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ISA on a new computert 2

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ahoodin7

Programmer
Jun 16, 2004
72
US
I want to find new computers with ISA bus for a customer of mine. The problem is they don't want to upgrade part of their system that is running on an ISA card. How can I do that for them cheaply? Needing good links, FOR systems using well known motherboards like ABIT, ASUS, AOPEN.

Help!

ahoodin
 
ahoodin7
You are probably faced with the choice to go refurb or 2nd user as the last motherboards with ISA slots went out of production 4 to 5 years ago.
Another alternative maybe to buy ISA to PCI convertors (daughterboards) but these are pretty rare nowadays and possibly pricey.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.
 
that is running on an ISA card
Is there only one machine & ISA card??

As a good consultant/integrator, you should locate alternatives to this antiquated bus, and explain the drawbacks of attempting to maintain an architecture that replacements are impossible to replace. The pay me now or pay me later syndrome.

It might be eaiser and more economical to convert than to attempt to maintain this.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all
 
I am supporting multiple customers with ISA requirements with off-lease IBM Netvista and Dell Optiplex equipment.
Think the highest I've paid was $89 for Netvistas and that included SE installed.
While I was in the purchase mode I also bought enough to have spares.
I had previously acquired the ISA parts plus the PCI scsi and network parts.

I've been in the "no equivalent parts" bind several times. It isn't fun.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.
 
Thanks Ed...I should of added that after laying out the drawbacks, If the customer is still insistant, you then have fufilled your duty in the respect of cautioning(of course in writing) and you must then do as the customer wishes if you want to maintain the account.

The customer is right even when they are wrong.


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all
 
Ok great guys, now where are those links?

ahoodin
 
Ok great guys, now where are those links?

Try giving us a clue as to what ISA card/application you are talking about.

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all
 
Yes these links are great!

BTW the computers *should* be desktops, although I am sure some will want laptops.

ahoodin
 
You're kidding, right? A laptop with a full sized ISA slot built in? Ain't gonna happen.
 
Maybe you didn't follow the links that were already supplied?
 
Hey I found a current DFI board with an ISA slot (socket 370) at Newegg.


And a SolTek (socket 478)


You should also be able to find some used equipment with ISA slots. What kind of performance are you needing? I have an old system with an ASUS 440bx chipset and a PIII 500MHz processor that runs win2k just fine for normal office type of work.

What kind of software are you running? If it is some speciality application used with the ISA board, it might not like a really fast computer. Some older software has timing problems on really fast hardware.

You said you needed a "new" computer. If you took a good used motherboard and put it in a new case with new PS, new drives, fans, etc. it should perform reliably.

Just a few random thoughts, good luck with the project.
 
Thanks Jim. The board is a good idea. I spoke to the people who are involved in the project yesterday and they don't want to build a computer, nor do they want one built for them :[. That sort of puts a kink in my plan. My coworker thought they should use some old DELLs but I just dislike using used equipment with old hard drives and old CD-Rom Drives and burnt up backlights and the rest. I guess it will be that way.
 
...but I just dislike using used equipment with old hard drives and old CD-Rom Drives and burnt up backlights and the rest. I guess it will be that way."

Make sure you get a good budget to cover all the repairs and replacement parts. I guess you're gonna need it...

ROGER - G0AOZ.
 
In the probable 3 years I've been using the old netvistas I've lost 1 M/B and 1 P/S. This across 6 machines.
The dells are a different story since I do a field marriage of used net, adaptec, and scsi drives. In 11 machines averaging 1 1/2 years now I've lost 1 P/S. Don't know if using the original IDE stuff would have made a difference but suspect not.

At the prices you pay for used you can afford a 50% sparing budget.

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