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View Full Version : Considering Rebuild of IBM Bomb


LadyGrey
01-06-2003, 08:04 AM
Hello All and a Very Happy New Year to you!!
The IBM bomb has finally gone down for the count this time I think. Pretty sure it's the power supply, just makes the most awful noise when turned on and I've traced the noise to that. So, I think, using the same case that I'm gonna try to start putting together another computer for Donnie. I'm just in the thinking stage now and I'm trying to make a list of what I will need. I'll be using the same ROM drive, it's just a 52 generic and the same floppy drive and the case. I figure I'll need to find a motherboard that will match up with the case first of all, do motherboards come with power supplies or is it the cases that will sometimes come with them or is that something else I'll have to get? and then a processor that will match up with the motherboard, doesn't have to be anything really fast, it's a 300 mhz now so if I take it up to maybe 800 or so that should be fine for him, AMD chip of course. I'm considering using the voodoo 2 that came out of my computer when I replaced it with my Gforce card but I'll have to see about that,I'll have to get a new sound card tho. I would love for him to have a soundblaster but if I can't quite get that what else is a good card to get? The hard drive is just that old 6 gig, so if I get him a 20 gig that should really be more than enough. Wonder if they make anything less than a 20 gig now? RAM and all the cables and plugs and what else? I have a feeling he will be running W2K as the only disks I have for W98 are the ones that belong to the IBM bomb and I'm sure they won't work on anything else but that. The modem is just the standard Rockwell 56k so that should work don't you think? I'll have to get some pictures and put them up on my web site so you can see the case. From being in there so much I think there is plenty of room to work with. It's not a full size tower, it's a midsize I would guess cause it's not a tiny tiny thing either. I will want to put a front fan in it too so I'll have to drill a few holes in the lower front, that's no problem, I work on cars too so I know how to handle a drill but that's on down the road from the planning stage I'm in now. Any thoughts would be a help, I'm sure I've forgotten something, a whole lot of somethings probably!:) I figure I'll just start doing some research now and piece by piece I'll get what I need. When I get everything that is really when the fun will start! I'm sure it won't be 7 days and nights like the last time, I've learned an awful lot but it will be interesting!:D
Thanks all!!! LG ;)

Whyzman
01-06-2003, 11:39 AM
Are there any second hand computer stores in your area? They could possibly be a great source for parts as you need them. Since it doesn't appear you're trying to put together some sort of "gaming" machine, but rather a reliable "functional" machine??? I suspect there are some really great deals out there.

Only real problem with a mid-tower is making sure that you've sufficient air flow for cooling. Your 300 CPU wouldn't produce much heat so cooling wouldn't be a necessary concern...Once you get to around 800-900MHZ then you'll want to be sure air flow is good.

I recently pulled apart a mid-tower that I had for the kids...sheesh...hard to maneuver in the thing...cables were cramped and crimped...no front fan...it has a 233MHZ in it.

I know Budfred put a system together, as have I, using the ECS K7S5a to build from. The board is easy to set up and also has onboard sound in case you want to wait to add a sound card later. NewEgg has them for $57.00 with free shipping.

mjc
01-06-2003, 12:04 PM
I would just get a new case and motherboard and transfer the deisred parts over to it.

Most cases now have features like aremoveable motherboard tray, cutouts for extra coooling fans, etc.

Budfred
01-06-2003, 06:44 PM
Ditto on the new case idea, especially if the bomb is an AT rather than ATX. You will have all sort of complications if it is an AT.

As for the ECS K75SA, it is a decent board and Newegg also has an AMD 1600+ CPU they sell that works on it for about $55. Not bad for some extra speed, but then cooling does become more of an issue.

You can buy a decent case for about $30 at Newegg and the power supply for about another $40 or so. The power suppy that comes with the case is often not worth the shipping costs, but it will vary. I would check carefully about the brand of the power supply before buying a combo.

CDRW drives can be had for as little as $20 after rebates these days, so that is another option to consider.

You may be able to use the Win98 if it is not on Restore disks keyed to the IBM mobo.

Happy hunting,
Budfred