Old Computer Upgrades

[PrinceXizor]

I'm going to be upgrading a few computers in the near future.

An original IBM PS/2 (bought new by my grandfather)
A compaq (486DX2 66)
Micron (PII-266)

Can someone help with some sites that have some specs on old cases/compatability issues and the like. Any suggestions would be appreciated to. I'm new into the hardware aspect of computers (only occasional dabbling when necessary) and these are my guinea pigs Thanks in advance to all repliers!

Edited listed system processors to correct values.

 

[halkebul]

A fellow named Crashman, who hangs out in tomsHardware.com forums is an expert in this area.

 

[alkemyst]

in regards to the PS/2 I was the FAQ maintainer (creator more than like it) since 1992 until recently.


I know quite a bit about those old machines.


Chris

 

[PrinceXizor]

Thanks for the FAQ. It told me....don't bother On a more positive note, I'll talk to my grandfather and see if he is willing to take it apart to use for spare parts. I assume there might be some interest to you diehard PS/2 fans out there, so let me know.

But, I will be upgrading at least one of the other two computers.

The Compaq is a ProLinea 4/33 with a 486 DX2 66 Mzh set-up. I may upgrade the chip/mb/memory/drivers/hardware depending on what's available and cost effective. This isn't a computer I currently use, so no impetus to spend a lot of dollars that could go into a brand new system. I'd like to get this computer set-up so I can run Win98 or maybe Linux and use it as a mail server or host my webpage or something (I'm really light on networking, so we'll see).

The Micron will by my official guinea pig before I look to crack open my HP. It's a PII-266 (Not a PIII-450 ) I'll definitely be upgrading it so any comments or suggestions will be helpful. I haven't had time to search the forums for some info on the old hardware, so if you have any recommended posts, I'd appreciate those too.

My current system is an HP Pavillion 6475Z running Win98 (Corrected 10/09/02)
Everything is factory from HP except for the Graphics Card
Intel Celeron 466Mhz w/ 66Mhz FSB
440VX/100 Chipset
96MB RAM (1 64MB SIMM and 1 32MB SIMM)
15.3 GB HD
Integrated Audio
Integerated 56K Modem
Integrated Ethernet
Internal Zip 100K (Integrated)
Diamond Viper V770 Riva TNT2 32MB 2X AGP

 

[alkemyst]

What model PS/2 is it? I may be able to give some advice.

Also be prepared to get a ton of 'do you have any modchips for sale'

 

[PrinceXizor]

I'll have to check into that. Technically, its not my computer, so we'll see where the requests for parts go...but I've got to systematically catalog serial numbers, part numbers and the like for all of these old machines....I'll post here again when I've got some more info on the PS/2....

As far as my comment of "don't upgrade" its not because its not possible to do, or not possible for me to do it, its from the fact that I have a limited budget, and would rather spend it upgrading my HP and building my new computer then spending it buying SIMMS and overchips for the PS/2....

 

[PrinceXizor]

Here's a chipset/processor question for all of you veterans out there...

Is the 440VX/100 Chipset an FC-PGA compatable socket 370 chipset? Is the chipset itself the key here? or is it the motherboard too? That's the chipset on the mb for my HP. After searching through a lot of forum posts and AT articles I couldn't find anything definite, other than that's a critical bit of knowledge to know, else I'm pretty much at the top end of my computer running the 466Mhz Celeron which is a ppga processor.

 

[PrinceXizor]

Nobody knows?

The Celeron 466 is a PPGA socket 370 chip....any Celeron or Pentium upgrades would require a FC-PGA compatable chipset? Is this chipset FC-PGA compatable?

 

[monckywrench]

It's not compatible. The path of least hassle would be to track down a motherboard/CPU/RAM bundle on pricewatch.com along with a healthier power supply. The most cost-effective way to upgrade old clunkers like those is to scrounge parts from friends and buy from surplus liquidators.

 

[PrinceXizor]

Thanks for the input! The chipset is a 440BX/ZX chipset (don't know where I got VX) but your statement still applies. I'd have to get a PGGA-FC-PGA adapter ($24.99) and then investigate BIOS issues and power draw. The current power supply is 110W. HP shows that they have a 185W PS but its WAY too expensive to even consider.

Anybody have any suggestions on PS that might fit with microATX form factor? I'm not averse to doing some slight modifications to the case to get it to fit.

Also, the plan with my current computer is to turn it into a web server. Would a celeron 466 be fast enough if I upgraded to 256MB of memory?

Finally, the aformentioned BIOS issue. Since this is an HP there isn't any substantial BIOS updates to speak of. Any comments on this issue would be appreciated as well.

 

[Mavrick007]

If you can't get bios updates then you are essentially dead in the water again. You could probably put a Tually on the BX board with a slotket or a powerleap, but you would need to update the bios as well.

For the Micron PII, what chipset is on it? The Micron might have a chance if you have a 440BX chipset but chances are that it's older than that.

Your best bet is to scavenge as much components from the machines and then buy a new current mobo, cpu, ram, and go from there cause you will end up paying more for cheap old parts which aren't supported anymore than if you go with new components. Sad but true.. even if you can get some stuff from friends, you are still putting alot of work into an old machine with old tech, but that's your perogative.

 

[PrinceXizor]

Great information! Yeah, the BIOS issue pretty much makes it a moot point unless someplace like Unicode.com has a BIOS replacement or something.

So let's hit two scenarios.

1. Just upgrading the memory (256MB max for this mb/96mb installed).

Is this one of those "memory is specific to model number" issues. Do I have to make sure I get the "proper" memory or will any older memory @ 66Mhz suffice?

2. A mb/cpu/ram swap. How can I tell if my mb/cpu/ram package will draw too much power for my 110W PS. And if I need to replace the PS, suggestions for MicroATX PS's would be appreciated.

hmm...one more question...

would my HP system as outlined in my second post be sufficient to load Linux on and run as a web server? assuming scenario one only (memory upgrade).

You've all been great and thanks to all who have responded so far!!!

 

[PrinceXizor]

Fast forward a few more weeks and here I am with a head brimming with new knowledge about old hardware, new hardware and wierd hardware.

System One: HP with Intel Celeron 433 with a 440BX/ZX chipset (My current system).
Solution: Buy a new case/ps/mb/proc/ram (cheaply) and cannibalize the old case for CD/HD/Zip/Floppy.
Proposed Components:
Case: Antec SX360 with power supply
MB: MSI KT Ultra2
Proc: AMD Athlon XP1700+ (whatever ends up being in the $65-70 range)
Ram: Corsair XMS C2 PC-3200 256MB

I'll probably end up getting a new HD eventually. But this is what I'm planning on. Comments? I want a good price/performance ratio here since I'm going to be building a brand new system shortly and would rather spend extra dollars on that system.

System Two: Micron XKU with Slot One PII-233
Solution: This one is easier since its already in an ATX case. Replace the ps/mb/cpu/ram.
Proposed Components:
PowerSupply: Antec True Power 380
MB: MSI KT Ultra2
Proc: AMD Athlon XP1700+
Ram: Crucial C2.5 PC-2700 256MB

Comments? The owner of system two might be willing to except less performance in return for cheaper upgrade cost. Any suggestions of ways to reduce cost?