VOGONS


A NOT-SO EPIC Dual Pentium Pro Build

Topic actions

Reply 160 of 167, by Irinikus

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

The Oxygen 202's a cool video card which is 100% compatible with this system, as it's from the 1996 era, however it has one fatal flaw which renders this system pretty much useless for classic gaming, as it doesn't support 256 colours!!!

This system seems to be very fussy with graphics cards, and doesn't like my Matrox millennium II, so I'm considering one of these to hopefully drive the 2D graphics in this system:

An ATI 3D Rage II 8MB (4MB on card + 4MB)

s-l1600.png
Filename
s-l1600.png
File size
317.27 KiB
Views
347 views
File license
Public domain

It's from the 1996 era, so it should hopefully be compatible with this system. (I really hope so!!!)

Screenshot 2024-03-14 at 09.42.33.png
Filename
Screenshot 2024-03-14 at 09.42.33.png
File size
164.36 KiB
Views
347 views
File license
Public domain

And it supports 256 colours @ 640x480:

Screenshot 2024-03-14 at 09.44.12.png
Filename
Screenshot 2024-03-14 at 09.44.12.png
File size
128.83 KiB
Views
347 views
File license
Public domain

And it has windows NT4 driver support:

Screenshot 2024-03-14 at 09.40.27.png
Filename
Screenshot 2024-03-14 at 09.40.27.png
File size
39.51 KiB
Views
347 views
File license
Public domain

YouTube

Reply 161 of 167, by Irinikus

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

The lowest the Oxygen 202 will do @ 640x480 is 32768 colours, and this won't do for classic gaming! 🙁

IMG_8303 copy.jpg
Filename
IMG_8303 copy.jpg
File size
1.67 MiB
Views
313 views
File license
Public domain

YouTube

Reply 162 of 167, by chinny22

User metadata
Rank l33t++
Rank
l33t++

ok fine I guess I'll "let you" swap out the Oxygen 😉
Shame as it's such a unique card, but your right not much point if it makes the PC useless for gaming.
The Rage is somewhat correct as well as dual socket servers would use it for onboard video, newer servers but servers all the same.

Reply 163 of 167, by Irinikus

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
chinny22 wrote on 2024-03-14, 22:16:

ok fine I guess I'll "let you" swap out the Oxygen 😉
Shame as it's such a unique card, but your right not much point if it makes the PC useless for gaming.
The Rage is somewhat correct as well as dual socket servers would use it for onboard video, newer servers but servers all the same.

Thanks! 😀

I'm all for other suggestions if there are any, "period correct cards which can push 1280x1024 in true colour and 640x480 in 256 colours".

YouTube

Reply 165 of 167, by Irinikus

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
luckybob wrote on 2024-03-16, 15:02:

my board works great with a matrox G200.

Matrox G200 PCI 8MB video card, quick test

Thanks very much for the link! 😀

The system's still suffering from a considerable amount of instability, especially after it's been running for a while!

I think that it may require a re-cap as well as an inspection with a fine-toothed comb (Microscope)!

I don't currently have the equipment (re-work station with microscope and oscilloscope) necessary to carry out these tasks, so I'll have to put this on hold until I do.

I'm not willing to throw more money at this one until I can get it to run stably!!!

Ultimately this little hobby will convert from collecting to repairing, which is fine by me!

YouTube

Reply 166 of 167, by luckybob

User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

You might want to fiddle around with the cpu card. if it isnt EXACTLY in the right position, it can cause errors. There is a big reason they didnt do this on other boards.

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Reply 167 of 167, by Irinikus

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
luckybob wrote on 2024-03-17, 15:33:

You might want to fiddle around with the cpu card. if it isnt EXACTLY in the right position, it can cause errors. There is a big reason they didnt do this on other boards.

Agreed!

The CPU card isn't the best of designs, as you have electrolytic capacitors sitting right up against the VRM heatsinks, which will reduce their life span as the heat sinks on this card get pretty hot!

IMG_8306 copy.jpg
Filename
IMG_8306 copy.jpg
File size
1.8 MiB
Views
153 views
File license
Public domain
IMG_8304 copy.jpg
Filename
IMG_8304 copy.jpg
File size
1.4 MiB
Views
153 views
File license
Public domain
IMG_8305 copy.jpg
Filename
IMG_8305 copy.jpg
File size
1.15 MiB
Views
153 views
File license
Public domain

I'll also need to find out how to give all of the contacts in the slots a deep clean. (The board as a whole for that matter!)

I'll need to go over this board with a fine-toothed comb in a series of logical steps.

YouTube