What retro things have you done today?

Does it have Packard Bell navigator? Weirdly still remember that, it was like a dumbed down shell with applications represented as books on a bookcase etc

Haha yes! You’ve just unlocked a childhood memory!

I never had a Packard Bell but my mate did and I was always jealous of the PB Navigator
 
Does it have Packard Bell navigator? Weirdly still remember that, it was like a dumbed down shell with applications represented as books on a bookcase etc
omg! I completely forgot about that! The last time I used my old Packard Bell I was in my 'tinker learning' period and installed a questionable copy of Windows 98se on to it and so I didn't have the Packard Bell software anymore.
I don't have a clue where the original restore disks are for mine but I hope I find them as I definitely want to re-experience that :)

Wasn't there also a similar thing included called Kid-Dos which was like a dumbed down version of windows designed so you couldn't break the computer?
 
On a related note, after some digging around I've discovered that this is the motherboard in my system:

I'm quite intrigued regarding the 'Video Memory upgrade' that you can perform but i'm completely confused as to what you need to complete this, the link mentions 256Kx16-50ns SOJ EDO DRAM chips but after all my years working in IT I don't have a clue what that means lol
Can anyone point me in the direction to what I would actually purchase?
 
On a related note, after some digging around I've discovered that this is the motherboard in my system:

A quick search also links it to this one:


I'm quite intrigued regarding the 'Video Memory upgrade' that you can perform but i'm completely confused as to what you need to complete this, the link mentions 256Kx16-50ns SOJ EDO DRAM chips but after all my years working in IT I don't have a clue what that means lol
Can anyone point me in the direction to what I would actually purchase?


Assuming you have the 2 empty sockets below, then it's just a case of finding the memory chips.

The easiest way is to look for a PCI graphics card that had the similar or same Graphics chip (the arrowed part), and a socketed VRAM upgrade,

E.g. this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225998314833 looks like would probably work:

If you punch the markings of the chip AS4C256K16E0-50JC into google you get the datasheet which lists it as 256Kx16, EDO and 50ns


1747303526463.png
 
Assuming you have the 2 empty sockets below, then it's just a case of finding the memory chips.

The easiest way is to look for a PCI graphics card that had the similar or same Graphics chip (the arrowed part), and a socketed VRAM upgrade,

E.g. this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225998314833 looks like would probably work:

If you punch the markings of the chip AS4C256K16E0-50JC into google you get the datasheet which lists it as 256Kx16, EDO and 50ns
Thanks for the quick response that definitely helps a lot! I never considered finding an old card with the socketed memory.
From what I recall the board did have two empty slots but the last time I opened the case would been around 2002(!) and that was to upgrade the RAM to a whopping 80mb lol

I'll post an update when I eventually pick the PC up, I just hope the caps and PSU are all ok.
 
Got the PS/2 out and set up properly for the first time since I bought it, it seems to work pretty well!
Floppy drive works, hard drive works (at least, I can view the contents and free space in fdisk)

Nice!

n4mrdbm.jpeg


It seems to be temperamental turning on though, I think its probably just the power switch because it eventually just works. I suspect a loose connection, I need to open it up, can you believe I haven't even done that, it just worked. :p
 
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Been looking on the glorious bay of E today wondering what would be a fun old build I haven't done before. Never had a pentium 2 and tried to do a P3 and the board was dead :( . So currently front runners

Several nice agp cards kicking about so seems a shame not to use them
 
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I installed my (new to me :p ) Audigy with the game port bracket. Drivers installed and it works a treat.

I like this unit. The old me would be chasing a 1Ghz setup, but this 700 MHz unit is where it's at. The motherboard doesn't go any faster, but is rock solid. I have a 2.1 sound setup and it even runs Dosbox with output to the PiMT32.

Heres a few pics, including the innards and rear.

PXL-20250516-162649569.jpg

PXL-20250516-154001508.jpg

PXL-20250516-154010955.jpg


As much as I'm enjoying it, it might be time to cycle the kit, otherwise the other retro bits don't get used.
 
I’ve just picked up the following for the Cooler Master Stacker SLI build…

Asus Maximus Extreme
Core 2 Duo QX9650
4 Sticks of Crucial Ballistix DDR3

The motherboard also comes with the Asus Supreme FX 2 PCI sound card and LCD Poster screen
 
Opened up the very nicely made and likely hand assembled power supply in the PS/2 and found the probable miscreant causing issues.
Had to drill rivets to open her up.

qm4GPDr.jpeg


EOhJSYp.jpeg


ZkmzqBU.jpeg


Cap now removed and staining cleaned off the PCB as best I can, new cap on the way! Hopefully that sorts it, if not I will gut it and assemble a regular AT power supply inside the original casing.

Oh and have a pic of the inside generally while I'm at it, with the PSU removed of course.

6e2owpm.jpeg


All these pics were taken after a liberal going over with the dusting paintbrush, it was pretty dusty in there. That Dallas RTC will need sorting too, thankfully its socketed. So thoughtful! :D
 
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Got the PS/2 out and set up properly for the first time since I bought it, it seems to work pretty well!
Floppy drive works, hard drive works (at least, I can view the contents and free space in fdisk)

Nice!

n4mrdbm.jpeg


It seems to be temperamental turning on though, I think its probably just the power switch because it eventually just works. I suspect a loose connection, I need to open it up, can you believe I haven't even done that, it just worked. :p

Oh man this is beautiful. That Packard Bell gave me flashbacks to my aunt having one when I was a kid (a much later model, mind). I remember going over one day and playing Need for Speed or something on it.
 
My lasting memory of a PS/2 we had at work was how easy it was to misalign the cards and make it go bang. Can't remember what the add-in card was we tried to develop just the destruction of several motherboards.
 
I’ve just picked up the following for the Cooler Master Stacker SLI build…

Asus Maximus Extreme
Core 2 Duo QX9650
4 Sticks of Crucial Ballistix DDR3

The motherboard also comes with the Asus Supreme FX 2 PCI sound card and LCD Poster screen

I have an issue, the Maximum Extreme has a X38 chipset which doesn’t support SLI… Can anyone recommend an SLI board from ~2006 / 2007
 
I have an issue, the Maximum Extreme has a X38 chipset which doesn’t support SLI… Can anyone recommend an SLI board from ~2006 / 2007
the original rampage extreme?
I've not owned that one but I had a II and a IV and both were excellent.
 
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the original rampage extreme?
I've not owned that one but I had a II and a IV and both were excellent.
Thanks, just been doing some further research and looks like it’s the Striker I need, which uses the Nvidia chipset. The Rampage is X48
 
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