Upgrade Stories of Packard Bell PB Hillary Owners

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This page contains PB Hillary upgrade stories from 1999 and 1997.
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12/29/98 13:36:51

Name: Ray Sodano	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary 590	Model Name: Legend 74 CDT Supreme	When Purchaced: looooong time ago
Original RAM: 16	Original CPU Speed: 75mhz	Original Video memory: 1meg

Comments:
I upgraded the cpu to a 200MMX with a Power Leap adapter. I maxed out the ram to 128megs, added an Adaptec 2940UW and 2 scsi drives. I've added a Miro DC 20-plus video capture card, Sound Blaster 16 with a USR 28.8 external modem (cable modem on my other c). I also burn cd's with an HP 7110e and have a UMAX 8800s scanner. Next....new video card....any suggestions?

09/20/98 04:07:38

Name: Matthew Smith	My Email: Email Me	Motherboard #: PB650
Model Name: Legend 106 CD Sup	When Purchaced: Feb 1995	Original RAM: 8MB
Original CPU Speed: 75MHZ

Comments:
This was originally a Pentium 75. First Upgraded the Bios up to 1.0007 BYOR. Then Upgraded Ram to 32 Megs of Mem. Removed the Original 8MB. Then Upgraded the Processor from Pentium 75 to P133. Love the Combo so Far. The 133 processor and the 32 Megs of am. Thats it so far. Thinking of upgrading the 1.2 Gig hard disc to 4.0 gig so I can fit all of my games on it but that will come later.

09/15/98 06:17:10

Name: Chris Heim	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary 590	Model Name: Legend 836CDT	When Purchaced: 4/11/95
Original RAM: 32meg	Original CPU Speed: 100MHz	Original Video memory: 1 mb

Comments:
The first item I added was 2mb video ram. Then I purchased a EZ 135 Squest drive. I've upgraded the main memory to 128 mb. Installed a Winmodem with a 56K v.90 upgrade which runs at 49,333bps on a continous basis. I've added a SCII adapter and use a U ax Astra 1200s scanner. Have a 17 inch monitor. Upgraded the CD-rom to 24X. I've upgraded the CPU to an Evergreen MxPro200 with no problems. I have an Zip drive attached to my printer port. Recently I've upgraded to MR BIOS with no problems - recogni es my Syquest drive with no software drivers. I have been having problems trying to install a Diamond Stealth IIS220. I've tried four different boards and keep getting "No Signal" on my monitor when I turn the computer on. Maybe some one has had a simi ar experience.

09/07/98 16:52:10

Name: Belden	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: 590	Model Name: LG 132 CDT SUP	When Purchaced: 12/95
Original RAM: 8MB	Original CPU Speed: 100Mhz	Original Video memory: 1 MB

Comments:
I am trying to upgrade my system with a 33.6 modem and have been unsuccessful in getting the sound/modem card to allow the new modem to access a port. (HELP) I have been successful in installing a 24 speec CDROM and a additional 16MB of memory. I try ins alling a 3.2 hard drive to go along with the existing 1.6 hard drive, but system wouldn't take it until I set the 3.2 drive to 2.1 and it worked for a month and I ended up taking it out.

08/13/98 15:58:37

Name: Joe Madajewski	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: PB590	Model Name: Axcel 4640	When Purchaced: 1996
Original RAM: 16 now 128	Original CPU Speed: 120 now 233 MMx	Original Video memory: 1 Meg

Comments:
This is the third installment to my upgrade stories. The PL/PRO Plus Powerleap adapter is now installed and I am running an AMD 233MMx chip in place of the original Intel 120 Mhz. The new Mr BIOS bios is happy with the entire setup and my machine is running unbelievable fast, compared to it's original configuration. I intend to install the K6-2 333 or higher as funds allow. I have WIN TUNE 97 and 98 figures, but need to do another run. My value(s) for MIPS (or i sit M-FLOPS) has about quadrupled. For a relatively small amount of cash, I have managed to again un-obsolete myself for a while, and at the same time been able to speed up all my applications.

