Guys, is there a patch/update for Windows95 on supporting the Cyrix 6x86 processors?

dominusprog wrote on 2025-09-03, 15:45:

Guys, is there a patch/update for Windows95 on supporting the Cyrix 6x86 processors?

You mean so WIn95 sees it as something other than a 486? I don't believe so, but I may be wrong.

If I recall correctly, the 6x86 was Win95 certified by Microsoft at the time, but because it was released after Windows 95, the identification routine incorrectly labels it a 486 based on how the CPU responds to the query. I don't remember there being any issues becasue of it, but again, that was a long time ago and I may be misremembering. I had a 6x86 running Windows 95 back then, before moving to a Pentium, and I don't recall any issues specific to the 6x86.

dominusprog wrote on 2025-09-03, 15:45:

Guys, is there a patch/update for Windows95 on supporting the Cyrix 6x86 processors?

There was a patch for Cyrix 6x86 Microprocessors
https://jeffpar.github.io/kbarchive/id/win95x/
https://jeffpar.github.io/kbarchive/kb/156/Q156437/

I think it was rolled into Windows OSR 2 (aka Win95b) along with a lot of other good stuff, so maybe just run Windows 95b ?

Edit -- The win95 patch was mostly cosmetic. Windows NT had bigger issues

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bananas,9.html

StriderTR wrote on 2025-09-03, 16:44:

dominusprog wrote on 2025-09-03, 15:45:

Guys, is there a patch/update for Windows95 on supporting the Cyrix 6x86 processors?

You mean so WIn95 sees it as something other than a 486? I don't believe so, but I may be wrong.

If I recall correctly, the 6x86 was Win95 certified by Microsoft at the time, but because it was released after Windows 95, the identification routine incorrectly labels it a 486 based on how the CPU responds to the query. I don't remember there being any issues becasue of it, but again, that was a long time ago and I may be misremembering. I had a 6x86 running Windows 95 back then, before moving to a Pentium, and I don't recall any issues specific to the 6x86.

Some drivers like AWE64 installer or games like NFS2 detect the processor as a 486. So it'll be nice if Windows detects it correctly.

douglar wrote on 2025-09-03, 16:48:

There was a patch for Cyrix 6x86 Microprocessors https://jeffpar.github.io/kbarchive/id/win95x/ https://jeffpar.github.io/kbarch […]
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dominusprog wrote on 2025-09-03, 15:45:

Guys, is there a patch/update for Windows95 on supporting the Cyrix 6x86 processors?

There was a patch for Cyrix 6x86 Microprocessors
https://jeffpar.github.io/kbarchive/id/win95x/
https://jeffpar.github.io/kbarchive/kb/156/Q156437/

I think it was rolled into Windows OSR 2 (aka Win95b) along with a lot of other good stuff, so maybe just run Windows 95b ?

Edit -- The win95 patch was mostly cosmetic. Windows NT had bigger issues

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/bananas,9.html

Yes, thank you. The Q156437 is what that I was looking for 🙂.

Testing some BGA profiles..

I finally have my DOS sound setup just like I want it. This gives me the widest range of compatibility and sound quality out of DOS I think I can get.

Primary: AWE64 Value
Secondary: PicoGUS
Accessory: Wavetable Pi

The AWE64 and PicoGUS outputs are combined in a cheap little 2-channel mixer externally (in the middle of the photo stack). Using the AWE64 for sound FX and the PicoGUS in MPU-401 mode with the Wavetable Pi for my compatible music need, works amazingly well.

Originally, I was running the output from the PicoGUS to the line input on the AWE 64, and it worked, but was noisy at higher volumes as you turned it up in mixerset. Doing the mixing externally solved this. Also, just using one card or the other leaves a lot of compatibility and options on the table, have to switch between them all the time is easy, but not ideal. This setup gives me the best of both worlds 90% of the time.

The grey switchbox is my DIY solution to bypass the mixed inputs and just use the PicoGUS is I want, such as when using it in GUS mode on it's own.

The black one on bottom is to select all my sound sources. 1 = Modern PC / 2 = DOS PC / 3 = Win98 PC / 4 = RetroPie.

Overall, I'm quite happy with how it all turned out! 😀

tehsiggi wrote on 2025-09-03, 18:14:

Testing some BGA profiles..

What do you use? A hand-built rig, or something more pro-spec?

myne wrote on 2025-09-04, 03:33:

tehsiggi wrote on 2025-09-03, 18:14:

Testing some BGA profiles..

What do you use? A hand-built rig, or something more pro-spec?

Not pro at all I'd say, it's an Achi IR6500 i got relatively cheap.

Still a proper rig.

That's true!
I went separate plate + hot air before and was a bit fed up by it (you only have two arms), so I went with a "proper" solution. I'll share my results and profiles in the future.
I also try to keep the rig as is (for now), however I know myself. It'll be hard to not mod the snot out of it. (More thermocouples, different heaters, removal of the bottom glass etc.)

Found this, but yet to locate the Q156437.

https://web.archive.org/web/20070222072653/ww … ws95/downloads/

I don't know how does much does this site comply with the rules here. It does the same as REMOVED 'play retro games in your browser' section. A coworker showed this site to me REMOVED
Played a few offline rounds of Quake 3 Arena (man, I got rusty) and a little bit of doom there. To me it works much better than archive.org

RandomStranger wrote on 2025-09-04, 15:16:

I don't know how does much does this site comply with the rules here. It does the same as REMOVED 'play retro games in your browser' section. A coworker showed this site to me REMOVED
Played a few offline rounds of Quake 3 Arena (man, I got rusty) and a little bit of doom there. To me it works much better than archive.org

I was wondering why they listed so many Windows games, so I loaded one up and I see that it runs Windows 95 within the DOS emulator. It loads super slowly, but it does work.

