Upgrade OLD sytem--is it possible?

[JBAndo]

I have an old Packard Bell Platinum system a Pentium 1 133, Windows 95. Does anyone know if I could upgrade it. I would like to put it in my youngs kids' room, since it still works fine for their games and even internet, e-mail, etc. What is the fastest chip I could put in there? I know 166 chips for example are only 10 or 20 bucks. I was thinking of putting Win 98 on it. Is any of this feasible, or worth it? If this costs too much (more than a hundred bucks or so) I might just give it to charity and find a newer used or refurbished one.

Thanks, Joe

[ranchdog]

Hi Joe

Heck, leave it bone stock like it is.... Like driving
a '55 Chevy.

After your kids are grown they can always look back
and say My first PC was a P.B. P1 with Win95!


Luck.

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....How long is a minute... depends on which side of the Bathroom door you're on. ......
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[Storm282]

Hi Joe ...
I had one of those once upon a time. I sent it off to college some years ago , with one of my kids. Told him when he was done with it ... not to bring it back. (just kidding).
It was however ,one of those off the local Sears store shelf items. Propritary in design and limited in options as far as upgrading. I gave it to my grandkids to play with. If a glass of Koolaid gets spilled into it , it will not be a great loss. (Get my meaning?}
Storm

[mjc]

I just built my kids basically the same machine....with 98 on it and 128MB of RAM....why because it was dirt cheap and I know that it can handle what they are going to use it for and I wouldn't be too upset if they mess it up http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif....later they will want something more, but for now this machine serves its purpose...gets them off my main machine.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Paleo Pete]

Packard Bells didn't offer the best in upgrade capabilities, and since they are now obsolete you can forget about tech support, but it could well be still usable. I just built my niece's son a P-166 to learn on, it should handle about anything he'll need until he's ready for something better. But it's not a Packard Bell, it's an Ibuiltit in a DTK case.

Check Ray's Packard Bell (http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/8774/index.html) and you migth be able to find out sometihing about it.

The biggest problem will most likely be finding a motherboard manual, which will be very helpful in determining what CPU speeds it will handle. If it has a 133 in it now chances are it could handle up to 200 or possibly 233, or it could be similar to one motherboard I have that will only handle 133MHz max.

Check to see if it has a BIOS ID string posted on the first screen when you boot. The [Pause] key will stopp the boot process so you can write it down, any other key will resume booting. Wim's BIOS (http://www.wimsbios.com) has a good page for motherboard ID using those numbers.

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If your nose runs and your feet smell...
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[Jumby]

Hey Pete, I thought Pack Bell was out of business too, but I think they're still in business, only across the ocean and Canada. Here's a link. Not that anyone wants that...ok, I won't say it. http://www.packardbell.com/

[JBAndo]

Thanks to all who replied. It looks like Ray's PB site will be a big help.

Joe

[Variable]

Joe depending on the games your kids play you will probably have trouble unless you upgrade the video card. Kids games drive me nuts, some only want 256 colors and 640 X 480 others wont run worth a damn unless youve got a descent card with good 3d properties. I think you will hear "Dad the computer is locked up! " or " Dad the game wont work" over and over and eventually you will drill a hole straight through the case pull a chain through and use it as your boat anchor (if you have a boat). If you insist on punishing your self put win98 on it add more RAM,new video card, take everything you can off your startup menu ie Start/Run/type msconfig (enter)/click on startup tab / uncheck whatever you can. If your kids are teenagers and on the web install at least two good anti virus's and keep them updated. Well these will get you started i guess. Hmm you could also wipe the drive put Linux on it and buy them a Linux book. Nah that wouldnt work probably , to much work for them... You got a boat>?

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