07/29/98 02:50:48

Name: Mark C.	My URL: Visit Me	Motherboard #: Hillary
Model Name: Legend 401CD	When Purchaced: 1995	Original RAM: 8 MB
Original CPU Speed: 75 Mhz	Original Video memory: 1 MB

Comments:
I was very gratefull to recieve this computer as a hand me down from my mother-in-law when she upgraded to a Pentium 200. First thing was to add 64 MB of memory to run CAD at home. That and a budget 17" monitor left me happy for awhile, well at least a eek. Added a Diamond 56Kflex modem, works very well at 44 kbps. Next I wanted a 200 Mhz cpu upgrade, but all were to expensive, or incompatible. Found an Intel overdrive 125 Mhz chip in WalMart of all places, but it did not seem worth $98. Besides, It ould still operate at the original 50Mhz bus speed, ugh. But then I found Tom's hardware page(and Ray's too) and learned the wonders of overclocking, but was disapointed to find my 75 would only overclock to 90Mhz. Fast-forward to May of this year: walk into WalMart and the same Overdrive chip is marked down to $48! Wait an entire day to try it and after the simple installation, and setting my bus speed to 66Mhz, I suddenly have a Pentium 166! (no MMX) Even the included Intel software tells me I have a entium OverDrive running at 166 Mhz, though I don't even know if Intel ever sold a non MMX 166 OverDrive. Overall I am pretty happy with the computer and the detail in the manual that taught me about bus speeds and multipliers. next: More hard drive and a video card.

07/22/98 12:39:33

Name: Joseph Madajewski My URL: Visit Me My Email: Email Me

Motherboard #: PB590 Hillary series Model Name: Axcel 4640 Original RAM: 16 now 128

Original CPU Speed: 120 now 133 Original Video memory: 1 Meg (same)

Comments:
I recently purchased the Mr BIOS $69.95 upgrade to my 1.00.07 BYOR original Packard Bell AMI BIOS. Installation is simple, and the BIOS upgrade allows you to save the original if you desire. The only trouble i had with installation refers to my MAXTOR 7.0 Gig HD. I originally had it set with jumpers to reflect the limitations of the BIOS, so I had to use their EZ-BIOS software overlay so it would 'fool' the BIOS and allow me to realize the e tire 7 Gig. I reset the jumpers per MAXTOR's instructions, and de-installed their overlay files. This is when the trouble started. The machine recognized the HD, but would not boot, meaning it couldn't find the operating system. In a nutshell, I re installed Win 98 and everything ran according to plan. 98 recognized EVERY PIECE of proprietary hardware PB installed as a part of my motherboard. The down side to this, was the treatment I received from UNICORE. I called a week prior to the date I could take receipt of the BIOS, and informed the salesperson (jason@unicore.com) that I needed to have it shipped UPS COD, with delivery on July 16th. NO EARLIER. Well, 2 days later the UPS man is at my door loooking for some $87 !!! I was quoted a LESSER price, so I told him to send it back to the shop, until the 16th. I called UNICORE, finding out Jason shipped it UPS COD, but 2ND DAY AIR. SHipping ended up costing me some 25% of the products value !!! All I got from them was 'I made a mistake'. NO REFUND, nothing. That part of my experience with UNICORE left a bad taste in my mouth. If you order from them, be VERYT explicit about your shipping mode.

06/30/98 00:40:07

Name: Steve	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: PB Hillary 590	Model Name: Legend 417 CDT	When Purchaced: 7/95
Original CPU Speed: 75 Mhz	Original Video memory: 1 Mb

Comments:
I recently attempted to upgrade my CPU from Pentium 75 Mhz to Evergreen MXPro 200 Mhz, without success. Changing the dip switch settings on the motherboard to increase the bus speed from 50 to 66 Mhz was easy, and the software that came with the Evergree showed a dryhstones increase from 50,000 to 120,000, but there was obvious video degredation on the edges of my monitor. I called Evergreen and their suggestions did not remedy the problem. I then went on a business trip and, while away, my wife told m that the computer would no longer boot! When I arrived home I opened the tower to find that the fan on the CPU had come loose, and was dangling! I returned the defective MxPro 200 for an MxPro 180. The install was easy, and I only had to increase the us speed to 60 Mhz. Software showed a dryhstone increase from 50,000 to 108,000. So far, I've had the product for one week without any video degredation, nor any other problems.

