BetaC wrote on 2024-03-14, 07:40:

Yesterday I effectively declared an intent on getting something in the future. IMG_3124.jpg IMG_3131.jpg Yeah, with a Model F an […]
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Yesterday I effectively declared an intent on getting something in the future.
IMG_3124.jpg
IMG_3131.jpg
Yeah, with a Model F and a 5151, I'm sealed in to the fate of having a 5150/5160. I really couldn't say no to getting these effectively for free. Of course the place I got them from has utilized my labor, so it isn't truly free.
IMG_3127.jpg
I also grabbed a Paradise EGA card so that I could test the 5151, which luckily worked well enough to show the previously seen cursor and not much else. Pentium machine doesn't like ISA graphics...

IMG_3125.jpg
I also grabbed this LCC 286, and the 287 to go with it, and below is the sound blaster 2.0 that rounds off the group. Someday I'll throw it in to the IBM PC, for the sake of it.
IMG_3126.jpg

That is probably the smart way round to do it, for any pre-VGA system, first get hold of the monitor and unusual peripherals because the system units are much easier to find than complete systems.

As mentioned though, they are slow, paint some things so that you are entertained by watching the paint dry while you are waiting for it to do things.

Thermalwrong wrote on 2024-03-14, 13:23:

Micronics-Spitfire-EX-2 (Custom).JPG Got this nice seemingly new-old-stock Micronics Spitfire EX motherboard - the seller's pict […]
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Micronics-Spitfire-EX-2 (Custom).JPG
Got this nice seemingly new-old-stock Micronics Spitfire EX motherboard - the seller's pictures were atrocious: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155672682383
But from the picture I could make out that it has a Yamaha OPL3-SAx and the OPL4-ML chip so I've had my eye on it for a long time, then they accepted my offer when I got around to it 😀 It's also got onboard adaptec SCSI but I doubt I'll use that.
The same seller also has another single CPU slot1 Micronics motherboard for sale. A real old one with an FX chipset, looks like a Micronics Stingray.

It is literally immaculate and doesn't seem to be used at all apart from maybe testing in the factory. The box is in rough shape and the seller unfortunately put tape over the serial / part code label so half of that pulled off but it's still legible.
Dunno if I have a case big enough to fit this thing...
Micronics-Spitfire-EX-1-2mb.jpg
Full res pictures if anyone wants them: https://imgur.com/a/V1Uvwg2 - It might be nice to use on the retro web but I'm not signed up on there.

that does seem like a good buy! you'll have to make a case if you don't have one 😀 seems like a board that requires a set up

Radeon X800 GT 256MB AGP and Chaintech CT-6VIA3.

AndrettiGTO wrote on 2024-03-14, 14:02:

BetaC wrote on 2024-03-14, 07:40:

Yesterday I effectively declared an intent on getting something in the future

Be prepared, a lonely flashing cursor is the only thing you’ll see during the long boot up of a 5150 with full memory! You’re off to a great start. 😀

Oh I’m aware of the hell I have signed up for. My PS/2 gave me enough of a warning.

BitWrangler wrote on 2024-03-14, 14:26:

BetaC wrote on 2024-03-14, 07:40:

Yesterday I effectively declared an intent on getting something in the future. IMG_3124.jpg IMG_3131.jpg Yeah, with a Model F an […]
Show full quote

Yesterday I effectively declared an intent on getting something in the future.
IMG_3124.jpg
IMG_3131.jpg
Yeah, with a Model F and a 5151, I'm sealed in to the fate of having a 5150/5160. I really couldn't say no to getting these effectively for free. Of course the place I got them from has utilized my labor, so it isn't truly free.
IMG_3127.jpg
I also grabbed a Paradise EGA card so that I could test the 5151, which luckily worked well enough to show the previously seen cursor and not much else. Pentium machine doesn't like ISA graphics...

IMG_3125.jpg
I also grabbed this LCC 286, and the 287 to go with it, and below is the sound blaster 2.0 that rounds off the group. Someday I'll throw it in to the IBM PC, for the sake of it.
IMG_3126.jpg

That is probably the smart way round to do it, for any pre-VGA system, first get hold of the monitor and unusual peripherals because the system units are much easier to find than complete systems.

As mentioned though, they are slow, paint some things so that you are entertained by watching the paint dry while you are waiting for it to do things.

Yeah, I now have an excuse to actually get things like an XTIDE and whatnot. And really, me wanting a 5150/60 is more for showing something cool rather than a functional system. It’s the same reason I want a trashcan Mac Pro eventually.

Thermalwrong wrote on 2024-03-14, 13:23:

Oh nice :) I have one of those and it's a nice GF2 card. Reading the reviews from the time are a bit funny though, it has the wo […]
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Pino wrote on 2024-03-14, 13:05:

Grabbed a Geforce 2 PRO for $1 from my local recycling center. I have several Geforce2MXs, but this is my first GTS / PRO. […]
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Grabbed a Geforce 2 PRO for $1 from my local recycling center. I have several Geforce2MXs, but this is my first GTS / PRO.

