dionb wrote:

So, choose 1.5x and 66MHz and you should get 233MHz even if BIOS can't figure it out.

This. Thank you, I got the 233 MHz readout. While I was at it, I upgraded the CPU cooler and installed a custom, brushless fan of high quality. It is a bit loud but I don't mind 😉

Also, I picked up a P133 with a nice case for an extremely compelling price! It had a 1Mb video Trident and an authentic (albeit stripped down) SB16. An FX66 chipset and a cache module upgrade was onboard too. I happen to have an extra 256k on a slot, but I don't have the requisite 64x8 tag chip so it didn't register. Maybe I'll get one and use the slot up - none of my other Pentium systems have or need them (already at 512k). All it needed was a hard disk and a floppy disk (both of which I had lying around) and it needed some retrobrighting, so I retrobrighted ALL the things!

The P133 (pictured at left most in above pic) had an unopened, seemingly unused manual.

With something REAAAALY COOL INSIDE!

I'm keeping this page for SURE!

There is a caveat: of all the computers pictured, THREE have DALLAS RTC chips. One I had retrofitted already (the newly upgraded Voodoo 233MHz, second from left) but the other two have soldered RTCs. However, these variants allow continuation of boot process (one even holds info despite BIOS displaying a dead battery) so I was at least able to install the OSes on them. Later on in the fall I will have to retrofit them.

Just testin' some memory, like ya do.

Also testing 3 motherboards that have sat and thought for a spell, that's one of them. Seriously the next time I look up the board specs I need to save them all in one place.

Tried some CPU upgrades on a slot-2 HP workstation. Original CPUs were P2 Xeon 450MHz 512KB. As expected, it had no problem with 2x P3 Xeon 550MHz 512KB, and the BIOS correctly identifies them.
The real question was what it would do with "Cascades" core 700MHz 2MB Xeons. It's a little weird.
The 700MHz CPU modules call for 2.8V and have an onboard voltage regulator to produce the voltage(s) that the CPU actually requires. I would assume this was for backward compatibility with older motherboards, and maybe to reduce the current draw. Besides, slot-2 is huge and with the cache now in the CPU and no longer discrete, they had a ton of wasted space in there, and the CPUs were stupid expensive anyway, so I think somebody at Intel just said "What the hell, let's throw a VRM in there."

Anyway, I would have thought these "Cascades" CPUs would work with the existing motherboard VRMs (which are socketed and replaceable). But nope, it only booted after I replaced the corresponding VRM with a Coppermine-era VRM. Not sure why it needs that just to get 2.8V.
I'm still getting a scary red warning light because of the L2 Cache VRM, but I don't think that VRM is actually being used anymore. It boots and runs fine despite the warning light.

The HP BIOS reports the new CPU as a "Pentium Pro 700MHz". Close enough. I benched UT99 real quick and it's almost twice as fast as the Xeon 450MHz.

I can only install one CPU because of the VRM issue. I have more Coppermine VRMs, but the problem is that they're too bulky and the VRM sockets on the motherboard are too close together. I can only install one of them due to fitment. Checked eBay, but I guess people aren't drowning in VRMs anymore because they seem to actually want money for them now. And those that I found are too bulky anyway, just like the ones I already have.
I think I can "shorten" one of the VRMs I have to make it fit, so I'll attempt that.

luckybob wrote:

Pentium pro chips? no pics?

I did not have the foresight to take photos at the time, but the IBMs looked something like this:

They are so damn cool. I'm really tempted to pick one up for myself, but it's just too hard to justify the space they take up...

stoof wrote:

I did not have the foresight to take photos at the time, but the IBMs looked something like this: […]
Show full quote

luckybob wrote:

Pentium pro chips? no pics?

I did not have the foresight to take photos at the time, but the IBMs looked something like this:

http://mastodonpc.tripod.com/personal/images/8640-pb0.jpg
They are so damn cool. I'm really tempted to pick one up for myself, but it's just too hard to justify the space they take up...

Sweet! There was an IBM PC Server 310 (8639-0E0) in new condition with box and complete accessories on eBay Germany which sold last week. Was around 370 USD. Crazy how they went up in value, but admittedly: they are pretty cool systems. I especially dig the monolithic appearance.

Oh man, I'd love to get my hands on one or two of those beautiful machines.