05/07/98 00:35:14

Name: Phil Reyes	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary 570	Model Name: Legend 70CD Supreme	When Purchaced: 04/95
Original RAM: 8meg	Original CPU Speed: 75mhz	Original Video memory: 1meg

Comments:
I took the Leap recently. After clocking upto 100mhz, I upgraded to Intel 233MMX with the PowerLeap adapter. With this upgrade everything else improved, like video & HD access. Compares reasonably to a P2 233MMX I use at work. Prior to this, I upgrade to 80mb ram, added Matrox Mystique 8mb video card. Added slave WD 5.1 gig hard drive. I'm set for a while. Other kewl external hardware include, Zip Drive, Alaris Video Transport, Imagewave flatbed scanner, and a 56k flex Motorola. Looking back at wh t I have spent on this jollopy, I could have probably bought a new puter, but I'm attached.

04/30/98 14:32:39

Name: Connie Barnette My URL: Visit Me My Email: Email Me

Motherboard #: Hillary Model Name: Platinum Supreme130 When Purchaced: July 1996

Original RAM: 16 Original CPU Speed: 133 Original Video memory: 1 mb

Comments:
I bought a mid tower thinking I could upgrade but now am told it will not hold any other motherboard BUT PC. I upgraded ram to 32. My machine constantly freezes/crashes. I bought Oil Change but when it upgrade Win 95, the system crashes. I am told that oi change is not upgrading Packard Bell Win 95 but rather normal Win 95 and that is the reason for the crashes. I need another hard drive, but again I am told I cannot buy a Western Digital, I must buy whatever the drive is I have or it may not be compatibl . Now, you guys out there, I am not a computer guru like you, but I would appreciate help. By the way, what exactly makes a PC a PC. I mean to say, I tried loading a normal version of Win 95 after the latest crash and the machine would not allow it becaus 'it was not a Packard Bell Win 95 package'. Is there a way to make it a normal computer? Everytime i try to delete the kiddie programs it crashes!! Please, PLEASE...help!!!

04/09/98 17:29:34

Name: Joe Madajewski	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: PB590	Model Name: Axcel 4640	When Purchaced: May 96
Original RAM: 16M FPM (4 x 4 M)	Original CPU Speed: 120Mhz	Original Video memory: 1 Meg

Comments:
I bought my Packard Bell Mini-Tower with a 120 Mhz Pentium, 4x CD, 28.8 modem, 1.2 G HD and 16 Meg of FPM RAM in 1996. The 1.2 Gig Seagate (Can you spell clunker ??) died in a matter of months. Many phone calls later, a 'new' refurbed unit. A few months later yet *another* failiure. Here comes rep acement no 2. This one worked ok. Since then I have maxxed out my RAM to 128 Meg EDO and she screams. Overclocked thanx to Ray's page to 133 Mhz. (To think it was just a jumper !!!) The seagate went bad. I got mad. It's history. 6 Months ago I put in a 7 Gig MAXTOR. Even though I upgraded the flash BIOS I had to use the MaxBlast software. Maybe I did an incorrect setting in the BIOS configuration ??? Reguardless, it runs fine. Made 3 partitions. 2.1G X 2 and a 1.x as a balance of the 7 Gig. Put in Windows 98, Beta 3 a couple of weeks ago. Added a 3.1 Gig Western Digital. BEAUTIFUL. Both HD's are hummin'. Converted the drives to FAT 32. I changed the stock mouse to a Microsoft. Added a NEC 660i Laser Printer. To that I added 4 Meg of on-board RAM for WIN GUI printing. Put in a KILLER fan/heat sink on the CPU. It's as big as a box of cracker Jax :-) Actually that is an exagge ation but it's massive and effective. The (front) case mounted fan had to be replaced, bad bearings...but now there's 2 fans cooling the case, not counting the one in the power supply. The NEC 4x CD is stock. Added an Adaptec AVA-1505 SCSI card, to experiment with a HP 62xx series SCSI burner. Worked flawlessly. The original Model 1010 13" monitor has got to go. (I use a 21 inch Trinitron here at work :-) ) A good 17" is one of the next purchases. Expect to replace the stock floppy with an Imation LS-120 floptical drive. A PowerLeap 233 MMX is in the cards. The socket 5 checks out as MMX capable :-))). Need to get another SOJ chip to boost the video 'RAM'. A new 56k, X2 or 'Shotgun' modem is also on the wish list. Other than the HD debacle, I am happy with the box.

