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Almost Everything You Need to Know About Your Packard
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Upgrade Stories Archive
for PB 486 Systems and older
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05/16/99 14:04:55
| Name: mr.ed |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: 440 |
Model Name: 1150 + |
When Purchaced: 1994 |
| Original RAM: 8 mg |
Original CPU Speed: dx50 |
Original Video memory: 1mg |
Comments:
This old unit is still working great . I have made a few changes to
it , but not many .The cpu was taken out and a pentium 86 overdrive was
installed . The Ram has been up-graded to 24 mg , the old 210mg hhd was
swapped for a maxtor 6.4 gb . unit . the ol 9.6 modem is replaced with
a 56k unit .the 2x cd was swapped for a 24x cd-rom drive . the same aztech
sound card is being used that came in it . I am now using win 98 and having
no trouble .LONG LIVE PACKARD BELL !
04/23/99 02:20:48
| Name: R P Jones |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB 430 |
Model Name: Legend 1920 Supreme Multimedia |
When Purchaced: April, 1994 |
| Original RAM: 4 MB |
Original CPU Speed: SX 33 |
Original Video memory: 512K (Cirrus Logic 5428) onboard |
Comments:
Upgrades include: Intel OverDrive PODV5 83 mhz CPU, 2 16 MB Fastpage
RAM chips, 128K external (L2) cache, 1.08 GB Seagate hard drive, Trident
8900 1MB video card, PB 28.8 bps 'Rocky II' modem/3D soundcard, Micro FirmWare
P4HS10 BIOS upgrade, Windows 95 OS 2. Followed your jumper settings for
this board, and all runs perfectly. Only problem is with the 128K external
cache - can't use it due to excessive memory, and was told by Micro FirmWare
that this board does not read conventionally, and that by enable ng external
cache with Windows 95, it can substansially slow the systems down, as Win
95 reads from the top down. I'm also told that the Intel POVD5 CPU does
not have onboard cache, and the system does not get good marks on Wintune
97 - says it is slow o 'read-write' scores. But overall, this system is
once again a 'screamer' - very good for workaday routines, surfing, etc.
If anyone has any comments on the problems I've mentioned, I'd appreciate
any follow ups.
03/29/99 18:05:12
| Name: larry |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: 486 |
Model Name: legend 605 |
When Purchaced: ???? |
| Original RAM: 2mg |
Original CPU Speed: 25 |
Comments:
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO ADD MEMORY TO THE SYSTEM , BUT CANNOT GET BIOS
TO UPGRADE. RUNNING WINDOWS 3.1. I HAD 4 1 MEG SIMMS IN THE MACHINE WHEN
I STARTED, WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THEM WITH 4 4 MEG SIMMS. I CAN TAKE THE
OLD 1 MEG SIMMS OUT AND THE MACHINE STILLS RUNS LIKE NORMAL, THATS WITH
NO SIMMS IN THE BANK. IF SOMEONE KNOWS WHAT I NEED TO DO, PLEASE E-MAIL
ME.
03/20/99 06:57:23
| Name: Doc |
My URL: Visit Me |
Motherboard #: 450 |
| Model Name: Legend Supreme 34CD |
When Purchaced: Dec, 1994 |
Original RAM: 4mb onboard |
| Original CPU Speed: DX2/50 |
Original Video memory: 1mb |
Comments:
Four and a half years, and lots of upgrades, still alive and working
great. Processor upgrades to Intel DX4/100, memory now at 32mb ram, CD-rom,
2x died shortly after warranty, upgraded to Creative Vibra 6X, now have
HiVal 40X.removed the Connoer tape ba kup, disabled the 9600 onboard modem
and installed a 3Com/USRobotics 56k v.90 Winmodem. Original Seagate 421mb
hard drive replaced with a Western Digital 4.3GB, partitioned with two
2.1gb partitions and an 85mb partition. Only things left to upgrade are
the video to 2mb and some L2 cache. Running Windows 95, not over 3.11.
Upgraded the bios from file on PB web page. If I want to get Y2K compliant,
I'll have to either purchase a $59 upgrade or an ISA add in card.
