Problem solved! (in a way)
I found my AWE64 card and it works! I did this:

I have completely "maxed out" the BIOS settings.
I have maxed out the XP-M's multiplier to 12.5x. (OK, I haven't unlocked it yet, but I'll get around to that.)
I am using an AGP (voodoo3) graphics card.
I am using VIA's 4-in-1 driver, version 4.35. (I will go back to version 4.43 soon, as I now don't see this as a problem.)
I am using Breese's Latency patch.

All sound and music testing works. No delays, no crackles. So, I guess the EWS sound card didn't like me using an AGP card in this KT133A based mobo. Also, the EWS doesn't like being run with the CPU operating at a particularly fast speed.

I thought that I would try my hand at building one of these "retro rockets" I have plenty of spare parts lying around in a storage closet so the only thing I need is a CPU and Motherboard.

I have just won this CPU:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem … e=STRK:MEWNX:IT

What would be the best of these socket A motherboards to match it with?

I am watching a few auctions such as:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem … e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem … e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem … e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thank you in advance.

Did you look at the sellers reputation before buying? 😦

Yeah, I figured I could afford 15 dollars, if it works I win the gamble. Hrmm..... I don't gamble at casinos at all, but I do on old computer parts on ebay. That is just odd. 😉

My instinct is to go with the soltek board. I just found this website. Though it looks like the cpu might work on the ABIT.

http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Soltek/SL-75KAV.html

2Mourty, please note that the last 2 mobo ebay links are the same item, and also that particular seller does not ship outside of the EU.
The first mobo ebay link is also located in the UK. It would cost quite a lot to ship to the US. Also, I doubt if this Soltek board will run your t-bred 2600+ CPU OK, even though you have provided a link saying that should be OK.

I would recommend you get a QDI Kinetiz 7E-A board, but get one with the shiny silver looking caps. These can be seen on the PCB revision "2.0(S2.3)" boards. This ID can be found in the bottom right hand corner of the mobo. This board will run your t-bred 2600+ CPU at 133FSB. They are budget boards, and don't have great OC'ing capability. But the caps are good quality!

Other good alternatives are Abit KT7A revision 1.3 boards, and Epox EP-8KTA3 boards. (No other KT133A chipset-based 1 ISA slot mobos will accept your t-bred 2600+ CPU.) BTW, the 4 Epox board IDs are:

EP-8KTA3
EP-8KTA3+ (raid)
EP-8KTA3PRO (extra OC'ing, but this is a "joke" on any used "non-recapped" board)
EP-8KTA3+PRO (raid + OC'ing)

It doesn't matter what PCB revision numbers you get, either 1.0 or 1.1 will be OK. The Epox boards are infamous for having bad caps. Even if they look OK, they probably aren't. You won't get any stable OC'ing from these boards. Also, you'll need a very good PSU (powerful 5AMP rail required) to run the t-bred 2600+, plus all your other bits n pieces in it.

If you get a KT7A version 1.0 to 1.2, then it won't run your very fast CPU at 133FSB. Instead, it will run it at 100FSB. The version number for the Abit boards can be seen on the top left hand corner, at the end of the white bar code sticker.

The more I think about this, the more I think you should consider getting an XP-M CPU, such as a 2400+. Before I accidentally killed mine, it was stable in these "retro rocket" boards.

GOOD LUCK! Let us know how you get on!

Sorry about the wrong link to the other motherboard, this should be it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem … e=STRK:MEWAX:IT

You talk about a recapped motherboard. Where would one go to do that? Just curious.

http://www.badcaps.net/ is one place.

I bought a kit of caps for my Abit BF6 there. They will also recap the board for you if you would like to go that route.

swaaye wrote:

http://www.badcaps.net/ is one place.

I bought a kit of caps for my Abit BF6 there. They will also recap the board for you if you would like to go that route.