It's funny that this is possible not only over the internet but entirely within a web browser. 25 years ago this would have felt like magic.

EDIT: BTW, when I ran Age of Empires here are the specs of the system it emulates:
Pentium MMX (not sure of speed, dxdiag says 66Mhz)
128MB RAM
S3 Trio 32/64 PCI (not sure of VRAM)
3dfx Voodoo Graphics
SB 16\AWE32 Compatible

StriderTR wrote on 2025-09-04, 00:17:

I finally have my DOS sound setup just like I want it. This gives me the widest range of compatibility and sound quality out of […]
Show full quote

I finally have my DOS sound setup just like I want it. This gives me the widest range of compatibility and sound quality out of DOS I think I can get.

Primary: AWE64 Value
Secondary: PicoGUS
Accessory: Wavetable Pi

The AWE64 and PicoGUS outputs are combined in a cheap little 2-channel mixer externally (in the middle of the photo stack). Using the AWE64 for sound FX and the PicoGUS in MPU-401 mode with the Wavetable Pi for my compatible music need, works amazingly well.

Originally, I was running the output from the PicoGUS to the line input on the AWE 64, and it worked, but was noisy at higher volumes as you turned it up in mixerset. Doing the mixing externally solved this. Also, just using one card or the other leaves a lot of compatibility and options on the table, have to switch between them all the time is easy, but not ideal. This setup gives me the best of both worlds 90% of the time.

The grey switchbox is my DIY solution to bypass the mixed inputs and just use the PicoGUS is I want, such as when using it in GUS mode on it's own.

The black one on bottom is to select all my sound sources. 1 = Modern PC / 2 = DOS PC / 3 = Win98 PC / 4 = RetroPie.

Overall, I'm quite happy with how it all turned out! 😀

Nice, I am running a 3 card setup using a SBLive as a mixer in DOS on a mixed 98/DOS machine (I modified the Live card to have 2 stereo analog inputs on the rear jacks) along side an ES1868 and PicoGUS. The only thing I don't have is hardware level SB16 DSP support which I'm hoping will come in a future PIcoGUS firmware version. Originally I had an external passive mixer until I found the emu10k1 mixer program.

Always feels good when you finally land on something that removes all your annoyances

NeoG_ wrote on 2025-09-05, 00:14:

Nice, I am running a 3 card setup using a SBLive as a mixer in DOS on a mixed 98/DOS machine (I modified the Live card to have 2 stereo analog inputs on the rear jacks) along side an ES1868 and PicoGUS. The only thing I don't have is hardware level SB16 DSP support which I'm hoping will come in a future PIcoGUS firmware version. Originally I had an external passive mixer until I found the emu10k1 mixer program.

Always feels good when you finally land on something that removes all your annoyances

Very nice! Yes, that it is! My DOS 6.22 system is pretty much done.... for now. Unless I find a "cheap" Voodoo. 🤣

I've looked at ES1868 cards many times. May still get one, just to have and play with. I've never owned one, but know they are liked.

tehsiggi wrote on 2025-09-03, 18:14:

Testing some BGA profiles..

Could you share the settings of the profiles you’re testing 😀 Curious to see what temperatures are used and how long each stage is.

zuldan wrote on 2025-09-05, 10:42:

tehsiggi wrote on 2025-09-03, 18:14:

Testing some BGA profiles..

Could you share the settings of the profiles you’re testing 😀 Curious to see what temperatures are used and how long each stage is.

Once I've got something solid, I'll share them here on vogons!

Built some 30pin 4meg SIMMs using a couple of 16meg 72pin EDO SIMMs.

Hot air rework station makes this job so simple. Just a bit of flux spread over pins, then come in with soldering iron and tin all the RAM pads. Then drop the chip on top, heat up with hot air until it melts, and tap it into final position using your tweezers.

Maybe used a bit too much solder for the capacitors ... but they are good solid connections, not going anywhere.

canthearu wrote on 2025-09-06, 01:49:

Built some 30pin 4meg SIMMs using a couple of 16meg 72pin EDO SIMMs. […]
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Built some 30pin 4meg SIMMs using a couple of 16meg 72pin EDO SIMMs.

The attachment IMG_2665.jpg is no longer available

Hot air rework station makes this job so simple. Just a bit of flux spread over pins, then come in with soldering iron and tin all the RAM pads. Then drop the chip on top, heat up with hot air until it melts, and tap it into final position using your tweezers.

Maybe used a bit too much solder for the capacitors ... but they are good solid connections, not going anywhere.

Nice!

Do you have a link to the PCB and components you used for these?

Ozzuneoj wrote on 2025-09-06, 03:08:

Nice!

Do you have a link to the PCB and components you used for these?

Boards - https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/3 … d_fd85f4da.html
Capacitors - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32966490820.h … .7b8a1802fOptli
Memory - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/176493778422

While you obviously can't buy the exact memory stick set I did, any single sided 16meg 72pin memory stick or dual sided 32meg 72pin memory stick with that exact pin layout is probably compatible. Lookup the chip numbers and check the data sheets if you want to 100% sure. You could also buy the memory loose off aliexpress, but 72pin memory sticks were a bit cheaper for me.

Overall production cost is less than half the price I would pay for pre-made sticks or authentic 30pin 4meg sticks ordered off ebay. Of course, your local market may have different pricing conditions that change the equations for you. If you already have lots of the right 72pin memory going to waste, then this might be even better for you. If 30pin 4meg SIMMs are cheap where you are, then it might not make any sense to make them yourself.