First post, by jake_friz
I hope this is the right forum in which to ask this question. What is the best 16 bit ISA video, audio, and network cards for a 286-16 machine? My current understanding is:
best 16 bit ISA
Video - ATI Mach 64 w/ 4MB RAM
Audio - Creative AWE64
NIC - 3COM 3C515 10/100
I have all 3 of these cards and they function in my 386 PC. However, yesterday I began a 286 project. The board is a late 286-16 that takes SIMMs. I don't know that manufacturer or have the manual. Anyhow, the NIC works. The other two cards do not. When they are inserted the system will not POST. With other (very old) isa audio and video cards it POSTs fine.
So, I'm looking for alternate high powered audio and video cards that will work in my 286.
Or I'd take advise on how to get the cards to work mentioned above to work in my 286.
I'm also interested in any one's opinion on other ISA cards that might be considered best in class.
For instance I have a sigma designs MPEG 1 isa decoder card (I forget the part number). I'm hoping to one day get my 386 to play MPEG1 files using this card. I also have a ISA PCMCIA adapter. With that I hope to get USB onto my 386. Lastly I have a ISA Sony 1394 card. And if someone disagrees with my top audio, video, and NIC picks, I'd love to hear about it.