03/05/99 00:15:47
| Name: Dan |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB-410a |
Model Name: Legend 125 |
When Purchaced: 1998 |
| Original CPU Speed: 66 |
Comments:
I have been trying to find a flash upgrade for this system for two
months. Not to have to buy one but just flash. It seems that I can't get
Win 95 to load, because the hard drive is only recognized at Normal mobe
and I need to have either LBA or Large. I only have a 770 meg in but would
someday think of adding. Any suggestions? E-mail me.
12/27/98 07:11:56
| Name: Jeff |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: 430 |
Model Name: BL 102 CD |
When Purchaced: January,1996 |
| Original RAM: 4mb |
Original CPU Speed: 486-DX4/75 |
Original Video memory: 512kb |
Comments:
Since purchasing this computer I have upgraded the ram to 24mb,added
a Boca Research 28.8 internal modem,and added 128kb secondary cache which
I removed because the system ran slower with it installed.I plan to add
a Diamond Speedstar64 video card and a S agate 2.5GB hard drive in the
near future.
12/07/98 02:49:25
| Name: rich |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB421 |
Model Name: Legend 2050 |
When Purchaced: 1-5-95 |
| Original RAM: 4 meg onboard |
Original CPU Speed: 50 |
Original Video memory: 1 Mg |
Comments:
First Ram upgrade to 8Mg was easy. Second to 16 Mg was easy. 3rd upgrade
to 64 Mg hasen't worked. I enabled J-41 but the BIOS won't accept anything
past 15488 Mg. Added a 1.6 Gig harddrive last year and that required upgrading
the BIOS chip. The CD is dying. " can't read from drive E is a common message
" If I haden't bought a Packard Bell I may never have know what was inside
the box. I'm tired of service personnal rolling their eyes when I say Packard
Bell. It's almost time to put it ut to pasture and buy a real machine.
11/09/98 06:38:37
| Name: Ellen |
My URL: Visit Me |
| My Email: Email
Me |
Model Name: 316 SL |
| When Purchaced: 93 |
Comments:
Now I realize this is old, but I really love this machine. I have 3
Computers, all Packard Bells, this was my first, second was a Spectria
and last but probable not really last Axcel 4620. I liked windows 95 so
much I went out and bought one to put on my 386 just to see if it would
work and it sure did. I have 6 mb of memory only and it slow but it works
well and the system can handle old 51/4 disks, 31/2 and cd's. I put on
an external cd rom 4 speed. If there was a way to upgrade this baby I sure
wou d be interested in knowing about it. I already down loaded to software
from packard bell to fix the 2000 problem on the machine. I am watching
this web site to see what kind of upgrades are being done to other Axcel
4630 before I try. I like to upgrade the mph I only have 120 now and a
better video for 2 and 3d. I've only put on a new hard drive 3.5 I tried
to use the the connor in the machine as a slave but it wouldn't work. I
suggest maxtor hard drives because they come with the bios settings to
mak it easy to install a large hard drive without it I couldn't have handled
the larger drive.
11/04/98 03:57:14
| Name: Jim Haferkorn |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB450 |
Model Name: Legend 20CD |
When Purchaced: ???? |
| Original RAM: 4 MB |
Original CPU Speed: 66 Mhz |
Comments:
I have done some upgrades to my brother-in-laws computer that worked
pretty well. Removed the internal modem and replaced w/Zoom 56K, which
works really well. However, when trying to add memory, I cannot get it
to recognize my 2nd 32 MB SIMM. Swapped S MMS (Both are working), tried
jumper J37 in "in" and "out" position. Memory will either recognize 1 32
MB SIMM plus onboard 4 MB, or only 32 MB SIMM. Cannot get it to 64 MB.
Any help? PB Tech Support wants mucho $$$$, which seems ridiculous. Please
e mail me with any help at Jhaf@execpc.com. P.S. Surprisingly, upgraded
to WIN 98, (upgrade took many, many hours) but it is working very, very
well.
