• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Need some help with some old school hardware.

M

Mears

Platinum Member
Ok, I'm working with a pentium classic computer(166mhz). Here is the stats:

Model: Compaq Presario 8702
Mem: 24mb EDO 72 pin
Processor: 166 mhz Pentium
HD: 2.5 gb
Video Card: S3 Virge 2mb PCI
Sound Card: AMD Interwave


Ok, it came with windows 95 and for some reason I put windows 98 on it a long time ago. I've had a heck of a time trying to get that sound card to work and it was even a pain getting it to work in DOS games in win95. I've decided to get rid of it. I'm probably going to go back to windows 95 because for some reason, I've never been able to run DOS only games in windows 98 that well.

So first, I need a suggestion on a cheap sound card that works well with DOS, win95, and win98.

Second, I was checking out crucial.com and it claims that the computer has 8mb mem built in, and two 8mb simms. It says that the max is 128mb, which I confirmed at compaq.com. I'm wondering if that was before there was a such thing as 72pin 64mb simms. With for slots I could put 256mb in, which I guess might be a little overkill for win98 and especially for win95.
 
1. in FS/FT there are several people selling ISA soundblaster 16 and vibra 16 cards for under $10 + shipping. These would be great.

2. W98 runs decently with 32 MB and very well with 48 to 64 MB ram, so 2 x 32 = 64 (+8) = 72 MB would be plenty. I recall FS/FT people selling these cheap too, maybe even the same people.
 
Honestly. I'd go back to 95 without the Windows Desktop Update.My first PC was a Pentium 75 with 40MB of RAM and a 1Gig HD. I noticed a significant difference in upgrading from Win 95 to 98 (ie 98 was slower). So I'd stick with 95. I agree with DaveSimmons suggestioms. cya
 
Alright, is there any reason to go with an ISA sound card over a PCI one?

Lastly, what about generic EDO simms? Crucial ram is about $1/mb and I can get generic stuff off pricewatch for about $14 shipped for 32mb.
 
Oh one other thing...what is the difference between the different models of the sound blaster 16? I noticed a few different model numbers and some pnp(plug-in-play?).

And is there any reason that 64mb simms wouldn't work in the memory slots? I'm wondering because by adding 2 64mb simms I would bring the total memory to 172mb.
 
ISA soundblaster is a little more compatible with DOS games (needs one less driver), and $5 is a good price 🙂 . pnp has jumperless IRQ / port / DMA settings, non-pnp has jumpers. Vibra is the cheaper version OEM alternative to "real" SB16.

EDO is pretty much EDO, and buying generic or from FS/FT would save some money though you'd lose the lifetime warranty.

If the Crucial website says your mobo supports 64's then it probably does, otherwise I wouldn't risk it unless you're sure you can return them.

What are you going to use the box for? the extra $60 for 128 (=152) vs. 64 (=88) might be a waste of money.
 
I haven't really decided what I'm going to do with it yet, but you're probably right about the extra memory.

Lastly, does anyone know whether the Pentium classics were multiplier locked? I remember looking at the mobo and it had places to set both the multiplier and FSB settings.
 
The multiplier on my 166 MMX box that I still have is not locked. I can bump it up to 233, but it isn't stable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top