How did you get on with recapping your Abit BF6? Approximately how many caps did you replace, and how long does each cap take to do?
Also, is it sensible to only recap the caps that look bulged? I guess one strategy would be to recap the "bad looking" caps first, then stress test the mobo with some benchies. If it seems OK, then the other "OK looking" caps don't need replacing. I mean, there are a lot of caps on some mobos, and quite a few of them appear "small, flat topped, and kind of harmless looking".

I'm getting more interested in recapping one of my boards each day now. I would like to try recapping one of my Epox EP-8KTA3 boards - the one with the really rotten looking caps. I noticed on the badcaps.net website, there is a list of tools to get -

1 - A temperature controlled GROUNDED soldering station.
2 - A pneumatic or vacuum powered desoldering tool aka 'solder sucker'.
*Don't use a mechanical one, they can damage the board!
3 - A needle pick or similar object, a stainless steel dentists pick is perfect!
(Can be used instead of a solder sucker if you don't have one)
4 - A roll of 60/40 rosin core solder.
5 - Proper quantity of NEW and proper value replacement capacitors.
6 - A pair of small side cutters.
7 - A sharp Exact-o Knife.

If someone spots one of these items on ebay, and it's a quality product that's worth getting, could you post the ebay item number here please? Thanks very much, I'd really appreciate that. (This is what's stopping me from trying this at the moment - I'm not confident enough about this stuff to be able to select the right products to get on ebay, because I've never done any kind of soldering or repair work before. Should I get these items from an electronics shop instead? I'd like to know that I've got the right tools for the job.)

Edit: I just found this post from 5u3:

5u3 wrote:

Meanwhile I managed to […]
Show full quote

Meanwhile I managed to

• revive my KTA3+ Pro by exchanging the bulging capacitors with replacements from dead boards.
• kill the AGP port by severing a trace near one of the caps I was working on. 😵

Ah well. I'll keep this one for practicing my soldering skills. 😉
Replacing the caps is not very difficult, but you need good equipment and it's very tedious work. It took me more than two hours just to replace six caps.

Many many years ago, my initiation to soldering took place when I learned that the VIC20 (iirc) in my C64 was damaged. I went into an electronics shop and asked for what I needed. Amounted to about 30 bucks at the time, a repair was far more. I decided to gamble and invested. It took me a tense afternoon to unsolder the old chip and solder in a socket for a new chip. But hey, was I mighty proud when I switched on the crate with fingers crossed and it worked flawlessly...

I just spotted a soldering and desoldering "all in one" station unit on ebay -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIt … em=320477453364

It's incredibly expensive. The item description does not mention the word "grounded", but it does say that it is a "Microprocessor controlled ESD safe unit". Is that the same thing? If I get an "all in one" unit, does that mean I do not need item number 3 on the list printed in my post above, which is "a needle pick or similar object - a stainless steel dentists pick is perfect!" ?

When I switch on the soldering iron, is this what happens? (See photo). Do I need to wear a space man's outfit?

Yup the above photo accurately depicts what happens when I power on my soldering station for some fun with retro hardware.

😐 😁

Clearly this individual is highly experienced. Most solderers don't realize that head gear is a great addition.

retro games 100 wrote:

When I switch on the soldering iron, is this what happens? (See photo). Do I need to wear a space man's outfit?

No, the thick gloves are all that matters.

I've found a website (capacitorlab.com) with instructions to recap a mobo:

http://www.capacitorlab.com/replacing-motherb … howto/index.htm

Where's the spacesuit?
😉

- Flux Cleaner Spray
- Antistatic Wrist Strap

are for cowards 😉

😈 😈 😈 Check my signature and obey me 😈 😈 😈

I think now I can enjoy the fruit from KT133. This is what I call fun !!! I'll try to post some pics when time found.

I have decides to join the fun and have ordered my first ever KT133A. I want to see the unholy side of retro. Today, I made a good start by getting an AWE32, which seems to be a rather unholy soundcard too. Fortunately, my evil underboard comes with a ready to fry CPU and soon to smoke memory. On top of an all inclusive "puff" there is a nice Paypal coverage for the "fully functioning" board. Let the flames begin...