VOGONS


First post, by Intel486dx33

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This is a Barn find. It’s a Digital Starion 800i.
I think this was Digitals attempt into the Intel CPU Multimedia computer market.
probably around 1995.

Does anyone know anything about this computer?
What was the original components ?

Looks like it has a Sound card / Modem combo , Matrox hard-drive, and Mitsumi 4x CDROM.
I have seen other photos of this computer and that CDROM drive appears to be correct.

Specs:
Pentium 100mhz
Motherboard - SIS chipset.
Ram - 16mb
Video - S3 trio 32
Audio - Opti 929A
Hard-drive - Matrox 1gb.
CDROM - Mitsumi 4x

Last edited by Intel486dx33 on 2024-09-28, 23:31. Edited 6 times in total.

Reply 1 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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I am almost done putting this computer back together.
It is a nice little computer and pretty well thought out for a 1995 computer.
The case is NOT tool less but still easy to repair and upgrade.

It was a little dusty but was stored in a dry room so it is not full of rust.

Reply 2 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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More photos

Reply 3 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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Looks like I need a new Dallas Battery and power switch.
So I am going to have to put this build on hold.

Reply 4 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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I have a NEW keyboard and mouse.
Still waiting on parts to fix power switch.

Reply 5 of 13, by matze79

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Save the Bios please, and Share it 👍👍👍
Nice find!!!

https://www.retrokits.de - blog, retro projects, hdd clicker, diy soundcards etc
https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 6 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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Some more photos.
I might swap out the hard drive for a western digital.

Reply 7 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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I am pretty sure this computer was designed for Windows-95 or NT.
I was able to clean and restore all the original components so now it is back together and working great.
I just don’t have the original restore disks if their were any I don’t know ?

Running Win95b with updates.

Reply 8 of 13, by GuyTechie

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I owned this computer, but it was. P133 with 1.6 GB HDD. I remember that sound/modem card being a pain to configure for DOS games. I so wanted to replace it with a Sound Blaster 16 but that would also mean I need a modem too and it wasn't really worth it.

It was a big upgrade from my Packard Bell 486SX2-50

Can confirm it came with Win 95, but don't recall if it was the first edition or not.

I don't have any of the restore disks, though. I don't recall if it had software that I had to run to create the original restore disks or not, and what software it came with. I think I remember MS Works 95?

Edit : I just remembered the sound/modem card was Telecommander and because it was a combo card, it had a speakerphone feature.

Reply 9 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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I would like to get any special software that came for the modem/sound card combo.
Do you remember any?
What was it called ?

Reply 10 of 13, by PC Hoarder Patrol

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The Diamond Telecommander had a Rockwell chipset and Opti 930 audio - yours is more likely a Boca Research Sound Expression SE14400

Also, please edit the thread title...should be Starion 800i (not to confuse with DECstation series)

Reply 11 of 13, by Intel486dx33

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Yeah, the computer case looks really nice but it’s a pain to work in.
It’s difficult to reach components when trying ti fix or upgrade.
BIG Heavy and bulky too for a Win95 computer.
This is when computers cases were built like tanks.
Thick heavy sheet metal construction.

Reply 13 of 13, by ratfink

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Intel486dx33 wrote on 2020-02-29, 17:59:

This is a Barn find. It’s a Digital Starion 800i.
I think this was Digitals attempt into the Intel CPU Multimedia computer market.
probably around 1995.

Great find!

I had a Bull PC in 1995 probably aimed at a similar market segent - that was desktop (flat) style rather than a tower and had an Asus socket 7 board (AP55 maybe) with a PCI/ISA riser (for 1 PCI and 2 ISA), Goldstar CD drive... and came with an Aztech Sound Galaxy and a set of speakers... maybe an ISA modem. Windows 95. Pentium 100. ATI Mach64 graphics integrated I think.