First post, by JK1984
I managed to get my hands on an an almost mint condition Acer Acros Model 4309 (P433D) I can't seem to find any information about this model online. No manual no nothing.. This isn't the exact model I was looking for but it was something I couldn't pass up. This model is a year or two older than the one I had growing up and there are some slight differences. Nevertheless I'm trying to get the computer upgraded and as close as to what I had growing up (nostalgic purposes) and have a few questions.
1. This computer doesn't have a ZIF socket. I have swapped out other 486 cpus on a motherboard with a ZIF socket but I have never worked with or replaced a CPU that didn't have a ZIF socket. What do you suggest the best method would be to replace the cpu without damaging anything? Also the current DX/33 cpu has a heatsink glued to it. I'd like to replace it with a DX2/66 but I'm not sure if I can use a bare DX2/66 with no heatsink? I'm debating about getting a DX2/66 overdrive instead, since that's what was in the computer I had and they have a heatsink glued to the cpu.
2. With the onboard video (Cirrus Logic CL-GD5422-75QC-A), I'm pretty much stuck with 640x480 resolution @ 256 colors. I can get 800x600 but doesn't display properly. I know the onboard video is upgradeable. There's 4 DIP sockets labeled VIDEO MEMORY (256k x4 80ns DRAM) Anyone know what memory chips that would work? I always wanted to upgrade the video in the computer I had growing up so this would be a nice bonus if I could do that.
Also, once I get the chips, exactly how do I install them? Just push them in? what about orientation? I assume there's only one way to install them.
3. I'm not a fan of the PS/2 ports for the keyboard and mouse being on the front left side of this model. But this is what I have to work with. There's a header on the motherboard with a pin out, that goes to a small circuit board with the PS/2 ports. Every time I unplug and plug a keyboard and mouse in I feel like I'm going to break it. The whole setup isn't exactly sturdy. It's a very tight squeeze and you really have to push to get it in there. The keyboard isn't as bad as the mouse since the keyboard is original. The mouse is what I have most trouble with. Anyone have any ideas? Maybe there's a different style mouse I can use that doesn't have all the extra plastic around the actual connector? Also If by chance I do break it, I'm not sure what I can do for a replacement? Seems like any information on the board is on the inside that's not visible. So I'd have to take it apart to see what kind of board it is.
4. Two of the IDE pins are slightly bent on the far left side. Getting the IDE cable to fit properly isn't an issue. Should I worry about trying to straighten them out? or am I best to leave it be?
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance
-John