Re: Need Help building a 486 Pc
Posted on 2017-04-16, 14:42
Don't go with Pentium. Keep it true 486. Get some vlb socket motherboard locally, preferably with VLB and some decent sis chipset.
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-14, 21:49
Unfortunately, no IBM feature card was found inside 😀 Just CGA and EGA adapters, I/O controllers, HDD and floppy controller. That's it. After giving it some proper clean I just plugged my CT-1320A inside. It's so slow! 😀 Can't actually play Prince of Persia... But Arkanoid works fine.
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-13, 22:41
Yes, it works. And is in perfect shape. It was bought in the 80s in Sweden by one musican (qute well known in Poland where I live) that really cares about his stuff. I can't wait to see what's inside. Would really craze out if there was some IBM sound card in this XT
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-13, 21:54
Confirmed its EGA 😀 I paid 150usd for the whole set. There is also a set of documents and boxed dos 3.0 included.
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-13, 20:57
Finally. I'm picking up this bastard tomorrow. http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii603/tikoellner/XT_zpsonsb4pts.jpg I must say that I'm done here. This is true retro stuff. It was my dream to owe one in a perfect shape for such a long time... I actually can't imagine better Prince of Persia …
Re: Finally! My classic 486 retro rig.
Posted on 2017-04-13, 19:44
I think I'm lost here. I tried to change this SVGO motherboard to SV2GX4 and succeeded, but I'm getting worse results now. I used exactly the same components (RAM, video card, controller, etc.), I also added 256kb of cache. I set the motherboard to no wait states, etc. Still, in 3dBench I'm getting …
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-13, 06:34
Thanks. After initially buying mostly socket 3 PCI mobo and stuff I'm actally getting rid of any stuff beyond VLB. PCI belongs with those modern Pentium computers that I, as a poor 486 guy, can't afford (storing) 😀 luckybob wrote: @tikoellner I approve of anyone using scsi. Bonus points for VLB. …
Re: Finally! My classic 486 retro rig.
Posted on 2017-04-12, 19:04
Today I got VL/I-486SV2GX4 motherboard. I installed 512kb cache and the newest BIOS version. I am testing the board with IBM 5x86C, but later I will put 486 DX2-66 back to its place. Also installed Adaptec AVA-2825 SCSI/IDE insead of TEKRAM... that's my first SCSI EVER!
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-12, 12:51
That SCSI/IDE controller is very nice, I have the AVA-2825 model (http://www.vogonsdrivers.com/getfile.php?fileid=921&menustate=0). Best performing controller I've come across for VLB. Thanks! I wonder what's the difference between those two models. I am also curious if IDE interface on that card …
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-12, 12:20
And here's the main part of my today's haul: http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii603/tikoellner/ff1f2c52-e4d3-45d6-90fa-3e0c7c18c1db_zpsua9mw6vj.jpg I was looking for this board for some time now. The last one I bought was dead, but this is said to be fully working. No marks, scratches, nothing.
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-12, 10:53
Ah, the mailman. Apart from ASUS VL/I-486SV2GX4 the package also contained these two cards: http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii603/tikoellner/20170412_123627_zps0bmhhhrx.jpg Top: Adaptec AVA-2820 SCSI/IDE controller (I did not find any pictures of this device in the web) Bottom: rather …
Re: SIS chipset? What are your experiences?
Posted on 2017-04-10, 22:14
It's a very ineresting thread. Being a Vogons member for some time now I know that SIS chipsets are the way to go if you want to build a decent 486 retro rig. And Opti are said to be the worst of all (here I read that actually VIA chipsets should be considered the worst of all). But I guess no one …
Re: Can anyone recognize this 486 motherboard?
Posted on 2017-04-07, 08:15
Well, if you once had an early 486 and want to stay period correct, VLB is not an option. I'm thinking building plain 486 myself.
Re: What is this ISA card?
Posted on 2017-04-06, 20:50
I tend to think this is some kind of token ring adapter. This company - Dataco A/S seem to be specialized making them.
Re: Please help me identify 386 motherboard
Posted on 2017-04-06, 08:05
I think I have identified the purpose of the slot in the centre. I was looking at some IBM PS/2 model 70 machine and it seems that it hasexactly the same kind of connector. Easy to find manuals too. It is described as HDD-bus adapter connector. Whatever that is i found one while googling.
Re: Finally! My classic 486 retro rig.
Posted on 2017-04-04, 20:54
Are my Tekram results slow as well? I was using rather high-quality SanDisk Extreme III card. I don't think this is the culprit
Re: Finally! My classic 486 retro rig.
Posted on 2017-04-04, 19:54
Today I finally got ASUS VL/I-486SV2GX4 motherboard. Unlike the previous one this one actually works! Now I'm left with the dilema: should I leave the system as it is (with ASUS VL/I-486SVGO) or replace it with SV2GX4? I guess I couldn't justify building another VLB system. Some parts then must go …
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-04-04, 15:42
Jackpot! Bought some VLB hardware today: - ASUS VL/I-486SV2GX4 - working with 1024kb cache and AMD DX2-80 installed; - ADAPTEC AVA-2825 VLB IDE SCSI controller; - HERCULES VL Stingray video card; - AZTECH NX II soundcard Paid 50 USD equiv in total.
Re: Finally! My classic 486 retro rig.
Posted on 2017-04-01, 20:04
Apart from doing some spring-cleaning in my garden I took some time to get things done with my build. I played with TEKRAM controller a bit: - I upgraded BIOS from version 2.03 to 2.06 I found on the network (I just used some Winbond 27C512 that I had laying around and my newly acquired Easypro P90 …
Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today
Posted on 2017-03-30, 20:42
I think would be too much hassle as some users still have tones of simms laying around 😀
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