04/03/98 19:47:45

Name: Tony S.	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: 590 - Hillary	Model Name: Legend 402 CD	When Purchaced: August '95
Original RAM: 8 meg - Now 32	Original CPU Speed: Pentium 75	Original Video memory: 1 meg

Comments:
Last year I couldn’t even spell Kumpuder. Last night I installed a 56K modem, and the thing runs right out of the box. Amazing. I had spotted this good deal on an Aztech 56K flex with voice and a PCI CONNECTOR (MDP3858SP-U), so I bought it on a whim, not expecting it to run for certain on this somewhat out-of-date machine. I read the posts on this site, and was saving up LOTS of questions to transmit to you techie types, but last night got a bug in the behind nd tore into ‘er. I knew there was a free PCI slot, but I had to move the existing combo card (SRS sound w/ PB 14.4 modem) to another slot to make room. After plugging in the new Aztech card, a phone line, and installing the software I ran Modem Diagnostics as per the in tructions. I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO GET AN ERROR MESSAGE stating that the modem would not respond, and to check IRQ settings. Well, Heck, previously I could not even find any IRQ’s that weren’t in use, so I figured I’m sunk. After looking at Device manager for a while without being real sure what it all means I simply clicked on the internet icon (IE 3.0), and she took right off. Connected at 31+K, no glitches, no nothing. If I run a new phone line directly to the box outside, maybe the speed will be better. Now here are some curious things, and I’d be very interested in any comments. Also a couple of questions, and if some of you have good explanations to post, I’m certain there will be many other interested readers hanging on your every word. 1) A marketing person at Aztech (not in tech support) noted to me that since the new modem is a PCI, I might even be able to continue using the old 14.4 if I could get the right Winsock. I AM still able to use the 14.4 and I don’t even know what the dev l a Winsock is (probably a system file). I simply plugged a separate phone line into the old combo card, and for faxing, it still operates just as before. I also have two other phones connected to that line. One with an answering machine and the other is a fax phone! I RECEIVE faxes on the old fax phone so the computer does not have to be on all the time, but SEND faxes through the computer using Faxworks by Sofnet. Nothing c nflicts. If someone is going to send a 15 page fax and I don’t want to use that much sensitized paper, I can unplug all the junk and receive it on the computer. 2) Still -- neither of the modem diagnostics programs, neither under Modems nor under Faxworks will recognize the new modem Maybe that is just as well, since there may be less chance of a conflict that way. (I did NOT run --add new hardware -- [ Win 95 with service pack #1 added] but Win 95 automatically ran some part of it after the re-boot). The important thing is that IE 3.0 does recognize -- and uses it. 3) The Aztech has a TAD (Tel. Ans. Device) connector, with instructions to connect that to the sound card with a TAD cable. I did NOT do that. I can hear the Aztech dial and connect through what must be some kind of small speaker in the CPU cabinet, bu of course not through the main speakers. Good enough. I won’t get much sound off the ‘net but so what. 4) The Combo card has two four pin connectors labelled -- CD Audio 1, and CD Audio 2. Number one is connected to the CD Rom, and No. 2 is not used. It looks like a TAD connector would fit. WHO CAN ANSWER -- WHAT WOULD HAPPEN if I were to connect th Aztech TAD connecter to that CD Audio #2 connector on the combo card. OR -- instead of that, what would happen if I ran a patch cord from the output jack on the Aztech, to the input jack on the old card? HAS ANYONE DONE THIS? Actually, the configuration is good enough as is, since I don’t use the voice feature anyway, but there are many who would like to know those answers. Ray, your site is terrific.

03/29/98 02:22:47

Name: Ken Rempfer	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: hilary(not sure which)	Model Name: Legend 106CDT Supreme	When Purchaced: 11/95
Original RAM: 8M	Original CPU Speed: 75mhz	Original Video memory: 1M

Comments:
Just about everything has been changed in the last year. 1st was my 1.2G hd crashed, replaced w quantum fireball 3.2G. Next was a double upgrade - replaced sound-modem board & cd-rom w sound blaster gold kit w 18x cdrom and cardinal 33.6 faxmodem w speakerphone. Next upgrade was replacing my previously upgraded 16m ram with 64m. That was big performance booster. Next was installing an ATI 3d Expression + PC2TV video board and it's matching TV board. I can watch/capture tv/video and I can output to a TV as well. Video performance is great also. Finally, I upgraded cpu with intel 166mmx overdrive. I am very pleased w sys em now (thinking of 128m ram). I've found the biggest performance inhibitor in my system is the lack of level 2 cache - really slows down memory benchmarks and other benchmarks associated w memory. I also have a problem of lack of isa slots, mine are maxed out & I have a tape drive that works best w it's accelerator card.