I found this handy instruction telling us what we shouldn't do with a CRT monitor.

Jed118 wrote:

With something REAAAALY COOL INSIDE! […]
Show full quote

With something REAAAALY COOL INSIDE!

I'm keeping this page for SURE!

Please, scan this ! I want that AMD 486 sticker !! 😲 🤣

Deksor wrote:

Jed118 wrote:

With something REAAAALY COOL INSIDE! […]
Show full quote

With something REAAAALY COOL INSIDE!

I'm keeping this page for SURE!

Please, scan this ! I want that AMD 486 sticker !! 😲 🤣

This, please high quality scans of the stickers!

Went by an estate sale store in my local area. Picked up a stack of CDs. As usual, I am a sucker for old demo disks and weird shareware releases. Found an Amiga CD chock full of music mod files which I am very pleased with. Love mod files, brings a flood of memories of the Amiga amazing me in the mid 80s. Also found some motherboard driver CDs, some good classic games and I really like the PC Power DOS demo CDs. Never have seen those before or I just don't remember them from back in the day. The best part is the "Super Games" CD (second photo down). If you look at the bottom right corner of the CD cover it says "Dr. Ruth's Video Sex Tips". Nothing like a bunch of PC game demos and after you're done you can get some sex tips. What a really brillaint idea! Right? Errr... maybe not. 🤣

luckybob wrote:

if you have to ask, the answer generally is no. It looks like a gutless wonder. […]
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bjwil1991 wrote:

Has anyone heard of Codegen before, and is it any good?

if you have to ask, the answer generally is no. It looks like a gutless wonder.

probably one of these:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDR … =Story&reid=123

Ah. Good to know.

Here're pics of the internal:

Doesn't look that promising, but, surprisingly, no blown caps and the fuse is still good.

Quite mediocre.

Welp. I don't know if anyone needs to know this, and I didn't do extensive testing, but a PCI *Mac* Matrox Millenium works on a 486 PC.

Edit: It is *possible* that someone stuck a non-Mac Millenium in a Mac, I have been looking this up online and it seems Milleniums all had low-density 15-pin connectors, and there were about 100 versions of this board, so I can't confirm that it's "really" a Mac card.

So I may have got a PC Millenium in a Mac chassis.

yea, that power supply should just be scrapped. That is a prime example of a crap supply that is just a time bomb, ready to blow and take out all that old hardware with it.

appiah4 wrote:

Deksor wrote:

Jed118 wrote:

With something REAAAALY COOL INSIDE! […]
Show full quote

With something REAAAALY COOL INSIDE!

I'm keeping this page for SURE!

Please, scan this ! I want that AMD 486 sticker !! 😲 🤣

This, please high quality scans of the stickers!

It is done.

https://imgur.com/a/StjMjtz

There are three scans, one at 300 DPI, one at 600 (that one somehow got a full page scan), and an 800 DPI version.

If these are insufficient quality, let me know, I have a newer scanner at work.

I looked inside my Sony Minidisc MDS-JE440 and I don't know if these units used a CMOS battery.

I checked the voltage and it's 0.13V (of 3V I presume).

Well, the top will tell you definitely. button batteries are typically labeled with 4 numbers, you can read all about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Button_cell

"do not use or store inflammable substances near the monitor."

If a substance is flammable, it could burn (flame). Why would I worry about an inflammable one? If it's inflammable, what's the problem?

Cobra42898 wrote:

"do not use or store inflammable substances near the monitor."

If a substance is flammable, it could burn (flame). Why would I worry about an inflammable one? If it's inflammable, what's the problem?

"inflammable" means that it can catch fire easily. It's not the negative form of "flammable" but a synonym for it.

bjwil1991 wrote:

Ah. Good to know. […]
Show full quote

luckybob wrote:

if you have to ask, the answer generally is no. It looks like a gutless wonder. […]
Show full quote

bjwil1991 wrote:

Has anyone heard of Codegen before, and is it any good?

if you have to ask, the answer generally is no. It looks like a gutless wonder.

probably one of these:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDR … =Story&reid=123

Ah. Good to know.

Here're pics of the internal:

Doesn't look that promising, but, surprisingly, no blown caps and the fuse is still good.

Codegen's pretty notorious over here in EU. So light they're not even useful as a paperweight. I'd scrap or use it for soldering practice...