Building an old system 3

[SeanGilbreth]

I want to build myself an old computer from around the mid-90's, to play old games like Syndicate Wars, Monkey Island etc., however I only have a general idea of what to buy, I want:

Soundblaster Pro
Intel Pentium II 300MHz
32MB RAM
2GB HD
CD-ROM

But, I don't know what motherboard, case, and graphics card to use. Can anybody recommend me some, and where would I be able to purchase all of these items in the UK?

Thanks!

 

[edfair]

I suspect that you are into throwing money away with this project. But UK may be different than US.
I purchased a Gateway PII 64mb 4gb less than a month ago for $34 and a Dell Pii 64 for $38. You can't buy a case for that amount. The stuff was used, but comparable would do what you want.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[LSTAN]

Hi DakotaXS

I am using a PII system with the below specs:

MOTHERBOARD
*Biostar M6TLA
PROCESSOR
* Intel Pentium II 450MHz (Slot 1)
CHIPSET
* Intel 440LX
RAM
* 256Mb SDRAM PC100 (m/b supports Three 168-pin DIMM Sockets)
SLOTS AVAILABLE
* 3 x ISA Slots
* 4 x PCI Slots
* 1 x AGP Slot
I/O
* 2 x Ultra DMA/33 Bus Master IDE ports
* 2 x USB ports on board
* PS/2 Mouse & Keyboard Connectors
* 1 x FDD, 2 x Serial Ports, 1 x Parallel
Size
* ATX Form Factor

 

[mainegeek]

DakotaXS,
Have you considered visiting a PC Shop in your area? They may have what you are looking for from doing upgrades.

 

[kmcferrin]

I assume that you would have used computer shops in the UK, there are quite a few of them in my town in the US, most of which will have systems with specs similar to what you have mentioned. You also might try eBay as well.

I don't know if it's possible to dual-boot DOS and a modern Windows OS, but if it is then you could probably run your current hardware with a program like MOSLO to slow things down.

 

[paparazi]

DakotaXS
I've got everything you need
You collect or pay for the post hardware is free
Nottingham
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[SkipCox]

I'm with Martin...I'm in California and you can have some of my old stuff if you reimburse me for shipping.

If you're not in the USA, shipping is worth more than the parts.

Skip

http://skipcox.net

 

[SeanGilbreth]

Thanks, paparazi, I'll keep that offer in mind, but first I'm going to do some more searching around.

 

[paparazi]

Well best look for a motherboard with the newer PS2 keyboard and mouse connections with USB.
There is know point choosing a board that uses the older serial connections without useful USB, these boards don't have the SOFT power OFF function.

That would be any socket 7 motherboard (or super socket 7) for 100mhz CPU's, AMD K62 CPU's 233/550mhz

Slot1 motherboards for Pentium 2/Celeron (cartridge type) or an aditional slocket adapter (slot1 to Socket 370)

Socket 370 for FPGA? again Celeron Pentium 2 but socket not slot.
Forgive me if I'm not entirely accurate, this is just from memory.

Like I say I have several motherboards with processors around this era, also a bag of K62's, 400mhz mostly.

Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[rvnguy]

DakotaXS,

I am confused, paparazi's and SkipCox's generous offers will be difficult to best.

But you are free to do as you wish.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[garebo]

Especially with pap being in the UK as well, such a deal.

I deal with this a lot as i do a lot of charity work. I take in older machines and refurb them and they go to schoolkids who dont have a pc at home.

I agree with all the above, you can pick these machines up for from free to $50, but the $50 one better have a lot of stuff in it, lol. Or its back to free, maybe $20.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[SeanGilbreth]

Well, paparazi, after a very long thought (as you can see), I have taken more intrest in your offer, are the items still avaliable?

 

[Freestone]

A software solution that has resurrected a few of my old DOS games, including sound and joystick support, on an Athlon XP 2700, XP SP2 platform (Monkey Island is listed as supported):

http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1

 

[paparazi]

DakotaXS
Of course, I've got all sorts that you can choose from, my only concern is any postal charge may be more than the PC is worth, obviously if you can collect in person it will be completely free.
email me
martin_@ntlworld.com

Martin


We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[paparazi]

DakotaXS
Posted
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Nelviticus]

Martin, that deserves a star!

Nelviticus

 

[SkipCox]

Yes it does deserve a star...good work Martin. Great to see old systems put to use.

Skip

http://skipcox.net

 

[paparazi]

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed DakotaXS can find all the drivers for his prefered W95 setup (sent with W98SE)
To be honest although a bit of an effort, it actually did me a favour, forcing me to test and sort out many of my old spares (the bin men aren't going to be too happy though, lol)
Nice that someone could have the benefit.

Martin



We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[SeanGilbreth]

I'm a little confused though, which drivers would I need?

 

[paparazi]

DakotaXS
Before you wipe 98SE go into the device manager and write down the specific hardware that is being reported, this might be enough information to enable you to download the correct drivers for your prefered Windows 95
Drivers needed
Chipset for the motherboard
S3 Virge or onboard SIS VGA
Onboard sound? or the seperate card (I supplied drivers)
Modem if you use it
USB if you use it?

It's been so long since I played about with a 95 machine that I'm not sure which drivers Windows 95 will automatically install from it's own data base so install Windows95 and see which devices are flagged in device manager and armed with the original hardware list you should be able to figure out which drivers you need to find

AMD K62 500
SIS integrated Super Socket 7 motherboard ATX
128mb PC100
3.2Gig Fujitsu HDD
350watt ATX PSU
Onboard SIS graphics with seperate 4mb S3 Virge
Onboard sound with Seperate cmedia 4.1 sound card
32X Rom plus second slower CDrom
Floppy
Midi ATX case
Modem riser
Martin






We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.