03/02/98 14:47:02

Name: Tim Nixon	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: hillary	Model Name: Legend 104cd	When Purchaced: jan 96
Original CPU Speed: 75

Comments:
I overclocked this 75mhz (50 times 1.5) to 120mhz (60 times 2). So far I've added: a 2nd printer port and an external Zip drive, 8mb more memory (16mb total), a Stealth II video accel. and just last week I replaced the old 850MB HD with a Maxtor 5.2GB ($1 9 after rebate at Staples). I figure the overclock was free, the zip drive (and 2nd port) could be used on any machine and both the Stealth II and HD could be added to any new machine I get. So everything I've done was free or can be used on my next machi e!

02/17/98 01:45:58

Name: Richard Taylor	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: PB Hillary 590	Model Name: Axcel 456CDT	When Purchaced: December, 1995
Original RAM: 8mb	Original CPU Speed: 75mhz	Original Video memory: 1mb

Comments:
Over past year I have replaced sound144 with soundblaster 16 and cable modem. Increased RAM from 8mb to 16, then to 40MB (32mb EDO and 8 fastpage). Changed onboard video card to mach 64, then to ATI 3D expression+ pc to tv ( i.e. rage2) with 4mb ram. Chan ed 4X CDRom to 24X. And finally last week changed p75 to Evergreen p180MXPro. Believe it or not, I never had a single problem.

02/09/98 22:07:36

Name: T Greenfield	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary 650	Model Name: Axcel 461cdt	When Purchaced: 11-96
Original RAM: 16	Original CPU Speed: 75	Original Video memory: 1mb

Comments:
Added new Intel 133cpu($113.) Easy. Not as fast as OD but cheap. Added 32 megs of RAM . Upgraded modem to Hayes 56 flex, hardest upgrade but turned out simple.. Added Storm Image Wave Scanner and Epson 600 printer, great picture print qualty.

02/09/98 03:39:01

Name: Michael Furlong	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary	Model Name: Legend 106CDT Supreme	When Purchaced: Oct. 1995
Original RAM: 8 Mb	Original CPU Speed: 75 Mhz	Original Video memory: 1 Mb

Comments:
Jan. 1998 I installed a 56Kx2 modem up from the original 14.4. - big difference. However, I had to disable the 14.4 with the jumpers on the modem section of the card. (my card is Data, Fax, Voice, Sound Card) Upgraded Video memory Jan 27/98 so I now ave 2 Mb. Works fine in all colour ranges. But, check out the price of local before calling PB. I paid $9.76 (Canadian) for extra meg. PB wanted $109.00 (Canadian) Upgraded RAM on Feb 03/98 to 64Mb from 24Mb of last July, 97. Now running all EDO R m, 60ns. Feb 07/98 tried to install HP 5100C scanner. No luck. After the installation procedure (very easy to do) and with scanner connected (as per HP instructions) my PC would only start Windows in "Safe Mode". I returned the scanner to sales outlet, t ey tried the scanner on their PC and it worked fine. Does anyone have any idea why it will not work on mine ?

02/04/98 18:25:06

Name: Rich Watkins	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: hillary series	Model Name: Legend 411CD	When Purchaced: 8/95
Original RAM: 4mb	Original CPU Speed: 75mhz	Original Video memory: 1mb

Comments:
Upgraded to Evergreen MMX180 Processor. 32MG Ram. 24XCDROM (orig 4X). I/O Magic 3D Video (4MG) card. SW 240 Multimedia Speaker kit w/surround sound (cheap!!!) but powerfull. Maxtor Diamond Max 2.5 GB HD. Swapped the original PB mouse for a Genius Ne mouse Pro. The only real tricky part was resetting the bus speed on the Motherboard for the proceesor upgrade, however, it was relatively simple using the provided instructions.