07/01/98 01:49:53
| Name: Cliff |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB450 |
Model Name: PB 1700 CDW |
When Purchaced: 12/95 |
| Original RAM: 8MB |
Original CPU Speed: 75MHz |
Original Video memory: 1MB |
Comments:
I got a Pack-Bell PB 1700 CDW computer for X-Mas 95. It was $1100 with
a monitor, and included a DX4-75 Processor, 8MB RAM, and Win95.I used the
computer as it was for about a year with Windows 95; everything worked
fine. I didn't see the point in upgradi g because I thought it was fast
enough. All I ever did on the computer was homework (when I felt like it).
Then I started buying these games... Soon, I realized just how slow my
computer was. I needed an upgrade- at least a Pentium Processor and 16
Megs of RAM (a gamer's dream in summer 1996). Unfortunately, I had spent
over $500 on games, and had no money. The solution? I went to yard sales,
and salvaged junk computers looking for any parts that might work on my
computer (hey, I was desperate-don't laugh)! Anyway, I was able to find
a few SIMMS in an old PS/2 system; out of about 10 chips, only two worked
with my computer. I now have 20 MB (4Megs onboard+two 8MB SIMMS). I clocked
up my old DX4- from 75 to 100 MHz by simply changing a jumper setting.
I was able to make $150 by selling the junk computers and SIMMS, but now
it's too late for any more upgrades. For the price of a decent upgrade,
I could buy a bargain basement PC that's twice as fast as this one.
06/22/98 20:00:57
| Name: Lee |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB450 |
Model Name: Legend 11CD |
When Purchaced: 1994 |
| Original RAM: 4 Mb |
Original CPU Speed: DX2/50 |
Original Video memory: 1 Mb |
Comments:
Modem upgrade from 2400 to 14.4 then 33.6 now Sporster 56K X2 Fax Internal.
RAM from 4 Mb to 16 Mb now 32 Mb. CPU upgrade with Trinity Power Stacker
to 133 Mhz. Runs as fast as my friends 200 MMX systems. Clocked at 132
Mhz. 420 Mb hard drive upgraded to estern Digital WD31600 1.6 gig Caviar.
2X Panasonic CR-ROM replaced by 8X Sony CSD-880E. OEM Aztech soundcard
upgraded with Creative Soundblaster AWE64 Value. Added 128K L2 cache and
increased video memory from 1 Mb to 2 Mb. OS is Windows95 (Not over Wind
ws 3.11). The envy of my friends. Runs like a champ.
06/09/98 01:20:15
| Name: James Bell |
My URL: Visit
Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: 430/440 |
Model Name: Legend 1956 Supreme |
When Purchaced: August 1994 |
| Original RAM: 4mb |
Original CPU Speed: DX2 50 |
Original Video memory: 512K??? |
Comments:
I feel like I have just added a couple years of life to this system.
I upgraded the cpu to a DX4 100 Overdrive processor. Moved up to 8MB and
then 24MB of RAM. Put in a new 28.8 modem to replace the 14.4 that I installed
a couple years ago (the system ame with a 2400 modem). The 2x CD ROM drive
died over a year ago and I am still working on getting the new 8x to work
but everything else is working fine.
05/31/98 18:33:15
| Name: Wayne Chirnside |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: 421a |
Model Name: legend 1166 |
When Purchaced: 07/29/93 |
| Original RAM: 4 Meg. |
Original CPU Speed: Dx-2 66 Intel |
Original Video memory: 256K |
Comments:
My first computer. I've added a 14,400 modem, second hard drive, Western
Digital 2.5 Gig. in addition to the original Seagate 234 for a total of
2,730 Meg. virtual memory, added 16 Meg. RAM for 20, Creative CD-ROM, EideMax
card by Promise Tech. to overcome that nasty 504 Meg. barrier w/o using
a disk overlay program. Running Netscape 4.05, WS_FTP, telnet as well as
a number of other programs using good old Dos 5.0, Win 3.1. Replaced one
keyboard and one mouse since purchase.
03/23/98 00:23:33
| Name: Walter Stillwaggon |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: pb450 |
Model Name: Legend 38CD |
When Purchaced: 12/94 |
| Original RAM: 8mb |
Original CPU Speed: DX2 66 |
Original Video memory: 1mb |
Comments:
I need help with apparent 40MB barrier to RAM. PB support was no help.
