[1271] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Upgrade 8088--80386sx
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Tue Sep 22 11:35:10 1992
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1992 10:27:40 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
4 Messages, 86 lines
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From: jaffe@scilibx (Lee Jaffe, Microcomputer & Network Services)
Subject: upgrade - SUMMARY
I received quite a few responses to my posting. While there was a range
of views expressed, even many of the positive comments included some
caveats about upgrading 8088 to 80386sx machines. Among the technical
considerations, the most-cited was compatibility of power supplies. (This
could be easily checked, however.) Other technical considerations included
fitting the board in the case, with one person mentioning the alignment of
the slots on the board with the slot openings in the case and another saying
they had to cut off one of the drive supports in order to fit a 80386 card
into an XT case. A number of those that have done it, or had it done for
them, said that it worked ok - one even remarked that was fun having a fast
processor hidden in the dull, old XT case - but most said that it was a lot
of work and a little iffy. Several suggested that the best approach would
be to pay a vendor to do the conversion, complete with warranty.
On the definte "no" side of the question, many respondents pointed out that
a 386xs case is running under $450 with a 80MB IDE drive. I checked some
ads and found a basic 386sx case for $299. Adding a drive, monitor and
whatever, I could see getting a 'real' 386sx in the $500 range. I'm not
sure whether this argument convinces me since my original question was
whether to replace, at some cost, the original MFM drive or to upgrade the
machine for a little extra. A lot depends on how much you have in your
pocket. My inclination is to see the upgrade problems as significant and
probably forego that approach. Now the choice is between replacing the
original drive or replacing the whole computer. While replacing the drive
starts to look like throwing good money after bad, I just may not have
enough to take the high road.
Thanks to everyone that responded. If you have specific questions about some
of the above points, feel free to ask.
-- Lee Jaffe, UC Santa Cruz
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From: "Systems Coordinator ... 855-1958" <JMARME@ucs.indiana.edu>
Subject: RE: upgrading 8088 --> 80386sx
One thing to consider is the longevity of your original power supply. I
would not hold out much hope of several more years of uninterrupted
performance. Also, I would expect to replace the video board sometime
down the road.
Jay Marme'
Indiana University-Bloomington
Business/SPEA Library
jmarme@ucs.indiana.edu
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From: Rachel S. Moreland <MORELAND@KSUVM>
Subject: Re: upgrading 8088 --> 80386sx
I tried to send a message to Lee at the address given and received a
"not deliverable" response. I would like to know what Lee finds out
about upgrading 8088's.
**********************************************************************
RACHEL MORELAND -------------------\
SOFTWARE SUPPORT LIBRARIAN | \
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES | * |
MANHATTAN, KS 66506 | |
TEL: 913-532-7462 | |
MORELAND@KSUVM ----------------------
*-----
From: Steven Kirby <kirby@athena.cs.uga.edu>
Subject: Re: upgrading 8088 --> 80386sx
Geez, I've been one upped again. Lee, we didn't go with 386SXs, though I
wish we had. We did pretty much as you described, but used 286 (yech)
motherboards instead. We've got only one problem machine--so far--out of
the dozen or so we rebuilt. Not all of them got new IDE drives. One of
the saddest sights I've seen recently is a 16 mhz 286 with an old ST225
hard drive. The one problem machine was a 20 mhz 286 with an ST238R
drive in it. It seems to be working as of this morning. I think there
was probably and IRQ conflict with the network board that we didn't get
resolved before we put the machine out. Ooops! But on the whole, we're
quite pleased with the result and with the savings. Still, this solution
is not for the faint-hearted and probably assumes that you have some pretty
high power tech support locally for when things go wrong. In the past I
have heard of PC stores that refused to service machines that have been
rebuilt in this fashion. I'm hoping that we'll be able to replace these
things with 386DXs down the road. Those we'll probably buy rather than
build. But as a stopgap, this solution looks like it will work for us, at
least for a while.
Steven Kirby
University of Georgia
kirby@athena.cs.uga.edu