02/03/98 05:05:18

Name: Phillip Reyes	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary PB 570	Model Name: Legend 70CD Supreme	When Purchaced: 05/95
Original RAM: 8MB	Original CPU Speed: 75mhz	Original Video memory: 1mb

Comments:
So far, upgraded to W95 from WFW. Increased RAM to 32MB 60ns EDO. Added WD 5.1GB Hard drive, partitioned with EZ-Bios, slave to original 1.2GB. Added Matrox Mystique 220 8MB Video Card. Updated Bios. Increased Clock Speed to 90mhz. Added second parallel ort. Externally, added ZIP Drive, Motorola 56kFlex, and Alaris Video Transport. FYI PB Monitor (1511SL and 2020) has gone out twice in three years. Currently, using a PB3020, 17". Thank goodness for a maintenance agreement. Everything still works.

02/03/98 05:04:29

Name: Phillip Reyes	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary PB 570	Model Name: Legend 70CD Supreme	When Purchaced: 05/95
Original RAM: 8MB	Original CPU Speed: 75mhz	Original Video memory: 1mb

01/25/98 14:37:02

Name: William	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: 590	Model Name: Legend 117 Supreme	When Purchaced: 3/96
Original RAM: 16	Original CPU Speed: 100	Original Video memory: 1mb

Comments:
First I added 48mb of EDO Ram, replacing the 16mb Fast Page Ram originally installed(No Problem). Next I installed a Mustek 600 scanner, which intailed adding a SCSI card and scanning software(No Problem). Lastly, I added a Zip Drive. Plenty of Problems After connecting Zip, I tried to install software, but it would abort mid way through installation(I tried to install more times that I care to remember). Ultimately I broke down and called Iomega(who charged me a fee). They said that my printer(Cannon 610) was not compatible with the Zip Drive. As instructed, I changed the driver to my printer. However now my printer did not function with all the features. Therefore, I bought another parallel port and attached my printer to it.

01/19/98 03:21:43

Name: Michael	My Email: Email Me	Motherboard #: PB 650
Model Name: Legend 406CD	When Purchaced: 11/95	Original CPU Speed: 75 Mhz
Original Video memory: 1 Mb

Comments:
Original HD was 850 Mb. Upgraded to 3.5 Gb Maxtor. Could not reinstall Win95 because new HD was partitioned C: & D: and PB reinstall utility "Restore and Recovery Disk" tried to read D:\ (where CD-ROM used to be). Copied device.com, nec_ide.sys (my CD is NEC), & edit.com from reinstall utility to my (empty) C:\. Was able to assign CD-ROM Drive to E:\ by creating "setcd.bat" file with following 3 lines : set cd=nec_ide device.com nec_ide.sys /d:mscd0001 mscdex.exe /d:mscd0001 /l:e /m:30 (I modified lines I found in the autoexec.bat file on the reinstall utility - you may need to tweak it a bit to conform to your situation.) I then created an autoexec.bat file (with only one line) on my C:\ and called the setcd.bat file referred to above. (For some reason, the lines in "setcd.bat" would not work if entered directly into the autoexec.bat file.) When I rebooted, I got the use of my E:\! I then went to E:\ and entered "setup" and Win95 installed itself onto my computer. Since I'm not a real techie and was only experimenting and grabbing at straws, I was real proud of myself - especially since PB Tech (non)Support told me "To eload your programs, the CD-ROM Drive must be set to D:\" (basically telling me that I was screwed and on my own since it was not their hard drive). I may have taken some short cuts or done something wrong here, but it is working!

01/10/98 17:28:26

Name: M. ODonnell	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: 590	Model Name: LG1824 CDTW	When Purchaced: 8/27/95
Original RAM: 16meg	Original CPU Speed: 100MHz	Original Video memory: 1meg

Comments:
Well, last time here I said that I had done just about all of the upgrades I could. I was wrong. on 1/03/98 i added the following: 1) Jaton Video67P video card (Trident ProVidia 9685 chipset) w/ 4meg ram $40. I wanted a low cost video upgrade. 2) 10BASE-T PCI ethernet card $40 if you have more then one PC at home, you really should consider letting up a Peer to Peer network. VERY EASY to do. 3) SoundBlaster AWE64 Value $79 oem I use IBM ViaVoice, and my old soundcard (ESS 1868) just wasnt quite up to speed. 4) USR internal Sportster X2 data/fax/voice $139 oem My system now has 2 modems. One is connected to phone lines 1&2 for voice and fax, then other to line 3 for data. if you have any questions on how to use 2 lines on your modem let me know. All of my slots are full, as are all of my IRQs. Yes, I still plan on building myself a new system, but work and the systems I have been building for family/freinds is taking up all of my time. Mike

