First post, by Intel486dx33
Purpose of this computer build is for playing Old DOS games and modern DOS games.
I want to be able to slow down the CPU enough to play old DOS games like "Wing Commander"
ability to set the CPU at speeds from 25mhz. thru 133mhz.
I have this Intel 486dx4-100mhz. computer built and running fine.
Time to test it out with some games.
Performace is good.
Audio playback is good.
Later I added more ram ( 32mb ) and replaced the CPU with an AMD 5x86-133-P75.
The AMD CPU did make a substantial performance difference.
About 15% faster.
DOS boot up time is about 5 seconds.
With the turbo button turned on I can slow down the CPU to 66mhz. And even more with “Setmul” program. In combination with turbo switch, Disabling L1 cache slows down the computer to 386sx-25mhz or maybe even slower. I received a score of 5.48 in “speedsys” program and a score of 45 in “topbench” program. In order to play really old DOS games.
I don’t know what these scores amount to but they appear to be lower than a 386dx-40mhz.
Specs:
CPU - Intel 486dx4-100 , and AMD 5x86-P75-133
Motherboard - Lucky Star LS-486.
http://www.elhvb.com/webhq/models/486pci/ls486ec2.htm
Chipset - SIS
Cache - 512kb. ( 15ns )
RAM - 32mb. FPM
Video - STB S3 trio64 ( 2mb. , PCI ).
Audio - Sound Blaster AWE64 ( ISA ) CT4520
Hard-drive - CF card with IDE adapter ( Sandisk extreme 8gb.).
CDROM - Sony 32x
Network - 3com 3c509b-TP Etherlink III ( ISA )
Case - Some NEW inexpensive ATX from ebay. It’s okay I guess. ( # 3045KA ).
PSU - 300watt AT.
OS - DOS 6.22
Software -
DOS 6.22 (from WinWorldPC)
TCP/IP package ( mTCP )
http://www.brutman.com/mTCP/
3com 3c509 packet driver
https://www.uselesssoftware.com/download/3c5x9x-zip
SB AWE64 install CD
http://www.vogonsdrivers.com/getfile.php?file … =26&menustate=0
Phils computerlab benchmark tools and DOS Starter pack.
https://www.philscomputerlab.com/dos-benchmark-pack.html
https://www.philscomputerlab.com/ms-dos-starter-pack.html
All disk DOS 6.22 boot disk image.
https://www.allbootdisks.com/download/dos.html
Setmul utility
https://www.philscomputerlab.com/k6-2-2-3-resources.html
Installation process:
First configure your BIOS with default and optimal settings and configure to boot from “A:” first then “C:”.
1) create DOS 6.22 boot disk
2) boot from boot disk and the fdisk and format the hard-drive.
xcopy all the contents for the boot disk to the hard-drive.
Use this command A:\ xcopy /e *.* C:\
Then sys the C: drive with this command A:\sys C: and reboot.
This will give you a bootable hard drive with CDROM and mouse support.
3) Download the “Phil’s DOS starter pack” and install with “install.bat” batch file. Reboot
4) Install sound card software and test sound card and then reboot.
5) Setup 3com 3c509b network card. Copy mTCP and 3com files to hard drive. In directories
C:\Drivers\3com\3c509
C:\Tools\Lan\mTCP
Run 3C5X9CFG.EXE setup program to setup your 3c509 NIC and test.
Copy 3C5X9PD and MTCP.CFG to the root of C:\
Edit autoexec.bat with these lines
REM command to load 3c509 NIC packet driver.3C5X9PD -w 0x60 IOBASE=0x300SET MTCPCFG=C:\Tools\Lan\mTCP\Sample\MTCP.CFGREM Set path to MTCP.CFG ( Where MTCP.CFG is your sample MTCP.CFG file provided with mTCP package )REM Add the PATH to all directories and files needed:PATH=C:\DRIVERS\LAN\3com\3c509;C:\Tools\Lan\mTCP;C:\DOStools;C:\DOS622
6) Download, extract and burn DOS 6.22 files to a CDROM. Copy to hard-drive directory C:\DOS622
with command # D:\xcopy *.* C:\DOS622
7) Download, extract and burn DOS_bench-mark pack to CDROM disk and run tests from there.
CREDITS: Thanks to all the hardware and software providers. Philscomputerlab.com and Vogons community.
How can I make this better ?
