To junk or not to junk: my old computer

[reimerron]

Howdi,

Just wondering if my old beater computer can be upgraded. I still use it for programs and hardware that won't run on XP. My wife can get on the internet if I'm busy with photoshop on my new computer. It's an old, read: SLOW, Mitsuba with an Authentic AMD-k5 processor, 64 mB RAM, and a whopping 6 gig HD. The Bios code (2A59GS2GC) tells me that the motherboard is a SOYO SY 5VDC, but SOYO won't tell me any more than that it is obsolete and unsupported. I seem to recall someone telling me I could upgrade the processor and RAM and get a little more performance out of it. I don't know much about the inside of a computer, but if I knew what kind of components to look for used on ebay or at some surplus outlet, I could probably get them installed and, with a little help from some savy friends, maybe learn a little bit in the process.

I would assume there is some kind of faster rated processor that would fit in the socket, more RAM (cheap obsolete capacities), a cheap 40-60 gig HD and some knowledge about overclocking this old girl so I don't have to put her to sleep. (Old computers are kinda like classic cars, aren't they. I believe someday this will be a collectors item!)

Seriously, can anyone help me get started, here? (This is my first post on this forum, so go easy on me.) Will any old processor that fits the socket work (I told you I didn't know anything about the inside of the computer).
Just how much better performance might I expect? TIA.

Reimerron

 

[Gilby]

Originally posted by: reimerron
Howdi,

Just wondering if my old beater computer can be upgraded. I still use it for programs and hardware that won't run on XP. My wife can get on the internet if I'm busy with photoshop on my new computer. It's an old, read: SLOW, Mitsuba with an Authentic AMD-k5 processor, 64 mB RAM, and a whopping 6 gig HD. The Bios code (2A59GS2GC) tells me that the motherboard is a SOYO SY 5VDC, but SOYO won't tell me any more than that it is obsolete and unsupported.

I'm sorry, but are you positive on the MB? It isn't listed at all on the Soyo "discontinued motherboards" page, and they go back a long way with good info on lots of very old product. Also, a google search on Soyo and 5VDC finds absolutely nothing. (5VDC is a power line term. Are you sure you didn't read something wrong?)

 

[nqc2k]

All you can really do is upgrade the ram. A processor upgrade is probably not worth it as you probably can't get one that is much faster than yours.

Format the old computer and do a fresh install. 6 gigs if perfect for a win98se. Also, do you share your internet connection? If you don't, buy a router for 20 bux or so and share it, lots easier than fighting over who can go online. if your on dialup, you can easily share it too.


hope this helps.

 

[Ken90630]

You could keep the case, optical drives and HD and then replace everything else: New PSU, motherboard, processor and RAM. You could buy a good quality but relatively inexpensive mobo like the Shuttle AN-35N, an Athlon XP 2500 processor, 256 MB of decent RAM and a decent Sparkle PSU for about $225--$250ish. Or find some comparable used parts for even less.

Word of caution: Some of those old cases are picky about the size of PSU they'll accept. You may end up having to keep the current one (which may or may not handle a new Athlon). These projects often end up being more trouble than they're worth, and the thread ends with the person just deciding to invest a few more $$ to get an all new (but still inexpensive) system altogether. No harm in asking your questions though. Good luck!

 

[reimerron]

Hi Gilby,

That's what SOYO support site told me too. I traced the motherboard from some internet site that correlates model number to the BIOS code that shows on the screen at bootup (2A59GS2GC-00). I suspect the model is the original SY model. Seems like the last time I looked at the board itself, this number, followed by the voltage, 5VDC, was there. Thanks.

Reimerron

 

[reimerron]

nqc2k,

Got DSL and a router, but the internet and everything else is still a lot slower than I'm used to on the new machine. How do I determine how much RAM this processor/motherboard can handle? I have two 32's in there now. I assume that at some point, larger capacity memory is not available in the style I need or else will not improve my performance. Will Crucial.com's memory scan work on this old computer? Is there any way to overclock the processor. I know I'm getting in way over my head now, starting to use words like "overclock". Thanks for your help.

Reimerron

 

[Ken90630]

It's an old, read: SLOW, Mitsuba with an Authentic AMD-k5 processor,

Is there any way to overclock the processor.

:laugh: (no offense)

 

[montag451]

no reason why you couldnt use the computer as a print server, or a firewall!!!

 

[Antoneo]

Yeah, turn it into a capable router/firewall/printserver with a lithe linux distro. Try passively cooling everything and stick it in a nice small case, maybe even using a case from old electronics.

 

[Gilby]

Originally posted by: reimerron
Hi Gilby,

That's what SOYO support site told me too. I traced the motherboard from some internet site that correlates model number to the BIOS code that shows on the screen at bootup (2A59GS2GC-00). I suspect the model is the original SY model. Seems like the last time I looked at the board itself, this number, followed by the voltage, 5VDC, was there. Thanks.

Reimerron

Again, that doesn't make much sense. What internet site? Soyo's site lists lots of K5 motherboards. Your's is probably one of them. You might need to take a closer look at your board to find what might actually come after the SY.

Anyway, you might or might not be able to go to a K6 processor. You really do need to find a real model number to find out. That would be a decent speed upgrade. You could also get a stick of PC-66 RAM, say 128 megs worth. Hard drive size might be limited to 30 gigs or so depending on the IDE controller. Ken's suggestion of keeping the case and chucking about everything else would probably see you needing to chuck the case too, as it's likely has an AT form factor, and about anything new you buy would need ATX.

 

[reimerron]

Thanks Gilby, that's exactly what I needed to know!


reimerron

 

[Ken90630]

Ken's suggestion of keeping the case and chucking about everything else would probably see you needing to chuck the case too, as it's likely has an AT form factor, and about anything new you buy would need ATX.

Gilby is absolutely right. I should have clarified my post a little better. You might just end up keeping only the optical drives and the HD. People laugh at those old 6 GB hard drives (I do too), but some of them are real workhorses. I'm typing away on a 6 GB Western Digital from 1998 right now, on this old Gateway dinosaur of my mom's, and the HD has worked flawlessly for more than 6 years. It's noisy and it's slow, at only 5400 rpm, but it gets the job done. For someone who's patient and doesn't need a lot of storage, and doesn't want to spend a lot of money to upgrade, they work.

Good luck with whatever route you decide to take with your computer.

 

[montag451]

if you want the best performance from a new computer, then use this one as a gateway/proxy/firewall/print server.

ideal for this - as long as it is quietish, doesn't crash, then, install firewall on it and print sharing - and away you go.

best of luck

 

[reimerron]

HI Gilby,

Checked the motherboard for a number. It IS SY-5VD, not -5VDC. There is nothing else on the board that would be a model number. It is not even on SOYO's list on their site, so do you think it would hurt to put a couple sticks of 64MB or 128 MB RAM in the two slots. It also has 4 SIMMS slots. I presume you can't use these slots if you are using the longer slots (SDRM?) What happens if you put too much ram in?

The gateway idea of Montag's sounds interesting, but I don't understand why using an old computer as a gateway makes the other computer perform better.

Reimerron

 

[montag451]

cos that means that you don't have to install firewall on new computer, so saving some resources