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Conference noted::ibmpc-95

Title:IBM PCs, clones, DOS, etc.
Notice:Intro in 1-11, Windows stuff in NOTED::MSWINDOWS please
Moderator:TARKIN::LINND
Created:Tue Jan 03 1995
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3023
Total number of notes:28404

2982.0. "New Blue Lightening Q's" by BOOKS::RAPHAELSON () Wed Apr 09 1997 15:13

    I checked the old IBM Blue Lightening note for this info, but the
    answer wasn't there.
    
    My secondary (read that "kid's") system has an IBM Blue Lightening
    Alaris motherboard.  It's the OPAL model, with a Cyrix 486-66 SLC CPU
    and the companion co-processor, and a Diamond Stealth VLB graphics card.
    I'm currently running it with Win95 and 8mb, and I'd like to speed it up 
    a little.
    
    Is it worth adding 8mb more memory to this? The CPU can only see 16MB
    	according to the specs, it takes 30 pin 4x9 70 ns simms.
    
    Can any upgrade CPUs be put in the co-processor slot?
    
    Or should I just bite the bullet and change the motherboard?
    
    .........................Jon..........................................
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2982.1TARKIN::LINBill LinWed Apr 09 1997 15:316
    re: BOOKS::RAPHAELSON
    
    Your system with 16MB and Win95 is very usable.  (sp?)  I have that
    very machine and configuration at my parents' house.
    
    /Bill
2982.2Do you really want to spend $$ on 30-pin SIMMs?JULIET::HARRIS_MANetworks Sales ExecWed Apr 09 1997 16:338
    BUT, if you have to go out and pay premium dollars for 4meg, 30-pin,
    SIMMs, then buying a new motherboard with 72-pin sockets is a much
    better use of your money. At *some* point you WILL buy a new
    motherboard, and you WILL wish you had not spent good money on 30-pin
    SIMMS. (I think 30-pin SIMMs are actually much more expensive then
    72-pin SIMMS today.)
    
    Mark
2982.3More Q's?BOOKS::RAPHAELSONWed Apr 09 1997 17:0211
    Well, I suppose I could think about using 72 pin simms and those
    adapter boards.  On the other hand, when I finally upgrade the MB I
    could use osme of the simms on my SB32, which has 30 pin simm slots.
    
    Do the 72->30 pin adapters work? 
    
    I have two non-parity 72 4 MB simms displaced from my Starion when I
    upgraded it with 16 MB simms.  WOuld those work on the Opal Cyrix board
    with the adapters, or is the 4 X 9 30 pin simm the Opal board book
    calls for a parity design? 
    ................................Jon..................................
2982.472-to-30 pin adapters are VERY, VERY rare... and expensive!JULIET::HARRIS_MANetworks Sales ExecWed Apr 09 1997 17:269
    72-pin to 30-pin adapters are almost IMPOSSIBLE to find. I actually saw
    them once. (Everyone carries the 30-pin to 72-pin variety, it's the
    OTHER DIRECTION that is very, very strange since it needs to plug into
    ALL FOUR SIMM SOCKETS in the 'bank').
    
    Anyway. You are stuck. The cost for the adapter board was very high too
    ($50?).
    
    Mark
2982.5AXEL::FOLEYhttp://axel.zko.dec.comWed Apr 09 1997 18:5111

	If it were me, I'd bite the bullet and get a motherboard/CPU
	combo. A fast 486 with 72-pin memory. Use the 2 4MB SIMMS
	you have and get a 30-->72pin adaptor. These are easy to find and 
	not expensive if you use your DEC discount at CompUSA.

	Now you have a decent motherboard with 16MB of memory and a
	fast 486. Shouldn't cost you more than $200 total.

							mike
2982.6MB's... $under $2-JULIET::HARRIS_MANetworks Sales ExecWed Apr 09 1997 19:4011
    Actually, several of the motherboards I see in the mailorder places have
    both 72-pin and 30-pin sockets for memory. SOme even have a VLB slot.
    I saw one MB, with a SINGLE VLB slot, some 30-pin memory sockets, and
    the rest PCI slots and 72-pin SIMMS. AMD K5-75 and this type of MB
    would run you well UNDER $200 these days.
    
    (VLB/PCI combo boards impact overall MB performance, but you can re-use your
    video card if you so choose. Otherwise, go all PCI, and get a $50 VIRGE
    PCI Video card too!)
    
    Mark
2982.7WRKSYS::INGRAHAMAndyThu Apr 10 1997 19:112
    I haven't looked; but shouldn't he be able to pick up some 30-pin
    SIMMs cheaply from other people upgrading their old 486's?