experience with Octek Hippo 10 motherboard (Socket 3)
Posted on 2025-03-06, 20:50
I tried to unlock anything with the modbin, with no avail. Hopefully the Phoenix BIOS will work.
Re: Disappointing experience with Octek Hippo 10 motherboard (Socket 3)
Posted on 2025-03-06, 19:49
The larger L2 cache will have negligible impact, in my opinion. At least for somewhat period correct software. If you find a way how to turn L2 cache to WT mode, I think you'll break the 16 fps barrier in Quake.
Re: 386SX 16mhz - Headland HT18 REV 2.0 - no boot
Posted on 2025-03-06, 15:34
Once I had a previously working 386 board in storage for some time and when I got back to it, it didn't work. In the end, it was bent pins on the underside of the board which were touching and caused issues. Start with inspecting the board visually to see if there is any damage. POST card would help …
Re: Disappointing experience with Octek Hippo 10 motherboard (Socket 3)
Posted on 2025-03-06, 07:52
If it's stable and you're happy with the performance increase, than I would call it a success.
Re: 486 DX100 reproducible crashing
Posted on 2025-03-06, 07:51
Glad to see you made it work, who doesn't like a good happy ending 😀.
Re: Quest for repairing Winco W-P55VT2 motherboards
Posted on 2025-03-05, 20:15
Okay, so I removed presumably damaged southbridge from the motherboard without cache chips and the short between +5V and GND went away. So I guess the northbridge is okay and I can continue with the transplant. But man, was it annoying... The southbridge chip just didn't want to let go and PCI slots …
Re: Disappointing experience with Octek Hippo 10 motherboard (Socket 3)
Posted on 2025-03-05, 17:51
It is mentioned in the motherboard's manual that the chipset runs L2 cache in WB mode. I guess we have to believe it. I sold the motherboard as it was too unstable for my tastes. But that was because I run WB CPU in it, which was unstable and slower than competition (especially SiS chipset) and …
Re: Disappointing experience with Octek Hippo 10 motherboard (Socket 3)
Posted on 2025-03-05, 17:01
Sorry I don't remember what jumpers I used to enable L1 WB mode, maybe try to check the manual I have uploaded to RetroWeb. Otherwise check datasheet for WB capable CPU and check what pins are needed for WB mode. Then you can trace the jumper in question with multimeter. You could try BIOS for this …
Quest for repairing Winco W-P55VT2 motherboards
Posted on 2025-03-05, 13:40
I have bought some Socket 7 boards with three Winco W-P55VT2 being among them. Visually they look OK, except one which has cache chips missing. IMG_20250305_140045023.jpg IMG_20250305_140150661_HDR.jpg IMG_20250305_140127947_HDR.jpg My focus is on the other two boards with cache chips. As mentioned …
Re: Disappointing experience with Octek Hippo 10 motherboard (Socket 3)
Posted on 2025-03-05, 13:22
Have you done more tests? Any stability issues? Try running Blood in demo mode for a 15 minutes, this games always was picky about system stability. Too bad you cannot easily switch to L2 WT mode while having L1 in WB mode. The performance would go up significantly. I have seen an option to do so in …
Re: Is it worth saving this badly damaged FIC VA-503+ mobo?
Posted on 2025-03-04, 07:12
Thanks everyone! Box full of presumably faulty Socket 7 motherboards arrived, so it's time for more repairs 😁.
Re: Is it worth saving this badly damaged FIC VA-503+ mobo?
Posted on 2025-03-03, 19:38
Thanks! I have added those capacitors too of course, just some 0.1uF ones. I just didn't put a photo there, it's not that interesting. It certainly was an interesting experience, to thus day the. Most difficult soldering job I've done.
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