Fan is stuck, but it's posting.

Memory is only 5.5ns which would translate to 181Mhz, PRO should be 5ns (200Mhz).

I was reading about it yesterday and back at that time it was a mess with a lot of manufactures launching GTS / PRO hybrid with weird specs.

Oh nice 😀 I have one of those and it's a nice GF2 card. Reading the reviews from the time are a bit funny though, it has the worst thermal performance of any GF2 card since the fan is the wrong type and the fins aren't enclosed so the 'blower fan' type thing they were going for doesn't do much of anything. I think I taped or covered over the fins to improve the cooling, not that it gets enough use right now for that to really matter.

Micronics-Spitfire-EX-2 (Custom).JPG
Got this nice seemingly new-old-stock Micronics Spitfire EX motherboard - the seller's pictures were atrocious: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155672682383
But from the picture I could make out that it has a Yamaha OPL3-SAx and the OPL4-ML chip so I've had my eye on it for a long time, then they accepted my offer when I got around to it 😀 It's also got onboard adaptec SCSI but I doubt I'll use that.
The same seller also has another single CPU slot1 Micronics motherboard for sale. A real old one with an FX chipset, looks like a Micronics Stingray.

It is literally immaculate and doesn't seem to be used at all apart from maybe testing in the factory. The box is in rough shape and the seller unfortunately put tape over the serial / part code label so half of that pulled off but it's still legible.
Dunno if I have a case big enough to fit this thing...
Micronics-Spitfire-EX-1-2mb.jpg
Full res pictures if anyone wants them: https://imgur.com/a/V1Uvwg2 - It might be nice to use on the retro web but I'm not signed up on there.

Is it missing a heatsink on the Northbridge? It looks like some thermal tape or something? Is it BX chipset?

AT-motherboard able to run doom 3 at playable framerate(sort of)

I was on that kick in the early noughts, trying to get a Tualatin capable AT board going with plans of vandalising a (then dirt cheap and unappreciated) lunchbox portable. Got a PC Partner BX slot one board which was best candidate, but it didn't even like coppermine. Relatively recently got powerleap adapter, so maybe I could get a tualeron going on it now. Also still want a lunchbox case. I tracked one down selling new in 2018, (mATX) but I've lost it again.

overdrive333 wrote on 2024-03-15, 11:02:

AT-motherboard able to run doom 3 at playable framerate(sort of)

Zida boards were pretty solid and cost barely more than pcchips back in 1999. I modded a lot of those for Coppermine, but never Tualatins.

rasz_pl wrote on 2024-03-15, 21:00:

overdrive333 wrote on 2024-03-15, 11:02:

AT-motherboard able to run doom 3 at playable framerate(sort of)

Zida boards were pretty solid and cost barely more than pcchips back in 1999. I modded a lot of those for Coppermine, but never Tualatins.

I also modified it only for coppermine. The rest will be done by the interposer on the tualatin. Do you know if this board has a pci 1/4 divider?

I bought this GeForce 3 for a good price ($50 USD, free shipping). Seller stated in the listing:

I note that the fan seems loose, and it makes a rattling noise as it spins.

The fan was caked in dust so I gave it a good blast with compressed air. When I did this, the fan popped off! I'm surprised it didn't fly off on its own when he was testing it. No wonder it was "rattling".

I popped it off between a plastic credit card and a flat head. The thermal paste had turned into an epoxy, or maybe that's what it was to begin with. I'm familiar with this yellow stuff and confirmed that it is immune to Goo Gone, rubbing alcohol, and acetone. The only way to get it off is to scrape it away with a razor blade.

After cleaning off the GPU, I replaced the fan. Luckily I bought some spares a few years ago. Now it works like a charm.

The GeForce 3 is one of my favorite cards. It's kind of like a faster GeForce 2 Ultra but with early shader support. It also works with very old drivers that still perform well on non-Coppermine processors.

Link back to my previous experience with this kind of paste and pictures of how much effort it takes to clean it off.

Re: Bought these (retro) hardware today

I'm on an ABIT spree. First this NF7, thanks to @Robert B. It's been armed with an 2800+ OC'd to 3200, 2GB worth of DDR400, a silver Spire cooler and a Hercules 9700 Pro.

Then, two VP6s await me from the U.S.A, and a special episode 😁.

Gee, just thinking how I began from a simple BE6-II and worked my way up to nearly 5 boards, of which some pretty fancy ones (BP6, IS7-E, NF7, IP35 Pro) feels crazy. I seriously had not expected my quest of acquiring ABITs would end up THIS far.

Kahenraz wrote on 2024-03-15, 22:49:

Link back to my previous experience with this kind of paste and pictures of how much effort it takes to clean it off.