01/10/98 12:44:59

Name: Ted Doggett	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: PB 650	Model Name: Pack-Mate 5000CDT	When Purchaced: November 1995
Original CPU Speed: 100

Comments:
Uprades: Processor Intel overdrive 200MHz MMX Hard Drive 6.5 gig Western Digital Video Card Diamond Stealth 2000 3D (4 megs) RAM 64 megs 60ns Modem U.S. Robotics 56.6 Sportster Parallel devices Zip Drive Mustek Scanner Canon Printer Mouse Microsoft Home

12/27/97 09:48:17

Name: jake101	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: PB650	Model Name: Axcel472CD	When Purchaced: 01/11095
Original RAM: 16 Megs	Original CPU Speed: 75MHz	Original Video memory: 1Meg

Comments:
I have a Hillery PB650 mobo First I added 16 Megs RAM then I bought a Graphics Blaster 4 Meg Video card and installed it no problems with either upgrades.Next I bought the Evergreen MX PRO 180 Overdrive processor and installed it.I have the advanced Hilla y motherboard and there was no BIOS upgrade to do so I installed the processor (it comes with a fan & heat sink)I am NOT versed at computer upgrading and Evergreen does a GOOD JOB in the instructions on installing the CPU and taking the old one out.I did ave a problem with the DOS driver(kept getting a divide overflow error) you can rem it out or delete it in the config in the sysedit.All you have to do with this motherboard is turn switch 2&7 ON on the dipswitch install the chip and reboot.The procedure is well spelled out and if you follow the steps there is no big problems in making this upgrade.If anyone does this upgrade and has a "divide overflow error"I can show them a trick to get it going without deletein anything in the config sys. I bought my CPU at INSIGHT and it cost $182.99+$7.00 s/h. The increase was BIG TIME the Dhrystones went from 51995 to 113382 thats a 61000+increase. The cache went freom 16K to 64K. This put me in the league with the 200 pentiums for less than $200.00.I would reccomend this upgrade for anyone that has a 75 pentium...Jake

11/29/97 23:22:26

Name: M. ODonnell	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: 590	Model Name: LG 1824CDTW	When Purchaced: 8/27/95
Original RAM: 16meg	Original CPU Speed: 100MHz	Original Video memory: 1meg

Comments:
My first upgrade was additional RAM. In AUG 96 I got 2 16meg SIMMS, upon opening the case, to my horror I found that the original 16 was actually 4 4meg SIMMS. I ran the system w/ 40meg until I came accross some SimmExtenders at a swap meet. Now I am runn ng 48meg. Sept 96. Added a 1Gig Maxtor drive set on D. Picked it up for $78 after $100 rebate. Nov 96. Installed an additional parralel port for use with my 2nd printer $15 for the card. This took a little trouble shooting of the IRQs etc. Jan 97. Added 1meg of video Ram. Best $17 I ever spent on the old girl. Jan 97. Installed a SupraExpress 336i D/F/V modem. disabled the modem properties on the SND144 This upgrade was a breeze. June 97. Replace the SND144 with an ESS 1868 SoundBlaster 16 compatible card $25. After installing this i freed up 2 IRQs that the SND144 was using! Aug 97. Pentium 166MMX OverDrive $170 Boosted the speed by about 15-20%, not quite the increase I had hopped for, but I was know able to use ViaVoice from IBM. Nov 30, 97. Well, the PB has had just about all the upgrades she can handle, I am now in the process of buying my equipment for my new 'puter. The PB will be given to a family member who currently has a 286. Overall, it has been a very reliable machine. My only real complaint is the lack of an external cache. On the two occasions that I have contacted PB tech support (1 email; 1 voice) my answers were correct and fairly quick. Should you buy a PB? If you are new to computers, and want a low cost EXPANDABLE machine I would have to say yes. If you are a power user, then no. But not just to PB, to any machine that you have not built yourself.

Click here to read older PB Hillary Stories from 1999

Name: Joseph Madajewski	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: PB590 Hillary series	Model Name: Axcel 4640	Original RAM: 16 now 128
Original CPU Speed: 120 now 133	Original Video memory: 1 Meg (same)

Name: Connie Barnette	My URL: Visit Me	My Email: Email Me
Motherboard #: Hillary	Model Name: Platinum Supreme130	When Purchaced: July 1996
Original RAM: 16	Original CPU Speed: 133	Original Video memory: 1 mb