I just bought additional 32mb SIMM and tried to add it to the 16MB I had.
No luck. Even when I jump 37 to disable onboard RAM I still only get 40MB
(39MB+ 600 Conventinal) Its as thoug it will only see part of second SIMM
to max of 40. I know the jumper is working cause if I enable get 36MB (32MB+4mbonboard
+4MB of the other SIMM. No apparent option in BIOS setup that I can see.
Using 72pin 32s at 70ns for both chips, tried tweakinh th parity jumper
at 18, even though this should not be needed, no help
01/31/98 04:22:35
| Name: Michael |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB410 |
Model Name: Legend 135 |
When Purchaced: 10/93 |
| Original RAM: 4mb |
Original CPU Speed: 25mhz |
Original Video memory: 512k |
Comments:
I have made the following upgrades to my machine; 33,6 k modem org/2400,
12megs of ram ( installed one 8 meg chip in the upgrade slot ), installed
a intel 33DX chip, cirrus logic video card 1 meg. These upgrades were easy.
My last upgrade was to install 512k external cache but the system locks
up on me. I am using win 95. If anyone has any suggestions on to make this
cache work it would be a big help. All the jumpers are set in accordance
to the manual.
01/06/98 05:12:33
| Name: Daniel |
My URL: Visit Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB 450 |
Model Name: Legend 10CD |
When Purchaced: Jan. 18, 1995 |
| Original RAM: 4Mb |
Original CPU Speed: 486 SX2\50 |
Original Video memory: 1MB |
Comments:
I've upgraded the memory to 20MB. Installed a 28.8 modem no problem.
Changed out the stock 2X CD-ROM for a new 8X and Soundcard with wavetable.
Upgraded to Win95. The best upgrade so far has been the PowerStacker 5X86
133Mhz Processor. It only clocks to 100Mhz because I have an SX2\50Mhz.
Now I've got a DX4\100Mhz. My next project is to upgrade the 400Mb Hard
drive. If anyone has some tips on how I can replace my hard drive and keep
all my current data w\o having to reinstall everything; please let me know.
12/28/97 05:31:18
| Name: David |
My URL: Visit
Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: PB414A |
Model Name: Multi-Media |
When Purchaced: Oct. '92 |
| Original RAM: 4 meg. |
Original CPU Speed: 486SX-25Mhz |
Original Video memory: 512k |
Comments:
The first thing I upgraded was the CD-ROM. The one that was in the
system was a double speed, so I increased it to an 8x. Then I upgaded that
4 meg. of memory. I boosted it up to 20 meg, no problem. Next I upgraded
the 2400 Kbps. modem to a 33.6 Kbps. modem. Then I upgraded the 486SX-25Mhz
Intel processor to a 586-100Mhz Evergreen processor. I then upgraded my
sound card to a Sound Blaster AWE64 Value. I am in the process of installing
a SpeedStar64 graphics card, but I am running into problems. I hink I am
going to have to buy a whole new BIOS chip. Can anyone tell me how to install
a graphics card to my computer without having to buy a new BIOS chip. If
not, I need prices on BIOS chips. Thanx
11/30/97 18:06:40
| Name: Greg Rendell |
My URL: Visit
Me |
My Email: Email Me |
| Motherboard #: 486SX |
Model Name: Legend 2000 |
When Purchaced: December 1993 |
| Original RAM: 4 megs |
Original CPU Speed: 25 Mhz |
Original Video memory: 512 K |
Comments:
I've made a few upgrades to my computer. The first one was from 4 megs
of RAM to 8 megs. This is a very easy upgrade, with no software changes
to be made. The system automatically recognized the new RAM that I put
in. I also upgraded my 2400 bps PB modem to a Zoom 28.8 fax/modem. I just
left the original modem in there because there was no reason to remove
it, and inserted the Zoom modem in an expansion slot. The Zoom modem was
preconfigured on Com 4 at the factory, and since my old modem was on Com
1 I didn't have any conflicts or need to change any jumpers. The only thing
I had to do was change the com port/speed in the windows 3.1 "terminal"
application and in my ISP's (Netcom) software.
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