I always use Zippo fluid to remove that kind of "glue". Had a Medion FX5600XT with that type of gunk and a bit of Zippo fluid loosened it just well. Heck, the same fluid got me a V3 3000 heatsink off without needing to freeze the card.

I bought this GeForce 4 MX 4000 for cheap and it unexpectedly came with a free Radeon 7000 in the box! Cool.

I don't know if this is true for all MX 4000s, but this Jaton one works on motherboards without 3.3V on the PCI slot, which is why is scooped it up. My TNT2 m64 PCI, GeForce 2 MX PCI, and GeForce 4 PCI do not work without 3.3V, so I consider this one special in that way.

PcBytes wrote on 2024-03-15, 23:06:

Pro) feels crazy. I seriously had not expected my qest of
I always use Zippo fluid to remove that kind of "glue". Had a Medion FX5600XT with that type of gunk and a bit of Zippo fluid loosened it just well. Heck, the same fluid got me a V3 3000 heatsink off without needing to freeze the card.

Is this it? https://zippo.com.au/lighter-fluid-4-oz-125-ml/

Maybe it's the presence of liquid petroleum that loosens it. I haven't ever tried that before.

Are you certain that it's the same stuff I removed that was immune to everything else?

Kahenraz wrote on 2024-03-15, 23:11:

Maybe it's the presence of liquid petroleum that loosens it. I haven't ever tried that before.

Are you certain that it's the same stuff I removed that was immune to everything else?

Yes, the same yellow gunk.

zuldan wrote on 2024-03-15, 23:10:

PcBytes wrote on 2024-03-15, 23:06:

Pro) feels crazy. I seriously had not expected my qest of
I always use Zippo fluid to remove that kind of "glue". Had a Medion FX5600XT with that type of gunk and a bit of Zippo fluid loosened it just well. Heck, the same fluid got me a V3 3000 heatsink off without needing to freeze the card.

Is this it? https://zippo.com.au/lighter-fluid-4-oz-125-ml/

Yes, that's the one. The same type of fluid loosened up a V3 3000 16MB heatsink, with very little help from a long since expired credit card.

I done messed up... that event where I didn't get any of the system units or monitors a couple of weeks ago. I could have picked up three 5 gallon jugs of naptha... while I was there it was kind of itching my brain..... that's useful for something but I can't remember what... then after I got home it was a massive DOH, it's basically what zippo fluid and coleman stove fuel is, coulda used it for camping and cleaning.

Kahenraz wrote on 2024-03-15, 22:45:

I bought this GeForce 3 for a good price ($50 USD, free shipping). Seller stated in the listing: […]
Show full quote

I bought this GeForce 3 for a good price ($50 USD, free shipping). Seller stated in the listing:

I note that the fan seems loose, and it makes a rattling noise as it spins.

The fan was caked in dust so I gave it a good blast with compressed air. When I did this, the fan popped off! I'm surprised it didn't fly off on its own when he was testing it. No wonder it was "rattling".

I popped it off between a plastic credit card and a flat head. The thermal paste had turned into an epoxy, or maybe that's what it was to begin with. I'm familiar with this yellow stuff and confirmed that it is immune to Goo Gone, rubbing alcohol, and acetone. The only way to get it off is to scrape it away with a razor blade.

After cleaning off the GPU, I replaced the fan. Luckily I bought some spares a few years ago. Now it works like a charm.

The GeForce 3 is one of my favorite cards. It's kind of like a faster GeForce 2 Ultra but with early shader support. It also works with very old drivers that still perform well on non-Coppermine processors.

20240315_172200.jpg

20240315_173426.jpg

20240315_182835.jpg

Its not immune to ISO, you need 97% ISO and need to let the card soak in it for a while, the Epoxy will soften up and it then become easier to scrape it off, I keep a lunch box around for just this type of job. Have done this to a couple of Geforce 4 cards and a few Voodoos including a Voodoo 4 and 5.

The side benefit is the card gets a nice clean too. I wouldnt let the iso cover the back of the card however as it'll take the stickers off.

The easiest way I have found to remove the coolers is to throw the cards in the freezer for a few hours which makes the epoxy brittle, doesnt make it easier to scrape off but its easier and safer to remove the coolers this way.

BitWrangler wrote on 2024-03-15, 23:27:

I done messed up... that event where I didn't get any of the system units or monitors a couple of weeks ago. I could have picked up three 5 gallon jugs of naptha... while I was there it was kind of itching my brain..... that's useful for something but I can't remember what... then after I got home it was a massive DOH, it's basically what zippo fluid and coleman stove fuel is, coulda used it for camping and cleaning.

I generally alternate them - Zippo when it's stubborn stuff like that yellow glue as well as 3dfx's special concoction, IPA for anything else that is at the very least malleable.

Whenever you guys write IPA, I read it as India pale ale. I keep thinking - how would that help with anything? (-: