I also wrote a python script to combine option roms for burning into a single eprom. It also automatically fixes boundary alignment, the length byte, and checksums.

BSOD during Windows 98 setup. I'm really coming to realize why I'm not nostalgic for this era of computing.

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-03-02, 04:22:

BSOD during Windows 98 setup. I'm really coming to realize why I'm not nostalgic for this era of computing.

Windows 98 BSOD during setup.jpg

memtest86 time

kingcake wrote on 2024-03-02, 04:27:

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-03-02, 04:22:

BSOD during Windows 98 setup. I'm really coming to realize why I'm not nostalgic for this era of computing.

Windows 98 BSOD during setup.jpg

memtest86 time

After multiple attempts at setup, it seems to be related to the Audigy 2 ZS. Twice I installed Win 98 without the card installed and both times went smoothly.

Twice I setup Win98 with the Audigy 2 ZS in the system and both times got a BSOD in the exact same place (after Win 98 h/w detection and driver install during the setup).

I guess it wouldn't hurt to run a memory test just in case. I also ran a full scan of the SSD I'm using and that reported no errors.

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-03-02, 04:35:

After multiple attempts at setup, it seems to be related to the Audigy 2 ZS. Twice I installed Win 98 without the card installe […]
Show full quote

kingcake wrote on 2024-03-02, 04:27:

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-03-02, 04:22:

BSOD during Windows 98 setup. I'm really coming to realize why I'm not nostalgic for this era of computing.

Windows 98 BSOD during setup.jpg

memtest86 time

After multiple attempts at setup, it seems to be related to the Audigy 2 ZS. Twice I installed Win 98 without the card installed and both times went smoothly.

Twice I setup Win98 with the Audigy 2 ZS in the system and both times got a BSOD in the exact same place (after Win 98 h/w detection and driver install during the setup).

I guess it wouldn't hurt to run a memory test just in case. I also ran a full scan of the SSD I'm using and that reported no errors.

The main cap on the output of the Audizy 2 ZS power supply IC often goes bad and causes lots of weird issues with hardware detection with those cards. Worth checking out.

kingcake wrote on 2024-03-02, 05:04:

The main cap on the output of the Audizy 2 ZS power supply IC often goes bad and causes lots of weird issues with hardware detection with those cards. Worth checking out.

Oh, I've recapped the main power caps on this particular card. It used to generate some static in the audio prior to recapping. Once recapped I had used it in a Windows XP system without issues.

So far it's only under Win98 I've been having instability problems.

Shponglefan wrote on 2024-03-02, 04:20:

Kahenraz wrote on 2024-02-27, 09:27:

I just found this product as well and immediately ordered one from AliExpress. This is *exactly* what I need. I have a Voodoo 2 in queue for repair and have been carefully considering how to dig out the broken legs from inside the chip. I have done this previously with an X-Acto blade with middling results. I was considering getting a dremel, but wasn't sure if it would be fine enough for the job. This grinder pen is perfect-- and cheap!

How has that repair been going? Are you going to do a thread on it?

Yes, I will! The tool is shipping from AliExpress, which can take some time to arrive.

Started rewriting my Dos game browser/launcher software (old version: https://github.com/megatron-uk/x86Launcher).

The new version (https://github.com/megatron-uk/x86Launcher2) will still have the graphical game browser and launcher, but I am intending to build in networking support (either mtcp or wattcp) so that it can do scraping of metadata and artwork live from Mobygames.

It will need the assistance of a 'proxy' on a more modern machine to deal with Https and jpeg/png art resampling, so that's what I'm working on now.

Linear regulators on early Socket 7 boards run hot with MMX processors so I went to a local library to 3D print a bracket to cool both the CPU and regulator heatsink. Attaches to the CPU heatsink but adds another fan to the right, directly over power delivery.

Previously 166MMX had it running burning hot but now with the fan and 233MMX, just barely warm to the touch. Also looks cool.

Good plan, keep your linear regs cool as possible. They are a royal pain in the butt to replace.... nah it's just three pins right, only 50% more work than replacing a capacitor... not that bit though... replacing as in sourcing a component that will actually do the job... a lot of "equivalent" tables assume that something that can only do half the job in power and current handling is good enough, nope, they are more like suggested starting points and you will need the actual data sheet of the actual part you have, don't be looking at Siemens or Plessey sheets for the device if it's got the same part number and some weird symbol of a third tier second source, it's describing a part you don't have. On top of that, when you have found that only the original part, and maybe one made by Motorola or TI will do, (I said 20 Amps not 7! ) then you've got to deal with obtaining one in single unit quantity and not getting a fake or remark. With markup and shipping you are out a minimum of $20, at this point so hopefully it won't just blow up the instant you load it, or this gets expensive quick.

Finish working on this Cyrix 486DX-2 build.

Finally decided to explore Particles BBS.

So many good memories! 😀

I finally ended up building a SLI system after all these years, from 2008 circa with an e8400 and 2 8800GT, I already have XPsp3 but I was planning on vista too, I don't care about dx11 so the question now is this.

https://take.quiz-maker.com/poll5126362xB7e94D2c-155

Should I go for vista?

The 8800 GT was a beast. I spent a lot of money on an 8800 GTS at launch, only to see the 8800 GT come out shortly after and demolish it.

Kahenraz wrote on 2024-03-03, 10:03:

The 8800 GT was a beast. I spent a lot of money on an 8800 GTS at launch, only to see the 8800 GT come out shortly after and demolish it.

I'm honestly surprised, a single 8800gt is capable of running Arkham asylum at 1280x1024 with high physx all maxed out at 45fps, with 2 it stays at 60 all the damn time.

A GTX285 can be had for $30, has XP drivers, and blows away the 8800gts.

kingcake wrote on 2024-03-03, 10:31:

A GTX285 can be had for $30, has XP drivers, and blows away the 8800gts.

I got the 8800 for 5 🤣, I also wanted older hardware but the 285 is a good card.

M brain broke when the 8800 GT came out, it was so fast. I still can't shake the memory that it's fast enough to enough to run anything. I have similar thoughts about the 6800 GT. Both of these cards broke benchmarks in a spectacular fashion when they came out.

For perspective, I have to remind myself that it's only about as fast as a 640 GT:

https://gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia- … GT/m7731vsm7722

I got a cheap 8800GTX about last year and it's nice. Leadtek PX8800GTX, the G80 kind. It's a surprise it hasn't died (yet) but the thermal pads might need a replacement as they look pretty nasty. Otherwise it has chugged along pretty nicely on an Athlon 64 x2 4600 skt939. Moved it to a Core 2 Duo later on though.

I had been "under a rock" for 3 years as far as PC hardware was concerned when I got given a 9600GT when it wasn't all that old, and running that I was like "Holy shit, why would you need anything faster than this???" still seems to me they do a decent job in "random used office monitor" resolutions. Somehow got three of the things now.

I have a "ghost" 8800 some model, written it down on decade plus old lists, vague memory of a green card, single slot, think I was even investigating if I could SLI it with a 9600, but since 2013ish it's just completely missing.... which is a lot odder than my older stuff being missing, since all my 2005 up stuff is more or less together in one area.