VOGONS

Building a 486 - Need Help

Topic actions

First post, by Gazirra

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

I had posted awhile ago about putting together my first 486, but I didn't have pictures for the issue I was having.
I had bought the parts off of a FB group I'm in, and they should be enough to build a functioning system. I had had a recommendation to use a P8P9 power adapter so I wouldn't need to directly plug into the outlet. So, I got in the adapter along with a switch I could use to power the motherboard on so that I could see that it works.
I got the wrong switch type, so I had a buddy of mine modify what I got so that it could be used to ascertain whether or not the MB worked.
I plugged everything in, added a graphics card and CRT monitor, and tried it all out. Nothing seems to have happened. The monitor still reads "no signal," and I don't know how else to check to see if things were working.
Below are some pictures of the setup. If you need more, let me know and I'll provide more.

Reply 1 of 6, by Anders-

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

null

Last edited by Anders- on 2022-04-20, 19:03. Edited 1 time in total.

Måttfull och balanserad.

Reply 2 of 6, by Gazirra

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

I don't know if it's jumped properly...
And where would the speaker go?

Reply 3 of 6, by kikipcs

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Gazirra wrote on 2022-02-04, 04:03:

I don't know if it's jumped properly...
And where would the speaker go?

The attachment Speaker.png is no longer available

Somewhere in this row of headers.

For the jumpers, your board looks like the QDI VL/ISA-PB486P3. (confirm with the markings on your board)

You can find the manual and jumper settings for it here: https://www.ultimateretro.net/en/motherboards/5568

Reply 4 of 6, by aitotat

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

Does the power supply fan start to spin? If not, the motherboard is shorted, PSU is broken or you have wrong type of switch (and make sure the power switch on back of the PSU is also turned on). First thing is to get the PSU to work.

Reply 5 of 6, by Gazirra

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie

What sort of switch should I buy?

Reply 6 of 6, by kikipcs

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Newbie
Rank
Newbie
Gazirra wrote on 2022-02-04, 19:20:

What sort of switch should I buy?

You'd be safest with getting an AT power supply just to check if the board is working.

And check if the voltages are OK on the main power rails with your PSU. Or check if it boots with an ATX board.

Go to top of page Go to top of page
Back to General Old Hardware
Close window
Close window